He stole his best friend's photos and fell for a tycoon's heir through online dating.

After making up her mind, Xia Ruo was so excited that her fingers trembled as she quickly typed a line on her phone:

"Brother, baby's here at work!"

There was a party at your family's house last night, and it ended very late, so you slept at home for the night. Missing you, brother!

After sending it, she read it twice with satisfaction—the tone was sweet enough, the information was sufficient, it was perfect.

In the top-floor office, Zhou Siyan looked down at the message, her face full of question marks.

zero:【?】

Xia Ruo was stunned for a moment, wondering why she was being asked a question. Then she realized that she hadn't actually mentioned this to Zhou Siyan yesterday.

Last night, my mind was completely occupied with the shocking revelation that "President Huo is Zhou Siyan," so I didn't even think about sending a message to report it.

"Oh dear, I forgot to tell my brother. There was a small party at home yesterday, and I was so tired afterward that I went straight to rest. I didn't have time to contact him."

Zero: [Is this your own house?]

Xia Ruo's eyes darted around, and without blushing or skipping a beat, she put herself in Lin Wanzhi's shoes:

"Yes, the baby's family owns the Lin Group, which is quite powerful, but it's nowhere near as good as the older brother's."

Self-disclosure complete!

After posting, she added a shy emoji, feeling that her acting was on point and her emotions were right, perfectly portraying the image of a "well-off girl who doesn't flaunt her wealth."

-

Top floor office.

As Zhou Siyan watched the messages pop up on the screen, his fingers slowly tightened around the phone, his knuckles turning bluish-white.

Okay. Very good. Excellent.

He felt guilty last night for scaring her with his words, and couldn't sleep after going home, tossing and turning, reflecting on his mistakes over and over again.

Was my tone too harsh? Was the mention of the Huangpu River too much? Was she too timid, scared out of her wits by him?

Even after reflecting on it to the end, he had convinced himself.

It was his fault. He was too hasty.

How could a young girl like her withstand such a shock?

He decided he didn't need her to say anything; he would take the initiative and clarify their relationship.

When she comes to work today, I'll call her into my office and bow my head first.

He was about to pick up the phone and ask her to come up.

Unexpectedly—

This little girl thought about it all night and actually came up with this idea.

A switcheroo? Using Lin Wanzhi to impersonate herself?

Xia Ruo, you have no heart!

He took a deep breath, suppressing the surging, overwhelming emotions in his chest, picked up the intercom, pressed the number keys hard, and said coldly:

"Xia Ruo, bring in a cup of coffee."

After saying that, he hung up with a "click".

-

Downstairs, Xia Ruo was stunned when she heard the busy tone on the phone.

What's wrong with this guy? Did he eat gunpowder?

Delivering coffee? Her eyes darted around, and she turned to look at Lin Wanzhi, who was organizing documents, a meaningful smile curving her lips.

"Wanwan, Mr. Huo wants you to deliver coffee."

"Huh?" Lin Wanzhi looked up, her eyes wide. "Why me?"

"Because he wants to see you," Xia Ruo said with a straight face, making up a lie. "You're interested in him, so he definitely wants to spend more time with you."

"I'm not going... I'm scared..." Lin Wanzhi's hands were already trembling.

Xia Ruo thought to herself: What are you afraid of? You are the leading lady. The male lead will only feel sorry for you when he sees you.

She steadied her voice, "Wanwan, Mr. Huo is truly a rare find; you should give him a chance!"

"I'm scared..."

"What are you so afraid of?" Xia Ruo sighed in exasperation. "Yesterday at your house, you seemed quite friendly talking to him."

"That's because Ruoruo is here!" Lin Wanzhi's trembling voice carried a firm tone.

I only feel safe when you are there.

If one day you're not by my side anymore, I really will become depressed, Ruoruo, you have to believe me!

Looking into those wet eyes, Xia Ruo felt a sudden, gentle jolt in her heart.

"Could you deliver it for me, Ruoruo..." Lin Wanzhi tugged at her sleeve pitifully.

Xia Ruo gritted her teeth and hardened her heart:

"No way. You just agreed to it, and you're already like this at the very beginning. I'm angry."

Lin Wanzhi's lips trembled, and she looked like a lop-eared rabbit soaked by the rain, hanging her head and saying in a muffled voice:

"Ruoruo, don't be angry... I'll go."

She got up and walked towards the tea room, her back view looking pitiful.

Xia Ruo finally breathed a sigh of relief and leaned back in her chair.

but.

Five minutes passed.

Ten minutes passed.

Xia Ruo was wondering why he hadn't returned yet when she suddenly caught sight of a familiar figure pacing back and forth in the corridor outside the office area.

Xia Ruo almost fainted.

She ran over and asked in a low voice, "What are you doing?"

Looking down at the coffee in Lin Wanzhi's hand, the cup was almost deformed from her grip.

Why did you bring the coffee here?

"I...I...I still don't dare to go in..." Lin Wanzhi's voice was barely audible, like a mosquito's buzz. "Please come with me, Ruoruo, I beg you..."

Looking at Lin Wanzhi's almost tearful expression, Xia Ruo sighed deeply after a few seconds:

"...Okay. I'll wait for you at the door."

"Great!!!" Lin Wanzhi's eyes lit up instantly.

Xia Ruo watched Lin Wanzhi walk towards the dark brown office door at the end of the corridor.

She stood there, staring at the closed door, a strange, indescribable bitterness welling up inside her.

She remembered the way Zhou Siyan looked at her at the ball last night, his warm breath as he whispered "Do you like it?" in her ear, and the hand that wouldn't let go of her waist.

Those ambiguous, heart-pounding moments now resemble shattered glass, each piece reflecting her self-deluded face.

That's it.

He is the male lead.

Even if I did have some feelings for myself last night—so what?

Compared to the female lead, she's not even worth mentioning.

The novel makes it very clear that his heart belongs to Lin Wanzhi, and his ending also belongs to Lin Wanzhi.

What right does a villainous supporting character like her have to feel so sorry for herself here?

Xia Ruo took a deep breath, squeezing out the inappropriate emotions from her chest, and turned to walk back to her workstation.

She sat down, placed her hands on the keyboard, and stared at the screen for a moment in a daze.

Then she opened a blank document and slowly typed three words—

Resignation letter.