Ling Wei returned to work, her mind still on Jiang Jian's dinner invitation. As she settled at her desk, colleagues began to whisper:
"Ling Wei's got her claws deep into CEO Jiang."
"That's why she's always getting special treatment."
Ling Wei's face flushed crimson. "That's not true!" she denied, trying to focus on her work.
Her colleagues teased, "Why's your face so red, Ling Wei?"
"You must be hiding something!"
Ling Wei's embarrassment grew. "Just drop it, okay?"
She couldn't take the gossip anymore and decided to leave early for her dinner with Jiang Jian.
At Heavenly Pavilion, Jiang Jian greeted her with a warm smile.
As they ordered, Ling Wei noticed Jiang Jian's gaze drift off, his expression clouding.
"Is everything okay?" she asked.
Jiang Jian's smile returned, but his eyes hinted at a deeper pain.
"Just a bad memory," he shrugged. "Forget it."
Ling Wei didn't press, assuming it was a painful recollection.
Over dinner, they laughed and talked, their connection growing stronger.
As the evening ended, Jiang Jian walked Ling Wei out.
"Let me send you home," he offered.
Ling Wei nodded, feeling safe with him.
The drive passed in comfortable silence.
"Thanks for tonight," Ling Wei said, as Jiang Jian pulled up to her apartment.
Jiang Jian smiled. "Anytime."
As Ling Wei stepped out, Jiang Jian watched her disappear into the building.
His thoughts lingered on their evening together, and the memory he had almost revealed.