Without a second thought, Bai Ning, clutching the stray dog, rushed to the pet hospital. Despite her heroic leap to save the pup, its front leg was injured in the accident. Glancing at the time, she knew she was going to be late for work. She dialed Qin Feng's number.
Qin Feng: "What is it?"
His deep, cool voice echoed through the phone.
Bai Ning: "Something came up. I'll be late for work this morning."
Before she could finish, he interrupted.
Qin Feng: "Such a trivial matter doesn't need to be reported to me."
The call ended abruptly. Bai Ning pursed her lips. The man was undeniably aloof, unwilling to exchange more than a few words. Having already called in, she let the vet thoroughly examine the dog. Thankfully, it was only superficial; nothing serious. Still, she was uneasy.
Vet: "No problem."
Bai Ning paid the two thousand yuan, leaving the dog at the hospital with plans to find it a loving home once it recovered.
As she stepped into the secretary's office, Xia Xingxing stormed towards her.
Bai Ning: "Something came up." Her tone was calm.
Xia Xingxing: "Something came up?" A sarcastic sneer played on her lips, her eyes filled with scorn. "Bai Ning, you're calling in sick on your second day? Do you think you're some kind of Mrs. Big Shot?"
Bai Ning remained composed.
Bai Ning: "Firstly, I'm late, not absent. Secondly, I called in, so it's not technically tardiness."
Xia Xingxing: "Still trying to argue? When did you call in?" Her finger pointed accusingly, her anger escalating. "Bai Ning, you're fired for unauthorized absence!"
Unfazed by the hostility, Bai Ning calmly brushed away the pointing finger, a hint of mockery in her slightly curved lips. "I informed Mr. Qin. Secretary Xia, firing me for unauthorized absence, do you think Mr. Qin lacks the authority to approve my leave?"
Humiliated, Xia Xingxing dragged Bai Ning towards the CEO's office.
Xia Xingxing: "You're lying! Let's go see Mr. Ma and clear this up!"
Bai Ning: "Alright."
She readily agreed. It was a chance to settle the score from the previous night.
Xia Xingxing, meticulously adjusting her hair, clothes, and makeup before knocking, presented a stark contrast to Bai Ning's disheveled appearance. Her professional attire was wrinkled, her chest stained with mud from the dog. Observing the shy admiration on Xia Xingxing's face, Bai Ning understood the source of her animosity. Xia Xingxing was infatuated with Qin Feng, and Bai Ning was his nominal fiancée—a thorn in her side.
Qin Feng: "Come in."
His magnetic voice drew a self-assured smile from Xia Xingxing as she opened the door. Her smile instantly froze. Bai Ning saw a woman standing beside Ma Jiaqi (assuming a slight error in the original text, replacing "马嘉祺" with the more consistent "秦风" or "马总"). 栗色 (chestnut) hair in loose waves, a red mini-skirt, and exquisite makeup—stylish and alluring. It was the woman who had nearly run over the stray dog and berated her that morning.
Bai Xiaoxiao: "Mr. Qin, this is the main product for the next season…"
The woman stood close to Qin Feng, her alluring almond eyes flashing with barely concealed adoration. Bai Ning understood: a Qin Corporation employee, explaining her familiarity. Another admirer. How many admirers did this man have? Bai Ning frowned, her gaze landing on the aloof man with a hint of displeasure.
Chapter 16: A Blooming Mess (This section seems to repeat elements from Chapter 9, with some minor variations. I will assume it's a continuation and edit accordingly. The inconsistency of names needs to be addressed in the original source material.)
…And she, too, seemed to be another admirer of Ma Jiaqi. How many admirers did this man have?! Shu Qing frowned, her gaze falling on the imposing man.
Dressed in a black Armani suit, his perfect physique was on full display. His furrowed brows, high nose bridge, and sensual lips exuded an aura of nobility, like a perfect creation of God.
He was handsome and wealthy, possessing the allure to captivate countless women. But not Shu Qing.
She didn't care for this arrogant man who attracted so much attention. Their engagement was a three-month bet; after that, they would part ways. His romantic entanglements were none of her concern.
Xia Xingxing: "Bai Xiaoxiao, I need to speak with Mr. Ma."
Xia Xingxing glanced at the woman in red, then at the captivating man. "Bai Xiaoxiao?" Bai Ning remembered; she was the design director of Qingyao Jewelry under Ma Corporation. Rumor had it that the Bai and Qin families had connections, which explained her rapid rise.
Bai Xiaoxiao: "I'm also reporting to Mr. Ma. Secretary Xia, are you unfamiliar with the concept of 'first come, first served'?"
Qin Feng leaned back, his cool gaze sweeping over Bai Ning, his brow furrowing slightly. Hadn't she called earlier about an issue? Why was she disheveled and being dragged in by an angry Xia Xingxing?
Qin Feng handed the design to Bai Xiaoxiao.
Qin Feng: "Revise it."
Bai Xiaoxiao: "Yes, Mr. Qin."
She took the design and stood aside, but didn't leave. Qin Feng's expression darkened.
Qin Feng: "What is it?"
Xia Xingxing: "Mr. Qin, Shu Qing was absent without authorization today. I cannot tolerate such blatant disregard for company rules."
Xia Xingxing launched her attack. She knew Bai Ning was merely a fiancée imposed on Qin Feng by his grandfather, and that he disliked her. Getting rid of Shu Qing would surely win his favor.
Qin Feng: "She informed me." He played with his pen, his lips slightly raised.
Xia Xingxing was stunned, speechless. Wasn't Qin Feng supposed to despise his country bumpkin fiancée? Why was he defending her?
Qin Feng: "Leave." His cool voice held a hint of impatience.
Xia Xingxing and Bai Xiaoxiao turned to leave, but Bai Ning cleared her throat.
Bai Ning: "Xia Xingxing, wait!"
Xia Xingxing stopped. "What?"
Bai Ning's gaze hardened. "About last night, do you have an explanation?"
Xia Xingxing: "Last night? What about last night?" Her eyes flickered nervously.
Bai Ning narrowed her eyes. "You deliberately kept me at the office all night. Shouldn't you give me an explanation?"
Xia Xingxing's expression changed, but she feigned composure. Xia Xingxing: "Bai Ning, what are you talking about? I only asked you to finish your work before going home. When did I say I'd deliver the data? You must have misheard!"
Bai Ning had anticipated this denial. Unfazed, she played a recording of Xia Xingxing's phone call from the previous night.
Xia Xingxing (from the recording): "I just received a call from Mr. Chen. More data needs to be added. I'll bring it over. Wait for me."
Xia Xingxing: "You!"
Xia Xingxing's lips tightened, trying to refute, but Bai Ning interrupted.
Bai Ning: "Secretary Xia, are you going to say this recording is fake? That I fabricated it? It's simple. We can have an expert verify it."
Xia Xingxing's face paled. She had planned to claim the recording was fake, but Bai Ning's words silenced her.
Xia Xingxing: "I…"
Before she could speak, Qin Feng's voice cut through the tension.
Qin Feng: "Apologize to Bai Ning."
Bai Ning was surprised. She hadn't expected things to go so smoothly, considering Xia Xingxing's seniority and Qin Feng's apparent dislike for her. He wasn't entirely unreasonable.
Xia Xingxing clenched her fists, reluctantly apologizing.
Xia Xingxing: "I'm sorry."
Bai Ning feigned deafness. "What? I didn't hear you."
Xia Xingxing had to raise her voice. "I'm sorry!"
Qin Feng: "I don't want to see this happen again!"
Xia Xingxing trembled.
Leaving the office, Xia Xingxing glared at Bai Ning. This country bumpkin was far more cunning than she'd imagined. She would get revenge.
At the end of the workday, Bai Ning stayed late to review the data Xia Xingxing had given her. Leaving Qin Corporation, she was about to hail a cab when a black Rolls-Royce pulled up beside her. It was Qin Feng.
Qin Feng: "Get in."
Bai Ning stepped back. "No, I'll take a cab."
Qin Feng got out, looking down at her. "It's difficult to get a cab at this hour. I don't want to have to rescue you from the streets in the middle of the night."
Remembering last night, Bai Ning rolled her eyes.
Bai Ning: "It's all your fault!"
Qin Feng was taken aback. What did he have to do with it?
Bai Ning: "You didn't know Xia Xingxing has a crush on you, did you?" If not for Qin Feng, why would Xia Xingxing try to get rid of her?
Xia Xingxing's infatuation? Qin Feng was emotionally obtuse, his heart occupied by a childhood memory. He rarely paid attention to other women. But looking at Bai Ning, he raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on his lips.
Qin Feng: "Are you jealous?"
Bai Ning: "You're crazy!"
She turned to leave, but he pulled her back. He pulled her into the car and commanded, "Sit."
Before she could react, he started the car, locking the doors.
Qin Feng: "I promised your grandfather I'd ensure your safety for these three months."
Bai Ning nodded. She had also promised her grandfather to get along with Qin Feng. After three months, they would go their separate ways. But those three months seemed daunting.
Suddenly, a large hand reached across her chest.
Bai Ning: "What are you doing?!"
Qin Feng leaned over, his hand passing across her chest, almost embracing her. It was incredibly intimate.
Qin Feng, calmly: "Fastening your seatbelt."
Bai Ning: "I can do it myself."
She stopped him, annoyed at her own lapse. The warmth of his hand on hers made her cheeks flush.
He withdrew his hand, starting the car, a hint of softness in his eyes. He smelled her faint fragrance, identical to the one from his childhood memory. Could it be…? Was she the girl who had saved him?
Qin Feng turned, his deep gaze fixed on her, his voice low and slightly agitated.
Qin Feng: "Bai Ning, were you ever kidnapped?"
Bai Ning: "Huh?"
She had just fastened her seatbelt. Kidnapping? This man's thoughts were all over the place.
Bai Ning: "No."
No? The girl from his childhood couldn't be Bai Ning.
Qin Feng's gaze darkened, disappointment flashing across his face. Bai Ning felt confused. Did he want her to have been kidnapped?
They drove in silence. At home, Qin's mother handed Qin Feng a red invitation.
Qin Mother: "Zhang's 70th birthday this weekend. Don't forget."
One Useful Tip: When writing dialogue, vary sentence structure and length to create a more natural and engaging conversation. Avoid repetitive sentence patterns.给我写给读者的话英文版