Chapter 24

As the three speedboats loaded with people sped back, Qiao Yun, standing side by side with Zheng Longqing, let her green hair and skirt flutter in the wind. At this moment...

"Bang bang!" Suddenly, colorful fireworks burst from the cruise ship, adorning the night sky with an extra charm. The sea reflected the fireworks, making the scene as romantic as it could be, as if it were specially prepared to welcome the golden boy and girl.

The Ivory Coast immediately erupted in exclamations, especially from some of the women, who were almost crazily envious.

"Damn! He's Zheng Longqing from Shengqing Group. This is clearly a date!" Lin Zixian grumbled, his teeth aching. "What is Qiao Yun up to, offering herself? Is this her solution? Isn't this like dancing with the wolf? Isn't she afraid of being devoured?"

Beside him, Meng Zidan chuckled, "At least tonight is worry-free. Zheng Longqing took Qiao Yun away under everyone's watchful eyes. If anything happens to Qiao Yun, Zheng Longqing will be held responsible. He's not that stupid."

The people on the three speedboats had already boarded the cruise ship, which began to turn and head out to sea. The brilliant fireworks soared into the sky, their colors lingering for a long time, and it was unknown how many fireworks were prepared on the ship.

As the cruise ship gradually disappeared from view, the noise on the Ivory Coast also gradually subsided.

Lin Zixian felt a bit depressed. Qiao Yun's beauty was undeniable. If she really did something as foolish as offering herself, it would be a great favor to Zheng Longqing.

The reason he felt guilty when he saw Qiao Yun was that, although he didn't love or like her, her beauty did make him a bit moved. So, in this situation, he felt a bit jealous.

"Damn! A midnight cruise is nothing. If I wanted to, I could get a nuclear submarine to take you out to sea, and it would be so romantic..." Lin Zixian muttered to himself.

Deputy Minister Lin was indeed a bit upset. He had tried to date Qiao Yun but ended up getting beaten by her and was still disliked by her. Yet, Zheng Longqing, who had almost kidnapped her father, was now taking her out to sea for a romantic evening. This was frustrating for Lin Zixian.

Ning Lan had already walked to the side and made a call, quickly reporting what she saw to Qiao Antian.

Afterward, the three of them sat on the terrace, listening to the sea and enjoying the moon.

With some snacks to satisfy their hunger and two beautiful women to chat with, Deputy Minister Lin's mood finally improved a bit.

The night breeze was intoxicating. As midnight approached, Meng Zidan suddenly clapped her hands and said with a smile, "Ladies, I've prepared a sea-view couple's suite for you. What do you think?"

When she said this, she mainly observed Ning Lan's reaction. Ning Lan glared at her but didn't say anything, instead observing Lin Zixian's reaction.

Lin Zixian looked at Meng Zidan speechlessly, then at Ning Lan, considering whether to admit defeat. The atmosphere among the three was somewhat strange...

"Alright! I'll take you to your room first. As for what happens next, it's up to you whether you stay or leave." Meng Zidan broke the silence, understanding her sister's thoughts and helping to bring them together.

Thus, the three of them arrived at the couple's suite. Meng Zidan briefly introduced the facilities in the suite and then left with a mischievous smile.

As the name suggests, the couple's suite naturally had only one double bed. Lin Zixian looked around and smiled bitterly at Ning Lan, "Your classmate is really stingy. She said it was a sea-view presidential suite. With just one bed, what are we going to do tonight? Do you really want to warm my bed?"

"Do you really want me to warm your bed?" Ning Lan said provocatively.

"Uh..." Lin Zixian was taken aback, then looked her up and down and nodded, "From a man's perspective, not wanting it would be a lie!"

"Whatever!" Ning Lan threw back, turned around, and walked to the bathroom, saying, "I'm tired, I'll wash up and go to bed."

The bathroom door slammed shut, and Ning Lan immediately leaned weakly against the wall, her legs trembling, her cheeks flushing, and her heart racing, almost jumping out of her throat. Clearly, her earlier nonchalance was all an act.

Slowly walking to the bathroom mirror, she saw her own seductive eyes and flushed cheeks and quickly splashed cold water on her face, warning herself that she was losing control. How long had they known each other? Was this worth it? She was playing with fire...

On the luxurious cruise ship, the brilliant fireworks had quieted down.

Qiao Yun stood at the bow of the ship, holding the railing and gazing at the night sea, her long hair and dress fluttering in the wind, accentuating her graceful figure. The sound of the sea waves involuntarily brought to mind the melancholic sound of a harmonica, which lingered in her mind.

In the ship's bar, Zheng Longqing personally poured two glasses of golden champagne. As he turned, a slender figure blocked his path. It was a beautiful woman in a black business suit, with wavy hair and a cold, sharp gaze, staring directly at Zheng Longqing.

Those familiar with this woman knew she was Zheng Longqing's life assistant, Luo Qili. However, she had another identity that most people didn't know: she was also Zheng Longqing's bodyguard.

"Qili, what are you doing?" Zheng Longqing smiled at the woman blocking his path.

"I want an explanation," Luo Qili said coldly.

Zheng Longqing's face darkened, revealing a rare gloom. He said coldly, "What explanation? Don't forget your current role. In the gang, you are my senior, but now you are just a bodyguard sent by my father. What do I need to explain to you?"

Luo Qili didn't give him any face, saying calmly, "You've caused such a commotion over a woman. The gang's leaders think you are obsessed with women and neglecting the gang's interests. My godfather already knows and is very unhappy. He called me just now, and I am here to get an explanation from you on his behalf."

Zheng Longqing's face cleared, and he smiled, "I am pursuing her and want to marry her. Is this explanation satisfactory?"

"Not really. What's your reason for wanting to marry her?" Luo Qili's face turned cold.

"The reason is simple. What I am doing is for the gang's benefit," Zheng Longqing said, staring at her, "Qiao Antian has only one daughter, and the two of them have absolute control over Minghua Group. In other words, Minghua Group will eventually belong to Qiao Yun. By marrying Qiao Yun, I will control Minghua Group, which is more beneficial than getting just ten percent of their shares. I think the gang's leaders will understand this."

Luo Qili sneered, "You're dreaming. Is Qiao Yun a fool? She won't agree to marry you."

Zheng Longqing smiled dismissively, handed her a glass of champagne, and poured another for himself, saying slowly, "It doesn't matter whether she agrees or not. I just need to create the impression that she is dating me. Even if I have to force her later... In the end, no matter what means I use to marry Qiao Yun, everyone will think we are in a free relationship. That's enough." He raised his glass, indicating he was leaving, and walked out.

Luo Qili walked to the glass window with a dark face, looking at the couple on the ship's bow. The jealousy in her eyes was hard to hide. She drank the champagne in one gulp, and the glass shattered in her hand.

Lin Zixian sat on the small balcony, smoking in the night. Ning Lan was in the bathroom for a long time.

When he returned to the room, he found no one in the bathroom. The bedroom door was slightly open, and he pushed it open to see Ning Lan already in bed.

Ning Lan heard the door open and tensed up, not daring to move. Then she heard the door close, and the person left again. Her hearing was unusually sharp, and she faintly heard someone washing up in the bathroom.

Thinking about what might happen after the person finished washing up, Ning Lan was extremely anxious. When the sound of washing up ended, she was so nervous that she almost fainted from lack of oxygen.

But she didn't hear Lin Zixian come in again. Ning Lan lay in bed, waiting, and eventually fell asleep.

When she was woken by the alarm in the morning, Ning Lan sat up abruptly, seeing that the pillow next to her was untouched. She breathed a sigh of relief, but also felt a bit disappointed.

In the living room, she found Lin Zixian lying on the sofa, snoring. She wondered if he had suffered as much as she had last night.

The sound of Ning Lan getting ready woke Lin Zixian. They both got ready, acting as if nothing had happened, and indeed, nothing had.

The doorbell rang, and Lin Zixian opened the door to see Meng Zidan pushing a cart of food, looking him up and down and nodding, "You look good. It seems you didn't waste the beautiful night... Move aside!" She pushed the cart in.

Seeing Ning Lan, she circled around her, tsking, "You should have been more restrained. Look at yourself, you look so haggard."

"Stop talking nonsense!" Ning Lan knew she hadn't slept well, but it wasn't for the reason Meng Zidan thought. She was angry and reached out to pinch her.

Meng Zidan quickly begged for mercy, "Alright, alright, no more talk. Let's eat, you still have to go to work!"

The atmosphere in the room was strange. As they ate together, Meng Zidan kept sneaking glances at the two of them.

Since they had to go to work, Lin Zixian and Ning Lan said goodbye. Before leaving, Meng Zidan slyly asked for Lin Zixian's phone number and gave him a membership card, inviting him to bring Ning Lan to the Ivory Coast often.

On the way back to the company, Lin Zixian, after holding it in for a long time, finally couldn't help but ask, "Meng Zidan seems to have misunderstood us. Why didn't you explain?"

"Nothing to explain if you have a clear conscience," Ning Lan shot back, "Why didn't you explain?"

"Uh..." Lin Zixian was speechless, thinking that if he explained and she didn't say anything, people would think he was trying to cover something up.