Initially the topic of conversation revolved around something immediate like Auntie Xiao's Tong Sui. Xu Jing complimented the dessert and Joann thanked him on the middle-aged woman's behalf.
Then, it moved onto Joann explaining to Xu Jing why she took on the part-time job at Auntie Xiao's. Other than Auntie Xiao being a wonderful boss, she wanted to learn from the middle-aged lady the secrets of her scrumptious desserts.
Auntie Xiao did try to teach Joann some of her secrets but it did not seem like cooking was a skill Joann could ever be good at.
While Joann lamented her lack of progress, Xu Jing encouraged and ensured her that she would eventually master the skill of making a mean Chinese Tong Sui. Joann smiled at his encouragement and Xu Jing blurted out before he could stop himself, "With the way you are improving, I am sure you will be a wonderful wife and make a man out there incredibly happy and blissful."
In a normal romance, at this moment, the female character would act all bashful but in Xu Jing and Joann's case, it was Xu Jing who was feeling embarrassed at what he had said. Joann though showed no obvious response on her face. However, she had to admit Xu Jing did set her heart slightly aflutter with his words.
In return, Xu Jing shared with Joann his worries and concerns like how he was worried he might not be able to succeed the legacy set down by his amazing father, or failing his parents for his inability to live up to the high hopes they had for him. Through that, Joann got to know Xu Jing more than him being the persistent young future heir of Xu Corps who would not leave her be.
The more he shared, the more Joann felt he was not as obnoxious as she thought he would be. He had plenty of weighty concerns in his life that he had hidden away underneath his joker's persona. His life was not as easy and as carefree as Joann thought.
As expected, a more free and constant communication bridged the way to a better relationship.
One day, during one of Xu Jing and Joann's dates of sorts, they were having black sesame soup and Joann accidentally left some smudge on her face. She did not notice this but Xu Jing definitely did.
Very naturally, he reached out to use a napkin to dab at the black smudge just above the corner of her lips. Joann was stunned when she felt the young man's sudden touch on her skin. However, she did not push him off.
After Xu Jing brushed away the smudge, he retracted his arm and flashed an easy smile at Joann like this was nothing out of the ordinary for him.
In response, Joann did something that was very out of her character. She lowered her head in a hurry as a faint blush rose to her face. It was not until then that she had to admit to herself perhaps she did reciprocate some of the feelings that Xu Jing obviously had for her.
That interaction marked a crucial shift in their relationship and this was most obvious from the change in Xu Jing's schedule.
Before this, he would trail Joann to Auntie Xiao's after school, shared a meal with her, and sat around to chat with Joann before leaving but now, while everything had remained the same, there was an added step.
Xu Jing's car would roll to a stop before Auntie Xiao's every afternoon just before the shop closed. He was there to fetch Joann home.
However, this was the extent of their relationship. It was all quite innocent. Joann did not invite him up to her place whenever he dropped her off. She merely waved goodbye at him from the door. It was an innocent puppy love.
Nevertheless this did not mean that their relationship would not continue to improve because improve, it did.
It was pouring heavily that afternoon. Auntie Xiao decided to close early that day because the rain had reduced the amount of customers. She doubted any more customers would arrive even if she kept the shop open.
Since Joann's loyal driver had already arrived, she decided to just call it a day. Auntie Xiao closed the shop and left Joann in Xu Jing's good hands before leaving for her own home. Before she left, she told Xu Jing to take good care of Joann.
"Since it is still quite early do you want to take a trip around the city before going home? Is there any place you feel like going?" Xu Jing asked when Joann got into the passenger seat.
After she put on the seatbelt, Joann turned to look out the car window. The rain was falling so heavily that the world outside the car felt like it had been separated behind a heavy curtain of water. Joann could barely see several feet before her. Xu Jing had to switch on the headlights even though the sky had not darkened yet because the sight was that blurry.
She did not think it was a good idea to drive in such a horrible weather and that was what she told Xu Jing, "Xu Jing, I do not think it is that bright of an idea to drive in such horrible weather. It is just too dangerous. You should drop me home and return to your own home right after. Don't stay out too late."
Xu Jing nodded and smiled. "Of course, your wish is my command." By then, the two had gotten comfortable around each other enough for Xu Jing to make such jokes. Joann did not mind them as much as she did initially.
Xu Jing smiled indulgently as he stepped on the oil pedal. He was over the moon that Joann had shown such a degree of concern towards him.
The rain continued to pour on the drive to Joann's place.