"Zhang Xin and Zhou Ye have many friends, with several group chats where everyone is discussing Miss Zhan's matters. They don't believe Miss Zhan has such poor judgment, saying she definitely doesn't like Mu Bai. Also, they have some photos that they've all sent to me, begging me to show them to you."
Liu Ning, afraid Zhan Xiaojun would avoid reality and refuse to look, immediately raised his phone, ensuring Zhan Xiaojun could clearly see pictures of Mu Bai's debauched moments with various women.
These were the first photos Zhan Xiaojun had seen.
From the original owner's memories, she could already guess Mu Bai wasn't a good person.
He was only attractive because of his decent looks and seemingly proper demeanor, which had captivated the original owner.
Now, seeing these photos, her stomach felt slightly uneasy.
So, with a grim expression, she said, "The talk about me liking him is just rumor. These photos are an eyesore; why not delete them?"
"That's good! I was afraid you'd be fooled by his appearance; many young girls in Yancheng have been deceived by him."
Seeing Zhan Xiaojun's disgusted look as she viewed the photos, Liu Ning knew Zhan Xiaojun was telling the truth, that she genuinely found Mu Bai repulsive.
His anxious heart finally settled.
He knew it; Miss Zhan wasn't someone with such poor taste. How could she possibly like Mu Bai!
If she liked anyone, it would be their boss!
The elevator soon arrived.
It wasn't the highest floor.
It was the tenth.
Zhan Xiaojun's lips curved slightly, a faint smile appearing. It seemed he didn't believe her words were mere bluster.
Ning Yecheng heard the sound and, turning from his position by the floor-to-ceiling window, looked towards Zhan Xiaojun.
Outside, towering buildings.
Standing by the window, he suddenly felt a sense of distance.
Even a touch of loneliness.
Zhan Xiaojun's heart gave a slight tremor.
She realized she was momentarily lost in thought and quickly regained her composure.
"You called me here for something?" she asked softly.
"To see how the feng shui is?" Ning Yecheng's deep eyes met hers as he spread his arms, inviting Zhan Xiaojun to survey his new office.
Perhaps it was because of her earlier words, but he found the place quite pleasing.
He had a good mood after working all day.
Previously, his evenings were rarely so pleasant.
Zhan Xiaojun walked over and stood by the floor-to-ceiling window. The sky outside had darkened, streetlights and lights from opposite buildings were on, and she could even see people working overtime in the adjacent buildings.
"It's acceptable. Even lower floors wouldn't suit you. You can work here," Zhan Xiaojun said.
Her mood felt somewhat heavy, influenced by something she couldn't quite pinpoint.
Perhaps she was homesick again?
While this place was indeed filled with skyscrapers and offered more convenience, her family was not here. Her parents and brothers were waiting for her return.
Zhan Xiaojun's low mood arrived quickly and left just as fast. With a shift in her thoughts, she felt an opportunity to make money had arrived.
"I can tell there are likely many people who want you dead. You need a protective charm, an absolutely effective one. Do you want it?" Zhan Xiaojun's eyes twinkled with a smile.
Ning Yecheng looked at her smile and curved his lips. "Got your eyes on the money?"
He felt as though he was merely a walking treasury to her, someone she'd promote when she wanted to make money.
"I have the ability, and you have the need. It's a win-win situation," Zhan Xiaojun said, her smile lively as she winked at Ning Yecheng.
Ability?
Need?
Ning Yecheng's eyes deepened. Did she realize these words could have another interpretation?
One that could easily lead a man to misunderstand?
Clearly, her smile was open and innocent; she hadn't realized it.
"How much for a protective charm?" Ning Yecheng narrowed his eyes, pulling a cigarette from his pack and placing it between his lips.
Zhan Xiaojun held up her index finger. "A price based on conscience: one million."
In her previous life, many people sought her medical consultations or fortune-telling, with charges starting at least at one thousand taels.
Of course, sometimes she wouldn't accept even one tael of silver, depending entirely on her mood.
Liu Ning, standing by the door, flinched violently when he heard Zhan Xiaojun quote a million.
She really dared to name such a price!
Without batting an eye.
As if she frequently charged people like this.
Zhan Xiaojun was well aware of Ning Yecheng's financial capacity. As the head of the Ning family, his life was worth a great deal.
"Is it the same price for other protective charms?" Ning Yecheng took the cigarette and put it to his lips.
Zhan Xiaojun frowned. "Not necessarily. It depends on the status and value of each client. Compared to Mr. Ning's life, one million is a price offered out of friendship after knowing each other for some time. Also, you have an injury; smoking is not good for it."
Ning Yecheng smiled.
The girl before him was truly intelligent.
Clever, agile, and stunningly beautiful.
Her asking price was exorbitant, but she was frank and sincere.
He glanced at the cigarette in his hand and placed it back in the pack.
Liu Ning's eyes widened as he saw Ning Yecheng put the cigarette away. His boss truly treated Miss Zhan differently!
Zhan Xiaojun rummaged through her bag.
She happened to have a few protective charms inside.
After receiving Madam Ning's call, she had made several. When she parted ways with Madam Ning earlier, she had given her one.
The extras were originally intended for Lin Ya and Lin Jing.
She found one and handed it to Ning Yecheng. "Just keep it on you. Don't let it get wet."
Ning Yecheng looked down at the protective charm in his palm.
It was small.
A charm tied with a red string.
It looked no different from the ones sold by so-called masters outside.
However, he believed her words; this charm would surely be effective.
Moreover, his slightly cool palm seemed to be receiving waves of warmth.
Perhaps it was a psychological effect?
"Let's go back to Yuwan Villa."
"Mm."
The next day.
Ning Yecheng woke up at seven in the morning.
He had slept for nine hours!
Yesterday, during his acupuncture session, Zhan Xiaojun had mentioned that wearing the protective charm while sleeping could aid in rest.
He hadn't really taken her words to heart then.
He had thought it was just the young girl wanting to justify the million she had charged.
But now, it seemed he had gotten a bargain?
How many years had it been?
Since he could sleep nine hours without waking up?
He came downstairs and saw Liu Ning waiting for him on the sofa.
Upon seeing Ning Yecheng, Liu Ning looked astonished. "Boss, you just woke up! From ten last night until now?"
He had been by his boss's side for so many years and had never witnessed such a thing!
"Mm."
Hearing the reply, Liu Ning's eyes widened even further.
It was simply unbelievable!
Nine hours!
And looking at his boss's complexion now, there was a world of difference!
He admired Miss Zhan's medical skills even more!
"Miss Zhan left at six-thirty," Liu Ning added.
Ning Yecheng nodded. Her waking time was extremely precise; she wouldn't leave Yuwan Villa later than six-thirty.
As he sat at the dining table, he took out his phone.
He saw a WeChat message from his grandmother.
An image, a protective charm.
Identical to the one he was wearing now.
"Boss, the old madam posted on her Moments that Miss Zhan gave her a protective charm! It was... a gift, just like the one you have!"
Liu Ning exclaimed, holding up his phone in astonishment.