Weiwei walked into Director Zhang's office trying her best to psych herself up for a difficult conversation. She had asked him to discuss the Lántiān Group report, and the Director finally gave her a few minutes in between his meetings.
Weiwei went over what she was going to say to Director Zhang with Qi a few times, but now, standing across the desk from the Director with the documents in her hands, Weiwei again didn't feel confident.
Even though Qi had convinced her she had a solid argument, Weiwei also knew that Director Zhang had a very strong opinion, which he had already expressed to her more than clearly several times. The frustrated expression with which Director Zhang greeted her didn't give Weiwei's confidence any boost.
"Is it the Lántiān Group report again?" asked Director Zhang.
He speaks with more reserve than he would like to.
"Yes, Director," replied Weiwei as gently as she could. "I just wanted to make you aware of all the facts, and compare some of their assets to those from the last three quarters."
Director Zhang sighed.
"Weiwei, I know you're doing it for the first time," he said, clearly holding back his annoyance that was written all over his face. "I also know that you want to be thorough and do a very good job on the task I assigned to you. Maybe I shouldn't have done it." He sighed again and glanced out the window and then back at Weiwei. "I am very familiar with the assets you're referring to, and I have discussed it with my colleagues and the account executive. I am certain that the report will be in compliance with all the regulations."
"Yes, but," Weiwei tried to interject.
"Nevertheless," Director Zhang raised his hand to stop her. "Because of your insistence I'm going to take another look before I make the final decision. So if you have any additional concerns or documents, send them to me and I'll take it from there."
Impossible! Is he agreeing with me?
"I cross-referenced and underlined the sales that are of most concern in this document," said Weiwei handing the papers over to the Director. "Thanks for taking it into consideration."
"Of course," huffed Director Zhang.
"I can't believe I won this round," thought Weiwei on her way out, trying not to smile.
She couldn't wait to tell Qi.
He's going to be surprised. More surprised than impressed? He must be impressed with my performance on such a difficult task.
In the corridor, she ran into Ruxuan.
"What are you so happy about?" asked Ruxuan.
Weiwei tried to suppress her cheerfulness. "Oh, nothing important."
"Are you in love?"
Weiwei blushed. "What are you talking about! It's work-related."
"I see," Ruxuan drew out mischievously. "Everything you do is work-related, I'm sure."
Weiwei was going to explain, but Ruxuan interrupted her, laughing: "You're so much fun to tease, Weiwei. We should hang out more. Let's go shopping on Saturday!"
Ah? What just happened?
"See you then!" said Ruxuan, leaving flabbergasted Weiwei to contemplate alone in the corridor.
Weiwei finished washing her face and looked in the mirror. She smiled at how bright and happy her face seemed. She also was intrigued by the unusual sensation of a man's scent in her bathroom. Sharing her apartment was a test sent to her from above. A test she didn't mind at all, as it turned out.
It was Saturday and because Ruxuan's pestering hadn't stopped, Weiwei was going to go out with her for some quick shopping. At least, Weiwei promised herself it was going to be quick. It wasn't that she didn't want to spend time with Ruxuan, but mainly because it was the first weekend living together with Qi, and he had already proposed that they drive to a picturesque suburb of Liuqing in the early evening for dinner and a walk. Weiwei had already looked up the location online, and found many appealing pictures of ancient streets lined with cafes and shops and lots of positive reviews, so she was really looking forward to the evening.
"Do you have any plans for the morning?" she asked Qi when she came to the kitchen where he was preparing breakfast for both of them.
Look at him! He's so thorough and handsome. We probably look like a married couple.
"I was going to play basketball with some friends for a bit," he replied.
He turned to glance at her, and Weiwei felt her entire being go all soft once again. She sat down and tried to busy herself with looking at the table and moving cups and spoons around.
"Sounds fun," she said. "I'll meet you back here once I'm done shopping."
"Okay."
Qi sat down across from her, and the faint sense of his aftershave and who knows what else hit Weiwei's nostrils.
Tiān nǎ! Why am I tortured like this! I'll admit, I'm not really complaining. Thank you, heaven, for sending me this torture!
"Do you now have a lot of friends in the office?"
While he asked casually, Weiwei thought he meant to ask something specific: whether she talked about him in the office.
"Just a couple," she said. "But I told no one about you."
Oops, that definitely sounded like I was talking about a boyfriend.
"No one needs to know the true whereabouts of the famous Vice President Feng," she tried to joke.
Qi went along with it. "Hmm, famous. Is that so? Do people talk about me that much?"
"Not anymore." Weiwei wasn't sure what was better for him: to be talked about and not talked about, so she switched the topic. "What time should we leave for Liuqing?"
"Around five. Is that okay?"
Weiwei nodded. Somehow making plans with Qi was easy.