{Chapter: 323 Fascinated!}
The doorman and security guard froze. Feeling the weight of his gaze, a cold sweat broke across their backs. They immediately shut their mouths, afraid they might have crossed a line.
Without a word, Lin Yuan walked deeper into the building. Every step he took exuded confidence and composure. As he moved through the spacious lobby, heads began to turn.
His presence did not go unnoticed.
Employees paused in their tasks, their eyes drifting toward him. Whether they were male or female, they couldn't help but be drawn to his appearance and the air of quiet power that surrounded him.
But just like before, the whispers began again.
Although they kept their voices low, Lin Yuan heard everything.
"This guy's back again? He must still be chasing after President Yan."
"Ugh. What a simp. The woman doesn't even like him and he keeps showing up. No self-respect."
"Come on, don't be so harsh. He's still the young master of the Lin family. He's loaded."
"Yeah, but money doesn't change the fact that he keeps getting rejected. It's kinda sad."
Lin Yuan's expression didn't change, but he knew why they spoke that way. His predecessor—the original Lin Yuan—had earned that reputation. A man hopelessly chasing after Yan Ruyue, constantly appearing in front of her, only to be coldly turned away every time.
What these people didn't know was that things had changed. The engagement had been quietly suspended. The 'licking dog' they remembered was long gone.
While the employees continued their hushed conversations, the elevator chimed.
Yan Ruyue stepped out.
She wore a sleek, tailored business suit that accentuated her figure, radiating elegance and dominance. Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor as she strode forward, her usual frosty expression worn like a mask of ice.
The employees immediately fell silent. Heads dropped. Hands moved faster across keyboards. But their eyes still followed her discreetly, sneaking glances at the unfolding scene.
They were expecting the usual pattern: Lin Yuan appears, President Yan ignores or rejects him, and he leaves awkwardly. The cycle had repeated so often that it had become a quiet source of office entertainment.
But what happened next shattered their expectations.
Yan Ruyue's eyes lit up the moment she saw Lin Yuan.
Wearing a radiant smile—something rarely seen on her face—she walked directly toward him.
"You're finally here!" she said warmly, her voice unusually soft and affectionate.
Lin Yuan gave a polite nod. "Good afternoon," he replied, calm and collected.
The employees were stunned.
Their jaws nearly dropped. Was this really the same cold, untouchable ice queen they worked under?
What happened next made their eyes go even wider.
Without hesitation, Yan Ruyue reached out and gently took Lin Yuan's hand in hers.
Still smiling, she said, "I have some things to sort out in my office. Come upstairs with me first."
Gasps echoed silently in their minds. No one dared say a word, but the shock was plain on every face.
This was completely different from anything they had seen before.
Their ice-cold president… holding hands with the man they thought she had no feelings for?
Seeing Yan Ruyue's fair, slender hand actively reach out and intertwine with Lin Yuan's, everyone around was utterly stunned.
What… what just happened?
Was this really Yan Ruyue—the famously cold and aloof female president?
The same woman who rarely smiled, who carried herself like a queen carved from ice?
It was as if they were looking at a completely different person. Gone was the reserved, distant woman they knew. Instead, here stood someone radiating warmth and familiarity—toward Lin Yuan of all people.
For as long as anyone could remember, Yan Ruyue had always been known for her icy temperament. She was polite, yes—but formal and restrained. She kept her distance from men, including Lin Yuan, who had once visited frequently, only to be rejected again and again without even getting a chance to see her.
And yet now?
She hadn't just agreed to meet him.
She had personally come down to greet him.
More than that—she held his hand of her own accord!
This scene flipped everything they thought they knew upside down.
Wasn't Lin Yuan supposed to be the infamous "licking dog," the man who pursued Yan Ruyue with obsessive determination, even when she gave him nothing but indifference?
So what was going on now?
Why did it feel like the roles had reversed?
Why did it look like it was Yan Ruyue who was chasing after Lin Yuan?
As for Lin Yuan himself, he was slightly taken aback by the sudden affection Yan Ruyue was showing him. Her hand felt soft and warm in his own, and for a moment, he was caught off guard. However, he quickly understood her intent.
Given her intelligence, Yan Ruyue must have heard the hushed gossip floating through the company earlier. She was also well aware of the cold way she had treated Lin Yuan in the past.
This sudden display of affection wasn't just a whim—it was a strategic move to protect Lin Yuan's reputation and restore his dignity in front of the staff. She was doing damage control, and she was doing it flawlessly.
But Lin Yuan's guess only scratched the surface.
In truth, Yan Ruyue's motivations ran deeper.
Ever since they went to the movies together—and the subtle emotional shifts she experienced that night—she had been seriously reconsidering her feelings. That evening marked the beginning of her resolve to take a bold step forward. After returning home, she even prepared a formal letter to reaffirm their engagement. She had made up her mind.
She would no longer passively observe as Lin Yuan and Chi Qian grew closer.
She would fight for Lin Yuan—fight to take him back for herself.
As Lin Yuan allowed her to gently tug him toward the elevator, he didn't resist. He simply followed along, letting her fingers stay wrapped in his.
But just as they reached the elevator doors, Yan Ruyue suddenly turned back to face the first-floor office workers.
Her voice was clear and cold, carrying with it a sense of unquestionable authority:
"I hope all of you can focus your energy on your work. Refrain from whispering about matters that have nothing to do with you."
Then she pointed to two male staff members seated nearby—both of whom had been particularly vocal in mocking Lin Yuan earlier.
"And as for you two, pack up your belongings. Go up to the Finance Department. You'll receive three months' pay as severance."
"Let this be a lesson. If anyone else is caught gossiping and disrespecting others in this company, the result will be the same instant termination."
Her words cut through the room like a blade.
Everyone froze.
Lin Yuan, recalling their earlier conversation, recognized those two male employees—they were the ones who had scorned him most harshly, calling him a spineless fool, a dog chasing after a woman's heels.
Clearly, Yan Ruyue had heard them as well. And she wasn't going to tolerate anyone insulting him—not anymore.
The color drained from the two men's faces. Their mouths opened slightly in disbelief, but no words came out. They hadn't expected to lose their jobs over a few hushed comments.
But Yan Ruyue's tone left no room for negotiation.
Despite their frustration and dismay, they could only obey. With trembling hands, they gathered their things and left under the silent, watchful eyes of their colleagues.
A heavy silence fell over the office.
No one dared say another word.
Just moments ago, many had thought their gossiping was harmless. Lin Yuan wasn't their superior. He wasn't even part of their company. And they had spoken in low voices—surely it couldn't matter that much.
But clearly, it did matter.
Because Yan Ruyue was no longer distant from Lin Yuan. If anything, she was fiercely protective now.
Two people had just been fired for badmouthing him.
The message was loud and clear: anyone who disrespected Lin Yuan would have to deal with her.
Lin Yuan looked back one last time before stepping into the elevator.
This time, every head was bowed. Everyone was focused intently on their screens, typing and clicking with forced intensity, afraid to even glance in his direction.
He no longer saw a single smirk or heard a single whisper.
The gossip had stopped.
Yan Ruyue's hand tightened around his.
Lin Yuan turned to look at her, meeting her eyes. Her lips curled into a warm, genuine smile.
Understanding the emotion behind it, Lin Yuan responded in kind. He gently squeezed her hand in return.
Seeing his response, Yan Ruyue's smile widened—brighter, more radiant than ever.
Neither of them spared another glance at the silent employees.
They stepped into the elevator together, and Yan Ruyue pressed the button for the top floor.
As the elevator doors closed, the arrow above lit up, showing the elevator's ascent.
Only then did the staff on the first floor let out the breath they had been holding.
They exchanged glances filled with anxiety and disbelief, none daring to say a word aloud.
But every single person was asking the same question in their hearts.
What had happened between Yan Ruyue and Lin Yuan?
How had their relationship changed so drastically?
The shock lingered in the air, even after the couple disappeared from sight.
Meanwhile, Lin Yuan and Yan Ruyue ascended to the very top floor of the Yanyue Group's towering headquarters—together.
---
Yan Ruyue's office was spacious, minimalistic, and meticulously organized. The soft natural light streaming through the floor-to-ceiling windows accentuated the sleek modern furniture—each piece clearly brand new and carefully chosen to reflect both elegance and authority. Even the polished hardwood floor gleamed under the sunlight, and a faint scent of jasmine lingered in the air, likely from a small diffuser discreetly placed near the window.
From where Lin Yuan stood, he could see that the view from her office was nice. Although the building was surrounded by several skyscrapers, the way the windows were angled gave a clear, unobstructed panorama of the city's skyline. It was the kind of view that commanded respect—much like the woman who occupied this space.
This was Lin Yuan's first time visiting Yan Ruyue's office, and the atmosphere alone spoke volumes about her identity as a powerful businesswoman. Today, she truly looked the part of a formidable CEO.
Her long, silky black hair had been rolled up into a stylish bun at the back of her head, revealing the graceful arc of her neck. Her face was sculpted and flawless, exuding a rare blend of softness and strength. She wore a sharply tailored formal suit that enhanced her commanding presence. The fitted blazer hugged her waist perfectly, and the matching skirt revealed just enough of her long, shapely legs to be elegant but enticing.
Her legs, encased in a thin layer of high-grade silk stockings, were mesmerizing. They crossed and uncrossed with effortless grace as she moved around, and Lin Yuan couldn't help but notice how alluring the contrast was between her cold demeanor and her undeniably seductive appearance. She looked like she had just stepped out of the pages of a high-end Manhwa—poised, powerful, and breathtakingly beautiful and sexy.