Dong Bing glanced at Ling Mei and sighed softly, her heart tightening with jealousy. Of course she knew who Ling Mei was. She would never forget the day Han Yueqin told her about the marriage arrangement.
Clearing her throat seductively, she turned her attention to Feng Zhi.
"Zhier, have you considered my proposal?" Dong Bing asked coolly.
Feng Zhi stopped eating midway and slowly raised his head to stare at her. Around them, the servants quietly continued serving breakfast.
Five years ago, Dong Bing had left B City to further her education overseas. She left that very night without giving him any notice—not even a simple goodbye. And now she had returned, acting as if everything between them was perfectly normal.
During the years she was abroad, she never sent a message nor made a single call.
One thing Feng Zhi had decided long ago was that he would never let his guard down again. He had trusted her once, and she had trampled on his heart. She left without a farewell, and because of that he could never see her the same way again.
During the first two years after she left, he harbored deep hatred and resentment toward her. But over time he let go of those feelings.
Dong Bing belonged to his past.
And she would always remain there.
He continued eating, completely ignoring her question.
Feng Xiang noticed this. He had always wondered why Feng Zhi had been so cold toward Dong Bing ever since her return. Though he knew his grandson was naturally aloof, he clearly remembered that Feng Zhi and Dong Bing used to be very close before she went overseas to study.
Smiling, he turned to Dong Bing.
"What proposal is that, Bing Bing?" he asked.
Dong Bing smiled warmly. Deep inside, she was exploding with excitement. Finally, she was close to getting a position in Feng Zhi's office.
"Grandpa, I asked Feng Zhi to let me work in his office, but he hasn't given me a reply yet," Dong Bing said with pitiful eyes.
Ling Mei didn't miss that look. From the moment Dong Bing arrived, she could already tell that the young miss was a spoiled brat. It wasn't difficult to notice.
Feng Xiang turned toward Feng Zhi.
"You should give her a position in your company. She's family," Feng Xiang persuaded.
"My company is not a charity," Feng Zhi replied immediately.
Ling Mei was slightly thrown off and let out a muffled laugh. The sound disappeared quickly, but it did not escape Dong Bing and Mu Lin's notice, and it angered them instantly.
Feng Xiang wasn't surprised. Feng Zhi had always been difficult to deal with.
"That aside, Dong Bing will get a place in the company," Feng Xiang said, ignoring Feng Zhi's resistance. "What position do you want, Bing Bing?"
Dong Bing smiled sweetly, though deep down she was satisfied with the support she was receiving from Feng Xiang.
"I don't mind being Zhier's secretary," she said bashfully, her cheeks turning crimson.
Ling Mei smirked in realization. Now she understood what was going on. The woman was clearly smitten with Feng Zhi and was trying everything possible to get close to him.
She glanced slightly at Feng Zhi.
How could he not notice it?
Turning toward him, she suddenly said,
"Darling… isn't Wei Chen your secretary?"
The room instantly fell silent.
Feng Xiang was taken aback by her words. Mu Lin nearly choked on the piece of beef she was eating.
Dong Bing's smile stiffened, embarrassment spreading across her face.
Feng Zhi himself was surprised.
Did this hot-tempered woman just call him darling?
Amusement flickered across his eyes, though it quickly disappeared behind his usual blank expression.
Ling Mei's eyes widened in realization. She had let her emotions get the better of her. Just now she had noticed Dong Bing trying to get Feng Zhi's attention, and somehow jealousy had pushed her into saying that word.
Without another word, she lowered her head and began stuffing steamed rice into her mouth, pretending to focus on eating.
Feng Zhi noticed how shy and embarrassed she had become.
His eyes darkened with amusement.
She couldn't even flirt for one minute and she was already embarrassed.
He leaned slightly toward her, his breath brushing against her ear.
Ling Mei felt her heart shudder. A rush of adrenaline ran through her spine and her breath hitched.
"Sweetheart, you don't have to worry," he said calmly.
"She won't be my secretary."
The room was struck by another wave of silence.
Dong Bing felt the last shred of her hope collapse instantly. She couldn't believe Feng Zhi was actually flirting with this woman in front of his grandfather.
Mu Lin felt like spitting blood. She glanced at her daughter and saw the heartbreak written clearly across her face.
Now she finally recognized the girl.
She was General Bao's granddaughter—the woman chosen to marry Feng Zhi.
How had she not noticed earlier? That vile model!
She couldn't sit back and watch her daughter being humiliated in front of the servants who were trying hard to conceal their laughter.
Clearing her throat, she spoke sharply.
"Feng Zhi, you should remember your grandfather is at the table," she said coldly, shooting Ling Mei a sneer.