Chapter 624 : Wasabi Bun
“Mm?!”
Ling Ning slowly opened her eyes and stared at the familiar ceiling. Lost in thought, she instinctively glanced at the other side of the bed. The empty space made her wonder if everything that happened last night had been a figment of her imagination.
But the soreness in her body, coupled with her bare skin, left little room for doubt.
Just then, the bathroom door opened, and Qin Qing emerged, still dressed in sleepwear. She appeared to have just finished brushing her teeth.
Seeing Ling Ning awake, Qin Qing greeted her with a cheerful smile. “Good morning, Ling Ning~”
“G-Good morning,” Ling Ning replied reflexively.
It wasn’t long before Ling Ning’s mind caught up with reality. How could Qin Qing remain so calm and nonchalant?
Noticing Ling Ning’s conflicted expression, Qin Qing chuckled softly. She approached the bed and gently caressed Ling Ning’s flawless face. “We just relieved a bit of stress, so don’t overthink it~”
“Uh...”
Ling Ning couldn’t help but feel Qin Qing’s words carried an oddly suggestive tone. More importantly, why hadn’t she resisted last night? She was sure Qin Qing had promised she would be on top!
So why had things turned out this way? Ling Ning felt utterly betrayed.
Qin Qing ignored Ling Ning’s increasingly tangled emotions. With a smile, she said, “It’s getting late. But since it’s you, I’ll make an exception—take your time resting. I’ll head out first.”
With that, Qin Qing removed her sleepwear and changed into her usual work attire before leaving the room.
Despite the offer to sleep in, Ling Ning decided to get up. She dressed and headed to the bathroom to wash up. It was still early, but for a workaholic like Qin Qing, it might as well have been midday.
As she brushed her teeth, Ling Ning couldn’t help but recall the events of the previous night. Her feelings were a chaotic mess. Between her entanglement with Bai Jie and now Qin Qing, her relationships seemed to be growing more convoluted by the day.
She even briefly wondered if Chen Ruo might try to make a move on her someday. But upon further reflection, Ling Ning dismissed the thought. Even if she was physically weak, Chen Ruo was even less formidable. If anyone were to be “pushed down,” it would be Chen Ruo, not the other way around.
Once she finished tidying up, Ling Ning left the room and spotted Qin Qing seated at her desk, intently focused on some documents. Ling Ning chose not to disturb her and quietly left the office.
She decided to go out and buy breakfast.
By the time Ling Ning reached the elevator, the office floor was already bustling. Most people were accustomed to seeing her leave Qin Qing’s office in the mornings.
Many admired Ling Ning for her unique rapport with the boss. She was one of the few who could joke with Qin Qing without facing repercussions.
Exchanging cheerful greetings with her coworkers, Ling Ning made her way to the elevator. As she waited, she idly pulled out her phone, intending to scroll through the news or play a game. But her eyes suddenly caught a small “strawberry” mark on her neck.
It wasn’t too noticeable, but anyone who got close would definitely see it. Had anyone spotted it earlier?
Ling Ning blinked in panic before pulling her jacket tighter around her neck. Once she was sure the mark was hidden, she sighed in relief.
Why did people like leaving these marks so much? Bai Jie had done the same thing before, nearly exposing her several times.
After buying breakfast, Ling Ning returned to Qin Qing’s office.
Noticing Ling Ning’s slightly off expression, Qin Qing asked, “What’s wrong?”
“N-Nothing.”
“Still thinking about last night?” Qin Qing teased, her smile turning mischievous.
“I’m not! Just eat your breakfast!”
Ling Ning huffed as she placed the food on Qin Qing’s desk.
Before Ling Ning could move away, she felt hands wrap around her waist. In a blink, she found herself in Qin Qing’s embrace.
“I told you, it’s just a little secret between us. Besides, you were the one who asked for it last night,” Qin Qing murmured near Ling Ning’s ear.
The warm breath against her skin made Ling Ning’s cheeks flush. She stammered, unable to muster a coherent response—after all, Qin Qing wasn’t wrong.
Swatting away Qin Qing’s wandering hands, Ling Ning escaped her grasp. “It’s work hours, Boss. Please act professionally!”
“Oh? So after hours, professionalism doesn’t matter?”
“After hours is personal time. Boss, please respect boundaries, thank you!”
Qin Qing merely chuckled in response before turning her attention to the breakfast Ling Ning had bought.
However, the moment she bit into one of the buns, her expression turned strange. The wasabi’s sharp flavor rendered her momentarily speechless.
“Sister Qin Qing, what’s wrong? Did you get the wasabi bun? Wow, you’re lucky! I’ve eaten so many and never gotten one.”
Ling Ning said with feigned innocence. Qin Qing’s suspicions were instantly confirmed. Swallowing the bite with great difficulty, she asked, “Why was there a wasabi bun mixed in with the meat buns?”
“Oh, I added it for fun. I wanted to test our luck. I didn’t pick carefully either, so it could’ve been anyone~”
The smugness of a lucky draw winner.
“Ling Ning, come here. I have something important to discuss. Don’t bother trying to escape. If you don’t finish your work, you won’t get paid.”
At the mention of her paycheck, Ling Ning froze mid-step, her plans to flee instantly thwarted.