From Secretary to Capital Queen

Chapter-13

Ning Meng encountered Lu Jiming while on her way to the water dispenser. She regarded it as an unnecessary meeting. Later, however, a colleague whose workstation was close to the aisle informed her that while the 'encounter' part was accurate, the 'accidental' aspect was highly suspect.

"Mr. Lu walked back and forth in front of my workstation several times this morning. He was either on his way to the restroom or would stop to ask someone a question, but he seemed distracted, and the person being questioned was left feeling puzzled. I was the most nervous. Every time he passed by, I felt like my gallbladder was about to leap out of my throat, fearing that he'd notice me and suddenly transfer me to fill the secretary's position, leaving me with no choice but to resign tomorrow!"

Lu Jiming's nerve - wracking wandering behavior "coincidentally" ended precisely when Ning Meng came out to get water. Thus, when Ning Meng emerged from the Project Department's office area, she ran into Lu Jiming, who was "coincidentally" passing by.

Upon "coincidentally" spotting her, Lu Jiming pointed at her in an imperious manner. "Hey, you! Yes, you, Ning Meng. Come over here!"

Ning Meng had no option but to follow Lu Jiming into the small meeting room, carrying an empty cup.

Lu Jiming sat back in the leather chair near the door of the small meeting room, crossing his legs. When he sat there without uttering a word, he looked as handsome as the positive and sunny male lead in an idol drama. However, the moment he broke the stillness, his slightly raised eyebrows, faintly pursed lips, and cold gaze instantly transformed him into a villainous character.

Ning Meng stood in front of Lu Jiming, enduring his scrutiny. His eyes, which always seemed flirtatious when they fixed on someone, were now trained on her.

Ning Meng could vaguely sense why Lu Jiming had called her over and what kind of remarks he would make and in what tone.

Sure enough.

"How's it going? Can't hold out much longer, right?"

The tone and mood of Lu Jiming's opening words were exactly as Ning Meng had anticipated. It was filled with that kind of mocking undertone that said, "You're not up to it. You definitely can't make it, and I'm just waiting to watch you fail."

However, there was something that caught her off - guard.

With a quick mental calculation, she deduced a great deal of complex implications from this simple sentence, "Can't hold out much longer, right?"

He thought she was on the verge of giving up, which meant he was aware that she was having a tough time in Project Department Two.

Furthermore, it indicated that he was likely aware of the "difficulties" Qiu Junlin, that narrow - minded man, was causing her. In other words, he knew about the "small shoes" Qiu Junlin was making her wear.

But he remained indifferent and didn't use his sense of justice to condemn a department head lacking in generosity. Instead, he watched from the sidelines...

So, Ning Meng surmised that Lu Jiming was willing to abet Qiu Junlin, waiting for Qiu to push her to the brink so that she would return and become his secretary again.

He really thought highly of her in a rather twisted way!

A stubborn streak welled up in Ning Meng. She straightened her back, held her head high, and replied, as resolute as an unyielding young pine, "I'm doing just fine. Director Qiu is helping me grow, and I think it's great!"

Lu Jiming's brows knitted together, and his temper flared.

"Fine, fine! If you think it's great, then the next two months will be even'more enjoyable' for you!"

Ning Meng was also provoked into showing a bit of her temper. She blurted out her pent - up frustration, "Mr. Lu, I don't get it. Are you really that dependent on me as a secretary? What's so special about me?"

Lu Jiming tapped his fingers on the meeting table and sneered.

"I spent three years training you, transforming you from a clueless newbie into an elegant and outstanding white - collar worker. Now that you've got some skills, you think you can just take off? Do you think I can just let this go?"

Ning Meng pondered over these words and found them rather laughable.

It wasn't training; it was three years of being tormented!

She pushed her glasses and decided not to hold back any longer. "Mr. Lu, you'd better not 'let this go.' Usually, when people swallow their pride like that, they end up in a bad situation."

Lu Jiming's fingers, which had been tapping on the table, suddenly froze. The drumming sound stopped abruptly. The small meeting room fell into a hushed silence, making the two people's interlaced breathing sounds seem as loud as howling gales.

Ning Meng wasn't sure if she was afraid. She didn't know if Lu Jiming would fly into a rage and charge at her the next moment. She had never interacted with Lu Jiming in such an unguarded way before. In the past, she always tailored her words, actions, and reactions to his temper, never being this unruly.

After a few seconds of silence, Lu Jiming let out a scornful laugh.

It was a mocking laugh.

"Ning Meng, it seems I don't really know you. So, you're this bold when talking to me!"

Ning Meng pushed her glasses again. After that, the slight tremble in her fingertips finally subsided.

"Mr. Lu, I'm actually quite a vexing person. Now that my true colors are showing, if I were to go back and be your secretary again, I'd probably drive you to the brink of anger."

Lu Jiming furrowed his brows and stared at her intently, his gaze as sharp as an electric current.

Under his intense scrutiny, Ning Meng's fingertips itched to push her glasses again. She forced herself to remain calm and resisted the urge.

She braced herself, waiting for Lu Jiming to erupt in anger.

However, to her surprise, Lu Jiming let out another scornful laugh.

Strangely, this laugh didn't seem to be any more mocking than the previous one. In fact, it seemed to carry a hint of genuine amusement.

"Ning Meng," Lu Jiming called her name, and his tone seemed a bit different from before. There was an added sense of focus. "Being stubborn won't get you anywhere. If you can't take it anymore, come back and be my secretary. No one else is as useful as you!"

With that, Lu Jiming stood up and walked straight out of the meeting room. His haughty demeanor as he pushed the door open was like that of an arrogant peacock.

Ning Meng stared at his retreating back. No longer restraining herself, she let her fingertips tremble freely as she gritted her teeth in anger.

He looked down on her, didn't he? Just because she was useful, did that mean she was destined to be his servant for life? Fine, thanks to his low opinion of her, she had never been more determined. She would prove herself and slap his face with her achievements!

That night, when she got home from work, Ning Meng was rubbing her sore neck while having a video call with You Qi.

She asked You Qi, "When on earth are you coming back? Another month has passed in a flash, but you're still abroad. You're breaking my heart! If you don't come back soon, my rental contract will expire. I'm telling you, if you're not here when I move, I'll throw away all the junk you mailed back!"

You Qi quickly assured her that she was coming soon, which only earned her a snort of disdain from Ning Meng.

"I'm really coming soon. If it weren't for some unexpected issues, I'd already be back," You Qi told Ning Meng. "Lao He met an old friend while handling the project handover. This old friend is the boss of a large company in China. When he heard that Lao He was coming back, he tried his best to recruit him and even said he'd cover the liquidated damages for the company Lao He had already signed with in China. I think I'll be able to go back once they've sorted everything out."

Ning Meng rubbed her neck and asked, "What kind of company is it?"

You Qi said, "I didn't ask in detail. It's probably in the securities, fund, or insurance industry."

Ning Meng was speechless at her casualness.

You Qi noticed that Ning Meng kept rubbing her neck and asked, "A Meng, is working on projects really that tiring?"

Ning Meng, looking haggard, nodded vigorously, her hair swaying messily.

"Extremely tiring!"

You Qi said, "I feel sorry for you. Do you regret it?"

Ning Meng pushed her disheveled hair behind her ears and said, "Ask me if I'd rather jump off a building or go back and be Lu Jiming's secretary."

You Qi asked, "So, which one would you choose?"

Ning Meng replied with the determination of a martyr, "Jump off a building!"