Su Nianzhu smiled kindly, "Good grandson, you mustn't play around with this. Your grandfather is waiting to see it."
"I'm not talking nonsense, Grandma. I can really raise it," An An said earnestly. "If it doesn't work out, I can move back and let Mom help raise it for a while."
"Grandma knows your mother grows flowers, but this is no ordinary flower," Su Nianzhu said, still a bit worried.
An An, however, flashed a proud smile and pointed at the pot of flowers, saying, "It'll be fine. This is a flower Mom grew."
Seeing Su Nianzhu’s lack of reaction, An An continued, "I was the one taking care of the flowers in the greenhouse while Mom was away."
"It was only after I came to find Dad that I handed over the flowers in the greenhouse to the system for care." An An looked at Qin Ningyi, hoping he would believe him.
Qin Ningyi recalled how Huo Rou had gone back to handle the flowers some time ago, and Old Zhang had told him about the grand scene when a group of people came to clear out the greenhouse.
Now that An An was speaking so confidently and earnestly, it was highly likely that this orchid was indeed grown by Huo Rou.
So, You Lan Gongzi, was actually Huo Rou?
Su Nianzhu had clearly reached the same conclusion and looked at An An with disbelief.
"Did your mother, Huo Rou, really grow it?"
"Yes, Grandma. Why would I lie to you?" An An pointed to a mark on the flowerpot and said, "This is what I drew."
The two looked where An An pointed and finally believed with all their hearts that Huo Rou was the legendary orchid cultivation expert, You Lan Gongzi.
After dinner, Qin Ningyi called Xiao Konglin, "Is our company's laboratory currently looking for experts in plant cultivation?"
"Yes, Mr. Qin. Do you have any other arrangements?"
"Huo Rou is You Lan Gongzi. Make the arrangements tomorrow. She might be willing to take on a job for fun."
"You Lan Gongzi!" Xiao Konglin was utterly shocked. "Didn't they say his last batch of orchids was being auctioned? A friend at the auction house told me he might not have any more orchids after this. How could it be Ms. Huo?"
Qin Ningyi didn't want to chat and hung up after giving the instruction.
Qin Ningyi was quite confident that Huo Rou would accept his invitation regarding this matter.
He had seen the look in Huo Rou's eyes when An An accompanied him to work before. He hadn't heard what was said on Huo Rou's end of the phone call, but from Huo Rou's brief words, he could roughly guess it was related to money.
Bidding higher, if his guess was right, Huo Rou might have been discussing a job offer. He supported women having their own interests and careers, and he also hoped Huo Rou could be with him.
He was confident that the Qin Group's offer would not be lower than other companies', and it involved something Huo Rou was skilled at. He thought Huo Rou had no reason to refuse.
However, the next day, on the way to send An An to school, Huo Rou rejected his invitation.
"Arou, please reconsider."
"Yes, Qin Ningyi, you're right. I do want to find a job." Huo Rou confirmed Qin Ningyi's guess and no longer felt so resistant to having her thoughts seen through.
But she then added, "However, I have a job I want more, and I've already finalized it yesterday."
Her red lips curved upwards, and Qin Ningyi could see a hint of mischief in her eyes. "To be able to get so much from a miser, I really have no reason to refuse."
"Which company?" Qin Ningyi, unable to persuade her, didn't force the issue. In Yuchang City, there weren't many companies that could be compared to Qin Group.
If she was unhappy or bullied, he could still stand up for her no matter what.
"Yuda."
"Yuda..." Qin Ningyi searched his mind for the name. He had initially thought it would be a small company, but now that he thought about it, he could indeed recall such a company.
"Yuda Security?" Yuda Company in Yuchang City only had one subsidiary, Yuda Security, a company specializing in internet security. They had collaborated with Qin Group before, but the contract was recently expiring, and they were evaluating whether to renew it.
"Yes." Huo Rou nodded. "They are focusing on developing this area, and it just so happens I'm in Yuchang City."
Qin Ningyi's brows furrowed. Huo Rou's strength should be in plant cultivation. Yuda Security was entirely an internet company. What kind of job would Huo Rou be doing there?
Qin Ningyi admitted that he was starting to worry, even wanting to forcibly keep Huo Rou under his wing.
While conflicted, he still drove Huo Rou to Yuda Security, which was an hour's drive away. Upon arriving, Qin Ningyi felt even more reluctant.
Huo Rou unbuckled her seatbelt.
Her hand rested on the door handle.
She pulled.
Qin Ningyi suddenly leaned over and pushed her back into the seat, "Arou, I regret it."
He buried his head in Huo Rou's dark, smooth hair and said in a muffled voice, "Come back with me."
He could feel Huo Rou's changing feelings towards him, ever since that kiss yesterday.
Therefore, he spoke these words with even more ease.
As expected, Huo Rou stiffened at his embrace, but she didn't push him away immediately.
"But I like it." Huo Rou's hand hesitated for a long time before finally gently falling onto the back of Qin Ningyi's head.
"This is something I used to love, and it's very meaningful. I want to pursue it."
She spoke very plainly, but within that plainness was an undeniable firmness.
It was her youth, her wildness. It was what she once felt when ignited by the joint attacks of her alliance teammates.
Her soft response provided Qin Ningyi with a measure of comfort. He made the difficult decision to be a gentleman today.
He moved away slightly, looking at Huo Rou. "If you're unhappy there, tell me. Don't make yourself miserable for the sake of a job."
Huo Rou smiled faintly and nodded.
Her docile demeanor was quite rare.
Qin Ningyi's resolve wavered. His gaze fell on Huo Rou's rosy lips. After a long consideration.
Just as Huo Rou thought he had compromised and was about to open the door and leave, he cupped her face. The moment their soft lips touched, the temperature in the car began to rise rapidly.
There was no roller coaster, yet Huo Rou did not push him away.
It was a lingering kiss that was only broken by the ringing of a phone.
"I have to go in now. Many people are waiting for me." Huo Rou lowered her gaze, preventing Qin Ningyi from seeing the infatuation in her eyes.
He could see through her and warm her.
Just this alone was worth her loving him again.
Qin Ningyi listened to the soft, tender tone in her voice. From the moment they met until now, no words had been as soft and sweet as these.
He couldn't help but smile.
Her sparkling eyes, her curved lips, her white teeth. With this smile, even the sunlight seemed brighter.
"Arou, you've agreed to me, haven't you?" Qin Ningyi's voice was hoarse and deep with emotion, as if each word was seducing her to utter the answer that would satisfy him.
Taking advantage of his surprise, Huo Rou pushed open the door and walked towards the company.
Under the bright sunlight, she turned back amidst the radiance, "Agree to what? Did you ask me?"