"Your dad is Jing Youyi?" Nightwing expertly steered the car onto the road.
Jing Yiyi's eyes widened in suspicion, "Is my dad already that famous?"
Nightwing chuckled, "You're a bit out of the loop. The news about the Jing Corporation's CEO having an affair has already spread throughout the entire elite circle."
"Your dad was caught red-handed by the media."
He spoke calmly, without considering how much pain his words would cause Jing Yiyi.
Jing Yiyi's face slowly turned grim, "You're spouting nonsense!"
Her dad wasn't that kind of person at all!
Besides, she hadn't heard a word about this from her mother.
Nightwing shrugged, "Sorry, I didn't realize you actually didn't know."
He said "sorry" but his face showed no remorse.
Jing Yiyi clenched her small fists, suppressing the urge to slap him. She angrily said, "Stop the car! I want to get out!"
What use is being handsome if he's also crazy!
Nightwing raised an eyebrow, "You were the one who insisted on getting in the car, and now you want to get out just like that? Do you really think I'm just a driver?"
He drawled, "Too late—"
With that, he didn't stop the car. Instead, he brazenly sped down the street.
The evening breeze whipped Jing Yiyi's hair wildly across her face, obscuring her gritted teeth.
"You bastard!!"
Nightwing arrogantly picked at his ear, "What did you say? I couldn't hear you—"
Half an hour later, in front of the Jing family residence.
Jing Yiyi stumbled out of the car, throwing up everything she had eaten.
Nightwing rolled down his window and whistled, "I won't charge you for the ride, Miss Jing, bye~"
Jing Yiyi straightened up, fuming, and yanked open the passenger door. She grabbed his collar, "State your name!"
Nightwing frowned, feigning surprise, "Miss Jing, don't tell me you've fallen for me? You'll have to join the queue."
Jing Yiyi gritted her teeth, "I've never met anyone as shameless as you."
Nightwing shrugged, "Thanks for the compliment. My name is Nightwing, and I stand by it."
Jing Yiyi let go, "Nightwing, is it? You'd better pray you don't run into me again, or this lady will make you pay!"
With that, she slammed the car door shut.
She didn't have time to argue with this jerk. She needed to go home and ask her mother if what he said was true!
Jing's mother was shocked to see Jing Yiyi's state. "Yiyi! Didn't you go out for dinner? Why do you look like you've been mugged?"
Jing Yiyi didn't care about her appearance at that moment; only one thing occupied her mind.
"Did Daddy cheat?"
Jing's mother's face stiffened, "Who told you?"
She had thought she had suppressed the matter, and all the media outlets had been generously compensated for their silence.
Seeing her mother's reaction, Jing Yiyi already had an idea. Her eyes welled up, tears shimmering, but she still refused to believe it, "Did that woman seduce Daddy? Did she?!"
Jing's mother placed a hand on her shoulder, "Calm down, Yiyi, let me explain."
Jing Yiyi bit her lip, tears streaming down her face, "Mom, how can I be calm? I just can't believe that the Daddy who doted on me so much, the Daddy who kissed you goodbye every time he left the house, would cheat!"
Jing's mother gave a bitter smile, "Yes, if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes, who would believe it? In fact, your father has been with her for several years."
"When I found out, I was also very devastated. But you were abroad then, and I didn't want to affect you. Your father also didn't want me to tell you, and begged me not to mention it in front of you, to preserve his image as a loving father."
"He has cut ties with that woman, and I thought it was for the best. It's better to have less trouble. Our family can just be like before."
Jing Yiyi murmured, "Just like before? How can it be like before? No wonder there were several nights when I went downstairs for water and saw you on the living room sofa, and you told me Daddy was snoring, and you were alone. So that's what it was, you didn't want to share a bed with Daddy anymore."
"After all these years of marriage, I can't bear to divorce," Jing's mother smiled. "So, let's just leave it as it is, and get by."
Suddenly, Jing Yiyi had a flash of inspiration. "Is this why you wanted me to go on a blind date with Ji Zhixiu as soon as I got back?"
Jing's mother nodded, "Half and half. You're old enough now, and you'll eventually need to find a partner. Since you have to, you might as well find someone reliable. I think Mr. Ji is very good, young and promising."
Jing Yiyi's eyes were teary, "Mom..."
She didn't know what to do. Seeing her mother's pain, perhaps she should advise her to divorce.
But if her parents divorced, would this family still be complete? She would no longer be a child with both parents.
Jing's mother embraced her, "Yiyi, don't overthink it. As long as you are happy, Mom will be satisfied."
Jing Yiyi nodded tearfully, "I understand, Mom."
...
Jiang Mian was a bit dazed when she received the call. Sister Ning said that the company had a new acting president who wanted to hold a meeting for them.
Jiang Mian thought about it carefully. Her management company had fewer than a hundred people in total, yet they had an acting president.
Despite her thoughts, she obediently went to the conference room.
As soon as she entered, Jiang Mian had a vague feeling that something was wrong.
It wasn't until she saw Sister Ning that Jiang Mian realized what the problem was. She lowered her voice, "Sister Ning, why am I the only artist here?"
Sister Ning replied, "How would I know? The acting president specifically instructed me to bring you here, saying you are the backbone of our company."
Jiang Mian felt a little embarrassed. She was only somewhat famous now; she was far from being the backbone.
As they were speaking, the glass door opened.
A man in a suit slowly entered.
He spotted Jiang Mian from across the room and, disregarding the curious glances of others, winked at her.
Jiang Mian pressed her forehead, someone please tell her why Nightwing was the acting president of the company?
Nightwing leisurely walked to his seat and sat down, "Hello everyone, I'm Nightwing. I'm very happy that all the directors and department heads are here for this meeting. My speech is concluded."
Jiang Mian couldn't bear to watch. This man was so arrogant. Was he calling them here just to say that nonsense?
Sister Ning frowned and looked at him, "Mr. Night, do you have anything else to say?"
Prompted by her, Nightwing gave her a direct look and nodded, "Very good, that's a good question. I have one more very important thing to announce."
Everyone straightened up in their seats.
"I propose that in the new year, our company fully support Jiang Mian, striving to create a shining star of the future. What do you say? Does anyone have any objections?"
Jiang Mian silently turned her head away. What was he even saying?
Sister Ning paused for a moment. Jiang Mian was her artist, and she was naturally happy that she would receive attention. "I agree."
Someone spoke up, "Jiang Mian does have a lot of buzz recently, but I'd still like to know what 'fully support' means?"
Nightwing twirled a pen in one hand and rested his head on the other, "It means giving Jiang Mian priority for all the best resources. You don't need to worry about resource availability; I'll fight for the rest. Our goal is to crush Luo Entertainment!"
Someone let out a laugh, "Mr. Night, I know you have great ambitions, but you may not be fully aware of the situation yet. Saying that might seem arrogant. How can our company compare to Luo Entertainment?"
All the directors knew that their small company was just a whim of the president years ago, barely surviving.
Over time, those with ambition had left.
Only they, the old and leisurely, remained, content with their current situation.
Nightwing put down his pen, glanced at the speaker, and said coldly, "Are you looking down on me with those words?"
The man froze mid-laugh, suddenly feeling a chill in the air. He sheepishly said, "Not at all, sir. Of course, that's not what I meant."
Seeing the atmosphere turn tense, Sister Ning intervened, "Mr. Night's reputation precedes him. Under Mr. Night's leadership, our company will surely prosper."
Nightwing clapped his hands and smiled, "That's right. Learn from this..." He paused, then turned to Sister Ning, "What's your name?"
Sister Ning replied, "Zhao Ning. Everyone calls me Sister Ning."
"Very good. Learn from this Sister Ning." Nightwing started to clap.
Sparse applause followed, but Nightwing didn't seem to care.
He grinned and waved his hand, "Alright, meeting adjourned. Jiang Mian, stay behind."
Before leaving, Sister Ning glanced at Jiang Mian, who gave her a reassuring smile.
Once everyone else had left, Jiang Mian frowned, "Nightwing, what exactly are you up to?"
Ever since she met Nightwing, she hadn't been able to figure out what this man was trying to do. Everything about him was strange.
Nightwing clutched his chest, "Sister, you wound me. What am I trying to do? I went through all this trouble to get into this lousy company just so I could see you."
Jiang Mian pulled down the brim of her hat, suppressing the urge to roll her eyes. She said in a soft voice, "Alright, stop acting. Do you think you're some kind of tragic beauty?"
Nightwing removed his hand and leaned on the table, smiling, "Don't overthink it. I'm just a businessman, driven by profit. I see potential in you."
Jiang Mian's bright, sparkling eyes stared at him, "Nightwing, can you tell me what your identity really is?"
She was extremely curious about this question. Nightwing always managed to appear in ways she never expected.
Nightwing clicked his tongue, "Sister, curiosity is the beginning of love. Don't tell me you've fallen for me?"
Jiang Mian took a deep breath. Knowing that this man never spoke the truth, why was she still asking?
After a couple of breaths, Jiang Mian's expression became composed, and she smiled, "Mr. Night, you do have a sense of humor. Since there's nothing else, I'll be going now."
Nightwing nodded, picking up the tea on the table, "Shall I give you a ride?"
"No—need!"
Watching her huff out the door, Nightwing's smile widened.
She was so adorable!
It was truly fortunate for that old man Ji Zhixiu.