Seeing the girl's straight-faced expression, Jin Xin really wanted to ask: "Aunty, how nearsighted are you? Can you seriously see love between me and Shen Yue?"
"Miss, you've misunderstood. You aren't suggesting we're...?" Jin Xin felt that while you can be careless with food, there are certain things you shouldn't say. Only then did he remember that he and Shen Yue had a tendency to talk nonsense with serious faces whenever they were together.
"No matter your relationship, there's no need to keep it a secret anymore," the girl said with a smile that seemed to 'understand them completely'. "Our country has even legislated in some regions to protect true love."
"Which region in our country is so open?" Jin Xin couldn't help but ask, catching on to the girl's insinuations.
Spotting Jin Xin's anxious expression, the girl answered knowingly, "Wan Island Province, of course."
Jin Xin understood, "That's not what..." Then he shook his head, "We were just talking about looking in a mirror. How did you manage to twist it into something entirely different?" Just as he prepared to seriously explain that he was a normal man, Shen Yue interrupted, "Are you here to do business or to argue about the law?"
Only then did Jin Xin remember his big business deal. "It's all because of your weird obsession with mirrors. That's why I'm here in the first place."
Seeing the expression on the girl's face that seemed to scream 'True love should always be understanding and supportive', Jin Xin wished he could poke two holes in those lovely eyes of hers. The situation seemed to be spiraling. As he tried to take leave with Shen Yue, the girl persisted, "Sir, you can think it over. Here's my contact information. Call me when you've made up your mind."
Jin Xin suddenly halted and turned back.
The girl quickly asked, "Sir, have you made up your mind?"
Jin Xin sized up the girl, then abruptly asked, "Miss, how much do you earn in a day working here in this studio?"
Caught off guard, the girl hesitated, "Well, it varies. When business is good, I can earn thousands or even over ten thousand in commission. But why do you ask, sir?"
"Does the photo studio also do part-time bank robberies?"
Jin Xin didn't believe the girl's quoted earnings, and started bargaining, "Eight hundred. For half a day!" He glanced at his gold watch, "Until 9:30 tonight, twelve hours, how about I give you eight hundred yuan?"
Showing a surprised expression, the girl took a step back reflexively, "Sir, I'm an honest person."
Laughing out loud, Jin Xin said, "Where did your mind go? Our company has a proposal to bid at Giant Industries today. We need three people to make up the team. My full-time secretary is unwell today, and the second secretary is stuck in traffic."
Shen Yue glanced up at the floating clouds above, seemingly fully expecting Jin Xin's third and fourth secretaries to be on their way. He was familiar with Jin Xin's style of doing things. Besides Jin Xin's swanky Rolex watch, the rest of the company's tangible assets were pretty much non-existent.
With an annoyed expression, Jin Xin said, "The traffic situation in the city recently has been nothing short of a nightmare. It keeps delaying my big business deals. Looks like I'll need to buy a private jet soon." Looking at his watch, rather he was just showing off his Rolex, he added, "Do I look like someone who would be dishonest? Could I possibly be involved in something dishonest?"
"You might be." The girl nodded seriously.
Immediately, Jin Xin patted Shen Yue's shoulder, "See, she truly thinks you're being sincere."
Knowing well how Jin Xin shifted the awkwardness onto others, Shen Yue finally relented, "We're just meeting the head of Giant Industries. Once we meet them, you can leave."
"Is that so?" The girl seemed to trust Shen Yue more but was still a bit hesitant, "Can such good things really happen? Even the hippo supermarket that just opened offers eight free eggs for fresh food only if you scan the code."
Jin Xin grabbed Shen Yue and started walking away, "If you're not interested, forget it."
The girl hurriedly called after them, "Wait, I didn't say I wasn't interested." She followed them and quickly got into the role, "By the way, what's your name, Boss?"
"My name is Jin Xin." He took out a gold-embossed business card and handed it to the girl, "Don't call me Boss, it's too old-fashioned."
"So, what am I supposed to call you?" The girl asked, unsure.
Jin Xin retorted, "Are you the secretary, or am I? A secretary is supposed to solve problems, not ask questions."
The girl quickly answered, "Okay, then can I call you Uncle?"
Taken aback, Jin Xin couldn't help but doubt his own eyes, "We're a legitimate company, and you are a university graduate, right…"
Laughing, the girl said, "I was just kidding with you. I should be calling you President Jin, right?"
Jin Xin looked a little ill, and glanced at Shen Yue. Shen Yue was thinking that these two were quite a match, both funny enough to pull in a third person and play Dou Dizhu (a popular Chinese card game).
The girl continued, "President Jin, you must be in serious need of money, right? Otherwise, why would you have such a name? A pile of gold squeezed together." Seeing Jin Xin's unhappy face, she jokingly said, "I'm only kidding with you. Judging by your name, your family must be really rich."
Only then did Jin Xin cheer up, "You should talk like this at Giant Industries." He then casually asked, "My secretary, what's your surname?"
Shen Yue stood a bit further away from these two. He had a feeling that anyone overhearing the conversation between this boss and his secretary would think they were from a loony company.
"My name is Hai Mingzhu, I just graduated from university." The girl introduced herself.
Looking at Hai Mingzhu again, Jin Xin said, "You shouldn't have this name."
"Huh? Then President Jin, what do you think I should be called?" Hai Mingzhu seemed completely invested in her role now – taking even the boss's nonsense as valuable wisdom.
"There are many pearls in the sea, but how can they show your uniqueness?" Jin Xin said in a meaningful tone, "You should be called Hai Huangjin (Sea Gold). There's a saying – gold always shines, even in the sea it would still stand out." With that, he burst out laughing.
Hai Mingzhu looked at Jin Xin, feeling like he might need some brain supplements instead. She turned to Shen Yue and asked, "And you, sir? What's your name?"
"Shen Yue." Shen Yue answered simply.
"He's our company's chief advisor. You can address him as Advisor Shen." Jin Xin introduced.
"Do you have any contact information? Business cards?" Hai Mingzhu asked seemingly casually.
Jin Xin suddenly had a suspicion – did this woman agree to join them because she took a fancy to Shen Yue? But he shook it off thinking it improbable – though Shen Yue's looks weren't half bad, his lack of understanding for women's feelings made him rather wooden. Only a blind woman would be interested in him.
However, maybe this Hai Mingzhu really was blind, thinking he and Shen Yue were a couple. Jin Xin shook his head, realizing they didn't have time to choose another secretary or buy Shen Yue new clothes. He handed the bid to Hai Mingzhu, and led the way to Giant Building.
The bustling business district in front of Giant Building was already busy just after nine. However, the entrance to the main building was quite gloomy, and had two security guards standing at attention, carefully observing the incoming people.
Feeling intimidated by the towering building, Hai Mingzhu stopped short, "President Jin, Giant industries are known for their strict security. On a regular day, laypeople wouldn't be allowed in. Do you have an appointment?"
"Appointment?" Jin Xin seemed to have seen many such scenes, "Just follow me!"