C14 Dung Tao Was Miserable

Ning Shang was frustrated with Deng Manrong disrupting their workflow and took it upon herself to step forward.

As she rose to her feet, Yin Tian, concerned that Deng Manrong might bully her, stood up as well.

Approaching Deng Manrong, Ning Shang said icily,

"Miss Deng, need directions to Manager Dong's office? I'll show you the way."

Deng Manrong followed Ning Shang's gesture and caught sight of the eyes stealthily peeking from behind the blinds.

Outraged, she let out a sharp cry and stormed off without waiting for Ning Shang's guidance.

The manager's office door was locked, but Deng Manrong wasn't one for subtlety or a gentle knock.

She charged at the door with her body, and within a few attempts, the door gave way.

"Shoddy alloy door!"

"Price: $300."

"This door's quality is subpar."

Yin Tian examined the door's details and couldn't help but make a snide remark.

Ning Shang appeared deep in thought.

Yin Tian glanced at her, guessing her thoughts:

"Wasn't it Dung Tao who had someone purchase this?"

After Deng Manrong entered, there was a moment of silence, but soon enough, Dung Tao quenched everyone's curiosity.

"Stop hitting me, I'm wrong, I admit it!"

His disjointed pleas spilled from the office, making some listeners wince in sympathy.

Then came a blood-curdling scream that sent shivers down spines and made the situation all too real.

Seeing Dung Tao's usual bravado replaced with this scene, many couldn't hide their schadenfreude.

Even the ever-compassionate Zhang Xiaohua fought back laughter, her face turning a telltale shade of red.

Ning Shang's brow furrowed.

This was her family's company, and this spectacle was distracting everyone from their work. She couldn't just stand by.

She was about to step in and deal with Dung Tao's domestic drama when Deng Manrong emerged.

Trailing behind her was a battered and swollen Dung Tao.

Whether Deng Manrong had grown weary of the altercation or not, Dung Tao was spared further punishment for the moment.

His woeful state nearly drew laughter from many, though they managed to keep it to themselves.

Upon exiting, Deng Manrong made a beeline for Ning Shang.

"Miss Ning, I'll leave you to your work," she said.

In a flash, Yin Tian could tell Ning Shang was wondering:

"Does she recognize me?"

Despite her inner surprise, Ning Shang maintained her composure and asked, "Miss Deng, what brings you here?"

"I'll take care of him later!" Deng Manrong retorted, shooting a fierce glance at Dung Tao.

Dung Tao's pitiful demeanor only fueled her anger.

In full view of everyone, she kicked him twice more.

Dung Tao's resigned acceptance was almost comical.

Yin Tian couldn't help but laugh openly.

Hearing Yin Tian's laughter, Deng Manrong's attention shifted to the attractive young man by Ning Shang's side.

She sized up Yin Tian from head to toe, her eyes growing brighter with each passing moment.

Yin Tian felt a shiver run down his spine as he caught her admiring thoughts. The last time he felt this way was under the scrutinizing gaze of the janitor, Li Shufen.

Ning Shang, slightly irked by Deng Manrong's ogling, stepped in front of Yin Tian to shield him.

Deng Manrong's thoughts shifted to, "What's this about? Could she be into this guy?"

Knowing her family couldn't compete with the Knevoof Group, Deng Manrong saw no reason to antagonize the Ning heiress.

She quickly averted her eyes and, grabbing Dung Tao by the collar, made to leave.

The quiet was shattered in an instant by the jingle of a ringing phone, which a nearby employee promptly answered.

Yin Tian didn't see who was calling, but he didn't need to—within seconds, the employee exclaimed:

"Team Leader, a local company is looking to get insurance—it's a subsidiary of 'Aurora Film'."

Aurora Film was a name known to all there.

A titan of the entertainment industry, it boasted numerous international stars and a legacy of iconic productions.

Their insurance was typically for their celebrities and upcoming film releases.

The yearly insurance investments were roughly estimated to be in the billions.

The entire team's breathing grew heavy with anticipation.

Who would have thought that as soon as they took charge of the city's affairs, such an opportunity would literally fall from the sky?

Dung Tao had barely been escorted away when he got the news and broke down in tears.

He sobbed like a child, albeit one weighing 150 pounds, his cries more heart-wrenching than any beating he'd received.

Even Deng Manrong felt a twinge of sympathy.

"Hey, cut it out. What good does crying do? Cry again, and I swear I'll knock you out!"

These words of 'comfort' breezed through like the first whispers of spring, yet Dung Tao's tears only flowed harder.

Ning Shang had taken the reins, engaging in talks with this windfall client.

Her face was the picture of seriousness, but Yin Tian, privy to her innermost thoughts, knew she was elated.

Ning Shang had been longing to prove her worth, and sealing this deal might just see her dreams realized.

Yin Tian touched his eyes thoughtfully.

His unique ability could come in handy for a face-to-face negotiation.

After a brief conversation, Ning Shang ended the call.

She surveyed her team, who watched her with bated breath, and she bit her lip, feigning silence.

Yin Tian, able to hear her inner voice, chuckled silently.

She was still up to her playful antics!

Yin Tian's gaze remained fixed on Ning Shang, intense and unwavering. She met his eyes briefly before looking away.

"This deal..."

Deliberately avoiding Yin Tian's gaze, Ning Shang let the tension build before breaking into a smile.

"If Yin Tian and I handle this deal, the odds of success are high!"

"Yay!"

"This month has been incredible! We've just signed so many people, and now this huge deal lands in our lap!"

As their cheers filled the air, Ning Shang's smile grew even more radiant.

Then, her eyes drifted back to Yin Tian.

Unlike the others, he wasn't overtly celebrating. He simply curled his lips into a subtle smile, his eyes full of care as they rested on Ning Shang.