Chapter 17

Ning Jiuwei blocked the hand reaching for her cheek, pulling it away before Wen Wanyuan could cup her face. She didn’t deny feeling unwell right then and there, instead playing along with Su Jinglan’s excuse to let Wen Wanyuan stay at the banquet.

“I’m just a bit tired. It’s nothing serious.” Ning Jiuwei released Wen Wanyuan’s hand. “Tonight’s banquet is to celebrate your signing with DM. I can head back on my own.”

Su Jinglan, who had been keeping a close eye on them, spoke up at just the right moment. “Designer Wen, there’s no need to worry. I’ll take Jiuwei home.”

Wen Wanyuan remembered how this colleague had always called her Ning Jiuwei, full name and all, before. Now she was using the affectionate nickname Jiuwei—who knew how close they really were?

There were no real bonds between coworkers. Wen Wanyuan wasn’t comfortable leaving Ning Jiuwei alone, and she certainly didn’t trust handing her off to someone else. “It’s just a banquet. Nothing matters more than my baby.”

Wen Wanyuan shot Su Jinglan a quick glance before turning her full attention back to Ning Jiuwei. “I’ll take you home. I’ll crash at your place tonight.”

Su Jinglan’s expression darkened, her eyes sharpening as she fixed them on Wen Wanyuan.

At the moment, she and Ning Jiuwei were nothing more than boss and subordinate. To outsiders, they could barely pass as colleagues, let alone friends.

“No need.” Ning Jiuwei’s firm response pleased Su Jinglan immensely. No matter how much Wen Wanyuan pressed, Ning Jiuwei refused to budge. “I brought my assistant. She’ll drive me home.”

Right on cue, Assistant Tan appeared, as she always did. She greeted Wen Wanyuan politely and backed up Ning Jiuwei. “Hello, Designer Wen. I’m Designer Ning’s assistant. I’ll make sure to get Designer Ning home safely.”

Her youthful face radiated natural energy, and she had the look of someone trustworthy. Wen Wanyuan smiled and let out a sigh. “All right, then. I won’t see you off. Text me when you get home. In a couple days, once I have some free time, dinner’s on me.”

Wen Wanyuan walked her to the Banquet Hall entrance. Ning Jiuwei told her to head back inside, and though she was clearly reluctant, Wen Wanyuan obeyed without protest, waving goodbye before turning back to the party.

The corridor buzzed with people hurrying back and forth. The downbound elevator was even more packed than the one they’d taken up. After Ning Jiuwei stepped in, a crowd squeezed in behind her, jamming the space until shoulders rubbed and elbows jostled.

Ning Jiuwei lowered her gaze, dodging the eyes of the person standing face-to-face right in front of her. The elevator halted at the 3rd Floor, and more people from outside shoved their way in. Su Jinglan, shielded by Assistant Lin, still couldn’t avoid getting jostled.

She stumbled forward, falling against Ning Jiuwei.

“Sorry.” Su Jinglan braced herself against the elevator wall and pushed upright, the corners of her mouth curving up in a smile. Her gaze, warm with amusement, settled gently on Ning Jiuwei’s face.

Her lashes fluttered just so, dense and perfect. Those peach-blossom eyes of hers, even without a full smile, evoked the delicate petals of early-spring peaches unfurling. Up close like this, Su Jinglan caught her own faint reflection in Ning Jiuwei’s eyes—a hazy image that tugged her closer.

Lin Fengmian transformed into an anchor weighing a thousand pounds, holding her ground steady in the crush of the elevator car. No matter how she was shoved, she made sure it never rippled through to the President.

Reason reined Su Jinglan in before she leaned in further. She straightened up slightly, putting some distance between herself and Ning Jiuwei.

When the elevator hit the first floor, half the crowd spilled out. Ning Jiuwei had handed her car off to a staff member to park earlier; picking it up just meant heading to the entrance, also on the ground level. She stepped out into the lobby.

The vast, brightly lit space brimmed with crisp, fresh air. Ning Jiuwei, who had held her breath the whole ride down, finally drew in a deep lungful, letting the oxygen steady her heart, which had been on the verge of bursting.

She didn’t glance at Su Jinglan, but she could feel those eyes on her the entire time. The awareness alone made her itch to bolt.

The elevator in motion had been a trap, no escape possible.

Now, though, she could run. Ning Jiuwei quickened her pace without thinking, her steps growing faster with every stride.

A staff member stationed at the hotel entrance went off to retrieve Ning Jiuwei’s car. It wasn’t parked close by, so it would take a minute.

The days were warming, but the night air still carried a chill like cool water. Ning Jiuwei’s eyes drifted to the glass doors, where the sharp reflection revealed Su Jinglan standing right behind her.

Their gazes locked in the glass. Su Jinglan made no effort to hide it, her smile soft and open.

One look was all it took—Ning Jiuwei’s pulse raced again. She tore her eyes away, striking up a conversation with Assistant Tan at her side to distract herself. “Little Tan, I can’t drop you off at home. You’ll have to cab it back.”

Tan Yushu nodded obediently. “Sure thing.”

The staff member pulled the car up to the entrance, holding the door open and shielding the roof as Ning Jiuwei climbed in. Once she was settled, they closed the door with careful precision.

The hotel glowed with light. From outside, every silhouette inside was perfectly visible. Ning Jiuwei fastened her seatbelt, twisting to peer back at the entrance as the click sounded.

Sealed safe inside the car, Ning Jiuwei let her guard down at last. Her eyes roamed freely over Su Jinglan.

Ning Jiuwei gazed quietly for several seconds before composing herself. She tamped down the magnetic pull she felt and gave the steering wheel a light tap, easing her car away from the hotel.

Another vehicle pulled up right in the spot she’d just vacated. Assistant Lin opened the rear door and glanced back at President Su.

Ning Jiuwei was gone. There was no reason to linger. Su Jinglan slid into the car, her eyes drifting out the window into the enveloping night. Recalling Ning Jiuwei’s reaction in the elevator, the corners of her lips curved upward.

The closer she got to Ning Jiuwei, the more she was drawn to her—an attraction that spread from her mind to her body. Su Jinglan realized her own reactions were beyond her control. She’d barely parted from Ning Jiuwei before the urge to see her again overwhelmed her.

Her vast home felt empty with only Su Jinglan in it. She poured herself a glass of red wine and tossed it back, then another, and another. But the fierce longing in her heart showed no sign of dulling. Instead, wild impulses began to take root.

Su Jinglan leaned against the dining table, her head hanging low. She closed her eyes and let out a long breath, repeating deep inhales and exhales several times. In her mind, she reminded herself not to rush things—one step at a time.

The wine’s aftereffects hit, bringing a wave of dizziness and faint drowsiness. Su Jinglan slipped out of the gown she’d chosen so carefully, padding barefoot from the walk-in closet to the bathroom.

The hot water washed away the chill from her skin, turning her pale complexion a soft pink amid the rising steam. Su Jinglan shut her eyes, and all she could see was Ning Jiuwei.

Fresh from her shower, her body clean and invigorated, Su Jinglan changed into a teal nightgown. Following the ache in her heart, she left the master bedroom and headed to the guest room.

The guest room where Ning Jiuwei had spent the night.

Nothing in the room had been touched since Ning Jiuwei left—not even the bed or sheets she’d slept in.

Su Jinglan sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the bedside lamp as she imagined Ning Jiuwei’s every movement while sleeping there.

She pulled back the covers and lay down.

The soft mattress warmed gradually against her body heat. Su Jinglan rolled onto her side, hugging the blanket close as she recalled the feeling of holding Ning Jiuwei.

Meanwhile, Ning Jiuwei struggled to hold herself in check. As the hot water lapped over her, she couldn’t stop replaying the evening’s events.

Her phone rang suddenly, shattering her reverie.

“Ah Mu, have you gotten home?” Wen Wanyuan hadn’t heard from Ning Jiuwei yet. Having just wrapped up entertaining a few clients, she slipped away to a quiet spot and dialed her up.

Ning Jiuwei, still soaking in the tub, replied calmly, “I’m home.”

“Good. Oh, by the way, that colleague of yours—I keep thinking she looks familiar. Like I’ve seen her somewhere before.” Wen Wanyuan was in the restroom, cupping water under the faucet to wash her hands. She asked Ning Jiuwei, “What’s her name? Maybe it’ll jog my memory.”

Ning Jiuwei fell silent.

Wen Wanyuan shook off the water from her hands and headed back toward the banquet hall, still damp. “Why aren’t you saying anything?”

“I have another call coming in. Gotta go.” Ning Jiuwei hung up on Wen Wanyuan and set her phone on the edge of the tub.

It was just an excuse. Two seconds later, her phone rang again—this time for real.

She picked it up and saw the caller ID. Ning Jiuwei’s heart clenched, and the phone nearly slipped into the water.

“Ning Jiuwei.” It was Su Jinglan on the line, her voice soft and gentle as she said Ning Jiuwei’s name.

Water trailed down her wet hair along her smooth back. Ning Jiuwei sat up, gripping the edge of the tub as she answered. She forced her voice to sound normal. “Is there something you need, President Su?”

Su Jinglan leaned back against the headboard, amusement threading through her tone. “There’s something I want to talk to you about.”

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