The wrong turn

Around seven in the evening, Tang Wei Sheng reached Ning family's private resort in the outskirts of the city. Due to the paparazzi and the netizens, Ning Jing's agency told her to take a break and let them handle the issue.

When Tang Wei Sheng's car reached in the entrance of the resort, a butler came out to receive him.

"Good evening, sir, the young miss is waiting for you." Butler informed as he led Tang Wei Sheng to the suite room of the luxurious resort. It was Ning Jing who opened the room instead of her assistants.

"Good evening, CEO Tang. I'm extremely sorry for troubling you to come here." Ning Jing apologised as soon as she welcomed Tang Wei Sheng inside her suite.

"It is fine." Tang Wei Sheng politely declined her apology.

"Please take a seat," Ning Jing invited him into the living room.

"How about a drink or did you had dinner?" She inquired while picking up the room service phone. "Or else, please join me for dinner."

"I came to clear the misunderstandings,Miss Ning." Tang Wei Sheng informed in an aloof manner, indirectly saying no to her dinner invitations.

"Are there any misunderstandings between us?" Ning Jing seemed surprised.

"Miss Ning, I don't know what your objectives about the meeting were, but for me, it was a business meeting." Tang Wei Sheng cut the chase.

"Yes, CEO Tang." Ning Jing smiled as she understood the underlying meanings of his words. "You have worked as director of an entertainment agency and you know how pointless these rumours are.

Even though it wasn't my fault, I'm extremely sorry for the inconveniences." Ning Jing apologized with a warm smile.

"I'm not blaming you." Tang Wei Sheng looked at her. "I know it is difficult for you. But I don't want it to affect our personal lives."

"Usually rumours die within a week or two. But since it's you and me, things have gone out of my agency's control. I hope that you are aware of the fact that our families are trying to set us on an alliance." Ning Jing tried to clarify when she heard him mentioning their personal lives.

"I have a girlfriend." Tang Wei Sheng stated nonchalantly. What's the point of discussing an alliance with Ning Jing when he already decided to lead a life with Li Juan?

"Good for you." Ning Jing's seemed extremely calm without any ounce of shock on her pretty face.

"Well, not a surprise. There are very little chances for a person like you, to remain single." She chortled as she continued. "Did your girlfriend see these rumours? Is she throwing a tantrum?"

"No." Tang Wei Sheng had a strong belief that Li Juan won't be affected by these kinds of rumours. She is not like those people who would blindly believe whatever appears on the internet.

"Cool!!" Ning Jing smiled and adjusted her posture to a more relaxed manner. "Half of your problems are solved then.Well, nothing is scarier than a jealous girlfriend."

Upon hearing her words, Tang Wei Sheng couldn't help but smile. Jealousy and Li Juan, a combo that was unheard of.

"Both of us are victims here and we have to solve it by any means as soon as possible." Ning Jing looked at Tang Wei Sheng for an answer as he remained stoic.

"I'm sorry to ask you. But can I order something to eat? I was sleeping all day and I am starving." Ning Jing asked as she touched her stomach.

"Go ahead." Tang Wei Sheng had no issues with it as he felt that Ning Jing was not so difficult to get along with.

"Okay, should I order some wine to ease your stress?" Ning Jing enquired as she picked up the service phone.

"Well, there is nothing in this world which cannot be solved with alcohol."

"I need to drive." Tang Wei Sheng right away rejected her offer.

"Wow, I thought you will have ten personal chauffeurs." Ning Jing was surprised by his answer as she never expected him as a CEO with no drivers

"I prefer driving myself and when I'm not, my assistant will drive." Tang Wei Sheng cleared her doubt.

"I wish I could do the same, but my grandpa won't allow me." Ning Jing pouted her lips in disagreement. "According to him, chauffeurs for corporate heirs and celebrities are not just drivers, but your bodyguards.

"I can relate to that." Tang Wei Sheng added as he remembered his father's words regarding the same.

"I was a free bird with no restrictions when I was abroad. Also, I have seen the Aston Martin you had in university." Ning Jing sounded excited as she opened her bundle of memories.

"I was totally in love with that."

"You like cars too?" There was a surprise in Tang Wei Sheng's voice.

"Oh, I love them." Ning Jing replied enthusiastically. "While I was in the university my grandpa arranged a chauffeur and I hated that.

One day I saw your car in the parking lot and I went crazy, like who drives an Aston Martin to a university?

I wanted to ride it, and I kinda tried to get in touch with you." Ning Jing beamed as she spoke about their shared interest with Tang Wei Sheng.

"Really! When?" Tang Wei Sheng was curious. From the tabloids, he knew that Ning Jing went to the same university as him.But he never met her even though they had mutual friends.

"On ken's birthday party. I tried to engage you in a conversation related cars and out of nowhere that stupid Tony threw up on me…oh eww…" Ning Jing tried to remind him about the day they've met.

"Oh that girl who was crazy about cars...it was you!!!!"Tang Wei Sheng's sounded elated when he recalled meeting Ning Jing for the first time. Five years ago, he met a girl in a birthday party with whom he had a conversation about the cars.

"Yes, that was me." Ning Jing said while smiling.

"Why didn't you tell me yesterday?"

"We were on a business meet, dude." Ning Jing dropped the honorifics with Tang Wei Sheng.

"Oh yeah." Tang Wei Sheng agreed with her.

"My grandpa is eating my head whenever I meet him. He wants me to get married as soon as possible." Ning Jing shared her part of the story. "You know how hard is to stay single when you're in a family power dispute."

"I am afraid that I should agree with it." Tang Wei Sheng agreed with her.

"Why these old people are so crazy about gaining power? They have saved enough for 100 generations. And still, they try to control their children's lives." Ning Jing shared her thoughts on family disputes and corporate marriages.

"At least let your grandchildren enjoy their freedom."

"Everyone may not have a similar opinion as Miss Ning." Tang Wei Sheng supported her point of view.

"Oh please, call me Jane. I know you are the Tang Wei Sheng of Tang corporations. But we are of the same age and used to study together. Why don't we stick to Win and Jane?" Ning Jing suggested.

'Win' was Tang Wei Sheng's pet name while he was abroad.

"Done!"

"This is cool, I don't have any friends in C country and right now it feels like a reunion.

You don't mind calling for a chauffeur for one night? Because I am so in a mood to celebrate." Ning Jing suggested.

"Go ahead." Tang Wei Sheng finally put down his aloof armour. Somehow Ning Jing gave the same vibes as his friends. Her style of talking reminded of him, the Tang Wei Sheng during the college days.

The careless, goofy Winston Tang.

"So why are your family setting you up with girls? don't they know about your girlfriend?" Ning Jing enquired when she felt that Tang Wei Sheng has become a bit more comfortable with her.

"It is quite complicated."

"I'm all ears." Ning Jing crossed her hands and listened to him.

"She is from a normal household." A warm smile bloomed on his face when he remembered Li Juan and he unknowingly sipped the wine.

"Oh man, you are brave." Ning Jing was full of praise. Well, it wasn't an easy thing to do. "Who is that lucky girl?"

"We went to the same high school."

"Oh wow, child sweethearts."

"What about you?" Tang Wei Sheng asked Ning Jing. From whatever information he gathered, she had maintained a scandal-free record in the industry all these years.

"Well, I had a crush on someone. But unfortunately, he likes some other girl. So here I am, going on dates which my family arranges." She replied in a cheerful voice as if it doesn't affect her anymore.

"Good luck with the dates, then."

"It is not that I'm dying to get married. It's just for the sake of my grandpa. He is forcing me due to the family feuds. My uncles are trying to crawl into the business and my old man is unwilling to give them any positions.

Since my father has only a daughter, not a son, he thinks that it is easier for them to tackle me. And my grandpa is trying to fill that void with a powerful son-in-law."

Ning Jing looked at Tang Wei Sheng's powerful eyes.

"It is not that I am not capable to lead the business, but I don't want to hurt my grandpa's feelings. If my marriage makes him happy then I thought I will do it."

"You love him a lot," Tang Wei Sheng commented.

"Ain't all grandchildren are like that?" Ning Jing's parents were busy handling business overseas and from her childhood itself, she used to live with grandfather in C country. She shared a warm bond with her grandfather.

"Yes, I am closer to my grandpa than my dad." Tang Wei Sheng said as if he is proud of his grandfather.

"Do you know something? You are quite different from others. You are amicable than other people out there. You give out the warmth of happiness which makes people like you." Ning Jing always had an admiration towards Tang Wei Sheng.

"I wasn't like this in the past."

Tang Wei Sheng replied with a bitter smile.

"It took me quite a time to become like this."

"Is that so?" Ning Jing asked out of curiosity. " I don't find any difference from the ten years old boy whom I met in the family reunions or the twenty years old man I have seen in the friend's reunions."

"Thanks for mentioning that." Tang Wei Sheng smiled. "But it may not be always true."

"Why? Is there any beast hiding behind this pretty mask?" Ning Jing asked with a serious tone.

"Don't we all have an inner beast on hibernation?" Tang Wei Sheng refuted back.

"A monster which can only awaken when we are pushed towards the cliff,"

"Why do I feel that your beast waiting to be awakened?"

"He is tamed." Tang Wei Sheng replied calmly.

"I guess it is your girlfriend's doing?"

"I did it for her."

"Oh, Jeez these love-struck people, they make me sick." Ning Jing laughed.

"Anyway, I will make sure that no one will mess up with our daily lives." Tang Wei Sheng assured her.

"Thanks." Ning Jing smiled happily.

"I will take leave now." Tang Wei Sheng stood up from his seat and Ning Jing followed him.

"It was nice meeting you, Win." Ning Jing flashed her cute smile. She was genuinely happy to meet Tang Wei Sheng.

"Me too," Tang Wei Sheng leaned forward to shake her hands.

"Handshakes are kinda formal, Win." Ning Jing came closer to him.

Tang Wei Sheng smiled as he hugged her as a parting gesture.

"Bye, drive safe." Ning Jing waved her hand and bid adieu to him.

Next day,

Yang Xiong came running to Tang Wei sheng's office with a flustered face.

"Boss, there is something you needs to see." Yang Xiong passed the tablet to Tang Wei Sheng to show him the news.

"Female celebrity and CEO of X Corporation have spent a night together.

The renowned A-lister celebrity Miss Ning and CEO has finally gone public with their relationship. It seems like the rumours that have circulated in social networking sites are nothing but true."

There was a picture of both of them hugging near the car.

Suddenly Tang Wei Sheng's mobile rang. It was from Tang Fei's assistant.

"Tang Wei Sheng, come home."

"Yes, Grandpa." He ended the conversation with a displeased look on his face. He considered Ning Jing as a good friend and never thought that their relationship will take a wrong turn.

"Inform the PR team and take it down as soon as possible." Tang Wei Sheng stopped for a moment as he rushed towards the door. "Find every single person behind this and sue them."

"Yes, Boss." Yang Xiong replied.

Suddenly the intercom in the desk rang and Yang Xiong took the call.

"Boss, you have a visitor. It is Miss Ning Jing."

Even before Tang Wei Sheng could say something, Ning Jing walked in and removed the mask which covered her tired face.

"Please," Tang Wei Sheng pointed towards the lounge as a courtesy

"I came here to inform you about my grandpa." Ning Jing said without even taking a seat.

"He believes that we are in a relationship and he wants us to get married, as soon as possible."

"Ning Jing, I have already told you about my decision."

"I know, I know. But it seems like things are getting out of our hands. And you have no idea what my grandpa is capable of."

"You know the truth. So it's better that you should talk this out with your grandfather." Tang Wei Sheng suggested as he doesn't want to involve with Ning family anymore.

"See, I have no interest in marrying you. But I have been pushed to my limits today." Ning Jing was on the verge of lashing out her anger.

"Look, we are adults and we need to be responsible for our actions." Tang Wei Sheng tried to explain.

"That's what I'm saying. Let's be responsible.

Both of our company shares are plummeting while we argue here. And I can't afford to lose my grandpa.

So I'm begging you to help me." Ning Jing had no other option but to ask Tang Wei Sheng 's help to save herself.

"What are you trying to imply?"

"Let's get married."

Ning Jing's words hit Tang Wei Sheng like a bullet. He was never expecting her to say something like this.

"What? No way. I have a girlfriend." He tried to remind her again.

"I jnir. But please, whether it is fake marriage or hidden marriage or whatever you say. I just want to get out of this mess." Ning Jing wasn't ready to give up her hope. "Just for a while."

"No, it is not possible."

"I will talk to your girlfriend. She will understand my situation.

Please I beg you." She pressed her palms together as she spoke.

"No, I can't." Tang Wei Sheng said firmly. How can he marry Ning Jing just because some tabloid rumours? He was not convinced.

At that moment, Ning Jing's mobile rang and she picked up the call with trembling hands.

"Grandpa, what happened to him? I'm coming." A drop of tear fell from Ning Jing's eyes as she ended the conversation. She clenched her fists and stood up from the seat.

Tang Wei Sheng was sitting in the lounge without any expressions.

"I thought you were different." Ning Jing said to him with a grim voice and dashed out of the door.

"Boss," Yang Xiong called Tang Wei Sheng.

"Let's go." He stood up from the seat and walked towards the exit. Tang Fei has called him to Tang mansion to discuss and solve the dating scandal.

For some reasons, his mind was getting filled with remorse feelings.

It felt like something bad is going to happen.

On the midway to Tang mansion, Tang Wei Sheng got a call from assistant asking him to go to the first hospital instead of Tang mansion.

Ning Jing's grandfather had a heart attack and he was taken to the hospital.

__________________

The elders in the Ning family were having a conversation among themselves in front of the intensive care unit. In a corner, Ning Jing stood with her head held low. She knew that it happened due to the news of her allegedly spending a night with Tang Wei Sheng. All the members in the Ning family were desperately waiting for the doctor to inform the death of Chairman Ning.

It was Chairman Ning's second heart attack and his chances for survival were minimal. Apart from Ning Jing, others were only bothered about the shares and money in the Ning corporation.

The sound of footsteps echoed in the cold corridor. Everyone looked at the end of the corridor and saw Tang Wei Sheng walking with his grandfather.

"Chairman Tang." They were surprised to see the Tang Family in the hospital.

Tang Fei ignored those people in the corridor, he walked towards Ning Jing.

"Xiao Ning," Tang Fei called Ning Jing who stood silently.

Ning Jing looked at him with red eyes. He patted her shoulders to console her.

"So the rumours were indeed true. That wench is dating the young master of the Tang family", someone whispered.

Suddenly the door of ICU opened and a doctor came out.

"It was a minor attack; there is no need to panic for now.

"Thank you, doctor, can I meet him?" Ning Jing asked the doctor.

"After a few hour's observation Chairman Ning will be transferred from ICU. Then you may visit him. Try not to stress him."

When Chairman Ning transferred to a room, Ning Jing went to visit him.

After a few minutes, Tang Wei Sheng was called inside.

Tang Wei Sheng looked at the oldman in the bed with many tubes attached to his body.

"My granddaughter has no one in this world other than me. Please don't ruin her life."

Grandfather Ning looked at Tang Wei Sheng with pleading eyes.

"If I am the one who is caused by all these problems, then I am willing to take care of it." Tang Wei Sheng said non-chalantly, leaving the other two in shock. He agreed? Ning Jing was in absolute doubt.

"I want you to take care of her, please. It's a request from a dying man." Grandfather Ning was on the verge of breaking down.

"I promise that I will take care of your granddaughter." Tang Wei Sheng said to him.

"Let me talk to your grandpa".

Tang Wei Sheng bowed and walked out of the room as Ning Jing followed him.

"Tang Wei Sheng." She called him from behind. She couldn't believe that Tang Wei Sheng, who kept talking so highly about his girlfriend few hours ago, promised her grandfather that he will take care of her.

"The marriage, it will be for namesake. Once everything gets settled I want a divorce." Tang Wei Sheng ordered without turning back.

Tang Wei Sheng believed that he was capable enough to handle this situation.

But he was wrong.

His life already took a wrong turn from the right path which was supposed to lead him towards his ultimate destination, towards Li Juan.