Chapter Sixteen: I Will Help You, Le Bao

Ning Lebao sat on the sofa, both angry and anxious.

She had spent several days coming up with this plan.

He Mingyuan had grown up with her, and their bond was strong; she wouldn’t be so heartless as to break up just like that. As long as He Mingyuan could get back together with Ning Huaizhi, she wouldn’t have time to care about herself or An Xingcai.

Besides, she could ask He Mingyuan to look into whether Ning Huaizhi really held any leverage over her.

Ning Lebao had been paying close attention to Ning Huaizhi’s daily life and knew that she had been working her way through school.

But Ning Lebao had no intention of involving or telling Ning’s parents. With old grudges unresolved, she secretly wished to see Ning Huaizhi suffer. The worse Ning Huaizhi’s life became, the happier Ning Lebao felt.

At this time, Ning Huaizhi should be on her way to work at the library. If He Mingyuan kept pestering her, he would surely soften her heart.

“You should hurry to the library and find Ning Huaizhi. She must be there. You know what to do, so I don’t need to tell you, right?”

He Mingyuan felt uncomfortable hearing this.

Though he had intended to use Ning Lebao for his own purposes, he had no ill feelings toward her and cared for her more than he did for Ning Huaizhi.

But now, it seemed she wanted to cut ties with him, pushing him toward Ning Huaizhi.

Why?

Had he done anything to wrong Ning Lebao?

“Lebao, I don’t like Ning Huaizhi. The only person I like is you. What do you mean by pushing me away like this? Am I not good enough for you?”

“No, Mingyuan, you know, Ning Huaizhi has leverage over me. She’s been threatening me with it. I haven’t been able to sleep peacefully at night and I’m terrified. Just think of it as pitying me—help me, please. You’re all I have left; otherwise, I really don’t know who else to turn to.”

The irritation in He Mingyuan’s heart vanished instantly. “Don’t I know Ning Huaizhi well enough? Even if she has leverage, she won’t get anywhere. I don’t know what you’re so worried about.”

“That’s not certain. Haven’t you forgotten what Ning Huaizhi did last time? Do you still think she poses no threat?”

There was a brief silence on the other end before He Mingyuan spoke again.

“All right, I’ll go find her.”

“Thank you so much.”

After hanging up, He Mingyuan looked up at the tallest building on campus—the library.

He lifted his foot and slowly walked in that direction.

...

“Huaizhi, what’s going on with your ex? He won’t still be waiting downstairs, will he?”

“No, he’s too proud. After what happened, he won’t come back.”

Ning Huaizhi spoke with certainty, which only piqued Zhou Jiajia’s curiosity further.

“You seem to know him well?”

“We’ve known each other for over ten years.”

Zhou Jiajia kept asking, and Ning Huaizhi had no choice but to recount the messy situation between her and He Mingyuan.

Her tone was flat and unruffled, as if recounting someone else’s troubles rather than her own.

Ning Huaizhi felt somewhat dazed.

She realized she had already let it go.

Did she like He Mingyuan? Certainly, she did.

But that feeling was less like love and more like friendship or familial affection.

What she thought would be a heart-wrenching farewell had simply passed by.

Zhou Jiajia linked arms with her and gently nudged her shoulder to bring her back to reality.

“What are you doing? Why are you spacing out with me? Still thinking about He Mingyuan? You’re not allowed to think about him anymore. He was so bad to you, not worthy of you at all. He used to be by your side, but now there’s me. I’ll always be here for you.”

Ning Huaizhi’s eyes were like a springtime pool, hiding countless gentle emotions.

She nodded. “Mm.”

At first, Zhou Jiajia was full of energy, but after an hour and a half on the subway, she barely managed to keep herself from leaning entirely on Ning Huaizhi.

Ning Huaizhi didn’t refuse, letting her rest against her.

When her right shoulder began to ache, Ning Huaizhi lightly patted Zhou Jiajia’s hand.

“We’re here. Get up quickly.”

Only then did Zhou Jiajia snap back to attention.

From afar, one could only see the layers of greenery on the mountains, with a few red maples scattered about, signaling the arrival of autumn.

“I remember this whole mountain was a golf club. Renting out an entire mountain like this must be expensive, right?”

“Of course. Not just anyone can run a golf club. Come on, let’s go inside.”

The two walked in.

Soon, someone approached—apparently a receptionist—and asked, “Are you two here to play golf?”

Ning Huaizhi shook her head. “I heard you’re hiring caddies. We’re here to apply.”

Her gaze was steady and unflinching; her posture straight and relaxed, giving off the air of a young lady of high status, yet here she was, interviewing to be a caddy.

Judging from this, she would probably be hired.

As for the one beside her, his smile and posture were somewhat stiff.

The receptionist concealed his judgment behind a neutral expression.

He gestured to the way forward. “Please follow me this way.”

The two immediately followed.

Outside, the magnificent mountains could only be admired from afar; only by standing within could one truly sense the vastness of the place.

They walked a long time without reaching their destination.

Zhou Jiajia whispered into Ning Huaizhi’s ear, “Huaizhi, this place is huge.”

“A golf course has to be big. Don’t talk now; we’re almost there.”

Zhou Jiajia instantly stood straight and quiet.

The lobby was spacious, with warm cream-colored walls that felt reassuring. Several paintings hung on the walls, unfamiliar but likely expensive.

A young man sat on a warm white sofa. He looked about nineteen, around six feet tall, and his athletic tracksuit tightly hugged a subtly muscular frame. His face, though youthful, was delicate like a doll’s. He was absorbed in his phone, seemingly waiting for someone.

The receptionist approached him and called out, “Young master.”

Only then did An Xingcai snap out of his daze. “What is it?”

“Some people have come to apply as caddies. I brought them here for you to see.”

An Xingcai’s gaze shifted behind the man, immediately spotting Ning Huaizhi.

Her pure appearance and eyes filled with a watery gleam, so clear and beautiful, held no hint of flattery. This piqued his interest.

Knowing he would be her interviewer, she remained composed. Interesting.

“You’re here to apply as a caddy?”

“Yes.”

“Have you done this work before? What skills do you have?”

“No, I haven’t worked in this role before. If you want to ask about my relevant skills... would you count that I’m pretty good at golf?”