Chapter 07 – Sweet and Sour

When Xiang Ning woke up, He Rong had already had lunch prepared and waiting on the table. He rubbed his eyes sheepishly and smiled at He Rong, who had already finished eating and was back to work, his lips twitching awkwardly.

“I didn’t wake you because you were sleeping so soundly,” He Rong smiled. “I had them bring some dishes from the cafeteria. You can eat here.”

Xiang Ning hesitated for a moment, then typed a message and handed it over:

[Would it be a bother for you if I eat here?]

“It’s no bother,” He Rong said. “I just ate here myself, didn’t I?”

Xiang Ning felt a bit embarrassed, thinking he had slept through the whole thing, and sat back, his lips pressed together.

“By the way,” He Rong closed the file in his hand and asked, “Do you have any plans this afternoon?”

Xiang Ning shook his head.

“Could you accompany me to the ribbon-cutting ceremony this afternoon?”

Xiang Ning was taken aback, wrinkling his nose before nodding.

He Rong looked at his slightly reluctant face and smiled helplessly.

—

He Rong, of course, couldn’t just bring Xiang Ning alone. Assistant Xiao Ye, who had been instructed by Yuan Qing before she left, was trailing behind the president and his wife, bursting with gossip but unable to share it since he was the only one in the entourage.

Xiang Ning, naturally, had no idea what he was thinking. He was currently tugging at his T-shirt and jeans, unsure if this outfit was too casual for the occasion.

He Rong noticed his concern and reassured him, “Don’t worry, it’s not a formal event. Just think of it as a casual visit.”

He then turned to Xiao Ye, who was following behind, and said, “If there’s anything you can’t tell me, just let him know.”

Xiao Ye nodded vigorously.

Xiang Ning, feeling a bit embarrassed, lowered his head and nervously made his way to the venue.

As soon as He Rong entered, he caught the attention of half the people in the room. He smiled at the middle-aged man walking towards him, “Mr. Wang.”

Mr. Wang shook his hand, his beer belly jiggling as he laughed, “President He, it’s a pleasure to work with you, a pleasure indeed.”

“The event hasn’t started yet, you’re early,” the event planner gestured for them to go inside. “Please take a seat, we’ll get everything arranged quickly.”

“Alright,” Mr. Wang and He Rong walked side by side, with a crowd of people following, pushing Xiang Ning and Xiao Ye to the back. Xiao Ye reached out to steady Xiang Ning, then quickly withdrew his hand and followed behind, maintaining a proper distance.

I! Touched! The president’s wife!

He glanced nervously, but Xiang Ning, unaware, gave him a questioning look.

Xiao Ye quickly smiled, and Xiang Ning returned the smile, still puzzled, before turning back around.

The crowd suddenly stopped, and Xiang Ning and Xiao Ye paused in confusion. He Rong turned around and extended his hand, “Why are you at the back?”

The crowd turned to look. Xiang Ning stared at him, and the next moment, his face turned bright red.

He quickly walked forward and, after a moment’s hesitation, took the offered hand.

The crowd moved on, and Xiao Ye, feeling a bit emboldened, followed a few steps behind, clenching the files in his hand.

Another day of being a lemon, he thought.

—

The event went smoothly. In the end, it was just a matter of standing there and saying a few formal words. The real action would happen at the dinner table. He Rong took a moment to look for someone upstairs, while Xiang Ning sat in a corner, frowning slightly as he held the snacks Xiao Ye had gathered for him.

“What’s wrong?” He Rong asked.

Xiang Ning turned to see him and shook his head.

Xiao Ye, having learned his place, stepped aside to admire the view. He Rong looked at him but said nothing, then turned to Xiang Ning, “Are you bored?”

Xiang Ning nodded, then shook his head.

He Rong smiled helplessly and said, “I have to entertain tonight. Do you want to go home first or stay with me?”

“If you go home first, Xiao Ye will stay with you and make sure you eat something.”

Xiang Ning instinctively covered his stomach. Xiao Ye had been stuffing him with snacks, worried he might not eat enough.

He hesitated. If he went home, He Rong would be left alone. Besides, Yuan Qing had asked him to stay, and it probably wasn’t just to follow him around.

Thinking about this, Xiang Ning took out his phone and typed a message, handing it to He Rong:

[I’ll stay.]

“Alright,” He Rong stood up and patted Xiao Ye. “Thank you for your hard work.”

Xiao Ye, flattered, waved his hands, but then heard the president continue, “Take good care of him tonight. Don’t let anyone pressure him to drink.”

“Understood,” Xiao Ye watched President He leave, shaking his head in his heart:

Ha, just another serving of dog food.

He looked at the president’s wife, who was secretly pushing the snacks aside, and took a sip of milk, feeling a bit teary.

At dinner, Xiang Ning sat nervously next to He Rong, waiting for the event to start. The people at their table exchanged glances, and finally, Mr. Wang, with a smile, broke the silence, “President He, may I introduce you?”

He Rong glanced at Xiang Ning and said, “This is my wife. We just got married and didn’t want to make a big fuss, so we didn’t notify everyone. Here’s to a toast.”

Mr. Wang, of course, didn’t dare to force him to drink. They exchanged toasts, and soon the atmosphere became more relaxed. He Rong used his serving chopsticks to place a shrimp on Xiang Ning’s plate and whispered in his ear, “Just play along.”

Xiang Ning, tense with the shrimp in his mouth, finally managed to force a stiff smile at He Rong. He Rong, seeing this, sighed quietly and pretended to be affectionate, wiping the corner of his mouth.

Those who were secretly watching smiled knowingly. Newlyweds, they understood.

Xiang Ning felt his skin heat up. He rubbed his ear awkwardly and quickly lowered his head to pick up his chopsticks.

—

Even though no one dared to force He Rong to drink, he still had a few glasses. But he was still walking steadily. Xiang Ning, worried, tried to support him but was gently pushed away.

“I’m fine,” He Rong rubbed his forehead and said to Xiao Ye, “Call the driver to bring the car, and you can go home.”

Xiao Ye quickly left. He Rong turned to Xiang Ning, who looked concerned, and smiled, “I’m really fine. Don’t worry, okay?”

Xiang Ning nodded reluctantly. A while later, the driver arrived, and Xiang Ning followed him into the back seat, waving to Xiao Ye, who was standing outside.

He Rong lowered the partition between the front and back seats and finally relaxed, leaning back. After a while, Xiang Ning felt a slight pressure on his shoulder and realized He Rong had fallen asleep. He hesitated for a moment, then subtly adjusted his position to make the man more comfortable.

The car came to a gentle stop, and He Rong woke up at the right moment. He looked at Xiang Ning, who was still a bit stiff, and apologized, then suddenly started to massage his shoulder.

Xiang Ning flinched for a moment but soon relaxed under He Rong’s firm but gentle touch, smiling a bit awkwardly.