Unexpected (GL) - Chapter 34

When Xie Jing woke up again, the wound in her palm had already been treated and covered with a waterproof bandage. She lowered her eyes to stare at her palm for a while, then shifted her gaze, got dressed, and got out of bed. She pushed open the door and walked out.

At that moment, Qin Ning was no longer in the office, and the documents Xie Jing had brought from Jiangcheng were also gone from the desk. Xie Jing stood still for two seconds before realizing what
Qin Ning meant.

How could she do this? So to Qin Ning, the intimacy just now was only a transaction?

Xie Jing trembled with anger. That project was Ms. Xie Ruzhuo’s life’s work. Even if Qin Ning didn’t want to help, there was no need to humiliate her like this. Holding back her anger, Xie Jing went
downstairs.

After leaving Fang Group, Xie Jing went straight to a tech innovation conference. Before coming to Jinghai, Shen Xinghe had used his connections to get her an invitation. Xie Jing planned to
showcase the role of Xie Group’s AI research in biomedical innovation, hoping to attract investors.

Although the companies attending the conference were nowhere near Fang Group’s level, at this point, Xie Jing didn’t have the luxury to be picky.

Unfortunately, things didn’t go smoothly. Her time slot for speaking was short, and she hadn’t even finished introducing her project before time was up. But to her surprise, after the conference,
several companies still approached her, offering their business cards, and one CEO even eagerly asked to discuss things further.

Xie Jing glanced at the time. It was 8 p.m.

“Sure,” she agreed and followed a group of men and women to a nearby restaurant.

After sitting down, she immediately became the center of attention.

“Miss Xie, you’re so young and capable. The product you presented today was truly eye-opening.” The man sitting across from her, President Wang, raised his glass to her with a clear intent.

“You flatter me.” Xie Jing smiled, picked up her glass, and downed the drink in one go—decisive and sharp.

“I like dealing with straightforward people,” President Wang said with a smile, looking at her with approval. The others followed suit, raising their glasses and agreeing with him.

Xie Jing had flown on an empty stomach, gone straight to Fang Group after landing, taken a short nap in Qin Ning’s office in the afternoon, and rushed to the conference right after waking up. She
hadn’t eaten anything all day. Now, after drinking, her stomach started to spasm, the burning sensation unbearable.

Fortunately, President Wang wasn’t trying to make things hard for her. After a few rounds of drinks, he didn’t press her anymore.

Xie Jing’s stomach hurt too much to eat, so she excused herself and went to the restroom.

Cough, cough, cough—

In the empty restroom, she bent over, one hand braced on the sink, and vomited most of the alcohol she had just drunk. When the pain in her stomach eased, she stood upright and wiped the wet corners
of her mouth with a tissue.

“Xie Jing—”

Her arm was suddenly grabbed with great force.

Then Qin Ning appeared, eyes full of anger. “What are you doing here?”

Xie Jing turned her head to glance at her, surprised. “You? What are you doing here?”

What a coincidence—she couldn’t even eat without bumping into her.

“Answer me first. What are you doing?” Qin Ning’s voice suddenly changed tone when she smelled the strong scent of alcohol on Xie Jing.

Xie Jing knew what she was thinking—when did Xie Jing learn to drink? And in this kind of situation? Did she know what she was doing?

Xie Jing replied calmly, without emotion, “Nothing much. Just trying to win over investors. Like this afternoon. You experienced it too, didn’t you?”

Qin Ning paused, then spoke anxiously, “I read all the documents you brought. Fang Group has already provided bankruptcy delay guarantees for Xie Group. The auction has been called off. If there are
no other issues, we can sign the funding agreement tomorrow. Why did you even need to come here?”

“So I’m really that valuable, huh?” Xie Jing pulled her arm from Qin Ning’s grip and smiled. “Are you helping me just because we slept together?”

Qin Ning went silent.

At first, she really had intended for it to be a purely physical arrangement. After all, Xie Jing knew exactly how to break her heart. One casual escape or a breakup could make Qin Ning hurt for two
whole years.

If they continued to tangle like this, Qin Ning knew she would only fall deeper. She was scared—scared that if she gave her heart again, it would be crushed without hesitation. She couldn’t take
that risk. So she hid behind a contract.

But truthfully, even if it hadn’t been Xie Jing presenting the materials, they still would’ve been worth Qin Ning’s investment.

“This might be for the best.”

There was no turning back now. Whatever Qin Ning’s reason for helping, Xie Jing didn’t care anymore. Her goal was achieved.

She finally relaxed and started to feel dizzy, struggling to stay upright.

Seeing something was off, Qin Ning pressed her hand on Xie Jing’s shoulder and leaned down. “Are you feeling unwell?”

“Yeah.” Xie Jing nodded. “Haven’t eaten all day. Had some alcohol earlier.”

Qin Ning’s expression changed. A minute later, Xie Jing was pushed into the passenger seat of a black car speeding toward Jinghai University.

There was a Cantonese restaurant near the university. When they were still in school, they would occasionally eat there. Xie Jing especially liked the stuffed roast goose, and every time they went
together, she would order it.

Qin Ning didn’t know why, but instinctively brought her there.

While waiting for the food, Xie Jing quietly drank Pu’er tea. The atmosphere at the table was calm; neither of them spoke.

Soon, Xie Jing’s phone rang. It was her aunt.

“Xie Jing, where are you now?”

“I’m in Jinghai,” she whispered. “What’s wrong, Auntie?”

“I know what you’ve been up to.” Pei Anle glanced at her nervous assistant beside her and sighed. “Didn’t I tell you to stay home?”

“I don’t want you to carry all the burden alone.”

Xie Jing was already twenty-five. After everything she had been through, she was no longer the naïve girl who only cared about games and studying. The family business had collapsed—of course she had
to help her aunt shoulder the load.

“When are you coming home?” Pei Anle’s tone softened.

Xie Jing instinctively looked up at the person across from her. “Tomorrow, I guess.”

After hanging up, she continued sipping her tea.

Qin Ning had been watching her and finally asked, “Where are you staying tonight?”

“Ah… I don’t know. Anywhere’s fine. I’ll just find a hotel.”

The food arrived, cutting off the conversation. Xie Jing had barely eaten all day and was being careful with her stomach, so she didn’t eat much.

Qin Ning used the communal chopsticks to place some taro ribs on her plate, but Xie Jing didn’t touch them.

“Not to your taste?” Qin Ning asked.

“I’m full,” Xie Jing said, clutching her overly full stomach and shaking her head.

Qin Ning frowned slightly and put down her chopsticks.

Xie Jing thought they would part ways after dinner, but Qin Ning didn’t leave.

“My place is near the airport. Stay at my place tonight?” Qin Ning asked.

“Ah… that’s not right. Your home’s not a shelter. I’ll stay at a hotel.”

“I live alone.” Qin Ning looked at her steadily. The determination in her eyes made it hard for Xie Jing to say no.

“Okay. Thank you.”

Xie Jing followed Qin Ning home. It was her first time there—even when they had dated, she had never visited.

The apartment was large, cool-toned, tidy and clean—but felt lifeless. That was her first impression.

“I didn’t bring any clothes,” Xie Jing said.

Qin Ning turned and went into the master bedroom. A moment later, she came out holding a set of pajamas. “They’re clean. Never worn.”

When Xie Jing took them, she saw there was even a pair of white cotton underwear tucked inside—exactly her usual style.

“Thanks,” she said, blushing as she went into the guest bathroom.

By the time she finished her shower, it was almost eleven. She couldn’t find a hairdryer, so she went to knock on Qin Ning’s door.

After a moment, Qin Ning opened it. Her hair was damp and she wore a loose silk nightgown—she had just showered too.

Xie Jing quickly looked down. “I… couldn’t find the hairdryer.”

“Come in,” Qin Ning said, turning back into the room. Xie Jing hesitated, then slowly stepped inside.

Qin Ning already had the hairdryer in hand and gestured for her to sit down.

Xie Jing sat on Qin Ning’s soft bed.

Qin Ning turned on the dryer to warm mode and began drying her hair.

Xie Jing’s hair was fine and soft, hard to dry. Back in school, Qin Ning often helped her with it. Even after all this time, she was still skilled—drying and massaging her scalp at the same time,
making Xie Jing feel sleepy.

After a long, exhausting day, finally able to relax, pampered by someone so tenderly, Xie Jing inevitably started to nod off.

Qin Ning stared at her pale neck. As her head drooped lower, she had to support her forehead. “Don’t sleep yet. Almost done.”

“Mm,” Xie Jing replied through her nose—but still fell asleep.

Qin Ning turned off the dryer, gently lifted her into bed, tucked her in, then quietly left for the guest room farthest from the master bedroom to dry her own hair.

The next morning, Xie Jing woke up to find herself curled up in Qin Ning’s arms, face buried in her neck, arms wrapped around her.

Xie Jing: “?”