Bai Ning left with a cheerful smile.
Marin, however, was furious.
Marin: "You country bumpkin! Let me tell you, I'll never let you marry my cousin!"
As she finished, Qin Feng emerged from the room. Marin immediately cowered.
Marin: "Cousin."
Qin Feng's expression was grim, clearly displeased. Marin dared not cause any more trouble.
Bai Ning asked a servant to lead her to her room. After settling in, she went downstairs for breakfast.
Qin Feng, his mother, and Marin were already at the table. Qin's mother began, her voice dripping with sarcasm:
Qin's Mother: "So late getting up, and not even bothering to help with breakfast? You really think you're a young mistress now?"
Bai Ning glanced at her coldly:
Bai Ning: "But I'm not your servant either."
Making breakfast for them? In her dreams!
Qin Feng remained silent throughout the meal, but his dislike for Bai Ning was evident.
The meal was a tense affair, everyone glaring at each other. Afterward, Qin's mother handed Bai Ning a card.
Qin's Mother: "There's five thousand yuan in there. Go buy some decent clothes before going to the company. Behave yourself and don't cause trouble for Qing Feng."
To foster a relationship between Marin Jiaqi and Bai Ning, Mr. Qing had suggested Bai Ning work at the company as Jiaqi's secretary. Bai Ning's grandfather had readily agreed, leaving her with little choice but to accept the three-month position. She could endure it.
But five thousand yuan…? Did Qin's Mother think she was some pauper?
Bai Ning responded sarcastically:
Bai Ning: "Thank you, Auntie, but I don't need it."
Her clothes were custom-made; the Qin family wouldn't recognize the brands anyway. She didn't bother arguing and went upstairs to change.
As she did, her phone buzzed – a fifty-million-yuan transfer. The bank balance displayed an almost incomprehensible number of zeros.
Then, a text from her grandfather:
"My dearest granddaughter, take care of yourself. Buy whatever you want, eat whatever you want. If anyone bullies you, tell Grandpa."
Bai Ning smirked and replied:
"Grandpa, the Qin family is bullying me. It's not fun."
Her grandfather replied quickly:
"It's rare for anyone to dare bully you. Good. Now, Grandpa's going fishing."
Bai Ning: "..."
After changing into a professional suit, Bai Ning left the Qin residence. As the driver opened the car door, she realized Qin Feng was already inside.
Qin Feng: "Didn't you say you weren't interested in me? Why are you going to Ma Corporation to be my secretary?" His voice was smooth but laced with sarcasm.
Bai Ning glanced at him indifferently:
Bai Ning: "I promised Grandpa I'd spend three months with you. After that, we'll end the engagement."
Qin Feng: "Heh." He chuckled coldly. "Bai Ning, don't fall for me during these three months. Don't try to stay in the Qin family afterward."
Bai Ning laughed.
Bai Ning: "So the rumored cold and loof CEO is this confident? Let me tell you, even in three years, even a lifetime, I will never fall for you."
In Bai Ning's eyes, Qin Feng was nothing special except for his good looks.
Qin Feng's face darkened. A lifetime? Never?
Qin Feng: "Bai Ning, you better remember what you just said."
He felt she was playing games, that she wouldn't have come to Ma Corporation if she didn't have feelings for him.
Bai Ning offered a professional smile:
Bai Ning: "Yes, Mr. Qin, don't worry! After three months, we'll part ways. And at the company, let's pretend we don't know each other. This will avoid unnecessary misunderstandings."
Qin Feng said nothing more.
However, Bai Ning was wrong. News of her engagement to QingFeng and her humble background had already spread like wildfire throughout Qing Corporation.
Employee 1: "Did you hear? Mr. Ma's fiancée is coming to work here! She'll be his secretary."
Employee 2: "Didn't they say she's ugly? And from the countryside? Graduated from some no-name university. Can she even understand documents?"
Employee 3: "Hahaha! Whether she can or can't, I doubt she even knows how to use a computer!"
When Bai Ning and Qin Feng entered the company together, everyone's jaws dropped.
Employee 4: "Look! Who's that woman behind the CEO? She's so beautiful and elegant!"
Employee 5: "Wow! Her legs are so long and slender! I'm in love!"
Employee 6: "That must be the CEO's fiancée!"
Employee 7: "No way! Impossible!"
Speculation about Bai Ning's identity ran rampant. Initially believed to be a business partner, the entire company learned the truth when Bai Ning and Qin Feng separated to report to their respective departments. The beautiful, stunning woman who arrived with the CEO was Bai Ning.
Everyone was shocked. Could the countryside really be so nurturing?
Bai Ning went to Human Resources to complete her paperwork.
Meanwhile, in the secretary department, the four employees gossiped.
Secretary 1: "Bai Ning is so beautiful! Even more beautiful than Zhang Wan'er."
Xia Xingxing, the department head, sneered.
Xia Xingxing: "What good is beauty? A country bumpkin like her isn't worthy of Mr. Ma."
Bai Ning overheard this as she returned. A sarcastic glint appeared in her eyes.
Bai Ning: "If I'm not worthy, are you?"
Xia Xingxing's face froze. She didn't dare retort, given Bai Ning's status as the fiancée.
Xia Xingxing: "Mr. Ma said you're part of the secretary department now. Everything is fair here. This is an advertisement we're shooting today. You're in charge."
Bai Ning coldly took the documents and left. The other secretaries gathered again.
Secretary 1: "Sister Xingxing, is that the advertisement with Song Yaxuan? Will Bai Ning mess it up?"
A glint of malice flashed in Xia Xingxing's eyes. Song Yaxuan was a top star, young, temperamental, and picky. No one could handle him. It would be perfect if Bai Ning ruined the shoot on her first day.
Bai Ning glanced at the shooting schedule – Song Yaxuan. She raised an eyebrow; the name sounded familiar.
Meanwhile, in Qin Feng's office, his assistant spoke:
Assistant: "CEO, Secretary Xia assigned today's Song Yaxuan shoot to Miss Bai. Should we change someone?"
Song Yaxuan's brother was close friends with Qing Feng. Everyone knew Song Yaxuan's terrible temper. Bai Ning would surely suffer.
Qin Feng paused, remembering the woman's words that morning.
Qin Feng: "No."
He was quite happy to see Bai Ning suffer.