Chapter 403: This Is an Opportunity

Chapter 403: Chapter 403: This Is an Opportunity

The next morning, Zhao Xiao’an groggily opened her eyes. She instinctively reached out to pull someone close, but her arms closed on empty air.

Startled, her eyes flew open, only to find no one else in the bed.

The owner of the embrace she had snuggled into before falling asleep was gone without a trace.

Just then, a message came in on her phone.

"Lazybones, time to get up!"

The message was, of course, from Wang Chenning. He told Zhao Xiao’an that he was already in the restaurant having breakfast.

"When did you leave?" Zhao Xiao’an replied, then added a playful message: "What am I supposed to do? I’m hungry for you."

"Then you’ll just have to wait until tonight to eat me!" Wang Chenning told Zhao Xiao’an that he was having breakfast with the person who would be their guide for the day. "None of the other women are here yet. When you get up, give them a call. Don’t keep our host waiting!"

"Got it!" Zhao Xiao’an rolled out of bed, ready to go to the bathroom and wash up.

As she threw back the covers, memories of their passion from the night before flooded her mind. She blushed, her heart fluttering.

’Being cherished by a man feels so wonderful!’

Stepping into the bathroom, Zhao Xiao’an couldn’t help but smile as she saw the beautiful woman with a peachy, radiant complexion staring back from the mirror.

’It turns out a man is a woman’s best cosmetic!’

While Zhao Xiao’an was swooning at her reflection in the bathroom, Wang Chenning was in the restaurant chatting with another beautiful woman.

He had expended a lot of energy the previous night, so he had gotten up early to have breakfast in the restaurant.

He had just sat down when a woman approached him. She looked to be in her thirties, with a wonderful temperament and figure. Her features were also quite attractive, framed by thick eyebrows.

After sitting down across from Wang Chenning, the woman introduced herself. Her name was Yan Dongling, a staff member of the Gusu tourism bureau. She would be accompanying Wang Chenning’s group on their tour of the scenic spots today.

"Sending such a beautiful lady to be our guide... you’re not trying to use a honey trap on me, are you?" Wang Chenning joked.

Yan Dongling wasn’t offended by Wang Chenning’s teasing right off the bat. She flashed a lovely smile. "I didn’t expect Teacher Wang to be so witty and humorous!"

Then she told Wang Chenning that she had specifically requested this assignment.

"Oh?" Wang Chenning was surprised. He dropped the pleasantries and asked directly, "Do you need something from us?"

"Yes!" Yan Dongling nodded, then said hesitantly, "I’ve run into some trouble, and I was hoping Teacher Wang and your friends could help me!"

At this, Wang Chenning was amused. He narrowed his eyes at Yan Dongling. "We were complete strangers before today. Why should I help you?"

"Zheng Qiuhang told me to find you!" Yan Dongling hesitated for a moment before telling the truth. "Zheng Qiuhang was once my student. I used to be a teacher."

Wang Chenning took out his phone and scrolled through his messages from Zheng Qiuhang. Finding no mention of the woman before him, he couldn’t help but frown.

Seeing Wang Chenning’s less-than-friendly expression, Yan Dongling grew a little nervous. Still, she forced herself to explain the situation. "Teacher Wang, I’ve come to you for help out of desperation. Because everyone thinks I’m good-looking, a lot of men have had designs on me. In the past, I rejected several people’s ’unspoken rules,’ and as a result, I was sent to work in my current post. This time, the man I refused told me directly that if I agree to ’accompany’ him for a while, he’ll get me a position in a department with real authority!"

Once she started, Yan Dongling gritted her teeth and poured out everything she had been too afraid to tell anyone.

Yan Dongling had originally been a teacher. Because of her excellent looks, figure, and many talents, she was selected and transferred to work in a government agency.

Only after arriving at her new unit did she realize that the person who had chosen her wasn’t interested in her abilities, but had ulterior motives.

At the time, she’d been lucky. She had accidentally stumbled upon a scandal involving that person and used it as leverage to make him back off.

After that, she went through several similar incidents, but always managed to avert disaster in the end.

But she was never able to fully utilize her skills, and now she had been shunted off to a dead-end post where she just coasted.

She was ambitious and wanted to build a real career, but she was unwilling to compromise her principles.

The person who had designs on her this time held a position just below Dai Xingfeng, leaving her with almost no way to resist.

Yan Dongling also told Wang Chenning frankly that she was indeed willing to sacrifice certain things for her future, but she was afraid that this kind of scandal would become a landmine on her career path, one that would eventually blow her to pieces.

"Over the years, there have been many nasty rumors about me. If I really accept these ’unspoken rules,’ the gossip will surely get worse." At this point, Yan Dongling decided to go all in. "Zheng Qiuhang told me you want to achieve great things and that you need a lot of capable assistants. So, when I learned you were coming to Gusu, I came to find you. As long as you help me out of this predicament, Teacher Wang, I am willing to become a member of your team. And please rest assured, I won’t cause you any trouble. I also have faith in my own abilities. Just give me a platform, and I’m certain I can do an excellent job!"

"And if I refuse?" Wang Chenning narrowed his eyes, looking at Yan Dongling, whose face was flushed and breathing was ragged from a mixture of nervousness and excitement. "The mountains are high and the emperor is far away. Gusu is so far from Yandu, and even farther from my hometown of Chang’an. My reach doesn’t extend that far. Even if people here wanted to work for me, it wouldn’t be easy!"

Wang Chenning’s words immediately cast a shadow over Yan Dongling’s heart, which had been filled with hope.

Wang Chenning said no more and focused on eating his breakfast.

A short while later, the aunt and niece, Li Fuzhen and Li Yanxian, arrived.

Both women had a healthy glow and seemed to be in high spirits. They got their food and sat down next to Wang Chenning with smiles on their faces.

Yan Dongling, of course, knew of Li Fuzhen and Li Yanxian. The identity of two generations of "Shanxing princesses" made her feel immense pressure. She quickly stood up to greet them.

Li Fuzhen and Li Yanxian looked Yan Dongling over with mild curiosity. After returning her greeting, they sat down beside Wang Chenning.

"This is the person in charge of accompanying us today," Wang Chenning said, gesturing to Yan Dongling. "She’s an authority on Gusu tourism. I’m sure we’ll have a very pleasant trip today!"

Li Fuzhen and Li Yanxian thanked Yan Dongling but didn’t say much else.

A little later, Luo Yuqing, Yang Xiaofei, and Zhao Xiao’an also arrived.

After getting their food, they also sat down next to Wang Chenning.

Yan Dongling grew even more nervous, but she didn’t lose her composure. She politely greeted them and introduced herself.

Zhao Xiao’an and Yang Xiaofei weren’t particularly welcoming toward Yan Dongling. The woman was exceptional in every aspect and possessed a mature, queenly aura that they lacked.

It’s an age-old truth that women see each other as rivals. Even with their proud dispositions, this feeling arose unconsciously.

Yan Dongling didn’t disturb their breakfast any further. She politely excused herself, saying she would see them in a bit.

Luo Yuqing couldn’t hold back. She found a moment to quietly ask Wang Chenning about the situation. Wang Chenning gave her a brief summary, but he concealed Yan Dongling’s connection to Zheng Qiuhang.

When Luo Yuqing heard this, her eyes widened. "If you’re looking to build your own faction, this is a fantastic opportunity!"

Wang Chenning: "..."