It did not take long for Ning Ran to finish giving her statement.
After all, she did not need to explain too much since she really could not be held accountable for what happened.
Exiting the police station, Qiao Zhan asked if she would like to go to the hospital to visit her father, but she refused.
Since he would not be dying anytime soon, she did not want to see him at all.
She had only just settled in her car seat when her phone rang.
Cheng Xiangyun’s annoyed voice came through the phone, “Damn it. Why is this happening now? You shouldn’t appear out in public anymore lest people recognize you. The drama has only started advertising, and now this happens! What are we supposed to do!”
“Sorry. I didn’t want this to happen either,” Ning Ran murmured in a frustrated tone.
“We’ll talk later. Wang Xiaoou is calling a meeting to discuss how the company is going to handle this. I’ll let you know what the results are after the meeting.”
“Okay. Sorry for troubling you again.”
“It’s fine. Alright, I have to drive now.”
When Ning Ran ended the call, she saw that Qiao Zhan was on the phone as well.
“Sir Chen is at the equestrian club and wants me to bring you over there,” he said.
“Okay.”
She was well aware that she was in deep trouble again. The company had only just decided on how to build her image, and then this happened.
Hence, she knew the company would have to waste a lot of resources to deal with this mess.
Although this was technically all Ning Ziqiang’s fault, she was the one the company signed a contract with, not him. Since her private business had affected the company, she would need to bear responsibility for it.
Her only option was to face the music.
The equestrian club was nearly 30 kilometers away from the city, out in the countryside. The scenery here was amazing with fresh, clean air. It was the perfect spot to go horseback riding.
Qiao Zhan stated, “Sir Chen is riding with a very important guest right now. We’re to wait for him at the lounge. Please follow me.”
They were brought to a private lounge room specifically set aside for Nan Chen’s use. One of the staff brought her a cup of coffee.
Lost in her thoughts, Ning Ran took a gulp and nearly spit out the hot liquid.
She pulled out her phone and went online, discovering that the internet was filled with scornful comments again.
The last time something similar had happened was the incident with Zheng Lunlun. The hatred and disdain for her then had exploded too.
Having experienced it once before, she was not as bothered by their scathing accusations this time around.
However, she was still human, not an emotionless robot. Even the calmest person would still be upset at the vile insults being hurled her way.
Thus, she decided she might as well not read them since that would only serve to make her angrier.
Twenty minutes later, somebody entered the room.
It was Nan Chen, dressed in a pair of tight-fitting pants and riding boots. He was also wearing a protective helmet.
The way he was dressed now was a far cry from what she was used to seeing him wear. He was still as handsome as ever, just in a different way.
He unclasped his helmet, stripped off his gloves, and began to take off his safety vest.
Ning Ran stared at him dumbly, not sure what to say.
“Are you going to watch me undress?” he asked.
“No!” She flapped her hands at him wildly before pointedly turning her head around.
From behind her came the rustling sound of him taking off his clothes, causing her cheeks to warm in a blush.
Stupid woman, why didn’t you just leave the room? I must have been more affected by the earlier events than I thought.
Soon after, she heard a door click shut. Nan Chen must have gone to take a shower in the adjoining bathroom.
Only then did Ning Ran turn back around.
At that moment, Nan Chen’s phone chimed from where it had been placed on the table. It was the ringtone for a video call.
She was tempted to see who was calling but forcefully squashed the urge.
However, the phone continued to ring, and her curiosity peaked.
She went over and picked up the phone. The caller ID showed an unknown number.
After a few seconds of thought, she set the phone down. I shouldn’t answer someone else’s phone.
Abruptly, she heard some noise from behind her. Lifting her head, she spotted Nan Chen walking out of the bathroom clad only in his underwear.
His body was well-built with not a hint of fat on him. It was the perfect body for being a model.
“Are you enjoying the view?” Nan Chen’s cold voice spoke up.
Ning Ran very nearly replied with an affirmative before she came back to her senses and stopped herself.
“How could you come out naked?” she accused.
“I’m wearing my underwear. How could you say that I’m naked? Men wear something similar when swimming, don’t they? What’s the difference then?” he retorted.
Ning Ran was left speechless.
He moved to put on his shirt, and she hurriedly spun around.
“Stop pretending. You’ve already seen everything.”
“I didn’t!”
“You were staring at me for at least twenty seconds! You’re saying you didn’t see anything?”
“I didn’t,” she protested weakly as a flush crept up her face again.
Even though she was already a mother of two, her relationship experience was incredibly simple. In fact, it could be said that she had basically no experience in such matters.
That was why she did not know how to react other than feeling nervous or panicked when she was faced with such situations.
Or maybe it’s just that this man is too attractive.
When he was done, Nan Chen called out to Ning Ran, “You know how to tie a necktie, don’t you?”
“You know as well. Why should I help you?”
“Because I’m your boss.”
“An employee is not obligated to help her boss put on his necktie!”
“You’ve caused a huge mess right at a critical moment. The negative backlash from your actions has caused the company to suffer huge losses. If I were to pursue this matter, you wouldn’t be able to pay me back even in your next lifetime! Is having you put on a necktie for me too much to ask for?”
Nan Chen’s voice was as chilly as a winter breeze.
At that, Ning Ran rushed forward to help him put on his necktie.
I can’t afford to offend a capitalist like him. There would be no way to escape him if I did!
Her movements this time were not as deft as before since she kept getting distracted. Images of his muscled body kept flashing through her mind.
Damn it, what are you thinking, woman!
With their proximity, Nan Chen could smell the faint scent of orange blossoms that clung to her. Bowing his head a little, he took in the shy expression on her face.
Before he could stop himself, he leaned down and pecked her forehead.
His impulsive action stunned Ning Ran. She was not the only one as he was surprised at himself too.
He had always been rather distant with people and rarely displayed his affection for them. Why would he suddenly do something that could be considered quite rude?
Even with his children living under the same roof as him, he had never once stepped over his boundaries.
Yet today, in broad daylight, he had been unable to stop his impulse.
After that kiss, the two of them were utterly dumbfounded as they froze in place.
A beat later, Ning Ran’s cheeks flamed, and she was as red as a tomato. Not knowing how to react, she punched Nan Chen in the chest.
Nan Chen, who had still been in a stupor from his uncharacteristic action, snapped back to his senses at her punch.
His hand darted up to grab her wrist.
Ning Ran struggled to free herself, but he yanked her to him. The next thing she knew, she was pressed flush against his solid chest.
“Sir Chen, there was a call – “
Qiao Zhan opened the door and entered. Upon noticing the scene before him, he spun around and hastened out of the room. “My apologies…”
“It’s fine. Continue what you were saying,” Nan Chen called out to Qiao Zhan.
Ning Ran hurriedly explained, “Wait, it’s not what you think! I was just helping Mr. Chen tie his necktie!”
Nan Chen glared at her, rumbling, “Why are you explaining to him?”
Qiao Zhan’s head bobbed furiously. “Yes, exactly. There’s no need to clarify things to me at all. Nope, no reason at all!”
“But it’s really not as it seems! I wasn’t trying to justify myself or anything, I was just – “
“Just knot my necktie for me and shut up!” he shouted.
