"...Boss, are you sure you don't need me to come back later?"
Basking in the awkward ambience of the office chamber while trying to lessen his presence.
Secretary Zhang scolded the new intern in his heart for causing such trouble which in the end, needed him to clean the mess for.
"Ahem, no need."
Jiang Zuoqing cleared his throat with an uneasy cough whilst sneaking a glance at the young woman who had returned to her seat.
Flipping through the same book minutes ago as if nothing special had occurred.
Pinching his thin lips into a straight line, Jiang Zuoqing glared at his secretary and in a stern voice, began to scold.
Berating Secretary Zhang for not training the new intern well enough which caused the accident today. It was fortunate that it was him that was almost injured instead of a possible business partner.
Otherwise their loss would not stop at a single break in partnership, reputation about their staff might spread as well.
Overall, the speech continued for thirty minutes until the young president felt threads of fatigue.
Releasing a sigh, the young man ordered the floor to be cleaned before waving Secretary Zhang away.
Warning him one last time to deal with the intern properly as well as the loss of this month's bonus before turning away.
Sending the poor man away, Jiang Zuoqing glanced at the time on his watch before releasing a light cough.
"Ahem."
Hovering a fist over his lips, the young man flitted a quick look in Yan Beiqing's direction only to see her focused on the item at hand.
Sauntering a few steps closer, the youth released another, much louder cough in her direction.
"Ahem!"
Finally pulled away due to the noise, Yan Beiqing blinked those obsidian pupils at the man in confusion. Head tilt to one side in contemplation before soft lips open in consideration, "you should drink some water if your throat is dry."
Motioning with her chin at the pitcher of water beside, the young woman proceeds to read. Sight seemed to be sparkling with interest at the words within reach. However, the corner of soft lips arc to an inexplicable smile covered by the hovering of lithe fingers.
"Ahem, no I…"
Not knowing how to start the conversation, Jiang Zuoqing let his eyes wander the area without focus. A hand rubbed at the back of his neck in rhythmic motions while pondering on what to say.
"Just now. You saved me again, so thank you. This is the second time."
Feeling a strange heat crawling down the area of his ears and neck, the young president pressed on. Sensing the gaze that had landed on him, he avoided eye contact to stare at the stained flooring to his right instead.
"It's kind of late now…"
"Oh?" Yan Beiqing set aside the item held by her right hand while resting her chin on the palm of the left. Legs crossed and leaning forward as if trying to hear at a closer distance. "But we just got here two hours ago?"
Sharp eyes and lips curve in amusement as she takes in the appearance of the young man.
"I, I meant five hours later! It'll be late five hours later!"
Lowering his voice into a much calmer tone, he proceeds to speak, "you heard me speaking to Secretary Zhang in the elevator. We will have dinner at the hotel before returning home, that hotel is famous for its cuisine."
Feeling much more composed now that the words he wanted to say flowed out without hinge. Jiang Zuoqing regained his cold exterior as he lifted his chin at the woman as if a silent warning telling her that she cannot refuse.
"Hm? I thought you were meeting… who was it? Miss Duan at the restaurant."
Yan Beiqing is genuinely surprised at the declaration as the young woman blinked at the young man in confusion.
Only to collide with an equally bewildered gaze.
"Why would I meet Duan Xuerong?"
Duan Xuerong, Jiang Zuoqing's childhood friend for many years and the other female lead of their supposed love affair.
Together, they created the tea time rumors of their three corner love that flew around the whole community.
Igniting the passion in human nature to gossip as numerous eyes locked onto the progress of this "you love me, I love you but we can't be together so I will fly overseas. During which a third person enters the relationship so I must return and steal you back" novel performance.
Even now, Yan Beiqing recalled the devastated appearance of that young woman who came crashing through the double doors. Her shout that covers the whole hall with the words, "I object!," still seems to ring in her mind.
Unfortunately for her, Grandpa and Grandma Jiang had arranged numerous bodyguards to stand around the area. Those men all rushed to throw the young woman out under her raucous cries and pleas.
That image of desperation as she begged for someone to stop the wedding is still fresh in the memories of those who attended.
"Please! Stop the wedding! The person you should be marrying is me! Have you forgotten about me!? I waited for you for so long your- AHHH!!"
The pitiful girl…
Yan Beiqing blinked her eyes again to stare at the youth's appearance in ponderment.
But now, the male lead of this melancholy story is denying the existence of that childhood friend?
Yan Beiqing: "But didn't you say that you wanted to meet with Miss Duan at the hotel? You clearly said "Oh? Reserve a place at one of our hotels.""
The young man shook his head with furrowed brows.
Jiang Zuoqing: "Those are two separate things, I clearly meant "Oh (okay)? Reserve a place at one of our hotels (dining there tonight).""
"That's what I meant."
Jiang Zuoqing revealed a displeased expression at being misunderstood, "If you don't believe me, ask Secretary Zhang."
Without waiting for the young woman to say anything more, the young president called for his trusty assistant.
Striding in with a professional but somewhat weary expression, Secretary Zhang heard his boss ask about the hotel reservation. Expressing that he wants to know his opinion about the meaning of the words in the elevator and how he understood the order.
"... …"
Holding himself back from rolling those lackluster eyes of his Secretary Zhang had a sudden thought.
Should he quit to find a lesser paying job that gives him half the stress?
His boss is so hard to please sometimes that he just wants to quit.
The pay is good but the trouble that comes with it seems to have increased due to Jiang Zuoqing's sudden menopause.
Jiang Zuoqing: "I'll give you back your bonus."
In an instant, Secretary Zhang was like a dying plant that was fed with nutrients that revived his withering soul.
Dark irises that were as dull as the carpet sparkled with renewed radiance on par to the twinkle of stars at night.
Back straighten and chest puffed out as his strong voice translated the meaning of his boss's words without delay.
"It's like this, Miss Yan."
"To the question I asked President Jiang in the elevator about Miss Duan, his answer was "Oh.""
"It meant that President Jiang understood that Miss Duan was interested in a meeting. He paused for a second in the conversation before asking, "to reserve a spot at the hotel."
"Meaning, our President is not interested and wanted to make a reservation for tonight's dinner. This was meant to be two different sentences that have no relations."
Finishing the explanation with a furtive glance his boss's way, Secretary Zhang straightened his posture even with pride after receiving a nod of acknowledgement.
"Therefore, there is no need to worry as the President made that reservation especially for you Miss Yan."
Jiang Zuoqing: "Ahem!"
Receiving a sudden deadly glare from the boss, the trusty assistant knew that he had misspoken. Revealing a flattering smile, the man then turned to flee as fast as his walking strides could take him.
Secretary Zhang: "If there is nothing else you need me for, I will return to my desk!"
Fearing that he would hear the demonic whispers of lost bonuses, the door to the office closed in a swift but silent click.
Successfully escaping the scene with a light skip to his steps.
"See?"
Expression full of pride and confidence, the young man crossed his arms while puffing out his chest.
Wordlessly declaring his innocence while muttering in an almost inaudible voice, "I don't even know why she was brought up."
"Either way, we will have lunch here an hour later then dinner at the hotel before returning home! If my grandparents call you, remember to put in a good word for me!"
Releasing an arrogant huff, the youth then proceeded to work on the documents on the desk with renewed enthusiasm.
Leaving the young woman to ponder alone at the forming of a new hypothesis in regards to the strange rumors in the air.