What to do if I've locked myself in a book! - Chapter 51

Ling Qianqian’s workstation was in a small office next to the VIP area. It was fully equipped with a desk and chair, a long sofa, a coffee table, a water dispenser, and more. She was the only one there. The work environment was unexpectedly comfortable, as if it were cut off from the outside world and free from disturbance.

Zhang Rui took her to see the VIP rooms. Each room differed in size and function. Many were equipped for meetings, quite different from the entertainment-focused clubs she had imagined. She would need to allocate and arrange rooms based on guests’ needs. According to Zhang Rui, most of the people who booked rooms came to conduct business.

She hadn’t expected a place like this bar to hide so much depth. It wasn’t an ordinary entertainment venue, and it also let her glimpse Cheng Zhan’s ambitions from the side.

When guests arrived, Zhang Rui would bring them to her office, where she would receive them and record their registration.

Working hours were from seven in the evening to midnight, and the pay was not low.

After getting familiar with the process, Ling Qianqian sat comfortably in her office. The room was very quiet. Aside from the constant sound of thunder and rain outside the window, she couldn’t hear the noisy music or voices from outside.

There was a laptop prepared for her on the desk, used to register guest information. She turned it on and couldn’t help recalling how she used to rush deadlines in that twenty-square-meter rental room. Her mood immediately became complicated.

Just then, there was a knock on the office door. Zhang Rui came in with tonight’s first guest.

The moment that tall, well-dressed, handsome figure appeared before Ling Qianqian, her heart tightened.

It was none other than Ye Xize.

Ye Xize showed no surprise upon seeing Ling Qianqian. He gave her a polite yet sly smile, like a well-mannered scoundrel who knew his limits.

“Mr. Ye, this is our Manager Ling. She’s fully in charge of reservations. You can discuss your needs with her.”

“Mm, okay. Thank you.”

Zhang Rui closed the door and left, leaving only Ling Qianqian and Ye Xize alone in the room.

Ling Qianqian sucked in a cold breath. She never expected to run into this man here. It had been over a month since they last met at the ball. In the book, he had a romantic history with her—her ex-boyfriend. If his experiences overlapped with Luo Qian’s, she didn’t even know how she should face him.

She remained seated in her office chair, pretending to be calm. She cleared her throat, placed her hands on the laptop keyboard, and put on a show of professionalism. “Mr. Ye, please tell me your reservation requirements, and I’ll arrange a suitable room for you.”

The man didn’t rush to speak. He crossed his long legs and sat gracefully on the sofa. When he clasped his hands together, the crystal bracelet on his wrist caught her eye.

He looked far too much like Luo Qian. If not for that somewhat out-of-place crystal bracelet on his hand, which felt like a reminder, she might have found it hard to tell them apart.

Ye Xize casually glanced around the room and smiled as he spoke. “Manager Ling, could you pour me a glass of water first?”

His captivating peach-blossom eyes curved into a mischievous arc. He called her “Manager Ling” very naturally. The request was reasonable, leaving her no reason to refuse.

“No problem.”

She stood up and walked toward the water dispenser, only to find the disposable paper cups placed high on the side cabinet. As she rose onto her tiptoes to reach for them, a wave of warmth, along with a familiar floral scent, suddenly enveloped her entire back.

She froze slightly. Surrounded by the man’s cool, clean scent, she couldn’t help but feel heated.

Noticing her flustered reaction and her slightly flushed face, the man’s lips curved into a smile. He stretched out his long arm and easily reached the paper cup.

“Thanks…”

She was just about to take the cup from his hand when he took the opportunity to grasp her hand instead. His long fingers slipped between hers, his warm palm pressing against the back of her hand.

The paper cup dropped onto the surface of the side cabinet with a soft thud. Before she could react, the man’s chest pressed tightly against her back, pulling her into his embrace.

“Mm, what are you doing…”

“Qianqian,” he called softly and ambiguously. He bent his neck, rubbing his cool cheek against her burning ear, teasing it as he breathed out restrained gasps. “When are you coming home with me?”