Chapter 36: Chapter 36

What should you do when you encounter someone who once watched your performance with interest, saw through your act on the spot, and is also your own superior that you must flatter?

An Ning’s answer to this was to stay cool and indifferent.

Meeting the other party’s gaze filled with a teasing smile, An Ning raised her hand, calmly returned the handshake without changing expression, and parted her fingers the moment their fingertips touched. She accepted the so-called compliments with an unusually calm demeanor, not the slightest trace of embarrassment.

Minister Hao, standing beside her, quickly spoke up:

“An Ning, this is Comrade Gu, the Deputy Director of our Municipal Finance Bureau. Thanks to Comrade Gu, we’ve received quite a lot of help this time!”

Then he immediately looked cheerfully at the young man in a crisp Zhongshan suit nearby:

“Director Gu, don’t underestimate Comrade An Ning just because she’s young. Her ability is no less than those top students from universities. She’s already the top talent in our department at such a young age. The smooth progress of this research this time is largely thanks to Comrade Lu.”

His gaze paused briefly on the young girl before him, whose face still held a warm smile, looking quite upright.

“I’ve already heard about Comrade Lu’s achievements before. I even heard the neighboring military research institute once wanted to transfer Comrade Lu there, which shows how outstanding their ability really is.”

Damn it, these military bandits! Don’t they know how to discover talent on their own? They just have to keep plucking at this one wool endlessly. They don’t even care if they strip their own research institutes bald.

Minister Hao was seething with hatred inside but maintained a beaming smile on his face. He silently resolved to submit a report tomorrow to promote and raise Comrade Lu’s salary, making sure Comrade Lu would feel attached to their warm family at Anhua Factory.

After touring the technical area with the cadre group, An Ning and her team had nothing more to do. She heard the inspection team would stay at the factory for several days but didn’t care much.

As Kun City’s largest heavy industry factory and a military district affiliate, Anhua Factory received key support, with multiple rounds of funding every year. It was no surprise the higher-ups paid close attention.

What surprised her was that from that day on, someone frequently appeared within An Ning’s line of sight:

“Comrade Lu, we meet again!”

In the canteen, watching the person who casually sat across from her, An Ning couldn’t help but feel speechless. She wasn’t stupid. If it were so obvious and she still couldn’t see through it, then all these years would have been wasted.

She noticed Tall Sister Gao beside her was excitedly watching the drama unfold. Tugging on Gao’s sleeve, An Ning took out the lunchbox from her backpack and efficiently packed up the food in front of her:

“Director Gu, please enjoy your meal. The technical department still has work, so my colleagues and I will head back first.”

“Uh... alright! Okay then,” Tall Sister Gao said with some regret but promptly followed An Ning to pack up and leave.

Just watching the familiar movements, it was clear they were used to this.

Before leaving, she glanced at Gu Chen with a rare look of regret. See? No matter how outstanding the conditions, she still became one of the many who were rejected by her own An Ning.

Sure enough, being beautiful gave you confidence.

Also, if she had An Ning’s looks and temperament, she would have kicked that guy at home eight yards away long ago.

Thinking this, facing him directly, Tall Sister Gao unusually felt a bit weak in the knees:

“Um, Director Gu... we’re leaving now...”

Hopefully, he wouldn’t fly into a jealous rage and give their department trouble next quarter.

In fact, he didn’t seem jealous or angry, but clearly, he was not someone as easy to brush off as those before.

“Wait, Comrade Lu, can I have a word with you alone?”

Before the two could leave, a pair of slender arms blocked their way. Gu Chen had risen from his seat without anyone noticing. His gaze toward An Ning remained as gentle as ever, but strangely, Tall Sister Gao’s legs had already turned weak. She couldn’t help poking An Ning with her hand.

Meeting the visitor’s gaze, An Ning nodded lightly.

“Comrade Gu, I’ve said before it’s not that you’re not a good person, but I’m currently not interested in dating anyone.” Leading the way to a slightly secluded corridor, An Ning spoke first.

Gu Chen couldn’t help lowering his eyes.

The young girl before him wore a simple pure white shirt, casually tucked at the hem. In the sunlight, her skin was almost translucent white. Her black hair, red lips, and bright eyes, even without makeup, carried a unique charm.

What truly caught his eye was her aura, unlike that of a small-town girl; rather, she had an indescribable classical grace.

Simply standing there, it felt as if the crisp fragrance of magnolia lingered in the air.

If her background weren’t so simple, he would have thought she was a refined lady from a literary family still preserved today.

Recalling the girl’s mischievous behavior on that day, Gu Chen’s heart stirred slightly. He was clearly not annoyed by the earlier rejection and still wore a smile on his face:

“Though it’s a bit presumptuous...”

“I hope Comrade An Ning can spare me a few minutes.”

“Let me introduce myself first. I am Gu Chen, twenty-eight years old this year, so I cannot yet address Comrade Lu as ‘you’. My family is in the capital; my father and elder brother both serve in the military, and my mother is a military district doctor. There are no burdens at home, and as the second son, even if I am transferred back to the capital one day, I won’t have to live with my parents after marriage.”

“My current salary is 15,250, and though I can’t promise a luxurious life after marriage, at least I won’t lower Comrade Lu’s current living standards. As for household chores, rest assured, my brother and I have received military-style education from our grandfather since childhood, so simple laundry and cooking won’t be a problem.”

“You won’t have to exhaust yourself in the future.”

“Moreover, if you become pregnant, as long as there is a reasonable explanation, relatives from my side will come to help take care of you.”

“Of course, if Comrade An Ning wishes to continue her studies in the future, I, Gu Chen, guarantee my full support.”

“Oh, by the way, this is some sweet tangerines just released from neighboring Yun Province. I heard Comrade An Ning likes fruit, so I specially asked my cousin next door to send some over.”

As he spoke, he extended his long arm and handed over a cloth bag that looked quite heavy.

After listening to the rapid-fire words without a breath, An Ning finally looked up and seriously studied the man before her for the first time.

Like last time, the first impression he gave was undoubtedly noble. Even in the monotonous administrative shirt, his unique aura stood out, clearly the product of a good family education.

As for his appearance, his somewhat rugged features and handsome facial structure were definite bonuses. As for his figure, An Ning glanced at his arms and waist. Hmm... obvious military family background, clearly a trained soldier.

As if unaware of what the comrade before him was thinking, Gu Chen’s expression remained unchanged as the cloth bag in his hand never left his grip.

After a moment, the man before her slowly lifted his eyes and, for the first time since they met, looked at him with a bright smile:

“That’s all well and good, but how do I know, Director Gu, you’re not just flattering me to trick me?”