"So, ignore them and focus on yourself," said Ling Qingyu. "In case the bully goes too far and gets out of line, fight back. But I suggest you treat them as starving dogs sniffling."
Picturing the scene described by the young miss, the female staff almost laughed. Her evil colleagues all transford into animals in her eyes.
Ling Qingyu smiled as she watched the girl laugh and added, "Of course, that doesn't an a human body doesn't need a healthy environnt."
The female staff nodded. She enjoyed the conversation, but her workplace wasn't friendly enough to spend private ti chatting. She also had so hesitation, as she didn't like disappointing friendly, kindhearted custors.
Ling Qingyu noted her expression and put on a pair of spectacles. The female staff's eyes widened, never expecting the young, beautiful, wealthy lady to have problems with her eyesight.
A question popped up — then how could she have praised her as beautiful?
"My eyesight is good. You don't need to doubt my praise of your attractiveness," Ling Qingyu joked. "It's just that too much work has consud my eye power, so the doctor specified that I wear glasses when I need to concentrate, like when reading."
While Sofia and her partner agreed instinctively their boss had worked hard to achieve the current status, Xiao Yue humphed and rolled her eyes— too much work her foot.
Soone who threw her work to her subordinates and lay flat deserved such description? This was the insult to all hard workers.
Ignoring Xiao Yue's opposing expression from the corner of her eyes, Ling Qingyu scrolled through her phone in pretense, while in fact she was communicating with Athena silently.
"Let write down my phone number. You can contact if you need any help." With that, she took out a small piece of paper and a pen from her purse.
Through her AR vision, Athena directly generated a number that could proxy to her phone. Digitally, her daughter could create any virtual number with layered proxies, each linking to the caller's identity so Ling Qingyu could imdiately know who was who.
The female staff murmured in surprise and glanced at the others, who returned comforting smiles. "For ?"
She was still puzzled when her hand received the paper from Ling Qingyu. Her gaze was quickly drawn to the number. Given her experience, she didn't recognized the country code, yet the remaining digits seed unusual. Still, she didn't think the lady before her would waste her ti teasing her regardless of how strange the numbers were.
To her querying gaze, Ling Qingyu answered, "If you ever need help, don't hesitate. There's nothing wrong with relying on soone and asking for help. There might not be many willing to help, but I am willing, and that's enough. Just don't forget to reach out."
She patted the staff's back. The woman expressed her gratitude, clutching the thin slip of paper. Though it was unconventional to see soone of her status without a contact card, having to scribble her information instead, the staff didn't think much of it—much to Ling Qingyu's relief. She was slightly embarrassed that her business contact card wasn't suited for this woman's situation.
However, ti didn't allow her to continue, as the room's entrance swung open. Everyone stared toward the doorway and saw a gentleman, montarily frozen at the threshold in surprise.
He stepped a couple of steps backward, craning his neck to look at the room's na above to check if he had entered the room and scanned his eyes again at several figures.
When his eyes landed on Ling Qingyu's figure, a smile crept onto his face as he imdiately called out, "Ling… Long ti no see. It's great to see you again."
"It's been a while, William. I'm happy you invited here," Ling Qingyu stood up and replied.
"Hey, don't say that. I'm honored to be the first to see you again." William approached, gesturing for a hug, but Ling Qingyu denied him with a shake of her head.
"Eh— it's just a hug. Co on, Ling." His face looked dejected, drawing pity from the female staff. Too bad it didn't include Xiao Yue, Sofia, and her partner—much less Ling Qingyu.
"No ans no. Quit your lousy acting." Ling Qingyu didn't bother with politeness. "Have a seat and give a mont."
"Please."
Ling Qingyu turned toward the female staff. "Unfortunately, I can't spend more ti with you, but rember—if there's ever any need, even a new job with a better environnt, I can help you."
"Of course, Miss. Thank you very much." The staff bowed, her tear-filled eyes blinking with gratitude.
"Also, be proud of your beautiful face and figure. To be honest, without them, I might not have been so keen on digging the way I just did," Ling Qingyu laughed.
A genuine, beautiful smile returned to the staff's face.
"Oh right, could I ask a favor? Please guide my friends to another table that I booked nearby." Ling Qingyu gestured toward Sofia and her partner.
"With pleasure, Miss." She led Sofia and her partner toward the next table, but William interrupted.
"Hey, hey, it's alright. Since they're Ling's friends, why don't you eat with us? Just the two of us would be too boring."
"Please don't say things against your will, William. Ignore him and enjoy your al."
"Gotcha, Boss. We'll bleed your wallet dry," Sofia teased.
"Go ahead and gobble. It's just a diocre expense."
After the door shut, William said, "It's not good to treat your friends that way, right? I'm really fine."
"Don't worry. Those girls have so topics they want to discuss in private." Ling Qingyu waved her hand lightly and took a seat, though she didn't reject the word—friends.
William didn't press further and looked toward Xiao Yue.
"She's my close aide, a true confidante—Xiao Yue," Ling Qingyu introduced.
"Nice to et you, William. I've heard so much about you from Qingyu." Xiao Yue's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude.
Ling Qingyu almost slapped Xiao Yue on the head for ssing around. Though she had spoken about William before, it wasn't the way Xiao Yue had frad it. Damn shortie.
"Oh, Ling. I can't believe you talk about ," William laughed.
"Oh, it can't be helped when my close sister asks who I'm eting today. I also invited Astrid."
"Astrid?" William straightened his spine. "She…"
"Why? Can't I call my closest classmate who helped throughout my studies?" Ling Qingyu frowned.
"Of course not. It's just…" William showed a trace of guilt.
"You didn't tell her about , did you?" Ling Qingyu concluded without waiting for an answer and changed the topic. "When are you two going to work things out? It's been so long."
"You know, Ling. Astrid is my friend and colleague. I just can't see her the way I see you." William stared at Ling Qingyu, trying to see if she would blush at his indirect confession.
Unfortunately, he was dood to be disappointed. In terms of orientation, she was straighter than a ruler.
Ling Qingyu didn't return his gaze and responded, "There's no fate between us. Don't waste your ti, William."
"Alas, you're always the sa. I thought back then I had pried open your defenses." William shook his head.
Ling Qingyu glanced at Xiao Yue's gossipy eyes and chuckled helplessly. "Ti passes so fast. We've both grown into who we are now."
"Yeah. I thought you'd venture here and never return."
"I have responsibilities."
"You haven't settled your enemies yet?"
Xiao Yue looked surprised at how the forr Ling Qingyu had once confessed parts of her past so openly—unlike the current one, tight-lipped to the bone.
"They're not even in my eyes right now. I can do whatever I want, and I quite enjoy how nervous they are about when my knife might fall on their necks." Ling Qingyu smiled eerily. "But too bad—I made a stronger opponent while chasing my dream. That's why I asked for your help and advice on recruiting legal professionals. Thank you for your assistance."
"It's alright. We're old friends. That's the least I can do."
Now that Ling Qingyu scrutinized William carefully, she had to admit he wasn't bad at all. In fact, he was quite handso and attractive to won. His work charisma and gentlemanly vibe fit most people's image of a dream lover.
Otherwise, why would the forr Ling Qingyu's heart have cracked for him—and her besties fallen for him completely? Plus, a lawyer at that and the peak at the social ladder.
So chitchat followed, especially as they reminisced about their university days, until Ling Qingyu pressed a button to call for a server.
It couldn't be helped when her intuition sensed Xiao Yue's growing annoyance from hunger. She had to satisfy her cute shortie first and avoid any unnecessary offense. If Xiao Yue spread the wrong words out of resentnt, Ling Qingyu would definitely be dizzy from dealing with the rumors afterward.
William casually asked about her work, and Ling Qingyu rely listed her fashion and design brands, as well as her automobile and supermarket industries, leaving out the more confidential and powerful ventures.
So secrets must be kept even if they weren't secrets at all.
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