Zhou Yun, however, was not angered. Instead, she responded with a bewitching smile.
“Xiao Ran, if you want to fuck me, just do it. Why pretend to be a prude?”
“I’m warning you, you’d better behave yourself!”
“Alright, alright, Stepmom is so scared!”
Zhou Yun giggled charmingly. Seeing that Zhao Ran was genuinely angry, she stopped teasing him.
Zhao Ran swallowed hard, not daring to look at her seductive appearance any longer. He was truly worried he wouldn’t be able to resist the urge to take her right then and there. Forcing himself to shift his attention, he stared out the window.
His emotions were in turmoil. He had no idea what this woman’s true nature was really like.
Just then, Zhao Ran’s phone suddenly rang. He answered it immediately, and Yin Yue’s voice came through from the other end. “Hey? Zhao Ran, didn’t we agree to go see my mom today about the job? She just called me asking when you’d be coming over.”
It was only then that Zhao Ran abruptly remembered this arrangement. Returning home had completely addled his brains, thanks to his stepmother’s antics.
After hanging up, Zhao Ran made to get out of the car immediately.
Since he hadn’t put the call on speaker, Zhou Yun was unaware of what was happening. Seeing him about to leave, she quickly called out to him, “Aren’t you coming with me to the club to take a look?”
Zhao Ran waved his hand dismissively. “I’ve got things to do. I’m not going. We’ll talk about it another time.”
Before Zhou Yun could say anything more, Zhao Ran had already pushed the car door open, stepped out, and headed straight for a taxi waiting not far away.
Zhou Yun couldn’t help but feel a sense of disappointment, yet there was nothing she could do. As always, she drove off alone toward the company.
Zhao Ran rushed urgently to the municipal government building. When he arrived at the entrance, he was stopped by security. After explaining that he was there to see Mayor Zheng, the guard promptly made a phone call to verify and then invited him to wait inside.
Before long, a short-haired woman dressed in a professional suit came jogging out of the building.
“Hello, you must be Mr. Zhao. I am Mayor Zheng’s office secretary. You can call me Xiao Li,” she said. Unsure of Zhao Ran’s background—though he looked young, the mayor had personally instructed her to receive him—she decided it was best to be courteous.
Zhao Ran nodded. “Yes, that’s me. Thank you for coming to get me.”
“Not a problem, it’s my pleasure. Please, right this way.” Secretary Li led the way while discreetly sizing up Zhao Ran.
She guided him through the lobby and took the elevator directly to the top floor, the seventeenth. They walked to the easternmost end of the corridor, where a door labeled “Vice Mayor’s Office” stood. Secretary Li knocked lightly, and a voice from inside called out, “Come in.”
She pushed the door open and entered. Mayor Zheng looked up and said, “Xiao Li, you may return to your duties for now.”
Xiao Li acknowledged the instruction, closed the door behind her, and withdrew.
Zhao Ran stepped into the office and took a look around. The space was approximately fifty square meters. In the center sat a coffee table, behind which was a set of genuine leather sofas. Behind the sofas stood a large floor-to-ceiling window.
The desk was positioned on the eastern side. Behind it sat Yin Yue’s mother, dressed in a black tailored suit with a matching white blouse. Her long hair cascaded neatly over her shoulders, with soft waves starting near the roots. A pair of gold-rimmed glasses rested on her tall, elegant nose.
At home, he hadn’t fully noticed it, but in this setting, her demeanor was a perfect match for the environment.
Yin’s mother smiled warmly at Zhao Ran and said, “Make yourself at home. Please, have a seat.” Zhao Ran nodded. “Yes, thank you, Auntie.”
The woman smiled slightly and said, “Let me briefly explain. Although I hold the title of vice mayor here, I don’t actually oversee a great deal.”