Everyone in the Group is a Main Character, Except Me Who's the Villain

141: Is it him? Is it really him?Ye Nuannuan’s voice trembled until it was almost out of tune, filled with unbelievable shock.

Is it him? Is it really him?

The title ’Group Leader Brother’ was something no one besides the members of the Chat Group would know.

So, that instant sense of familiarity and the racing heartbeat when she heard the name ’Fang Ming’ in the Administration Department this morning... wasn’t an illusion?

Fang Ming set aside his playful demeanor. ”It’s not convenient to talk out here. Let’s head inside first.”

”Ah, right, I’m sorry! Please, come in!” Ye Nuannuan snapped out of her daze and hurriedly pulled the door wide open, stepping aside to let him through.

Ever since Fang Ming helped her escape her misery, she had always wanted to meet him and express her gratitude in person.

However, Fang Ming was usually busy, and it wasn’t suitable for them to meet for a while, so she could only keep that thought hidden in her heart.

She never expected that now... that mysterious and powerful group owner who had helped her was actually her colleague? And he lived right next door??

Fang Ming stepped into the small rental apartment.

The place was kept very tidy, with light-colored fabric sofas, a small raw wood coffee table, and a few pots of pothos on the balcony. The air carried a faint, fresh scent characteristic of a young girl’s room.

”Make yourself at home, I’ll pour you some water!” Ye Nuannuan closed the door, her tone clearly excited.

She walked quickly to the simple water dispenser in the corner of the living room, pressed the cold water button, filled a cup to the brim, and turned to hand it to Fang Ming, who was already seated on the sofa.

Then she went to the kitchen, took two apples and a small bunch of green grapes from the fridge, quickly rinsed them under the tap, found a fruit plate, and placed it on the coffee table as well.

After doing all this, she sat down somewhat awkwardly at the other end of the sofa, her hands resting on her joined knees and her back straight as a rod, like a primary school student waiting for a teacher’s question.

”This apartment of yours...”

Fang Ming picked up the water cup and took a sip, his gaze scanning the room. ”There shouldn’t be any surveillance or listening devices, right?”

”No!” Ye Nuannuan replied immediately. ”I’ve checked several times using the counter-reconnaissance detection process and the simple detector that Soldier King Brother shared in the group.”

”Also, whenever I go out, I stick a small strip of paper tape that matches the color of the door frame in an inconspicuous spot. I only enter after checking that it hasn’t been broken.”

”Hmm, good awareness of precautions.” Fang Ming nodded, a hint of approval in his tone.

He had only mentioned taking precautions in the Chat Group once; the specific implementation process was the result of her own discussions with Chu Feng.

To be able to do it to this extent at least proved she had put her heart into it.

”How is life here? Are you used to it?” He picked up a green grape and popped it into his mouth, his movements as natural as if he were in his own home.

”It’s... it’s okay!” Ye Nuannuan said hurriedly. ”At first, I wasn’t quite used to it; it felt a bit damp, but it’s much better now. CEO Mu treats me very well, and the work is very fulfilling. By the way, why did you come to work at Yunlan? And in the Administration Department?”

”I have some matters to handle. I can’t tell you the specifics for now.”

”I see...”

This answer amounted to saying nothing at all, but Ye Nuannuan accepted it immediately, even automatically filling in a reasonable explanation in her head.

The group owner naturally had his deep reasons for his actions; either it was something important, or he wanted to investigate something. She shouldn’t ask too much.

”Whatever the reason, it’s really wonderful to meet you here. I... I’ve never known how to thank you.”

”No need for thanks, we’re just helping each other out.”

Fang Ming waved his hand and stood up. ”I just came by today to check on you, it’s nothing major. Go on with your business, I’ll head back now.”

”Ah, you’re leaving already??”

”I’ll be staying here for a few days, so we’ll have plenty of chances to meet. Don’t call me Group Leader Brother anymore, just call me by my name. Act normally at the company. If anyone suspects our relationship, just say we happened to become neighbors and get along well. Don’t say anything else.”

Ye Nuannuan was different from Mu Qingxue; she was a member of the Chat Group, so there were no issues with confidentiality. Plus, Fang Ming had a legitimate reason to be near her.

Therefore, he wasn’t afraid of exposing his identity in front of her.

”Understood!” Ye Nuannuan nodded heavily. Following Fang Ming’s request, she took a bag of salt from the kitchen, saw him out, and then leaned against her closed front door, slowly exhaling a long breath of turbid air.

After her parents passed away, she had always been a lonely person.

Later, the Chat Group appeared and saved her from her misery, so she treated the people in the group as her family.

Coming to Chengdu, she had no relatives or friends. If not for being able to open that Chat Group light screen at any time, she would have even thought she was hallucinating.

Fang Ming’s appearance today caused the last sliver of unease in her heart from living alone in a strange city to vanish instantly.

Not only was the Chat Group real, but the group owner lived right next door??

...That night, Ye Nuannuan suffered a bit of insomnia. On one hand, she was excited by Fang Ming’s sudden appearance; on the other, she was wondering why he was living next door to her.

A person as capable as Fang Ming living in a rental apartment just like her? That was absolutely illogical.

Unfortunately, her abilities were limited and she didn’t know much, so she couldn’t figure out the reason no matter how hard she racked her brain.

The next morning after eight o’clock, the summer sun was already somewhat dazzling.

Just as Fang Ming closed his door, he saw Ye Nuannuan walking out of her rental unit.

Today, she was wearing a light blue chiffon shirt paired with a white skirt, her hair tied in a low ponytail. She looked refreshing, with a touch of the naivety of someone who had just left campus.

”Morning.”

”Morning!”

The two greeted each other naturally, bought soy milk and steamed buns at the community entrance, and ate as they walked, merging into the morning crowd heading for the subway.

To avoid suspicion, they arrived at the company one after the other.

In the Administration Department office, just as Fang Ming sat down, Lu Ping leaned over while munching on bread, gossip gleaming in his eyes.

”Fang Ming, what was the situation yesterday? CEO Mu called you up; she didn’t make things hard for you, did she? Director Li’s face, tsk tsk, was as black as the bottom of a pot.”

Several colleagues nearby also pricked up their ears.

Fang Ming turned on his computer and spoke casually, ”What could happen? CEO Mu just asked a couple of questions, and I answered truthfully!”

”It was that simple?”

”That simple.”

”Sigh, I heard that Director Li went to a bar last night and somehow provoked some thugs. He got cornered in an alley and beaten up. His face is all black and blue, and he took sick leave to go to the hospital this morning!”

”That unlucky?” Fang Ming raised an eyebrow.

He didn’t need to think hard to know it was likely that narrow-minded playboy Wei Wenbin settling the score afterwards.

Having dealt with such people too often, Fang Ming wasn’t surprised at all.

There wasn’t much to say about today’s work. With Mu Qingxue’s attention and without Li Jun’s harassment, Fang Ming could slack off and play games without any reservations.

Ye Nuannuan didn’t show anything unusual, except she would occasionally steal glances at Fang Ming while working.

Sometimes she would pass by while delivering documents, or go to the pantry to pour water. When her gaze fell on Fang Ming, it would linger for half a second before quickly shifting away, pretending to look elsewhere.

That look no longer held yesterday’s shock and excitement, but had gained a sense of security and a touch of pleasure from sharing a small secret.

Fang Ming just acted like he didn’t see it. While slacking off and playing games, he occasionally handled the documents Lu Ping tossed his way.

Ding-dong!

[Qin Xiao]: ”Fang Ming, what happened yesterday afternoon?”