“Ah, young lady, thank you for bringing our Jin’er back so late. Did we trouble you? Please, come in and have a seat! Old Tang, go and carry your daughter upstairs!”
But unlike Tang Zhentong’s reaction, Madam Yin’s eyes just lit up and then she greeted Secretary Wang with particular warmth.
“No need to thank me, Madam Yin, I won’t come in tonight, but thank you for your kind invitation.”
Miss Secretary handed the drunken girl in her arms over to Tang Zhentong, and received a fierce glare from him in return.
“Oh, how could that do! You brought Jin’er back so late, and if our Tang Family didn’t show any gratitude at all, wouldn’t it look like we don’t know how to behave? Come, come in and have a cup of tea before you go!”
Without waiting for a reply, Madam Yin pulled Secretary Wang into the house, pressed her gently onto the sofa, and sat her down.
“Miss, may I know how to address you?”
With a cheerful smile, the noble lady poured Secretary Wang a cup of hot tea.
“My surname is Wang, given name Yan, the ‘inkstone’ in Wang Yantai. Madam Yin, you can just call me Xiao Wang.”
The secretary politely took the tea with both hands and replied.
“Oh, Xiao Wang… Wang Yan, what a nice name… Alright then, I’ll call you Xiao Wang. Don’t be so polite with me, you can just call me Aunt Yin.”
Madam Yin sized her up with a smiling gaze.
“Um, alright… Aunt Yin…”
Secretary Wang answered with slight hesitation.
So, Miss Tang’s mother was this warm and approachable as well?
“Good, good, good!”
Madam Yin’s smile grew even brighter.
“So, Xiao Wang, how old are you this year, and where are you working now?”
“I’m 27 this year. After graduating from university, I joined Su Group, and now I’m Chief Secretary at Su Group in C City.”
Although the questions felt a little strange, the secretary still answered honestly.
“So you started working right after graduation? What was your university major?”
“Finance at Qingbei University.”
“Oh, wonderful! Our Xiao Wang is really outstanding! That’s much better than that Jin’er girl!”
Madam Yin grinned as she handed Secretary Wang a peeled tangerine.
She had proper features, was polite, even played so late with Jin’er and still sent her home. Though she dressed quite cool, she seemed like a reliable, honest child…
As for Jin’er, who was now drunk, that girl knew her limits and would never drink carelessly outside. Most likely, she accidentally mistook a cocktail for juice again…
A Qingbei graduate, chief secretary of the Su family, such a résumé is definitely outstanding… Wait, isn’t Su Ning’s personal secretary that same position?
Which means Xiao Wang has been with Su Ning since the start? Maybe even a trusted confidant?
She’s a few years older than Jin’er, but that’s no real problem…
I just wonder how far things have gone between her and Jin’er…
At this thought, Madam Yin changed the topic and asked again:
“So, Xiao Wang, Jin’er must have troubled you a lot. What do you think of that girl?”
“Aunt Yin, I actually think Miss Tang is a wonderful person.”
Hearing this, Secretary Wang instinctively tried to adjust her glasses, but realized she wasn’t wearing any.
“Although Miss Tang seems like a difficult young lady at first glance, if you really get to know her, you’ll find she’s warm and optimistic, sharp-tongued but soft-hearted, and she never holds grudges.”
“Not only that, Miss Tang hates injustice, and would go to great lengths for her friends. She’s a very good person to be around.”
Madam Yin nodded in agreement.
Not bad, she knows Jin’er’s good points. Looks like she truly gets along with Jin’er…
But I’ve asked this much, why hasn’t she shown any affection for Jin’er in front of me? Have they not reached that stage yet?
But then, what’s with that lipstick mark on Xiao Wang’s face?
Surely my daughter isn’t just hopelessly in love all by herself…
Madam Yin stroked her chin, her expression turning a bit odd.
That can’t be right… With Jin’er’s proud nature, if it wasn’t for some deep and unforgettable reason, how could she go chasing someone herself…
“Aunt Yin, it’s getting late. I should take my leave now.”
While Madam Yin was still deep in thought, Secretary Wang finished the last drop of tea, rose to her feet, and gave a polite bow.
“Alright then, Xiao Wang, be careful on the way! Come by to visit when you have time!”
Still as warm as ever, Madam Yin walked Secretary Wang to the door.
“Mm, thank you, Auntie, for your hospitality tonight.”
The secretary gave a final polite nod, and disappeared beyond the Tang Family House.
Ah, no, I really have to find someone to chat properly about Jin’er and Xiao Wang.
It’s a pity Layla isn’t here… sigh…
“Old Tang, hurry up, come over here. Let’s talk about Jin’er!”
Only then did Madam Yin remember Tang Zhentong, who had been sent away, and turned to call for him.
***
At night, in Secretary Wang’s bathroom, the young woman stared at herself in the mirror, silent.
In the reflection, the woman’s neck was slightly raised, and on her left cheek, a faintly ambiguous crimson mark was vividly imprinted on her fair skin, like a plum blossom petal on snow.
I think… I understand now why Mr. Tang and Madam Yin were acting so strangely…
Without a word, the secretary turned on the tap, and the cold water splashed across her face, soaking the collar of her pajama.
When her fingertips touched the spot with the red mark, she paused. The soft sensation from that time replayed in her mind without warning.
Secretary Wang sighed softly to herself and continued washing her face.
***
That same night, late, in Su Ning’s Bedroom.
Wait! I think I finally realized what’s off about Ning Ning’s phone ringtone!
Moonlight filtered through the curtains, coating the room in a silvery glow.
The blonde girl suddenly opened her eyes as if struck by silent thunder, golden lashes trembling in the darkness, her bright green eyes wide open.
She gently propped herself up, her long golden hair cascading down with her movements.
Ruan Zhixian glanced down at her arms—under the cool moonlight, the black-haired girl lay sleeping peacefully against her, breathing long and steady, her warm body heat passing through the thin pajamas, allowing her to easily feel the girl’s heartbeat.
Ning Ning’s ringtone is just like the song I sang today—it’s not even from this world!
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