four

Ling Qianfan spent two days in the hospital before coming out, and then he was inseparable from her like conjoined twins. Sometimes, Ling Qianfan would drive her to nearby attractions; other times, they would visit the nursing home. Wang Xiaojun was in quite good condition, and Ling Qianfan even invited a doctor to check on her health. Occasionally, she would wonder why Ling Qianfan was not busy with social engagements. When she asked him, he would smile and say, "How could anything be more important than you?" Knowing he was just trying to make her happy, she still couldn't help but feel sweetly flattered; women always fall for this kind of thing, and she was no exception. They always chose secluded places for their dates. In fact, the best environment would be Ling Qianfan's villa in Xinhuyuan, but after several invitations, Beifei refused to go, saying that his home was too clean and made her feel constrained. Ling Qianfan had no choice but to comply with her wishes.

Ling Qianfan was momentarily taken aback before smiling and saying, "Alright." After saying this, he turned the car around towards Lianhua Road, teasingly adding, "You are still a VIP at those stores; I will make a note of it for future arrangements."

Beifei knew that he was being awkward, but he refused to back down, saying: "Now listen carefully, Monday is Chengdu snacks, Tuesday is Lanzhou ramen, Wednesday is Shaxian snacks, Thursday is Tujia baked cakes, and Friday is ... ... "

Beifei felt a chill run down her spine. How could the news spread so quickly? Did they capture my face? She hurriedly played dead and replied, "What are you talking about? What are you talking about?" Xirongrong sent over a website link, followed by a sword emoji: "Ah San, you actually didn't tell me about hooking up with a top-notch son-in-law, after being sisters for nine years!"

Chen Jiamo took one look and saw it was Beifei, and helplessly shook his head: "There is a document that needs to be signed today. Ling Shaosheng is afraid of any delays and insists that I come to get it—sigh, he won't even rest properly in the hospital, it's really frustrating. Ah Sanjie, if you have time, please persuade him more often."

She hummed and hawed, unable to come up with anything else. Ling Qianfan suppressed a laugh and said with a serious expression: "Indeed, if these could be unified under a single brand, they would have long surpassed KFC, McDonald's, and Pizza Hut, becoming one of the Top 5 food chains."

Beifei felt so ashamed that she wished she could crash into a wall and die on the spot. As soon as Chen Jiamo turned around, she immediately called Ling Qianfan, hesitating and unsure of how to express herself. She could only indirectly ask if he was doing well in the hospital and if he needed her to visit. On the phone, Ling Qianfan seemed quite unconcerned: "Jiamo, that big mouth of yours, really, it’s just a minor issue, yet you dragged me to the hospital, causing a commotion for the whole family!"

Their interests are remarkably in sync, and even when there are occasional disagreements, Ling Qianfan is more than willing to accommodate her, with one exception—Beifei adamantly refuses to make their relationship public. Ling Qianfan is quite perplexed as to why, despite the fact that they are clearly together, they cannot even have lunch together, and must leave work separately in the evening, only to meet up at the dining location, sneaking around as if they were thieves.

Beifei pinched his waist and said: "If you expect to have a warm scarf, you might as well find a spider as a girlfriend. Its web is woven quickly and sturdily, ensuring that you will never escape for a lifetime!"

Unable to come up with an answer, it seems that both aspects coexist. Sometimes I feel he is sharp and flamboyant, while at other times I perceive him as calm and reserved... Perhaps everyone has two sides... One side is light, the other is dark; one side is ideal, the other is reality; one side is the past, the other is the future...

She was having a great time. As dusk approached, the two discussed where to have dinner. Ling Qianfan casually asked her if she wanted to go to Xiangcheng Grand Hotel for a candlelight dinner. Bei Fei was elated for less than three seconds before falling into a dilemma: Could it be that Ling Qianfan often had candlelight dinners with others? Just like yesterday at Haihuang, where there was often a violin accompaniment and so on. It seemed quite romantic when seen on television, but when it came to her, it felt different. She drooped her head and mumbled something, and Ling Qianfan leaned down and asked, "What did you say?"

Beifei finally felt relieved, thinking that such matters would surely be handled with ease by Ling Qianfan. After returning home, she took a shower and then collapsed onto her bed to sleep. The next morning, as soon as she got up and opened her computer to enter the game and catch her breath, she saw a QQ message from Xi Rongrong pop up, accompanied by a very surprised image expression followed by countless exclamation marks: "Ah San, honestly confess when you got involved with Ferrari!"

You just promised my godmother to knit a scarf for me, please provide a deadline, as I need to conduct regular reviews

"Give it a try!" Bei Fei executed a powerful kick reminiscent of a concubine, and Ling Qianfan could only smile helplessly. Just as he was about to shove her into the driver's seat to continue teaching her how to drive, a flurry of camera flashes suddenly erupted, accompanied by the sound of clicking. Before Bei Fei could comprehend what was happening, Ling Qianfan swiftly tossed her into the back seat, then jumped into the driver's position and started the car with a jolt. A group of reporters chased after them, and with a quick, agile turn, Ling Qianfan maneuvered the car away, speeding down the Oleander Road. Bei Fei was startled by the commotion created by the reporters, gripping the seat for a long moment before finally reacting: "They didn't capture me just now, did they?"

I will handle it, you can rest assured

Another reason she had not spoken to Ling Qianfan was that he was a frequent guest of the gossip magazine. She wondered why Ling Qianfan would like her, how long this affection could last, and whether it would lead to a successful relationship; these were uncertainties she could not grasp. Her emotional judgment told her that Ling Qianfan was actually a very serious person—she did not know where this intuition came from, yet the feeling took root in her heart, making her believe that he was secretly yearning for something. However, rationally, she could not explain why someone like him had girlfriends changing as frequently as a revolving lantern. She herself had been through several years of struggles in the workplace, having seen much laughter and anger; casual flings were common, but this was not a sufficiently compelling reason.

Ling Qianfan raised an eyebrow slightly: "I studied at a university in San Francisco, do you think I have ever been to the Golden Gate Bridge?"

She was feeling downcast, and Ling Qianfan, driving the car, reached out with one hand to hold hers and smiled, saying: "I don't mean to pry, but whenever you're interested, you can talk to me; if you're curious about my past, I won't hide anything from you."

At the entrance of the spicy hot pot shop, steam rose from the large pot, and the sounds of vendors calling out filled the air. Ling Qianfan, dressed meticulously, appeared completely out of place. Bei Fei, with a face full of enthusiasm, generously added a large spoonful of chili oil for him, and the sight of her pouring vinegar made the passing proprietress feel a pang of sympathy. However, Ling Qianfan seemed oblivious to it all, unperturbed by the astonished gazes around him, and began to eat leisurely.

The next day at work, when Ling Qianfan was not seen, Beifei simply assumed he had returned to the headquarters office. Then she saw Chen Jiamo rushing into the company and casually asked with a smile, "Why the hurry? Are you in a rush to be reborn?"

Whatever

She didn't even know how to confess this matter to Xi Rongrong, fearing that Xi Rongrong would worry about her again. However, there were many things she couldn't bring herself to explain to Xi Rongrong. She somewhat believed that Ling Qianfan was not just playing around; she could understand many things in his eyes, but she dared not be certain about what would happen tomorrow.

Have you walked past it?

She nodded slightly and did not speak again, nor did she ask where Ling Qianfan wanted to go, allowing him to drive around aimlessly. She glanced around the car with a hint of boredom; the simple and elegant decorations, the checkered texture of the floor mats, all conveyed a sense of comfort and tranquility. She had heard someone say before that a car reflects a person's character: the understated and steady Volkswagen, the flamboyant and extreme Ferrari, which one truly represents Ling Qianfan?

The more happiness she experiences, the more fear she feels; the more beautiful things become, the more she is startled. She can hardly believe that fate would allow her to live the latter half of her life so smoothly

Of course not! When a dog is desperate, it will even jump over walls. Whoever dares to push me into a corner, I will make sure they have nowhere to go!" She sneered as she approached, "Whoever dares to wrong me, I will repay blood with blood, and tooth for tooth... Any man who dares to wrong me, I will ensure he can no longer be a man..."

Ling Qianfan furrowed his brows and pondered for a moment before saying: "I have also heard that whenever the number of suicides approaches a round number, the number of people jumping off bridges increases dramatically. Many individuals who walk by will suddenly... jump down. There have been psychological interviews where many people standing on the edge feel that this method of death can bring them a sense of peace for their souls. However, the local government has begun to install protective measures to prevent these tragedies from occurring."

Such a reason could only barely appease Ling Qianfan. One day, she ordered takeout with a few colleagues and ate in the coffee bar. Her colleagues urged her to resolve her personal issues sooner rather than later. She smiled and deflected while chewing on a radish, but when she looked up, she saw Ling Qianfan approaching with a mug in hand, his face dark as he brought a cup of coffee. This person walks so silently, is it not frightening?

Chen Jiamo was taken aback: "Has Ling Shao not told you yet? Last night, his duodenal ulcer relapsed... By the way, did you notice any symptoms last night? It had been fine for several years, so why did it suddenly relapse now? If it weren't for the young lady calling him in the middle of the night to chat and noticing that something was off with his voice, he might still be stubbornly enduring it. You really need to have a good talk with him when you have the time."

What you say in person is different from what you say behind someone's back. Next time I see my godmother, I will have to file a complaint

Of course it is true, she said confidently. Ling Qianfan looked at her, his gaze profound, seemingly implying something. She was taken aback for a moment before realizing that Ling Qianfan was asking about the man who had once abandoned her

Ling Qianfan shook his head helplessly, and Beifei's sharp words left him feeling somewhat timid as he recalled the earlier situation: "Did we not capture anything just now?"

Beifei certainly has her reasons; office romances are always a major taboo in the workplace, especially in the case where Ling Qianfan is still the big boss. Who knows how others will perceive her if it gets out? Perhaps they will give her some respect in person, but privately, I fear that even the achievements she has worked hard for will be attributed to nepotism—especially when encountering individuals with ulterior motives; who knows how harshly they could speak?

Ling Qianfan shook his head, and only then did Beifei breathe a sigh of relief. Ling Qianfan jokingly asked, "What, what a pity, a great opportunity to make the headlines?"

I want to eat spicy hot pot!" Beifei shouted loudly into his ear, "I promised the Chongqing aunt on Lianhua Road that I would go eat spicy hot pot every weekend!

As he spoke, Beifei felt increasingly guilty. Seeing his pale face and recalling the size of the spoons in the spicy hot pot restaurant, she wished she could just crawl under the bed. She wanted to apologize but didn't dare to speak—wasn't this admitting that she had deliberately made things difficult for him yesterday? Yet, Ling Qianfan continued to comfort her, seemingly intent on making her feel even worse—this guy was truly insidious, too insidious. She buried her head, crying with a mournful expression as she stared at the white bedsheet. Was this what they called the turning of misfortune into fortune? After all, she had been so unlucky before that even the heavens couldn't bear to watch, bestowing upon her a top-notch wealthy man, and without any taxes to pay—truly, one could wake up laughing in their sleep. Yet, Ling Qianfan still insisted on comforting her, as if he was determined to make her feel guilty—this guy was really too insidious, too insidious. She buried her head, crying with a mournful expression as she stared at the white bedsheet. Was this what they called the turning of misfortune into fortune? After all, she had been so unlucky before that even the heavens couldn't bear to watch, bestowing upon her a top-notch wealthy man, and without any taxes to pay—truly, one could wake up laughing in their sleep.

People are inherently greedy; they yearn for what they do not have, and once they possess it, they desire exclusivity. When they achieve exclusivity, they even fantasize about eternity. She and Ling Qianfan are currently inseparable, deeply in love. She cannot think of any reason that would lead to their separation—status? Ling Qianfan does not seem to care about such things; wealth? Ling Qianfan has plenty of money; family? A family that can raise someone as well-mannered as Ling Qianfan is unlikely to be lacking in other respects. Ling Qianfan does not seem to care about these matters; wealth? Ling Qianfan has plenty of money; family? A family that can raise someone as well-mannered as Ling Qianfan is unlikely to be lacking in other respects.

"As I walked by," Ling Qianfan's smile was somewhat forced, "there was a time when I had an argument with my family... passing by there, the temptation of that bridge... was truly immense." He suddenly fell silent, burying his head, lost in thought. After a long while, he suddenly asked, "If you find yourself at a dead end, or in a state of despair, would you choose such a path of no return?"

After watching the movie, Beifei went for a drive at the riverside. When she was learning to drive, she studied automatic transmission, and among ten men, there are eleven who look down on automatic cars, and Ling Qianfan is no exception. Seizing the opportunity, Beifei hitched a ride and also took advantage of the instructor. Ling Qianfan patiently taught her how to shift gears and operate the clutch. Beifei realized that he was an excellent teacher, not only in driving but also in experience and knowledge, surpassing most people. He answered every question she asked. Beifei jokingly dubbed him "half known in heaven, fully known on earth," and he accepted this title without any modesty.

Beifei smiled and agreed, saying that next time she came, she would definitely learn to knit from Aunt Wang, but since knitting a sweater was too difficult, she would start with a scarf instead. After leaving Aunt Wang's place, Ling Qianfan still held her and said with a smile:

Her expression suddenly darkened, and Ling Qianfan, understanding the situation, reached out to pat her head and smiled, "Where do you want to go play today"

As December approached, the weather grew increasingly cold. They took the opportunity on the weekend to buy some winter clothes to deliver to the widowed elderly at the nursing home. Wang Xiaojun caught the flu, but fortunately, it was not severe. After receiving two bottles of intravenous fluids, she felt much better, yet complained about how cold it was in the nursing home during winter, making her reluctant to go outside. Watching television in her room was also quite boring. Beifei then bought some yarn and brought it to her, so she could pass the time during her leisure. While the two were chatting with Aunt Wang, she asked Beifei if she knew how to knit sweaters. Ling Qianfan looked at Beifei with great interest, and Beifei, feeling guilty, shook her head. This inevitably led to Aunt Wang giving her a lecture, saying that girls should be skillful, gentle, and virtuous, as this is how they can win a man's heart. She warned that if one only focuses on their career, they should be wary of men straying outside.

That being said, after work, Beifei still went to the hospital honestly. She casually inquired with the nurse and learned that it was an emergency admission in the middle of the night, and the patient was in the intensive care unit, which startled Beifei greatly. Trembling, she arrived at the ward, and upon seeing her, Ling Qianfan helplessly shook his head and comforted her, saying: "It's nothing, this child Qianwei is just making a fuss, alarming Auntie, and forcing me to be hospitalized. I really have no choice but to stay here for a few days to appease her."

Beifei pouted and said, "I am a respectable woman!" Ling Qianfan's expression turned cold, and she leaned in with a smile, saying, "I suddenly remembered a popular saying from the gossip magazine back in the day—'Beware of fire, theft, and Ling Shao.' If I get involved with you, how embarrassing would that be? How am I supposed to maintain my reputation on the seventeenth floor of Xinshi?"

Is the Golden Gate Bridge really as legendary as they say? I once watched a documentary about the Golden Gate Bridge, which mentioned that it can trigger a person's potential for suicide. Is that true?

Sometimes they would argue over trivial matters, such as Ling Qianfan seemingly disapproving of Su Wan, and Beifei having heard several times that Gu Fenghan was ruthless towards Fangyuan Industries; for instance, Ling Qianfan always felt that Beifei's refusal to let Xirongrong introduce her to a boyfriend was not resolute enough, to which Beifei retorted that he greeted women from sixteen to sixty with the same gentle smile... Both of them were excellent debaters; Beifei was not only articulate but also extremely sharp-tongued and petty, while Ling Qianfan was often praised for his eloquence, yet he had to concede in her presence. The final compromise resulted in everyone voluntarily and consciously avoiding these potentially contentious issues. No matter how familiar they seemed when they first met, the fact proved that they grew up in completely different environments, had different social circles, and inevitably held differing views on many matters. In a situation where neither could persuade the other, they could only seek common ground while reserving differences.

He finished speaking and hurriedly rushed towards the office. Beifei understood and chased after him, asking: "Hospitalized? What happened to him?"

Beifei was caught off guard by his insight, her face flushed as she retorted, "What am I angry about?" Ling Qianfan smiled, leaning against her shoulder, his warm breath enveloping her neck and ear, one hand casually brushing against her neck, playfully grazing her earlobe. Beifei was aware that her face was burning, secretly cursing Ling Qianfan for being such a skilled flirt, yet she could not suppress the rising heat within her, and the atmosphere suddenly became ambiguous. The light in the car was dim, but Ling Qianfan's eyes were exceptionally bright, and in that moment, she completely forgot why she had poured nearly half a bottle of vinegar for him.

Really

Ling Qianfan booked the entire screening room for her to watch a Disney animated film. Initially, she had some reservations, but later, thinking that it was just the two of them, she let go and laughed heartily, as no one could control her anyway. Ling Qianfan also laughed wildly, like a child—no wonder he wanted to book the whole venue, allowing people to see this side of him, which would surely make headlines several times, with absolutely sensational titles, such as "Sweetly Feeding Popcorn in the Cinema" or "Car Kissing a Mysterious Woman".

Beifei kept glancing at him, not sensing anything amiss. It was only after they finished eating and returned to the car that he leaned on the steering wheel and coughed violently, as if he wanted to cough out his lungs. Beifei felt a bit embarrassed and patted his back to help him catch his breath. From her observations over the past few days, she knew that Ling Qianfan could not handle spicy food and was particularly concerned about his image, which was why she had deliberately taken him to eat spicy hot pot. She did not expect it to affect him this way. After twisting open a bottle of water and giving him a couple of sips, Ling Qianfan finally managed to catch his breath and leaned on her shoulder, chuckling softly, "Has the anger subsided?"

Upon opening that website, Beifei was startled by the shocking headline: "The stern young master responds to rumors for the first time, engaging in charity solely to win a smile from a beautiful woman"