From Secretary to Capital Queen

Chapter-10

That evening, not long after Ning Meng got home, she received a video call invitation from You Qi. You Qi blinked her beautiful eyes at the camera and asked, "Is there any extra space in the room you're renting now? I mean, aside from accommodating you, can it hold some of my stuff?"

Ning Meng looked at You Qi's breathtakingly beautiful face, finding it a real treat to behold. She playfully licked her lips and said, "You're so stunning that I'd even hang myself from the ceiling on a rope to make room for you!" You Qi burst into laughter on the other end of the video call.

Ning Meng asked her, "Sure, I can make space. But what exactly are you planning to do, my fairy - like friend?" You Qi replied, "I'm coming back soon. There are a lot of things I'm reluctant to throw away, so I want to mail them back. Could you help me keep them for a while?"

Ning Meng took off her glasses, let down her ponytail, and ran her fingers through her hair, making herself look like a disheveled mess. "Goodness! You're really going through a lot of trouble. Why not just buy new ones when you're back? It'd be cheaper than the shipping fees!" You Qi gave her a sidelong glance, and her coquettish pout was yet another charming sight to Ning Meng.

"That's not the same," You Qi drawled. "These are things I'm attached to. I've had them for so long, and they hold so many memories. It's not about new or old; it's about the sentiment. Anyway, Lao He said that even if the shipping fees are expensive, it doesn't matter as long as I'm happy. He said he can afford it for me! In short, he told me: he's got me covered!" After saying this, You Qi tilted her head and called out, "Right, Lao He?" Her voice suddenly changed from its usual elegance to a rather coquettish tone. Ning Meng shuddered. "Shut up! Keep your lovey - dovey talk to yourself!"

At You Qi's call, a man's face appeared in the camera.

Ning Meng vaguely remembered that the last time she saw this busy Wall Street elite on a video call was over half a year ago. Compared to when she first met him, the He Yueluan on the screen had undergone a remarkable transformation. He was no longer the penniless man who had once been so desperately in pursuit of You Qi.

Back in college, You Qi had been the center of attention with her irresistible beauty. Countless boys were smitten with her, but none were as infatuated and persistent as He Yueluan from the doctoral school. With his unwavering determination, almost bordering on "I'll die if you don't accept me", He Yueluan, despite his lack of family background and wealth, managed to win You Qi's heart. When You Qi and He Yueluan got together, it left many wealthy second - generation boys heartbroken. They were so envious that they seemed to be smashing their luxury brand sunglasses in frustration, cursing, "You chose that poor guy. You'll end up with nothing but hardships!"

However, the scenario they had been eagerly anticipating, where You Qi, the campus belle, made the wrong choice and they both starved, never came to pass. Instead, to their great envy and resentment, after He Yueluan graduated with a doctorate, he went to New York. With his incredible tenacity of "I won't rest until I reach my goal", he quickly made a name for himself on Wall Street. As soon as You Qi graduated from college, he brought her abroad.

He fulfilled his promise in a very public and unapologetic way, showing those who had been waiting to see them fail that he could earn a good living in dollars and allow You Qi to do nothing but focus on looking glamorous. Ning Meng had mixed feelings about this persevering man. On one hand, she felt a bit like her friend had been snatched away; on the other hand, she was glad to see that he treated You Qi well.

He Yueluan leaned closer to the camera and greeted Ning Meng with a smile, "Ning Meng, your messy hairstyle is quite something!" Then he gently kissed You Qi's forehead as she tilted it towards him. Ning Meng felt like she wanted to gouge her own eyes out. "Enough! You two are really laying it on thick, shoving all this couple - stuff in my face!"

He Yueluan smiled, said goodbye to Ning Meng, and then left for work, looking every bit the part in his suit and carrying a briefcase. Ning Meng was puzzled by his disappearing figure. "Aren't you guys He Yueluan smiled, said goodbye to Ning Meng, and then left for work, looking every bit the part in his suit and carrying a briefcase. Ning Meng was puzzled by his disappearing figure. "Aren't you guys coming back soon? Why is he still working so hard?" You Qi replied proudly, "Lao He is a man of principle. Of course, he wants to do his last job well!" Ning Meng rolled her eyes. She thought You Qi had become a lovesick fool since falling in love.

You Qi then asked Ning Meng, "What about you? Have you transferred positions yet?" Ning Meng clenched her fists and said resolutely, "I'll talk to that stubborn boss of mine tomorrow!" You Qi rolled her eyes in disdain. "I seriously doubt you've developed Stockholm syndrome from being bossed around by him! You're always complaining to me about how bad - tempered and demanding he is, treating you like his personal servant. You keep saying you want to change positions, but it's always 'tomorrow' that you end up saying. I just don't get it. Why are you so hesitant when it comes to him?"

Ning Meng scratched her head, trying to come up with a quick response to You Qi's almost accusatory question. "Well, actually, our so - called 'stubborn boss' isn't all bad. For instance, although he has a terrible temper and loves to bark orders like a maniac, he never uses really offensive language. And even though he's incredibly arrogant and has this over - the - top 'bossy' attitude, he does have real skills. I've learned a lot of professional knowledge from him while being his secretary."

Ning Meng got so excited that she couldn't stop talking. "When you mentioned Stockholm syndrome just now, I think the executives in our company might have a touch of it. They seem to be almost eager to get chewed out by Lu Jiming sometimes. One of the quirks of Lu Jiming's scolding is that he's always saying the opposite of what he actually means. The harsher he sounds, the softer his heart actually is."

She rambled on, not realizing that this long - winded speech was starting to sound like a farewell review. Because she was on the verge of leaving, all she could think about were the good aspects of the situation. You Qi was left a bit dumbfounded by Ning Meng's monologue. She blinked several times like a confused fool and said, "This guy sounds quite intriguing with his complex personality! No wonder you keep putting it off. What does your boss look like? Do you have a photo? Let me see!"

Ning Meng thought about the word "intriguing" You Qi had used and involuntarily shuddered. She absent - mindedly searched the web and sent a photo of a random person (pretending it was her boss). You Qi's beautiful face on the screen scrunched up in confusion. "He looks kind of familiar!" Ning Meng felt a bit. "Maybe all not - so - good - looking people share some similarities." You Qi clicked her tongue. "Ning Meng, I'm begging you. Even if your boss has some sort of charm, don't fall for him. Otherwise, it'd be such a waste of your youth!"

This time, it was Ning Meng's turn to roll her eyes. "Beauty, you've got it all wrong. I'm a human, and he's more like a stubborn mule. There's no way we'd be a match!" You Qi widened her eyes. "Thank goodness he looks like that. Otherwise, with you always dragging your feet like this, I'd really think you have a crush on your boss! After all, you're no stranger to secret crushes! A Meng, promise me you'll talk to him tomorrow and tell him you want to change positions!"

Ning Meng thought about the elegant and capable demeanor of the two elite women she had seen during the day. She clenched her fists and nodded firmly. "I will definitely talk to him tomorrow. If I don't, I'll be a female mule!"

The next morning, Ning Meng rushed into Lu Jiming's office as soon as she arrived at the company. Lu Jiming was taken aback by her sudden appearance. "Did I call for you?"

After a moment, he frowned and then relaxed his brow. The change in his expression seemed to convey that since she was already there, he might as well hear her out. He ordered, "Coffee, with sugar, hot. And make sure it's coffee this time! Don't you dare make tea for me again!"

However, Ning Meng stood still. Lu Jiming lowered his head to flip through a few pages of documents. When he looked up again, he saw Ning Meng standing in front of him like a determined soldier, showing no intention of moving. He threw his pen on the table. "