Chapter 45: “Is It Him?”

"Is your boyfriend really the CEO of Boson?" Xia Ru squinted coldly.

"Yeah! It's him! I have some business to attend to—gotta go now." At that moment, Yaoyao almost burst into tears. Having just arrived in China, she only knew about the Feng and Boson companies and nothing else, so she had no choice but to bluff.

Calm! Stay calm! In moments like this, you must project confidence and act as if your lie is the truth; otherwise, they'll catch on in a heartbeat.

"Hold up!" Xia Ru suddenly called after her. "Yaoyao, if your boyfriend is really Boson's CEO, why isn't he with you today?"

"Yeah… why wouldn't he be there to accompany me on a day like this?" Yaoyao managed to reply hesitantly.

"Because… he's low-profile! Don't you know that since I just got back from Japan, you should be more familiar with Boson's CEO? He rarely has his picture taken and almost never deals with minor company matters—he leaves most things in the hands of the vice president and General Manager Long Ye. So naturally, he wouldn't show up at an event like this."

"Xia Ru, what Yaoyao said is right. One time when my dad was negotiating business with Boson, it was General Manager Long Ye who handled the reception for him."

Phew… Luckily, Bai Ling had mentioned these details to her before, so Yaoyao knew the name Long Ye. Otherwise, she would have been completely stumped by these questions today.

"Hmm? Is that so? Well, as they say, 'Fate works in mysterious ways.' Yaoyao, maybe you haven't heard your boyfriend mention it, but he's actually inside this villa right now… talking business with my father. Come on, let's go greet him!"

No—no, it can't be that coincidental! This is a disaster! Yaoyao, you really shouldn't have lied; now look at you—if your lie gets exposed, you'll never be able to hold your head high in front of Xia Ru again. "Wait… wait a minute, I don't want to disturb his work."

"Ah, it's no big deal! I'll just tell them that I arranged it with my dad." Xia Ru, with a group in tow, forcefully dragged Yaoyao into the villa. "Hey, Yaoyao, why are you trembling? Are you… scared?"

All eyes turned to the pale-faced Yaoyao. "Yeah, look at your complexion—are you… no way! If it weren't for Xia Ru, I'd have almost been fooled by you."

"Really, how can you say that? Even if you're exaggerating, you should pick someone a little more believable. The more I think about it, the less it makes sense—Boson's CEO is supposedly only 27 or 28. How on earth would he fall for someone as young as you?"

"True, Boson's CEO can have any type of woman he wants. Gosh, I almost got duped there."

"Ah, how can you all say things like that? You know Boson's CEO only fancies someone cute and sweet like our Yaoyao, right? Isn't that so, Yaoyao?" Xia Ru feigned the role of the good friend, casting a mocking glance at Yaoyao.

Hearing the derisive remarks, Yaoyao lowered her eyes in guilt and remained silent—she was utterly powerless to fight back at that moment.

"Yaoyao, just confess: is your boyfriend really Boson's CEO? If not, don't worry—we won't laugh at you."

"I…" Yaoyao began, her voice barely audible.

"Ru Ru! What are you all saying down there so loud? You're disturbing my conversation with a guest," an elderly voice from the second-floor corridor interrupted Yaoyao.

Xia Ru gave an exasperated shrug. "That's it—my father's coming down. Even if you wanted to confess, you won't get the chance." With an odd little smile, she dashed toward the second-floor staircase.

"Could it be that Boson's CEO is coming down with Uncle Xia as well?"

"Ah, no way! I hear Boson's CEO is super handsome. I want to see him."

"Come on, I'm going too." Everyone eagerly followed, leaving Yaoyao standing alone and isolated in the living room.

Should she try to run now? Perhaps it was the perfect chance—but even if she ran, what would it change? She'd only be laughed at. Sigh—lies eventually unravel. Just as Cinderella turns back at midnight, her disguise would soon be stripped away, and besides, she isn't Cinderella at all.

"Dad, this is…" As Xia Ru and the others reached the second floor, they immediately spotted her father accompanied by a few people. His eyes lit up brilliantly.

"Hehe, Ru Ru, this gentleman is Mr. Yu, the CEO of Boson Group. Beside him is Vice President Han. And as for this one…"

"I know him—it's Long Qi," Xia Ru remarked, recalling her previous visit to Boson to see Long Qi. "Long Qi, didn't you say you couldn't come to my birthday party today? You weren't planning on surprising me, were you?"

"I really couldn't make it—I'm here accompanying Mr. Yu today."

"Uh…" Xia Ru pouted disappointedly, then looked up to meet Yu Aotian's gaze and offered a polite smile. "Hello, Mr. Yu."

Those following behind were utterly stunned, whispering among themselves, "Look at that—Boson's CEO is just as handsome as the rumors say. Check out his aura and features. Today's Xia Ru's party is totally worth coming to; I can brag that I met Boson's CEO later, haha."

"Hehe, Mr. Yu, she's my little Xia Ru. Today is her birthday—would you mind joining us for a meal?"

"Indeed, happy birthday, Miss Xia Ru. If you're here on your 20th birthday, it will surely be unforgettable with me present. But I'm afraid I have other matters to attend to."With that cold remark, Mr. Yu briefly shook hands with Mr. Xia Ru, Xia Ru's father, and said, "Mr. Xia, I'll consider your proposal. I must be off now."

"Wow, did you hear the way he spoke? His voice is so pleasant—it almost makes being rejected an enjoyable experience."

"Enough indulgence—time is for business," someone quickly pushed aside Xia Ru. "Hurry up and use this chance to ask that question! Ask it now!"

"Uh?" Xia Ru immediately snapped to attention, her eyes brightening. "Wait—Mr. Yu, isn't your girlfriend also down on the first floor? Don't you want to see her?"

"My girlfriend?" Mr. Yu suddenly halted, his brows furrowing slightly. He instinctively glanced at Long Qi, Han Li, and the others, who were equally curious about who this so-called "girlfriend" might be.

"Ah, really? Ru Ru, so your friend is actually Mr. Yu's girlfriend? Then you must treat her well," Xia Ru's father hurriedly advised his daughter, seeing an opportunity to network with Mr. Yu.

"Dad, just look at Mr. Yu's expression—he clearly knows my classmate is lying."

With a feigned look of helplessness, Xia Ru sighed, "Mr. Yu, please don't mind her. My classmate has always been one to make connections—and she's full of lies. She's downstairs; just take a quick look, and then leave the rest to me."

What sort of person is Mr. Yu? As soon as he saw the little girl's scheming look, he knew exactly what she was up to. He had neither the time nor the patience to play games with a kid, let alone be manipulated by her. "Sorry, I don't have time," he said coldly as he briskly headed down to the first floor.