"Dad, does Mom really work here?"
Jiang Ning and Mengmeng stood at the foot of the Su Group's skyscraper. They gazed up at the 36-story building, which housed all of Su Group's employees and served as the company's headquarters.
"Yes, that's right. Mom comes here to work every day. Come on, let's go inside and surprise her."
As Jiang Ning took Mengmeng's hand and stepped toward the entrance, a security guard blocked their path.
"Sir, who are you here to see?" the guard asked politely.
"We're here to see President Su Meng," Jiang Ning replied.
"President Su?" The other guard frowned, scrutinizing Jiang Ning. "President Su only meets with people by appointment. Do you have an appointment?"
"No, I'm her husband. Do I need an appointment?"
The guard snorted. "I've never heard of President Su being married. What husband? Buddy, I advise you to leave quickly and stop causing trouble."
"Really? You think I'm here to cause trouble?"
Jiang Ning's eyes sharpened, his expression growing impatient.
The security guard maintained his contemptuous expression. "Kid, if you're not here to cause trouble, why are you lying about being President Su's husband? Impersonating someone else is one thing, but impersonating President Su's husband? That's just foolish, or worse, you're not right in the head. Everyone in this building knows President Su is still unmarried."
Indeed, very few people knew about his marriage to Su Meng, let alone the low-level security guards.
Jiang Ning didn't want to waste time arguing with the guard. He pulled out his phone and called Li Yao. He'd wanted to call Su Meng first, but that would ruin the surprise.
"Hello, Jiang Ning. What made you call me today?" Li Yao's clear, melodious voice answered.
"Assistant Li, I'm at the entrance of your building and the security guard is blocking me. Could you ask them to let me in? And please don't tell Mengmeng that Mengmeng and I are here. We want to surprise her."
Li Yao sounded surprised. "What? Jiang Ning, you're downstairs?"
"Yeah, Mengmeng and I came to bring Mengmeng lunch. We wanted to surprise her," Jiang Ning said.
"Alright, I understand. Please hand the phone to the security guard."
Li Yao couldn't believe Jiang Ning had actually come to deliver lunch to Mengmeng. Was this the magic of love? She felt a pang of jealousy toward Mengmeng.
"Hello, security guards. Assistant Li wants to speak with you," Jiang Ning said, handing his phone to one of them.
The guard eyed Jiang Ning suspiciously, but seeing he didn't seem like a liar, he took the phone.
"Hello, this is Security Guard Chen."
"Chen, this is Li Yao. Are you sure you want to keep working at the company?" Li Yao's voice came through the phone.
"N-no, I want to keep working here!" The guard tensed up, recognizing Li Yao's voice. She handled many important matters and often greeted guests at the entrance—her voice was unmistakable.
Li Yao said impatiently, "If you want to keep your job, show Mr. Jiang and his daughter in respectfully."
"Yes, yes! I'll let them in right away!" The guard wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.
"Alright, hand the phone to Mr. Jiang," Li Yao said.
The security guard, named Ke Chen, replied nervously, "Yes, yes, I'll give it to him right away."
"Mr. Jiang, I'm so sorry about that. Assistant Li wants to speak with you."
Ke Chen respectfully returned the phone to Jiang Ning, bowing slightly.
"Assistant Li, what floor is Mengmeng on?" Jiang Ning asked.
"Jiang Ning, she's on the 30th floor. Mengmeng is in the President's office. You can take the elevator up yourself. I'll come down to meet you," Li Yao replied playfully.
"Got it. Thanks," Jiang Ning said, hanging up.
"Mr. Jiang, this way please." The security guard hurried forward to lead the way, eager to avoid any further trouble.
Having worked security for years, he understood from Li Yao's earlier reprimand and Jiang Ning's mention of Mengmeng that this was someone he couldn't afford to offend.
Jiang Ning nodded, took Mengmeng's hand, and followed the guard to the elevator.
The guard rushed into the elevator, pressed the button for the 36th floor, then hurried out and gestured with a bow, "Mr. Jiang, please."
This was the ultimate act of atonement, service taken to the extreme. Su Meng herself probably wouldn't have received such treatment.
Jiang Ning nodded and stepped into the elevator. He knew the security guard had been right to stop him earlier and didn't want to make a fuss over such a minor issue. Besides, the guard's subsequent actions showed he'd realized his mistake.
Finding work was easy these days, and Jiang Ning saw no reason to get the man fired over this.
Once inside the elevator, Mengmeng finally spoke, her voice full of curiosity. "Daddy, that security guard uncle sure can change his expression! He looked so unfriendly at first, but after Aunt Li's call, he became so friendly again."
"Hmm, that's because the guard's main job is to prevent unauthorized people from sneaking into the building and disrupting work. Since he didn't recognize us, he had to stop us from going upstairs. But after Aunt Li's call, he confirmed we weren't troublemakers and were even your mother's family, so of course he had to be respectful."
Mengmeng continued, "So, is Mommy really powerful here?"
"Yes, she is. In this entire building, your mother is the most powerful. Everyone has to listen to her. What do you think, Mengmeng? Is Mommy very powerful?"
When she heard that everyone in the entire building had to obey her mother, Mengmeng's eyes widened with pride. "Yes! Mommy is very powerful, just as powerful as Daddy."
Hearing Mengmeng's words, Jiang Ning felt a mix of amusement and helplessness. Su Meng managed the entire building and had so many people listening to her, while he had only Mengmeng as his subordinate.
Yet in Mengmeng's eyes, Su Meng was just as formidable as he was.
Soon, they reached the 36th floor.
Generally, only authorized personnel could access this floor. The entire floor was occupied by President Su's office, the shareholders' offices (though the shareholders rarely came in), the board meeting room, and Assistant Li's office. All other employees worked on lower floors.
When the elevator doors opened, Jiang Ning led Mengmeng to the president's office, following the directional signs.
"Mom, it's right here..."
Mengmeng's excited words were cut short as Jiang Ning placed a finger to her lips, "Shh," signaling her to be quiet.
*Ahem.* Jiang Ning cleared his throat and straightened his clothes.
*Knock, knock, knock.*
He then gently knocked on the door.
"Enter," came Su Meng's impatient voice from inside.
Jiang Ning pulled Mengmeng along and opened the office door.
*Ta-da... ta-da... ta-da...*
Jiang Ning and Mengmeng sprang through the doorway in unison. Jiang Ning raised the insulated box high, while Mengmeng crossed her arms, their backs to each other in a dramatic pose. They both struck cool, confident expressions.
But when their eyes fell upon the scene inside the office, both Jiang Ning and Mengmeng froze.