It was Wen Zhaoning's first day at work, and Su Yunxi, who had promised to visit her, arrived more than an hour late.
As Su Yunxi got out of the car, Wen Zhaoning noticed her gait was a bit off. She quickly went forward to support Su Yunxi.
"Xixi, are you feeling unwell?"
"Don't even mention it." Su Yunxi clenched her fists with both hands. "It's all Huo Yuzhou's doing!"
Wen Zhaoning understood immediately.
What was Su Yunxi's current state any different from how she couldn't stand steadily when getting out of bed a couple of days ago?
"That male model issue was finally smoothed over, and I don't know what's gotten into this dog man, but he started bringing up old grievances again last night!"
"You said he wasn't that petty, but I think he's quite petty."
"Yes, I take back my words. Huo Yuzhou is just a petty person! Not only is he petty, but he's also hypocritical. How can he allow himself to go to bars and clubs, but not allow me to hire a male model!" After a torrent of complaints, Su Yunxi took out a small cake from her bag. "Forget it, I won't talk about that dog man anymore. Today is your first day at work. To celebrate your entry into the workforce and the start of your new life, let's eat a small cake to celebrate!"
Wen Zhaoning actually felt a bit apprehensive about the word "celebrate," but thankfully, today was just about eating a small cake. Eating a small cake wouldn't provoke those two petty men, right?
"Ning Ning, have you heard about the Lu family's affairs?" Su Yunxi asked while eating cake.
"What affairs?"
"Your former father-in-law, Lu Qianyong, has been taken away for investigation. It's said to be a serious violation of regulations and discipline."
"What about Lu Hengyu?"
"That guy Lu Hengyu is highly vigilant and fled abroad in advance. They can't find him now." Su Yunxi patted Wen Zhaoning's hand. "But you don't need to worry. He probably won't dare to return to the country in this lifetime! You can just start your new life with peace of mind!"
Wen Zhaoning nodded. She only wished that she would never have any connection with Lu Hengyu in this life!
After Su Yunxi left, Wen Zhaoning changed her clothes and prepared to start her shift.
The client manager personally introduced her to her colleagues and familiarized her with the club.
After graduating, Wen Zhaoning worked at her family's company for a period. Later, she got married and gave birth to Qing Ning. After having a child, she stopped working. Now, returning to the workforce felt novel and exciting.
The golf club's driving range was bathed in sunlight, with lush green grass. The oppressive and confined feelings she had harbored for six years in her marriage seemed to completely broaden in an instant.
"You're the new coach that President Huo personally arranged to have hired, right?" a male voice suddenly came from behind.
Wen Zhaoning turned around and saw a man wearing a private coach's name tag standing behind her.
The name on the tag was "Xia Lin."
When the manager was introducing colleagues earlier, he had casually mentioned that a highly capable colleague had not yet arrived. It seemed this was Coach Xia Lin.
"Hello, Coach Xia. My name is Wen Zhaoning. Please guide me in the future." As a newcomer, Wen Zhaoning extended her hand to Xia Lin, aiming to get along well with her colleagues.
Xia Lin glanced at her but did not take her outstretched hand.
"Golf isn't just about looking beautiful and striking a pose. The members here aren't fools who only look at faces. If you don't have real skills, I advise you to return to President Huo's side as a pretty vase as soon as possible. Don't come here to tarnish the club's reputation and ruin our livelihoods."
Wen Zhaoning was stunned.
Return to President Huo's side as a pretty vase?
This Xia Lin must have misunderstood her relationship with Huo Yuzhou.
"Coach Xia, first of all, thank you for acknowledging my appearance value. Second, it's true that President Huo arranged for me to work here, but President Huo and I are clear, and it's not the kind of relationship you're thinking of. Lastly, I naturally have some real skills, or I wouldn't dare to take this job."
"Real skills? You have quite a big mouth. Dare to compete?"
Xia Lin's voice was loud, and the club's clients and other staff gathered to watch the spectacle.
Wen Zhaoning didn't want to cause trouble, but she knew that if she didn't remove these people's prejudiced views today, she would always be labeled as someone who got in through connections.
"Alright, let's compete then. You can set the rules, Coach Xia."
As soon as she said this, a low murmur of surprise rippled through the crowd, as everyone knew Xia Lin's skill was among the top at this club.
"Fine, since you're so straightforward, I won't make it too complicated. We'll play a par-three hole. Standard par is three strokes. Let's see who uses fewer strokes, how about that?"
Par-three holes are relatively short but extremely demanding in terms of accuracy and club control.
"Okay."
News of Wen Zhaoning's impending match with Xia Lin spread quickly, and even some members who were practicing came to watch out of curiosity.
The crowd grew larger, but Wen Zhaoning showed no signs of stage fright.
For the first tee shot, Xia Lin went first.
Xia Lin performed steadily. The white ball traced a good arc and landed on the edge of the green, in a decent position.
"Your turn." Xia Lin's gaze was provocative.
Wen Zhaoning picked up her driver. Her stance was standard and neat, her swing smooth and decisive.
"Whoosh—Bang!"
The golf ball shot out in response, flying high and straight, landing precisely in the center of the green. Due to strong backspin, the ball barely rolled forward after landing, instead bouncing back slightly for a short distance, finally stopping in an excellent position about three yards from the hole's flag.
"Wow! That control is amazing!"
"That landing spot is too tricky!"
"Incredible! This female coach has some real skill!"
Exclamations erupted from the surrounding crowd.
Xia Lin's expression instantly changed. It seemed he had underestimated her.
For the second shot, a putt, the pressure was on Xia Lin. His ball was on the edge of the green, requiring a long putt with a complex line.
Xia Lin took a deep breath and observed for a long time before swinging. However, the force was slightly too light, and the ball stopped half a foot from the cup, failing to go in.
He needed a third shot.
It was Wen Zhaoning's turn again. Wen Zhaoning simply observed the grain of the grass and the slope, stood steadily, and without much hesitation, pushed the putt with a stable wrist. The white ball followed the path she had envisioned and, with a crisp "clank," dropped directly into the hole.
"It's in! An eagle!"
"She only used two shots! Amazing!"
The scene erupted.
A seasoned coach like Xia Lin needed three shots to complete it, yet Wen Zhaoning had only used two, winning with an absolute advantage!
"So, Coach Xia? Do I have the qualifications to teach here now?" Wen Zhaoning put away her club and looked at Xia Lin calmly.
Xia Lin's face turned red and then pale. He hadn't expected this woman to be so formidable. All his previous doubts and mockery now felt like resounding slaps to his own face.
However, admitting defeat when outmatched, he accepted it.
"Welcome, Coach Wen. Please guide me in the future."
Wen Zhaoning had proven herself with her skills. She felt exhilarated, but when she looked up, she saw He Huaiqin standing under the covered walkway connecting the main building to the practice range.
Why was he here? Had he seen her?
Wen Zhaoning recalled how He Huaiqin had frowned when she mentioned going out to work before. She thought, he wouldn't come to drag her back, would he?
She should hide for now!
Her brain couldn't process it quickly enough; she turned and bolted towards the locker room. Just as she reached the corner of the corridor, thinking she was temporarily safe, she crashed headfirst into a firm, warm embrace.
A familiar woody scent enveloped her.
Without even looking up, Wen Zhaoning knew she had walked into a tiger's den.
"Hiding from me?" He Huaiqin naturally wrapped his arm around her waist, his voice deep with a dangerous hint of amusement. "Wasn't Coach Wen very capable just now? Why are you running when you see me?"
"I'm not hiding from you. I'm just in a hurry to go to the restroom."
"The restroom is in the opposite direction."
"Oh, it's my first day here, and I'm not familiar with the place yet. Thank you for pointing the way, Lawyer He. Goodbye."
She pushed He Huaiqin away and turned to run again, but He Huaiqin pulled her back.
"I'll accompany you to the restroom," he said coldly.
"No, no, that's not necessary. It would be too much."
"There's no need to be formal between us."
Seeing that he wasn't joking, Wen Zhaoning's face fell. "Forget it, I suddenly don't want to go anymore."
"Then let's talk?"
"I know what you're going to say, but I really like this job. I won't give it up no matter what you say." Wen Zhaoning looked into He Huaiqin's eyes. "This isn't just a job for me; it's the beginning of me regaining my self-worth."
"I haven't said anything yet, how do you know I'm going to persuade you to quit?"
"Don't you dislike me working?"
"When did I ever say that?"
"That day..."
"That day I just asked you to use my secondary card. Since you didn't want it, then forget it."
"So, you have no objections to me working?"
"If I had objections, would you stop working?"
"No, I still have to work."
"Then that settles it?"
His opinion was irrelevant anyway, so why should he voice it?
Moreover, she had been incredibly captivating on the golf course just now. For a moment, he had clearly seen the confident and radiant Young Miss Wen from years ago.
"You wanted to talk about me quitting my job, so what do you want to talk about?"
"About how to buy lessons?"
"You want to buy lessons?"
"Yes."
"You don't have to specially come here to patronize my business."
"I don't have time to specially patronize your business. I just happen to want to learn golf."
"You don't know how?"
"No."
"You don't know how, yet you're here to discuss business today?"
"A client arranged to meet here." He Huaiqin said with a straight face, his heart not skipping a beat.
Wen Zhaoning didn't suspect him. "Alright then, I'll teach you."
Wen Zhaoning hadn't expected to land a big deal on her first day of work, nor had she expected He Huaiqin to become her first client.
After going to the office to process the paperwork and payment, Wen Zhaoning asked him, "Lawyer He, when would you like to start your lessons?"
"Today."
"Today?"
"Is it inconvenient for Coach Wen?"
"Not at all, not at all."
He Huaiqin went to the locker room and changed into a golf outfit. The white polo shirt made him look less sharp and more casually handsome.
"Lawyer He, let's start with grip and stance."
"Okay."
"Try it yourself first."
He Huaiqin picked up the club, but his posture was completely wrong.
Wen Zhaoning stepped forward to adjust his grip. "Put your fingers here."
She instinctively reached out to adjust the position of his fingers. When her fingertips touched the back of his warm hand, He Huaiqin glanced at her.
Wen Zhaoning caught a familiar flicker of desire in his eyes.
No way, this man, can he get aroused even in broad daylight?
No wonder he said he wasn't tired of it before. It seems he's not only not tired of it but quite addicted.
"Lawyer He, please concentrate during the lesson. You need a clear mind to grasp the key points."
"What? Coach Wen can sense my distractions?"
"I'm just reminding you."
Wen Zhaoning forced herself to remain calm. After positioning his fingers correctly, she added, "Adjust your stance as well. Slightly bend your knees and shift your weight to the balls of your feet."
Whether intentionally or not, his stance was loose and sloppy.
Wen Zhaoning had to crouch down and gently pat his calf with her hand, signaling him to adjust the weight in his legs.
He Huaiqin looked down at her. She was wearing her coach's uniform today. The top was a fitted white polo shirt that perfectly outlined her slender yet strong waist. The collar of the polo shirt was slightly open, revealing her beautifully shaped collarbone and delicate skin. The bottom was a classic white golf skirt that perfectly showcased her straight, long legs...
The thought of her later teaching male students in such detail made He Huaiqin feel a subtle displeasure.
"Can you focus?" Wen Zhaoning saw He Huaiqin spacing out and directly patted his shoulder.
"Is Coach Wen losing her patience already?"
Wen Zhaoning thought of her commission and bonus and quickly shook her head. "I apologize, Lawyer He. I was too hasty. It's fine, we can take our time."
"I don't seem to have much talent for golf."
"No, no, Lawyer He, don't be so modest."
"I'm not being modest. I mean, I have no talent. I might need Coach Wen to guide me hand-in-hand for my first swing."
He Huaiqin emphasized the words "hand-in-hand" with particular clarity.
Wen Zhaoning naturally understood his underlying meaning. She wanted to refuse but couldn't find a suitable reason. After all, He Huaiqin was now a client.
The customer is God.
For the sake of money, she endured it.
Wen Zhaoning walked behind He Huaiqin, encircling him halfway, and placed her hands over his on the club, guiding him through a standard swing.
For this shot, Wen Zhaoning didn't control the force well, but it surprisingly turned out exceptionally good.
"It seems we have great tacit understanding, not just in bed, but on the golf course too."
He Huaiqin said this as he turned to look at her. Wen Zhaoning was already flustered because they were so close. His returning gaze disrupted her breathing rhythm.
She subconsciously stepped back but accidentally tripped on the grass at her feet. The moment she was about to fall backward, He Huaiqin, with quick reflexes, caught her in his arms.
In that intimate pose, He Huaiqin's kiss also descended upon her.
Wen Zhaoning quickly raised her hand to cover his lips and pushed him away forcefully.
"He Huaiqin, what are you doing? I'm at work!"
"I want to kiss you."
"Does your brain have anything other than lewd thoughts? Pervert!"
He Huaiqin, instead of getting angry, laughed. "Just consider it me giving you a lesson. Most men in this world are perverts with lewd thoughts. Now that you're working here, you'll inevitably interact with all sorts of people. Remember to protect yourself."
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