Chapter 1324: 228: An old friend

Secretary Wen followed behind.

After returning to the boat, Ni Yang sliced up the watermelon. The bright red flesh with specks of black seeds released a fresh, sweet aroma into the air.

Ni Yang handed a piece to Secretary Wen, “Try it. See if it’s sweet.”

Secretary Wen took the watermelon and bit into it with gusto, “Sweet! Ms. Ni, you’re amazing. You can tell just by looking which watermelon is ripe!”

Ni Yang replied, “We grow a lot of watermelons on our land. Every time, it’s me and my younger sister who go and pick them. Maybe it’s just practice that makes perfect.”

Hearing this, Secretary Wen remarked in surprise, “Ms. Ni, your family lives in the countryside?”

“Yep,” Ni Yang nodded.

Secretary Wen was even more astonished.

She had assumed Ni Yang was heir to a family business, but it turned out she was born and raised as a farmer.

To go from having nothing to achieving what she has today—Ni Yang was simply extraordinary.

After they finished half the watermelon, Secretary Wen volunteered to row, “Ms. Ni, why don’t we circle around West Lake first?”

“Alright,” Ni Yang nodded.

Secretary Wen had considerable rowing skills, standing in the boat’s cabin as steadily as if she were on solid ground. Ni Yang nibbled on some snacks while admiring the lake’s scenery.

Suddenly, the cabin shook violently.

“Bang!”

Seeing the teapot precariously tipping off the table, Ni Yang swiftly reached out and grabbed it just in time.

“What happened?” Ni Yang stepped outside the cabin.

Secretary Wen, holding the oar, looked embarrassed and said, “Uh, Ms. Ni, I—I think I bumped into another boat…”

Ni Yang tilted her head to check and, sure enough, the bow of their boat had collided with the stern of another.

In the opposing cabin sat a man and a woman.

The young woman put down her teacup, “I’ll step outside to have a look. Please wait here.”

The man, dressed in a moon-white vintage long robe, was holding a string of crimson Buddha Beads in his hands. His entire demeanor exuded a refined elegance.

He nodded slightly in response.

The young woman stepped out onto the deck.

Seeing who had come, Secretary Wen’s eyes widened in surprise!

Oh my god!

Isn’t this Liu Bingjie?

She looked even more stunning than she did on TV!

Secretary Wen was beside herself with excitement.

Ni Yang approached, her face apologetic, “I’m so sorry, Ms. Liu. I hope you weren’t startled. My friend here is visiting West Lake for the first time and got a little overexcited, accidentally bumping into your boat. Wen Ye, hurry up and come apologize to Ms. Liu.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Bingjie’s expression darkened.

From Ni Yang’s choice of address, it was clear she had sought her out intentionally.

Otherwise, how could she have recognized her at a glance?

These kinds of people were so annoying! She didn’t even know how they got wind of her plans to go boating on West Lake today. They just wouldn’t leave her alone!

Could these people give her any privacy at all?

Secretary Wen hurriedly ran forward, “Ms. Liu, I’m so sorry! I really didn’t mean to!”

Liu Bingjie frowned slightly, “Do you people ever stop? Yes, I’m a celebrity, but I also have a private life! Following me like this, what exactly are you trying to accomplish?”

Ni Yang kept her smile intact, “Ms. Liu, I think there’s been a misunderstanding. We weren’t following you. This was purely an accident.”

“An accident?” The corners of Liu Bingjie’s mouth drew into a mocking smile as she stared at Ni Yang.

If Ni Yang wasn’t here for her, was she here for the man in the cabin?

Judging by Ni Yang’s stylish outfit and striking looks, she probably came from a wealthy urban family. Perhaps she had learned that Du was in the cabin and had purposefully orchestrated the collision?

Liu Bingjie continued, “Stop pretending! Do you really think I don’t know what’s going on in your mind?”

At that moment, a figure walked out from the cabin.

Hearing footsteps behind her, Liu Bingjie’s lips curled slightly.

Everyone knew Du despised women who threw themselves at him. Ni Yang was definitely in for a harsh lesson.

But just as Liu Bingjie was anticipating Du’s anger, a surprised voice rang out: “Ni Yang?”

Du had found the outside commotion strangely familiar from inside the cabin, and now realized it was indeed Ni Yang.

Ni Yang was equally surprised, “Brother Du? When did you come to Hang City?”

“I’ve been here for a few days. Did you come alone, or with Pei Zhi?” Du replied.

Ni Yang smiled, “I’m here with my secretary for a business trip. Brother Du, why don’t you come aboard? I just bought some watermelon, and there’s still plenty left.”

“Sure,” Du nodded.

Beside him, Liu Bingjie froze.

Wha-What was going on here?

They knew each other?

“You should come along too,” Du said to Liu Bingjie, and then turned to Ni Yang to introduce, “This is Liu Bingjie.”

Liu Bingjie quickly composed herself, smiling as she greeted Ni Yang, “Hello, I’m Liu Bingjie.”

Her attitude was worlds apart from earlier.

Ni Yang calmly nodded, “Hello.”

Secretary Wen curiously observed Liu Bingjie and Du.

She was very curious about who this Du was, to be able to reduce Liu Bingjie to such docility.

“Come in and have a seat,” Ni Yang made a ‘please’ gesture.

Liu Bingjie followed Du into the cabin.

The cabin wasn’t large, but seating four people was still spacious enough.

Ni Yang placed the sliced watermelon on the table, “There aren’t any cups on board, so please just enjoy the watermelon for now, Brother Du.”

“Thank you.” Liu Bingjie no longer dared to show any passive-aggressive behavior.

Judging by Du’s demeanor, it was evident that Ni Yang’s identity wasn’t simple. Liu Bingjie deeply regretted her earlier attitude and worried that Ni Yang might complain to Du!

She had worked so hard to cling to Du’s influential network…

Liu Bingjie anxiously glanced at Ni Yang.

Ni Yang continued, “Brother Du, we’re heading back tomorrow. Would you like to accompany us to Beijing? Duoduo has been saying she misses you.”

Du shook his head, “I won’t be going this time.”

Ni Yang then asked, “Speaking of which, didn’t Sister Jiaojiao come with you?”

“I came alone on this visit,” Du replied, biting into a slice of watermelon.

The watermelon had been cut into chunks, and while eating it directly wasn’t the most graceful, it somehow appeared exceptionally elegant when Du did it.

What stood out most was that Du rarely ate things offered by others. Ni Yang noted that all this time, she had never seen him touch a single cup of tea or snack she prepared for him before.

Exactly who was this Ni Yang?

She must be someone significant if Du treated her this way.

Liu Bingjie was lost in thought, overwhelmed with regret.

Du slowly finished his slice of watermelon before commenting, “The watermelon is very sweet.”

Ni Yang smiled, “Of course it’s sweet. I personally picked it. How could it not be?”

Du chuckled lightly and reached for another slice of watermelon.

This year’s watermelons seemed particularly sweet.

Ni Yang glanced at Liu Bingjie and added, “Ms. Liu, have some watermelon too. Don’t hold back.”

“Oh, alright,” Liu Bingjie replied, picking up a slice of watermelon.

Noticing Ni Yang didn’t seem inclined to complain, Liu Bingjie finally relaxed and forced herself to finish the piece of watermelon, even though it tasted like wax to her.

In the afternoon, Ni Yang, Secretary Wen, Du, and Liu Bingjie strolled around Hang City together. Hang City had many historical buildings, and since it was the weekend, the area was crowded, nearly bustling to the point of congestion.

Being a local, Liu Bingjie was quite familiar with Hang City and provided commentary as they walked.

While navigating an especially crowded street, Ni Yang was accidentally jostled by a young girl. Du instinctively reached out to steady her, but halfway to touching the fabric of her clothes, he abruptly withdrew his hand.

His long fingers retreated into his sleeve, clenched into a fist, while his refined features betrayed no sign of emotion.

“There are too many people here. We should head back; it’s getting late,” Du suggested calmly.

Ni Yang nodded, “Alright, let’s head back. I need to catch an early train tomorrow morning anyway.”

Du added, “I have some things to deal with tomorrow, so I won’t be able to see you off.”

Ni Yang waved her hand, “No need, no need. I’m not a three-year-old who needs an escort. Focus on your work.”

Du nodded slightly.

The four parted ways, Ni Yang and Secretary Wen heading back to the inn while Du and Liu Bingjie went in the opposite direction.

As they walked, Secretary Wen chatted with Ni Yang, “Ms. Ni, why didn’t you seize the moment to discuss the spokesperson deal with Liu Bingjie? I think she’s quite wary of Du, and if you had brought it up, she would likely have agreed.”

Ni Yang shook her head, “Liu Bingjie isn’t suitable as our spokesperson.”

“Why not?” Secretary Wen asked quizzically.

Ni Yang explained, “She’s too arrogant and lacks stability. A spokesperson is like a company’s ambassador—they represent the image of the brand.”

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