24 – Accompanying the Big Boss to Work
“Ning Dai.” Tang Qianluo struggled carefully, afraid to make any large movements that might touch his injured arm.
“Why are you so good to me, hmm?” The man’s face gently brushed against Tang Qianluo’s cheek, his cold voice tinged with a slight hoarseness.
Tang Qianluo didn’t answer. Why exactly was it? At first, she just didn’t want Ning Dai to be bullied on such an important occasion. Later, she started feeling some heartache for him.
But what exactly she was heartbroken about, she couldn’t explain.
“Tang Qianluo.” He rarely called her by name. As far as she could remember, this was the first time.
“Hmm?”
“I won’t let go.” As Ning Dai spoke, the strength in his grip intensified.
Tang Qianluo lowered her gaze, a shadow of darkness flashing in her eyes. But Ning Dai, I don’t like cages, and I don’t want to spend my life groveling and pleasing others like Wan Qing.
These words Tang Qianluo didn’t speak aloud. She just remained silent, allowing Ning Dai to hold her.
She didn’t know how much time had passed, but Tang Qianluo felt her legs had gone stiff from standing when Ning Dai finally released her.
He reached out and gently pinched Tang Qianluo’s cheek, a faint smile playing on his lips as he said, “Let’s go downstairs.”
Tang Qianluo nodded, thinking to herself that it was so late – would the food already have been cleared away?
She was so hungry!
“Coming down?” Ning Ao’s powerful voice rang out.
Looking at Ning Ao’s expression that clearly said “I understand everything,” Tang Qianluo particularly wanted to shout at him: Please stop your wild imagination!
“Brother Ning Dai.”” A girl’s soft voice sounded. Only then did Tang Qianluo notice that Luo Ying had returned to the old residence at some point, quietly sitting in the corner of the sofa.
Ning Dai remained expressionless and didn’t respond.
“Grandpa, we’re heading back now.”
“Wait a moment. Luo Ying just mentioned to me that she’d like to work at Ning Corporation. I think it’s a good suggestion, but since you’re in charge of Ning Corporation now, this matter should be discussed with you.” Ning Ao straightened his back, holding the Dragon Head Cane.
Though it was phrased as a discussion, to Tang Qianluo it sounded no different from a demand.
“What can she do?” Ning Dai glanced coldly, finally deigning to give Luo Ying a look.
“I studied management in the United States for my undergraduate degree, with a minor in economic principles. I can handle regular secretarial work.” Luo Ying stood up, clasping her hands over her chest, the corners of her eyes reddening as she spoke.
“I don’t need a secretary.” Ning Dai said, putting his arm around Tang Qianluo as if to leave.
“Ning Dai, please, for my mother’s sake, just this once, help me.” Luo Ying spoke as tears streamed down her cheeks like broken pearls.
She had that kind of classical beauty, her beautiful hair braided into a Fishbone Braid falling over her shoulder. Paired with her tearful appearance, even Tang Qianluo couldn’t help but admire her beauty.
Ning Dai didn’t speak, his indifferent expression remaining completely unchanged.
Seeing this, Luo Ying fell to her knees with a thud before Ning Ao, clutching the hem of his clothes and weeping bitterly. “Grandpa Ning, please, save me. I know I was wrong. Just this once, for my mother’s sake, please save me one more time.”
Ning Ao sighed helplessly, looking at Ning Dai with resignation. It seemed that ever since Luo Ying mentioned her mother, he had been filled with helplessness.
Ning Dai still refused to relent. The grandfather and grandson were at an impasse, the atmosphere becoming extremely awkward.
Suddenly, Ning Dai felt warmth in his palm. He turned to look at Tang Qianluo beside him, who was gazing at him with a gentle smile.”Today is Grandpa’s birthday, and Grandpa’s wishes come first. Since Grandpa thinks it’s a good idea, let’s agree to it.”
Ning Dai’s indifferent expression finally cracked slightly. He took her hand and said while walking out, “Report to the company tomorrow at nine.”
Luo Ying choked back a sob and thanked him, her gaze fixed on their retreating figures with a trace of resentment in her eyes.
…
Tang Qianluo truly couldn’t understand why, after taking care of Ning Dai diligently for several days, she still had to be dragged to work with him today!
Her eyes heavy with sleep, she stumbled drowsily beside Ning Dai.
“Sleepy?” Ning Dai’s lips curved into an almost imperceptible smile as he watched Tang Qianluo unable to stop yawning.
He reached out and gently wiped away the tears at the corners of her eyes with his thumb, saying, “You can sleep in the office later.”
Tang Qianluo pouted, swearing to herself that she really wanted to hit him. Why couldn’t he just let her sleep properly at home?
This guy is insane!
Too lazy to complain, Tang Qianluo hurried to the inner room to catch up on sleep as soon as they reached the company.
She slept deeply, but in her drowsiness began feeling thirsty. Barefoot and squinting, she searched for water until she opened the bedroom door and walked out, only to fully awaken when she saw several men in suits staring at her in shock.
“Why aren’t you wearing shoes?”
Ning Dai strode toward her with a stern expression, scooping her up in his arms like a child. Ignoring the astonished looks from the other directors in the CEO’s office, he slammed the door shut and carried the girl to bed.
Tang Qianluo sat dumbfounded on the bed, watching as Ning Dai took a handkerchief and carefully wiped the soles of her feet. When he touched a ticklish spot, she instinctively tried to pull her foot back, but Ning Dai’s broad palm held her ankle firmly in place.
“The office floor is tiled and very cold. Remember to wear shoes next time.”
Tang Qianluo remained silent, trying to pull her foot back with slight effort. The next moment, the man’s warm lips gently brushed against the top of her foot.
He knelt on one knee, devout and tender!
Tang Qianluo turned her head away, not daring to look at Ning Dai anymore, afraid she might drown in his tenderness.
Ning Dai didn’t stay in the room for long. After he left the bedroom, Tang Qianluo finally couldn’t help but collapse backward onto the bed, covering her wildly beating heart with her hand.
How terrible!
She hid in the room for a long time, only venturing out in the afternoon when she could no longer hear any sounds outside.
Ning Dai wasn’t in the office, only Luo Ying was there organizing documents at the desk.
“Looking for Ning Dai? He’s in a meeting,” Luo Ying said with a sideways smile.
Tang Qianluo nodded in response.
“We were too rushed when we met yesterday – I didn’t have time to properly introduce myself. I’m Luo Ying. I grew up with Ning Dai as children, then went abroad for studies for a few years.” Luo Ying put down her work, her lips still curved in a polite, gentle smile.
“I’m Tang Qianluo. I just married Ning Dai recently.”
“Your name also has ‘luo’ in it? What a coincidence! I wonder if it’s the same character – mine is the ‘Luo’ from Ode to the Goddess of Luo.”
Coincidence my foot! Tang Qianluo really hated these kinds of small talk situations. Suppressing her impatience, she said,
“It’s not the same character. Mine is the ‘luo’ from ‘falling flowers have feelings’.”
“Ah, that doesn’t matter. The pronunciation is the same anyway.” Luo Ying approached Tang Qianluo as she spoke, drawing close like a little kitten.
Though Tang Qianluo felt uncomfortable, she didn’t move away.”You smell so nice, like peaches. It feels so familiar.”
She clasped her hands behind her back and smiled sweetly, saying, “I really like peaches too. Whether it’s perfume or shower gel, I always prefer peach-scented products. Don’t you think we’re quite similar?”
Tang Qianluo curled her lips into a faint, indifferent smile, having completely lost her patience. “What exactly are you trying to say?”
“I’d heard before that Ning Dai married someone very similar to me, but I didn’t believe it. I never thought there could really be someone in this world so much like me. Qianluo, I think we could become very good friends.”