Bai Ning froze, her eyes wide with terror as she stared at her surroundings.
Slowly, she retreated to her desk, fumbling in her bag for her phone and activating the flashlight.
She was afraid of the dark, always had been. The fear was bone-deep, a tremor in her heart, ice in her veins, a cold sweat breaking out all over her body.
Crouching on the floor, huddled beneath the desk, she hugged her knees.
The phone's light offered little comfort.
The thought of the surrounding darkness, the absolute solitude, terrified her.
What was happening? Was the power out? When would it come back on?
She wanted to call the company security guard, but realized she didn't have their contact information.
Overwhelmed with anxiety, her mind was a blank.
The Qin Residence
Marin: "It's already eleven o'clock, and B aiN ingstill hasn't come home. Who knows where she's been gallivanting."
Qin Feng, feeling thirsty, went downstairs for a glass of water and overheard Marin's words. Qin Mu followed up with:
"Country bumpkins are country bumpkins. No class, no sense of propriety. It's this late, and she's still not back. Probably out causing trouble somewhere!"
Qin Feng found this strange, but remembering her attitude towards him yesterday, the strangeness quickly faded.
Whatever she did was none of his concern.
Qin Mu deliberately spoke to Qin Feng:
"Qin Feng, Bai Ning's loose morals aren't important, but if it gets out and damages your reputation, that's a problem. After all, quite a few people have met her and know she's your fiancée. We should end this engagement. Let her go back to her family. If she stays here, who knows what trouble she'll cause? We might even end up responsible for her actions, becoming the suckers in this situation."
Qin Feng replied calmly:
"Grandpa said we can end the engagement after three months."
"Three more months?!" Qin Mu shrieked. "I can't stand it even for a few days! You need to talk to your grandfather again and get rid of her immediately."
Qin Feng: "Then you go talk to Grandpa."
Qin Feng glanced at Qin Mu.
She immediately fell silent; she knew she'd get scolded if she went.
Qin Feng ignored her and went upstairs. In his study, he saw his phone light up with a text message. He opened it and saw two words: Help me.
It was from an unknown number.
He assumed it was a prank and ignored it, continuing his work, but a nagging unease persisted.
It was already past midnight. Qin Feng had showered and was in bed, but sleep eluded him. She still hadn't returned. Where had she gone? He closed his eyes. It didn't matter where she was.
A few seconds later, he turned over. She didn't know anyone else here, so it was unusual for her not to be back. The rescue text message suddenly sparked something in his mind. He scrolled through his chat history with his grandfather.
His grandfather had sent him Bai Ning's phone number, but he hadn't saved it. He realized then that the text message was from Bai Ning.
Was she in danger?
Qin Feng sat up abruptly and immediately called back, only to find the phone switched off. Panic set in. Had something really happened?
He quickly got dressed, rushed out, and got into his car.
He decided to go to the company, hoping to at least ask the security guard when they last saw Bai Ning leave.
Arriving at the company, he found it plunged into darkness. He found the security guard, who explained that there was a power outage and that someone would be there to fix it in the morning. It wouldn't affect employees' work.
When Qin Feng asked about Bai Ning, the guard was puzzled.
Guard: "I didn't see her."
Qin Feng frowned.
Qin Feng: "She didn't come to work?"
Guard: "I saw her come in this morning, but I didn't see her leave after work." The guard said confidently, "I'm sure I wouldn't have missed her."
Bai Ning was a prominent figure in the company; many people noticed her. The guard would have seen her if she had left. This meant she was still in the company? Why would she send him a text asking for help?
The guard paused, then said, "Actually, I heard some people talking today. They said the secretary-general gave her a lot of work, and she would be working overtime for a long time. Maybe she's just too tired and fell asleep?"
Without further speculation, Qin Feng went upstairs to check. The guard followed him, providing light.
"Bai Ning?" "Bai Ning?" "Bai Ning!" Qin Feng called out several times, but there was no response.
Finally, they reached 𝐁𝐚𝐢 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐠'𝐬 desk. Her bag was still there. Below it, he saw two feet. Qin Feng quickly knelt down, the guard's light shining downwards.
In the light, Qin Feng saw Bai Ning curled up, her face pale, her body trembling uncontrollably.
"Bai Ning? Bai Ning!"
"What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"
𝐁𝐚𝐢 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐠 frowned, muttering to herself or perhaps answering Qin Feng:
Bai Ning: "So dark... don't go... don't go..."
Dark? So she was afraid of the dark!
A wave of tenderness washed over Qin Feng. He suddenly remembered a little girl from his past, pale and terrified in the darkness, huddled beside him. He felt a surge of pity.
He spoke gently, "Don't be afraid, it's alright now. I'll take you home."
Hearing his words, Bai Ning's trembling subsided, though she continued to murmur something Qin Feng couldn't understand. He was eager to get her out of there. He comforted her as they walked: "Bai Ning, it's alright, don't be afraid, I'm here."
He placed Bai Ning in the passenger seat of his car. She was still clutching his clothes, so he took off his jacket and covered her with it. Seeing her vulnerability, so different from her daytime demeanor, Qin Feng felt a deep of guilt. If he had saved her number, if he had responded to her text immediately...
He was thankful he had come. Leaving her alone overnight could have had dire consequences.
Qin Feng carried Bai Ning to her room, wiped the sweat from her forehead, and was about to leave when she grabbed his pants.
He turned around and saw Bai Ning sleeping restlessly, her face still pale, though slightly better. He reached out to remove her hand, but she pulled him closer.
Bai Ning: "Don't go... stay with me..."
Her voice trembled, unlike her usual indifference. It was a childish, almost pleading tone.
Looking at her, Qin Feng again saw the face of that little girl in his mind. From the first day he met her, he'd felt a resemblance. Now, it was even stronger.
After a moment of hesitation, Qin Feng couldn't bring himself to pull away. He sat by the bed, his gaze soft as he looked at Bai Ning. He wondered what it would have been like if his fiancée had been that little girl. He would have loved her for a lifetime, comforting her through every dark night. But alas𝐭...
Bai Ning woke up to a bright morning. Confused, she looked around, wondering how she got back, then met Qin Feng's gaze.
She realized she was still holding his hand. She quickly let go and sat up.
Bai Ning: "What are you doing here?"
She immediately understood. Her phone had died, and she was in such bad shape, nearly fainting, that she couldn't call. She managed to send him a text message with her last bit of strength.
Seeing Qin Feng's exhaustion—the red-rimmed eyes, the clear lack of sleep—she recalled her unconscious state and shyly scratched her head.
Bai Ning: "You brought me back? Thank you... But why are you still in my room?"
Even if he'd brought her back, he should have left after. He didn't need to stay with her all night.
Qin Feng returned to his usual cold demeanor:
"Who was it who wouldn't let go of my hand last night? Forgotten already?"
𝐁𝐚𝐢 𝐍𝐢𝐛𝐠 felt even more embarrassed.
Bai Ning: "But... but... I wasn't conscious. You were. You could have let go while I was asleep."
Qin Feng: "So, I'm wrong for taking care of you all night?"
Bai Ning: "That's... not what I meant."
She just found his actions unusual, unlike his usual self.
Qin Feng's face darkened. He regretted his kindness the previous night.
He said coldly, "Don't overthink it. I just didn't want anything else to happen to you, making it difficult for me to explain to Grandpa. It's not for you, don't get any ideas!"
Though unpleasant, Bai Ning felt relieved. This was more like him.
She glared at Qin Feng.
Bai Ning: "That's your problem. I don't get any ideas."
Qin Feng was speechless and turned to leave.
As he left, he ran into Marin, who saw Bai Ning in bed through the open door.
Marin: "Get out!" "Brother, what are you doing coming out of Bai Ning's room at this time?"
Qin Feng ignored her and left. Marin was even more curious.
Marin: "You were in her room all night? What were you doing?"
The sound of Marin's nagging woke Bai Ning. Annoyed, she rubbed her hair and went to the bathroom to freshen up.
She knew she must have looked terrible last night. Qin Feng had seen her at her worst. He probably knew her weakness now, and the thought bothered her.
What if he used it to tease her later? It would be humiliating. It was all X𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐗ing's fault. She wouldn't let her get away with it easily!
Bai Ning went downstairs to the dining room. When Qin Feng saw her, he immediately put down his chopsticks and left. She was used to his behavior and ignored him, sitting down to eat breakfast.
After last night's ordeal, she was exhausted and needed to replenish her energy.
Marin, unable to confront Qin Feng earlier, immediately questioned Bai Ning:
"You've only been here a few days, and you're already seducing my brother? What were you doing with him? Why did he come out of your room this morning?"
Qin Mu joined in:
"Is this true? Bai Ning, what are you trying to do? And where were you last night for so long?"
𝐁𝐚𝐢 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐠 sneered inwardly, a sarcastic smile playing on her lips.
Bai Ning: "We're all adults. You're saying a man and a woman spent the night together. What do you think we did?"
Marin: "You!"
Marin stamped her foot in anger:
"All you do is seduce men, shameless!"
Bai Ning: "Watch your mouth."
Bai Ning picked up her chopsticks and elegantly took a bite of breakfast.
"My fiancé and I are together legitimately. What seduction?"
Marin was speechless, slamming down her chopsticks and storming off to her room. Her fists clenched in anger and jealousy.
How could such an excellent man like Qin Feng marry this country bumpkin? Bai Ning was simply not good enough!
Bai Ning finished breakfast and was about to leave for work when the driver approached.
𝐁𝐚𝐢 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐠: "My fiancé and I are together legitimately. What seduction?"
Marin was speechless, slamming down her chopsticks and storming off to her room. Her fists clenched in anger and jealousy.
How could such an excellent man like Qin Feng marry this country bumpkin? Shuqing was simply not good enough!
𝐁𝐬𝐢 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐠 finished breakfast and was about to leave for work when the driver approached:
"Miss Bai, Master instructed me to drive you to the company."
Bai Ning paused. Qin Feng was sending a driver for her? Was the sun rising in the west?
Before Bai Ning could respond, Qin Mu coughed, glaring at Bai Ning before turning to the driver.
Qin Mu: "Xiao Li, take me to the Paris Mall."
Driver: "But Madam, Master asked me to take Miss Bai."
The driver hesitated, clearly conflicted.
Bai Ning: "Thank you, but please take your 𝐦𝐚𝐝𝐚𝐦. I'll go to work myself."
Bai Ning didn't want to cause the driver any trouble, and smiled as she said this.
She hailed a taxi and headed straight for the 𝐐𝐢𝐧𝐠 Group.
On the way, Bai Ning saw a stray dog running dangerously in the middle of the road.
Bai Ning: "Driver, please stop."
Bai Ning quickly got out of the taxi to rescue the dog. She had a deep affection for dogs, her grandfather having taken in many strays over the years.
As Bai Ning approached the dog, a red sports car sped towards it.
No! The car was going to hit the dog!
Without thinking, Bai Ning rushed towards the dog, hugging it tightly.
The screech of brakes. The car swerved past Bai Ning, and a stylishly dressed woman in the driver's seat leaned out, shouting,
"Crazy woman! Stay out of the way!"