19: Leng Yunyan, who delivered the clothes

After watching the show, Ling Xian prepared to head to the company to check on Hu Yourong's situation.

Suddenly, a gust of wind blew past, making the leaves rustle.

Ling Xian whipped his head around and murmured, "Master?"

However, as he looked back, there was no movement—it was just an ordinary gust of wind passing through.

Ling Xian tapped his own head. "Really now, I've already left that hellish place, yet I actually miss Master a little."

"Ling Xian! You're so pathetic!"

What he didn't notice, however, was a woman in black robes watching everything from the shadows.

"Silly disciple, you think you can shake me off like this?"

"I still found you."

“Hehehe...”

...Ling Group.

Most of the employees had already finished work, but a small portion remained behind for overtime.

Everyone was busy dealing with the crisis in the court of public opinion.

Of course, these people were being paid double bonuses.

"Why is Chairman Ling here?"

"Probably to see Secretary Hu."

"I feel like Secretary Hu is just average. Why is Chairman Ling so good to her?"

"What kind of person do you take Chairman Ling for? If he wants women, they all throw themselves at his bed."

"Chairman Ling values Secretary Hu's ability."

"True. I heard Chairman Ling once pursued Miss Leng and invested a hundred million directly."

"Stop talking, I'm feeling inferior."

"I'm not as beautiful as Miss Leng, and I'm not as capable as Secretary Hu."

"What's to become of my future?"

"Will I ever find a man as handsome and wealthy as Chairman Ling?"

Several female employees working overtime were whispering to each other when they saw Ling Xian arrive at the company.

Some even struck poses, hoping to catch Ling Xian's attention.

But how could Ling Xian care about such things?

When he walked into his office, he found Hu Yourong didn't even lift her head, heart and soul poured into writing a report.

Seeing this, Ling Xian nodded.

Ling Xian even hoped Hu Yourong would grow up quickly and become the president of the Ling Corporation.

Hu Yourong deeply cherished the opportunity to work at the Ling Corporation.

Moreover, during this time, other assistants and executives would come in to hand over documents; whenever they saw her, they would cast looks of curiosity, scrutiny, or slight contempt.

Sensing these gazes, Hu Yourong would try her best to shrink back and minimize her presence.

At the same time, she always felt in her heart that she was unworthy of the support Young Master Ling gave her.

Every time, she would think to herself: "Young Master Ling must be facing a lot of pressure to let me handle this kind of power. I cannot let him down."

Ling Xian walked closer and picked up the report.

With just a simple glance, a flash of admiration appeared in Ling Xian's eyes.

Hu Yourong's learning ability was simply too strong.

It had already surpassed the level of the Beginner Business Proficiency skill he had exchanged from the system.

"Ah... it's Young Master Ling." Hu Yourong was startled when her report was suddenly taken away by a hand.

She looked up and realized it was Ling Xian.

"It's not bad." Ling Xian set the report down casually, his tone a bit gentle. "Go home! I'll take you back in a moment."

"No need, Young Master Ling, I can manage on my own... and my work isn't finished yet." Hu Yourong's heart fluttered like a panicked rabbit, and she hurriedly waved her hands.

"What I say goes." Ling Xian looked at her and directly grabbed her hand, giving her no chance to argue.

"Remember, you are mine now."

"Your safety and health are also part of my responsibility."

"Mine..." Those words made Hu Yourong's heart skip a beat again.

Downstairs at the Ling Group.

Leng Yunyan felt she was probably going mad.

She was actually standing downstairs at the Ling Group building, holding a paper bag full of old clothes—specifically, undergarments.

Even though it was dark at night, Leng Yunyan was still a bit afraid.

She was afraid others would think she was a pervert, damaging her title as the East Sea's Number One Beauty.

"Ling Xian, you big meanie, big meanie..."

Ever since Ling Xian left that day, a strange atmosphere had settled over her home.

Her mother's health had visibly improved; her complexion was rosy, she was full of energy, and she even hummed little tunes occasionally.

In her eyes, her mother even seemed younger than she was.

But whenever she tried to ask about the details of the treatment that day, or about that Eerie Blue Flame, her mother would always give vague answers.

Or she would simply brush her off with, "Don't ask so many questions, child."

Right then, a fantasy flashed through Leng Yunyan's mind.

A scene of Ling Xian and her mother, Qu Shuiyun, getting married.

And she would have to call Ling Xian "Dad."

At the thought of this terrifying scenario, Leng Yunyan got goosebumps and shook her head.

"I'm crazy, to actually imagine such a scene."

"Ling Xian would definitely not do that. He only likes me, that's right."

The one who is loved is always fearless.

Leng Yunyan always believed she could treat Ling Xian however she pleased.

But now that she was truly away from Ling Xian, she found herself feeling a strong sense of maladjustment.

In truth, Leng Yunyan just wanted to maintain some presence in front of Ling Xian.

She needed a reason, and this bag of "worn" clothes was the perfect excuse.

Leng Yunyan stepped into the Ling Corporation; the receptionist clearly recognized this former "Prospective Lady Boss."

Though they had heard the engagement was broken, they still respectfully led her to the Chairman's office on the top floor.

When the elevator opened and she walked into Ling Xian's office,

Leng Yunyan saw a girl with a high ponytail, dressed simply or even poorly, staring at a computer screen with a furrowed brow, her fingers flying across the keyboard.

Leng Yunyan asked, "Is your President Ling in?"

"President Ling... it might not be convenient right now," Hu Yourong said with some difficulty.

"Not convenient?"

Just as Leng Yunyan was wondering, Ling Xian returned from the restroom.

The moment he saw Leng Yunyan, Ling Xian walked up to her. "A rare guest, Miss Leng."

"What, did you miss me so soon? Or... did you come to return something?" Ling Xian's gaze swept over the paper bag in her arms, a teasing look appearing at the corners of his mouth.

Leng Yunyan's cheeks burned under his gaze, and she forced herself to stay calm as she handed over the paper bag, her voice cold: "Your things, I'm returning them to you."

"From now on, we're even."

Ling Xian didn't reach out to take it; instead, he pulled the paper bag open and glanced inside.

Then he reached out and hooked a piece of purple, lace-trimmed lingerie from the pile of clothes.

Ling Xian's eyes were playful. "Purple, it really does have more charm."

"Miss Leng's... is very fragrant, very special."

"You... shameless!" Leng Yunyan's face turned beet red instantly; shamed and enraged, she reached out to snatch the lingerie back.

Ling Xian flicked his wrist, easily avoiding her hand, his movements elegant yet full of provocation. "I was talking about the scent of the laundry detergent. What did Miss Leng think I meant?"

Being counter-accused by Ling Xian, Leng Yunyan trembled with rage, yet she was helpless against him in terms of physical force.

Looking at that face so close to hers, with its wicked smile, she felt the urge to throw a punch at it for the first time.