Fan Ning’er was, after all, a business talent.
She understood the principles of leveraging influence.
Once Bai Jinghong went, the other magnates who followed his lead would certainly speculate whether she and Bai Jinghong had made amends.
Otherwise, after such a huge scene at the wedding, why would he visit to offer birthday congratulations?
Speculation aside, they definitely wouldn’t be stupid enough to ask Bai Jinghong directly.
With such a vague piece of news circulating, and her own planning to solidify some perceptions, the Fan Group would more or less find things easing up.
Watching Bai Jinghong’s retreating figure, Fan Ning’er bit her lip. Images from that night at the villa surfaced in her mind again.
A strange thrill inexplicably rose in her heart, and she couldn’t help but purse her lips.
“Ning’er, you… how could you let him attend your father’s birthday banquet?”
Chen Lin questioned, his face full of shock.
Pulled back to reality by his voice, Fan Ning’er’s expression turned cold. She shot Chen Lin a disgusted look. “Do I need your approval for this?”
Chen Lin choked, his own expression unsightly. “No, but if he goes, he’s bound to stir up some trouble.”
“I think you should reconsider. There’s no need to invite him!”
Fan Ning’er, unable to hold back, rolled her eyes at Chen Lin again. “I said, it’s none of your business!”
“Uh…” Chen Lin didn’t press further.
But thinking about it, Fan Ning’er hadn’t even told him about this event. She must still consider him one of her own, so he felt a bit more at ease.
“Ning’er, what do you think I should give for your father’s birthday?”
“I’m here to get your advice!” Knowing Fan Ning’er was still angry, Chen Lin changed the subject with a smile.
But Fan Ning’er’s next words dumbfounded him.
“I didn’t invite you, did I?” Fan Ning’er’s voice remained icy.
“???”
“Me? I… I can’t go?” Chen Lin was in disbelief, his mouth gaping wide.
Fan Ning’er truly didn’t want Chen Lin there, so she simply hadn’t mentioned it at all.
If Chen Lin appeared, it would inevitably remind people of the wedding banquet incident.
That was an event that had nailed her to a pillar of shame.
Naturally, she didn’t want others bringing it up, and if everyone brought it up again, it would irk Bai Jinghong yet again.
When the time came, wouldn’t all that anger be vented onto the Fan family? It might even make her father lose face completely, turning the birthday banquet into a joke.
Without even responding to Chen Lin’s question, Fan Ning’er simply walked away.
Leaving Chen Lin standing alone in place, his mind buzzing.
“What’s going on? What is going on? What is all this?”
“How come everyone seems possessed?”
“Why has Ning’er suddenly become so cold towards me? And how could Yaoyao allow that bastard Bai Jinghong to hug her, to kiss her?”
Chen Lin was utterly baffled, feeling completely irritable. He lit a cigarette and stuck it in his mouth.
In the end, he pinned the blame entirely on Bai Jinghong. “It’s that bastard, it’s all because of that bastard… Damn!”
In his fury, he didn’t even smoke. He just waved his arm and tossed the cigarette to the ground.
…
On the other side, Bai Jinghong still had his arm around Shen Yaoyao.
A shyness that didn’t originally belong to her appeared on Shen Yaoyao’s face.
“Y-Young Master Bai, the act is over now. You can let go of me!”
Shen Yaoyao reminded him.
Shen Yaoyao truly felt a bit aggrieved.
Before, her missions were short-term, and she could completely use seduction and charm as tactics. But this was a long-term mission.
Seduction tactics were completely unusable because that bastard Bai Jinghong would seriously go for it.
“It’s fine, this is nice. You’re very soft and smell very nice. I like smelling your scent.” Bai Jinghong dismissed her words, a mischievous smile flashing across his face.
“You…” Shen Yaoyao really wanted to kick him.
This bastard… shameless.
But she still stepped aside, pulling free from Bai Jinghong.
Bai Jinghong didn’t mind and continued, “You heard just now. Fan Ning’er invited me to her father’s birthday banquet.”
“Yes,” Shen Yaoyao responded.
“At that time, you’ll accompany me. You’ll be my female companion!”
“Ah? Th-This… how can this be okay? I object!” Shen Yaoyao was very resistant.
“Objection overruled. You are my personal secretary. Not making you sleep with me is already extremely generous, and you still have so many complaints.”
“I… does a secretary really have to do so many things?” Shen Yaoyao was still protesting, looking pitifully wronged.
Bai Jinghong laughed heartily. This cold female assassin did have a cute side to her.
He reached out and ruffled Shen Yaoyao’s hair. “A personal one, of course!”
“Alright, stop sulking. It’s decided!”
His action was very natural, but Shen Yaoyao was somewhat stunned.
It had truly been a very, very long time since anyone had ruffled her hair like that.
In her memories, it seemed only when she was little had someone ruffled her hair this way.
That feeling was very happy, a sense of being cherished.
Now, Bai Jinghong ruffled her hair, even wearing a doting smile.
That inexplicable warmth actually welled up in her heart.
“By the way, where do you live now? If you don’t have a place to stay, you can come to my house first!”
Bai Jinghong asked.
This Shen Yaoyao was intent on getting close to him, so naturally, he would give her more opportunities.
Only by gradually chipping away, bit by bit, could he finally pull this beauty over to his side.
Hearing Bai Jinghong’s words, Shen Yaoyao blurted out, “Live with you?”
As soon as she said it, she regretted it and covered her small mouth.
Bai Jinghong glanced at her. “If you want, of course, there’s no problem. Even under the same blanket is fine!”
“N-No, that’s not necessary!”
“You’re my personal secretary. It’s all for work, don’t worry. My place has many rooms; I won’t force you to sleep with me!”
Shen Yaoyao sneered inwardly. Talk about having a pillow delivered when feeling drowsy.
Living at Bai Jinghong’s place would make it easier to gain his trust, and even gathering information would be much more convenient.
“Mm… then I’ll be a bother!”
Shen Yaoyao lowered her head, putting on a shy and timid appearance.
The two walked for a while, looping back to where the car was parked.
Bai Jinghong brought Shen Yaoyao directly back to the corporation.
An afternoon of “work” left Shen Yaoyao utterly torn between laughter and tears.
She had thought that being Bai Jinghong’s secretary meant reviewing a ton of documents.
That way, she could access some confidential files, like project directions or approvals for the next project.
After all, the Bai Corporation was so massive, involved in so many industries.
But she could never have imagined that all afternoon, Bai Jinghong would just pull her into playing video games and watching movies in his office.
“A great wind rises, clouds fly! Where can I find brave warriors to guard the four corners! Bandits, they must be eliminated at all times! If not, think about it: you’re traveling with your wife, out of the city, eating hot pot, singing songs… and suddenly, you’re robbed by bandits!”
The movie was projected onto the screen in the office, its lines deafeningly loud, audible throughout the entire office.
It felt just like being in a cinema.
Bai Jinghong watched, cackling with glee, and even muttered commentary like, “Master Tang, stay calm, don’t bring personal emotions into this!”
If it were a legitimate secretary, receiving this kind of treatment daily, she’d truly laugh her head off!
Five hundred thousand a month, and the job was watching movies, playing games, and eating snacks.
Just then, the phone in Shen Yaoyao’s pocket vibrated several times again.
She didn’t need to think to know it was definitely messages from Chen Lin.
After considering for a moment, she told Bai Jinghong she needed a moment and went to the restroom.
As soon as she took out her phone, a cascade of messages popped up.
They were all interrogations from Chen Lin.
Shen Yaoyao looked at the content, her delicate brows furrowed, and she called him directly.
The moment the call connected, Chen Lin’s first words were still questions: “Yaoyao, what’s going on? How could you let Bai Jinghong hold you? He even kissed you!”
“Have you betrayed me? Is Bai Jinghong really that great, making you like him so much?”
Chen Lin was truly on the verge of a breakdown. He was a mighty War God, Hades! When had he ever suffered this kind of treatment?
Besides, he knew Shen Yaoyao’s character. For Bai Jinghong to touch her so intimately was already utterly absurd.
