Exasperated, Ning Ran had no choice but to do as Nan Chen ordered.
However, her hands shook with her rampaging emotions, and it took her longer than usual to finish tying it. The end product could hardly be called a necktie. It was just that ugly.
Untying it, she tried again.
The result was much the same.
Nan Chen had originally planned on showing off Ning Ran’s necktie knotting skills before Qiao Zhan. Unfortunately, she did not perform as expected. It was like watching a car crash about to happen.
Fed up, he swatted her hands away and did it himself.
“Didn’t you have something to report?” he questioned Qiao Zhan with a pointed look.
“The hospital called to say that nobody paid for Ning Ziqiang’s hospital bill. The police are unwilling to pay for him either, so…”
“Have someone handle it.”
“Then will you be heading over to visit him?”
Ning Ran interrupted their conversation, “There’s no need for that. You don’t have to bother with the medical bill either. I gave him five thousand last night, which should be more than enough for him to pay his own bill. He’s just taking advantage of his age and playing as the poor old man who nobody cares for.”
“You can’t ignore him,” Nan Chen warned.
It took barely a second for Ning Ran to understand his meaning. “You’re right. If I ignore him, he’s definitely going to continue complaining to the media that I don’t care for him enough to pay for his bills. I have to meet with him and find out what he wants. Just how long is he going to torture me for!”
Nan Chen kept silent. Ning Ran had already said what he wanted to express, so there was no need for him to speak anymore.
She was the first person after Jiang Zhe who knew what he was thinking and would say it for him. With these two people as his mouthpieces, he would be able to keep his silence. For someone who did not like to talk much, this was perfect.
“Shall we go to the hospital now?” Qiao Zhan queried.
“Bring Ning Ziqiang somewhere else, and we’ll be there shortly,” Nan Chen replied.
“Got it.”
Seconds after Qiao Zhan left, Jiang Zhe came in.
He was visibly puzzled to see Ning Ran present. Despite that, he still smiled and greeted her politely, “Hello, Ms. Ding.”
She nodded at him.
“Mr. Chen, Mr. Ouyang and the others are waiting for you outside.”
“You guys continue with the following activities. I’m not feeling too well so I’m not joining. You and the deputy CEO shall keep them company in my stead.” Nan Chen waved his hand dismissively.
“Mr. Chen, Mr. Ouyang and the others came here specifically to meet with you. If you suddenly leave like that…”
Nan Chen’s face darkened and he scowled. “Do you not understand the meaning of ‘not feeling well?’ Isn’t leaving when one is feeling under the weather normal?”
“I understand,” Jiang Zhe responded with a gulp.
He exited the room quickly after that, leaving Ning Ran and Nan Chen alone.
“Your guests are very important, aren’t they? Are you sure you running off so abruptly won’t affect – “
Nan Chen cut her off, “Since when is it your place to meddle in my business?”
Ning Ran had only spoken out of genuine worry, yet her good intention was tossed right back in her face.
Pouting, she muttered sullenly, “You’re like the dog biting the hand that feeds you…”
“What did you say? Who did you call a dog?”
She had thought her voice was soft enough, but he had heard everything clearly.
“It’s nothing.”
“Who were you calling a dog?” he insisted with his gaze locked on her.
“Huh? Nobody’s a dog. It was just an idiom. I was just worried my issues would affect you…”
“You think too highly of yourself. That’s not what’s happening at all,” he interrupted her again.
By this point, Ning Ran was beginning to get a little annoyed at his rudeness.
However, there was nothing she could do but keep her silence. She did not want to anger him.
Nan Chen did not move to leave immediately. She guessed that he was waiting for his guests to depart first.
He probably doesn’t want to run into those people, especially since his excuse was that he was feeling unwell.
She did not know who those people were but she was certain they were very important. Otherwise, he would not have taken the time to go horseback riding with them.
He broke the silence first. “Don’t you have anything to say to me?”
This was a rare occurrence. He was the type of person who could remain quiet for the entire day without speaking a single word. Yet, this time, he had voluntarily spoken up.
What does he want me to say? I can’t speak freely, or he’ll just give me a snappy retort. But if I tell him I have nothing to say, I’m sure I’ll get a rebuke of some sort too. This is a lose-lose situation either way.
“I do…” she trailed off slowly.
“Speak!”
“I…”
“Out with it!” he pressed.
“I’m really sorry about this whole thing with Ning Ziqiang – “
Nan Chen did not let her finish. “It’s not your fault.”
Ning Ran breathed a sigh of relief at his words. Finally, something reasonable comes out of your lips! You’re entirely right though. This isn’t my fault at all. I’m a victim here too!
The words left her before she could stop them, “You can’t blame me for this.”
“Then who am I supposed to blame?” the man countered sharply.
Ning Ran was utterly bewildered with his reply.
Didn’t he just say it’s not my fault? Then why is he blaming me for this? I seriously can’t keep up with his mood swings! What an insufferable man! You know what, I’m going to give him a taste of his own medicine. Let’s see how he likes that! If I don’t say anything, then I can’t possibly go wrong.
Hence, silence descended upon them.
After a short while, Nan Chen stood up and walked toward Ning Ran.
Ning Ran watched him with wide eyes, wondering what he was up to this time.
“What perfume are you using?” he asked.
“Huh? I don’t use perfume. Are you planning on buying me perfume? You don’t have to bother! You can just give me the cash directly!”
Nan Chen was astonished at how materialistic and avaricious this woman was. She would rather get cash than a bottle of perfume?
“Did I say I was going to gift you a bottle of perfume?”
She blinked and answered, “Oh right, you didn’t. Well, hypothetically speaking, if you were planning on giving me perfume, then I suggest you give me cash instead.”
“Why is there a hypothetical situation?”
“Err, do I need a reason for coming up with a hypothetical situation? It’s hypothetical, meaning it might or might not happen. If it’s not happening then what I say is a moot point. Just ignore it,” she rambled.
At this point, she discovered she had a problem. Previously, she used to hate him for not speaking. However, she had recently come to realize that him being quiet was a good thing.
Every time he opened his mouth, it was to ask something so very out there. It was like he looked at things differently from others and the questions he asked were always impossible to answer.
Because no matter what you answered, it would always be wrong.
“You really don’t use perfume?” Then why do you smell so good?
He wanted to ask the second question but could not bring himself to do it as it made him sound like a pervert. He did not want to be accused of sniffing a woman like a dog.
“You really don’t have to. Perfumes are expensive, and I can’t afford them. I would much rather use that money on something else. Perfume is so unnecessary and a waste of money,” she stated firmly.
Nan Chen did not believe her.
There was obviously a fragrance wafting from her, a very special scent. Yet she was insisting she did not use perfume?
Don’t tell me she’s naturally exuding that smell? That’s impossible. She must be playing coy and refusing to tell me the brand because she wants to keep the mystery!
Revulsion welled in him at the thought.
Ning Ran, who had been scrutinizing his expression closely, realized that he was upset again. She did not understand why, though.
Is he unhappy that I don’t use perfume? I really don’t like using perfume… It’s not very practical, and it’s a waste of money!
“If you really think I should be using perfume, then fine, I will. But I’m telling you now, cheap perfumes are too pungent, and I can’t afford the expensive ones. If you insist on me using perfume, then you’ll have to pay for it!” she said in an aggrieved tone.
Nan Chen was exasperated.
In the end, it all boils down to money again. This woman really is so avaricious!
