The Villainess’s Darling [Quick Transmigration] - Chapter 62

The business gala was hosted by the Haishi Chamber of Commerce. Originally, Yun Boyuan served as the honorary vice-chairman; after his passing, the position was temporarily inherited by Ning Xiao, the current president of the Yun Group.

Ning Xiao and Yun Can’er stepped out of the car outside the hotel, treading the red carpet as if walking a celebrity runway. The gala was held in the third-floor ballroom. When Ning Xiao presented her gold-embossed black invitation, the handsome waiter smiled warmly. “Vice-Chairman Ning, please follow me.”

The waiter led them directly to He Nutao, the Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce.

“Chairman He, Vice-Chairman Ning has arrived,” the waiter announced before bowing and departing.

“Vice-Chairman Ning, others say you are approachable, but I find that hard to believe. I’ve tried to book a meeting with you for a week without success. It seems I can only catch a glimpse of you at a gala,” He Nutao said, his expression unreadable.

Yun Can’er furrowed her brows as she observed him. He had a square face, hair slicked back perfectly with pomade, and eyes that looked bloodshot and weary. His features were heavy, and he wore a small goatee that made him look like a caricature of a businessman. His words were even more grating than his appearance.

Ning Xiao remained unruffled. Her red lips curled into a slight smile as she replied with feigned surprise, “Chairman He tried to book a meeting? Perhaps Special Assistant Yang saw how busy I was and since you were reaching out regarding personal matters, he didn’t think it necessary to inform me.”

Mentioning Yang Yuanqi only fueled He Nutao’s irritation. He had been interested in Ning Xiao since their first meeting, but at the time, she was already with Yun Boyuan. He had suppressed his desires until Yun Boyuan’s sudden death. To him, the plane crash was a stroke of luck. As soon as the mourning period ended, he began his attempts to woo her.

However, after one meeting, Ning Xiao realized his intentions were impure and instructed her office to bar him. Yang Yuanqi, acting on her orders and his own disdain for the man, had been quite blunt in his refusals, thoroughly offending the Chairman.

“Is that assistant of yours not here today?” He Nutao’s gaze flickered over Yun Can’er before returning to Ning Xiao. At his age, he was more interested in a woman of Ning Xiao’s sophistication; Yun Can’er, though beautiful, looked far too green.

Yun Can’er glared at He Nutao and gripped Ning Xiao’s hand. She didn’t want this man looking at Ning Xiao at all.

Ning Xiao squeezed the girl’s cold hand back. “Are you feeling chilled?”

Yun Can’er nodded and whispered, “The draft here is a bit strong. Could you take me somewhere warmer?” She waited nervously for the reply.

“Of course,” Ning Xiao said.

A bright light sparked in Yun Can’er’s eyes. Ning Xiao turned to He Nutao. “Chairman He, my partner is feeling unwell. Please excuse us.”

He Nutao glanced displeasedly at the delicate Yun Can’er. “She’s just a partner. Am I not more important than a little girl?”

Ning Xiao simply smiled and gave a small nod of farewell. “Let’s go.” She led Yun Can’er away.

He Nutao huffed in anger, but before he could chase after them, he was intercepted by several small business owners eager to flatter him. His mood improved with the praise, and he soon forgot about Ning Xiao.

In a corner of the ballroom, Yang Yuanqi patted Zhuang Yuzhen’s shoulder in admiration. “Yuzhen, that was smooth. Finding those people to bail out President Ning. I’ll thank you on her behalf.”

Zhuang Yuzhen glanced coldly at the chatting He Nutao. “I helped your boss. Your boss should be the one thanking me.”

“True, but she doesn’t even know you did it,” Yang Yuanqi pointed out.

Zhuang Yuzhen stared at him, the hint in his eyes obvious.

“…Fine, fine. I’ll go tell her,” Yang Yuanqi sighed.

Usually, Ning Xiao would bring him along to these events, but since she had Yun Can’er today, she had given Yang Yuanqi the night off. He had been about to make instant noodles when Zhuang Yuzhen called, claiming he needed a male partner for the gala. Eager to trade instant noodles for a high-end buffet, Yang Yuanqi had readily agreed.

Zhuang Yuzhen nodded with reserve. “Go find her then.”

Yang Yuanqi looked at him suspiciously. “Yuzhen… you don’t have some kind of ulterior motive regarding President Ning, do you?”

Zhuang Yuzhen replied without blinking, “You’re overthinking. I just have a project I want to collaborate on with the Yun Group and haven’t had a chance for a face-to-face.”

After a long stare-down, Yang Yuanqi relented. “Okay, I believe you. I’ll go find her.”

Ning Xiao took Yun Can’er to a lounge area screened off by greenery. She settled her onto a semi-circular sofa. “Wait here for me. I’ll get you some hot water. Don’t talk to anyone while I’m gone, okay?”

Ning Xiao knew that while some liked sophisticated women, others targeted innocent girls like Can’er. She didn’t want to leave her vulnerable for even a few minutes.

Yun Can’er nodded obediently. “I won’t go anywhere. If someone talks to me, I’ll pretend I can’t hear them.”

Ning Xiao left the lounge and asked a waiter to bring hot water to the girl in the starlight-blue dress.

【Ding! The second plot point will occur in three minutes. Please find the male lead immediately!】

Ning Xiao scanned the room. [Xiao Qi, where is Zhuang Yuzhen?]

【Ding! The male lead is too close to the host to provide a specific coordinate!】

[How close is ‘too close’?]

【Within a five-meter radius.】

That was roughly a quarter of the hall. Ning Xiao began to search on her own.

“President Ning!”

A familiar voice called out. She turned to see Yang Yuanqi. “Special Assistant Yang? What are you doing here?”

“I came with a college roommate. He didn’t want to bring a female partner, so he asked me,” Yang Yuanqi explained.

Ning Xiao paused. A male roommate who didn’t want a female partner and chose him instead? She felt like she had stumbled upon a secret. Perhaps the roommate harbored a secret crush on Yang Yuanqi. “Ah, I see,” she said with a knowing smile.

Unaware of her thoughts, Yang Yuanqi hurriedly added, “President Ning, I saw you with He Nutao earlier. When you left, he tried to follow, but my roommate arranged for some small-business owners to intercept him with flattery so he couldn’t pester you.”

Ning Xiao took the hint. “Then I should thank your roommate. Where is he?”

To her, Yang Yuanqi looked less like an assistant introducing a friend and more like someone introducing a lover to his boss. They must be mutually in love, she thought.

“Yuzhen is right there,” Yang Yuanqi said, pointing.

Ning Xiao looked up to see a familiar figure approaching, every strand of hair radiating the aura of a domineering CEO. It was indeed Zhuang Yuzhen.

Ning Xiao looked back at Yang Yuanqi with pity. Zhuang Yuzhen isn’t just a scumbag; he might be a ‘double-plug’ (bisexual). How could Yang Yuanqi fall for someone like this?

Zhuang Yuzhen arrived and extended his hand, acting as if they were meeting for the first time. “Hello, President Ning. I am Zhuang Yuzhen.”

Ning Xiao shook his hand briefly. “Hello. Special Assistant Yang told me what happened. Thank you for your help.”

“It was nothing,” Zhuang Yuzhen replied. “No one could stand by while a beautiful lady is harassed.” He then gave Yang Yuanqi a look. Taking the cue that “business” was about to be discussed, Yang Yuanqi excused himself toward the buffet.

Ning Xiao’s pity for Yang Yuanqi deepened. The man he likes is already flirting with women, and he just scurries off to eat? How humble.

With Yang Yuanqi gone, Zhuang Yuzhen stopped hiding his emotions. “Xiao Xiao, it’s been a long time. How have you been?”

Ning Xiao: “Fine.” knowing his “history” with Yang Yuanqi, she found it hard to stay in character.

Meanwhile, Yun Can’er received her water but didn’t see Ning Xiao. Growing anxious, she ignored their agreement and left the lounge to find her. She spotted Ning Xiao almost immediately and then she saw Zhuang Yuzhen. As he moved, the distance between him and Ning Xiao grew smaller and smaller.

【Ding! Second plot point activated!】

Before the system’s voice faded, Ning Xiao’s body was placed in “auto-pilot.”

Zhuang Yuzhen reached out to gently touch a stray hair on Ning Xiao’s face. “Xiao Xiao, if you ever deal with people like He Nutao again, you must tell me. Don’t carry it alone, okay?”

【Ning Xiao】 remained silent, looking at him with eyes that slowly welled with tears.

Zhuang Yuzhen moved closer, his arm ready to pull her into an embrace. 【Ning Xiao】 took a small step back, her eyes shimmering. “Yuzhen, we shouldn’t do this.”

“Xiao Xiao…” he whispered, his heart racing as he reached for her waist.

【Ding! Second plot point complete! Total points: 70.】

Ning Xiao regained control. Her face instantly turned cold. She stepped back, dodging his arm. “President Zhuang, please conduct yourself with dignity.”

Her expression was like ice. Zhuang Yuzhen, thinking he had been too forward, retracted his hand guiltily. “I’m sorry, Xiao Xiao. I was too impulsive. Can you forgive me?”

“I need some space to myself,” Ning Xiao replied.

“Of course.” To let her relax, he turned and walked away.

Ning Xiao sighed. [Xiao Qi, try not to arrange plot points with the male lead anymore. I feel a bit nauseous.]

【Host, I will try my best to apply for a change with the main system! 】

It had been exactly five minutes since she left Yun Can’er. Ning Xiao hurried back, hoping the girl hadn’t been counting the seconds. She didn’t realize that Yun Can’er had seen the entire “intimate” encounter with Zhuang Yuzhen.

Back at the lounge, she saw Yun Can’er sitting obediently, clutching her cup. “I had something come up. Were you scared sitting here alone, Can’er?”

Yun Can’er put the cup down. Her dark eyes were clouded with a faint mist. “I was keeping track of the time. You were gone for a total of five minutes and thirty-nine seconds.”

Ning Xiao’s hand froze mid-air as she reached out to stroke her hair. “Thirty-nine seconds? I’m so late.” She withdrew her hand. “It’s my fault for not watching the time. Can you forgive me just this once?”

Can’er is so sweet and kind, Ning Xiao thought. She won’t hold such a small thing against me.

Yun Can’er nodded softly. “I can.”

A gentle smile spread across Ning Xiao’s face.

【Ding! Female Lead’s Blackening Value: 30%.】

 The smile on Ning Xiao’s face froze.

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