Jiang was glaring at Ma Ri, looking very confused as well as astonished. He had no idea what was going on. He saw Ma Ri was saying something, though he gestured for her to stop.
[A few minutes earlier]
As Ma Ri introduced herself, Jiang sat up straight. He had no idea what to say as he hadn't prepared at all. Fortunately, Ma Ri did most of the talking, leaving him little room to respond. Suddenly, his phone started to ring. It was his subordinate, the one who regularly fed him company updates. He received the call, but instead of putting the phone to his ear, he used his earbuds as he already had them on his ears.
In a firm voice, he said,
"Talk."
"Sir, as you mentioned earlier, I can look into the matter although I know there's a mole inside our company. And I might know who they are! Moreover, about the product design, your guts are right! It's not their first time." the person over the phone replied.
"Who told you that?" Jiang asked, wanting to be sure the information was reliable.
"You know I have my sources," the voice replied slyly.
"But let's be honest, once I give you their names, it's not really my job anymore, is it?"
Jiang could sense his smirk over the phone. He got irritated as soon as he realized his intention.
"What do you want?" he asked, narrowing his eyes, looking pissed. He knew this guy was angling for something and that's why he was holding back crucial information.
"Well…what do you think I want? Obviously, a promotion and a little amount of money…oh, wait! I'll get a raise once I get a promotion anyways! So, I want you to give a desk to one of my family members, you get what I'm trying to say, right?"
Jiang sighed, forcing himself to stay calm. He didn't want to lose his temper in front of a lady.
"Fine. I'll do what you ask. So, you better keep your word and don't let anyone find out about it, am I clear?" His voice held a hard edge.
"Sure! Sure! Have a little faith in me, yeah?" his smirk was clear again.
At that time he saw Mary holding out her pinky. He stared at it, he was so confused, but her grin was so infectious that he couldn't resist. Smiling without realizing it, he reluctantly hooked his pinky around hers. As he hung up the call and put the phone in his pocket, their pinkies were still intertwined.
Before he could process what was happening, Ma Ri beamed at him and said, "It's settled then! Let's get married!"
Jiang yanked his hand back, completely frozen in shock as he couldn't understand what was going on there.
"What?" He looked at her with a very confused and astonished look.
"Why're you so shocked? I know you don't want to get married and neither do I! But think about it, this is the perfect solution!" She grinned mischievously as she was clearly proud of her plan.
"How?" He asked again, still baffled.
"Look! My parents are pressuring me to get married, and I guess your parents are too, right? But if we work together, I mean, get married, they'll be happy and we'll get what we want as well, so…what do you say?" She smirked, raising her brows, tapping her nose as a habit she had from adjusting her glasses, though she was wearing contacts now.
"Hmm.. interesting!" Jiang mumbled. As she was saying, she doesn't want to get married either, but how'd she gonna help him? He was in a dilemma.
"But, how exactly are you gonna help me? Do you really have any idea what I need help with?" Jiang asked, smirked as always to taste her resolve.
"I told you already, I can help!" She leaned in, gesturing for him to come closer. Curiosity piqued and Jiang leaned forward.
"And of course I know what, when and how I should help you. I know things better than you! I'm a fujoshi after all!" She couldn't hide her excitement and tapped her shoes on the floor in glee.
Jiang raised an eyebrow but didn't ask what fujoshi meant. He thought it was a term used by youngsters these days. He nodded thoughtfully. She seemed determined, and from what he could tell, she wasn't a spy. He could trust her.
"Well, let's see how you're gonna help me." he was convinced.
"Alright. "Let's say to our parents that we're interested in each other, but we need more time to get to know each other. That should buy us time. In return, you'll help me with my dad's business. AND ALSO I'll need to transfer to Ecofusion to help you out," Ma Ri said, as if she just finalized a master plan.
"Hm…she might also have an idea about who the informer is! And for that, she must work for my company to figure out if she's right or wrong." After giving it a thought, Jiang came up with a conclusion as he didn't have any idea what Mary said when he was on the phone. As his mind was completely surrounded by the thoughts of the mole at that time, he assumed Mary was mentioning the same issue. He wanted to ask her, but didn't bother as she was talking way too much and Jiang didn't want to extend the conversation any longer.
"Your position at EFP could be arranged," he said, he was still lost in thoughts. "But are you sure you can help me?" Jiang asked to check if she was determined or had some other ulterior motives.
"Definitely! I have a fujoshi spirit that can tackle anything, ANYTHING that'll get in my way to help you guys out!" Mary took a long breath, showed her fist as if she was a superwoman ready for action.
Jiang still didn't fully understand what fujoshi meant, he didn't ask her as he thought he'd lose his cool in front of her because of his lack of knowledge. And for the *guys* she mentioned, Jiang figured she was enthusiastic about helping him and his company. She's determined. Maybe she really can help with the mole situation. He was glad by thinking Mary took his side even though she was currently working in VersaCraft. See, Nam Ho Seok? I'll make sure to get revenge. I'll do the same, no! I'll show you what business competition is!" He smirked while thinking.
"Alright," Jiang said,
"But you'll have to listen to me. If you want my help with your dad's business, you follow my lead. Deal?" he repeated, trying his best not to smirk.
"Deal! I'll do whatever you say!" she replied eagerly.
"Great! Then… let's exchange contacts first. I'll have you transferred to my company as soon as possible." Jiang leaned in again, taking his phone, sitting firmly.
"Perfect! But let's eat something first, hm? I know you have no experience with ladies, but that doesn't mean you don't even know that you shouldn't keep a lady hungry." Saying that she also leaned in, grinning.
"Hungry ladies are scary sometimes!" she whispered playfully, covering her mouth like she was on a secret mission. Jiang stared at her, unable to hold back a smile.
"Order whatever you like." embarrassment flushed over him as he completely forgot about food.
"I'll have spinach cream pasta, steak, and a pastry," Mary said, her eyes sparkled as she looked over the menu.
"Tsk! Choose anything other than those spinach things!" Jiang grimaced as spinach was his least favorite food.
"Whyyyy? You should eat some veggies!" Ma Ri said, sounding like an old lady scolding him.
"I know, I know! Just don't be my mom!" Jiang muttered as he scanned the menu, hoping to find something more to his taste.
_____________________________
As soon as Jiang returned home, his mother rushed to him. Taking his coat from his hand, she asked curiously,
"How did it go, Jiman?"
"Well…Not bad," Jiang said with a grin, which his mother completely misunderstood.
"I knew it! My son has good taste," she said, tearing up with pride, thinking how her dream would come true now that her son finally liked someone.
She grabbed his hand and pulled him to the living room, surprising Jiang.
"Come, explain everything!" she urged him as she was curious.
"Explain what? I need to check some emails," Jiang said, trying to excuse himself. He wasn't ready to explain that the whole meeting had been more about business than anything else. While heading toward the stairs, he added, "I really need to get some work done."
His mother giggled, thinking he was just shy.
"This brat! Look how embarrassed he is!" she laughed to herself as she watched him heading upstairs.
______________________________
Meanwhile, Ma Ri stood nervously in front of her parents and brother, her head hung low like a criminal being interrogated.
"So, you didn't mess up this time, huh?" Her brother asked, with a very cold voice.
"I-I d-don't think s-so." She replied, her voice stammered as she was nervous.
"Good! Did you at least get his number?" He asked again, standing up as he was seated until then.
"Uh, I-I…" She gulped, bowing her head lower, remembering how she forgot to exchange numbers while looking at the menu.
"ARE YOU KIDDING ME RIGHT NOW? HOW COULD YOU FORGET THAT?" he roared, making her jump. Their mother quickly placed a calming hand on her shoulder.
"I'm sorry!" She bowed and tried to look at him.
"Just go to your room," he sighed, sitting back down.
Ma Ri didn't waste a second, retreating to her room as fast as she could.
"Call Mrs. Ahn tomorrow," her brother instructed their mother. "Ask how the date went." he sighed again, leaning on the couch.
"Uhm," her mother nodded obediently like a subordinate.