Jiang Ruoning didn’t notice Shi Sui’s like until she was about to head out. It was buried among likes from many colleagues and friends, not standing out at all. But the moment she spotted Shi Sui’s avatar, her heart skipped a beat, then thumped heavily.
Shi Sui’s avatar was a silhouette of a woman from behind, outlined in black ink on a white background. Jiang Ruoning couldn’t tell if Shi Sui had drawn it herself or saved it from online.
The figure had long, wavy hair, narrow shoulders, and a slim waist. The image cut off at the waist, but it still revealed a curvaceous figure.
It was a ink sketch.
A strange thought suddenly popped into Jiang Ruoning’s mind: Could this be a woman Shi Sui liked?
After all, using someone you liked as your avatar was pretty normal.
But Jiang Ruoning felt like it wasn’t.
If Shi Sui had someone she liked, why had she been so flirtatious with her yesterday?
They were both adults. Jiang Ruoning refused to believe Shi Sui didn’t understand what it meant when she ate from the ice cream Shi Sui had bitten into, or when Shi Sui wrote her surname on her palm. If she had invited Shi Sui out last night, or asked her to come over…
Last night might have turned into something more.
Jiang Ruoning lowered her gaze.
Zhao Miaomiao sent off her message and turned around in surprise. “Ning-jie, are you hot or something?”
Jiang Ruoning blinked. “Huh?”
Zhao Miaomiao said, “Your face…”
Jiang Ruoning touched her cheek. It burned hot. She let out an “oh” and stayed calm. “I think I’m running a fever.”
Zhao Miaomiao immediately tensed up. “Then!”
Jiang Ruoning said, “It’s fine. It’ll pass in a bit.”
Zhao Miaomiao tugged at her lips in bewilderment and scratched her head awkwardly.
A moment later, Jiang Ruoning’s complexion returned to normal, and Zhao Miaomiao finally relaxed. She opened the car door and helped Jiang Ruoning out. Wu Jie was on the phone at the entrance and turned at the sound of the door.
Jiang Ruoning wore an emerald green half-skirt with a light yellow long-sleeved blouse. The fabric was sheer and smooth with a nice drape. The blouse was tucked into the skirt, accentuating her tiny waist that one could barely grasp. Her long legs were slender, fair, and straight. Standing at the entrance, she was a sight to behold.
Wu Jie was quite satisfied with Jiang Ruoning’s makeup and outfit that day. She gave it several approving glances and nodded.
She didn’t hang up her call but gestured for Jiang Ruoning to go in first. Jiang Ruoning nodded slightly and followed Zhao Miaomiao into the hotel.
Liming Grand Hotel had a grand lobby on the first floor, private rooms on the second and third floors, entertainment on the fourth, and guest rooms above the fifth.
Jiang Ruoning was headed to the third floor.
Room 304.
Wu Jie said the people from Fengshang hadn’t arrived yet and told her to go in and rest first.
As Jiang Ruoning exited the elevator, a staff member approached warmly, recognized her, and smiled. “Miss Jiang, this way please.”
Zhao Miaomiao followed behind, carrying the bag and looking around.
It was no wonder this was the city’s top five-star hotel. The decor was opulently lavish, with gold accents everywhere. Zhao Miaomiao had been with Jiang Ruoning for about half a year since she switched agencies and had visited private clubs with her, so she wasn’t entirely inexperienced. Still, the splendor dazzled her.
She’d heard the murals here were all authentic masterpieces.
Extravagant to the point of jaw-dropping.
Dazed by the sights, she didn’t notice the person ahead had stopped. Zhao Miaomiao stumbled into Jiang Ruoning’s back, rubbing her nose. She saw Jiang Ruoning staring ahead and followed her gaze. A woman stood in front of them.
She wore a chic little black dress professional set—white top, black bottom, classic colors. Paired with nude high heels, her already tall, slim figure looked even more statuesque. Her long hair was casually tied to the side with a black leather cord, and she wore pink pearl earrings. Her skin was fair, and under the top-tier lighting, she glowed softly.
What a beautiful woman.
Zhao Miaomiao sighed in admiration. Seeing Jiang Ruoning still entranced, she asked, “Ning-jie, do you know her?”
She looked like a model.
So tall, such a great figure.
Jiang Ruoning snapped back to reality. It was all Shi Sui’s fault for being so stunning. She’d been completely mesmerized.
Fortunately, Zhao Miaomiao and the staff were also staring.
She coughed lightly to cover her embarrassment and was about to speak when a pleasant voice called, “Jiang Ruoning?”
The elegant figure approached.
Zhao Miaomiao instinctively stepped back half a pace.
Shi Sui stopped in front of Jiang Ruoning, her gaze warm. “What are you doing here?”
Jiang Ruoning pointed to the 304 private room nearby. “Having dinner. You?”
Shi Sui smiled. “Me too…”
Jiang Ruoning nodded. “What a coincidence.”
Her mood lifted delightfully from the serendipity.
Her smile widened.
Shi Sui gazed at her steadily for a few seconds, her eyes profound and meaningful. “What a coincidence.”
The door to the adjacent room suddenly slid open, and a head poked out. “Xiao—”
Jiang Nuan’s voice cut off abruptly.
She recognized her—Jiang Ruoning.
Shi Sui said, “I’ll go eat first.”
Jiang Ruoning said, “oh,” then, “Go ahead.”
Shi Sui nodded and added before leaving, “We can chat after dinner.”
Jiang Ruoning said “oh” again.
This time, her tone was unconsciously soft, the ending drawn out coquettishly.
She said, chat after dinner.
Jiang Ruoning entered the room, unable to suppress her smile.
Zhao Miaomiao noticed. “Ning-jie, was that woman a model too?”
“You mean Shi Sui?” Jiang Ruoning said. “I don’t think so.”
She wasn’t sure, since she didn’t know Shi Sui’s job.
Shi Sui’s Moments were too sparse. After seeing the like, Jiang Ruoning had sneaked a peek. The most recent post was from half a year ago, probably New Year’s, with festive lanterns and a snowman.
A tall, big snowman with a red scarf.
It reminded her of how they always built snowmen during New Year’s visits to Yun An’s hometown.
Pretty similar.
Zhao Miaomiao said, “She’s really not a model? Her figure is amazing.”
Jiang Ruoning agreed. “I think her figure is amazing too.”
Zhao Miaomiao chattered on. “Right? And her skin is so fair.”
Jiang Ruoning: “Her neck is long and slender, and her collarbone is so sexy.”
Zhao Miaomiao: “She has great taste in clothes.”
Jiang Ruoning: “Her breasts are perfectly shaped.”
Zhao Miaomiao: “Such elegant poise.”
Jiang Ruoning: “And such a tiny waist.”
Zhao Miaomiao: “Those pearl earrings—I just looked them up. Haimi new release, six figures.”
“You—” They spoke at the same time and stopped.
Jiang Ruoning thought: Why is her focus always on clothes and jewelry brands?
Zhao Miaomiao thought: Good thing Wu-jie isn’t here; she’d be furious if she heard.
Jiang Ruoning pressed her lips straight, recalling Wu Jie’s strict style. If she knew they’d entered the room not thinking about pleasing Fengshang but gossiping about the woman next door, she’d definitely be mad.
Zhao Miaomiao took a deep breath and refocused. “I’ll call Wu-jie and ask if they’ve arrived.”
Jiang Ruoning gave a soft “mm.” Her earlier lapse was now fully composed.
Zhao Miaomiao had just dialed when there was movement at the door. Jiang Ruoning turned to see the server opening it. Wu Jie was with Fengshang’s PR Director, Li Jinyan, and two team leads. Normally, Jiang Ruoning should have met them or shared a meal since she’d shot for their brand, but her former agent Ai Wen, fearing exposure of her sabotage, had told Director Li that Jiang Ruoning was unavailable during pre-shoot dinners.
Twice in a row—either busy or unable to make it.
Li Jinyan wasn’t stupid; she sensed Jiang Ruoning’s attitude and was displeased, but endured it given her influence then.
Who knew the brand mix-up fiasco would follow.
Li Jinyan tallied old and new grudges against Jiang Ruoning, hence her aggression at the time.
But no walls are airtight.
Li Jinyan learned the truth from a friend and realized she’d misunderstood Jiang Ruoning. So when the new agent’s invitation came, she decided to see for herself.
Though both sides had misconceptions, the rift lingered, making smiles hard upon meeting.
Wu Jie smoothed things over. “All misunderstandings, all misunderstandings. Our Ningning would never act like a diva. She’s thrilled to dine with Director Li.”
She shot Jiang Ruoning a look. No newbie in the industry, Jiang Ruoning got it instantly. She poured red wine, approached Li Jinyan, and apologized. “Director Li, I was in the wrong before. Please forgive me. I’ll down three glasses as penalty.”
Li Jinyan glanced sideways but didn’t budge.
Jiang Ruoning tossed back three glasses in one go. Only then did Li Jinyan speak. “That’s not how you drink red wine.”
Everyone quietly relaxed at her words. Wu Jie nodded subtly at Jiang Ruoning. This erased the past issues. But with future collaborations, plus Jiang Ruoning’s scandals over the past half-year, they couldn’t slack.
Li Jinyan loved drinking, especially red wine—rumor had it her home had seven or eight wine cabinets. This meal inevitably became a drinking session.
Jiang Ruoning and Wu Jie toasted everyone from Li Jinyan to the team leads. After half an hour, Li Jinyan had thawed from her initial iciness. She raised her glass. “Miss Jiang, Miss Wu, Fengshang isn’t up to me alone. We’ll need to discuss the collaboration back at the office.”
“Of course,” Wu Jie said immediately. “Everyone knows Director Li is always prudent. Before coming, Ruoning kept telling me not to pressure you, to understand your position. But Director Li, let me be frank today: collaboration or not, you’re the pillar of Fengshang in our hearts!”
Everyone knew it was flattery.
But who didn’t love hearing it?
Sweet words were poisonous, but delicious.
Li Jinyan lapped it up happily. Jiang Ruoning caught her breath and stood to head to the restroom. Zhao Miaomiao hurried to support her, but Jiang Ruoning waved her off gently, indicating she was fine. Zhao Miaomiao sat back down.
Jiang Ruoning glanced instinctively at the next room upon exiting.
Shi Sui’s room was 305. The door was open now, with uniformed servers cleaning inside.
Had she left?
Jiang Ruoning pouted.
She heard a voice. “Jiang Ruoning.”
Jiang Ruoning whipped around. Shi Sui stood behind her, a step away. So close, Jiang Ruoning could see her thick, curled, upturned lashes, distinct root by root. She greeted, “You… done already?”
Shi Sui glanced at her watch.
Jiang Ruoning noticed it was the one from the airport: Patek Philippe Limited Edition.
Navy blue leather strap, sapphire crystal face, refracting the corridor lights brilliantly.
Shi Sui said, “Ended ten minutes ago.”
Jiang Ruoning snapped back. “Then why are you still here?”
Shi Sui looked at her. “Waiting for you.”
She said it so naturally, as if they’d made this promise countless times, waiting for her being the most obvious thing.
Strangely.
Jiang Ruoning didn’t mind at all.
Pink soda bubbles even fizzed in her heart.
She opened her mouth. “I…”
Shi Sui suddenly grabbed her wrist and pulled her into her embrace. Jiang Ruoning stumbled forward, one hand yanked to Shi Sui’s chest, the other instinctively bracing on her shoulder. Her nose caught a faint perfume—or was it body scent?—emanating from deep within, utterly alluring.
Jiang Ruoning’s head dipped, her nose brushing Shi Sui’s slender neck.
She swallowed.
Her ears buzzed. Shi Sui was speaking, seemingly explaining the sudden pull.
Jiang Ruoning didn’t catch it clearly. She only heard her own heartbeat, like war drums, pounding chaotically!
