“Bye! By the way, you don’t need to pick me up these next few days. I’ll call you when I need something.” Luo Yaling turned back halfway.
Although she had missed him, it was better not to meet for now. Every encounter led to him trying to take advantage of her. She needed a few days to rest and would call when she missed him again.
Wang Nie’s eyes changed upon hearing this but quickly returned to normal: “Okay!”
Call me when Lingling needs something!”
Frustrated, he believed his efforts weren’t in vain. Even without meeting, he had ways to make her remember him. Wang Nie was plotting in his mind.
“Mm!” Luo Yaling turned and walked back to her little nest.
Wang Nie watched her go upstairs, then left in his car.
The sun was high in the sky, and Luo Yaling was still sound asleep in her bed.
Suddenly, a knock on the door broke the silence.
“Knock! Knock! Knock!”
“Ugh… so noisy!” Luo Yaling pulled the covers over her head.
But the knocking continued.
“Damn it, who is it?” Luo Yaling angrily opened her eyes, threw off the covers, and went to open the door.
“If there’s nothing important, I’ll chop them up for disturbing my beautiful dream,” she muttered.
When she opened the door, she was stunned to see several chefs in white uniforms and tall hats.
“Uh! I didn’t order takeout,” Luo Yaling said, puzzled.
“Mr. Wang Nie asked us to deliver these. He has already paid in full,” the lead chef replied.
Dish after dish of delicious food was placed on the table, along with top-quality French wine and fresh flowers, creating an incredible atmosphere.
But did she really need this many dishes for herself? Why create such a romantic atmosphere? However, Luo Yaling still picked up her chopsticks and took a bite.
“Wow! This is delicious!” She began to eat heartily.
“Please enjoy, miss,” the chef said respectfully after serving the last dish, then withdrew from the room.
Luo Yaling didn’t even look up, focused entirely on the food. This continued for several days.
Finally, she called Wang Nie.
“Hello!” Luo Yaling said.
“Lingling! You finally called! I’ve been waiting for your call. Unfortunately, I have something to do today.”
“I don’t have anything either. You go ahead,” Luo Yaling said guiltily. She had wanted to thank him, but since he was busy, she wouldn’t ask him out.
“Lingling, let’s talk another time!”
“Mm!” Just as she was about to hang up, another voice came through.
“What? Your girlfriend is calling?” A familiar voice, filled with jealousy, came from the other end.
“Who cares? She’s been at home, just calling. My plan is working—making her wait a bit is good; this way she’ll remember me more clearly. Besides, she doesn’t know where I live, so why worry? I’ll turn off my phone later, and she won’t be able to bother us anymore.”
“Turn off your phone? Dare you? And you’re trying so hard to pursue her.”
If she finds out you’re cheating, won’t all your efforts be wasted? And if she dumps you, what will you do? Why did you say those things that day? Was it to make her trust you more? I was shocked that you would go after that ugly duckling. You knew her! From the beginning, I knew you had a purpose. Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”
“Qing’er is so smart! If I told you, the act wouldn’t seem real. She definitely won’t realize. I’m determined to succeed.”
Damn, it was actually Qing Jie. What the hell is going on?
“Hmph! Still ‘determined to succeed’? You’re really up to no good! If that young lady knew you’re pursuing her only because she’s the young miss of the Shen Tian Group, I wonder what she’d think?”
The more she listened, the more furious she became. He actually had the ability to investigate her background?
“I won’t let her know the truth, at least not before we’re married.”
“You’re so bad!” came Wang Qing’s giggle, making Luo Yaling feel even more uncomfortable. But she continued listening.
Men aren’t bad, women won’t love; aren’t you in love with me? Moreover, marrying a wife will help expand your company; why not do it?”
Hmph! Ambitious guy, I’ve misjudged you.
“Oh? If you marry her, will you dump me?” Wang Qing asked.
“Of course not. How could I bear to let go of an angel like you! Even after marriage, you can be my mistress!”
Once I inherit her family’s business, I’ll control the business world. You can follow me and enjoy a luxurious life—what’s not to like?”
Damn, where did he hear this?
“Fine! Considering how much you love me, I’ll reluctantly be your mistress.” Wang Qing laughed, satisfied.
“Just obey me. Hurry up and serve me, mistress!”
When faint panting sounds came through the phone, Luo Yaling hung up, unable to bear it any longer.
Thinking about Wang Nie and Qing Jie made her feel nauseated. She had wanted to thank him, but he turned out to be a fraud. Pretending to be a gentleman, sending her gifts daily just to gain her trust—clever! She thought he was helpless, but no! He was interested in her background and ambitious about controlling the business world.
What an ambition! Good! Really good! Qing Jie, no, Wang Qing—she respected her, yet how wrong she was about them both.
Too despicable! She would never forgive them. If he hadn’t pressed the wrong key, she wouldn’t have discovered his true purpose! He wants everything, but she’ll make him regret it.
Won’t go out? She’ll definitely go out! Why shouldn’t she embrace the ugly duckling?
Let them look how they want; she’s not afraid to face it. Besides, her family won’t “invite” her back soon. What is she afraid of?
She’s furious and needs to calm down. She really wants to punch that shameless guy, but she doesn’t want to make things easy for him.
Chapter Fifty-Seven: Drinking
Bang! Luo Yaling slammed her empty glass on the table. “Another one!”
“Miss, you’re drinking too fast. Be careful not to get drunk,” the bartender said worriedly.
“Get drunk if I want! What’s it to you? Bars don’t fear customers drinking too much? Ha!” Luo Yaling slapped the table.
The bartender was speechless. “Uh… this…”
“Stop talking nonsense. I’ll pay. Bring me another drink quickly!” Disappointment, betrayal, and alcohol made Luo Yaling’s emotions spiral out of control.
“Okay! Wait a moment.” The bartender shrugged and prepared another drink.
Again, Luo Yaling downed the drink, trying to drown her sorrows.
She felt played, incredibly upset. Walking along, she passed a bar and wanted to drink freely. Isn’t alcohol supposed to help release emotions? Why was she feeling more depressed?
Luo Yaling furrowed her brow, urging herself to stop thinking. But the conversation she overheard kept replaying in her mind. Damn!
She wouldn’t let that dog couple succeed. Why was she so concerned?
Luo Yaling drank another glass, and just as she set it down, a voice came from beside her: “Miss, you’ve been drinking all night. I didn’t expect such a delicate woman to have such good alcohol tolerance.”
She turned to the stranger, forcing a self-mocking smile. “Hehe! I just found out myself.” Do looks really matter so much? Do men only like you for your appearance? Then love you? Is this love? Depressing! A beautiful face is a woman’s best weapon. Luo Yaling continued drinking, but the stranger remained by her side.
The stranger smiled and offered her a drink: “Hello, I’m JE. If you don’t mind, let me buy you a drink!”
“Thanks!” she accepted and drank.
“Miss, did something happen?” JE asked curiously.
“Yes! It’s extremely despicable. They’re bad people,” she replied, thinking of Wang Qing and Wang Nie’s deception. She took another big gulp.
Drinking made her throat and stomach feel like they were on fire, mirroring her emotions. But her mood didn’t improve; instead, it grew more heated. Drinking to forget sorrows only brings more sorrow, but why was she getting drunk here?
