The patron party following the new product development announcement is only a few days away. Wang Zhixin has brought Jian Qingshan to a designer boutique in the city.
"It's been too long, Mr. Wang. What are you looking for today." The salesclerk asked as soon as the two enters the shop.
"A gown for her." Wang Zhixin looks at the woman suspiciously. "By the way, I haven't seen you around here before."
"Oh… I just moved to this branch last month. It's nice to meet you."
As Jian Qingshan quietly listens in on the conversation when the sales associate breaks out into a smile.
"Ok, a gown. If it's for the lady, I think this style would look amazing on her. It's very 'in' season. It the haute couture edition. We could tailor it to fit her like a glove."
"…"
"I'm sorry. That dress is stunning, but we don't have much time until the party. Something ready-to-wear would be more practical."
"I'm so sorry. My mistake. Please have a look over there."
"Thank you. I'd love to."
"Take your time, Miss."
The man has a bad habit of saying nothing but the bare minimum. He was indeed so unfriendly.
"Yes?" Jian Qingshan turns around to face the sales associate, who was still watching her from behind. When she makes eye contact with her, she quickly bows.
"I can help you find jewelry and accessories to go with your gown too. Just let me know if you need any help."
The woman leaves quickly and watching her go out of the corner of Jian Qingshan's eyes, she let out a mental sigh of relief.
Meanwhile, Wang Zhixin is casually checking out the dresses.
Jian Qingshan did not believe her ears when the man said he was going to go dress shopping with her but, at the end of the day, the man was just there with her. She was still the one who will be choosing the dress.
The simple he went with her was simple. It was like she was under surveillance. The sales associate wouldn't be that attentive simply because Wang Zhixin is famous. She thought back to last night.
"I'm going shopping with you. Clear your schedule for tomorrow afternoon."
"You really don't have to come with me."
"Don't be hardheaded. It's precisely because I do have to go with you that I suggested it."
"Do you think people will be watching us even outside of your office?"
"I'd though I told you. Li Bai is sharp. It's going to be difficult to dispel his suspicions.
The reason the man was there at the moment was because he had to play the part of a happy couple going dress shopping together. At this time, they couldn't do anything to make the sales associate suspect otherwise. Jian Qingshan will have to choose a dress according to Wang Zhixin's taste.
More determined to succeed than ever, she takes a look around the glamorous store.
Wang Zhixin himself loves simplicity and detests anything superfluous. Her only option was to go with a more minimalistic dress.
Jian Qingshan thought he will be standing around the man, so cool colors was to go with.
"This dress is stunning! What do you think, Zhixin?"
"Not bad."
"Great!" Jian Qingshan displayed the perfect girlfriend attitude. "Excuse me, I would like to try this on."
"Of course. I'll get the dressing room ready for you, wait just a moment."
With the dress in hand, the sales associate walks off, leaving the two.
"That dress is such a pretty shade of royal blue. Or do you think it's closer to king's blue?"
"What?"
"Is that not it? I heard that's what they call it in England."
"I see. It is because I went to Oxford?"
"Not only did you go to Oxford, but you also graduated from high school a year early. You're a genius. Your intellect is one of WGTC's greatest assets."
Narrowing his eyes, the man quietly smiles.
"You don't get it."
Before she can ask him what he meant, the look in his long, narrow eyes changes. His gaze, now dagger sharp, is focused on the back of the store.
"That associate is taking a long time."
"You're right. Oh? Here she comes."
"Sorry to keep you waiting. We're all ready for you. Right this way." The salesgirl returns with the dress in her hands. Jian Qingshan smiles at her and walk into the dressing room.
However, what was the deal with the zipper? Jian Qingshan was having a difficult time getting the zipper to go up. She thought it was weird because the size was right.
"What's the matter? You're taking an awfully long time in there."
"I'm having a little trouble."
"I'm sorry, Miss. Let me help you. Or maybe you would like Mr. Wang to help you instead?"
Evening from the inside the fitting room, Jian Qingshan could hear the man sigh in response to the salesgirl's suggestive question.
This was definitely a test. If they were to be a real couple, Wang Zhixin will not hesitate to help out himself.
"Let me help you." It was a long pause before he decided to help. Typical for the man. "I'm coming in."
Suddenly she thought about her bare back and how she was going to be along with the man inside the dressing room. Her thought went semi-wild but quickly brush it off. This was part of her job. She had no time to hesitate.
Hold the dress up with one hand, she opens the door with the other.
"The zipper is stuck. It doesn't seem to want to go up."
"Oh! I'm so sorry. But this dress is the last one in its size."
"Thank you, but it's alright. I can't seem to get the zipper, but Zhixin will come to the rescue." She made a show of taking his hand and pulling him into the dressing room before closing the door.
As soon as they were alone, he whispers:
"Keep up the act. She's probably listening."
"I figured. In that case, let's put on a romantic little show."
"Great idea."
The two stops whispering and, she raised her voice a little, she starts giggling. Jian Qingshan turns around so her back is facing the man, and he grabs the zipper just like a real boyfriend would.
After a moment of acting, the phony lovers came out of the fitting room to meet the sales associate's eyes again intensifies.
"How was the dress?"
Wang Zhixin, unbothered, simply states:
"We'll take it."
"Fantastic! I'll get it all packed up for you. Would you like us to ship it to your address?"
"Oh? In that case, my—"
"My apartment is fine." The man cuts in. "You can stay at my place until the party."
"Was that an invitation?"
"If that's how you want to take it, yes."
Playing alone with the man's act for the benefit of the sales associate, Jian Qingshan smiles and takes his hand. He smoothly pulls her close, unobtrusively bringing his lips towards her.
Was he really trying to kiss her? But if she freaks out now, their cover will be blown.
"Ok?"
"What is that supposed to mean?"
The tips of their nose were so close they're practically touching. Wang Zhixin and Jian Qingshan gazes into each other's eyes, never looking at anything else.
Just then, Jian Qingshan quickly case to the side and make eye contact with the salesgirl who was watching them, mesmerized.
Stunned, the girl looks away, flustered. Jian Qingshan continues to watch her out of the corner of her eye, and then both of the two laughs.
"Sorry, you know how I feel about public display of affection."
"Hmph, you're good. Well then, I'd like to get this dress wrapped up so we can get out of here."
"Y-yes sir!"
After picking up accessories and shoes in addition to the dress, they were finally done shopping.
"I've made a decision. We're going to update the contract."
As they step out of the shop, Jian Qingshan takes a look around their surroundings to make sure they were alone before speaking up.
"So, we were being watched the entire time? It feels like there are still eyes on us now."
"It wasn't just surveillance. We were being tested too."
"I knew it."
"The wardrobe malfunction with the dress was probably their doing as well. She was gone for a long time with the dress."
It was probably the only opportunity for the girl to sabotage the zipper, or so that's what Jian Qingshan believes.
"Would they go that far?"
"Yes, that's why we can't underestimate Li Bai. I'd never seen that salesperson before. Li Bai must have gotten to her."
"You didn't pick him as your right-hand man for nothing. We're going to have to be more aware of our surroundings."
"Mm, the best thing we can do now is to remain vigilant. So I'll be adding another term to the contract."
"You mean. You want me to act like your girlfriend whenever we're together? Regardless of whether we're in the presence of your employees or not."
"You really do catch on fast. I like that."
Wang Zhixin was right to be cautious. Li Bai could have eyes everywhere. They were better off keeping up their couple act 24/7.
"Anyways, I'll be counting on you at the party."
"Don't worry. You won't be disappointed."
-
Finally, the day everyone was looking forward to.
"Yes! The fierceness is real. You're going to own this party!"
"Thank you, Guan Yu." Replying with a smile, Jian Qingshan checks her hair in the mirror.
Guan Yu made sure the woman looks her absolute perfect from head to toe.
"You know, the more I look at it, the more I like it."
"…"
"The dress, silly! The dress. I love that it's not overly revealing. That man sure got taste."
"Taste, sure. Personality? Not so much. He's essentially heartless."
"Is this really the time for you to be trash talking the man? A man with taste is an observant man."
"What's that supposed to mea—hngk!"
"That he's got the olfactory capacity of a bloodhound." Guan Yu says, playfully pinching and un-pinching her nose. "Be careful. Men like that are good at smelling a rat."
Touching her nose where it hurts, "You're not wrong. Wang Zhixin has good instincts. If I screw up this mission, he'll probably start to suspect something is amiss right away. But, at the same time, it's my job as an FBI agent to make it through that kind of thing."
"Hm? Are you saying what I think you're saying?"
"To tell you the truth, I found the prototype for an in-development AI product at his place."
"That's my girl! Now all you've gotten to do is find Code X."
Speaking of the whereabouts of Code X, the door she couldn't open back at the man's apartment pops into her mind. She had come this far and probably just need to get a little closer to him.
"What's up? Why the frown?"
"I think I know where Code X is being stored. But I can't get into his room, so I thought I'd consult with our mechanic for some break-in advice. You've got to get your hands dirty to get what you want."
"Oh? You're going to get dirty now? Tell me more."
"N-no! I just mean it's risky. You know?" Jian Qingshan was somewhat flustered. "Great! You've now messed up my focus. I've got to leave for the party in a few minutes."
"Sorry, sorry."
Jian Qingshan and Guan Yu shares a laugh, and she refocus on her mission for tonight. Tonight's product announcement party will sure be a decisive battle.