SPTASPTO 52

Chapter – 52

“She just bought it casually,” Ning Xuechu said with a smile.

“I think I’ve seen President An use that same lipstick shade before,” the person whispered mysteriously.

Ning Xuechu put on an innocent, puzzled expression. “Really? I didn’t know.”

“Seriously?” The person clearly didn’t believe her and wanted to probe further, but a warning look from the team leader stopped them.

“So early in the morning and you’re not working—just chatting? Are your sales numbers that good this month?” the team leader said coldly. When his gaze landed on Ning Xuechu, however, he gave her a slightly ingratiating smile.

Ning Xuechu returned the smile, feeling cheerful as she started her workday.

It seemed yesterday’s effect had been quite good. Maybe she could invite An Jianqing to lunch today and make the rumors feel even more real.

Chapter 27: Rumors and Gossip

The Ning Group had its own employee cafeteria, and most people went there for lunch.

After organizing her morning work, Ning Xuechu shut down her computer, picked up her phone, and stood up from her seat.

“Xiao Ning, want to go have lunch together?” a colleague asked.

“I’m going to the restroom,” Ning Xuechu replied.

The colleague wasn’t giving up and followed after her. “I’ll wait for you—we can go eat together.”

“No need. I already made plans,” Ning Xuechu said with a smile, a hint of smugness in her eyes.

The colleague froze. Thinking of what had happened the night before, panic flashed across their face, and they didn’t dare continue pestering her.

Ning Xuechu washed her hands and touched up her makeup in front of the mirror.

She picked up her lipstick and smiled faintly.

That lipstick really was the same one An Jianqing used. When An Jianqing bought it, she had picked one up for Ning Xuechu as well. It was said to be a new shade from a major brand—very hard to get.

After finishing her makeup, Ning Xuechu leaned casually against the wall and called An Jianqing.
“Jiejie, shall we go to the cafeteria together today?”

An Jianqing frowned slightly.

She rarely went to the cafeteria. Even when she did, she used a private dining room and never ate with others.

But hearing the anticipation in Ning Xuechu’s voice, she couldn’t bear to refuse.

After thinking for a moment, An Jianqing said, “Alright. Wait five minutes for me.”

“Okay, jiejie,” Ning Xuechu replied with satisfaction.

She stood on the path everyone had to take to get to the cafeteria and waited for An Jianqing.

People passing by couldn’t help but glance at her, and many whispered among themselves.

As more and more eyes gathered on her, Ning Xuechu nervously pinched the corner of her clothes, standing slightly on tiptoe and leaning inward, adopting a posture that looked like she was trying to hide.

“Good afternoon, President An.”

Suddenly, voices filled with surprise and respect rang out from the crowd.

Ning Xuechu immediately looked up, broke into a bright smile, and ran toward An Jianqing.
“Jiejie, you’re finally here…”

Her voice carried a trace of timidity. As she spoke, she glanced at the crowd and quickly lowered her head again, clearly uneasy under all the attention.

“Sorry to keep you waiting,” An Jianqing said with a gentle smile. Her eyes swept across the surroundings, forcing everyone else to look away, not daring to stare at them. “Are you feeling better now?”

“Mm.” Ning Xuechu nodded happily and naturally hooked her arm through An Jianqing’s. “Jiejie, what do you want to eat?”

“Anything is fine.” An Jianqing’s gaze dropped briefly, and after a pause, she didn’t pull away.

In a place this crowded, even the slightest movement from her could hurt Ning Xuechu’s sensitive heart.

An Jianqing had someone pack the food and bring it to her private dining room.

Ning Xuechu felt slightly disappointed. She had planned to put on an intimate performance for everyone to see.

The room had one-way glass, allowing a clear view of everything outside.

As she ate, Ning Xuechu admired the scene below.

She saw many people whispering to each other—probably guessing at the relationship between her and An Jianqing.

“Jiejie, my aunt told me to call her ‘Director Ning’ at the company. I just called you ‘jiejie’ in front of so many people… will that have a bad influence?” Ning Xuechu asked worriedly, biting her lip.

“It’s fine. Don’t think too much about it,” An Jianqing said gently. “Your aunt probably said that because she didn’t want you to get into trouble.”

“So that’s how it is.” Ning Xuechu relaxed and smiled. “I thought she didn’t like me.”

Seeing her like this, An Jianqing felt a wave of melancholy.

She had always believed that as long as she treated Ning Xuechu well enough, she could fill the emptiness in the child’s heart. But now she realized that familial affection was something indispensable—something she could never replace.

An Jianqing sighed inwardly and asked casually, “How has work been lately?”

“Pretty good. I’ve basically learned everything,” Ning Xuechu answered happily.

“That’s good. I knew Xuechu is so outstanding—you’re definitely no worse than an Alpha,” An Jianqing said with a smile.

A flicker passed through Ning Xuechu’s eyes. Feeling that the atmosphere was right, she asked cautiously, “Jiejie, why do you think Omegas aren’t inferior to Alphas? In most people’s minds, Alphas are the strongest.”

At that, the smile on An Jianqing’s face paused. Her eyes narrowed slightly as she asked meaningfully, “What do you think?”

“I…” Ning Xuechu froze and instinctively looked away.

She sensed that this answer was important—that it would affect An Jianqing’s opinion of her.

“I think so too,” Ning Xuechu said with a sweet, innocent smile.

An Jianqing chuckled softly. “It’s good that you think that way. Work hard from now on—don’t disappoint your jiejie.”

“I won’t. I promise I won’t disappoint you,” Ning Xuechu said, nodding firmly, her naive smile masking the immense ambition deep in her heart.

She didn’t care about the differences between Alphas and Omegas.

What she wanted wasn’t just recognition.

She wanted the entire Ning Group.

One day, she would turn this CEO-only room into her own private domain.