Chapter 213: The auction day
Ling Qingyu knew Athena did research whenever she was free and sometimes with Tang Ziyi. She requested her expectations and was certain Athena would meet her goals soon.
4 hours passed since she worked at the desk.
Feeling soreness in her body, Ling Qingyu stood up and walked around her room. Unsatisfied, she went out, listened to the breeze and smelled the nature scent.
Her eyes landed on the cascading swimming and looked up at the sky. Evening approached. The weather was no longer hot, in spite of the sun still above.
Having nothing to do, Ling Qingyu decided to take a swim.
Splash!
Ling Qingyu sprung into an exquisite dive and wiggled her body underneath the pool. Like a mermaid, she paddled under the water full of beauty and strength.
Ling Qingyu swept her arm down, swimming up and gasped for the first breath since she entered the pool.
The underwater vision was indeed mesmerizing. Although the pool was man-made, the decoration which couldn't be viewed from above displayed its wonder.
Ling Qingyu continued fast stroke back and forth along the length for several times. Her hands and feet did little splashes.
The current flowing across her body if not for seeing her hands circling above, mistaken people to think of Ling Qingyu's existence as a torpedo.
There was little turbulence around her. Ling Qingyu gasped for breath when she reached the edge and decided to end the swim.
She went for one final run, her head and hands swarm over the surface as if wings attached Ling Qingyu to fly above the surface. Butterfly strokes was an exhausting swimming technique yet its magnificence and efficiency in the water couldn't be denied.
Ling Qingyu got out of the pool and cooled down her stretched yet refreshed muscles. She felt lighthearted and smiled. The pressure from work and thinking of future plans disappeared.
After a satisfying swim, Ling Qingyu walked to the spa room. Through the glass reflection, Ling Qingyu gazed at her exquisite wet body, accentuating her curves and beauty.
She wore a dark blue connected swimsuit, showing the pale skin of her waist on both sides and her back. She had taken off her swimming cap and wet hairlines dangled across her shoulders.
When she reached her destination, Ling Qingyu saw her masseurs seemly playing with their phones in boredom. Even her presence was ignored.
Indeed, there was very little work in Ling Qingyu's manor most of the time. The only attraction was the ample salary Ling Qingyu gave.
"Ahem." Ling Qingyu coughed and the masseurs immediately straightened up. Ling Qingyu took a bath first, cleaning the chlorine smell stuck on her body.
Afterward, Ling Qingyu exited the bathroom and lay down on the specific bed under the guidance of the masseur, indulging in the bliss of the massage session.
The night passed.
In the morning, Ling Qingyu woke up, stretching lazily, and whined. She remembered today she had to go to work.
Having rested for three days, although the time was small, Ling Qingyu felt she regained her energy. She reckoned if she spent more time indulging, she wouldn't even want to work and became lethargic.
She got up and washed her teeth and face, then wearing a sports vest and shorts, walked to the gym. Everyone was waiting and began the workout.
After a few days, Ling Qingyu was able to follow the other's set, amazing Tang Ziyi, Xiao Yue, Su Ruomei and Jiang Yu.
Apart from Tang Ziyi who was aware of Ling Qingyu's physique, the rest were peculiar and amazed at Ling Qingyu's ability to catch up.
The group also trained Ling Qingyu, in martial arts, and numerous fighting techniques. With so many instructors around, Ling Qingyu was in pain and happiness. She was indeed satisfied with her gain in strength but that confidence was soon smashed by Tang Ziyi.
By smashed, she was literally thrown several times to the ground by Tang Ziyi only using one hand.
Like in fire and water, Ling Qingyu suffered two contrasting feelings. On the one hand, she wanted to punish Tang Ziyi's group for messing with her.
On the other hand, their help made Ling Qingyu grateful as she was fully aware of her own body.
Ling Qingyu collapsed on the floor after her training session had come to an end. Lying down, she asked Tang Ziyi about the renovation progress.
"Well, after today, everything is ready." Tang Ziyi said. "I suppose more guards can concentrate on the training."
"Does that include a new one?" Su Ruomei asked. "Won't the newcomers delay the previous training?"
"No, we aren't in the military. We have time, patience and money." Tang Ziyi replied. "The least we can do is help the new one catch up with us."
Everyone nodded at Tang Ziyi's remarks. Ling Qingyu also agreed with her. She desired to have her guards' capability reach the pinnacles, but that didn't mean her requirements were as strict as in the military.
"Sister Tang and Sister Yue should prepare dresses for this evening occasion." Ling Qingyu said.
"What occasion?" Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue were baffled.
"You don't know." This time, Ling Qingyu was stunned. Both Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue shook their head and Ling Qingyu glanced at Su Ruomei.
Su Ruomei shrugged and said: "I thought you've told them before."
Ling Qingyu patted her forehead helplessly and explained tonight's schedule. Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue cursed immediately for not reminding them earlier.
Although they had bought dresses of various types in their cupboard when they were free, there were no suitable ones for the banquet tonight.
"An evening gown or cheongsam is fine. What's with the urgency?" Ling Qingyu muttered.
Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue rolled their eyes and didn't bother to argue. For women, dressing style was a secondary appearance. They would rather spend energy choosing the best costume tailor for them than shopping for them in the mall conveniently.
Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue also wanted to show their best. How could Ling Qingyu understand their minds?
"Well, you can go there and we'll stay behind the scenes like Su Ruomei and Jiang Yu." Xiao Yue said.
"So, who's protecting me?" Ling Qingyu was stumped. "Okay, you have lots of time today to prepare for the clothes and why are my bodyguards competing for the best appearance, knowing you can never win me."
The girls darkened their faces and controlled their urge to slap Ling Qingyu hard. She was fine with every aspect except for narcissistic remarks.
But they admitted Ling Qingyu exhibited perfect scores in figure and appearance. There was no doubt, despite their confidence in their attractiveness, they would never win Ling Qingyu's gifted beauty.
Su Ruomei and Jiang Yu introduced the guards' plan for Ling Qingyu's security and cooperation with Yang Qingyue.
Tang Ziyi and Xiao Yue nodded, feeling nothing to add from the side. At the same time, they were relieved because the area was surrounded by Yang Qingyue's subordinates and their guards.
Province N was currently volatile though evil lay low for the moment. If given the choice, they wanted Ling Qingyu to stay indoors.
Fortunately, their worries were solved. Yang Qingyue's willingness to cooperate and give them privileges. Ling Qingyu's number of guards had risen. And the most important factor was everybody had firearms at their disposal legally.
The right to bear arms was essential and the reason why they were relieved to let Ling Qingyu go to the auction.