Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations
The biggest advantage of having one’s husband as the boss, was that one wouldn’t be blamed for being late for work. Shangguan Ning was thankful for such small mercies.
Shangguan Ning was also glad that Lu Qing, who had always been a stickler for discipline, hadn’t lectured her for being late. That was so unlike him. If anything, he was kinder to her lately.
Shangguan Ning decided not to think too much of it and went to the Department of Public Relations, to learn its nuances.
Her latest hairstyle had generated a buzz amongst her colleagues.
Within a couple of days, more than half of the women staff at the Department of Public Relations, switched their hairstyle to the bob that Ning had. Many people had asked her about her hairstylist.
Mi Xiaoxiao tugged her own short hair and smirked at Shangguan Ning. She said enviously, “When will my hair grow long? It will take atleast a year before it reaches my neck. Shangguan Ning, this is so unfair. Your face is already so beautiful. Now your haircut adds to it, making you look more attractive. I dare not stand next to you, otherwise I’ll be completely sidelined.”
Shangguan Ning grinned. She had never expected that a haircut that she had got done on an impulse, would garner so much attention. She wasn’t complaining about her colleagues mimicking her haircut, though, as imitation is the biggest form of flattery.
“You are already beautiful, Mi Xiaoxiao.You need not change your hairstyle to get noticed .”
“Why did you change your hairstyle, anyway?” asked Mi Xiaoxiao, her gossip antennae activated. “Whose attention do you have to catch ? Is it a new guy? Are you getting a divorce?”
“There is no problem with my relationship. It’s just a haircut. Let’s not make a big deal of it. Many of our colleagues have gotten a haircut recently. Do you think they’re all facing relationship issues?” Shangguan Ning’s head hurt, having to explain her choices to Mi Xiaoxiao, every now and then.
Mi Xiaoxiao realised that Shangguan Ning did seem to have a point, after all. She didn’t pursue this matter any further.
She then jumped to another topic, in a jiffy. “I heard that the President has returned from his business trip, but he is not at the office. Do you know where he is?”
Shangguan Ning’s heart skipped a beat, but she said without missing a beat, “How would I know where he is?”
“Aha?” Mi Xiaoxiao asked curiously. “Aren’t you the President’s assistant? You arrange his schedule and you don’t know where is he?”
Shangguan Ning realized that she had answered too soon, so she explained diffidently, “I am his assistant, but he doesn’t have to tell me of his whereabouts, every second of the day. Even though I draft a schedule for him, he can make changes to it, if he wishes.”
Mi Xiaoxiao continued as though she hadn’t heard Shangguan Ning reply. “I know where the President is today.”– said Mi Xiaoxiao, with pride.
Shangguan Ning was startled and asked subconsciously, “Where is he?”
Actually, she knew most of Jing Yichen’s schedule. For one thing, it was because she was his assistant, and secondly, because they discussed their schedule everyday, being husband and wife. Jing Yichen would usually tell her where he went and what he was doing.
Today, she really had no idea where Jing Yichen was.
Mi Xiaoxiao whispered, “I happened to see the President at lunch, with his fiancée, when I stepped out this afternoon. Look, I even managed to sneak a picture.”
She showed her cell phone to Shangguan Ning.
Shangguan Ning told herself that it was just two friends having lunch and it was just platonic.
Yet when she saw the picture, she saw the two of them smiling at each other and enjoying their meal. She felt bitter and jealous.
Pushing away her insecurities, she said, “Good picture. You should be part of the paparazzi.”
Mi Xiaoxiao ignored her sarcasm and said, ” If you’re interested in him, you’d better make your move now. Just make him fall for you before he gets married to his fiancee. That way, you will become the First Lady at Jingsheng Enterprise, and hopefully I will be eligible for a much deserved promotion.”
Seeing Shangguan Ning disinterested, she continued – ” He’s such a catch. If you can’t charm your way into his heart, just drug him. You prepare his coffee daily, don’t you?”
Shangguan Ning who looked depressed a few moments ago, now looked amused and said –
“Thank you for your tip. I’ll try them someday.”
It was now Mi Xiaoxiao’s turn to get startled. “Try what?” she asked.
“Drugging him!” replied Shangguan Ning with a wink.
…
It was an elegant café and Jing Yichen and Tang Yun sat there, facing each other.
Tang Yun was dressed in a set of blue casuals, her long hair falling over her shoulders. Her facial features were exquisite and she looked elegant.
She did resemble Shangguan Ning to a certain extent but Jing Yichen didn’t find them to be similar at all.
Tang Yun had grown her hair recently. Earlier she maintained shoulder-length hair with a thick fringe. She liked to dye her hair in different colours.
She had changed tremendously in ten years’ time.
He had hardly been able to recognize her when he went to the USA to get her back.
“What did you say, Brother Yichen? You got married?” Tang Yun’s doe-like eyes welled up with tears and she turned sullen. “Then why did you get me back? You know that I will follow you and marry you. You must protect me. You promised that you would protect me, for the rest of my life.”
Jing Yichen looked slightly concerned. Tang Yun’s words made him worry.
“I got you back because I want to offer you a better life. I will keep you safe and secure. If you think that twenty bodyguards are too few, I will provide you with another twenty.”
Tears trickling down her cheeks, Tang Yun said angrily, “I want none of the bodyguards. I only want you. If you don’t agree to marry me, I shall die. I should have died ten years ago.”
Jing Yichen’s expression changed instantly. He was seriously annoyed.
