Chapter 408: A Bouquet of Flowers

Ning Guodong wore a polite smile, reminiscent of a diplomat meeting a foreign envoy, but the intense desire in his eyes was unmistakable. Just walking beside Lin Ruoxi, catching glimpses of her delicate skin between her collar and her neck, combined with her unique cool fragrance, made him want to toss the bouquet and embrace her.

Lin Ruoxi sensed his unsettling gaze, which made her uncomfortable. However, he was the Prime Minister's son and a high-ranking official. She couldn't treat him like an ordinary man, provided he didn't cross any lines.

"The commoner cannot contend with the official," Lin Ruoxi reminded herself. Despite her lack of social skills, she knew this much.

"Ruoxi, these flowers were specially flown in from Holland. They just bloomed last night, and they're paired with a rose oil essence crafted by French experts. Don't you like them?" Ning Guodong asked affectionately.

Lin Ruoxi frowned slightly. This man's shamelessness was on par with her husband's. They barely knew each other, yet he addressed her so intimately. But she couldn't reprimand him just for calling her by name.

"Director Ning, these flowers are rare in such cold weather, but since we're not familiar with each other, it's not appropriate for me to accept your gift. You should take them back," Lin Ruoxi declined politely.

"Oh, flowers are only as beautiful as the person who receives them," Ning Guodong said earnestly. "Ruoxi, this is a token of my feelings. I wanted to visit you during the New Year, and ever since our brief meeting at the conference, I've been thinking about you back in Yandu. Don't think I'm being too forward. I'm just a straightforward person who won't back down when I see a girl I like."

Ning Guodong's frankness overwhelmed Lin Ruoxi. Due to her cold demeanor, she had never been pursued by boys, and now she was faced with a persistent admirer who was unfazed by her frosty attitude. This gave her a headache.

She had initially planned to hide in the office to avoid going home, especially after Guo Xuehua's call hinting that she and Yang Chen should have dinner together. Lin Ruoxi understood her intentions but then Ning Guodong showed up, making it impossible for her to stay in the office. She decided to leave quickly and go home to escape him.

"Director Ning, I'm going home now. It's getting late. You should go back too," Lin Ruoxi said, frowning as she walked towards her Bentley.

Ning Guodong blocked her path. "Ruoxi, if you don't accept these flowers, you're looking down on me, Ning Guodong. Even if you're going home, I'll follow you. Tonight, no matter what, you must accept this small token of my affection. I'm not asking for anything more. Can't a man who admires you give you flowers without being cruelly rejected?"

Ning Guodong's political background allowed him to speak persuasively, leaving Lin Ruoxi, who was not good at conversing, at a loss for words. She knew the power of the Ning family and the potential consequences of offending them.

Lin Ruoxi turned her head, pondering for a moment, then sighed and reluctantly took the fragrant bouquet from Ning Guodong.

Just then, a white BMW in the nearby passage flashed its headlights several times. Immediately following, the tires screeched against the concrete floor with a loud, "screeech!"

"Boom!"

The car's engine roared like a wild beast, and the BMW, driven by Yang Chen, came hurtling towards Ning Guodong and Lin Ruoxi with terrifying speed!

When Lin Ruoxi recognized the car, she felt a sense of relief. She knew it was Yang Chen's car and that he wouldn't actually try to hit her, so she stood there calmly, watching.

Ning Guodong, however, had no idea it was Yang Chen. He thought it was some maniac racing in the underground parking lot. His face turned pale with fear.

"Ruoxi! Get out of the way!" Ning Guodong shouted, but instead of staying to protect her, he quickly retreated behind a concrete pillar, nervously watching the car approach.

The BMW charged forward and then suddenly screeched to a halt with a sharp turn, stopping just one meter away from Lin Ruoxi. The car window rolled down slowly, revealing Yang Chen's face with a smirk. He winked at the ever-calm Lin Ruoxi and then looked at the pale-faced Ning Guodong hiding behind the pillar.

"Oh, isn't this Young Master Ning? What a coincidence to meet again. What happened? Are you feeling unwell? Why is your face so white? Or is it just too much foundation?" Yang Chen teased.

Ning Guodong realized that Yang Chen had intentionally scared him. Lin Ruoxi knew it was Yang Chen's car, which was why she wasn't afraid.

"You... you dared to scare me like that?!" Ning Guodong stammered, still nervous.

"Huh? Young Master Ning, were you scared by me?" Yang Chen asked, feigning curiosity.

"Who said that? Why would I be scared?" Ning Guodong retorted, trying to regain his composure.

"Then how can you say I was scaring you? You weren't scared, right?" Yang Chen replied, leaving Ning Guodong speechless with his twisted logic. Before Ning Guodong could think of a response, Yang Chen turned to Lin Ruoxi and said, "Honey, get in the car. It's time for dinner."

Lin Ruoxi hesitated for a moment. She hadn't intended to go out to dinner with Yang Chen, still upset about the matter with An Xin. However, with Ning Guodong present, it would be inappropriate not to give Yang Chen face, especially since they were still married.

"Okay," Lin Ruoxi replied softly, holding the bouquet as she got into Yang Chen's car.

Ning Guodong stared in disbelief as Yang Chen drove off with Lin Ruoxi, unable to utter a single word.

"Wife?" Yang Chen called Lin Ruoxi "wife"? Could they actually be married?!

Ning Guodong had previously gathered information about Lin Ruoxi's background from the Zhonghai Chamber of Commerce and political circles, and he had not heard that she was married. This had encouraged him to pursue her enthusiastically. However, the current situation seemed different from what he knew.

If Lin Ruoxi and Yang Chen were married, why did no one in Zhonghai's high circles know about it? The CEO of Yu Lei International was not a minor figure. What infuriated Ning Guodong even more was the possibility that Yang Chen truly was Lin Ruoxi's husband. After all, she had acknowledged it herself. This felt like a tremendous blow and an insult to him. How could that lowly guy marry such a goddess? Ning Guodong felt his blood pressure rising.

Meanwhile, on the road, Yang Chen was driving, glancing occasionally at the expressionless Lin Ruoxi and the bouquet of roses in her hands.

Unable to hold back, Yang Chen said, "Ruoxi dear, how could you accept the flowers from Ning Guodong?"

Lin Ruoxi glanced at him indifferently. "If I didn't accept them, he wouldn't leave."

"Then you should have called me. I could have taken care of it," Yang Chen said anxiously. "You should throw those flowers away. I'll find a garbage bin for you to toss them in."

Sensing a hint of jealousy in Yang Chen's voice, Lin Ruoxi felt a bit amused. It was always this rascal going out and finding women, making her feel upset. Now the tables were turned, and he finally understood that she wasn't lacking in admirers either.

Thinking this, Lin Ruoxi shook her head and pretended to be oblivious. "These flowers smell nice. They'll be good to have at home."

"Nonsense!" Yang Chen couldn't help but curse. "Those flowers from that pretty boy might even be poisoned!"

"Why are you swearing? It's just a bouquet of flowers," Lin Ruoxi frowned, looking displeased, though she felt like laughing inside.

"Can I speak nicely when another man gives my wife roses?" Yang Chen sighed, then tried to coax her. "Ruoxi dear, be good. Throw the flowers away. I'll buy you a bigger and better bouquet. These roses smell too strong. I'll get you something with a lighter scent."

Lin Ruoxi shook her head. "No need. These flowers are fine."

Yang Chen's face turned serious. "No! You must throw the flowers away before dinner tonight!"

Seeing Yang Chen's stern but inwardly uneasy expression, Lin Ruoxi finally couldn't help but burst into a radiant smile. She teased him, "You're jealous."

"Jealous of what? I just don't like that pretty boy, so I don't like him giving you things," Yang Chen said, avoiding her gaze.

Lin Ruoxi rolled her eyes and slowly rolled down the car window. They were now on the highway, and the cold wind blew through the window, messing up Lin Ruoxi's hair. She half-closed her eyes and, with a firm toss, threw the bouquet out!

The bouquet of vibrant red roses flew off the highway bridge, scattered by the cold wind.

As Lin Ruoxi rolled the window back up, Yang Chen awkwardly asked, "Why did you suddenly throw them away? Didn't you say you wanted to keep them at home?"

"I felt that the car was getting too sour, so I decided not to keep them," Lin Ruoxi replied with a smile.

Feeling slightly embarrassed, Yang Chen smacked his lips.

"Hurry up and let's get dinner. I'm hungry," Lin Ruoxi said.

Yang Chen was taken aback. "That's rare, you actually said you're hungry."

Lin Ruoxi bit her thin lips and nodded, smiling sweetly. "I'm in a good mood, so of course, I'm hungry."

Yang Chen pondered her words for a moment before realizing her meaning. He couldn't help but chuckle bitterly. Great, he had given her some leverage over him.

However, seeing Lin Ruoxi smile for the first time in days, Yang Chen felt relieved and comforted. Even his annoyance toward Ning Guodong lessened a bit.