Chapter 16: Treating Her Like a Child

At 8:40 a.m., Nan Xing arrived punctually at the Lishi Group headquarters.

The receptionist, noticing her unfamiliar face, greeted her politely, "Miss, may I ask who you are looking for? Do you have an appointment? Without one, entry is not permitted."

"I'm here to see President Li."

"President Li?"

Nan Xing’s words piqued the receptionist’s curiosity even more. The young woman before her appeared barely in her early twenties, likely not yet graduated. She carried a backpack over her shoulder and wore her sleek, jet-black hair in a high ponytail, exuding an air of aloof elegance.

What business could she possibly have with President Li?

"Yes, could you please help me get in touch with him?"

Nan Xing glanced at her WeChat messages. She had messaged Li Beitian on her way over but hadn’t received a reply yet—he must be busy.

Hearing her sweet voice, the receptionist smiled graciously. "Please wait a moment, miss. I’ll report to Assistant Qi first."

Thirty seconds later, the receptionist respectfully handed her an elevator access card, swiping it to grant Nan Xing entry to the CEO’s office on the eighty-eighth floor of Lishi Group.

Stepping out of the elevator, she immediately saw Qi Zheng waiting for her. "Miss Nan, President Li is currently in a meeting. Please follow me."

Led by Qi Zheng, Nan Xing entered Li Beitian’s office.

The room was decorated entirely in dark gray tones, complemented by expensive black leather sofas and red solid wood desks and chairs—understated and profound, perfectly matching his temperament.

Qi Zheng poured Nan Xing a cup of coffee and, seemingly from nowhere, placed some candy on the table. "Miss Nan, the Fourth Master asked you to wait a moment. He will come to see you as soon as he finishes."

Nan Xing looked at the fruit bowl filled with candies wrapped in colorful foil and lightly pressed her forehead.

Offering candy to her? Was Li Beitian treating her like a child?

"Thank you, Assistant Qi."

Nan Xing smiled gently, her eyes shimmering with flecks of light under the sunlight.

Yet, she waited the entire morning without seeing Li Beitian’s figure.

Bored, Nan Xing picked up the leftover candy wrappers and folded a paper crane.

The small crane, draped in multicolored paper, danced gracefully in the sunlight, casting rainbow reflections.

Her phone buzzed with a message from Li Beitian: “Go ahead and eat first. I still have a bit to finish here.”

Nan Xing glanced at the time—it was already noon—but she had no appetite. Her mind was entirely focused on taking Li Beitian’s measurements.

At that moment, her phone vibrated again.

Grandma Jin: “Good girl, are you busy? Grandma was discharged today and wants to see you. Where are you now? Do you have time to have a meal with me?”

Nan Xing looked at the tightly closed door and replied, “Grandma, I’m not busy. I’ll come find you soon.”

***

At Qixingzhai.

Nan Xing and Grandma Jin had just settled when Jin Yao arrived.

“Grandma, why did you run out of the hospital without telling anyone? The medical staff called me to say you were being discharged. I was so scared, I dropped everything and rushed here right away.”

Hearing this, Nan Xing and Grandma Jin exchanged glances.

So she had snuck out.

That old lady was quite something.

Grandma Jin, hearing her eldest grandson’s complaint, immediately snapped, slapping his back, “If you don’t speak up, no one will think you’re mute!”

Then she smiled kindly at Nan Xing. “Good girl, don’t listen to his nonsense. Grandma just missed you and wanted to go out for a meal. Hospitals are so lonely; I was almost feeling down by myself.”

“Uh, Grandma, you should have told me. I was worried sick all the way here, afraid someone might have kidnapped you.”

Before the words were out, Grandma Jin gave him another slap. “Be quiet during the meal. Don’t interrupt me and Xing Xing’s conversation!”