Lan Ning stalled the Chevy at the beach, observing the pretty lady still sound asleep on the passenger side of the car. She was sleeping peacefully without a single worry written on her face. Raising his fingers to her pale cheeks, he took careful measures to not stir her from her sleep.
Lady Luck was on his side this time. She was beautiful indeed, he realised, as he scrutinised her all over. Black lace seemed to go with her so well. The low back line of her dress was indeed tempting, so fortunately she was lying on her back, cloaking it well from his eyes.
He hadn't expected to run into her today. Initially, he was returning from a haircut at the barber when he realised he had left his keys at the barber. Because of the hot weather, he got a cup of milk tea from the bubble tea cafe franchise on the opposite block after grabbing his keys.
Althea Cafe was renowned for its cold brewed almond milk tea. On the way to the cafe, he came to witness the shooting at the film set. That was when he recognised Yiren and helped her escape. This time around, she accepted his help readily, which was understandable. After all, who didn't adore a hero who saved the damsel in distress?
With a yawn, Yiren stirred and opened her eyes slowly.
"Lan Ning," she pronounced his name tenderly. He vividly relived in his mind how she had, just a few days ago, rejected him with excuses that he had seen through obviously. Even her alibi that she had a class to attend at two that day turned out to be a lie. He shadowed her carefully enough without her discovering. Taking on a slower speed than how he would normally take his Chevy, he spied on her by following her motorcycle all the way. In order for her to not notice him, he took a few road breaks and caught up with her soon enough, until she reached her destination.
Initially, he was impertinent to uncover why she was headed to the Dong building, but after today's incident, everything was crystal-clear to him now.
For someone with his wealth, gathering information from the reporters was just a minor task. In the few hours while she slept, he had found a few sources of information about the scandal between Yiren and Dong Xu.
On the outside, she was so innocent. To think she had something going on in the dark with Dong Xu…
Lan Ning reconsidered his interest in the girl. Was she like the others, a gold-digger? His intuition told him he could be possibly wrong. Perhaps there was something more than that, and he had to find out. But to contend with a rival like Dong Xu was not something he could achieve in the short term. He was still a university student, not a CEO like Dong Xu.
When there was a will, there was a way. There were two more years before he would graduate. The best thing he could do now was to inform his father of his interest in taking over the family business. Only with this change would his father take him seriously. Then, he could compete with Dong Xu.
He had to strike when the iron was hot.
"Yiren, how are you feeling now?" He presented her with a wad of tissues that he obtained from the drawer of his car.
"I'm okay. Thank you for your help earlier."
He helped raise the incline of her seat for her to sit properly. Compared to the last time they had met, she came to be more sincere with her intentions towards him.
"Just now…"
"It's just a misunderstanding. The paparazzi mistook me for someone else." If she was lying, she was doing a good job.
Lan Ning put together all the information he had received earlier. Even if she was involved with Dong Xu before, he might be able to turn her to his side. He would not back away from an enjoyable challenge.
After helping her, he sensed a change of emotions towards him. If he did everything right, he could change her impression of him slowly. He watched her plump lips move as she spoke. Her curly eyelashes enticed him at every moment.
None of the girls he had dated before had this effect on him. Most of the relationships he had never lasted more than a few months. She was so unique, even if he had just known her.
He controlled his emotions and just smiled. From his experience, rushing things wouldn't go well for him in his pursuit of the girl. So all he could do was to take in her perfectness and watch her patiently until the right moment came.
Lan Ning wished he could read what was on Yiren's mind as the two of them walked across the soft sands, with her deep in thought. Fortunately for him, she didn't decline his invitation to dinner. This time, they went to a calmer spot located away from town. It wasn't posh like the restaurant they went to earlier, but had a variety of home-based dishes. She spoke about the dishes she enjoyed as a child, and he relayed a few of his favourite dishes.
The fact she was opening up to him slowly was delightful to Lan Ning. She didn't intrude into his privacy by asking him personal questions, nor did he ask if she had dated anyone. That night, when he sent her home, he knew he was a step closer.
Patience, he told himself. One day, he would have her in his arms and call her his for real. But for now, he could only take a step at a time and procure her interest and trust gradually.
At least she didn't seem to push him away with blatant excuses or be uncomfortable around him. This was a good sign.
He watched her enter the apartment where she lived with a few others and walked away with a deep smile on his face. Good night, Feng Yiren, he thought with a satisfied feeling inside him.
It wouldn't be long before he would have her.