She was as tall as Jiangg Ning, though a bit chubby. She looked a lot like one of those popular actresses known for playing the quirky, rich-girl type and had a mischievous air about her.
"Oh, my daughter’s here! Yu, come over, let me introduce you." A wide grin instantly spread across Gao Dengfeng’s ruddy face.
"Yu, long time no see," Mo Nana greeted her.
"Na, you’re here too!"
Everyone looked over, Jiangg Ning included. Only Chen Yuan, who’d had a bit too much to drink, was busy processing the massive amount of information everyone had been chattering about. The situation in the northern region was a hundred times more complex than he had anticipated. This wasn’t just some superficial formality; it was an all-out confrontation between two factions fighting for their own interests.
When Gao Dengfeng had brought up his daughter earlier, he had simply brushed it off, having no interest in hearing about such boring family matters. And he certainly couldn’t be bothered now.
But while he couldn’t be bothered, Gao Tongyu, who had just walked in, instantly locked her gaze onto Chen Yuan. For a moment, she seemed slightly dazed, her eyes fixed unblinkingly on his profile.
Usually, when Mr. Gao entertained guests in the main hall, they were mostly his middle-aged colleagues. She was a bit stunned to see a young man so handsome it was almost unreal. She stared impolitely for a long time, unable to process what she was seeing.
"Uh... Hi, Na. Uncles... uh, hello!" After snapping out of her daze, Gao Tongyu instantly straightened her back. Her voice became a little stiff and formal, betraying her nervousness.
This was a far cry from her usual willful demeanor.
She then noticed that next to the young man in the seat of honor sat a stunningly beautiful woman in professional attire, a woman with an extraordinary aura. Her graceful face was so elegantly simple it seemed otherworldly, without a trace of makeup, like a naturally perfect work of art.
Gao Tongyu considered herself quite attractive and was usually one of the best-looking among her friends. But compared to this woman, she wasn’t even in the same league.
The young woman was completely floored and became very reserved.
Having grown up seeing the dynamics of these dinner parties, she knew what the seat of honor signified, no matter how clueless she could sometimes be. Her father was clearly the host, so just how prestigious must this young man’s status be? For some reason, her breath caught in her throat.
’The "big shot" the driver mentioned earlier must be this boy with the slightly flushed cheeks, leaning back in his chair. But how can he be my age?’
Countless questions flooded her mind.
"These two," Gao Dengfeng said, having finished introducing everyone else and finally arriving at Chen Yuan’s side. He announced, looking quite pleased with himself, "are our northern region’s newly appointed Chief Director and his secretary, Miss Jiangg."
"Hello." Jiangg Ning politely extended her hand.
Chen Yuan, however, just glanced over and gave her a nod.
"Dad... the new Director is so young?" Gao Tongyu, spoiled as she was, couldn’t help but ask.
"His youth just proves what a brilliant talent he is! Now, you should go upstairs and rest. I have things to discuss with these leaders."
"I know, Dad."
Sensing that her father was trying to get rid of her, Gao Tongyu didn’t linger. But as she left, she kept looking back every few steps, her gaze locked on Chen Yuan, as if trying to burn the image of him sitting there with his head lowered deep into her memory.
When she reached the spiral staircase, she was still in a daze, peeking through the edge of the room divider. She almost missed a step and fell.
"Holy crap! So handsome... How can anyone be that good-looking!"
Closing her bedroom door with a CLICK, she couldn’t help but dive onto her bed. Her legs kicked restlessly, slapping against the soft mattress like a fishtail, and a flush crept onto her cheeks.
Seeing her friend acting so crazy, her best friend was dumbfounded. She reached out from under the covers and patted her on the shoulder.
"Yu, are you okay?"
"Oh my god! You didn’t see him—this super-hot guy! He’s like someone straight out of a novel. I think I’m going to faint."
"What do you mean, hot? Who is he?" Her friend was completely confused.
"A guest my dad invited! He can’t be more than twenty, a total hottie with fair skin and this incredible, cool vibe~ And his hands! And that suit! And his eyes! I can’t, I have to find another chance to go spy on him!"
"For real? Is he really as good-looking as you say? Who is he, anyway?"
"How should I know? My dad kicked me out before I could find out. This won’t do... What excuse could I use to go over there again..."
...
The family dinner finally ended a little after ten that night.
The handful of senior leaders, all eager to pledge their loyalty, walked them all the way to the door. Chen Yuan was dizzy and lightheaded by then, but he forced himself to stay alert enough to say his goodbyes.
Once they were in the car and the engine started, he finally let out a long sigh of relief.
"That was exhausting... If you hadn’t said it was time, I think I’d still be in there drinking. I have no idea where those old guys get the energy."
"They’re used to it, so of course they can handle it better than you." Jiangg Ning’s gaze lingered on his beet-red cheeks, and for once, she didn’t offer a sarcastic remark.
She pulled something out of her bag, twisted open the cap, and a wisp of steam drifted out.
"What are you drinking?"
"Water I brought. It’s perfectly warm now."
"Oh, great. Quick, let me have a sip. I feel like the world is spinning. Why is this car shaking so much...?" Chen Yuan looked at Jiangg Ning and suddenly reached out to touch her cheek. "Stop shaking. You’re making me dizzy."
"I’m not shaking, and besides..." Jiangg Ning stopped mid-sentence. After a moment’s hesitation, she handed him the cup.
The water was still warm. He took a few large, satisfying gulps and handed it back, the rim of the cup now smelling of the alcohol on his lips.
When you felt awful, even a sip of warm water was bliss.
"How come you didn’t tell me this was your cup and that I couldn’t drink from it...? Couldn’t bear to, huh? I knew it."
"Hmph. I’ll just throw it out later. It’s not like I care about one thermos," Jiangg Ning retorted mercilessly.
Hearing her cold words, Chen Yuan felt a slight smile touch his lips.
’Actually, before they left today, he’d seen Jiangg Ning grab a thermos from home that she hadn’t used in ages. She had filled it with water at the office and hadn’t touched it all day, yet she’d brought it all the way to Linzhou... That couldn’t be a coincidence. He knew she was aware he’d have to drink a lot tonight, but she was too proud to show her concern openly.’
’At that moment, he suddenly felt incredibly happy, like a child who’d just been given candy. All the misery he’d been feeling lately seemed to melt away in that instant.’
’So, it wasn’t that Jiangg Ning didn’t love him. Her feelings had always been there, just buried deep in her heart.’
BURP! He let out a foul, alcohol-laced burp.