Chapter 249
Chapter 249
Xie Shiqing lightly lifted the corners of her lips and said softly, “It will be fine after a short rest.”
She slowly straightened her back, releasing the hand that had been braced against Zhong Ning.
Zhong Ning helped smooth her skirt hem, then circled around to look once more. Finding no flaws, she smiled in satisfaction. “It looks very nice.”
Her peach-blossom eyes shimmered, her features brimming with affection. The current Xie Shiqing carried a different kind of allure.
Zhong Ning could not help leaning closer and kissing the small mole beneath her eye.
“Let’s go to the cafeteria to eat.”
Xie Shiqing had no right to refuse and answered with a smile, “Alright.”
The two walked out of the office side by side. She was still wearing high heels; with every step, she could feel the fabric rubbing. In such a public setting, she had to conceal it with all her strength, maintaining her usual composure.
Xie Shiqing did not dare take large strides. Mindful of her eyes, Zhong Ning took the initiative to link arms with her, just like close friends.
Still lively as ever, Zhong Ning greeted the secretaries outside the office. “Why aren’t you going to lunch yet? Ordered takeout?”
“No? Then come to the cafeteria with us. Shiqing and I are heading there anyway.”
With the top boss extending such an invitation, who could possibly decline?
Several of them followed along, quickly beginning to search for topics of conversation.
What an awkward scene. The former chairwoman had been demoted to president, while the new chairwoman walked arm in arm with her. One wrong word, and their careers might face tremendous upheaval.
Fortunately, they were all socially astute. They avoided other subjects and spoke only of the cafeteria’s dishes today. Since everyone was going to eat lunch, this topic was the safest choice.
“Shiqing, why so quiet?” Zhong Ning asked with a bright smile. “Have you ever eaten at the cafeteria?”
Under so many watchful eyes, enduring the discomfort and heat coursing through her body had already exhausted all of Xie Shiqing’s strength. How could she possibly have the energy to speak? She feared that if she opened her mouth, what escaped would not be clear words, but a trembling murmur.
Yet Zhong Ning insisted on making her answer.
Xie Shiqing shook her head, replying in the briefest terms she could manage. “No.”
“As a former chairwoman, you’ve never even tried the cafeteria? That’s hardly down-to-earth,” Zhong Ning teased lightly. From her soft, thin lips came blade-like words without the slightest hesitation. “Perfect, then. I’ll take you to try it today. If the food isn’t good, that simply won’t do. I care a great deal about employee experience.”
The flush on Xie Shiqing’s face drained at once, turning pale, yet she still forced a smile. “Miss Zhong is right.”
The secretaries and assistants kept their eyes lowered, too frightened to speak. Assistant Fang, in particular, felt a faint sense of pity rise within her.
She had joined the Xie family right after graduation and quickly distinguished herself. Personally selected by Xie Shiqing, she had become her executive assistant. Having worked under Xie Shiqing for years, she could be said to understand her better than anyone else in the elevator.
A favored daughter of heaven, dazzling and radiant.
And yet such a person now had to endure the greatest humiliation, still smiling through it. If only her vision were restored, there would be countless places she could go, countless things she could do.
Xie Shiqing was precisely that kind of person — no matter the field, she would always shine brilliantly.
But with such a major flaw, she was destined not to be able to live alone.
Ding.
The elevator doors opened onto the leisure area. There was a cafeteria, lounge, and fitness zone here, specially set up for employees to relax.
There was even a small cat café with five kittens inside, free for anyone to pet. If someone owned a cat, they could even bring their pet to the company and pick it up after work.
Zhong Ning swept her gaze around and nodded.
Assistant Fang walked slightly ahead and to the side, acting as a guide, leading Zhong Ning, who was here for the first time, toward the cafeteria.
Since it was already past the peak lunch break, there were not many people here. The lounge area and cat café, however, were more crowded, with people lounging casually, kittens cradled in their arms.
Even so, the glass walls were transparent.
Xie Shiqing could feel those gazes on her back, sharp and unmistakable.
The pleasure within the torment suddenly felt very far away.
“What’s wrong?” Zhong Ning appeared to be chatting casually, but her attention had always been on her. Seeing the woman’s complexion grow increasingly translucent, pale as if she had just been dug out of the snow, she could not help but begin to reflect on herself.
Had she gone too far?
Although it was quite fun, if she shortened the shelf life, that would be no fun at all. She still cared about Xie Shiqing.
For now.
“Let’s skip the cafeteria. I just remembered I reserved a table at Haiyue Restaurant. You all go ahead,” Zhong Ning said lightly.
With that, she pulled Xie Shiqing away.
The elevator doors closed, descending and cutting off all those stares.
Xie Shiqing simply lowered her eyes, saying nothing.
“Scared?” Zhong Ning was somewhat displeased by her silence. She lifted the woman’s chin, only to unexpectedly meet a pair of misty, tear-filled eyes.
“Oh… why are you crying?”
Xie Shiqing lowered her gaze again. A tear slipped from her eye and fell with a soft pat onto Zhong Ning’s hand.
Zhong Ning clicked her tongue, took off her long coat, and draped it over the woman’s head. “This way no one will see.”
It was like bringing home a kitten she adored, unable to resist getting closer, only to accidentally step on its tail.
Zhong Ning felt a trace of awkward guilt.
Though not very much.
The elevator reached the underground parking garage. There was still some distance to her parking spot. Zhong Ning raised an eyebrow. “Do you have the strength to walk?”
Xie Shiqing shook her head again.
Sighing, Zhong Ning bent down and lifted her into her arms. Yet she could not help but scold lightly, “Such poor stamina. You can’t even manage a few steps?”
The person in her arms silently turned her face away and buried it against her chest, letting her burning tears soak into the fabric.
The rest of the words caught in Zhong Ning’s throat, unable to come out.
Strange, she wondered. I’m not someone who softens at the sight of tears.
…Perhaps it was because this person was too obedient, too compliant. The way she looked when wronged made her seem especially heart-wrenching.