In the tea room, fragrant tea misted through the air, while the notes of a guqin drifted faintly in the background.
The moment Qing Ning addressed her as "Auntie Ouyang," the air seemed to freeze subtly for two seconds.
Ouyang Xuanyue's hand, which had been about to lift her teacup, paused almost imperceptibly in midair before she quietly withdrew it and adjusted cuffs that were already perfectly smooth.
That tiny movement, along with the instant her lashes dropped and rose again, was keenly caught by Liu Qingning.
Her heart skipped a beat.
Oh no, did I make her sound too old and offend her?
In her eyes, Ouyang Xuanyue was a successful and famous industry pioneer, a highly respected true senior.
On top of that, the help she had given Qing Ning's father, the guidance in her words, and her naturally elegant, dignified bearing all made Qing Ning feel that she deserved even greater respect.
Whether in terms of social status or age and experience.
Liu Qingning instinctively saw her as an "elder" to be looked up to.
Besides, she was currently in a carefree state of "not caring about anything."
Rather than calling her "sister" and making it seem like she was deliberately trying to cozy up to her, it seemed more respectful and appropriate to address her as a junior would.
However, she had clearly underestimated how sensitive a beautiful, successful woman could be about her age.
And she had even more greatly underestimated the determination of the chairwoman of [Tang Yi Precision] before her to close the distance between them.
"I'm sorry, Ms. Ouyang. I was presumptuous." Liu Qingning immediately changed her form of address, a trace of annoyance flashing across her face.
The strange emotion on Ouyang Xuanyue's face had already vanished completely.
She seemed to