Although Ning Xiruo didn't fit Chen Xinan's personal standard of beauty, he still appreciated the gesture—she had gone through the trouble of traveling all the way out here and invited him to dinner.
City restaurants were a far cry from the rough meals he was used to in the mountains. As soon as he saw the table piled with dishes he couldn't even name, his mouth watered uncontrollably.
Ning Xiruo's expression darkened with undisguised contempt as she glared at him.
"Xiao Zhou will take you shopping this afternoon for some clothes. After the meeting, I'll bring you home to see my grandmother," she said, her tone dripping with annoyance.
That's exactly what he wanted to hear! Chen Xinan's eyes lit up. "Then I won't hold back!"
He grabbed a braised pork knuckle and, with a loud crunch, sank his teeth into a massive bite.
Ning Xiruo and Xiao Zhou sat beside him, both utterly disgusted by his manners, but Chen Xinan didn't even notice. Instead, he cheerfully gestured toward them:
"Don't just stare—join in! Don't be shy!"
Who was shy? It wasn't like she invited him. Both women rolled their eyes in silent exasperation.
"Oh, someone's finally enjoying themselves!"
A slick, foppish young man appeared at the door, leaning against it like he had no bones.
Ning Xiruo's face turned icy. "Ning Zhe, what are you doing here? Isn't the office quiet?"
"Office quiet? I'm your cousin! Visiting my own company building is the least I can do!" Ning Zhe swaggered in, ignoring Chen Xinan entirely and plopping down next to Xiao Zhou.
Chen Xinan didn't care—he didn't know him and wasn't interested. At that moment, nothing smelled better than the pork knuckle in his hand.
Ning Xiruo's face remained impassive. "Fine, take your time. I'm heading back to the office."
Ning Zhe grinned. "Don't go, Xiao Ruo! Big brother rarely comes back. Can't we chat a little? You were the clingiest kid when we were young!"
"I've seen you enough. Talk's over. Can I leave now?" she snapped.
Xiruo's icy stare left Ning Zhe pretending to be hurt. "You really won't talk more with your brother? I've always cared for you…"
"Ning Zhe, that's enough!" she hissed, her hair bristling like a cornered cat. "Don't forget what you did to me! If you cared about me, you wouldn't have colluded with outsiders to drug me. If not for Qingjie, I would've been ruined by that old pervert! And now you dare say you care?!"
Ning Zhe waved a dismissive hand. "Xiao Ruo, I did it for your own good! Mr. Lu really likes you, and he can help you immensely. I did it for the company, for your future! You'll thank me one day."
Xiruo was about to explode. "Get out! I don't need to sacrifice myself to gain favors. I don't have a brother like you!"
Ning Zhe, ever grinning, said, "You may not recognize me as your brother, but I still recognize you as my sister! Now, let's get down to business."
He pulled out the budget talk. The direct-sale store needed renovations, and he wanted another three million from headquarters.
Xiao Zhou's jaw dropped. "Manager Ning, you just got two million last week. Why again? Even with renovations, it shouldn't cost more than five million!"
Slap! Ning Zhe struck Xiao Zhou across the face, eyes narrowed. "Do you have the right to speak here? Just do your job and shut up!"
Xiao Zhou held her face, sobbing. Ning Xiruo slammed her hand on the table. "Enough! Get out! I won't give you a cent!"
Ning Zhe laughed, entirely unfazed. "It's just a little slap. Don't take it so seriously! Xiao Zhou, let me help you rub your face…"
Xiao Zhou shrank behind Ning Xiruo, glaring at him in anger.
Ning Zhe turned to Xiruo. "You're in charge now, but the business belongs to the Ning family. I'm part of it too. If I want money, why not give it?"
Xiruo's eyes blazed. "Listen carefully. Liangmao Distillery was founded by my parents. Before they passed, they split 40% to care for the Ning family. The remaining 60% belongs to me!
The company is struggling. You've already lost two million gambling. And now you ask for more? No way!"
Ning Zhe's expression darkened, but then he smiled slyly. "Fine, I'll figure it out myself. We'll sell shares if needed to cover the renovation. If family won't help, we help ourselves!"
Xiruo's face paled with anger and fear. The consequences of selling shares or mismanaging funds could be catastrophic.
Seeing her hesitate, Ning Zhe smirked. "Three million isn't much. You can handle it. So why stress?"
Xiruo bit her lip so hard it almost bled, despair written across her face. Finally, she let out a long sigh. "Fine. I'll give you the money. Last time. Don't bother me again. Xiao Zhou, go to finance and get the check ready. I'll sign it."
Xiao Zhou hesitated, but Xiruo shook her head, and she reluctantly left.
Ning Zhe beamed. "That's my good little sister! But don't think I won't come back. Family sticks together, we help each other, right?"
Just then, a voice rang out, perfectly timed:
"Xiruo, are you stupid? You know he's just going to gamble it, and you're still giving him money? What are you thinking?"
Xiruo glared at the oil-mouthed Chen Xinan. "None of your business. Keep eating."
Ning Zhe narrowed his eyes at Chen Xinan. "Who do you think you are? You want to interfere? Get lost!"
Chen Xinan grabbed him by the collar, lifted him off the ground, and tossed him outside the dining room. He dusted his hands and turned to Xiruo.
"If you dislike someone, don't swallow your anger. If you don't want to give, don't give. He clearly sees you as an easy mark. Are you stupid?"