12 – An Unexpected Kiss
When Tang Qianluo arrived at the pet hospital, Little Golden Retriever’s body had already been placed in a black box.
“Sorry, Miss Tang. It happened so suddenly we couldn’t let you see him one last time,” the assistant in the hospital apologized.
Tang Qianluo shook her head – such things couldn’t be predicted in advance, so no one was to blame.
She stood quietly before the box, thinking she must hold a funeral ceremony for Little Golden Retriever, hoping he wouldn’t be a stray dog in his next life.
“How much do you charge for funeral cremation services here?”
The assistant carefully presented a price list, and Tang Qianluo felt her heart sink when she saw it – even the most basic package cost 3,999!
She gave an awkward smile, cleared her throat and asked, “Um, does your hospital support installment payments? Or working to pay off the debt?”
This question clearly exceeded the assistant’s knowledge scope, and she stood aside with a troubled expression.
Suddenly, the wind chimes at the entrance caught Tang Qianluo’s attention. She turned her head and saw a man walking slowly toward her.
His face was covered by a mask, making his exact features unclear, but his eyes above the mask were intelligent and clear yet unfathomably deep. His skin was translucent like jade, and he had a tall, elegant figure.
The man listened then removed his mask, giving Tang Qianluo a radiant smile as he said,
“Long time no see, Qianluo.”
“Long time no see, He Luo.”
When the man spoke, the corners of his mouth always curved into a pleasing arc. His smile was very infectious, and even Tang Qianluo’s low spirits warmed because of it.
“I just came back from Animal Aid. Luckily I returned in time, or I would have missed you.”
Tang Qianluo remembered they first met two years ago during an Animal Aid activity. At that time, He Luo, already penniless, had been eating instant noodles and bread for several consecutive days to save more animals. She couldn’t bear to watch and started bringing him meals every day, and thus they became familiar with each other.
“I’d like to go too, but recently…” Tang Qianluo sighed, then continued, “Does your hospital accept installment payments? I want to hold a funeral for Little Golden Retriever.”
“Our hospital doesn’t really have such precedents, but this time we can put Little Golden Retriever’s funeral expenses on my account.”
Tang Qianluo immediately waved her hands, “No, no, no! You only earn a few thousand per month.”
She recalled how during the last Animal Aid event, He Luo had eaten instant noodles for three consecutive days, and felt it would be utterly shameless to rely on him again this time.
“Then how about this – I’ll pay first, and you can pay me back in installments. What do you think?”
“Then it’s decided!”
Tang Qianluo had limited time and couldn’t participate in the entire funeral process. After seeing Little Golden Retriever cremated, she bid farewell to He Luo and rushed toward the luxury car at the entrance.
He Luo stood at the door watching Tang Qianluo’s wind-like retreating figure, the smile in his eyes growing stronger. This Second Young Miss of the Tang family was becoming more and more interesting!
The car drove directly to Ning Residence. As soon as Tang Qianluo arrived home, the housekeeper directed her toward the backyard.
Tang Qianluo looked bewildered until she saw Ning Dai sitting quietly on a rocking chair in the backyard with Bach lying beside him, at which point her confusion quietly dissipated.
It was evening, with large clouds scattered across the sky. The afterglow shone through the layers of clouds, casting gentle orange light all around Ning Dai.
Gentle, peaceful, serene…
Words that never belonged to Ning Dai were now manifesting in him one by one.
“Come here.” Ning Dai’s voice was deep. Tang Qianluo’s feet moved toward him uncontrollably.Before she could approach Ning Dai, Bach let out a low warning growl from the side.
“Bach,” Ning Dai called softly, and the previously angry dog instantly quieted down.
Tang Qianluo couldn’t help but applaud inwardly—truly worthy of Ning Dai! Even his dog was so well-trained and obedient!
“He’s called Bach, four years old,” Ning Dai said while rubbing the top of Bach’s head.
Tang Qianluo crouched down and greeted softly, “Hello there, Bach.”
Malinois dogs are extremely intelligent. Sensing no hostility from her, Bach quickly warmed up to Tang Qianluo. She had zero resistance to long-haired animals and was absolutely delighted.
After playing for a while, she stood up and faced Ning Dai, saying, “Thank you, Ning Dai.”
She wasn’t foolish; she knew Ning Dai had introduced her to Bach to help ease the pain of Little Golden Retriever’s departure earlier that day.
“How will you thank me?” Ning Dai asked, a playful glint flashing in his eyes.
Tang Qianluo was truly stunned this time. How should she thank him? Kneel in gratitude?
Before she could speak, she suddenly felt a heavy push from behind and went tumbling straight into Ning Dai.
Her eyes widened as she felt the warmth beneath her lips.
Tang Qianluo scrambled to her feet and saw the culprit, Bach, wagging his head excitedly between them.
Ning Dai’s eyes darkened. He straightened up expressionlessly and walked back inside.
What was this? Stealing my first kiss and then acting disgusted?
Returning to his study, Ning Dai pressed a hand over his heart. It wasn’t his imagination—the moment he kissed Tang Qianluo, his heart had raced wildly!
For twenty-eight years, he had never experienced such emotions or peculiar sensations.
This feeling of being out of control made Ning Dai extremely uncomfortable. As someone accustomed to controlling everything, he suddenly discovered something he couldn’t master.
He frowned, the darkness in his eyes deepening.
Tang Qianluo didn’t see Ning Dai at all the next day. He hadn’t asked for a bedtime story last night, and this morning she didn’t need to accompany him to work. Tang Qianluo felt her mood soaring!
Thinking of the debts she owed, Tang Qianluo seized the time to focus on her career.
“Good morning, everyone!”
[Anchor looks like she’s in a great mood today!] —Comment
“Oh, is it that obvious? I’m in a good mood and have plenty of time today, so let’s do something exquisite. How about European and American makeup? The kind that gives you an imposing aura!”
[Notebook ready!] —Comment
“Let’s get started then. European and American makeup must radiate confidence, so we’ll use a natural base with dimensional highlights to enhance natural contours. For the eye makeup, we’ll mainly use earth tones to create a smoky effect, which really boosts your presence.”
[Any makeup recommendations, anchor?] —Comment
“I don’t sell makeup, everyone. Please choose products that suit you according to your own preferences and budget.”
[Did the anchor move? The background doesn’t look like the previous place.] —Comment
[Yeah, looking at the background decor, it’s totally Black Mamba style—seems like a man’s taste!] —Comment
Tang Qianluo coughed lightly. Netizens these days were all detectives! She selectively ignored the comments and took out a curling iron to style her hair into waves, completing the final step.
Tang Qianluo’s beauty was the striking kind, which often made other girls see her as a rival. For a long time, she had habitually worn light makeup to tone down her sharpness.
But actually, this kind of dimensional, full-glam makeup suited her perfectly.She cast a satisfied glance at her reflection in the mirror, bid farewell to her dear viewers in the livestream, and ended the broadcast.
The livestream had started too early today, and the gifts received were meager. Before she could even withdraw the earnings, a servant’s knock sounded at the door.
“Young Madam, the young master asked me to inform you that there is a very important banquet tonight. Someone will be arriving shortly to tailor your attire for the evening.”
Tang Qianluo threw her head back in despair, wondering if she was cursed. Why did trouble always follow right after her livestreams?