In a hot pot restaurant, a big pot of chicken broth and raw meat and vegetables were on the table around the pot. During the lunch hour, this restaurant was a popular choice, so unless you had a reservation it would be hard to get a table. Many customers were eating happily or in a hurry before their lunch break ended.
A server placed a big plate of kimchi fried rice on the table of two.
A young woman with her hair tied up in a ponytail, wearing a white dress with small black polka dots, white heels and black purse. Her eyes twinkled as she waited for the raw meat and vegetables to be cooked well. She was bright and expressive like a cute rabbit.
Across from the young woman, the young man who was wearing a grey suit with a white collared shirt, he only looked at the young woman in front of him as if she was the only one that he saw. He had ingrained elegance in his bones that made everyone know that he was someone not from this world.
Lin Mei asked skeptically. "Why did you order a plate of fried rice when we are eating hot pot right now?"
Zhang Wei raised his brow. "I ordered it for you to eat later on in the day. Make sure you eat it when you're hungry, alright?" He took a small bowl that he asked for before, scooped up some fried rice, placed the bowl in front of Lin Mei. He gestured her to eat then he used his chopstick and picked up some cooked beef from the broth.
"Are you feeding me till I'm round and then you would eat me?" She asked before she started eating the bowl of fried rice. With a content expression that couldn't be hid spread across her face.
Zhang Wei inwardly smiled wryly. Look how blissful she is when she's eating; how can he not know what she wants and likes?
He wondered, how did he found himself liking such a foodie? He had to admit Lin Mei was the cutest when she's eating, with her eyes lit up when she sees food to when she's eating the food. I must've had fate with food or otherwise would he be so lucky to love a woman that loves to eat as much as she loves me. Zhang Wei could imagine that she would marry some fried chicken if she could then throw him aside.
"So, Miss Lin, what did you invite me to lunch for?"
"Can't I invite you to lunch without a purpose?" Lin Mei asked. Her chopsticks were in the air while she glared.
"Hmm… Then is this a date?" He teased. He grinned as he knew he caught her off guard. If she keeps rejecting him then she must also suffer.
She blinked in confusion then her neck and cheeks began to turn red.
"This is not the date I imagined to have with you, but it will have to do." His hand went across the table and held her chin then gave an Oscar winning smile that blinded Lin Mei.
Why was her male god so mean? Does he want her to die from his flirting? Sending SOS how does one deal with this?!
Zhang Wei took his hand away reluctantly since Lin Mei looked like she had too much simulation already. He doesn't want her to ditch him and run off in her embarrassment. Knowing her, it might actually happen.
"Now, tell me the real purpose."
Lin Mei blurted out. "Let's go and infiltrate my future Sister-in-law's company!" She drank her glass of lemon water while trying to hide her increasing embarrassment.
The unexpected purpose made Zhang Wei paused. "Future Sister-in-law? Which brother? And most importantly why must we infiltrate?"
Lin Mei gave a creepy smile. "Second brother's new girlfriend."
"…?"
"Remember Xu Yingyue? Second brother got together with her again; I want to see what her purpose is for getting back with Second brother."
"You make her sound like a gold digger or someone with ulterior motives. Their previous relationship was… not the best and they want to be together?" Zhang Wei looked at her.
Not the best was an understatement but she let it go because it was true in a way. His favorite thing to do was to understate everything.
"I need to see if she has changed compared to her younger self! My brother sounded like he wanted to marry her, so she must pass my test to be with my brother!" She said righteously. Her eyes were filled with fire.
"Didn't you like her before, before their relationship shattered?" He asked. He picked up some lamb and spinach, dipped it in her favorite sauce, and placed it on her plate.
She took the meat and ate it happily. "I did but after what my brother went through with her… I don't want to see him like that again." Her voice went soft to a whisper as she said the last part.
"How do you want to infiltrate her company? Doesn't she own a Manhua studio?"
"I can be your assistant when you go and get a collaboration with Moonlight Manhua Studio. Since you own a clothing brand empire, you can do a collaboration with one of her popular manhua. Many are in love with manhua and there are those who love to wear what the characters in the manhua wore or to show their passion by wearing clothes inspired by their favorite manhua." Lin Mei said.
He was lost in thought. "That sounds reasonable enough to be realistic. The only part is that your disguise as my assistant."
Lin Mei lifted her chin and smiled proudly. "Let's do this next week when we can make an appointment for her company."
"Alright. I'll tell my assistant about this collaboration project." He would also ask about the market's interest in this kind of collaboration and Moonlight Manhua Studio's popularity. Then again even if the popularity and market interest isn't high, he would still do this for Lin Mei.
"Now, we should discuss what I get out of this." Zhang Wei crossed his arms and met her eyes.
"Umm… you get to help me!?" She tried her hardest to think about a benefit but there wasn't much she could give. What should she do??
"Well, there is that, but I want an actual date and that you would be a girlfriend after this."
"You're asking for too much you rogue!" Her cheeks flushed with anger and she clenched her fists.
His expression turned serious. "How am I asking for too much? You know I love you and I want you to be my girlfriend, but you keep saying it's not the right time. Let me ask you, when is the right time?" His voice became more solemn as he talked.
She felt guilty for rejecting him and being evasive when he asked her out. "But…"
He held her hands tightly. "What is it that is stopping you from being with me?"
He muttered in his heart. 'We are practically going out in everyone's eyes.'
"…"
Zhang Wei stared at her as she looked at the food instead of talking to him. He sighed. "Alright. I'll do it without any benefits, okay?"
"Okay." She said still looking at her food.
They finished their food in silence.
~
Xu Yingyue got off her car and went to the entrance of Lin Financial Corporation. The building was a modern skyscraper with a logo at the corner of the building.
She checked the time on her sliver thin watch. It was about time for dinner by the time she went up to his office.
She walked into the lobby of the company. It has a large front desk with the logo of the company plastered on the wall behind the desk. On the two sides of the lobby there were lots of couches and armchairs for employees and clients to sit on. The color scheme was blue, grey and white.
Xu Yingyue walked up to the young receptionist.
"Welcome to Lin Financial Corporation, how may I help you?" The receptionist asked.
"I have an appointment with CEO Lin. My name is Xu Yingyue." Xu Yingyue said.
"Just a moment please." The receptionist dialed the phone.
"Miss Xu, you can go up now." The receptionist said after checking the with the CEO's secretary.
As Xu Yingyue walked to the elevator, there was a man sitting across the room, he held up his phone slightly to make it seem like his only focus was the phone, he took multiple photos of her waiting for the elevator.
Then when she went in the elevator, he stood up, walked out of the building casually, as if he had a meeting to attend.