Rong Jingyang: "..."
His expression darkened at a cliff-like speed. "No—"
But before he could utter another word, Ai Wei interrupted playfully, "Just kidding, look how nervous you are."
Touching her face, she said with a hint of bitterness, "I wouldn't dare harbor any improper thoughts about you anymore. Your mother dislikes me, and Ruo Xin is so impatient."
"Sigh!"
"I don't want to end up as strangers after failing to become a couple with you."
Ai Wei extended her hand, smiling openly. "Mr. Rong, I was a bit overconfident before. Are you willing to let bygones be bygones?"
"Liking you is my own affair."
"I will quit slowly."
"I only hope that in the airport design competition, I can compete fairly with Ruo Xin."
Rong Jingyang dared not meet Ai Wei's bright eyes directly.
Fairly?
His mother would never give anyone the chance to surpass Du Ruo Xin, especially Ai Wei.
Rong Jingyang's brows furrowed slightly, his gaze shifting to her palm.
Ai Wei, not receiving a response from Rong Jingyang for a long time, felt her heart flutter. "What, Mr. Rong, you don't believe me? Or do you think I'll cling to you shamelessly?"
The air seemed to freeze for a moment.
"How could that be?" Rong Jingyang immediately shook hands with Ai Wei.
He and she were, after all, friends with a shared understanding.
From junior high to university, from school to society, they had always been close friends.
If Du Ruo Xin hadn't been favored and approved by his mother first.
Perhaps, he would have married her.
Rong Jingyang looked at Ai Wei, his dark pupils deep. "You shouldn't speak of yourself like that."
Ai Wei smiled, the corners of her lips widening. "Can I still call you A Jing?"
Rong Jingyang nodded, responding with an "Mm," and then made a move to get up.
Ai Wei, as if sensing his intention, pressed his shoulder and moved behind him. "Don't get up."
"I've only slightly injured a ligament, I can walk."
"If you don't mind, would you let me push you?"
After a pause, she quickly clarified, "When we get downstairs, I promise to let go, so no one misunderstands you?"
Rong Jingyang had never seen such a cautious Ai Wei. She had always been so carefree and uninhibited.
His tone was cold. "There's no misunderstanding or not."
"No need to let go."
Ai Wei smiled, revealing a triumphant grin where Rong Jingyang couldn't see.
And so, Ai Wei pushed Rong Jingyang, who was limping, downstairs.
"Zhu Nan is my friend. Although I know her reputation in E City isn't great, she's loyal. She always helps me whenever I'm in trouble," Ai Wei explained.
Rong Jingyang offered no comment on her choice of friends, merely responding with a noncommittal "Mm."
After discussing personal matters, Ai Wei shifted to business. "I've already drawn up the airport design blueprints. Could you take a look?"
"It won't take up too much of your time."
Rong Jingyang's brow furrowed. Thinking of his mother's interference, he fell silent. "..."
Ai Wei smiled optimistically and teased, "Don't worry, even if I don't end up as the chief designer, I won't blame you."
"I just want to give my all in the competition."
"If I win, I'll gain both fame and fortune."
"If I lose, even without any ranking, I'll accept it gracefully."
Rong Jingyang's sword-like eyebrows knitted even deeper—in the face of inside dealings, how could there be any graceful acceptance?
Ai Wei...
"Tomorrow at nine, I'll be at the company."
Unable to change the outcome, all he could do was help her review her design drafts.
"Thank you."
During their conversation, they exited the elevator.
Seeing the crowd of onlookers, Ai Wei still released the handles of the wheelchair.
Unbeknownst to her, someone bumped into her intentionally or unintentionally. Ai Wei lost her balance and fell to the ground with a clang.
Rong Jingyang's face instantly darkened—hadn't he said she didn't need to let go?
Controlling his wheelchair, he turned and helped her up.
Ai Wei was stepped on again by someone in a hurry, letting out a scream of pain. The piercing agony made her break out in a cold sweat.
As Rong Jingyang helped her up, she lost her footing and fell onto him.
"Ah—"
Rong Jingyang also saw someone step on Ai Wei. "Okay?"
Ai Wei trembled all over from the pain. "I—"
Just then, Du Ruo Xin, who had followed the crowd outside the hall to watch the excitement, or rather, to find Rong Jingyang, witnessed this scene.
Her mind exploded.
Rong Jingyang, Ai Wei is doing this on purpose for you, and you're actually falling for it!