Chapter 152 - Gifting Flowers
Chapter 152: Gifting Flowers
She lifted her gaze to look at the girls around her. On this winter day, the girls all had red flushed faces. They were excitedly covering their mouths, and did not dare scream. Their gaze was hot and full of admiration. The mature 30 year old uncle, they were very fond of these types.
Ning Qing blinked her eyes, confirming the person before her.
At this moment, the crowd turned their attention onto her. Lu Shaoming slowly shiftedhis warm gaze onto her. The lecturer warmly waved to her, “Xiao Ning, Young Master Lu is calling for you. What you are doing, standing there? Go over quickly!”
Xiao Ning, and not Ning Qing. This was the respect and admiration that everyone had for him.
Ning Qing’s face was hot, even her pale ears were red. He was calling her with everyone looking on. Isn’t it too….
Ning Qing took a few steps forward, and stopped in front of the man.
Her two white hands were placed in front of her body. Her gaze was escaping elsewhere; she was too shy to look at him.
At this time, a large bouquet came into view. The man laughed in a low tone. “Ning Qing, this is for you.”
Ning Qing was shocked. This was a bouquet of romantic lilac-colored flowers. The petals had fragile golden stamens. The light pink delicate packaging, the scent of nature wafted into her nostrils. Ning Qing counted. There were 11 flowers.
The number 11 signifies an entire lifetime.
Ning Qing lifted her gaze to look at the man. He was holding the flowers in his arms, and he was gently smiling at her with a pampering expression.
Her small head went “Bonk” at once; he was gifting her flowers?
He was gifting her flowers!
He was high key and brash in front of this sea of people at the gate. One couldn’t say that he did not know how to be romantic. When he was romantic, he was more romantic than anyone else.
“What’s the matter, you don’t like it?” He saw her not accepting the bouquet and gently inquired.
Ning Qing immediately shook her head, but she realized that by shaking her head, she was expressing that she did not like the flowers. She immediately nodded her head, and opened her arms, taking the 11 lilac-colored flowers into her embrace.
Her flowers.
Heh.
Nobody could snatch them away.
Lu Shaoming saw the girl behaving foolishly. She had tied her hair into a high bun. Her forehead was shaped beautifully, and half of her delicate face was buried in the red scarf that was tied around her neck. Her watery eyes were shining just like a legendary luminous pearl in the night. She sneaked peeks of the flowers, then peeked at him secretly. Her emotions were running fervently but she was unwilling to admit it.
A typical 20 year old girl.
A simple bouquet of flowers could cause her to be so shy and jubilant at the same time.
Actually whatever she wanted, she could tell him directly. Whether it be a movie or a bouquet of flowers, as long she told him, he could do it.
He’d never been in a relationship previously. He’d had no intimate contact with women, and he didn’t know what women liked. She could let him know; he could learn bit by bit.
But she was so shy, and so foolish.
“Young Master Lu, what flowers are these? I have yet to see them before,” the principal asked curiously. This question also stumped Ning Qing. She’d seen many species of flowers before, but she hadn’t seen these flowers before. She didn’t know what these flowers were.
He gifted her flowers, and she wanted to know the floriography behind them. Red roses represent love, lilies represent well wishes… She liked them both…What was he trying to express to her?
She was so embarrassed.
At this moment, the director of education said, “Young Master Lu, Principal Wang, I saw these flowers in a magazine previously. They are called Pygmy water-lilies. They are some of the most precious flowers in existence. These flowers only bloom 7 days a year.”
“Pygmy water-lilies? Hoho, Young Master Lu is so generous, these flowers would need time to be flown into the country from Grandia, but what is the floriography behind these flowers?””
The director shook his head with a smile on his lips and looked at Lu Shaoming, then looked again at Ning Qing. “I’m afraid only Young Master Lu would know.”
Principal Wang and the crowd of directors smiled knowingly.
Ning Qing was so shy. Aiya, what was he doing now? Last night, he failed to understand her amorous feelings, and today he ran to school just to gift her flowers. Gifting flowers was fine, but why did he have to be so mysterious about it?
She liked it, she loved it extremely.
“Young Master Lu, you don’t have the chance to come to see our school often. Let me bring Young Master Lu around the campus, with Xiao Ning to accompany us,” Principal Wang said smiling.
“Sure, thank you Principal Wang,” Lu Shaoming said politely.
The crowd passed through the gate. The principal was on Lu Shaoming’s left hand side, and Ning Qing was on his right. The crowd of directors and Zhu Rui followed closely behind; their entrance was majestic.
Lu Shaoming walked for a few steps before pausing. “Eh, isn’t this Young Master Mu and President Xu? It’s such a coincidence, meeting both of you here today.”
Ning Qing felt her heart sink. She lifted her gaze to look at Mu Yunfan and Xu Junxi.
“Young Master Lu”
“Young Master Lu”
The duo did not have happy expressions on their faces, but they still responded politely.
Lu Shaoming addressed Principal Wang softly, “Principal Wang, does the school recently allow outsiders to enter the compound without a reason? Wouldn’t this be a danger to the students’ safety?”
Upon hearing his words, both Mu Yunfan and Xu Junxi froze instantaneously. The reason why Lu Shaoming had come today was now clear to them.
Lu Shaoming did not have any signs of wanting to discipline them, but Principal Wang was in a panic. “Young Master Lu, Young Master Mu is our school’s gym instructor, and President Xu came to campus to settle his Cousin Xu Lin’s matters. They are not intruders here.”
“Oh,” Lu Shaoming answered ambiguously.
Mu Yunfan’s hands were in his pockets, and he squinted his eyes as he said, “Young Master Lu, we are here for official matters. How about you, then? What would a president be here for? When did you develop the interest to come to the school for an inspection?”
“Young Master Mu,” Principal Wang quickly explained, “Young Master Lu has always been interested in the school, in education. Young Master Lu donated 2000 hectares of land to us a month ago.” Principal Wang excitedly pointed to the empty land beside the academic block. “We will be building the second block for the media and communications faculty to use in conjunction with the second teaching block. Young Master Lu is our benefactor, he is here now to inspect it.”
The moment Principal Wang spoke, the students that were crowded around them were shocked. Shouts of “wow!” were ringing in the air. Ning Qing was also shocked.
Lu Shaoming looked at both Mu Yunfan and Xu Junxi; their expressions were turning worse by the minute. He smiled, relaxed. “To set a meeting would not be as significant as a chance meeting. Since we have met here today, Young Master Lu and President Xu, let us have lunch together this afternoon.”
“Sure.” The scent of fire in the air was overwhelming. Both Mu Yunfan and Xu Junxi agreed to the invitation. Ning Qing, who was behind Lu Shaoming, turned her body to hear the girls discuss excitedly, “Oh my goodness, who is this handsome uncle here? Pygmy water-lily, 2000 hectares of land? Even if I invited my mathematics teacher, I don’t think he would be able to count how many metres that would be! So overbearing. So arrogant!”
“This is Ning Qing’s boyfriend, Guang Qing Corporation’s leader Young Master Lu. How do you not even know about this? Young Master Mu is here today to express his love in a high profile way. Thinking back about it, Ning Qing entered the school one month ago, Young Master Lu had already donated the 2000 hectares of land then.”
The girls were whispering excitedly, “Looking at it now, our Young Master Mu and President Xu are so weak in comparison. With the arrival of Young Master Lu today, he has won completely.”
…
Principal Wang brought Lu Shaoming along to inspect the school and Ning Qing’s small face got redder and redder.
What did he come here to do?
He must have known about Mu Yunfan and Xu Junxi harassing her. He came to seek justice for her, and give a slap to the egos of the two horrible men.
He donated 2000 hectares of land?
It was true that she came to the school one month ago. Did the man donate the land for her?
He didn’t even mention it to her.
Ning Qing hugged the flowers in her embrace tightly. Her nose touched the petals happily, and she sniffed them twice. The fragrance of the flowers found its way into her heart, and the sweetness reached the sides of her lips. She felt as if her whole body were floating.
Sneakily peeking at the man, Lu Shaoming was standing in front of her. The cold wind was chilling, blowing his coat. His hairline was clean and his delicate sharp face was even more handsome. He always looked more and more handsome.
Principal Wang was talking to him with a polite attitude, and he was responding in a low tone, showing his respect to the academic.
He had a different attitude to everyone he met. Just like the demeanour taught to members of the royal family, he was perfect and had no flaws to pick at, letting others look up to him.
Ning Qing immediately looked down to the ground. She did not dare look further, afraid that she would get drunk at the sight.
At this moment, a huge gust of wind blew over. Ning Qing let out a light “Ah!” and immediately shielded the flowers in her arms. Her low shout got the attention of everyone present. The man in front walked to her and gently asked, “What happened?”
Ning Qing did not have anywhere to hide, her pale hand tucked the hair by her head behind her ear. She said softly, “There was a gust of wind just now. I was afraid…it would blow my flowers away. Shaoming, can I return to the classroom, I want to put these flowers somewhere safe.”
“Haha, Young Master Lu, the flowers that you gifted to Xiao Ning… Xiao Ning is treating them so preciously. You should allow her to return to the classroom; it is cold here. Then we can eat lunch together at noon,” Principal Wang said with a laugh.
Ning Qing pouted her pink lips. That was right. Who gives someone flowers and lets them carry them to follow him to run all over the place.
He probably had not gifted a woman flowers before, and did not have any experience.
“Sure, you can return to the classroom.” After receiving his approval, Ning Qing turned her body and ran far away.
…
On the way back to the classroom, Ning Qing was surrounded by the girls. “Ning Qing, are those Pygmy water-lilies in your hands? Can you let us have a look?” Ning Qing tightened her grip on the flowers in her embrace and replied while walking, “You guys can have a look.”
“Wow…” the girls jeered in unison. They wanted to look with their hands. Ning Qing wanted to them to look from a distance. Was there a girl in this world pettier than her? “Ning Qing, we are so jealous of you. Young Master Lu is too good to you. We were almost fainting at the school gates just now. Did you know that a few days ago, the boyfriend of the prettiest girl in the faculty beside us placed a sea of flowers in the shape of a heart by her dorm. It was so romantic, I didn’t expect that Young Master Lu would win over the person in a second. You have turned into the person that everyone is most envious of at this school.”
Ning Qing lifted her head, and smiled extra sweetly. “That’s right, these other boys are too childish, they cannot be compared to my Shaoming.”
“Aiyo, Ning Qing, what do you mean by ‘my Shaoming?’ Be honest with us, how far have you gone with Young Master Lu?” The girls used their elbow to nudge her. Ning Qing used her hand to protect her Pygmy water-lilies. She looked down; the petals did not drop, and her heart was sweet and pretty. How far has she gone with him? They should have asked what they have not done yet.
Young girls, what did they know about? She didn’t want to talk to them further. Ning Qing was in an extremely good mood, she had light footsteps and left in the direction of the classroom.
At this moment, two people appeared in succession in front of her. Mu Yunfan and Xu Junxi came towards her. Ning Qing saw them smiling brightly. She walked in front of Xu Junxi. “President Xu, I received the flowers that you sent me yesterday. Thank you, but I’m sorry, I threw them away. Because I’m allergic to flowers, of course, with the exception of Pygmy water-lilies.”
Upon hearing her words, Xu Junxi’s face became as red as a tomato. Ning Qing walked by his side and stood in front of Mu Yunfan. She said with a smile on her face, “Mu Yunfan, you said you had things to say to me this morning. You can say it now. After you speak I need to go accompany my Shaoming. He came especially to school to see me.”
Mu Yunfan’s expression darkened, like fresh asphalt.
Ning Qing looked at both of them, the duo were unable to even say a word. With a “Hmmph!”, she left the duo alone. She was not a person who liked to boast or kick someone while they’re down, but if she did not use harsh words to get to them, they would continue harassing her.
She was Madam Lu now.
“Ay, Ning Qing, walk slower, wait for us.” The group of girls followed her like a flock of ducklings. They followed her every move.
…
The afternoon meal was in a private room in a high class hotel. Ning Qing sat beside Lu Shaoming, Principal Wang, the education director, and two other professors. Even Mu Yunfan and Xu Junxi came.
“What do you want to drink?” Lu Shaoming asked her while lowering his gaze. The waiter poured white wine into the wine glass. Ning Qing’s bright shining eyes were happily looking at him. She was not coy, and she said softly, “I want to drink red bean slush.”
“Cold?” The man frowned.
Ning Qing did not dare lift her head, her white teeth bit her lower lip. She used her hand to tug his shirt under the table and with her eyes said – I’m begging you.
Lu Shaoming was receptive towards her silent plea, and he also liked how she was being so coy towards him. She was just like a young girl, gentle and weak. He loosened his brows, and looked at Zhu Rui beside him. Zhu Rui nodded, and ordered the waiter with a soft tone.
Ning Qing had a few mouthfuls of the red bean slush, the men were speaking softly and Ning Qing did not interrupt. This was the domain of men, it would be appropriate for her to keep her silence. After finishing their official conversations, Lu Shaoming looked at Xu Junxi and said in a low tone, “President Xu, in regard to the matter about your cousin Xu Lin, I have already conceded, I don’t know why you are here in school today.”
Ning Qing thought in her heart, Lu Shaoming was being direct with him.
Xu Junxi took a sip of the white wine, he frowned and was upfront. “Because there is someone that I am concerned about in the school, so I thought to come over and have a look.”
Ning Qing thought, this person is not me, it is definitely not me!
Lu Shaoming curled up his lips into a low laugh. “President Xu, pardon me for speaking so bluntly. If you want to drag others down with you, you have to consider if the other party needs your concern. A lot of people have broken up, and can never ever be friends again. There is no need to force matters. Even if you try, you will turn from a stranger to a pest. If you really want to wish them well, you can do so from the bottom of your heart, from a distance.”
Xu Junxi’s hand that was on the wine glass paused for a moment. The words that Lu Shaoming said were decisive and on the point. He thought about the feelings in the bottom of his heart.
He was right, he wanted to wish her well silently, but he could not control himself. He hadn’t given up. He wanted to be closer to Ning Qing.
But Ning Qing was by Lu Shaoming’s side now. She was in total bliss and everyone in the world could see it. She did not need his concern. Xu Junxi did not speak, he lowered his head and downed the wine in a single gulp.
Mu Yunfan knew that Xu Junxi had conceded defeat. He half-opened his attractive eyes and looked at Lu Shaoming with provocation. “Young Master Lu, I’m back here this time for Qingqing. The reason why I became a gym instructor was also because of Qingqing, so wherever Qingqing is, I will be there. Young Master Lu would not have any objections to this right?”
“Sure.” Lu Shaoming nodded his head. “I don’t have any opinions, but someone does.”