Translator: Larbre Studio Editor: Larbre Studio
When Ning Qing woke up, it was already three in the afternoon. The other half of the bed was empty. Lu Shaoming had left.
Ning Qing got out and walked to the office outside. Then, there was a knock on the door and Zhu Rui walked in.
“Madam.” Zhu Rui was holding a tray. He put it on the coffee table in front of the sofa, “President exhorted me to prepare this for you, madam. President went for a meeting and he will return at about five o’clock. He said that madam can leave to go home first, but if you have nothing going on today, you can also wait for him to go home together.”
Ning Qing took a look at the tray. There was an orange butter cake, a honey biscuit, a fruit plater, grass jelly milk tea, and most importantly, there was her favorite Häagen-Dazs ice-cream.
It was a very sumptuous yet relaxing afternoon spread.
Ning Qing flashed a sweet smile. Would he just keep spoiling her like that?
Zhu Rui left the room. Ning Qing sat on the sofa and took a spoonful of ice cream. Mm, so delicious.
Yue Wanqing had already moved into an apartment, and she’d been there for the past two days. The residential area is very near the Tea Pavilion. To quote Lu Shaoming, it was literally a five-minute walk away.
There was an aunt who takes care of her mom at the apartment. Her mom was recovering well and she was energetic. When she had time, she would knit clothes with the aunt at home or go to the entertainment area to exercise or play cards. She was living a great life.
Not only did Lu Shaoming take good care of her, but he also took good care of her mom. Could there be any woman who would dislike this kind of man?
Recalling his handsome face, Ning Qing smiled.
God is fair. Sometimes, she thought to herself that the three years of suffering she’d gone through was all to make her wait for his arrival.
It was as though her heart was coated with honey. Her phone in her bag rang. She got up and looked; it was Ning Zhenguo calling.
So fast.
“Hello, Qingqing.” Three years… It had been three years since Ning Qing had heard Ning Zhenguo call her so affectionately. It was obvious that he was ingratiating himself with her.
“Mm, what is it?” Ning Qing was straightforward.
“Qingqing, I wanted to call you long ago. I heard that you danced with Young Master Lu at the Guang Qing banquet. What kind of relationship do you have with Young Master Lu?”
Ning Qing smirked coldly and asked in reply, “What kind of relationship do you wish we were in?”
“This… Qingqing, to be honest with you, I never thought you’d be involved with Young Master Lu. The Lu family is not one that we small families can compare to. The Lu family has only been prominent for a few generations, and Young Master Lu is the only one of the new generation. His identity is extremely distinguished. However, if you were to really be in a relationship with Young Master Lu, our Ning Family would need to rely on you in the future. It could ensure the prosperity of the Ning Family for a few generations.”
Heh. In Ning Zhenguo’s eyes, no beneficial factor in business could be greater than family ties. His daughter became valuable when there’s use for her. He then quickly rushed over. Truly, he didn’t love anyone but himself.
“Aren’t you relying on the wrong person? You pushed me out of the Ning family three years ago. Li Meiling and Ning Yao are your precious treasures. You should rely on them.”
“Qingqing, are you still angry at Dad? I’ll apologize to you. I was a bastard. How about this? I’ll tell Aunt Li to prepare dinner tonight. You and Young Master Lu come over for dinner. I’ll ask Yaoyao and Junxi to come too.”
Hearing how Ning Zhenguo spoke so carefully, Ning Qing’s taunting smirk widened. “Stop beating around the bush. You wouldn’t even let me step foot in the Ning family house for the past three years, yet you invite me over for dinner now? If you need help from Young Master Lu, please be direct.”
Ning Zhenguo never thought Ning Qing would be so blunt. As he was embarrassed, he had no choice but to answer straightforwardly. “I eyed a piece of land long ago. The company had already pumped in seventy percent of our funds into it, but I just found out that the piece of land belongs to Young Master Lu and he doesn’t want to give me the rights to develop the land. Qingqing, the company’s money will go to waste if I can’t get the right to develop the land. Think about your grandma, this is the Ning family’s business!”
Lu Shaoming acted immediately and resolutely. He said that he would help her at noon and Ning Zhenguo begged her for help right after.
Ning Qing was even more grateful and touched.
“Okay. I’ll call Young Master Lu to invite him over for dinner but I do not care about the land. You discuss it with Young Master Lu on your own.”
…
Ning Qing waited for Lu Shaoming in the office. He returned at about five.
Ning Qing told him about everything in the phone call then they departed to Ning’s place.
By the time they left Guang Qing lobby, it was the end of the workday. They met many staff members on their way out and everyone bowed and greeted, ‘President, Mrs. President…”
Ning Qing didn’t know how everyone changed their term of address from “Miss Ning” to “Mrs. President” in just a few hours. She reckoned that it was because he’d carried her into the room, so word spread all over the office.
Woo, he should keep a low profile.
…
Lu Shaoming drove the Bentley and brought Ning Qing to the Ning family house. Ning Zhenguo was already waiting by the door.
“Young Master Lu, Qingqing, please come in.” Ning Zhenguo was smiling.
Lu Shaoming wore a suit and slacks, looking tall and handsome. As he entered the hall, it was as though he brought radiance into the house. The man shines like a piece of gold wherever he goes.
Ning Qing followed behind him. She looked up and saw Li Meiling standing behind Ning Zhenguo. Although she was smiling, the wickedness in her eyes couldn’t be hidden. She reckoned Li Meiling never once imagined that there would be a day when she would stand by the door to welcome Ning Qing home.
“Aunt Li…” Ning Qing held Lu Shaoming’s arm elegantly as she waved at Li Meiling.
“Qingqing, you came home.” Li Meiling could bow and could submit. She flashed a friendly smile at Ning Qing.
“This is?” Lu Shaoming asked in Ning Qing’s ear.
“Oh, this is my dad’s mistress. She became his wife three years back. In other words, she’s my stepmom, Ning Yao’s mom.” Ning Qing replied with a smile.
The word “mistress” made Li Meiling’s smile grow stiff. She clenched her fists tight. She’s toiled for twenty years and hates that word the most.
“Mistress?” Lu Shaoming looked at Ning Zhenguo, who looked embarrassed. “I can’t tell from the look of it, but your family’s condition is quite messy.”
Ning Zhenguo’s face changed and joked, “Things that happened when I was young. Excuse me, Young Master Lu.” Then, Ning Zhenguo glared at Li Meiling, “What are you doing standing here? Young Master Lu is here. Hurry up and check how the dinner is coming along.”
They had no choice. It was because of Ning Qing that Lu Shaoming was there. Ning Zhenguo didn’t dare to offend Ning Qing. He could only wave impatiently and hush Li Meiling to the kitchen so no one would embarrass anyone else.
Li Meiling couldn’t say anything even though she felt aggrieved. She would bear with it for the time being. Then, she turned to enter the kitchen.
Ning Qing watched her back as she smirked coldly.
Just as they walked towards the living room, they could hear people talking at the door. They turned around and saw that Xu Junxi and Ning Yao were home.
Ning Qing’s smile grew even wider. Just in time!
“Junxi, Yaoyao, you came back. Hurry up and come over. Young Master Lu came to have dinner with us today. Let me introduce you,” Ning Zhenguo said.
Ning Yao’s smile was stiff. She lifted her gaze to look at the man standing in the middle of the living room. The brilliant light above him made him seem as though he were shining. His elegance made people want to worship him.
She can’t get such a man, so why can Ning Qing?
When she received her dad’s call this afternoon, she felt as though she’d been struck by lightning. She never thought Young Master Lu would come home with Ning Qing. Wasn’t it just a dance?
What did it mean if he came home with Ning Qing?
She liked to fight with Ning Qing since their youth. Whatever Ning Qing had, she wanted. From beautiful clothing, to the status as Mr. Ning’s daughter, to Xu Junxi; she has succeeded every time.
But then, Lu Shaoming came along. She can’t pick a fight, she dared not to fight, even though she was itching to.
Why? How could Ning Qing be matched with a man of such status?
Ning Yao had yet to recover from such an attack.
“Young Master Lu, long time no see. Hello,” Xu Junxi walked forward and greeted Lu Shaoming politely. He didn’t look at Ning Qing.
“CEO Xu, hello,” Lu Shaoming replied politely but faintly.
Just as his two sons-in-law took a seat at the living room, Ning Zhenguo shouted for Li Meiling, “Meiling, are you done with the tea?”
“Tea is coming.” Li Meiling walked out with a smile. There was a maidservant behind her and she was carrying a tray. There were three cups of tea on the tray.
The maidservant put the cups of tea on the table, and Li Meiling bowed and served the tea with both hands. The first cup of tea was given to Lu Shaoming.
“Young Master Lu, enjoy your tea.”
Lu Shaoming didn’t reply, but glanced at Li Meiling.
The glance shocked Li Meiling.
She’d been in the entertainment circle for twenty years and she was in touch with men the most. After some time, she would even keep Ning Zhenguo company to entertain his clients. She had seen many kinds of wealthy people.
Lu Shaoming looked sideways and nodded slightly. He expressed his gratitude politely, but in his deep yet bright slender eyes, there was elegance and coldness of a highly positioned person that inspired reverence.
The man’s expression in his eyes demonstrates an outstanding upbringing, the product of a true aristocratic family.
The man’s strong aura of dignity drew people to gladly revere him.
Li Meiling reined back her gaze and passed the other two cups of tea to Xu Junxi and Ning Zhenguo.
As she was going to leave, she heard Lu Shaoming ask Ning Qing, “What do you want to drink?”
Li Meiling stiffened and her face grew grave.
It was not about a cup of tea; it was about the standard that the more powerful family, the stricter the upbringing. A woman shouldn’t appear in a place where men discuss business. A woman was normally ignored, which explained why she only prepared three cups of tea.
However, Lu Shaoming was asking what Ning Qing wanted to drink!
Whatever Li Meiling could think of, Ning Zhenguo could too. The way Lu Shaoming looked at Ning Qing revealed how much importance he attached to her. No one knew Ning Qing was so high in Lu Shaoming’s favor.
“Yeah, Qingqing. What do you want to drink? Let Aunt Li prepare it.” Ning Zhenguo laughed.
Ning Qing moved her crystal clear eyes and looked at Ning Yao. “Yaoyao, do you remember how I used to love the rose tea that you’d make, with three sugar cubes in it.”
Rose tea? Ning Yao didn’t know what the hell Ning Qing was talking about.
Plus, how could she make her make tea for her?
Ning Qing was unhappy but Ning Zhenguo swept a glance and coughed, “Yaoyao, why are you still standing there? Didn’t you hear what Qingqing said?”
“Dad, I…”
“Yaoyao, come. As Qingqing wants rose tea, we will make it now,” Li Meiling cut Ning Yao off. She then pulled her by her hand.
Ning Qing looked at Lu Shaoming. They didn’t discuss it on their way to the Ning family home, but the moment they entered the house, he raised her so high up in his palm.
He had the ability to bring her to the Ning family home and act without restraint.
…
Ning Yao brought the cup of tea. Li Meiling must have set her straight in the kitchen. Although Ning Yao wasn’t willing, her face was plastered with a sweet smile. She held the cup of tea tightly as she was afraid that she might flip the teacup and get into trouble.
“Sister, your rose tea is here. Enjoy.” Ning Yao bent down and raised the teacup before Ning Qing obediently.
“Thank you Yaoyao.” Ning Qing extended her hand to take it.
Ning Qing looked at the cup and recalled the day when she came to the Ning family’s house on her grandma’s birthday. Ning Yao put on a show with a cup of tea. Back then, she had poured the tea on her own hand and framed her.
When Ning Qing recalled it, she found it rather amusing.
She extended her hand and turned her hand. She lifted a finger and the teacup clipped. The cup of rose tea suddenly splashed all over Ning Yao’s clothes.
“Ah!” Ning Yao screamed.
“Ah, Yaoyao, I’m sorry. Are you okay?” Ning Qing asked innocently.
“Ning Qing, what are you doing?” Xu Junxi bellowed. He stood up and took out a few tissues to help Ning Yao wipe her clothes.
“This…” Ning Zhenguo was shocked as well. He knew that her daughters were not getting along well. But then, at such occasion, with Young Master Lu around, Ning Qing didn’t bother to hide it. She splashed the cup of rose tea on Ning Yao in front of everyone. Her attitude was fierce, unreasonable, and arrogant.
She’s too arrogant!
Ning Zhengguo looked towards Lu Shaoming.
Lu Shaoming stood up slowly and said in a calm voice, “CEO Xu, why are you so nervous? It’s just a cup of tea, it wouldn’t hurt anyone. Plus, Ning Qing already apologized. Isn’t Ning Yao her sister? They naturally wouldn’t be bothered about the cup of tea. With you shouting like that, it might hurt their relationship as sisters.”
Ning Zhenguo could understand Lu Shaoming’s intent to protect Ning Qing. He quickly said, “Haha, yeah, Junxi. Qingqing and Yaoyao are sisters. Qingqing was only… It slipped. She accidentally flipped the teacup. I’m sure Yaoyao wouldn’t take it to heart.”
Li Meiling and Ning Yao were gnawing in hatred. Heh, slipped. Just how careless she was. Only Ning Zhenguo would make such an excuse.
That was Ning Qing’s intention. She splashed it all over Ning Yao but everyone was on her side.
Just how proud she must feel.
Xu Junxi was at loss for words. Ning Yao felt aggrieved in his embrace. Her eyes grew red as she showed her burned hand to him.
“Junxi, my hand hurts.”
Xu Junxi looked and he frowned. Just as he was going to launch an attack, Ning Qing’s loud and clear voice rang, “Yaoyao, what happened to your hand? It’s so badly burned. You deserve it! It’s not like you didn’t know the rose tea I like is served cold, yet you wanted to serve it hot. You even made it burning hot for me. Luckily, it was splashed on you. If it were to have been splashed on me, I would really suspect that you had bad intentions.
