Cha Meiling smiled gracefully at Chu Hongyu: "I was a bit presumptuous. Assistant Chu, you won't be unwelcome to me, a freeloader, will you?"
Chu Hongyu looked at her preemptive approach, as if if she didn't agree, she would be petty and lacking in manners.
She glanced at Ning Bingyu subconsciously; this Annie was definitely after her boss!
What does Young Master Ning mean? Does he want her to help him refuse?
However, Ning Bingyu simply stood there calmly, showing no intention of giving him a signal.
She twitched her lips. Really... she hadn't even officially started working yet, and she was already helping her boss deal with unwanted romantic advances?
Chu Hongyu forced a slight smile, offering a polite and courteous gesture.
"How could that be? Miss Anne is joking. It's more lively with more people at the dinner table. It's just that I may not be able to afford to treat Miss Anne to anything too fancy today. I hope you won't mind."
You can't hit someone who's smiling, especially since she's the boss's "adopted sister." She couldn't very well embarrass her in front of everyone.
"Hongyu is truly beautiful inside and out, and so generous." Cha Meiling smiled calmly and gently, offering just the right amount of praise that made people feel comfortable without being obsequious.
She looked at Ning Bingyu and said, "Since I'm the one who's freeloading, of course I'll pay. If Brother Yu can eat at a place like this, the food must be good. I've never had authentic Shanghai cuisine before."
Ning Bingyu didn't look at her, but instead looked at Chu Hongyu, a hint of interest flashing in his deep peach blossom eyes: "Since Annie is treating, then Assistant Chu, please don't stand on ceremony."
That's as if Chu Hongyu was the one who made the decision.
What else could Chu Hongyu say? She naturally nodded in agreement: "Then I'll take advantage of Miss Annie's presence today."
It's better to have someone treat her than to be taken advantage of by her boss!
Just then, Ning Yuan's clear voice suddenly rang out from the other end of the corridor: "Sister Hongyu? When did you arrive?"
Ning Yuan had just come out of the shower, her fair face still slightly damp, and her wet hair casually draped over her shoulders.
This further accentuated her baby-faced, delicate skin, and her pair of bright, watery eyes seemed to speak volumes.
But the next moment, Ning Yuan was clearly stunned when she saw Cha Meiling standing next to her older brother.
She then turned to look at her eldest brother, her eyes seeming to ask—
What's going on here, bro? Why did you invite your ex-sister-in-law over? Are you trying to be best friends who can sleep together after breaking up?
Didn't these two have a huge breakup, making headlines in the entertainment section of almost every Hong Kong government newspaper?
Receiving Ning Yuan's questioning look, Ning Bingyu raised his eyebrows slightly without changing his expression, signaling with his eyes: You piece of char siu, mind your own business!
The brother and sister exchanged a sharp look and a cold, mocking gaze, but they communicated instantly.
Cha Meiling watched in silence. When did they become so close?
Chu Hongyu also noticed Ning Yuan's change in expression, and smiled calmly as she said—
"I'm here to complete my onboarding procedures. I was supposed to treat everyone to a celebratory dinner, but Miss Anne is beautiful and kind-hearted, and she insisted on treating us."
"Yes, Xiao Ning, come along too, it'll be more lively with more people." Cha Meiling's tone was gentle and polite, as if she really came to connect with the brother and sister.
Ning Yuan glanced at Cha Meiling, who was smiling gently and generously, and then at her own young master Ning, who looked calm and collected.
She also gave Cha Meiling a seemingly harmless smile.
"Okay, then I'll gladly accept your offer. However, I need to tell my mom first that we had planned to have dinner together tonight."
"Little sister and Assistant Chu knew each other before? Are you that close?" Cha Meiling asked with a smile, seemingly unintentionally, as she watched Ning Yuan reach out and take Chu Hongyu's arm.
Ning Yuan and this Assistant Chu seemed to be very familiar with each other.
“Sister Hongyu is my roommate from university in mainland China. We’re very close. I specifically introduced her to this job. My brother also likes Hongyu because she’s beautiful, capable, and her family in mainland China can be a great help to him!”
Ning Yuan affectionately took Chu Hongyu's arm and smiled, deliberately speaking in Cantonese.
Upon hearing this, Cha Meiling discreetly observed the two of them, secretly wondering: Could it be that Ning Yuan wanted to plant a spy next to her elder brother?
She smiled calmly and said, "Really? Big brother has struck gold?"
With such a picky older brother, even the best mainland women can't compare.
How can I catch my brother's eye?
Ning Bingyu stared at Ning Yuan, narrowing his eyes warningly, but ultimately said nothing, only calmly stating—
"Yes, Assistant Chu has been a great help to me in expanding into the mainland. I've really struck gold."
Cha Meiling's composed and beautiful smile froze.
What does this mean... Brother Yu... you already have a new target so soon?
Is it because Assistant Chu's family has connections in mainland China?
Cha Meiling felt a sharp pain in her heart, as if something had stabbed her. She tried to force a nonchalant smile and said, "Well... congratulations."
Ning Yuan watched as she tried her best to maintain the dignity of a Hong Kong socialite, but could not hide her embarrassment, and slightly curved the corners of her lips.
She discovered that she was also a wicked person!
She once really hoped that Cha Meiling would become her sister-in-law, after all, she and Ning Bingyu, that snobbish young master, were childhood sweethearts who were a perfect match in terms of both appearance and personality, and they also liked to do their own thing.
She felt it was best for the two of them to stay locked up and not cause trouble for others.
But...
Ever since she learned that Cha Meiling had used her identity in her past life, she was engaged to Xiao Ai, bringing her mother's dowry and love with her.
She felt a sense of unease simmering inside.
Chu Hongyu couldn't understand Cantonese, but she cleverly sensed the undercurrents in the conversation between the three and realized that Miss Annie was most likely being ridiculed.
But... so what?
They side with their relatives regardless of right or wrong. Xiao Ning is bullying someone, so it must be the other party's fault!
Chu Hongyu pretended not to see it and gently patted Ning Yuan's hand: "I brought your class notes. I'll put them in your room later and visit Aunt Huifang."
After Ning Yuan learned that she had officially joined Ning's Group, she no longer hid her background.
She and Yan Yangyang were stunned when they heard this, but thinking about it, this kind of separation of flesh and blood was not an isolated incident after liberation.
The Hong Kong government has been able to establish exchanges with Taiwan in the past two years, but as for Taiwan... we don't know when cross-strait direct links will be established.
However, they all swore to the red flag that they would keep Ning Yuan's secret!
"Let's go! My mom will definitely love you!" Ning Yuan said with a smile.
As she said this, she noticed that Cha Meiling's smile had completely vanished.
Ning Yuan glanced at her own brother, then took Chu Hongyu's arm and headed towards Madam Ning's room.
"Big brother..." Cha Meiling looked at Ning Bingyu, wanting to say something.
Ning Bingyu glanced at his watch and said casually, "It's getting late. Let's go downstairs and wait for them at the coffee shop."
After saying that, he took the lead and walked towards the elevator.
Tony followed immediately.
Cha Meiling took a deep breath, knowing that he didn't want to talk to her.
She tried to calm her chaotic thoughts. Her elder brother had many women around him, and he would never casually marry another woman and make her the young mistress of the Ning family.
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