Luo He really didn't mean to.
It hit him all of a sudden.
But in that moment, Bai Tao's words carried an unmistakable threat.
To him, it felt like she was saying: "If you don't come down, I'll just throw it away."
And suddenly—he felt wronged.
A very distinct, undeniable feeling.
What he didn't realize was that this was a tiny flare-up of prince syndrome—a side effect of being respected and pampered for so long.
Every rich, well-bred boy had a touch of it, to some degree.
Some were severely afflicted, but Luo He showed almost no signs.
He never acted entitled, never threw his weight around as the young master of a wealthy family.
So he'd always assumed he was immune.
Yet today… Bai Tao had managed to scratch that one tiny itch.
No one had ever dared to be harsh with him before.
"…Hello?" Luo He quickly snapped back into his usual stern tone.
"I'm listening. But I really can't bring it up—unless you want my life to become a living hell."
Bai Tao was blunt, and she wasn't wrong.
With Luo He being the ridiculously handsome CEO who single-handedly fueled the office gossip mill, delivering breakfast to his office would turn her into the main attraction.
That feeling from last night crept up on Luo He again.
Why is she so… different?
Most people would kill for a chance to suck up to him. If they got close, they'd probably broadcast it to the whole world just to flex.
But she was terrified of anyone finding out.
Fine.
You wanna play hard to get?
I'll be the simp, then.
"If you won't deliver it, just keep it. Eat it yourself."
Bai Tao froze—a bad feeling settling in her gut.
"…You're not gonna tattle to my mom, are you?"
"Tch. Snitching is for kids," Luo He scoffed.
"You sure?"
"I'm hanging up."
Beep.
He actually did hang up.
Bai Tao stared at the lunchbox in her hand, a pang of bitterness hitting her.
Mom… all your hard work, and he can't even be bothered to come down and get it.
Your kindness was wasted on him.
This only solidified her resolve.
Tonight, after work—she had to confront Luo He.
During office hours? Too many eyes. But he rarely left early.
She couldn't let him keep toying with her family's feelings just to blow off steam or amuse himself.
If she was honest… Bai Tao needed distance from him.
No matter how hard she clung to her mantra—"Abandon delusions, prepare for battle"—she kept slipping.
That effortless, heart-stopping smile last night.
That sudden, unfair hint of a whine just now.
How was anyone supposed to resist that?!
Cold and aloof one second, unexpectedly soft the next—
Who wouldn't get whiplash?
She was terrified of falling for his games, only to be discarded later.
That kind of humiliation would stick to her forever.
What kind of self-respecting, independent modern woman gets played by a man?!
Bai Tao walked in the office, greeted her colleagues with a quick "Good morning," and settled into her cubicle.
Right at clock-in, Department Manager Sun Dewei marched over for his usual pep talk:
"You all heard President Luo at yesterday's meeting. He's prioritizing marketing this year—hence why every one of you has his WeChat now. Direct reporting privileges. Use them."
"Last night, we all worked overtime together. I believe each of you should have some good ideas by now. At the discussion meeting at ten o 'clock, President Luo will still be involved. All of you, cheer up! The two supervisors should review it. If it's too naive, just pass it. Don't waste his time."
With that, Sun Dewei left and the office relaxed again.
That's when Bai Tao's cubicle neighbor—and her mentor—Qiu You'er wheeled his chair over.
"Bai Tao, got your idea ready?"
The team had pulled overtime yesterday. Everyone had drafted something passable, which Qiu You'er had reviewed. Most proposals got his nod for today's meeting.
Except Bai Tao's.
Not because hers was bad—it just didn't fit the team's style.
The Marketing Department had two groups:
Group A (Traditional): Celebrity endorsements, TV ads, classic channels.
Group B (Trendy): Short videos, livestream sales, viral campaigns.
Normally, Qiu You'er would've held everyone hostage until they produced something viable. After all, Luo He himself had ordered this brainstorm—they needed impactful ideas.
But he'd let Bai Tao go.
Because she'd sworn—seriously—that she'd bring a meeting-ready pitch today.
This book comes from：m.funovel.com。