When Ning Ran woke up the next morning, she realized Nan Chen was still sleeping next to her.
He tended to wake up early and finish his morning exercise before she even opened her eyes. It would seem an
exception had been made that day.
He's probably still sleeping because he went to bed too late last night. Worried she would disturb his slumber, she
tip-toed out of the bedroom.
Just as she arrived at the door, she heard him say, “I want to eat tomato egg sauce noodles for breakfast!”
In response, Ning Ran turned around and saw Nan Chen's eyes were still closed. Is he sleeptalking?
Still, she returned to the bed and double-checked that his eyes were, indeed, closed. Is he still dreaming? Was that
him sleeptalking earlier?
“Sir Chen?” she uttered.
No response from him.
She called him again, but he still didn't reply.
Therefore, she said, “Poker Face?”
“You're the poker face! Go and prepare the noodles!” Nan Chen's abrupt roar as he sat up shocked her.
“You're awake? You're not sleeptalking?” As Ning Ran stared at his eye bags, she became certain that he did sleep
late last night.
“Obviously! I'm starving right now, so go prepare my noodles!” Then he crashed back down to the bed and
resumed his sleep.
She didn't have the nerve to disturb him again and went to prepare the noodles.
Even after the noodles were done, he still hadn't woken up.
Ning Ran didn't want to wake him up, so he slept for another half an hour. By that point, the noodles had clumped
together.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇtThus, she had to make another bowl of noodles. Upon receiving his noodles, Nan Chen devoured them like a hungry
wolf.
“Did you stay up all night doing work?” she asked.
Still eating, he answered, “No, I'm just feeling famished. Go and prepare yourself. Later, I'll ask Qiao Zhan to send
you back to the filming set.”
“Didn't you say I can't leave?”
“How are you supposed to advertise the movie if you don't work? The company didn't hire you to sit around and do
nothing.”
“I mean, I thought I couldn't continue the filming because we're in a crisis right now.”
“Check the news.”
Ning Ran did as he suggested and saw Nanshi Corporation was featured in a trending topic.
The news mentioned a third-party auditing organization, one of the top three in the world, reporting that Nanshi
Corporation's finances and all operations were in order. Additionally, the report disclosed that there was no
indication of any money laundering ever taking place.
A graceful oriental woman was the one announcing the report's results in a press conference she held.
Ning Ran didn't need to guess to know the beauty on the screen was Zhiyi.
“They worked overtime on their side until they finished the audit. The relevant department in Flower City also did
the same last night to verify the evidence. The head of that department will be announcing that Nanshi Corporation
isn't involved in money laundering this morning. Since the crisis is over, you can return to work now,” informed Nan
Chen calmly.
Naturally, Ning Ran was overjoyed to hear that. I didn't expect him to solve the problem in a single night. After all,
he kicked me out of the room when I asked him what we should do last night. Nanshi Corporation's team really is
effective. “Everything's back to normal, then? Do you want me to fry you an egg?”
“If it's not, will you still fry me that egg?”
“Of course! So, Nanshi Corporation won't be affected by this matter anymore?”
“We're still dispelling the rumors, so it's hard to say how many people will believe the announcement. In other
words, the negative effects won't disappear immediately. It'll linger for a while. That's why I want you to be mindful
of your actions during this period. If any reporters interview you at the filming set later, you need to explain the
matter properly.”
That made Ning Ran panic a little. “Didn't you say I shouldn't engage in any interviews? Besides, I don't know how to
explain this situation clearly. As you said, no one will believe me.”
“You just need to remember a few key points, which is that you did make the donation, but not that much was cash.
The reason you sent cash to the residents living in that area was that many people there don't have bank cards. So,
cash was the only way they could get the money.”
“Aren't you just asking me to lie?”
“Nope. Since this morning, staff from relevant charities have been helping you distribute the cash. The individuals
living in those poverty areas are delighted to receive five thousand in cash. That news will be uploaded to the
internet before you even face the reporters.”
“That...”
“Stop talking and fry me an egg! I'm still hungry.”
“Yes, Sir Chen.” Ning Ran bowed at him willingly before preparing that egg.
After breakfast was over, Qiao Zhan arrived to drive her to the old town to resume the show's filming.
Before she left, Nan Chen reminded her, “Don't drive too quickly. Only arrive in the old town at around eleven in the
morning. Remember to act like you're in a hurry and say you can't afford more than five minutes for an interview.
Follow on Novᴇl-Onlinᴇ.cᴏmDon't reveal too many details. Just say a sentence or two.”
“Understood, Mr. Chen,” replied Ning Ran.
Upon arriving at the town, she waited until just the right time before appearing in front of the reporters and acting
as if she was in a hurry.
The security guard in front of her made way for her. “Everyone, please step aside. Ms. Ding is in a rush to the film
set.”
“What's your explanation for your cash donation, Ms. Ding? Were you involved in money laundering? Where did the
money come from?” a reporter inquired.
Ning Ran answered without slowing down her pace, “Many of the residents in the poverty areas don't have a bank
account, so I can only donate the money to them in cash. As for the money laundering, that's just a ludicrous joke.
Nanshi Corporation is a mighty empire, and all of its businesses are clean. There's no need for the company to
launder any money. I'm just a performer employed by an entertainment company under the flag of Nanshi
Corporation. My matters are unrelated to the company, so I hope everyone will stop misinterpreting the matter.”
Then she increased her pace even further. As she was very close to the entrance, she only had enough time to
answer one more question.
“You say you're just a performer, but rumors suggest you have a close relationship with the CEO of Nanshi
Corporation. Is that true?” another reporter questioned.
“I do have a close relationship with Mr. Chen. It's a good thing because I don't believe an employer should have a
distant relationship with their employees. In any case, my relationship with Mr. Chen isn't important. What's
important is that neither Nanshi Corporation nor I have ever laundered any money. Nanshi Corporation has called
the police, and relevant authorities have intervened. Everyone, please pay attention to the official announcements.
Also, thank you all for the care you have shown me.” Just as she ended her sentence, she arrived at the entrance.
The reporters weren't allowed entry into the filming set, making them unhappy because they wanted more
information from her.
They tried barging into the set, but their paths were blocked by the security guards.
Ning Ran sighed in relief. I think that went pretty well. I got the timing just right, said everything I should, and didn't
reveal any details. Nan Chen will be happy to know I did exactly as he asked.