Ning Bingyu tapped lightly on the mahogany table with his long, slender fingers, one tap after another, like the drumbeats signaling the impending doom of some prey.
After a long silence, he raised a cold smile and looked at Tony: "It's good that you're out. Staying in the police station is too comfortable. Go do what I asked you to do last time."
Tony glanced at his boss's expression and nodded calmly, "Yes."
Ning Bingyu expressionlessly downed the whiskey in his glass: "Tell Char Siu Girl to let me handle the cockroaches myself, and she'll turn ten containers into one."
Tony: "...Okay."
The boss definitely has a nasty personality where he has to make others uncomfortable because someone made him uncomfortable!
...
In early autumn in Shanghai, the heat has not completely subsided, and the air is filled with a humid and muggy atmosphere.
Lu Jingui ruffled her carefully permed hair in frustration, then slammed the receiver back onto the telephone with a loud bang.
Tony's condescending tone on the other end of the phone made her extremely annoyed. He was just a messenger, but he insisted on putting on an air of doing her a favor.
"What a piece of trash! Just a nouveau riche from Hong Kong, acting like he's someone important!" she muttered, her tone filled with undisguised resentment.
She's already humbled herself and approached Ning Bingyu twice! And he's still putting on airs!
At this moment, Director Dong from the newspaper returned.
He was slightly overweight, with his hair neatly combed and wearing black-rimmed glasses, giving him a refined and scholarly appearance.
Seeing Lu Jingui standing by the phone booth, he stopped and asked with concern, "Jingui, why are you standing here making a phone call? Is something wrong at home?"
These past few days, Lu Jingui has been staying at the home of her blind date, who was also bailed out by Director Dong.
Lu Jingui forced a smile, tucked his perfectly styled wavy hair behind his ear, and said in a seemingly relaxed manner, "They're my family. They don't know I've been released yet, and they're a little worried."
"That's right, it's only right, so as not to worry the family." Director Dong rubbed his hands together, his eyes scanning Lu Jingui up and down.
He smiled and held up the fresh carp in his hand: "Come on, let's go upstairs, I'll make you braised fish."
Lu Jingui forced a smile: "Okay!"
The two went upstairs. Director Dong had been allocated a two-bedroom apartment with a kitchen and a bathroom, which was a very good configuration by today's standards.
Lu Jingui has always been portrayed as a strong, independent woman who never lifts a finger, so naturally she doesn't cook.
Fortunately, although Director Dong had some doubts, he was a Shanghai man and knew how to cook.
In just one hour, I prepared a three-dish meal with a soup, and also a bottle of Shaoxing rice wine.
The two sat down to eat, and Lu Jingui, seeing this, took the wine bottle and poured him a small glass.
Director Dong smiled, picked up his wine glass, and said meaningfully, "Little Lu, this time, it's all thanks to my connections. Otherwise, how could you have gotten out so quickly? Speaking of which, I think my blind date was pretty good, right?"
Despite his inner frustration, Lu Jingui's face was filled with a grateful smile.
"Director Dong, you're too kind. I'm so grateful to you for this! If it weren't for your righteous help, I don't know how long I would have been locked up!"
Her words were perfectly worded, expressing both her gratitude to Director Dong and hinting at her grievances and innocence.
At the same time, it subtly elevated Director Dong's status and position.
Director Dong was indeed very receptive to this. He adjusted his glasses and a smug look appeared on his face.
He said in a gentler tone, "Jin Gui, you're being too polite. What kind of relationship do we have? Your business is my business. Besides, I only went to great lengths to bail you out because I couldn't stand that bank manager's daughter bullying others."
"I was just doing my job impartially, who knew I would offend someone I shouldn't have?" Lu Jingui sighed, feigning grievance.
She shook her head, looking aggrieved: "I heard that girl's family owns a bank and has a lot of influence. I had no choice."
"Alright, stop talking. I know you're a good girl." Director Dong had an "I understand" look on his face.
He comforted her, saying, "Don't take this to heart. You've done nothing wrong, and the court won't do anything to you!"
Director Dong paused, staring intently at Lu Jingui, and added, "As your... blind date, am I not qualified?"
Lu Jingui froze: "Director Dong, I..."
Director Dong put down his chopsticks, grabbed Lu Jingui's hand, and said in an ambiguous tone, "Jingui, look at us, we're both getting on in years, let's stop pretending to be innocent. I've helped you so much, you should at least show some appreciation, right?"
Lu Jingui took a deep breath, looked at Director Dong, and said with an air of composure, "Director Dong, I have always thought you are a gentleman..."
Director Dong adjusted his glasses, interrupting her: "I am a gentleman, but..."
His gaze behind his glasses was shrewd and cold: "Jin Gui, you're not getting any younger. You should understand that some things can't be delayed any longer. As for me, I'm also getting old and just want to find someone who cares about me and settle down. If you really want to be with me, stop acting like a shy little girl."
He paused, then added a hint of warning in his voice: "You know I don't like to force people, but my patience is limited. Think about it carefully."
Lu Jingui's smile froze instantly; she understood perfectly what Director Dong meant.
If it weren't for Director Dong, she wouldn't have been able to get bailed out, and she probably wouldn't even have a place to live now.
But the thought of sleeping with this balding, forty-something-year-old man and becoming his child's stepmother is too much to bear.
Lu Jingui felt a churning in his stomach.
How could he compare to Ning Bingyu, who met her requirements!
“Director Dong…” Lu Jingui forced a smile: “I just think we need time to get to know each other.”
Director Dong smirked and said, "We can act like husband and wife right now. If we're not husband and wife, it's not appropriate for me to keep you here any longer."
Lu Jingui froze.
Director Dong smiled again and took her hand: "Jingui, don't worry, I will treat you well."
His hands were somewhat rough, and his palms were warm and sweaty, which made Lu Jingui feel uncomfortable.
She tried to pull her hand away, but he held it even tighter.
"Let's go." He then put his arm around Lu Jingui's waist and led her toward the bedroom.
"Wait, I..." Lu Jingui wanted to say something more.
"Shh, don't say anything. I know what you want to say." Director Dong hugged her and closed the door behind him.
Lu Jingui's face looks like he's the same age, but his figure is like that of a girl in her twenties.
Lu Jingui gritted his teeth and closed his eyes.
Forget it, he's just a man. She treats him like a tool, and it's not like she hasn't slept with him!
Director Dong is, after all, a leader at the newspaper, so he's not entirely wronged...
But……
It's all Chu Hongyu's fault! It's all Chu Hongyu's fault! Forcing her to submit! One day, I'll make Chu Hongyu taste this kind of suffering that's worse than death!
...
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