Anna was startled and immediately rejected him, "I don't see you that way, don't get the wrong idea."
Tan, clearly not expecting such a blunt rejection, replied, "You're not even gonna give me a chance?"
Seeing his childish expression, Anna couldn't help but laugh, "I just don't like your type."
"Oh? So what's your type then?" he asked, sounding a bit dissatisfied.
Without thinking, Anna responded, "Mature, emotionally stable…"
"So, you think I'm immature?" Tan countered.
"No, no," Anna waved it off, "It's more like I'm not good enough for you."
Tan wasn't the type to get hung up on things. After that night, he didn't bring it up again. Anna had initially worried he might be upset, but after casually probing the topic once or twice, she found that he hadn't taken it to heart at all—he was far more easygoing than she had thought, which gave her some relief.
Not long after, Anna took on a new project—a jewelry exhibition. Her main responsibility was to assess the quality of raw stones and finished pieces, and her colleague for the project was none other than Tan, who had been hired as the jewelry model for the campaign.
The project was prepping for the end-of-year launch of a high-end jade collection. With a tight schedule, the team needed to gather all promotional materials before the new year. They had already filmed part of the product display, showcasing the exquisite jewelry in real-life scenarios.
That day, after Anna and Tan had just completed inspecting the jade's quality and color, the two sat in the outdoor lounge of the jewelry company, enjoying a rare moment of downtime while discussing the remaining details of their work.
Suddenly, a group of company executives approached, accompanied by several important-looking figures. Among them, Anna immediately spotted Daniel. Through office gossip, she had learned that he was one of the primary investors in the project, a key figure who held sway over the entire venture. His tall frame and composed demeanor made him stand out wherever he went.
Anna knew just how influential Daniel was in the industry, and she tried her best to remain low-key, not wanting to draw his attention. She hastily grabbed a handful of popcorn from the table and focused on eating, pretending not to notice.
"…That's my popcorn, isn't it?" Tan said, a bit exasperated as he watched her munch away.
Anna's lips twitched. "Your agent—or sorry, your boss—is always telling you to watch your figure, right? I'm helping you out. Gotta maintain that model physique."
Tan sighed with a smile, "Yeah, thanks… I guess."
Naturally, Daniel also noticed Anna sitting there. Today, she wasn't in her usual work attire but wore a casual sweater, her bare shoulder peeking out. She looked
completely different from her composed and professional self at work—now, she seemed almost nervous.
Daniel's impression of her had always been mixed. She possessed a natural grace and beauty that was all the more striking when she wore no makeup. Her delicate features carried an unguarded innocence, and her meticulous professionalism during work had always caught his attention.
Daniel glanced at her coolly, his expression unreadable, and walked past without stopping. For him, it was just a routine site inspection.
Anna watched him disappear into the distance, feeling a pang of sadness. Her hand holding the popcorn stilled, suddenly not as eager to eat.
"He's here for the project," she muttered to herself, her voice barely audible.
Later that night, after wrapping up the day's work, Anna, Tan, and another jewelry designer decided to head to a nearby diner for a late-night snack. For employees like them, the diner—though modest—offered a relaxing atmosphere that made them feel at ease.
Sitting by the roadside, they chatted casually about the project's progress and exchanged thoughts on their respective roles. Tan was animatedly talking about his design inspirations when his words abruptly stopped. His gaze shifted behind Anna.
Curious, Anna turned to look. A sleek silver Bentley was slowly making its way down the narrow, worn-out street. The car, from its shiny exterior to its prestigious license plate, seemed entirely out of place in this old neighborhood.
Anna immediately recognized the car and, of course, the man who owned it.
Daniel stepped out of the car, as impeccably dressed as ever in a tailored suit. His polished shoes clicked on the worn asphalt, looking almost too clean for the surroundings. The stark contrast between him and the shabby street couldn't have been more obvious.
He walked directly toward Anna, sitting down in the empty seat across from her, as if completely unfazed by the incongruity of the situation. "Mind if I join you?" he asked, his tone polite but carrying an air of authority that made it clear this wasn't a question that allowed for refusal.
Tan and the other designer, feeling the weight of his presence, quickly stood up and made their excuses, leaving the space for Anna and Daniel.
"Why are you here?" Anna's voice trembled slightly, surprised to see him in such a setting.
Daniel gave a slight smile, casually pouring tea from the pot on the table. "What? You don't recognize me?"
Anna lowered her head, unsure of how to respond. "It's not that… I just don't know what to say."
Daniel raised an eyebrow, his voice still calm. "Then I'll say something. Why did you delete me?"
Anna froze, caught off guard by his directness. She had thought something like this wouldn't even matter to him, but in this moment, she suddenly felt a wave of frustration.
"Well, I'll add you back then," she said defiantly. "And if you feel like deleting me, I won't mind."
Daniel studied her for a moment, his expression softening slightly into a smile. "Why would I delete you?"
Anna bit her lip, her voice tinged with frustration. "Because you never respond."
Daniel chuckled lightly. "I'm busy. Meetings all day, constant travel. But whenever I see your messages, I do respond. Sometimes it just takes a while."