Ning Bingyu said calmly, "Let me teach you another lesson: don't use things you would never agree to as conditions to force someone to agree, otherwise you'll be outmaneuvered and have nowhere to retreat."
Chu Hongyu was stunned. She retorted in a dry tone, "Don't talk like you know me so well."
Ning Bingyu lazily closed his eyes and poked her little belly: "I won't use people I don't even understand as confidants, otherwise I would have died countless times already."
Chu Hongyu's back stiffened, and for a moment she didn't know what to say.
She felt like a cat that had been stripped of its fur, completely exposed to this man.
But she already knew this—
My skills are too shallow; I'm no match for him.
He knew everything about her: her pretense, her ambition, and even the hidden vulnerability deep within her heart.
But so what?
Chu Hongyu frowned her delicate brows and looked away: "I don't know how..."
Ning Bingyu removed his hand from her waist, interrupting her: "Don't be so absolute in business. As a gentleman, I won't force a lady. I'm just giving you some reasonable options. You can think about it first."
He leaned back in his chair and said, "As for the benefits you mentioned... if you become my lover, or rather, my girlfriend, the platform and resources I give you will definitely be different from what you have now."
Chu Hongyu looked at him coldly, and thought, "Heh, he's just spending money to buy people again."
Ning Bingyu said calmly and frankly, "This isn't about 'buying' you, but rather, as a boyfriend, I should give my girlfriend the help she deserves. I want you to stand on my platform, see a wider world, and even... achieve your own success."
Chu Hongyu fell silent.
This was the first time she had heard such a statement.
In the past, men either used sweet words to coax Su Xueming, or they were like sellers, using money and power to settle accounts, like the men she encountered in the Hong Kong government.
This is the first time I've seen someone like Ning Bingyu speak so frankly and directly about "resources" and "platforms".
Although it is essentially still a "transaction".
Ning Bingyu said calmly, "In this world, you don't necessarily have to start from scratch to be a strong woman who doesn't rely on others and is worthy of pride. After all, people like my older sister and me... are just lucky to be born into the right family. Of course, being born into the right family is also a skill."
Chu Hongyu pursed her lips and remained silent.
Ning Bingyu paused, then smiled slightly: "In mainland terms, I would say... I hope to make progress together with Miss Chu Hongyu. We might not be comrades, but we are at least partners who walk together on the same path."
Chu Hongyu remained silent for a long while before finding her voice, which was dry as she spoke—
"Is this how you pursue women? By negotiating business deals? By discussing partnerships? By discussing platforms? You can't even be bothered to offer a sweet word. It's truly astonishing."
Ning Bingyu rubbed his temples with his long, slender fingers, suppressing his dizziness, and chuckled softly: "Sweet talk? Does that kind of thing work on you?"
He paused, his tone tinged with coldness: "You should know better than me that there's no need for me to talk about those things from before, and none of them are worth mentioning."
Chu Hongyu was speechless for a moment, unable to describe the feeling in her heart.
Are they being looked down upon? Or are they being treated differently?
His honesty was so frank that it was unsettling.
Ning Bingyu looked up at her and smiled gently: "I just took a liking to a woman and then offered her a solution that she would be willing to be with."
His voice was deep and seductive: "Since we know that other methods won't move her, let's try the most practical and likely solution."
Chu Hongyu: "...Solution..."
Ning Bingyu looked into her eyes and said calmly, "Don't you remember? I've always taught you that problem-solving ability is the primary criterion for selecting leaders, or as you say, problem-solving ability is the first criterion for selecting leaders. That's why I'm offering solutions to the problems between us, instead of wasting time on sweet talk. You know I dislike inefficient things the most. Guessing and guessing without speaking is not my style."
This was almost the longest sentence he ever spoke.
Finally, he paused and slowly and deliberately pressed his glasses on the bridge of his nose—
"The greatest compliment a man can give a woman is to appreciate her abilities and let her be herself, rather than becoming his appendage. I believe you will become an outstanding leader in the industry in the future. Your ambition and down-to-earth approach are both very charming."
Many years later.
She will still remember this day when she truly grows into a leading builder in the mainland's financial industry.
That's what the man said to her in the Hong Kong government's clinic at night.
He was the first man to sincerely praise her ambition and aspirations.
Even if he had ulterior motives.
But undeniably, in an era that viewed a woman's ambition as "restless," "unsuitable for marriage," and "not a good person," it was the most touching "sweet talk" she had ever heard.
Chu Hongyu did not answer immediately. She lowered her eyes to conceal the turbulent emotions surging within them.
She knew that agreeing meant stepping into a dangerous vortex.
This man is like a poppy, dangerous yet alluring, irresistibly drawing people in, yet simultaneously filling them with a fear of being consumed.
...
the next day
Ning Yuan met Chu Hongyu at noon the next day.
With panda eyes that resembled those of a national treasure and a tired face, she stood at the entrance of the factory warehouse, wearing dustproof work clothes and looking energetic, occasionally talking to the engineer next to her.
The morning light shone through the warehouse door, casting a golden glow behind her.
Chu Hongyu frowned as she looked at her: "My dear aunt, did you go to dig a coal mine or something? Even if the order is important, you have to take care of yourself!"
Has this woman not slept for two days?
Ning Yuan waved her hand, handed the documents to the engineers, signaling them to leave first, and then led Chu Hongyu into her office.
She poured Chu Hongyu a cup of tea: "I'm fine, Sister Hongyu. This batch of goods has finally passed the acceptance of our major American customer. I'm so happy, I'm not tired at all! It was definitely worth the effort I put into recruiting engineers from Texas Instruments!"
Chu Hongyu worked in the investment department of Ning's company and had heard of Texas Instruments, a top North American semiconductor company.
Ning Yuan is basically losing money running the factory now, but I can understand Ning Yuan's excitement and caution.
Chu Hongyu sighed helplessly: "Even if the orders are important, you have to take care of your health! If you keep going like this, you'll wear yourself out sooner or later."
Ning Yuan felt a warmth in her heart when she saw Chu Hongyu's concerned eyes: "Sister Hongyu, I know my own body best."
She paused, a cold light flashing in her dark eyes: "But what about that phone call the day before yesterday? Sister Hongyu, did you really see Cha Meiling?"
Chu Hongyu nodded, her expression turning serious: "Yes, the young master should have already had someone inform you."
Ning Yuan was silent for a while, then took off her sleeve and rubbed her sore temples. "Yes, Pei Shan left me a message yesterday."
She hadn't slept for two days, and even with her good energy, she was starting to feel the strain.
Why is Cha Mei-ling, a woman who should be in jail atoning for her sins, appearing in the Hong Kong government at this time?
The appearance of Zhou Yan, the appearance of Cha Meiling...
I always feel like something is about to emerge, but it's like it's veiled, and I can't see it clearly.
Chu Hongyu frowned, looking at Ning Yuan with concern: "So, Cha Meiling has been released? Should you call and ask the people on the mainland?"
Ning Yuan gently shook her head: "Back then in the Hong Kong government... including Cha Meiling's matter, which involved a level of secrecy, I called Lao Xu and he said he would help me find out information, but there won't be any results so soon."
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