His movements were so gentle, and the tenderness in his eyes so obvious. Tang Nannan didn't know if it was her imagination or if she was seeing him through rose-tinted glasses, but she felt he was different from usual today.
She watched him quietly, her heart surging. She nodded, feigning composure.
"Are you sure you really like me? That you want to understand me, and won't regret it?"
Why ask such a question now, and so closely?
Tang Nannan's face visibly flushed.
But she had finally gotten this opportunity, finally waited until today, and she wouldn't give up now.
She shyly met his gaze and nodded.
"Yes, I like you, and I want to understand you. No matter the outcome, I will never regret it."
"Then good," Hu Jiasheng said, looking into her eyes.
"From today onwards, let's give it a try."
"Ah?"
"From today onwards, I'll pursue you. We'll start like other couples, with dates, dinner, movies, holding hands, hugging, taking it step by step."
Tang Nannan felt so happy she could faint.
Although she had been startled yesterday, it was truly worth it!
Hu Jiasheng didn't wait for her reply. He cupped her head and pulled her into a hug.
Tang Nannan wrapped her arms around his waist, listening to his strong, steady heartbeat, feeling the strength of his arms, and closed her eyes blissfully.
Madam Gao emerged from the ward and was met with this scene.
She didn't know if the two of them truly had feelings for each other, or if Tang Nannan had used some scheme.
Or perhaps, Hu Jiasheng was deliberately putting on a show for her, to anger her.
In any case, the scene was jarring to her.
Tang Nannan, you refused the toast and chose to be punished. Don't blame me for being impolite.
Your parents were no match for me back then, and neither are you now. If you think you can drag my son down, just wait and see.
Hu Jiasheng was true to his word. The next day, he began playing the role of Tang Nannan's suitor.
Not only did he drive her to work early in the morning, but he also texted her midway, asking how her work was and if President Ma had bullied her.
Tang Nannan replied truthfully, "No, the work is quite easy."
"And I've already started reviewing the project proposals. I'm marking down any issues I find and will focus on letting President Ma review them. I feel like I'm gaining a lot."
Hu Jiasheng praised her intelligence, then told her not to overwork herself and that he would take her out for a Western dinner that evening.
Tang Nannan hadn't eaten Western food in a long time, and knowing that Hu Jiasheng would choose a high-class establishment, she didn't have suitable clothes.
As she was contemplating whether to slip out to the mall during her lunch break, a delivery person called out her name for a signature.
It was a large, exquisite box. Based on Tang Nannan's past experience, it contained either jewelry or clothing.
Besides Hu Jiasheng, no one else in the city would send her such a gift.
She accepted the gift amidst the surprised and envious glances of her colleagues. During her lunch break, she opened it and found it was indeed a formal dress.
Hu Jiasheng's taste was similar to hers; he chose styles that were understated yet ingeniously designed.
A black strapless cocktail dress.
Paired with black lace gloves and a pearl necklace, it reminded Tang Nannan of Audrey Hepburn's look in Breakfast at Tiffany's.
"Mr. Hu, I can't help but wonder. Why exactly? Why suddenly pursue me, and with such thoughtfulness from the start? Were you scolded by your grandfather, or are you deliberately putting on a show for someone?"
Hu Jiasheng replied, "Can't you be more confident? That I've realized how wonderful you are, and I'm afraid you'll slip away, so I'm rushing to win you over?"
Tang Nannan lacked that confidence. Hu Jiasheng explained to her earnestly.
"Before, I hadn't decided to stay in the country, so I couldn't give you any expectations, lest you be disappointed. Yesterday, I suddenly decided to stay, and you are the most suitable partner for me. If I don't treat you well, who will?"
Although their relationship hadn't been love at first sight or a whirlwind romance, after so much time together, Tang Nannan was well aware of Hu Jiasheng's character.
To hear him say such things, while not particularly eloquent, was at least truthful, and it already surprised her greatly.
Tang Nannan was overjoyed. President Ma, who had observed her every move, reported it to Madam Gao.
Madam Gao snorted, "Let her be happy for a few more days. Give her more authority, and we'll wait for the trap to spring."
Hu Jiasheng and Tang Nannan began dating step by step like other couples, living each day with ordinary happiness.
During her observation of them, Madam Gao received visits from several people, one of whom left a deep impression.
It was a contractor from a peripheral department under the Zhan Corporation. He had somehow found out when she was out and blocked her at her doorstep to give her two bottles of wine.
He said that Mr. Gao had been his benefactor, and although his project was ending and he would no longer cooperate with the Zhan Corporation, he wanted to express his gratitude and hoped Mr. and Mrs. Gao would accept his token of appreciation.
Having followed Mr. Gao for so many years, Madam Gao had learned caution as her most valuable quality.
In their positions, even the slightest disturbance could become a fatal handle.
She knew very well that nothing came for free, and these gift-givers had no good intentions. Therefore, she immediately threw both the wine bottles and the boxes into the trash.
However, even so, Mr. Gao was caught.
Madam Gao had once advised him not to meddle in his nephew's affairs.
Although he was the sole heir of the Gao family of his generation, his nephew was clearly a hopeless case. Investing too much in him would only damage his own reputation.
But Mr. Gao couldn't bring himself to be ruthless.
He said that his brother had entrusted his nephew to him with his dying breath, and while he didn't expect him to become wealthy, he only hoped he would have enough to eat and wear.
He had specifically chosen a distant Jiangcheng and arranged a job for him in a county-level unit.
And yet, trouble still arose.
Mr. Gao was summoned for a talk. Someone had ample evidence proving his interference in his nephew's work, but the interference was minor. Therefore, he was suspended for a week for inspection and reflection.
With the next general election approaching, his chances of promotion were now nonexistent.
At crucial moments of promotion, he was always scrutinized by many, and strange incidents would occur.
Although there were many suspects, Madam Gao's first thought was Zhan Beijue.
Her intuition told her that the battle between her and Zhan Beijue had officially begun.
If she didn't ruthlessly destroy him, Zhan Beijue would destroy her first.
This was a matter of survival, as well as Hu Jiasheng's future. She absolutely could not be careless.
During the week Mr. Gao was suspended, Madam Gao spent time with him and also did two things.
First, she instructed President Ma to cast his net and deal with that insignificant clown, Tang Nannan, in one fell swoop.
Second, she had two employees, who had been lying in wait in the foreign trade department of Zhan Corporation for over half a year, mix their pre-prepared items into the current export shipment. When discovered, Zhan Beijue would be ruined.