11 – Tearing Green Tea by Hand
Tang Qianluo glanced at the assistant’s name tag on her chest—beneath the glamorous work photo were the characters “Zhu Lu.”
She crossed her arms, lifted her chin, and smiled. “Oh, really?”
Zhu Lu’s smile widened as she straightened her posture and said in a saccharine tone,
“Indeed. But one can hardly blame you. You’ve only just married into the family and might not be aware—I’ve been by President Ning’s side for a year, so I naturally understand him a bit better.”
A faint smile played on Tang Qianluo’s lips as she cast a sidelong glance at Zhu Lu.
“President Ning hasn’t been feeling well these past few days. The doctor explicitly advised against coffee. You’ve been his assistant for a year, yet you still need me to teach you the basics of keeping track of your boss’s condition?”
Zhu Lu’s face stiffened. Failing to stay updated on the boss’s status was indeed a major blunder for an assistant.
“With such carelessness, Miss Zhu, it’s hard for me to trust your professional competence.”
Zhu Lu hastily bowed in apology. “I’m sorry, President Ning. It was an oversight on my part.”
Tang Qianluo smiled faintly. “In the workplace, ‘sorry’ is the least welcome word. A mistake is a mistake—those three words won’t earn you forgiveness.”
Ning Dai watched Tang Qianluo assert her authority, a trace of amusement flickering in his eyes.
A moment later, his thin lips parted as he uttered in a low, husky voice, “Go to HR and settle your final payment.”
Zhu Lu dropped to her knees, weeping and pleading, “I’m sorry, Madam! I’m sorry, President Ning! Please, give me another chance!”
Not only were the benefits at Ning Corporation exceptional, but being fired from the company would make it nearly impossible for her to find employment elsewhere.
Ning Dai frowned slightly and pressed button two on his desk intercom. Within moments, several burly bodyguards entered and escorted the wailing woman out.
Tang Qianluo shook her head and sighed at the scene.
“Feeling sorry for her?” Ning Dai’s deep voice inquired.
Tang Qianluo shook her head. “That woman had ill intentions. From the moment she walked in, the way she looked at you wasn’t innocent. Her attire was hardly appropriate for the workplace either. It’s just as well she’s been dismissed—sooner or later, she would have caused trouble.”
Ning Dai, usually preoccupied with work, paid little attention to personnel matters. But from the moment Zhu Lu provoked Tang Qianluo, he had been anticipating his wife’s reaction. Fortunately, she hadn’t disappointed him.
“Where’s my tea?”
Inwardly, Tang Qianluo wept with regret. Why did she have to speak so impulsively? Now she was reduced to serving tea.
The layout of Ning Corporation was exceedingly complex. It took Tang Qianluo quite a while to locate the break room. Before she could open the door, she overheard the voices of several women inside.
“Did you hear? Zhu Lu from the secretarial office was just fired!”
“What? But she always performed well!”
“What good is performance? The president’s wife couldn’t tolerate her! No wonder everyone says the Tang family’s second daughter is arrogant, unreasonable, and sharp-tongued. Zhu Lu was just a bit pretty, and she couldn’t wait to sabotage her. I really don’t understand why President Ning married her!”
Standing outside the door, Tang Qianluo listened with a smile as the women inside criticized her.
Only when they had finished and opened the door, paling at the sight of her, did she finally speak. “You all seemed so engrossed in your conversation—I didn’t have the heart to interrupt. Are you done?”
“Ma-Madam,” the woman at the front stammered. “It’s a misunderstanding, we—”
“Misunderstanding what?” Tang Qianluo’s gaze was cool, her expression composed, but the words that left her rosy lips were icy.
The women exchanged fearful glances, beads of sweat dampening their temples.”Why so quiet now? Weren’t you having a grand time gossiping in the breakroom earlier? Acting as if you’d actually witnessed me committing every crime from rape to pillaging. Cat got your tongue now?”
Passersby near the breakroom entrance couldn’t help but slow their steps, eavesdropping and stealing glances.
Seeing the group remain silent, Tang Qianluo let out a cold laugh.
“Instead of wasting time with backbiting, you’d do better to focus on your work. The only thing you’ve demonstrated is your ability to disgust people like flies. Regardless of why Zhu Lu was fired, even if I dismissed her simply because I couldn’t stand her, what business is it of yours? And as for Ning Dai not marrying me – do you think he’d marry you instead? I suggest you turn on your front-facing camera and take a good look at yourself!”
When this incident reached Ning Dai’s ears, he was discussing a new project with Mo Qi. He listened without comment, only allowing a faint, almost imperceptible smile to curve his lips.
Noticing this, Mo Qi couldn’t help showing a “what are you smiling about” expression, but before he could voice the question, Tang Qianluo entered and interrupted.
“Mo Qi, you’re here. I only made one cup of tea – wait while I pour another for you.”
Seeing Ning Dai’s unfriendly expression, Mo Qi hurriedly said, “Don’t trouble yourself. I’m just here to deliver a proposal and will be leaving immediately.”
Tang Qianluo shrugged and said no more, turning back to the sofa to fiddle with her phone.
The moment the screen lit up, she froze in place. A message from “Falling” on WeChat read:
— Little Golden Retriever completed all earthly missions at 2 PM and has returned to Woof Planet.
Tang Qianluo knew Little Golden Retriever hadn’t been doing well, but she never expected the departure to be so sudden.
Her vision gradually blurred as uncontrollable tears fell onto the screen, soaking it completely. She covered her mouth, trying desperately not to sob aloud, but failed to escape the notice of the two men in the room.
Ning Dai was the first to notice Tang Qianluo crying. Ignoring the bewildered Mo Qi, he strode directly toward her.
He lifted her delicate face, watching as jade-like cheeks became streaked with tears.
Raising his other hand, he used his thumb to wipe away her tears, asking in a deep voice, “Why are you crying?”
Tang Qianluo only shook her head, crying even more bitterly. The sound pierced Ning Dai’s ears like fine needles stabbing at his heart.
Ning Dai’s brow furrowed tightly as he snatched the phone from Tang Qianluo’s hand. Understanding dawned as he saw the message.
“Stop crying.” He didn’t know how to be gentle, only feeling that Tang Qianluo’s weeping made him uneasy.
It was hard to believe – a man who could remain expressionless during billion-dollar deals was now frowning over a woman’s tears.
“Ning Dai, I want to see him off. Just this once, please?”
Ning Dai didn’t answer, only continued wiping away her tears. For a moment, he even thought the tears felt scalding – a strange sensation he’d never experienced before.
After a long pause, he said gravely, “You have two hours. The driver will take you.”
Tang Qianluo nodded repeatedly, uttering thanks as she rushed toward the door.
Mo Qi sighed inwardly, approaching Ning Dai to say,
“I remember you saying principles should never be broken.”
“So?” Ning Dai retorted without turning his head.
“So you’re done for, Ning Dai. You’re already indulging her.”
Ning Dai’s fingers stilled. He turned his head, fixing Mo Qi with a cold stare. “Don’t you have anything better to do?”Mo Qi raised his hands in surrender and stopped speaking. A faint smile tugged at the corners of his mouth, and a glint of sharpness flashed in his eyes as he looked toward the door.