Ah Heng regained his composure and told Rong Zhaonan about his encounter with Xiang San.
Rong Zhaonan frowned slightly, but didn't seem too surprised. He fiddled with his gloves and said calmly, "Last time it was just to get him out of the project. The people in Shanghai are on their guard now. The Xiang family can't get into the project anymore. If they dare to do it again, someone will deal with them. However..."
“The Xiang family has put in a lot of effort to get you out so early. When you go out, I will arrange for two people to accompany you,” Rong Zhaonan said coldly.
Aheng thought for a moment and nodded: "Okay, Lao Lu and his group are having a party tomorrow. Everyone wants to see Xiao Ning. Xiao Ning agreed to go, but there will be too many people following her, and she will feel uncomfortable. She is the type of person who doesn't like to trouble others, so she probably won't want to go out."
She didn't think that just because Xiang Laosan was out, Ningning had to act like a thief in the capital and cancel the gatherings she had agreed to, and couldn't go anywhere!
In a place like Beijing, you could hit a mid-level official with a brick you throw at him. This isn't some Xiang family's personal fiefdom; we're not afraid of them!
Rong Zhaonan raised his long, narrow, and aloof eyes: "Ning Yuan agreed to Lao Lu and the others' gathering?"
Old Lu was older than him, but before he joined the army, he had spent some time with him and followed him to fight everywhere.
Old Lu, looking all high and mighty, went to Tsinghua University to study economics, got a job at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, and became a section chief.
However, everyone who associates with him is someone who is at odds with the Xiang family.
Aheng nodded: "Yes, Lao Lu actually wanted to invite you and your wife, but I know you're busy. Lao Lu said it's okay if you don't go, he just wants to meet your sister-in-law."
Rong Zhaonan asked casually, "She agreed when she heard that Lao Lu was working at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Cooperation, right?"
Ning Yuan isn't the type to enjoy socializing, but when it comes to business, that's a different story. She's just like the Ning family; she's naturally suited to be a shrewd businesswoman.
She wanted to gauge the recent policy direction from above.
Ah Heng nodded: "Probably. Boss, are you going?"
Rong Zhaonan paused, lowered his long eyelashes, and concealed his dark eyes: "No, I have something to do here. I just came back temporarily to pick up some things. Please take good care of her for me."
She doesn't want to see him during this time, does she?
These past two days without him by her side have actually been more comfortable for her than the first two days after she arrived in the capital.
After saying that, he turned and left with a nonchalant expression.
As Ah Heng watched his retreating figure, perhaps on a sudden impulse, he muttered, "Boss, I don't know why, but I feel that if you could go with Xiao Ning, she would actually be happy."
Sometimes, Captain Bro... as Xiao Ning would say, what's that called again—a straight—dog-like straight man?
Rong Zhaonan's tall figure paused for a moment, then he went downstairs without saying a word.
...
the next day
Aheng watched as Ning Yuan changed into a short-sleeved accordion collared export shirt paired with a red polka dot pleated midi skirt, and her hair was styled in loose, wavy curls.
She wore a red polka-dot headband, and her slender wrist was adorned with that antique Patek Philippe watch.
She's not as childish as she was yesterday; she's gained a touch of beauty and maturity.
"It's so beautiful!" Ah Heng praised without any reservation.
"Thank you!" Ning Yuan smiled, looked at herself in the mirror, drew her eyebrows longer, slightly outlined her upper and lower eyeliner, and added lipstick.
She discovered that when she dressed up in her younger days, she did resemble Chingmy Yau quite a bit, and she could learn from the big star's style.
She dressed up according to the outfit of a movie starring Chingmy Yau that she remembered, and it suited her quite well. She looked less childish and was more suitable for occasions where business might be discussed.
The two got into the jeep, and Ning Yuan noticed that there were two more young men in the car, both of whom she had seen before.
"Hello, sister-in-law!" The two young men smiled shyly at her.
They were playing rock-paper-scissors, and only the winner could get the mission of protecting the young lady. This was much more interesting than running ten kilometers with a weight on, and you might even hear some gossip about Captain Rong!
"What is this?" Ning Yuan asked, somewhat puzzled.
Ah Heng coughed lightly: "That's how it is. They're on vacation, so they're just hitching a ride to go out and have fun. We'll have dinner while they drive out and play."
Ning Yuan nodded and greeted the two young men in a friendly manner.
The four of them chatted idly in the car and drove to a restaurant on time, located in an alley not far behind Prince Gong's Mansion.
It is said that ordinary people cannot enter; the courtyard is used for receiving guests.
Ning Yuan and Aheng were led to a private room by a waiter. Aheng then greeted two other young men not far away, who nodded and drove off.
But they didn't actually go far; they went to a restaurant in the next alley to eat, just making sure Ning Yuan couldn't see them.
As soon as Ning Yuan entered the private room, all seven or eight men and women in the room looked over, and the lively room quieted down.
But soon someone subconsciously muttered, "This doesn't look like it at all... It's completely different!"
However, someone immediately twisted him somewhere, interrupting his muttering.
A man who looked to be nearing thirty, wearing a shirt, stood up and greeted her warmly.
"This must be your sister-in-law. Anan has been keeping you as a treasure for two years, and finally he's willing to bring you back to his hometown. I'm Lu Congjun. You can call me Lao Lu or Junzi!"
Ning Yuan smiled and shook hands with him, her big eyes crinkling slightly. "You're too kind, Brother Lu. Thank you all for today's welcome dinner."
Lao Lu hosted her under the guise of a welcome banquet.
To be honest, she dressed in a Hong Kong style today, partly to make herself look more mature, and partly because she was really tired of people saying she looked like so-and-so... It seems the effect was good.
As she spoke, Ning Yuan calmly sat down amidst the scrutinizing gazes, looked at everyone one by one, and introduced herself with a smile: "My surname is Ning, I am from Ningnan City, and I am currently studying at Fudan University in Shanghai."
"So it turns out your sister-in-law is a top student at Fudan University. She has a bright future ahead of her!" one of the girls said enviously.
Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan, and Shanghai Jiao Tong Universities are all highly competitive, but Fudan University is particularly difficult to get into!
Ning Yuan smiled and said, "I wouldn't call myself a top student, and I can't compare to Tsinghua University, but every job is a contribution to society!"
Seeing Ning Yuan's confident and poised demeanor, and even her self-deprecating humor, everyone else secretly thought to themselves—
This is nothing like the stereotypical girl from a small town who's not presentable in public, according to rumors. Her manner of speaking and demeanor are more like that of a returned overseas Chinese.
Lu Congjun looked at Ning Yuan with admiration: "I knew it, Rong Taisui's judgment is definitely not bad!"
He never believed those rumors that came from who-knows-where, because he had already heard from Chen Chen that the captain had begged for his sister-in-law!
Young Master Rong, what kind of taste does Grand Master Rong have? Back then, he didn't even fancy a single girl in the compound!
Even though everyone says that Rong Xiaoye and Ye Qiu are a couple who defy the world, Rong Zhaonan has never told his brothers that he likes Ye Qiu.
Not to mention Qin Hongxing, everyone in the compound knew that her engagement to Young Master Rong was only possible because of her father's dying wish, a "stopgap measure" to temporarily cling to the Rong family's coattails.
When the Rong family faced difficulties and Zhao Nan was sent to the countryside, she immediately broke off their engagement. Although this was somewhat unpleasant, it wasn't a big deal, since the engagement was just a "temporary measure."
But after Zhao Nan resumed his work, Qin Hongxing started making a fuss about finding someone to renew their engagement. With this kind of behavior, it's no wonder that Young Master Rong would find her attractive!
Lu Congjun quickly called out, "Come on, come on, the food is served!"
At the banquet, everyone was in high spirits, the atmosphere was great, no one made things difficult, and no one said anything inappropriate.
Ning Yuan enjoyed the meal, and everyone chatted about everything under the sun, speaking fluent Beijing dialect.
She looked at the girls and boys who were curious and enthusiastic towards her, yet very polite and tactful.
She thought, "This is what a normal child from a compound should be like."
Just as I was thinking about it, there was a knock on the door.
"Hey, eating? Why aren't you calling me, brothers and sisters?" A cheerful yet slightly coquettish voice rang out.
Lu Congjun was discussing the reform and opening-up policies with Ning Yuan when he turned his head and saw a familiar but younger face standing at the door.
"Dongdong? What brings you here? Don't you have tutoring?" His brows furrowed immediately!
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