RAHHSFL - Chapter 79
Chapter 79
"You wouldn’t believe what happened! Some guy from another company was trying to sneakily film our new influencer, Ju Nan’s new signee, seemed like there was some bad blood between them. I couldn't just stand by and watch, so I bravely stepped in and exposed him! They had more people and were about to get violent, but I quickly shouted for help. If it weren't for my quick thinking, Ju Nan would be embroiled in another scandal!"
"And that’s your 'legitimate reason' for being late?"
"Totally legitimate! Honestly, I felt a special connection with the chairman, you know? I didn’t even know who she was, but that young woman with the bun, she just looked so kind, so I went over to talk to her. And she was so friendly! See, beautiful people attract each other.”
On the 18th floor of Xinghui Tower, in the break room, a few female employees, while waiting for their coffee, listened to the new CEO's assistant brag.
The others looked envious. The new assistant's unconventional hiring story had become a popular topic of conversation. Late for her interview, handpicked by the chairman herself, given a second chance, and then successfully landing the job.
As everyone returned to their workstations, Huang Ying looked at Feng Qing, shaking her head and clicking her tongue. Talk about dumb luck. This was a real-life example.
As Huang Ying was about to leave, Feng Qing caught up with her. "Ying Ying, I noticed you didn't take any sugar. Here."
Huang Ying took the sugar, glancing at her. "You're quite thoughtful. Not bad.”
Feng Qing grinned. "Ying Ying, I have a feeling many people in this company have a personal connection with President Qin. Besides Nan Jie, who else is there? Tell me, tell me!"
Huang Ying raised an eyebrow. "Why do you want to know? Just focus on your work.”
"Oh, Ying Ying, I just don't want to accidentally offend anyone, you know?"
Huang Ying couldn’t help but look at her. "You? Afraid of offending someone?"
"Of course! What if I offend one of President Qin’s friends, and then she has to choose between me and her friend? That would be awful~"
"..." Huang Ying was starting to understand why Ruan Nan and Qin Juran had chosen this girl as their assistant.
Seeing Feng Qing's continued curiosity, Huang Ying pulled her aside conspiratorially. "No need to ask about others. Besides Nan Jie, I have the closest relationship with President Qin in this company."
"How close?" Feng Qing whispered back, leaning in.
Huang Ying lowered her voice even further. "We lived together for three years. What do you think?"
"Oh my god..." Feng Qing’s eyes widened, as if she’d just uncovered some shocking palace secret, and she looked like she was about to bolt.
Huang Ying, fearing she would run off and tell Ruan Nan, quickly grabbed her and flicked her forehead. "What are you thinking? We were roommates in university! Now go and do your work."
Feng Qing walked away, a perplexed expression on her face. Huang Ying observed her. Feng Qing seemed to come from a well-off family; although she dressed modestly, her watch and jewelry hinted at her background.
Such a nice girl, too bad she had such a loose tongue.
Thanks to Ruan Nan's endorsement and a positive impression from the interview, Qin Juran officially hired Feng Qing, despite her lack of relevant work experience.
"She’s quite pretty. Didn’t Ah Ruan say we shouldn’t hire anyone too attractive?”
The night before Ruan Nan's departure, President Qin, embracing the philosophy that "tacky is the new chic," booked a table at a five-star restaurant. Exquisite dishes were laid out, their table by the window overlooking the river, candlelight adding to the ambiance.
Ruan Nan raised an eyebrow, explaining her choice. "She's kind, straightforward, confident, has a strong sense of justice, and she's very much like you."
Qin Juran took a sip of her wine. "I’m not kind.”
Ruan Nan, also making an exception tonight, had poured herself a third of a glass of wine. She shook her head, silently disagreeing.
After a small sip, she continued, "Regardless of work experience, I want someone like her by your side. It’s good for you, and good for the company.”
Qin Juran nodded. "Understood."
"Even when I’m not in the country, if you need more funding, you can contact Mr. Chen at the foundation. And if there's anything that requires my signature, I can fly back.”
"Anything else?"
Ruan Nan thought for a moment. "I can also help gather material from abroad. My classes aren't too demanding. Didn't you want to do a travel series?"
A pianist in a suit played a Steinway grand piano in the restaurant lobby, the melodious music filling the air. There was no loud chatter, just hushed conversations in various languages.
The candlelight flickered on the table. Qin Juran wore a long-sleeved red dress. She swirled the deep purple liquid in her wine glass, her long, white neck exposed as she tilted her head back and finished the wine in one gulp.
She put down her glass, her eyes sparkling with their usual seductive charm. She smiled at Ruan Nan. "Ah Ruan, you seem to have matured a lot recently. Even at a time like this, you’re still talking about work.”
Ruan Nan tilted her head, smiling faintly. "I’ve learned from the best, President Qin, observing and absorbing your wisdom."
Qin Juran pouted. "But I don't want Ah Ruan to grow up so fast."
Ruan Nan chuckled. She usually didn't bother correcting Qin Juran when she called her "sister." "Qin Juran, according to our IDs, I'm half a year older than you."
Qin Juran, ignoring logic, wagged a finger. "No, no, Ah Ruan. I'm actually five years older than you. My ID is fake.”
"Why don't you just say your entire identity is fake?" Ruan Nan teased.
Qin Juran pursed her lips, her eyes darkening slightly.
She really was five years older.
Qin Juran looked at Ruan Nan, who sat elegantly across from her, wearing a lace dress and her hair in a bun, her youthful innocence undeniable.
It had been a while since Qin Juran thought about this. Ignoring the physical age of this body, their dynamic was that of a successful businesswoman and a pure, young university student.
And she was still the dominant one.
Ugh, such a predator.
"Ah Ruan, you don't have to grow up when you're with me," Qin Juran said, wagging her finger again.
Ruan Nan clinked her glass against Qin Juran's. "Then I'll try to grow up slowly?"
She took a sip, her movements clumsy, as if she were deliberately trying to appear mature, which only made her seem more adorable.
Outside, cars flowed along the river, the pianist in tails continued to play. Qin Juran felt like she couldn't see anything else, only the person in front of her.
Their food hadn’t arrived yet. Ruan Nan put down her glass, her eyes scanning the restaurant before returning to Qin Juran’s face. "Qin Juran, are you sad that I’m leaving?"
She knew Qin Juran still felt guilty about Ruan Nan cancelling her previous exchange program for her. This time, Qin Juran had been incredibly helpful with the paperwork and arrangements, only relaxing after Ruan Nan confirmed her departure. They had both focused on ensuring the trip went smoothly, but hadn't talked about missing each other.
Qin Juran, caught off guard, looked down, running a hand through her hair, then looked up at Ruan Nan, her gaze intense. "Yes."
Ruan Nan shrugged, trying to lighten the mood. "It’s only for half a year. And you can come visit me.”
Qin Juran continued to stare at Ruan Nan, the emotions in her eyes making Ruan Nan increasingly uncomfortable. Qin Juran swirled her wine. "Ah Ruan, just this once. Being apart for so long, I want to cherish this moment. I’ll work harder so that time and distance won’t keep us apart.”
Ruan Nan smiled, understanding Qin Juran's concerns. "I’ll try my best. You don't have to worry about me. I only act vulnerable around you.”
"You won’t get bullied out there?"
"Of course not! You know what I'm like. Lin Wei and Zhou Ziqing don’t call me 'Nan Jie' for nothing~"
Qin Juran looked at Ruan Nan and smiled.
She suddenly thought of the original novel, "Domineering CEO and Cute School Beauty," where Ruan Nan was merely a villainous second female lead, everyone seeing only her arrogance and unreasonable behavior, vying with the female lead for the male lead’s affection, no one ever exploring the reasons behind her actions, or giving her a chance to change.
Qin Juran herself wasn't kind at all.
In her past life, after her mother's death, facing her family's disapproval, especially her grandfather's, she had defiantly come out. When a small company tried to poach her employees, she ruthlessly exposed their shady dealings, driving them out of business. She had faced countless criticisms and, as she climbed the ladder of success, she had become numb to them.
Even at the moment of the car accident, her only thought had been "relief."
How lucky were they to have found each other across different worlds?
Both of them were changing for each other. Qin Juran hadn't been joking when she said Ruan Nan had matured. She had noticed Ruan Nan's growing business acumen and confidence.
They were both still growing.
The alcohol was starting to affect her, her vision blurring. After tomorrow, she would be eating alone, working alone, staying up late alone, sleeping alone.
How could she possibly be okay with that?
Ruan Nan was still talking, giving Qin Juran instructions about things to take care of while she was away. As the waiter brought their long-awaited Beef Wellington, Qin Juran suddenly stood up, walked over to their table, and draped her coat over Ruan Nan.
The waiter was startled, his hand trembling slightly as he held the tray. "Miss, this is your Beef Wellington..."
Ignoring him, Qin Juran took Ruan Nan’s hand and headed for the exit. "I’ve already paid.”
Ruan Nan was surprised. "Hey, Ju Ju, didn’t you say you specifically wanted to try the Beef Wellington at this restaurant? Have at least one bite before we go..."
Qin Juran didn’t say anything more, pulling Ruan Nan out of the restaurant, hailing a taxi, and practically pushing Ruan Nan inside. The March air was still chilly. The cold night air mixed with the faint scent of alcohol on Qin Juran as she slammed the door shut and gave the driver her address.
The driver, glancing at Qin Juran's face in the rearview mirror, assumed she had either left the gas on at home or had just dined and dashed. He sped towards the apartment without a word.
They were silent during the ride. Only after they got out did Ruan Nan have a chance to ask, "What’s wrong, Ju Ju? Why are we back so suddenly?"
Under the streetlight, Qin Juran looked into Ruan Nan's eyes, cupping her face in her hands. "Because we're about to be apart, and I want to be alone with you.”
...
Ruan Nan relaxed. "That’s it? That's why you were in such a hurry?"
Qin Juran nodded.
Ruan Nan looked at her, unable to scold her, sighing inwardly. "Fine, let's go upstairs.”
Ruan Nan took Qin Juran’s hand, but after a couple of steps, Qin Juran suddenly let go, wrapping her arms around Ruan Nan from behind. The alcohol, amplified by the cool night air, made her slightly dizzy. She nuzzled her face against Ruan Nan’s shoulder, as if reluctant to let go, then whispered in her ear,
"Ah Ruan, let's spend the entire night making love."
AAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH
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