"..." Ning Rongyue thought she had heard wrong.
Li Bing, the director of the Ruiyin Investment Department, was famous in the industry for his meticulous work. It was unprecedented for him to suddenly stand someone up for a negotiation and speak so bluntly that it left one unable to save face.
It was precisely because she knew the temperament of Ruiyin’s investment director that she had arrived early.
That phrase, "Sorry to have kept you waiting," was nothing but a polite remark.
"Does Director Li have other matters?" Ning Rongyue felt somewhat embarrassed but still maintained a proper smile.
"It’s okay. If Director Li is too busy today, we can reschedule."
Her words were appropriate, leaving no room for criticism.
The awkward atmosphere, created by a single sentence from Li Bing’s secretary, had eased somewhat.
Who knew that, in the next moment, the words the other party spoke would directly shatter the atmosphere Ning Rongyue had struggled to create.
"Manager Ning, you misunderstand. It’s not that Director Li doesn’t have time; he just doesn’t want to discuss this cooperation with you. He hopes Chairman Ning will send someone else."
Ning Rongyue’s face first turned white, then slowly reddened as if all her blood had rushed to it, her ears burning hot.
A feeling of humiliation enveloped her, and the surrounding gazes felt scorching.
She hadn’t recovered even by the time Li Bing’s secretary left.
By the time she regained her composure, the expressions on the faces of the several assistants who had followed her varied.
In the rest area, Ning Guiwan was also watching, a faint smile on her lips. To Ning Rongyue, this smile was clearly mocking.
At that moment, she felt like a complete fool.
It was as if she had returned to those days when she was mocked by others for living off the Ning Family’s leftovers.
"Perhaps Director Li misunderstands something about you. Why not go back first and have the chairman call Director Li to clarify?" someone tried to smooth things over.
Ning Rongyue’s hand, holding the folder, tightened slowly. It took a great deal of effort to suppress the humiliation and anger.
Raising her hand, she smoothed her hair, which wasn’t messy at all. She laughed apologetically and helplessly. "I don’t know how I offended Director Li. If this affects the cooperation, I’ll truly be Tianchi’s sinner."
"It must be a misunderstanding. You always handle things so capably, Manager Ning—we all know that."
"Yes, Manager Ning, don’t worry. Let’s head back first."
"Alright." As Ning Rongyue led her team past Ning Guiwan, she still smiled and said goodbye.
She behaved with grace and propriety, not losing her composure despite being put in such an awkward position.
Ning Guiwan watched Ning Rongyue’s figure disappear. The smile on her lips gradually faded. She wondered about what Ning Honghua had said when he was hospitalized...
"...You don’t need to worry; I’ll teach you these things slowly. Once you get the hang of it, it’s actually not difficult at all..." The Head Secretary’s competent voice grew closer, accompanied by the crisp sound of two pairs of high heels on the floor.
Lai Yang looked serious. "I’ll study diligently. Thank you, Head Secretary."
"Just call me Sunny."
Lai Yang smiled. "Sunny."
"By the way, are you free this afternoon?" Sunny asked. "Director Quan has scheduled a golf game to discuss business with a partner. You could join us. It’s the perfect opportunity for me to show you what to do when accompanying Director Quan on such engagements."
"The business partner—is it a man?" Lai Yang’s eyes lit up immediately. Maybe that partner was the person she was looking for.
Sunny replied, "Female powerhouses are rare."
"Then how old is he? In his thirties?" She almost asked directly if he liked to wear black traditional Chinese attire.
Even though Sunny had good composure, something felt off to her.
But this was someone Director Quan had personally assigned, so Sunny didn’t let her surprise show and responded vaguely, "About that."
Lai Yang wanted to ask more, but Ning Guiwan got up and walked over, asking with a smile, "Are you two done?"
"Oh, oh, just about..."
Before Lai Yang could finish speaking, Sunny’s phone rang.
Sunny said directly, "Then I’ll see you this afternoon. I’ll send the exact time and address to your phone later."
After speaking, Sunny answered the call.
Lai Yang kept looking back as she walked away.
Ning Guiwan watched her. "Reluctant to leave?"
Lai Yang turned around, her gaze intense.
Ning Guiwan frowned slightly, as if guessing what Lai Yang was about to say.
Sure enough, Lai Yang began to act cute, clasping Ning Guiwan’s arms and swaying them. "Come with me this afternoon..."
"..." Ning Guiwan’s smile was faint. "You’re going to work. Is it appropriate for me to go with you?"
"You know I’m not really going for work. If the person playing golf with my second cousin-uncle this afternoon is *the one*, I definitely won’t be able to handle it..."
"Even if I go, I wouldn’t be much help."
"I don’t need your help; just having you there would be enough. Without you, I’ll feel insecure..." Lai Yang bent over, rested her face on Ning Guiwan’s shoulder, and looked up with a pleading expression. From Ning Guiwan’s perspective, her eyes were soft and endearing. "Please? Please? I’m begging you..."