Rumours went among the Flamingo staff prior to the incident that their Chief Manager Chen Rou Jiao passed out at the lobby a few days ago. Though not all of the rumours spread were talking bad about her, unfortunately the bad ones were getting people's attention despite knowing the whole story.
At the pantry of the Designing Department, three ladies were chattering while having a cup of tea at the provided table rather than grabbing lunch at the cafeteria. And they filled their boredom with talking about the unfortunate event of their chief manager.
"Hey, do you know Miss Chen was the reason Miss Xie broke up with her boyfriend?" the girl with long silky hair, said to both of her colleagues passionately. She talked in a small voice intentionally, as if her information was very confidential.
The other two are absolutely attracted to the story, and wanted more.
"Really? No wonder Miss Xie's boyfriend would dare to make chaos at our office that day." The second lady with a bob haircut shook her head.
"Huh. I would never be shocked if anything involved that witch." the third lady chuckled. She took a gulp of her coffee.
"Miss Chen must be jealous because her own assistant was able to have a lover, while nobody wanted to be with her." the second lady added.
Then they laughed happily. They were satisfied with the things that happened to Chen Rou Jiao.
Unbeknown to the trio, Li Da Zhan listened to everything they said about Chen Rou Jiao. He happened to come across them on his way to Chen Rou Jiao's office.
"Mr. Li Da Zhan, let's go." Miss An appeared from nowhere and her voice calling for his name caused the trio to suddenly turn to the voice, inspecting the figure who might be eavesdropping on their conversation.
Li Da Zhan turned to face them. A small but charming smile appeared on his handsome face.
Miss An also paid attention to them when Li Da Zhan did so. Unlike Li Da Zhan, when she saw the ladies, she sighed deeply.
"Hello Miss An." The third lady greeted the secretary of their CEO with a wide smile.
"Don't stall the time too much, we have a lot of things to do today." Miss An reminded them. The ladies nodded diligently.
"Don't worry Miss An. we will get back to work after finishing the coffee." The first lady answered quickly.
"Hmm…" Miss An nodded. Though she knew they were babbling and definitely spending another 30 minutes talking about others, she will deal with them later. She had important things to do right now.
Miss An shifted her attention back to Li Da Zhan.
"Come Mr. Li. Miss Chen must have waited for us in her office."
Li Da Zhan nodded. "Okay, Miss An. Please lead the way." Li Da Zhan said with a soft and polite voice, which melted the ladies' hearts. In this situation, the ladies were totally falling hard for their client.
They breathed out relief only when they made sure Li Da Zhan swiftly left the place without spared a glance.
"Should we warn him too? He worked with that witch, right?" The third lady asked her two friends.
"We should." The first lady answered casually. She took another sip of her coffee. "But later. If we suddenly approached him and talked badly about Miss Chen, wouldn't our company's name be tarnished?"
"Yeah, you're right. We'll talk to him when we have the chance." the third lady bestowed her agreement and the second lady just nodded.
The trio continued chatting at the pantry. With absolutely obliviousness by the fact Li Da Zhan listened to their conversation by chance at first but began to pay some interest when it involved Chen Rou Jiao.
Li Da Zhan kept thinking about what Yu Yao said to him before he came to City B. In everything Yu Yao said, fortunately, there was one that did happen.
People here DID talk badly about Chen Rou Jiao mercilessly like they hadn't done anything wrong in their life.
They both arrived in front of Chen Rou Jiao's office and Miss An knocked the oak-colored door to inform them of their arrival plus to ask permission from the owner to enter.
"Come in!"
Miss An beamed calmly and reached her hand to the doorknob and twisted it before she pushed open the door.
Li Da Zhan and Miss An received a welcoming smile from Chen Rou Jiao from her working table. She stood from his comfort chair and walked to them after they entered her office.
The first time Li Da Zhan came into her office after awhile they collaborated on a project. Most of the time, since their first meeting, they always met either in the meeting room or CEO Zhang's office.
Seeing the spacious yet occupied office; using the blue pastel colour for the wall and a simple decoration, her office room surely the great place to work and rest. Well, except for the messy working desk, the office was perfect. That's what we got from the best interior designer like Chen Rou Jiao.
"Good afternoon Mr. Li." Chen Rou Jiao shook hands with Li Da Zhan and bowed a little towards Miss An in terms of respect.
"Good afternoon, Miss Chen. Sorry for disturbing your work time."
"Oh. don't mention it." Chen Rou Jiao chuckled. "You did not disturb me. In fact, this is the perfect time to discuss the project."
"Really?" Chen Rou Jiao nodded eagerly. Li Da Zhan widened his smile. Somehow, seeing her doing great, made him let go of the clouded thinking he had swimming in his mind. "Great then."
Miss An watched both of them with her smile still not faded from her face.
"Okay then, Miss Chen, Mr. Li. I'll excuse myself first."
"Okay Miss An. thank you." Chen Rou Jiao bowed again to the Miss Secretary.
Chen Rou Jiao and Li Da Zhan her leaving the office and until the door was closed again.
Chen Rou Jiao turned her face to Li Da Zhan, "You can have a seat first at the sofa first. I will bring the file project to you in just a moment."
Li Da Zhan nodded and followed what Chen Rou Jiao told him to do.
He walked to the sofa area and settled down at the long couch while Chen Rou Jiao walked to her desk, looking for the file of the resort's project.
The design work was almost at an end but there were some things that Li Da Zhan wanted to add before the design team finished their tasks.
Although the extra addition was supposed to be settled last week, due to Chen Rou Jiao's incident, they had to further the meeting to this day.
Li Da Zhan watched Chen Rou Jiao silently from afar. Though he remained in a calm posture all the time, his heart was wrenched seeing her condition right now.
Her pale and exhausted face reminded him of when they were at the hospital during Chen Rou Jiao's stay. Especially that night when Chen Rou Jiao had a nightmare. Her hand was cold and she sweated a lot. Caused Li Da Zhan to worry so much at that time.
But now, Li Da Zhan could guess why Chen Rou Jiao would have almost the same appearance by looking at the files piling higher, sitting on her working table. Even some of the files scattered on the table as if they were not touched for many days. She must be distressed on checking those files until she forgets to take a break.
Although she managed to hid it with her make up, but it still obvious how much she drained from the mountain of works.
Chen Rou Jiao finally found the right file and quickly took it and brought it to Li Da Zhan who was waiting for her at the couch. She tried her best to smile gracefully towards her former crush and her now important client.
He watched Chen Rou Jiao walking to him with the file in her grasp. With dry lips and pale face, Li Da Zhan knitted his brows. She seems to have had lunch yet. He wanted to yell at Chen Rou Jiao to stop torturing herself. He wanted to shout to her face that although she worked until her nose bled, everyone in this company would still talk badly behind her without any mercy.
However, he knew Chen Rou Jiao would never abide by his advice. He had no idea why he understood her reaction right away, but that's how it was. Therefore, he needs to make a plan to allure her from her chaotic nest.
Chen Rou Jiao took the seat opposite from him with the black coffee table in the between.
With the serious stares, Li Da Zhan gathered his will and cleared his throat.
Before Chen Rou Jiao got started, she caught Li Da Zhan's behaviour and she, dumbfounded, only furrowed her eyebrows.
"What?"
"Do you know where the best restaurant is around here?"
Chen Rou Jiao bit her lower lips. What's with the restaurant things right now? She whispered to herself. She curled her eyebrows. Her hazel eyes stare at his clear eyes. Looking for any explanation from those beautiful eyes.
"Miss Chen?"
"Hmm?!" Chen Rou Jiao widened her eyes. Li Da Zhan patiently waited for her answer. "Oh. yes. I know some. But the restaurant we went to for our first meeting is good too." Chen Rou Jiao spoke confidently as she really loved the food at that restaurant. And what was more surprising, she went to that restaurant with her family yesterday.
"Hmm.. other than that restaurant."
"Let me see." Chen Rou Jiao thought deeply for a few seconds before she came up with several places she went with Xie Rong back in the days. The place they will go must not too crowded or else, their discussion will went south. Plus the food must be good. she reluctantly wanted Li Da Zhan dissatisfied with their lunch.
After a long consideration, finally Chen Rou Jiao found the best place for them.
"There is a new chicken grill restaurant open near my place. I went there with my assistant before and the food is not bad."
Li Da Zhan was delighted with the suggestion. "Then. let's go there."
He excitedly rose from his seat. Chen Rou Jiao totally puzzled with him right now and her jaws hung open.
Li Da Zhan looked at her with a cheered reaction. "What are you doing? Let's go."
"Huh? But our meeting?"
"Err…" He pressed his lips. His mind wandered the best idea to deal with the matter. "We will discuss it while having lunch. I haven't had lunch yet."
"Well…" Chen Rou Jiao was still debating with herself whether to follow Li Da Zhan or not but to satisfy the important client in front of her, she had to agree.
"Okay then. Wait, I take my bag."
Li Da Zhan nodded happily. Happy his plan worked.
They left the building together and used Li Da Zhan's transportation to go to the destination.
Xie Rong smiled happily while watching her boss leaving the parking lot with their important client. She was curious about their relationship but no matter what, seeing how things change for Chen Rou Jiao made her heart at ease.
"What is on your mind, Miss Xie?" Zhang Ren Hao slowly came and stood a few centimeters beside Xie Rong while his hands clasped behind his back.
Xie Rong shuddered as she looked up at the young CEO who was 10 inches higher than her.
"CEO Zhang. You almost scared me." Xie Rong chuckled. She patted her chest softly.
CEO Zhang also faced Xie Rong. raised his eyebrows, gave a very meaningful smirk. "Sorry."
Xie Rong looked back at the parking compound although Li Da Zhan and Chen Rou Jiao were no longer there.
"It's okay sir. Not worth mentioning."
"What are you busy watching outside?" Zhang Ren Hao peered outside but found nothing interesting to look for.
"Just Miss Chen and Mr. Li. They looked very close."
Zhang Ren Hao nodded softly. "Very curious."
Xie Rong looked up at Zhang Ren Hao again. "Right?"
Zhang Ren Hao turned his head to face Xie Rong and their eyes met. He smiled softly to her.