National Tide 1980.

As night deepened, Yao Peifang tossed and turned in her ocean-view suite at the Regent Hotel, unable to fall asleep.

The soft silk sheets clung to my skin, yet couldn't warm the chill in my heart.

The darkness in the room was like thick, unyielding ink, just like the chaotic and restless thoughts weighing heavily on her heart.

Unable to endure the torment any longer, she gently lifted the covers, walked barefoot and silently off the bed, went straight to the mini-bar in the room, and poured herself a glass of whiskey.

The amber-colored wine swirls gently in the crystal glass, refracting a faint, cool light.

But when she took a sip, she couldn't taste any spiciness or mellowness. Only the slight burning sensation of the alcohol in her throat allowed her to barely maintain her clarity and prevent her from being completely overwhelmed by the bitterness and confusion in her heart.

She walked to the French windows, carefully pulled back the curtains a crack, and stared blankly out the window.

On the dark sea, only a few scattered ships sailing at night had their lights on, like broken stars abandoned in the inky waves, flickering on and off.

The neon lights of the distant port city had mostly faded, leaving only a few lights flickering on the high-rise buildings, which made the desolation of the bay even more pronounced.

The quiet and desolate night scene perfectly mirrored her current state of mind.

Despite being at the pinnacle of prosperity, surrounded by people who love you dearly, you feel an emptiness in your heart.

I was filled with indescribable bitterness, grievances, and confusion; even my breathing felt heavy.

Her mind replayed the events of the day uncontrollably: the beautiful scenery they shared, the joy of being praised, and the sudden bitterness and unexpected disappointment, all surging like waves and disturbing her peace of mind.

She recalled the spotlight she received that evening when she boarded the ship with Ning Weimin and attended the Treasure Pavilion dinner side by side.

She recalled how Ning Weimin had praised her competence and thoughtfulness in front of everyone, and the approval in his eyes was clearly visible.

I recall the moment when the two of us were alone in the stairwell of the 348 nightclub, the ambiguity that transcended the barriers between superiors and subordinates, and the unspoken understanding between us.

She recalled that moment when she could hardly contain the emotions she had suppressed for so long and impulsively confessed what was hidden in her heart.

That was the closest she ever came to happiness.

She once naively believed that her years of companionship and dedication would finally be seen, and that her careful devotion would elicit a different response.

But Qu Xiao's appearance was like a sudden thunderbolt, instantly shattering all her hopes and expectations.

The first-generation model competition champion seemed to be someone specially arranged by heaven to be by Ning Weimin's side. As soon as she appeared, she easily took away all his heartache and tenderness, and instantly made her the background.

Yao Peifang clearly remembers the overwhelming excitement he showed when Qu Xiao rushed towards Ning Weimin, trembling and looking aggrieved—a side of him she had never seen before.

He shed his usual composure and restraint, abandoned all boundaries in his interactions with women, and without hesitation opened his arms to tightly embrace the frightened and helpless girl.

At that moment, Qu Xiao completely let down her guard and, like a helpless little girl, leaned on his shoulder and cried freely.

Ning Weimin gently patted her back, his eyes filled with tenderness and unspoken understanding.

Apart from Ning Weimin's wife, Matsumoto Keiko, Yao Peifang had never seen Ning Weimin so out of control and so tender with any other woman.

That unique favoritism towards Qu Xiao was like a fine needle, densely pricking her heart, subtle yet sharp, causing her almost unbearable pain.

They were such a perfect match, so in sync, like lovers who had gone through many hardships and were unexpectedly reunited. Even the air was filled with touching emotions, making it hard to disturb them.

Even Yao Peifang had to admit that Qu Xiao's tearful appearance was so beautiful that it seemed unreal. She was so fragile and pure that even she, a woman, felt pity for her when she saw her.

At that moment, she suddenly felt like a counterfeit piece of jewelry. The instant the real thing appeared, she lost all her luster in comparison, becoming dull and lifeless, and even breathing seemed superfluous.

She couldn't tell if she was jealous or envious; she only knew that the scene would be forever etched in her heart, becoming an unspeakable secret and an indelible mark.

What are they doing now?

Yao Peifang's fingertips, holding the wine glass, felt slightly cold, and doubts and unease in her heart grew wildly like vines.

Are they still embracing tightly like that? Or have they done something more intimate?

Once these thoughts arose, they clung to her relentlessly, making her feel suffocated and short of breath.

What confused and bewildered her even more was that she no longer knew how to face all of this.

How should she face the "fallen princess" whom Ning Weimin cherishes tomorrow?
If Keiko Matsumoto knew all this, how would she react?
How will she, Ning Weimin's trusted "capable assistant," end this mess and cover up all of this for her boss?
The more I thought about it, the more agitated and aggrieved I felt. The emotions that had been building up inside me finally broke down, and tears streamed down my face without warning, splashing onto the crystal glass.

Yao Peifang hurriedly raised her hand to wipe away her tears, but an uncontrollable self-deprecating smile curled up at the corner of her mouth, making her feel like a complete joke.

God is so unfair! The man she has loved and silently protected for so long has been beaten to it by someone else.

And she, she had to pretend to be nonchalant, and try to cover for him, without even the right to complain. She couldn't help but let her imagination run wild. If she had known that Ning Weimin would fall for the "survival in danger" act, should she have orchestrated an accident for herself, so that he would also be so anxious to protect her?

Could he also look at me with such tenderness?

Could it also give her a little favoritism and attention?

Yao Peifang spent a sleepless night, barely managing to doze off for a moment as dawn approached, but her sleep was extremely restless, her mind filled with images from the previous night.

When she woke up after 10 a.m. the next day, there were still faint dark circles under her eyes.

When she walked out of the room looking haggard and preoccupied, she had already prepared for the worst.

She thought she would see Ning Weimin and Qu Xiao being all lovey-dovey and oblivious to everyone else.

She thought Ning Weimin would fall in love, break his vows, keep a mistress, and do everything he could to arrange everything for Qu Xiao in Gangcheng, even neglecting all his work and responsibilities.

To her surprise, the reality was quite different from what she had imagined.

The hotel suite had been cancelled, and Qu Xiao and her companions had vanished without a trace, as if they had never existed.

Ning Weimin, as always, dressed in a well-fitting suit, sat calmly in his living room, handling documents with an expression as serene as ever.

It was as if the thrilling reunion last night, the passionate embrace between the two of them, had never happened, and was just a one-sided illusion on her part.

Not long after, Ning Weimin called her in and calmly gave instructions on the follow-up work in Gangcheng—he spoke clearly and logically about the operational plan for the Dachuan Entertainment branch.

When discussing the selection of the person in charge, he said he had considered everything carefully. His tone remained calm throughout, and he didn't mention Qu Xiao once, as if the girl who had made him lose his composure and feel heartbroken last night was just an insignificant passerby in his life, a trivial interlude.

Yao Peifang suppressed the surging curiosity in her heart and carefully wrote down everything Ning Weimin told her. Only after all the work was given did she muster up the courage to ask a question tentatively.

"President Ning, how are Miss Qu and her companion from yesterday doing now?"

Ning Weimin looked up at her, his eyes calm and unwavering, his tone as flat as ever.

"They've already left. They're both doing well. Thank you for your hard work yesterday. Everything's fine afterward, so don't worry about it anymore."

After saying that, he lowered his head again and continued to focus on the documents in his hands. He didn't say another word or give any extra instructions, as if Qu Xiao's experience and his heartache last night were just temporary emotional fluctuations that would pass in an instant.

Yao Peifang was filled with doubt and couldn't figure it out no matter how hard she tried.

She didn't understand what had happened between Ning Weimin and Qu Xiao last night, why they were so excited and affectionate when they reunited, and why they could part so calmly in just one night.

She couldn't understand why Ning Weimin, who was always generous and righteous and took extra care of his ordinary subordinates, would offer no real help to Qu Xiao, who was so down on her luck and had suffered so much injustice and fright, and not even a word of concern.

Despite the doubts, a huge weight was quietly lifted from my heart.

Qu Xiao left voluntarily, and there were no further troubles.

Ning Weimin showed no signs of cheating; he remained the same calm, measured, and clear-headed boss.

And she remained his most capable and trusted assistant.

The bitterness and unease that had been building up all night vanished instantly, replaced by an indescribable sense of ease, making even breathing much easier.

In the days that followed, Qu Xiao vanished as if she had evaporated from the face of the earth. There was no more news, no phone calls, no trace. Yao Peifang would occasionally recall the scene at the 348 nightclub, Qu Xiao's red and swollen eyes from crying, and Ning Weimin's gentle comfort, but these memories would only flash by. That vivid figure gradually faded and blurred in her heart.

She thought that Qu Xiao would disappear completely from Ning Weimin's life and fade out of her life as well.

However, unexpectedly, fate gave her a pleasant surprise at the moment of parting, and also resolved all her guesses and doubts.

In early November, Ning Weimin successfully handled most of the affairs in the port city and decided to set off for France.

This was partly to allow Fog Studios to negotiate the production of several films, and also to take advantage of the opportunity to expand Big Ship Entertainment's overseas distribution and production business.

On the other hand, it was also to report to the French headquarters on the progress of cooperation with several luxury brands, and to take the opportunity to further explore overseas resources for tourism in the country.

The Kai Tak Airport terminal was bustling with people coming and going, with a constant stream of people seeing off their loved ones.

Originally, Yao Peifang was by Ning Weimin's side, calmly dealing with the relatives, friends and business partners who came to see him off, with a proper smile on her face, but no ripples in her heart.

However, just as boarding was about to begin, the expected accident occurred.

A tall and graceful figure became the focus of everyone who came to see her off.

This figure is Qu Xiao.

She stood alone not far away, wearing a simple and elegant dress, with light makeup, a calm and composed demeanor, and a poised and graceful air.

Today, she radiates beauty, a far cry from the frightened, trembling, and tearful woman she was at the 348 nightclub that day.

She held an exquisite gift box in her hand, simply yet thoughtfully packaged, clearly a farewell gift for Ning Weimin.

She walked straight up to him, a gentle and sincere smile on her face, and in front of everyone, presented the items to Ning Weimin, solemnly thanking him for his help that day.

Apart from that, he didn't say another word, didn't make any overly intimate gestures, and didn't even spend a moment alone with Ning Weimin.

I said goodbye to him as if he were an ordinary benefactor or an old friend, with perfect tact and discretion.

On the contrary, Ning Weimin seemed somewhat excited, his usual composure crumbling the moment he saw the figure.

As he uttered the words "You still came," his expression betrayed his concern, and his eyes held a clear reluctance. The way he looked at Qu Xiao was so tender it could melt hearts.

That barely suppressed concern was something that everyone present could vaguely sense.

Unfortunately, apart from Yao Peifang and Qin Jun, no one present recognized Qu Xiao.

Of course, no one would understand what she meant by "help".

For a moment, not to mention others, even Ning Weimin's old friends Xia and Hong Hanyi looked at the suddenly appearing girl with puzzled expressions.

Whispers quietly rose in the hall. Because Qu Xiao called Ning Weimin "Brother Ning," some people guessed that she was a distant relative of Ning Weimin, while others guessed that she was an old friend whom Ning Weimin had helped in the past. Everyone's face was filled with curiosity as they speculated about her background and identity.

As for Yao Peifang, as the only one who knew the truth, although she maintained a calm and indifferent demeanor on the surface, her heart was just as turbulent and her emotions were surging.

Looking at the undisguised reluctance in Ning Weimin's eyes and Qu Xiao's calm and composed demeanor, her doubts surged up once again.

What exactly is their relationship?
Why is there such a stark contrast in appearance at the moment of parting?

What untold past lies hidden behind the restrained affection between the two?

Soon, the boarding announcement rang out, and the final moment of parting arrived.

Ning Weimin forcibly suppressed the emotions in his eyes. He took the farewell gift from Qu Xiao and solemnly said, "Take care."

Then, he led Qin Jun, carrying their luggage, and turned to walk towards the boarding gate without looking back. However, when he reached the corner, he paused slightly.

As she watched his figure gradually disappear into the crowd, Yao Peifang was about to turn and leave when, unexpectedly, Qu Xiao walked towards her with a gentle smile on his face.

"Miss Yao, thank you so much for that day. Thank you for saving me and my companion."

Qu Xiao extended her hand, her tone solemn and sincere, her eyes full of gratitude. "That day, Brother Ning comforted me for a few words and then left quickly. My partner and I rested very well at the hotel. The next day, because we had to go back to the team for rehearsal, we left too early and couldn't thank you and Brother Ning in person. I've always felt very regretful about that. I came here today not only to say goodbye to Brother Ning, but also to thank you in person."

Looking into her sincere and open eyes, Yao Peifang instantly understood her intention—Qu Xiao was actually explaining to her that there was no extramarital affair between her and Ning Weimin.

That night was nothing more than a simple act of comfort and assistance, without any unnecessary complications. (End of Chapter)