Chapter 53 Feast: I'm waiting for you to come and eat me.
Midnight, lace, her scent lingers in my nostrils.
Qiao Bolin slowly opened his eyes, and a soft hand enveloped his burning heat. The woman's snow-white and slender body leaned closer, her fair curves undulating like waves. Her face was blurred in the misty fog, but one could still make out that familiar expression that seemed to be smiling but wasn't.
The pressure on her hands changed with the muffled groans emanating from his throat, sometimes light, sometimes increasing as if deliberately torturing him. Her fingertips tightened, her nails lightly scraping against the sunken skin, clearly feeling his trembling. Pressed tightly against his chest, they both let out a satisfied sigh, their breaths spreading out. He left a messy mark on her waist.
Heavy breaths escaped his lips as Qiao Bolin released the silk he had been clutching, the sweat dripping away, leaving only weariness slowly creeping over his body. A few beads of sweat still clung to his straight nose, but his expression had returned to its initial calm.
He glanced expressionlessly at the mess under the sheets, and shamefully realized he had given in again. This time it was faster than the previous times, probably because he had found a new outlet; over the years, that hair tie had long since faded from use.
From the note to the hair tie and now this piece of fabric in his hand, he is obsessed with everything about her, yet he also hates her.
As the frequency increased, he asked Liu Qingman if his condition could be considered aphrodisiac addiction. Liu Qingman simply said that it wasn't a typical pathological condition, but if the frequency was too high, it could be considered a mild symptom, and advised him to be more moderate in his daily life.
control.
Qiao Bolin silently repeated these two words. From childhood to adulthood, Qiao Jialing seemed to have always regarded this word as a guiding principle.
People from families like theirs, if they act too flamboyantly, will often become the target of public criticism. Since he was old enough to understand, he has been willing to follow Qiao Jialing's wishes and carry out these two words to the end.
But now...
Qiao Bolin got up, ignoring the mess on the bed, casually threw on a bathrobe, and carefully took her things into the bathroom. The continuous sound of the shower couldn't mask the man's sexy breathing. His once cool and dignified face was now filled with lust.
The more exhilarating the physical release, the more empty he felt psychologically. He could clearly see her five years later and even touch her, but he could never take another step forward. Even when they were as close as they were at the last dinner party, he could still feel an invisible yet clearly perceptible barrier between them.
I want to see her.
I want to kiss her.
I want to be with her.
Qiao Bolin closed his eyes, his mind filled with the image of the woman in her business dress taking off her lace dress in front of him yesterday.
He was going crazy missing her after just one day apart.
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The cooperation with Kailin is progressing these days.
Thanks to Pei Yueli's help, Ning Jiu adapted to the collaboration much faster than she had originally expected.
She and Dou Miao worked together, first organizing the interview outline and question framework, and then confirming the personnel and time with various departments. During the interview, Dou Miao broke the deadlock with a few lighthearted words, while Ning Jiu was more responsible for making classified records of the conversation, sorting out the psychological problems hidden in the snippets of conversation.
Because I had worked on a similar project with Shen Zhiying before, the process went more smoothly than Ning Jiu had anticipated, but problems gradually emerged. Kailin had a large number of employees with significant departmental differences, and everyone was somewhat wary of psychological interviews. Many people only answered a few questions in a cooperative manner and were unwilling to share their true feelings. In addition, with overtime being the norm, the interview time that could be taken out was often only twenty or thirty minutes, and many questions had to be hastily concluded before they could be explored in depth.
Ning Jiu and Dou Miao tried to improve the situation, such as adding more guiding options to the questionnaire or setting up channels for anonymous feedback, but the results were not obvious. Shen Zhiying has been busy organizing research reports related to the summit to prepare for the upcoming lectures. After thinking it over, she decided to find someone to talk to.
Previously, my meetings with Liu Qingman were all via video conference, so meeting her in person this time felt like a strange online reunion.
Her understanding of this senior sister mostly came from Shen Zhiying's snippets of information—from her outstanding academic performance in school to her moving to Singapore after marrying her husband. She originally just sent her a text message with the intention of asking for advice, but she didn't expect the other party to reply so quickly and even mention that she happened to be in Shanghai and they could meet in person.
As for the meeting place, Liu Qingman didn't bother with formalities and arranged to meet Ning Jiu at a dessert shop that had been open for a long time next to the school cafeteria.
Even though it was their first time meeting in person, Ning Jiu recognized the woman sitting by the window at first glance as soon as she entered the dessert shop. She was wearing a well-tailored light beige suit jacket paired with wide-leg pants in the same color scheme, simple yet stylish, exuding a capable yet gentle temperament.
Upon seeing Ning Jiu, Liu Qingman casually tucked her long hair behind her ears, appearing relaxed. Compared to Ning Jiu's impression of her as a professional woman seen through a screen, she exuded a more approachable, sisterly aura.
After sitting down and chatting for a while, she explained with a smile that a client of hers in Shanghai had reached the end of their treatment cycle, and since she hadn't been back to Shanghai to see her grandmother in a long time, she simply flew here to stay for a few days.
When it came to serious matters, Ning Jiu shared her recent troubles. Liu Qingman listened quietly, then picked up a spoon and stirred the mango sago pudding in her bowl, offering objective advice.
“Your current problem is that trust has not been established. Kailin is a multinational corporation, and its employees are far more sensitive to internal information than those of ordinary companies. You need to convince them that these interviews will not become a secondary indicator of performance, nor will they be used by leaders to measure their ‘loyalty’ while you are completing the targets set by the company.”
"So instead of just adding more details to the questionnaire, it's better to first get the endorsement of the company's senior management, and then establish a few typical cases of people who are willing to speak out in a small circle. Trust is contagious, and once people are willing to talk, the atmosphere will gradually open up."
The advice given by an experienced and resourceful person was indeed insightful.
The two chatted and ate, and the atmosphere was more relaxed than Ning Jiu had imagined. She also learned a lot as she had hoped.
When they were almost finished eating, Liu Qingman suddenly received a phone call. The caller said that a friend of hers in Shanghai happened to be nearby and suggested that she be invited over as well, so that they could get to know each other.
When the doctor friend she mentioned arrived, Ning Jiu looked up, and both of them were taken aback.
Chen Poyao looked away first, somewhat awkwardly.
Liu Qingman sensed that something was off between the two of them.
"You two know each other?"
Before Chen Poyao could speak, Ning Jiu naturally chimed in.
"Yes, a high school classmate."
After the college entrance examination, for reasons that the two of them tacitly understood, their contact was no longer as frequent as it had been in high school. It was only at this moment, through Liu Qingman, that she learned that Chen Poyao was also working in Shanghai.
Are you currently working for a large company?
Ning Jiu looked openly into Chen Poyao's eyes, and the latter tightened his grip on the milk tea cup, then loosened it.
“No, I’m currently interning at a psychology studio,” Chen Poyao smiled after a few seconds of silence. “But I’m not as good as you. You already have your own studio, while I’m still interning. Xiao Jiu, you always seem to be a little ahead of your peers.”
“Indeed, I often hear Professor Shen mention how outstanding my junior sister is, otherwise he wouldn’t have entrusted the studio here to her,” Liu Qingman said, seemingly oblivious to the tone between the two, and easily moved on to the next question, “By the way, Xiao Jiu, do you have a boyfriend? I recently met a few guys in Singapore who have just finished studying abroad and are about to return to China. They’re all quite outstanding. Would you like me to introduce them to you?”
Ning Jiu noticed Chen Poyao's gaze and smiled, shaking her head at Liu Qingman.
"I have a boyfriend, he's at Shanghai University."
"Oh, I see," Liu Qingman said, sounding rather regretful. "Then next time you have the chance, you must see what your boyfriend looks like. You're so lucky to have found such a smart and lovely girl."
Before saying goodbye after the meal, Chen Poyao offered his phone, saying he wanted to add Ning Jiu on WeChat.
“I changed my WeChat account,” she smiled apologetically at Ning Jiu. “I’ve been meaning to tell you, I’m sorry.”
Ning Jiu did not refuse.
She took the subway from Shanghai University back to Lanxi Garden. When she came out of the subway station and saw that familiar figure, she thought for a moment that she was seeing things.
"Uncle Tong, what are you doing here?"
Under the scorching sun, Uncle Tong's bronze skin was dripping with sweat. He finally breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Ning Jiu and respectfully opened the door for her: "Miss Ning Jiu, please get in the car."
"......"
Ning Jiu got into the car, opened her phone in the quiet atmosphere, found the person's contact information, and discovered that he had changed his WeChat name at some point.
[Ningjiu] What do you mean?
[Null] The last time I saw you was at a Japanese restaurant? Do you like Japanese food now?
【Null】You gave me a gift, and now I want to return the favor.
【Null】[Location]
Ning Jiu paused in her grip on her phone.
She did indeed start to like Japanese food after she went to university. Initially, it was just because she had hardly ever tried this type of food before university, and she was just trying it out. Later, she found that the light and sweet flavors in Japanese food suited her taste quite well, and her initial taste gradually evolved into a liking for it.
She had known about the restaurant that Qiao Bolin sent her for a long time. It was an authentic Japanese restaurant with a good reputation in Shanghai. She heard that the ingredients were air-freighted directly from overseas and the head chef was brought in from Tokyo. However, the price was too expensive and she eventually gave up.
Why should she be obligated to see him just because he wants her to?
Ning Jiu sneered and twitched her fingers slightly.
[Ningjiu] What, are you planning to serve yourself up and wait for me to eat?
An ambiguous yet barbed statement.
The person did not reply.
The Japanese restaurant that Qiao Bolin mentioned is located on the top floor of a five-star hotel. In the center of the hotel lobby, there is a towering jade fountain. The water droplets cascading down the walls refract a delicate light under the lights. The floor is paved with polished light-colored marble with a texture that stretches like water ripples, complementing the dark wood trim inlaid on the walls.
Ning Jiu and Uncle Tong took the elevator directly to the restaurant entrance, led by a waiter. Uncle Tong bowed slightly to her and then turned to leave.
Although she was fearless in arguing with Qiao Bolin on WeChat, she would rather avoid him in person. Just as she was thinking about how to turn back when Qiao Bolin wasn't paying attention, a familiar voice suddenly rang in her ears.
"Ning wine?"
She looked over and saw a girl with permed hair, walking towards her from the restaurant entrance, arm in arm with a boy beside her.
"I thought I was seeing things. It must have been almost a year since we last saw each other."
Zheng Xiaohan was Ning Jiu's college roommate. In her memory, she was always a very refined and beautiful girl who was full of enthusiasm for life and loved to try new things. After graduating from university, she switched to the financial field. Due to the divergence of their career paths and the fact that their personalities were not completely compatible, their contact gradually faded away.
Ning Jiu stopped abruptly as she was about to turn and leave. After thinking for a moment, she still greeted them.
While laughing, Zheng Xiaohan pulled the boy next to her forward half a step and casually introduced him: "This is my boyfriend, Gu Yan. His family works in finance on the Bund. He is usually very busy with work, and it is rare for him to take the time to come here with me today."
Her tone was light and natural, and she unconsciously raised the shiny watch on her wrist, lingering around Ning Jiu before turning back to her.
"Did you come alone today?"
Ning Jiu replied without hesitation, "Yes, I'm alone."
Upon hearing this, Zheng Xiaohan burst out laughing and quickly went over to take her arm, speaking to her in a very enthusiastic tone.
"We're having dinner with some friends right now, would you like to join us?"
People must be responsible for what they say.
Ning Jiu sat amidst the bustling crowd at the dining table, the air filled with the fresh scent of sashimi and the rich aroma of sake. For the nth time, she wondered if Zheng Xiaohan would have dragged her into this dinner if she had told her that she was just a vain, penniless person who only looked from the doorway and wouldn't go in.
Aside from a roommate she wasn't very familiar with, Ning Jiu didn't know anyone at the gathering. Although everyone seemed to be there, they had actually been gone for a while.
Zheng Xiaohan was in high spirits at the dinner table, watching Gu Yan serve her food, her eyes smiling as if she were scolding him.
"Don't keep putting food on my plate. I haven't even touched my chopsticks much today."
"Oh my, your boyfriend is really spoiling you!" a friend teased. "He even peeled the shrimp for you himself. Your boyfriend really pampers you."
Zheng Xiaohan smiled but remained silent. When the conversation turned to work, she casually remarked as she raised her glass.
"I never expected that switching to finance would be so much easier than studying psychology. Although there was a lot of overtime, the job market was good, so it was worth the hard work. If Gu Yan hadn't said that there were many opportunities in the financial industry, I wouldn't have had the courage to switch careers."
"Wow, you have a good eye! Everyone on social media is talking about how finance is going to be a mess, but actually, the financial sector in Shanghai is still very popular. The dividends from just one project are more than we earn in a year."
Suddenly, Zheng Xiaohan seemed to remember something, looked up at Ning Jiu and smiled, "By the way, someone told me last time that Ning Jiu, you were proposed to by Su Ming at the EZGT banquet?"
Her tone was slightly teasing, which immediately drew everyone's attention.
"EZGT?" someone quickly chimed in, "Is it the EZGT I know?"
“Well, Xiao Jiu is currently pursuing her master’s degree in psychology. She’s very determined,” Zheng Xiaohan said, glossing over the summit. Just then, a waiter brought over some soju. Zheng Xiaohan gestured for the waiter to pour Ning Jiu a glass, and raised her own glass to clink with hers. “Her boyfriend is currently pursuing his doctorate at our university in artificial intelligence. His prospects are quite good.”
After a few token compliments, the atmosphere became lively. Ning Jiu had only intended to be a qualified bystander and never expected Zheng Xiaohan to steer the conversation toward her. She frowned slightly as she looked at the full glass of liquor in front of her.
They had known each other for four years, and Zheng Xiaohan knew that she rarely drank alcohol.
The smile that had been on Ning Jiu's face gradually turned cold. When she met Zheng Xiaohan's smiling eyes, Ning Jiu had no intention of retaliating. Just as she was about to retort, she suddenly heard a soft "bang." Zheng Xiaohan's smiling expression instantly turned into panic. She screamed and glared angrily at the man next to Ning Jiu.
"Chu Jingnian, what do you mean by splashing wine on me?!"
"Sorry, I didn't hold it properly and it slipped."
Ning Jiu turned her head and saw the young man who spoke. He had dazzling silver hair, outstanding and three-dimensional features, and vaguely a familiar shadow, as if she had seen him somewhere before.
The liquor that had just slipped from his hand spilled all over Zheng Xiaohan's dress. Gu Yan, who was sitting next to her, quickly called a waiter to bring a wet towel. Zheng Xiaohan looked at Chu Jingnian, who was acting nonchalantly and without any remorse, with resentment, but as if she was holding something back, she ultimately didn't say anything more.
Compared to Zheng Xiaohan and Gu Yan's wariness, Chu Jingnian was completely carefree. After casually tidying his clothes, he stood up, glancing at Ning Jiu, who was picking at vegetables with her head down, before naturally looking away.
"I suddenly remembered I have something to do, so I'll be going now."
After Chu Jingnian left, Gu Yan, who was standing to the side, looked relieved, and Zheng Xiaohan finally dared to openly criticize him.
"He's just a crony of President Qiao, who does he think he is, acting all high and mighty all the time?"
"Hey Xiaohan, say less," a girl next to Zheng Xiaohan tugged at her sleeve and leaned closer to say, "I just saw that President Qiao seemed to be nearby as well."
"What?"
Seemingly realizing that her voice was a bit loud, Zheng Xiaohan looked around and straightened her back even more.
"That's unlikely, he probably wouldn't come to an event like this..."
His tone was light and airy, sounding like he was comforting himself, yet carrying a hint of guilty expectation. Gu Yan's expression changed slightly. Zheng Xiaohan and the others couldn't quite hear what he said, their eyes repeatedly drifting towards the restaurant entrance.
The girl observed everyone's expressions, hesitated for a moment, and then continued.
"But it seems they booked a private room and have already gone in."
The moment she finished speaking, almost everyone turned their gaze away from the doorway, their eyes filled with disappointment.
Ning Jiu observed the suddenly subtle atmosphere on the scene and sighed softly.
Whether in high school or now, Joel Bolton remains as popular as ever.
Zheng Xiaohan seemed to notice Ning Jiu, who hadn't spoken yet, and tentatively opened her mouth.
"Xiao Jiu, I remember that Mr. Qiao was one of the investors in EZGT this time, right? Did you see him at the event?"
I've met you once from afar, but we're not close.
Saying she hadn't seen it would seem too fake, so Ning Jiu answered decisively.
But the next second, her phone vibrated. As she looked down to check the message, the girl who had just spoken exclaimed in surprise.
"Chu Jingnian just said he had something to discuss; it turns out he went to see President Qiao."
Compared to the formal suit he wore a few days ago, Qiao Bolin was simply wearing a white shirt today, with the cuffs half-rolled up, giving him a clean and sharp look.
With a cool and aloof expression, he leaned lazily against the door of the private room, casually responding to Chu Jingnian's questions while simultaneously handling business on his phone.
The dim lighting in the restaurant illuminated his profile, making his well-defined features even more striking. His relaxed demeanor made him appear even more casual yet exceptionally handsome.
Ning Jiu sat among the crowd and could clearly feel that the voices around her had suddenly become much quieter. Some people wanted to go up and talk to him, but they sensed that Qiao Bolin was dealing with important matters and dared not disturb him rashly.
Only she knew what Qiao Bolin was actually "dealing with" beneath his seemingly focused and calm expression.
【Null】Will you come here, or should I go to the other side?
[Ningjiu] What exactly did you call me here for? Just say it.
The man typing on his phone paused, a meaningful smile playing on his lips. His previously unapproachable aura instantly melted away, and Ning Jiu sensed that Zheng Xiaohan beside her was eager to try.
【Null】Didn't you say you were going to eat me? How can you eat me sitting there?
Qiao Bolin's gaze, which had been lowered, suddenly rose and coiled around Ning Jiu's body like a sticky snake's tongue.
Ning Jiu subconsciously met his gaze, and was suddenly struck by those smiling, dark pupils. Her ears burned from the burning desire surging beneath his calm surface.
Just then, the phone vibrated twice in her palm, making her metacarpal bones feel numb.
【Null】Baby, you know, right? There's a feast here.
【Null】I'm waiting for you to come and eat me.
-----------------------
Author's note: It's true, there is [doge emoji]
The next chapter is... [heart emojis]
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Slide to my knees, I forgot to set the timer while working overtime today, please! [Please]
Next chapter will be updated on Thursday. Please use comments and "nutrient solution" to support Tangtang! I'll be sending out red envelopes to you all on Thursday. Love you all!
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