16 – Why Is This Person So Unrelenting?
Though she didn’t want to admit it, Ning Dai was truly handsome when he was normal, okay?
Tang Qianluo’s eyes sparkled like stars, feeling her inner fangirl emerging once again!
“Did you go shopping?” Ning Dai asked, pulling Tang Qianluo back from her thoughts.
“Mm.” Tang Qianluo lifted the paper bag in her hand, taking out the packaged box inside, and said, “I saw a piece of clothing that I thought would suit you well. It’s for you, Ning Dai.”
Ning Dai paused for a moment. The clothing was an ordinary private custom piece; although somewhat expensive, it was nothing more than a drop in the bucket for him.
“It looks nice.”
Tang Qianluo watched Ning Dai’s hesitant expression and wondered if she should tell him that he hadn’t even opened the packaging. Did he even look at it? Could he see through it or something?
“Let’s go, I’ll take you to eat.”
“Don’t you have work anymore?”
“Mm.” Ning Dai hummed in response, picking up his coat and heading toward the door.
Ji Xiangyang, who had come to deliver documents, happened to overhear their conversation. Glancing at the stack of documents in his hands, he cried inwardly: You do have work, President Ning! I don’t want to work overtime alone again!
Dinner was at a Cantonese restaurant. The thought of enjoying delicious food made Tang Qianluo feel so happy she could almost fly. If she had known that a piece of clothing could earn her a tasty Cantonese meal, she would have bought one ages ago, right?
“Um, where’s the menu?” Tang Qianluo looked at the waiter with eager anticipation.
The waiter smiled slightly, bowing slightly as he asked, “President Ning, the usual order?”
“Mm.”
Ning Dai hummed in agreement, and soon a table full of vegetarian dishes was served.
Even if it’s all vegetarian, couldn’t they at least skip the radishes? She really hated radishes!
Tang Qianluo, deceased!
Fortunately, the restaurant’s food still tasted pretty good, even if none of it was her favorite.
“President Ning.” A woman’s voice sounded from behind, and Tang Qianluo nearly choked on her corn chowder.
No way! Running into her during the day wasn’t enough, and now she shows up at night? She was starting to suspect that Tang Wanning was stalking her!
Ning Dai completely ignored Tang Wanning’s greeting, only frowning as he handed a napkin to Tang Qianluo, saying with a hint of anger, “Be careful.”
Tang Wanning’s smile turned awkward, but she quickly composed herself and said, “I didn’t expect to run into you two here. Are you here for dinner, President Ning?”
Tang Qianluo rolled her eyes at Tang Wanning and said, “What else? Here to buy groceries?”
Tang Wanning’s face paled, but remembering that Ning Dai was nearby, she held back her temper and smiled gracefully, saying softly,
“That’s not what I meant, Qianluo. You haven’t been answering your calls these past few days, so I came to deliver an invitation. Our family’s amusement park is opening in a couple of days. Don’t forget to come with President Ning to the ceremony.”
As she spoke, Tang Wanning placed a gilded invitation on the dining table.
“You haven’t forgotten, have you? This amusement park was a birthday gift from Mom and Dad for my eighteenth birthday.”
How could Tang Qianluo forget? Two children who had loved amusement parks since they were young—all Tang Qianluo had ever wanted was for Wan Qing and Tang Chengye to take her to an amusement park just once. But it never happened, not even once!
They would rather build an amusement park for their eldest daughter than take their youngest daughter to one just one time.
The bright red invitation felt like a hot potato in her hands. Expressionless, Tang Qianluo continued eating her food, ignoring Tang Wanning. Feeling dismissed, Tang Wanning said goodbye and left.
Noticing Tang Qianluo’s displeasure, Ning Dai asked in a low voice, “What amusement park?””It’s nothing, just that when Tang Wanning was eighteen, she asked Dad for an amusement park to spite me for being strict, and now it’s been built.”
There wasn’t a trace of resentment in her words, only a hint of disappointment.
“Do you like amusement parks?”
“Of course I do, how could I not? But that was all when I was a child.”
Now, what she loved most was making money, lots of it—only then did she feel truly secure.
Ning Dai’s eyes darkened slightly, but he said nothing. After a long pause, he raised his hand slightly to summon the waiter and said, “Let’s order again.”
Tang Qianluo’s almond-shaped eyes widened wide; all her disappointment and sadness vanished instantly. In this vast world, food was the greatest priority!
A faint, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of Ning Dai’s lips as he watched Tang Qianluo eagerly pointing out dishes on the menu. She was so easily satisfied—a meal to her liking could make her incredibly happy.
He thought of the arrogant Tang Wanning from earlier. It had been too long since he’d shown his temper; did the Tang family really think anyone could bully Tang Qianluo?
After dinner, the two returned directly to the Ning Residence. Ning Dai changed his clothes and went to his study, staying busy for a long time before emerging.
By the time he came out, Tang Qianluo was already fast asleep. Because of the bright lights, she had buried her entire head between two pillows, like an ostrich.
Ning Dai pulled the pillows away, and sure enough, Tang Qianluo began searching for a place to block the light, instinctively nestling into his embrace.
The subtle, inherent fragrance of a woman lingered around Ning Dai’s nose. He looked down at the top of Tang Qianluo’s head and couldn’t resist reaching out to stroke it.
Her hair was fine and soft, carrying a faint scent of shampoo, like peaches.
Suddenly, Ning Dai’s eyes turned sharp, like a leopard locking onto its prey.
He wrapped his arms around Tang Qianluo, his grip gradually tightening until the girl was completely locked in his embrace.
…
The Tang family’s amusement park opened on a bright, sunny day. Tang Wanning had woken up early to dress up, putting on the gown she had reserved half a year in advance, hoping to shine brilliantly at the opening ceremony.
She had endured too much frustration lately and was counting on today’s opening to deliver a severe blow to Tang Qianluo!
“Ning Ning has grown up, becoming more and more beautiful,” visiting guests praised Tang Wanning.
She smiled in response to the compliments, her eyes constantly scanning the crowd. Why hadn’t they arrived yet? Would they not come at all?
Then who had she dressed up so elaborately for?
Suddenly, a commotion arose among the guests. As if pressed by a button, the crowd uncontrollably parted to both sides.
It was Tang Qianluo and Ning Dai!
Along with them, the young masters of the other three prominent families in the capital had also arrived.
The four men stood in a row, and nestled among them was the legendary spoiled, willful, and unruly second daughter of the Tang family, Tang Qianluo!
Unlike any of her previous appearances, today Tang Qianluo was dressed like a Disney princess on the run.
Her light blue gown was as clear as seawater, with delicate sequins shimmering on the skirt. Her delicate shoulders were exposed, adding a touch of sensuality to the elegance.
Ning Dai wore a smoke-gray suit, standing beside Tang Qianluo like a perfectly matched pair.
She held onto Ning Dai’s arm, taking light steps as she approached the Tang family.
“The Tang family’s second daughter surprises us every time. Last time, at the Mo family’s event, I thought she was stunning, but who could have imagined she could be this breathtaking?”
“Wasn’t President Ning in poor health and disliked attending such occasions? He seems to be in pretty good shape now, doesn’t he?”Tang Wan Ning listened to the discussions among the guests, feeling as if her teeth were about to be ground to dust.
Why? Why was she being overshadowed again? Wasn’t this supposed to be her home ground?
Why? Why wasn’t Ning Dai dead yet? If he remained alive, wouldn’t it only benefit Tang Qianluo?
“Qianluo, why are you so late? You’re not still bothered by the fact that this amusement park is named after me, are you?”
Tang Wan Ning furrowed her brows slightly. Her voice was neither too loud nor too soft, but just enough for those nearby to hear clearly.
“Wasn’t this amusement park originally built by Mom and Dad for you? Why would I care about something that has nothing to do with me?”
Tang Qianluo deflected the question with ease, implicitly pointing out the favoritism of the Tang parents.