C16 Chapter 16

“Been here a year now—tell me what you’ve learned.”

A year ago, Norson—Qiu Anan’s boss and, on paper, her boyfriend—brought his team into City A. Things were finally starting to take shape, which was exactly why he needed Anan to step in. He hadn’t expected that three years later she’d end up back here again. After a quick sweep of the situation, she was already setting the schedule. “Tomorrow at three, we’ve got a client meeting. This time we’re up against Luh’s. If we land this contract, NH can finally get a solid foothold in City A.”

Even though Luh’s was her former in-laws’ world, Anan didn’t hesitate for a second. In business, it was all out in the open—competing, taking, winning. Norson watched her, all business, and couldn’t help pretending to be intimidated. “Anan, you’re terrifying.”

“...”

At the same time, a commotion rose from the airport’s VIP corridor. Anan frowned on instinct, then took a step back as the crowd pressed closer.

“It’s Miss Jingya—wow, she’s actually back in the country today.”

“No kidding. I’ve been camped out here forever. I had to see Miss Jingya in person.” The fans’ excitement flooded the entire terminal.

Qiu Jingya?

Anan turned to glance over, a chill sliding through her. For the past three years, she’d kept her distance from anything back home, but Jingya’s name had been everywhere—even overseas.

Word was she was an international supermodel now. Still unmarried.

Anan couldn’t figure it out. Back then, Jingya had done everything she could to marry Luh Yubai—so why, after three years, had there been no wedding news at all? No child, either.

“Celebrities running the show—what a mess,” Norson muttered. He’d never cared for entertainment news. With the baby in his arms, he turned away. “Let’s go. I’ve got an apartment set up for you, and a nanny.”

With a boss this considerate, how could Anan not give her all? She smiled, her voice softening. “Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me. Tomorrow we’ve got a tough fight ahead.”

The client had asked to meet both their company and Luh’s at the same time. A head-to-head showdown. Even Norson felt the pressure.

Right after Qiu Anan walked out of the airport, a black Maybach pulled up and came to a smooth stop.

Norson dropped Qiu Anan off at the hotel, then headed back to the office. This was a critical battle. For all his usual laid-back attitude, when it came to real business, he was steady and composed.

Qiu Baobei was born in Paris and had never seen what City A was like. While the adults were talking, she slipped out of the room. But when she turned around, she couldn’t find the room she’d come from.

Qiu Baobei might’ve been more mature than most kids, but she was still only three. With Mommy and her uncle nowhere in sight, tears immediately started pouring down, and she had no idea what to do.

“Mommy, Mommy...”

The little girl stood there helplessly, staring down the empty hallway. Panic crept in as she shuffled around, trying to spot Mommy.

But she couldn’t find her.

“Waaah—” Qiu Baobei burst into a frantic sob, slurring “Mommy” through her cries. She took off running, and without looking, slammed straight into someone walking toward her—Luh Yubai.

“Hey, kiddo, why are you crying?” Seeing the tiny girl—barely up to his knee—wailing at the top of her lungs, Luh Yubai softened his tone for once and crouched down in front of her. But Qiu Baobei just kept crying, her vision blurred with tears. All she could think about was how, just like in cartoons, if she couldn’t find Mommy, she’d get sent to an orphanage.

Luh Yubai didn’t get impatient. Instead, he spoke gently. “Don’t cry. I’ll help you find your mommy.” The scene made his assistant behind him nearly drop his jaw.

Was this really their stone-faced CEO? Even with Miss Jingya, the boss had never been this gentle.

Just as Luh Yubai thought he’d finally calmed the little girl down, Qiu Baobei’s mouth fell open and she started crying even louder. “Waaah! A stranger’s trying to kidnap me!”