Online Love, Based on the Real Object - Chapter 17

You Man said this while looking at her with a smile at the corner of her lips. Qi Ning wasn’t the bashful type either after all, they were both women, so a kiss wasn’t a big deal.

“It’s truly an honor to be chosen by President You.” She smiled faintly and leaned her face closer.

Her intention was for You Man to kiss her cheek normally, that would be the expected choice. But instead, You Man placed a hand on her cheek and gently turned her face toward her.

Before Qi Ning could react, a soft kiss landed at the corner of her lips, leaving behind a faint trace of lipstick.

Just a tiny bit more, and it would have been a kiss on the mouth.

“???” Qi Ning’s eyes widened slightly. Even my Jingjing wouldn’t dare kiss me like that!!!

But when she met You Man’s smiling gaze, it seemed as if this was perfectly natural, nothing out of the ordinary.

She was momentarily speechless. Maybe… this was just how “unrestrained” some people were?

Still, she couldn’t shake off the odd feeling. They had only just met today they weren’t even that familiar with each other…

In the end, she could only force an awkward laugh. “President You, you’re really going all out. A kiss on the cheek would’ve been fine.”

The others burst into laughter, and the game continued.

When it was Qi Ning’s turn, she spun and landed on “hug someone.”

She let out a small sigh of relief. At least it wasn’t some shameless punishment.

Qi Ning had always been quite popular. As soon as the result was announced, not only did the men jokingly offer hugs, but many of the women were eager as well including You Man.

Only one person stood unmoved.

Qi Ning’s gaze met Jiao Qing’s. The girl had been quiet the whole time, but the enthusiasm in her eyes was more obvious than any physical gesture.

“Ah.” Qi Ning chuckled teasingly. “Then it’ll be Jiao Qing. She doesn’t look like she’ll eat me alive.”

She walked over and gave Jiao Qing a brief hug. Seeing the girl’s flustered expression and their height difference, Qi Ning found it rather endearing.

Unable to resist, she reached out and patted Jiao Qing’s head. “Our little newcomer here should speak up more. Don’t be so shy.” Her tone was gentle, almost motherly.

“I… I’ll try…” Jiao Qing murmured softly. By the time she finished speaking, Qi Ning had already returned to her seat, ready for the next round.

Luck was on Qi Ning’s side afterward most of her penalties were just drinking.

“Ooooh!” The crowd, silent for a while, suddenly erupted in cheers again.

This time, the spotlight was on their male colleague Xiao Zhao, who had spun “hug someone.” As for why everyone was so excited?

Xiao Zhao had been pursuing another colleague, Xiao Li, and there were already some ambiguous signs between them.

The guys close to Xiao Zhao egged him on to pick Xiao Li, while the women had already pushed Xiao Li forward on their own.

Team-building dinners were always a great opportunity to deepen bonds, especially when two people were in that ambiguous stage. It was only natural for everyone to cheer them on, hoping to play matchmaker.

Qi Ning could also tell there was something brewing between the two, so she stayed quiet.

Xiao Li hesitated and protested weakly a couple of times, but in the end, she couldn’t resist the crowd’s enthusiasm and reluctantly gave in to the hug.

The atmosphere in the private room remained lively until late at night, gradually quieting down around midnight. Some colleagues had already left midway, while the remaining half were exhausted from singing and drinking.

The gathering officially ended at 1 a.m.

Standing at the entrance of the club, Qi Ning did a quick headcount and began arranging rides home for everyone.

“Those who drove here, call a designated driver now. Absolutely no drunk driving.”

“Ladies, is anyone picking you up partner or family? Or will you take a taxi back?”

“Xiao Zhao and Xiao Yang are heading the same way, right? Then you two can go back together. Two big guys keeping each other company won’t be a problem.”

“Boss!” Xiao Yang raised his hand and spoke up. “I can go back alone. Let Xiao Zhao take Xiao Li home instead!”

Qi Ning glanced at Xiao Li, who was being supported by a colleague. She had no idea how much the girl had drunk tonight Xiao Li could barely stand now, completely unconscious.

“Yeah, Xiao Li’s too drunk to get back on her own. Xiao Zhao should take herh, he’s tall and strong!”

Xiao Zhao, eager to play the gallant protector, quickly chimed in, “Boss, I can take her home!”

“No.” Qi Ning didn’t hesitate. “It’s the middle of the night. It’s not appropriate for you to escort a girl alone.”

Qi Ning had initially considered booking a nearby hotel room for Xiao Li, but she hadn’t brought her ID. Fortunately, another colleague knew Xiao Li’s address, so Qi Ning took it upon herself to ensure Xiao Li got home safely.

After seeing You Man off, the others gradually dispersed. Qi Ning’s ride-hailing car hadn’t arrived yet, and since Ding Heguang lived nearby, he stayed behind to help support Xiao Li while planning to walk home.

“Hey, Boss, why go through all this trouble in the middle of the night? Just let Xiao Zhao take her,” Ding Heguang finally said when it was just the two of them left.

Qi Ning didn’t respond, her eyes fixed on the traffic lights at the intersection.

She could tell there was a bit of a spark between the two, but since this was a company event, she couldn’t hand over someone who was drunk. If anything happened, it would be her responsibility.

As for how they interacted when sober that was their own business.

Xiao Li’s place was quite out of the way. Following the navigation, the driver estimated it would take about twenty minutes before Qi Ning finally spotted the toll booth at the village entrance.

The driver stopped in front of a residential building. Qi Ning helped Xiao Li out of the car and shook her awake, asking if this was her home.

Xiao Li opened her eyes blearily, mumbled an affirmative, then fished out her keys from her bag before passing out again.

It took Qi Ning a tremendous effort to get her upstairs worse, Xiao Li lived on the fifth floor! Climbing five flights alone was exhausting enough, let alone while supporting someone else.

By the time she safely delivered Xiao Li home, Qi Ning was half-dead from exhaustion. Luckily, there was a 24-hour convenience store downstairs. She bought a bottle of water and sat at the attached table and chairs by the entrance, pulling out her phone to hail a ride.

…Soon, she encountered a critical problem.

No available vehicles nearby!

After waiting five minutes, Qi Ning grew restless. She got up and went inside to ask the shop owner for help.

The owner told her the neighborhood was remote, and after midnight, it was nearly impossible to get a ride. If she wanted a taxi, she’d have to walk ten minutes to the main road, where one might pass by.

This was the only brightly lit shop around the others had long closed, leaving the area pitch black. Qi Ning had strong survival instincts; walking alone at night was clearly not an option.

She decisively chose to call for backup.

It was almost 2 a.m., and Chu Yunjing was usually fast asleep by this hour.

Still, Qi Ning gritted her teeth and dialed her number.

To her surprise, the call was answered after just two rings unexpectedly quick.

“What’s wrong?” Chu Yunjing’s voice was calm, not at all like someone who’d just been woken up.

“You’re still awake?”

On the other end, Chu Yunjing stared at the ceiling and sighed softly. “Insomnia.”

“Can you come pick me up?”

Worried about Chu Yunjing going out alone being unsafe, she added, “Or you could call a designated driver to bring the car over.”

Chu Yunjing arrived half an hour later. She stepped out of the car still wearing loungewear, clearly having come straight over without changing.

Seeing Qi Ning sitting at the convenience store entrance, chin propped on her hand in a daze, Chu Yunjing felt both annoyed and amused. “Did you really think I was Meituan takeout? Or some citywide express delivery?”

Qi Ning, knowing she was in the wrong for calling someone out so late at night, didn’t dare argue back. She looked at Chu Yunjing and said softly, “Alright, next time it’s this late I won’t call you…”

“You’d better call me. I’m worried someone might beat you up.” Chu Yunjing placed the car keys on the table and sat across from her. “Why are you here so late?”

“Oh!” Qi Ning pouted. “My colleague got drunk, so I took her home. Didn’t expect this place to be so remote couldn’t get a taxi.”

Chu Yunjing frowned, immediately forming a poor impression of this colleague. “Should’ve let her get back herself. How old is she to not know her drinking limits?”

“She was completely wasted. She’s a girl, I couldn’t just leave her alone there.” Qi Ning said it as if it were obvious.

“Have you forgotten,” Chu Yunjing looked at her, “that you’re also a girl?”

Qi Ning pouted pitifully: “Other girls have boyfriends to pamper them. I don’t have one yet.”

“…” Chu Yunjing was momentarily speechless.

After a long pause, she picked up the car keys and stood. Turning to Qi Ning, she said, “Let’s go back.”

“…You have no sense of romance at all!”

“?”

“I thought you’d say ‘I’ll pamper you’!”

Chu Yunjing gave her an exasperated look. “Even if I said it, you wouldn’t want to hear it.”

“How do you know if you don’t say it? Say it! Say it!” Qi Ning clung to her arm, starting to whine.

“Yeah yeah… I’ll pamper you.” Her reply was utterly perfunctory.

Qi Ning suddenly stopped walking, placing a hand on Chu Yunjing’s shoulder with grave sincerity. “Jing ah!”

“Even though we’re childhood sweethearts who grew up together, you know. I’m very straight.”

Chu Yunjing: “…” Why did this scene feel familiar?

What a petty creature.

Before Chu Yunjing’s slap could land on that perky butt, Qi Ning dodged and scampered into the car, laughing uproariously.

Chu Yunjing shook her head helplessly and quickly followed.

The location was in the opposite direction from Qi Ning’s home nearly an hour’s drive back. Not wanting to endure another long car ride, Qi Ning went home with Chu Yunjing instead.

This time the guest room was already prepared. After showering, Qi Ning collapsed into bed and slept without further fuss.

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