29
Some stayed awake all night.
Some slept very deeply.
The presidential suite had plenty of beds, so Ning Ye and Ning Zhitao each slept in their own. Even though her head had been filled with anxiety about education funds right before bed, there was no little kid growing in Ning Ye's bed tonight, so she slept peacefully and well through the night.
When she opened the door in the morning, the hotel room service had already pushed the breakfast carts to the doors of the two rooms.
With two rings of the bell, both doors opened at the same time.
On one side stood a handsome man, brooding alone.
On the other side was a radiant mother holding a child's hand.
The contrast between the two sides faintly reflected a certain disparity in their mindsets.
However, Ning Ye had no idea what kind of impact the instructions she left last night for the child's sake would cause. She had been so exhausted that she just went back to her room and fell fast asleep right after speaking.
At this moment, Bian Xun's eyes were cold, his dark pupils rippling slightly as he evaluated Ning Ye dangerously.
Ning Zhitao had been waving happily, but seeing this, his little fingers drooped, and he asked with milky, childish concern.
"Daddy, you look a little bit dead."
A child couldn't come up with words like "dark circles under the eyes," so he could only use the language he was familiar with to describe his condition.
Bian Xun's skin tone was already on the cool side. After pulling an all-nighter, the faint bluish tint under his eyelids added a bit of gloom to his face. However, because his bone structure was exceptionally superior with deep-set eyes, under the overhead light, he actually looked like a black-and-white silent film or a movie poster.
"..." Bian Xun spoke, "I'm fine. Thank you for your concern."
But despite looking gloomy, the man was impeccably dressed today, wearing a rare light color.
Without his usual oppressive dark black attire, he appeared even more slender and elegant today. At first glance, Ning Ye actually felt a sense of awe.
Bian Xun gave her a deep look, seemingly observing her in secret.
Did she have plans to get back together?
Given Ning Ye's personality, without a special reason, she wouldn't sleep with him without a proper title or status.
He adjusted his collar with reserved nobility.
"?" Ning Ye didn't understand his noble air, but the money-making spirit forcibly implanted by the capitalist last night still lingered in her mind. After eating breakfast, she focused entirely on preparing for work.
If she could pull off this conference well, her performance review for this year would be secured. According to Wujiang's internal rules, if she could get a performance rating of B or above for three consecutive years, she could be promoted next year, and her salary would increase accordingly.
The money-making logic of a wage earner was just this unpretentious, completely distinct from that of a capitalist.
She never had delusions of reaching the sky in a single bound, so she always kept her feet firmly on the ground.
Ning Ye's almond eyes were clear, her posture was confident, and a fresh vitality surrounded her, like a morning flower with dew, completely devoid of last night's romantic atmosphere.
Bian Xun's dark eyes fixed on her for a long while, calculating deeply in his heart.
No rush.
The man casually pushed the dining cart to the opposite room. "Let's eat together."
In front of the child, she definitely wouldn't have the nerve to say those things again.
Those wild, shameless words.
...
Today was still generally a "CEO babysitting" day.
The agenda for this conference started at 9:00 AM. Ning Ye arrived at the venue early to guide important clients in.
The venue had been newly decorated. The ceiling reflected modern blue-purple lighting and sound effects, and guests and media began to enter one after another.
Ning Ye wasn't sure if today's event was also part of the original novel's plot, so she could only remain vigilant at all times.
It officially started at 9:00, beginning with an opening speech by the head of the business division, outlining the prospects for current work in the artificial intelligence field. After the speech, the important guests in attendance would be introduced.
Bian Xun arrived right at this moment. The man in his light-colored suit looked as if he were carved from jade. His cool, aloof side profile immediately triggered countless camera flashes and shutter clicks. The big shots in the entire first three rows stood up collectively to make way for President Bian, while the man maintained a faint expression, socializing calmly on his home turf.
Ning Zhitao was currently watching an English cartoon; Bian Xun had just come to show his face before leaving.
The man sat down in the center seat of the first row, and a grand introduction of him began on stage.
Ning Ye listened to his pile of unattainable titles and achievements. If it were in the past, seeing her ex-boyfriend doing so well, her eyes would definitely be filled with grief and indignation.
But now, a good teammate was what truly mattered.
In a child's growth, if the father's role is bright and excellent, the child will also receive positive guidance.
This was also one of Xu Lanyi's reasons. Besides her own dignity and security as a female celebrity, she also hoped that the father her son had always looked forward to wasn't just a nameless, ordinary person.
Ning Ye stood at the side of the venue, keeping an eye on the situation inside.
The main stage introduced the guests in the first row one by one. It was evident that this "Rongzhi" themed conference held a lot of weight, as many top executives from major companies in the industry attended in person.
So far, everything had gone quite smoothly.
But just after all the guest entrepreneurs in the first two rows were introduced, the side door of the venue suddenly opened, and an uninvited guest appeared before everyone's eyes.
"Isn't that President Li from Xinyang Group?"
"President Li? Why is he here?"
The team leader next to Ning Ye instantly changed her expression and demanded in a low voice, "Who arranged this?"
It had to be said that the previously calm atmosphere in the venue suddenly shifted, and many industry insiders put on expressions of wanting to watch a good show.
The recent disputes between Wujiang and Xinyang had become a hot topic in the industry.
Li Shunye was the nephew of Xu Lanyi's father, Xu Hong, and Xu Lanyi's cousin. He didn't look very old and seemed well-maintained. As he walked forward, he appeared to be an elegant, young entrepreneur.
Precisely because he was considered young and promising, he always felt he could go head-to-head with Bian Xun.
Xinyang had first attacked a set of big data models belonging to Wujiang. Afterward, Bian Xun used various methods to ruin their own model design, causing them heavy losses. Later, Xinyang teamed up with members of the Bian family inside Wujiang and poached one of Wujiang's computing power projects. However, immediately after, the provincial computing infrastructure project led by Bian Xun won the bid, making the loss from the poached project insignificant.
After a few rounds of back-and-forth, Xinyang hadn't gained any advantage. But given the temper of Wujiang's new CEO, Xinyang Group would definitely not be on the invitation list for a conference hosted by Wujiang itself.
Yet, Li Shunye walked straight to the last empty seat at the edge of the second row. From the moment he walked through the door, his gaze accurately locked onto Ning Ye. This made her very certain that this person was not only here to provoke Bian Xun but also to cause trouble for her, standing up for his cousin Xu Lanyi.
Since Xu Lanyi couldn't conveniently make a move right now, the supporting characters started helping out.
The team leader's lowered voice was already a bit anxious. "How was this seating arranged?"
This part fell within Ning Ye's responsibilities.
Because arranging the seating was exactly within Ning Ye's scope of duties. This task seemed small, but it actually directly related to the flow of favors and relationships among the leaders, allowing no room for error.
Immediately, someone on the scene started to pass the buck. "I saw President Li's nameplate when I was printing yesterday. Ning Ye, how did you arrange this?"
In reality, Ning Ye had already taken away that nameplate in advance. Originally, this seat was meant to be an empty backup when it was drafted. But now that Li Shunye was able to come in, it meant he had already pulled some strings, which was beyond her control.
Li Shunye stood next to the empty seat, acting as if he didn't see the expressions of Wujiang's senior management. With the unique thick skin of an entrepreneur, he asked, "Is this my seat?"
Ning Ye pursed her lips slightly. The situation had fallen into a dilemma; obviously, someone was trying to set her up.
If she didn't let him sit down, but there was actually a nameplate with his name on it, it would become Ning Ye's work mistake.
But if she really let him sit down, everyone knew Xinyang was Wujiang's rival, and President Bian himself particularly loathed the other party. Then it wouldn't just be a work mistake. Setting aside her private relationship with Bian Xun, her career would be affected.
Who would promote an employee who didn't give the president face?
Moreover, even if she could prove after the meeting that she was set up by someone else, if the current meeting agenda fell into a deadlock and was left in an awkward state, it would be a conference accident.
If someone had to take the blame afterward, it would only be Ning Ye.
For a moment, all eyes gathered on her. Li Shunye's shrewd eyes watched this young girl who had made his younger female cousin retreat in defeat.
Some were nervous and worried, some gloated. Amidst the various gazes, the young girl's figure remained straight, showing no signs of panic under the pressure.
Her beautiful and delicate face was calm. Her eyes swept over the audience, her mind rapidly searching for a countermeasure.
She had to keep Li Shunye in check while maintaining the stance of a Wujiang employee.
Bian Xun only noticed the commotion behind him at this moment. Turning around, he saw the idiot from Xinyang standing there brazenly, and a deep crease instantly formed between his brows.
Ning Ye was certain that she absolutely could not let Bian Xun step in right now. If he lost his temper, everyone would be even more convinced that President Bian was dissatisfied with this arrangement, and the blame she had to take would be even heavier.
Someone spoke with false sympathy, "If it comes to it, why don't you just apologize, Ning Ye?"
Jiang Xinghe stood beside Ning Ye and whispered softly, "It's okay, just say I placed the nameplate."
Ning Ye shook her head, a countermeasure ready to burst out from her mind.
Li Shunye had slowly revealed a smile. The scene had only been blank for a few dozen seconds, and just at this moment when the gap couldn't be dragged out for another second, Ning Ye's eyes suddenly paused.
She finally found a familiar figure in the audience.
Ning Ye knew that right now, she could neither let Li Shunye sit in this empty seat nor take the blame for the seating arrangement mistake.
She stepped forward, her voice neither high nor low, her tone neither humble nor arrogant, her slender figure seeming to emit a faint glow.
"I'm sorry, President Li, this seat is not yours."
She walked a few steps to the figure wearing a hat, grabbed the person's arm, and before the other party could react, lifted him up with lightning speed—
"Because this is our specially designated special honor seat—" Ning Ye took off the other party's hat and introduced him with a respectful tone.
"Please, everyone, welcome the former Chairman of Wujiang Group, Mr. Bian Guohua, Elder Bian!"
Everyone present blanked for a second, followed immediately by thunderous applause. With the old chairman here, everything made perfect sense.
It turned out this seat was reserved for Elder Bian, but he had come low-key and sat in the back himself.
Elder Bian: "..."
Flashes and applause hit him head-on. His original intention was to secretly come and see if Bian Xun was really raising someone else's child! But now, his old face could only reveal a smile as he cupped his hands toward everyone. "I'm just an old man, there's no need for everyone to be so polite."
The scene's flattery immediately followed. "The old chairman is hale and hearty!" "Elder Bian, please take a seat."
Ning Ye supported him to sit down with a smile, and Li Shunye beside them was instantly left hanging.
With Elder Bian's psychology of caring about his face and taking pride in his status, as long as he was put up on a pedestal, he wouldn't come down.
And finding someone with a higher status than Li Shunye to suppress him made it impossible to refute. This made everything look like Xinyang coming to Wujiang's home turf to ask for a snub.
Li Shunye's expression changed for a moment. Right now, the first two rows were full. Given his status, it was even more impossible for him to go to the back row and squeeze in with minor employees.
He could only glare at Ning Ye a few times in the end, before turning and leaving with his assistant.
The whole process took no more than two minutes. Ning Ye steadily returned to her position again, and the gazes of the people around her had subtly changed.
Bian Xun slowly withdrew his gaze after a moment, sitting in the first row, savoring the moment in his heart.
In a trance, he saw her as she was in college. Back then, for the sake of a scholarship, Ning Ye also refused to yield or retreat, arguing strongly for what was right. He couldn't say exactly what was so attractive, but he just couldn't look away.
He really should let the child see this too... Bian Xun suddenly thought.
His long list of achievements introduced just now was not as good as her mother's two or three minutes of improvisation.
Gentle, resilient, yet not hiding her sharp edge.
...
Elder Bian sat there, looking thoroughly displeased.
He also admitted that Bian Xun's college first love was indeed somewhat excellent. Not only did she have the quick wit to improvise on the spot, but she also had the courage to remain calm and collected.
But she already had a child!
At the last birthday banquet, she was still obsessed with her late husband, acting all crazy and neurotic!
Elder Bian stared at Bian Xun's retreating figure. Whenever he thought that he might be rushing to help take care of the child, Elder Bian gritted his teeth in hatred.
This was the most outstanding seedling produced in three generations of the Bian family. Was that long list of dazzling achievements just now fed to the dogs?
What was his status? Did he have a bottom line?
Where was his pride and dignity?
Elder Bian trembled with anger. The Wujiang staff beside him eagerly poured water for him, making it impossible for him to leave.
He came this time because he heard that Bian Xun had already started to get in touch with Ning Ye's child, and even donated five million to a broken kindergarten for the mother and daughter.
He had lost his mind.
His purpose for coming was, first, to see with his own eyes if Bian Xun had lost his mind.
Second, it was...
The old man's sharp and vigorous gaze swept toward the graceful young girl.
Her figure shuttled through the venue, solving various work problems at any time.
She was beautiful, highly capable, and likely had quite a few schemes up her sleeve.
Elder Bian waved his hand, and his trusted subordinate immediately bent over and walked over. He listened to Elder Bian whisper a few words, nodded in agreement, and slowly backed away.
Elder Bian narrowed his eyes. He worried that this girl had deceived Bian Xun, making Bian Xun mistakenly think that this was his own flesh and blood.
Otherwise, he couldn't explain how someone like Bian Xun would willingly raise someone else's child.
How much love could make him go this far? Elder Bian didn't believe it at all.
Although the Bian family stepped in and investigated the situation for six years without finding any intersection between the two, what if there were circumstances they didn't know about?
Therefore, he had to take matters into his own hands and investigate this child.
And also make Bian Xun wake up.
...
The first day's agenda ended without any real danger.
After Ning Ye's on-the-spot problem-solving during the day, not only did her team leader appreciate her, but the higher-up leaders also remembered her name.
After all, giving face to the old chairman was giving face to President Bian.
In their concept, being able to satisfy President Bian made one the most outstanding employee.
Seeing Elder Bian sitting there with a kind smile, she knew he must have been deeply touched too. Even though he had already stepped down, he was still so valued and remembered by everyone in the company.
This was something other senior employees hadn't expected.
Thus, after work ended on the first night, Ning Ye received quite a few gestures of goodwill.
Her mindset didn't change much, though. These gestures were actually like a tide; if she hadn't managed to dodge the trap set for her today, the incoming tide would have brought a completely different scene.
Comparatively speaking, she was more grateful to the colleagues and friends who had looked at her with worry in the critical moment and were willing to help her.
So after work, when Sister Zhou and Jiang Xinghe wanted to drag her along to a famous local scenic spot, Ning Ye didn't refuse.
Bian Xun was eating dessert with the child.
Hangzhou was mild and pleasant. An ancient lake nourished the entire city, and the wind carried a softness that was vastly different from the dryness of Beijing.
The man sat on the second floor of a teahouse by the small river, his features outstanding. His loose light-colored shirt reflected the dead branches outside the window. A pot of clear tea wafted smoke, and black hair fell over his forehead. His noble and cold temperament gained a touch of elegance. He lowered his eyes to look at his phone, drawing countless gazes from the entire building.
"Ahhh, so handsome and expensive-looking, is he single?"
"Probably not, the kid opposite him should be his, right? So cute ahhh."
Opposite Bian Xun, the little kid was concentrating on eating a Longjing tea cheese cupcake, oblivious to her dad's expression.
One of her ears perked up, listening to what those ladies were saying, and she nodded her head obediently.
Yes, this is my dad.
Bian Xun frowned at his phone.
Work was over, and instead of coming to find him, she was going out with her colleagues?
His fingertips tightened slightly.
She sent out such ambiguous signals last night, but today she had zero communication with him.
There was only the conversation between the little genius watch and the kid.
Who exactly had physiological needs?
The man inhaled slightly between his thin lips, the tight muscles of his chest and abdomen faintly visible under his shirt. His fingertips swiped on the phone.
[What are you going to do?]
Ning Ye was climbing the stairs and replied when she saw the message.
[Going to seek wealth!]
In the teahouse, Bian Xun's eyebrows suddenly raised slightly.
That works too.
It seemed that his subtle influence on her had finally worked. Now Ning Ye would actively manage her assets and had the consciousness of investing to generate wealth.
Ascending to become the world's richest person was just around the corner.
The CEO's mood brightened slightly.
With a bit of approval in his dark eyes, Bian Xun tilted his head back leisurely, planning to ask her what kind of wealth management products she had her eye on here. He could have someone research them and guide her in investing.
Bian Xun: [How to seek it, send it to me to see]
After a while, she replied.
Ning Ye: [Going to a temple!]
Seeking wealth by worshiping Buddha.
Bian Xun: "?"
There was an ancient temple in Hangzhou that was said to be very effective, and people who came here basically went to pray.
Choosing to burn incense between going to work and striving for progress.
"." The CEO was expressionless.
...
Ning Ye followed Sister Zhou and Jiang Xinghe up the high stone steps.
It was already the end of the temple's opening hours, but there was still a steady stream of tourists. The crowds of people moving through the thick incense smoke seemed like countless worldly prayers ascending to the sky.
Ning Ye thought that since she was already here, she might as well take a look.
In the past, she wouldn't pray to anyone, let alone buy a ticket to come in and pray. But now, perhaps due to the changes in her status and life experience, she also had many more wishes in her heart.
Following the crowd, Ning Ye received three sticks of incense. She imitated others and planted them in the smoking incense burner outside the Hall of Heavenly Kings.
She wished for the health and safety of the relatives she cared about.
In the past, she would only make wishes for her mother. Now she would make wishes for her mother, for herself as a mother, and for her little kid.
Health and safety were the most important things.
Seeking wealth was just a further beautiful wish.
But obviously, Sister Zhou anxiously pulled Ning Ye to hurry to the Huayan Hall further inside, hearing that it was good for women seeking wealth. She also pushed Xiao Jiang, telling him to walk towards the hall that was good for men. In the end, the three of them surged in different directions in the crowd and quickly got separated, only able to contact each other on WeChat to meet tomorrow.
Ning Ye also slowly walked inside. She deliberately took a path with fewer people, passing through yellow walls and black tiles. The dead branches of winter snaked like mottled ink marks in the fading sky.
Ning Ye finally arrived at the Huayan Hall and adjusted her collar.
She hoped she could become rich!
To soon have the economic strength to rival Bian Xun's black card.
Although it was difficult, people must always have goals.
Ning Ye earnestly made her wish, finished offering the incense in her hand, turned around, and planned to leave.
As she turned her head, she suddenly bumped into two familiar pairs of eyes.
Ning Zhitao curiously rolled her eyes to look around. Before she saw her mother, her eyes were first attracted by the various towering bronze statues in the hall.
Walking all the way here, she had seen many bronze statues. Some of them had angry glares like Vajras, while others looked aggressive. The little kid was scared but curious, clutching Bian Xun's sleeve and hiding behind him to look.
"Dad, there are so many big uncles here."
Why is everyone throwing money to these big uncles?
"They are making wishes," Bian Xun told her.
Ning Zhitao didn't understand, but felt it was very impressive, so she watched and imitated people bowing. The little tot, just over a meter tall, laid on the ground, not even as big as a praying mat.
Ning Ye subconsciously curled her lips.
A sweet smile rippled in her soft eyes.
The most important thing was for the child to be healthy, safe, and grow up strong.
Although she was an unexpected arrival, she had long become her destiny and responsibility.
Bian Xun held Ning Zhitao with one hand, his gaze fixed steadily on her.
Just now, the incense smoke was curling up faintly. She stood there peacefully, slender and tranquil. Her delicate features reflected the candlelight, becoming the only bright color in the dim temple.
All kinds of people flowed past her, but Bian Xun only saw her alone.
Like a freeze-frame of a camera lens.
The Buddhist temple was a peaceful place, but his heart could not calm down.
Rolling in his heart were thoughts that could not be seen by the Buddha.
A multitude of tangled thoughts.
He really wanted to become one of her wishes.
Ning Zhitao was no longer afraid of the uncles in the hall. She walked out from behind her dad and then saw her mom at a glance.
Her round eyes immediately lit up. Holding her dad with one hand, she trotted happily towards Ning Ye, "Mom!"
A family of three.
Bian Xun closed his eyes.
He never respected ghosts or gods, exploited the whole world, and was rational and mean.
But at this moment, with no incense in his hand, he still closed his eyes and made a wish.
"I hope all this is real."
...
Ning Zhitao held one adult in each hand, pulling them to her sides, feeling very pleased with herself.
Bian Xun looked down, the corners of his lips curling up into a slight arc.
Ning Ye then remembered that when she told Bian Xun she was coming to the temple earlier, they probably hadn't arrived yet, but now they could appear synchronously with her in the Huayan Hall.
It seemed Bian Xun didn't intend to pray for anything else at all, rushing straight to the place of seeking wealth upon entering??
Worthy of a black-hearted capitalist.
Actually, before coming in, Bian Xun always faintly felt that someone was following them. It wasn't until they entered the temple, where the population density was high and the terrain was complex, that the following gaze left.
Bian Xun held his ground, first coming over to find Ning Ye, and then telling someone to strengthen security.
Who was following them?
The adult and the child didn't notice a thing.
Ning Zhitao turned her head and asked Ning Ye, "Mom, why is everyone putting money in?"
Many people had dropped paper bills into the donation box at the entrance.
Before Ning Ye could answer, a monk, probably finding the girl adorable, looked down and smiled. "Little benefactor, we don't talk about money here."
Ning Zhitao asked innocently, "Then what do you talk about?"
"Before the Buddha, we don't speak of 'yuan' as in money, we only speak of 'yuan' as in destiny."
Bian Xun looked at the old monk expressionlessly.
What was the difference?
The little girl, thinking she understood, took it seriously with a face full of pure innocence: "Mom, I want to donate some destiny too."
Ning Ye nodded. Sister Zhou still wanted to buy blessed jewelry to take back for good fortune. She didn't plan to buy any herself, but since her child asked, there was no harm in donating a little.
However, she didn't have any paper cash on her—
The old monk immediately raised a hand in prayer, "Amitabha, scanning a QR code works too."
Bian Xun stared expressionlessly at this old geezer.
Who was the real capitalist here, scamming people so skillfully.
Ning Ye nodded and was just about to scan the code when someone caught her wrist and pressed it down.
Bian Xun lowered his eyes and asked, "How much did you want to donate?"
Ning Ye, being honest and a bit embarrassed to say it out loud, stood on her tiptoes and whispered to him, "Eight point eight."
Her breath brushed against the side of his neck, her moist lips right by his ear. Bian Xun's gaze paused, his fingertips tightening, his eyes falling on her fluttering eyelashes.
What was she doing.
Right in front of the Buddha.
Whatever needs she had could wait until they got back.
Although she was very quiet, the old monk still heard her. He had just looked at the male benefactor next to her and felt that he was radiating wealth, had a deep family background, and was definitely not an ordinary person. There was no way he would only donate 8.8 yuan.
Sure enough, Bian Xun pressed Ning Ye's hand down and scanned the code himself.
The old monk stroked his beard, praising him with joy.
He pressed his hands together and asked respectfully with delight, "How much destiny does the benefactor share with the Buddha?"
Bian Xun gave a faint smile, taking the hands of the two and leaving, brushing off his clothes after the deed was done, leaving behind only a casual remark:
"Eighty-eight thousand, eight hundred in destiny."
The old monk gasped in admiration, happily watching them leave. Then, he washed his hands, burned some incense, and piously opened the payment receipt page.
—8.8 yuan.
Old monk: "??"
To actually lie in front of the Buddha!
What kind of person was this!
Bian Xun walked quite a distance away before letting out a cold sneer.
The theoretical inflated value should also be taken into account.
The suffering he endured should be experienced by others too.
President Bian: I was even having inappropriate thoughts in front of the Buddha.
Ning Ning: ? As expected of...
