100 Days with the Contract Lover - Chapter 90

Just as she stepped out of the door, she ran into Nangong Yao, who was carrying some supplements for Nangong Shaoqian. He acted as if he didn’t see her and walked right past.

Yu Nuanxin hesitated before speaking. “Shaoqian said he needs some time to adjust and doesn’t want to be disturbed.”

“Did he say that, or was it you?”

“Do you always have to think so poorly of me?”

“Isn’t it true? He had a relapse because of you, and it’s only been two days, yet you’re already rushing off to meet Wu Lian. What am I supposed to think of you?”

“It seems there’s no way for us to coexist peacefully. I apologize for wasting your time.” With that, Yu Nuanxin turned and left. Even after his schemes to manipulate her were exposed, she had tried to keep their relationship from becoming too hostile. But when faced with someone who saw her as nothing more than filthy and despicable, avoidance was her best-and only-option.

…

The peace didn’t last long. A few days later, Yu Nuanxin received an unexpected call from Lin Jiehong. She informed her that Yu Jianxiong had suffered a sudden heart attack and was rushed to the hospital. He had just been stabilized and wanted to see her. Considering Nangong Yao had recently used this as leverage against her, the timing seemed far too coincidental. Still, worry overtook her, and she hurried to the hospital.

Yu Linglong was standing guard outside the hospital room. The moment she saw Yu Nuanxin, her face twisted with anger, and she blocked her path. “You’ve got the nerve to show up here? If it weren’t for your incompetence, failing to win over Nangong Yao, Dad wouldn’t have lost the election and ended up like this! What are you even doing here? Get lost!”

“Dad asked to see me. Step aside.”

“The last person Dad wants to see right now is you! Not only did you steal my title as the President’s wife, but you also caused Dad’s collapse. You’re nothing but a jinx, a shameless vixen!”

Yu Nuanxin didn’t want to waste another word on her and tried to push past. The two began shoving each other. “Let go of me! Move, or I won’t hold back!”

“Get out-”

At that moment, the door opened, and Lin Jiehong stepped out, her face dark with disapproval. “What’s all this noise in a hospital? Aren’t you ashamed? Your father wants to see you. Go in.”

“Mom-how can you let someone like her in? She’ll only upset Dad even more!”

Lin Jiehong silenced her with a sharp look. Yu Linglong, though furious, had no choice but to back off, humiliated.

Yu Nuanxin pushed the door open and walked in. Yu Jianxiong lay on the bed, an IV drip attached to his hand. His face was gaunt and haggard, a far cry from his once commanding presence. Now, he was just a frail old man. The sight made her nose sting, and she softly called out, “Dad.”

“You’re here…” Yu Jianxiong managed a weak smile. “I thought you hated me and wouldn’t come to see me one last time.”

“You’ll be fine.”

“Without being re-elected as mayor, I might as well be dead,” Yu Jianxiong said bitterly, his eyes welling with tears. “You must think I’m greedy, always chasing power. I sacrificed your mother for it, and now I’ve sacrificed you. I’m selfish… But… in politics, I have no choice. Over the years, I’ve made many enemies. If I step down, they’ll destroy me. My death doesn’t matter, but I worry they’ll come after you too. Everything I’ve done has been to protect this family.”

“Xiao Nuan, I was desperate when I arranged for you to marry Nangong Yao. Now, he’s the only one who can help me. Please, go to him. Beg him for help…”

“Dad, stop. Please, stop…” His desperate pleas were like needles piercing her heart.

“I can’t step down, or I’ll die! Do you want me to kneel and beg you? Is that what it takes? Fine, I’ll kneel…” Yu Jianxiong, overcome with emotion, yanked out his IV and struggled to get up.

“Dad, don’t do this!” Yu Nuanxin tried to stop him, calling out for Lin Jiehong. Together, they managed to restrain him. Exhausted and drenched in sweat, Yu Jianxiong broke down in tears.

Lin Jiehong wiped away a few tears of her own. “Xiao Nuan, he’s still your father. Can you really bear to see him like this?”

Yu Nuanxin’s throat tightened, leaving her unable to speak. She muttered, “Take good care of Dad,” and fled the room.

As soon as she left, Lin Jiehong made to follow her.

Yu Jianxiong grabbed her arm, his eyes suddenly sharp and calculating. “No need. She’ll definitely go to Nangong Yao. That child has a soft heart; she can’t bear to see me like this.”

Lin Jiehong smirked slyly. “You really outdid yourself with this ‘wounded father’ act. No wonder you’re a seasoned politician-your performance was flawless, even fooling your own daughter!”

Yu Jianxiong felt a pang of guilt and let out a dissatisfied grunt. If he hadn’t been cornered, he wouldn’t have resorted to deceiving his own child. He had truly loved Yu Nuanxin’s mother. When she found him, he had resolved to make amends to their daughter. But fate had other plans. Nangong Yao had set his sights on her, leaving him no choice. He could only hope her mother’s spirit would forgive him.

…

Yu Nuanxin wandered the streets aimlessly for an entire day, but she couldn’t escape the reality waiting for her at home. Standing outside Nangong Yao’s door, she hesitated for a long time. Several times, she considered turning back, but in the end, she summoned the courage to knock. “It’s me.”

After receiving permission, she pushed the door open. Nangong Yao was engrossed in his work. Her legs felt weak, and she wanted to retreat. “Are you busy?”

He didn’t respond.

“If you’re occupied, I can come back later.”

“Maybe you can wait, but your father can’t.” Nangong Yao didn’t even look up, but his words cut like ice.

He had clearly anticipated her visit and was savoring the moment to humiliate her. Yu Nuanxin let out a bitter laugh in her heart. What choice did she have? Lowering her voice, she said, “About your suggestion for me to join the Legal Department, I agree. Please, let my father keep his position.”

Nangong Yao continued working, taking his time to respond. Finally, he said dismissively, “Opportunities don’t wait. Do you think you can just come back and find them still there? You’re not a child anymore; you should understand the futility of clinging to the past.”

Yu Nuanxin frowned. What did he mean? Was he deliberately mocking her? Clenching her fists, she took a deep breath. “If I was wrong before, I apologize. I shouldn’t have defied you. I’m asking for your mercy-please spare my father.”

“Miss Yu, your way of asking for favors is quite unique. It doesn’t seem like you’re asking at all; it feels more like a command.”

“…Then what do you want?”

“I gave you a chance last time, and you proudly refused. Now…” Nangong Yao finally looked up, a cold smile playing on his lips. “It’s too late.”

“You…” He was clearly intent on humiliating her, yet she had no way to fight back. Nearly pleading, she asked, “I know you can help. What do you want from me? Do you want me to kneel and beg you?”

“You could try. Maybe I’d consider it.”

She froze, staring at his face, which was tinged with a faint smile but filled with icy disdain. Even knowing how cruel he could be, she hadn’t expected him to stoop so low as to demand a woman kneel before him. How could he even think of doing such a thing? Was he even human?

“What’s wrong? Didn’t you say you’d beg me? Are you unwilling to lower yourself?” His smile grew colder, his gaze mocking her helplessness.

Yu Nuanxin gritted her teeth. “Nangong Yao, don’t push it too far!”

“You’re the one who said you’d kneel. I’m merely giving you the opportunity. You should be grateful. If you can’t do it, then tell your father to give up. Like you said, there are plenty of other jobs he can do. Maybe as a janitor or a coal miner. If his health holds up, he might even last a day or two in the mines before he dies.”

Was this a threat? If she didn’t kneel, he’d force her father into the most grueling jobs, tormenting them both? Her body trembled with anger. She couldn’t fathom how someone could be so heartless. If she had any pride left, she’d walk away. But her father’s desperate pleas echoed in her mind…

If she didn’t kneel today, her father might not survive…

She…

Before coming here, she had already prepared herself for humiliation. But she hadn’t expected him to be this cold-blooded, forcing her into a corner. Closing her eyes, she said, “Fine. I’ll kneel. Just let my father go.”

She took a deep breath and was about to kneel when Nangong Yao abruptly called out, “Enough! Tell your father he doesn’t need to worry anymore.”

He had intended to humiliate her, to make her pay for her naivety. But as she knelt before him, something inside him stirred-an inexplicable discomfort he couldn’t ignore. “You can leave now.”

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears, but she refused to let them fall. She had already been humiliated enough; she wouldn’t lose the last shred of her dignity. In a low voice, she murmured, “Thank you…”

Nangong Yao lit a cigarette, his irritation evident. But no amount of smoke could clear his mind. He couldn’t even focus on work anymore. She was getting under his skin, and he needed to put a stop to it.

…

Yu Nuanxin spent an entire day regaining her composure. By Monday, she reported to work at the company. She was assigned to the Legal Department, which handled Global’s disputes with other companies and individuals.

The department had ten members, evenly split between men and women. As lawyers, appearances mattered, especially in a prestigious company like Global. The entire team was made up of attractive professionals. When Yu Nuanxin, disguised in plain attire, introduced herself, she felt like an ugly duckling in a lake full of swans, drawing disdainful looks.

“So you’re the new hire? I thought we were getting a beauty,” one male lawyer remarked bluntly.

“She’s here for her skills, not her looks!” a female lawyer chimed in, laughing.

“You guys are so mean. If word gets out, people will think we bully newcomers…”

Their mockery was relentless, and they didn’t even bother listening to Yu Nuanxin’s introduction. She kept it brief, stating her name before quietly organizing her desk.

As the newest member, she was saddled with all the menial tasks-printing, fetching takeout, preparing afternoon tea-essentially treated like an errand girl. Only at night, back home, could she rest, though she often stayed up late familiarizing herself with the company’s recent cases.

Less than a week into the job, she arrived at the office one morning to hear her colleagues gossiping. The previous supervisor had been removed, and a new one was being brought in-someone rumored to have connections with the higher-ups.

Yu Nuanxin listened quietly, refraining from commenting. It wasn’t her place to meddle in such matters; her focus was on doing her job. But she hadn’t expected the new supervisor to be someone she couldn’t avoid-a connection she couldn’t escape.

“Hi, everyone! I’m your new supervisor, Yu Linglong. You can call me Amanda.” Dressed in the latest Chanel suit, Yu Linglong strutted into the office, exuding confidence.

Yu Nuanxin looked up and met her gaze-a mix of jealousy and malice thinly veiled by a smile. Her scalp tingled. Was Nangong Yao so intent on making her life miserable that he’d orchestrate this?

“Wait, aren’t you…”

“The mayor’s daughter?”

Her colleagues were initially shocked but quickly found it unsurprising. As the President’s sister-in-law, it was only natural for her to receive “special treatment.” They swarmed around her, eager to flatter.

“You’re even more stunning in person than on TV…”

“It’s such an honor to have someone like you as our supervisor…”

“Who would’ve thought you’re a lawyer too? Truly the perfect combination of beauty and brains…”

Yu Linglong, a woman who thrived on vanity, soaked up the compliments like a sponge. Outwardly, she maintained a modest demeanor. “Oh, stop it! I just hope we can all get along.”

…

Yu Nuanxin felt a wave of nausea. Could her voice be any more saccharine and fake? It was hard to reconcile this coquettish act with the aggressive, domineering woman she knew. Her acting skills were truly top-notch. In this regard, she and Nangong Yao were a perfect match.

Basking in the praise, Yu Linglong sashayed to her office, throwing a smug glance at Yu Nuanxin. Her arrogance was palpable. “You, come in!”