Chapter 53: Greeting, Mr. Zhao!
“Not yet.”
Jing Yichen shook his head. “Don’t worry. We will have a new negotiation this morning. It is just a matter of extra money.”
As a matter of fact, serious problems had occurred regarding the buyout of Star Media.
But none of these had anything to do with Shangguan Ning. The essence of the problem didn’t arise because of her. She didn’t know about all of this. He was able to handle everything. And even if he wasn’t, there was no need to tell her. That would worry her unnecessarily.
Shangguan Ning sounded a bit guilty. “Was it my fault? Doctor Mu said that you had missed many important projects on your first day, and that you needed to take on many responsibilities. Uncle Jing and the shareholders are displeased with you... are you... alright?”
Jing Yichen didn’t understand who were the people she had referred to, until a while later.
No wonder Shangguan Ning’s attitude towards him had changed so drastically yesterday. It must’ve been Mu Qing who would have spoken some nonsense!
The entire Jingsheng Enterprise had already became his responsibility and he had a say in everything. He would make everyone answerable for their follies! However, he did indeed feel grateful towards Mu Qing.
As for “Uncle Jing”...
What he cared about was the way she addressed him.
“Do you know Jing... my father.. well?” Actually, he was aware that Shangguan Ning didn’t know his father Jing Zhongxiu well, otherwise she would have known Jing Yichen. He was just wondering why Shangguan Ning had addressed him in this intimate way.
Jing Yichen was fond of asking questions indirectly.
Shangguan Ning shook her head lightly. “No, I don’t. My uncle said that I met him once when I was a child. I almost fell into the river back then, and it was he, who had held me up and given me all of the fish he caught. I have met him once since then – that was when he happened to visit me with Uncle, at the hospital.”
Shangguan Ning suddenly realized something at this moment – no wonder Jing Zhongxiu looked familiar when she saw him at that time. It was because of Jing Yichen. The father and son looked very similar, the only stark difference being their age. How silly she was!
All the clues had been referring to Jing Yichen, but she never saw through them.
Jing Yichen knew about Jing Zhongxiu and Huang Lihan’s visit to Shangguan Ning, at the hospital. But it was for the first time that Shangguan Ning had shared an incident about her childhood.
So, his father had held her once?
Jing Yichen was a bit annoyed. He said subconsciously, “Why did you allow him to hold you? You shouldn’t have. Even though you were little!”
Shangguan Ning had no idea whether she should cry or laugh. This man was way too bossy. Why would he get jealous of such a weird thing?
“I was only ten back then! Can’t you behave a bit rationally? Uncle Jing saved me. But for him, I would have probably drowned!”
Jing Yichen nodded hesitantly. “So that means the old man did a good deed?”
Shangguan Ning nodded positively. “Uncle Jing is a good man!”
That was because you didn’t know him yet, thought Jing Yichen. Anyone who knew him wouldn’t consider him to be a good man.
“You are addressing him in an intimate manner, but I have never heard you addressing me in the same way.” He was now bothered about the way she addressed his father after he was done with the issue of him holding her.
Shangguan Ning’s head ached. She just realised that this man was actually like a child, even though he looked so mature and calm.
Her heart softened seeing this side of him.
She looked at him with her bright eyes and said, “That’s how we address senior people, right? Always Uncle something. Isn’t it way better than “Lord ?”
Jing Yichen couldn’t help but laugh upon hearing the word “Lord”. He thought that it would be a good idea to make Shangguan Ning address Jing Zhongxiu in that way sometime later. He remembered Jing Zhongxiu’s poker face.
‘Lord Jing’ did sound great!
Hang on! Was this girl trying to change the subject?
“Let me hear how you address me.”
Shangguan Ning’s smile froze. It seemed that she had not succeeded in changing the subject.
She thought for a moment and said. “Greeting, Mr. Zhao!”
Mr. Zhao...
Jing Yichen grinned when he heard this form of address.
Then he said softly, “Ning, I didn’t lie to you on purpose. My mother’s family is Zhao. Earlier, when I used to dislike “Jing” as the family name, I kept telling others that my family name was Zhao. So you are not wrong in addressing me like this.”
As a matter of fact, Shangguan Ning had forgiven him ages ago. Hearing that he didn’t like using “Jing” as the family name earlier, Shangguan Ning was aware that he must have experienced bitterness and pain. The kind that no one would be able to gauge. Therefore, she no longer thought about his past any more.
As long as she knew that he didn’t mean any harm, it was enough.
Shangguan Ning didn’t want to make him sad, so she comforted him with a smile and said, “You shouldn’t blame me for the misunderstanding. Anan keeps calling you ‘Brother’ as if you both were siblings. I couldn’t help but assume that your family name was Zhao too. Besides, you didn’t object to my calling you Mr.Zhao, even though I had addressed you as Mr. Zhao on various occasions. If you thought it was a mistake, you would have corrected me sooner, right?”
“I am Anan’s cousin. Her mother and my mother are sisters. We grew up together, just like real siblings.” He took Shangguan Ning into his arms softly, and placed his chin on her forehead. Her fragrance invaded his nostrils, giving him pleasure.
“You trust people too easily. Invading someone else’s privacy and asking more questions is sometimes, a good habit. As for me, I will never lie to you again. There will be no more misunderstandings like this.”
Shangguan Ning’s face blushed when she was in his arms. Why did she feel so secure every time he held her?
“Well, I need to go now. I can handle everything in the company. That is a man’s job, and you need not worry about it. Take rest at home for a few days and get better.”
Shangguan Ning had never been spoilt in this way before, gentle, caring and slightly bossy. No one had been this kind to her ever.She had been used to days when she was alone and taking care of all her responsibilities on her own.
His words were so comforting that people would want to depend on him.
She felt that marrying him was probably the best thing she had done in her life.
She felt that she should try to adjust herself to her new life and identity. Jing Yichen knew that this adjustment wouldn’t happen overnight. He didn’t expect her to fall for him, just yet. He was already satisfied with the current situation.
Shangguan Ning felt like a silly girl. How could her heart fly away when she was already in his arms?
Jing Yichen left for the company. After a while,Shangguan Ning got bored, so she decided to go out for sometime. At the door, she was taken aback to be stopped by several men in black. The leading man said courteously, “Lady, Master said that you are not allowed to go out.”
Shangguan Ning couldn’t help but get annoyed seeing their behaviour.
How could he do this ? Sending people to guard and restrain her? That was illegal. Actually, she didn’t intend to go out. Her physical condition was still unstable. The wound at the back of her head had been torn apart too many times. Even cold wind would agonize her. She dare not go out or overwork herself any more. That being said, this arrangement of having guards monitor her movements, bothered her. She put on a coat and decided to look around Jing Yichen’s apartment.
She walked around and discovered that the entire 27th floor belonged to him. The apartment took up more than thousands of square meters, and included a walk in closet, a study, a gym, a piano room, a painting room etc. Everything possible was available. She got a bit dizzy after taking a short tour. Now she understood why several trucks and hoists had been used, when Jing Yichen moved here.
Eventually, Shangguan Ning entered an elegant painting room. Out of curiosity,she lifted the veil off a canvas that stood on an easel, in the middle of the room.