Chapter 67: What if I never find a man worth entrusting myself to in this lifetime?

Zhao Bin couldn't understand how Ning Jinli had suddenly become the big boss of Baoyun Hall, but now was not the time to think about that.

He only knew that at this moment, An Zong could no longer safeguard his position.

Once fired, he would not only lose the chance to mend his relationship with An Zong, but would also leave a huge black mark on his originally brilliant career history.

Although Baoyun Hall was not a nationally famous company, it had considerable reputation in the Antique World, and many bigwigs in various industries in Xinghan City were longtime customers of Baoyun Hall.

As a department executive, his being fired by this company would certainly be learned by those bigwigs, which amounted to a death sentence for his future career prospects in Xinghan City!

"Ning big boss……" Zhao Bin pleaded with snot and tears, "Punish me…… deduct my salary, make me write a self-criticism, demote me or even make me pay compensation—anything is fine, please don't fire me! Otherwise…… my future will be completely ruined, and I'll never amount to anything in this lifetime!"

Ning Jinli merely watched silently, a hint of disgust in her cold smile.

Seeing she didn't respond, Zhao Bin shifted his knees and apologized to Su Qinglan: "Su Yi…… sorry! I…… I was wrong! I shouldn't have hit you! It's my immaturity! You, being magnanimous, don't hold a grudge against a petty person—don't treat me as an equal…… please forgive me."

He had previously heard Ning Jinli talk about Su Yi's pitiful past, clearly indicating she was a kind and soft-hearted person.

He thought that as long as his attitude was good enough, the other party would surely be reluctant.

Once he persuaded Su Yi, Ning Jinli would spare him out of respect for Su Yi's face.

"Su Yi…… please……" Zhao Bin begged, head raised.

Slap!

Another slap sound rang out.

It was Su Yi who struck.

With that slap, not only was Zhao Bin taken aback, but Ning Jinli was also startled.

One must know, Su Yi had always been gentle with people; even when bullied, she usually endured everything to defuse conflict, speaking softly even in arguments, and certainly never resorted to violence.

But this time she actually slapped Zhao Bin without a word.

"Su Yi, you……" Zhao Bin covered his face in shock.

"Don't call me Su Yi anymore!" Su Qinglan snapped: "This slap is for Xiao Li! Xiao Li always praised you to me as being wonderful, yet you actually betrayed her!"

Su Qinglan grew angrier the more she spoke, her breathing becoming rapid.

Ning Jinli hurriedly patted her chest to calm her: "Su Yi, don't get angry; it's not worth harming your health over this kind of person."

Su Qinglan took a slow deep breath, while continuing to speak to Zhao Bin: "I can overlook you hitting me, but…… but I will absolutely not forgive your cheating and two-timing during your relationship with Xiao Li! I will absolutely not forgive you for having harmed Xiao Li!"

Zhao Bin was speechless.

The strategy of trying to persuade Su Yi was declared a failure.

He could only cling to the last sliver of hope, turning his head to look at An Zong.

He thought that Ning Jinli would certainly not fire An Zong as well; as long as An Zong did his utmost to protect him, even if he were demoted to an ordinary employee, he could accept it.

In short…… he must not be fired!

Zhao Bin slowly opened his mouth: "An——"

Before he could finish uttering "Zong," An Zong's eyes flashed with a look of disgust, and he directly interrupted: "Don't call me; I follow the boss's orders."

This was not her trying to curry favor with Ning Jinli.

It was purely that Zhao Bin, in a short time, repeatedly refreshed her understanding.

Earlier, even after personally hearing Zhao Bin admit to those scumbag behaviors, she still couldn't completely sever her feelings for him, so even when she proposed a breakup, she still wanted to keep him around.

Even deep down she harbored some hope, thinking that if he someday improved, she could try giving him a chance to reconcile.

But just now.

His kneeling and pleading appearance completely shattered her hope.

Because his kneeling, apologizing, and pleading were solely for his future prospects, without a shred of genuine remorse or reflection on his own mistakes.

Therefore, he did not realize his mistake.

He was merely afraid……

Such a person could never reform.

Zhao Bin finally realized that An Zong's gaze had turned icy cold, with no trace of feeling left for him.

He opened his mouth, but could say nothing.

After a few seconds of silence, he slowly rose, as if his soul had been drained, staggering out of the office with unsteady steps.

At the moment he stepped out the door, he glanced back at Ning Jinli's back.

"Ning——Jin——li," he thought of his own disgraceful appearance just now, his eye sockets filled with resentment, gritting his teeth as he muttered to himself, "You really have talent…… again and again you've harmed me, you just wait……"

"I swear, I will surely rise above others; someday I will make you kneel before me like a dog. Someday I will wash away today's humiliation a thousandfold!"

After Zhao Bin left.

An Zong solemnly apologized to Ning Jinli, voluntarily admitting that his initial handling of Zhao Bin had involved some self-interest, and was willing to accept any punishment Ning Jinli might impose, even offering to resign.

Ning Jinli smiled and said: "Then let's punish you with a few extra shifts."

An Zong blinked, "Miss Ning, you……"

Ning Jinli stepped forward, gently taking her hand: "I know what it feels like to be deceived and hurt by that scumbag, so I can understand you. Fortunately you came to your senses quickly, proving you're not a love‑brain, so I can also trust you."

An Zong's nose involuntarily felt sour.

She truly hadn't expected to be struck in the heart by a few words from a young woman nearly ten years her junior.

The feeling of being understood…… made her want to cry.

"Thank you, Miss Ning," An Zong said, eyes reddening, striving to stay calm, showing a sincere smile: "I will continue to work hard to manage the company."

"By the way, the Security Team Leader position will be his from now on." Ning Jinli pointed at Xiao Zhang.

An Zong nodded: "All right, Miss Ning."

Xiao Zhang was overjoyed: "Thank you, Miss Ning!"

"No need to be polite," Ning Jinli said with a grin: "I promised you that. I still have to take Su Yi to the hospital; you guys carry on, bye‑bye."

An Zong offered to see them off, but Ning Jinli refused.

After Ning Jinli took Su Yi away, An Zong immediately called the HR department and told Xiao Zhang to adjust the position.

Next, Wu Sanye's phone call came through.

"Ah, really not easy, finally got a signal to get through!" Wu Sanye sighed, then urgently asked, "Has Miss Ning arrived at the company?"

An Zong answered: "She just left."

Wu Sanye again asked: "How?"

"What how?" An Zong countered, "Are you afraid I won't get along with people?"

"Cough... this isn't just some worry that you think Miss Ning is too young, won't take her seriously." Wu Sanye's tone carried some caution.

Don't look at Baoyun Hall being founded by him, but this female CEO he doesn't dare provoke.

Firstly, work ability extremely strong; secondly, high-spirited and temper not small.

Even Wu Sanye, as the boss, sometimes has to endure An Zong's retort.

"Although Miss Ning is young, but..." An Zong seriously said, "She really is quite good."

Wu Sanye exclaimed in surprise, "Ah? First time hearing our great CEO An praise someone! Miss Ning only met you once, and you've subdued this strong woman? I suddenly feel like I've failed..."

An Zong lightly laughed, "Alright Third Uncle, go busy yourself, don't disturb my work."

"Okay, with Miss Ning as big boss, I become second boss, afraid I'll have even less status here. Sigh, I'm really miserable..." Wu Sanye feigned a sorrowful tone joking.

"Stop talking nonsense, bye bye." An Zong laughed and hung up.

——

After Ning Jinli and Su Qinglan left the company, despite Su Qinglan always saying she's fine and doesn't need to go to the hospital, Ning Jinli still brought her for a thorough checkup.

Fortunately, indeed only some superficial injuries.

Ning Jinli then fully relaxed, let the doctor treat her, then drove her away.

"Ah? Xiao Li, this road isn't heading to our home direction, nor to your factory, where are we going?" Su Qinglan looked out the passenger window, puzzled.

Ning Jinli mysteriously said, "I prepared a surprise for you; today I called you for this matter—if you hadn't run into trouble at Baoyun Hall company, you would have already seen the surprise."

"You child..." Su Qinglan helplessly said, "Could it be you're spending money on me again?"

Ning Jinli laughed with a beaming face, "Spending money on you is natural and right!"

The car sped all the way; seeing they were about to arrive, Ning Jinli had her close her eyes first.

Then the car gradually slowed, entering Lanyue Villa.

Upon arriving at the villa gate, Ning Jinli helped the eyes-closed Su Qinglan out of the car, "Alright, open your eyes! Ding ding ding ding!"

Su Qinglan slowly opened her eyes; the luxurious villa scene entered her sight, she was stunned.

Such a place, she had only seen in TV dramas and movies before.

"Do you like this place?" Ning Jinli linked her arm, smiling, "This is our new home now!"

Su Qinglan's lips trembled, incredulous: "This... this is the house you bought?"

"Yes," Ning Jinli bent over, lightly resting her head on her thin shoulder, "I said before, when I grew up I wanted to give you a big beautiful house to live in..."

Su Qinglan both moved and worried, "Xiao Li, you... this is too expensive."

Ning Jinli said, "No expense, they gave me a discount."

Su Yi even more helpless, "Even with discount it's still a villa; tell me, how much did you spend? Hundreds of millions or tens of millions?"

She could tell this is a particularly nice villa, but for approximate price she has no concept.

Ning Jinli diverted the topic intentionally asking, "You don't like this house?"

Su Qinglan thought, Xiao Li this child now has both factory and company, running them surely hard, and who knows when some trouble will need lots of money; she can live anywhere, must consider more for Xiao Li, help her save money.

"Don't like, too big." Su Qinglan, after consideration, replied.

Ning Jinli knowing her thoughts, thus intentionally said, "Then just leave it here; I'll buy another you like."

Su Qinglan's eyes widened, "Ah? No, you this child..."

Ning Jinli laughed, "Anyway I've decided to give you a good house; if you don't like this one, buy another; if still not like, buy another next, until you're satisfied."

Su Qinglan laughed and cried, sighed, eye sockets slightly teary, "Alright, just this one... I really like it."

"Isn't that fine? Come, let me show you around the new home." Ning Jinli happily pulled her into the large villa.

Inside already decorated according to Su Qinglan's preferred style, plus there are nanny, driver, bodyguard welcoming.

Su Qinglan simply felt like dreaming, walking and looking, also had Ning Jinli pinch her.

Ning Jinli laughed saying, "From now on, you just stay here, enjoy blessings, do nothing, got it?"

Su Qinglan shook her head, "No no, I'm this kind of person, no pure blessing fate; if idle will surely get sick, heart not at ease; as long as I can move, must do some work, otherwise what's difference with a cripple?"

"Just knew you'd be like this," Ning Jinli pouted, "I've figured it out, you can occasionally clean at Baoyun Hall."

Su Qinglan's eyes lit up, "Still you this child understand me."

Ning Jinli immediately added, "I have a condition: you may only work at my company, not allowed elsewhere."

"Good good good," Su Qinglan laughed promising, "Of course I'll be at my little Li's company, rest assured."

"Also, you absolutely must not tire yourself," Ning Jinli solemn face, deliberately emphasized, "I'll greet those people; if you get tired I'll blame them."

Ning Jinli of course wouldn't really blame others randomly; she knows Su Qinglan's personality too well.

Indeed, Su Qinglan became anxious, "This can't be; I doing cleaning is my matter, how can you blame them?"

Ning Jinli pouted, "So you figure it out then..."

Su Qinglan said, "Okay okay okay, I promise only do the easiest. Can't let company people get involved, I can't cause them trouble."

Ning Jinli secretly laughed, hehehe, settled.

"Ah..." Su Qinglan suddenly sighed long.

Ning Jinli's nerves instantly tensed, "Su Yi you... what's wrong?"

Su Qinglan's eyes teared up, "I'm thinking of Zhao Bin, thinking of you dating that person who's not as good inside as outside for four years, you must have suffered a lot."

"I'm fine, I'm doing well." Ning Jinli comforted, "I didn't give him a chance to do anything to me! Although my feelings got a little hurt... but it's already over."

Su Qinglan wiped her tears and said:

"Back then, I suffered half my life because I didn't marry a better man. And now, seeing that your ex-boyfriend Zhao Bin is so terrible... I keep feeling a lingering fear for you!"

"Sigh... I've been thinking all along the way just now, and now I've realized: I must not push you to marry, absolutely must not push you; you really need to carefully examine the other person's character, make sure they're worthy of trust, before marrying."

"Compared to my hope that you marry and have a companion, my hope that I see you have children, I wish you happiness more... If I push you to marry and cause you to marry the wrong person, that would bring you great suffering."

After hearing these words, Ning Jinli's face was filled with shock.

Good heavens! Su Yi has held a special traditional notion for most of her life, and yet she actually changed?

I'm not dreaming, am I?!

"Su Yi..." Ning Jinli thought for a moment, intentionally probing and asked, "What if I never find a worthy man to entrust myself to in this lifetime? What should I do?"