We Are Destined to Meet

25. Driving Me into a Corner

Translator: Iris Guo

Lawyer Zhao snubbed out the cigarette. His lustful eyes were fixed on me, “You’re so beautiful. As long as you take off your clothes, I think any man would be willing to help you.”

I froze.

His intention was obvious. He could help me, but he wanted to get laid!

Besides, his eyes were greedy, which implied that I should be on call 24 hours a day before the case was over.

The excuse that he might take enormous risks and lose his job paved the way for his dirty thoughts.

‘Asshole! Do men only think about getting laid when they see women?’

I sneered and stood up, resisting an impulse to throw my high-heels onto his face, “Mr. Zhao, sorry for wasting your time. I hope we won’t meet again!”

Though I was no longer a virgin, it was disgusting for me to have casual sex. I couldn’t do that.

After I stepped out of the law firm, I still felt sick. However, his words made me realize something. I had to take that into consideration.

In this city, nobody would like to offend the Ling family. If I wanted to hire a lawyer, I needed to find one across our nation.

If there was still no one, I would appeal to the higher court in Beijing. I believed there must be someone who could help me.

Considering this, I thought I might go to Beijing one day. I should have a backup plan.

However, when I reviewed my accounts, I found I was having some problems with my bankcards. I couldn’t withdraw my money!

‘This is not gonna end well!’ I went to several banks but only found all of my accounts were blocked. I couldn’t withdraw even a penny.

‘Ling Mubai, you asshole! You’re so ruthless!’

‘I earned this money. How can you freeze my money?’

I took out my phone and called him, but he didn’t answer. He ignored me.

‘Fuck! How dare you do this to me?’ He wanted me to give in by going back to help him, but I wouldn’t.

I was a living person. If the money was not enough, I could earn more. I wouldn’t starve to death!

Doudou and Liang were staff members of the Ling Group. I wanted to leave them out of it, so I didn’t contact them.

It seemed that I didn’t have anyone to rely on except for them. I had become notorious these years. Friends all left me.

I prepared a resume and started to apply for a job in the job market. I conducted an extensive search. There must be a company which could hire me!

Apparently, I underestimated Ling Mubai. He drove me into a corner and forced me to beg him. How would he let me find a way out?

My search was futile. Companies wouldn’t accept me, and even bistros along the streets dared not hire me as a dishwasher.

I had no choice but to wander around in the neighborhood, asking everyone I met if they needed a housekeeper or a nanny. I could do anything, as long as they could provide meals.

Finally, my efforts paid off. When I was in the square of the community, a middle-aged lady surnamed Liu said she needed a nanny. She signed an employment contract with me very quickly.

I hadn’t eaten anything for 24 hours. When I was at Ms. Liu’s home, I begged for a bowl of rice.

Ms. Liu laid the bowl of rice in front of me and said, “I don’t know how to cook. The previous nanny prepared meals for me. Hope you don’t mind. Help yourself.”

Staring at the steaming rice, I felt my tears streamed down my face.

No one had cared about me since my mom died. Ms. Liu didn’t even know me before, but she cooked for me. I was moved to tears.

The rice was underdone, but I didn’t care. I devoured it ravenously, and ate it all in a minute.

Ms. Liu slightly patted my shoulder, trying to slow down my speed. She was afraid that I might be choked. She might think that whether I had been released from a jail or not. I really enjoyed the half-cooked rice.

Ms. Liu brought me a bowl of rice. I decided that I would work for her if I could have enough food.

Ms. Liu’s son seldom returned to her place because of his busy work. She lived here alone. Actually, she didn’t need a nanny, but needed someone to chat with. I happened to be this person who could accompany her.

After having lunch, Ms. Liu held my hands and we had a small talk. When she mentioned her son’s screwups, she kept giggling.

Her happiness infected me. I thought her son was a funny guy who would footle.

In the afternoon, I went out with Ms. Liu to buy some food. When we were on our way back, Ms. Liu led me to a café out of the blue. She was secretive.

In the café, we were like spies from the last century. Our heads were covered by black hats. Wearing huge sunglasses, we sat in a corner booth stealthily.

I looked over but saw nothing. Confused, I asked, “Ms. Liu, who do you spy on?”

“Shh…” Ms. Liu whispered, gesturing with her index finger. I thought it was funny to some extent.

“My son’s a good-for-nothing! He’s almost 30 years old and can’t find a girlfriend. He has met many girls, but never liked one. The girl he’s going to meet today is really good. If he dares to screw it up, I will break his leg!”

Amused, I comforted Ms. Liu, “Don’t worry. Just hope for the best. He might like this one and bring her home!”

Ms. Liu nodded. She lowered her head, pretending to eat the dessert. She looked around secretly, “I think so. Today’s girl is perfect. I selected her carefully.”

As the sky darkened, the feminine lead appeared.

She was tall, slim and elegant. The girl sat on the seat we were looking at.

She was in her early twenties. I could tell that she was from a respectable family. Her nobility was highlighted in every detail, and ordinary people would pale in comparison.

She captured all the men’s attention in the café.

“Ms. Liu, that girl?” I murmured.

Ms. Liu nodded. She was satisfied with the girl, “She’s so perfect, right?”

The girl was more than perfect! She was an upper-class lady who was out of average people’s league.

I had been in the Ling Group for many years, and gotten in touch with many ladies from well-bred families, but I had never seen someone who could rival her. She was unique and obviously stood out from the crowd.

There was an old Chinese saying, “There’s not a woman who doesn’t wear make-up.” A woman could become beautiful after getting gussied up, but her temperament was hard to change. This girl was different. She must be trained since she was a child.

As a person who was oblivious of the outside world and didn’t like to gossip, I started to look forward to their meeting. If Ms. Liu’s son didn’t fancy such a girl, he must be a weirdo.

I thought as long as he was a man not a eunuch, he couldn’t refuse such a beauty.

A few minutes later, when Ms. Liu became more anxious and kept looking at her watch, the leading man finally came into sight.

However, I went stiff when I took a closer look. ‘I have seen this man…’

My mouth twitched, ‘Isn’t this Ling Xiao?’