Frustrated and feeling slighted, Tian Youyou downed two or three glasses of wine in quick succession.
It appeared that Tang Wanyi wielded considerable influence. Within minutes, a staff member approached Zhou Moyan, and they both headed to a lounge.
Three minutes later, Zhou Moyan returned, the staff member presenting him with a box, which he accepted nonchalantly and motioned to Tian Youyou, "Let's go."
As Tian Youyou got up, she noticed, curiously, that Xinran, the usual clingy nuisance, hadn't followed.
Internally, Tian Youyou vented her frustration. She had been brought here as a consultant, yet her opinions and suggestions were completely disregarded. A brief glance at a few items was all it took for a decision on the multi-million dollar jewelry.
The world of the wealthy was indeed a dizzying whirl of luxury.
As they got into the car, Zhou Moyan casually tossed the box onto the passenger seat beside Tian Youyou.
She had no idea for whom the jewelry was intended; it certainly wasn't for her. She felt thoroughly used as a mere subordinate.
Zhou Moyan didn't seem to be taking her home but drove out of the city instead.
By nine o'clock, Tian Youyou was starving, having not eaten dinner yet. Her stomach was burning from the alcohol she had consumed on an empty stomach at the venue, though it was low-proof.
"Mr. Zhou, where are we going? What time can I get off work today?" Tian Youyou asked, her voice tinged with annoyance, to which Zhou Moyan gave her a sidelong glance, his expression slightly angered.
Over recent times, Tian Youyou had noticed that referring to him formally as 'Mr. Zhou' always earned her a cold, business-like reaction.
Clutching her stomach and slightly hunched over to ease the pain, Tian Youyou was visibly uncomfortable, beads of sweat forming on her forehead.
"What's wrong? Stomach ache?" Zhou Moyan seemed to notice her discomfort and reached over to check her forehead while he steered with one hand.
"Yes! Since Mr. Zhou is so considerate of his subordinates, why not drop me off at home earlier?" Tian Youyou retorted clearly annoyed.
"There's a 24-hour pharmacy up ahead," Zhou Moyan suddenly accelerated.
"Damn capitalists!" Tian Youyou rolled her eyes. Wasn't it obvious she should be resting at home instead of buying medicine as if she couldn't leave work?
"Do you even understand how to be human?" Zhou Moyan let out a bitter laugh, without offering much of an explanation.
He instructed her to wait in the car while he went down to buy some antacids.
Returning with a thermos in hand and a box of medication, he handed them to her, "Take these, I got hot water from the convenience store next door."
As he leaned in to adjust her seat for more comfort, Tian Youyou straightened up and widened her eyes, misinterpreting his intentions. Her face flushed red.
Zhou Moyan continued driving, the suppressed laughter adding a warm tone to the car's atmosphere, while Tian Youyou turned her head away, silent.
The car twisted and turned for half an hour and eventually made its way up a hill in the suburban area, stopping at a secluded vacation villa complex, popular during the summer with the affluent as a cool retreat.
Through the sporadic lighting and dense foliage, she could vaguely make out rows of villas.
Zhou Moyan parked in front of a secluded single villa and gestured for her to take her belongings inside.
From a woman's intuition, the setting seemed typical of a romantic date.
First, he took her to pick a gift, and now to such a location; what else could it be if not a date? But surely Linda would have been more suited for such a task!
Starving and emotionally drained, Tian Youyou felt an overwhelming bitterness.
Why involve her in these activities? Was it just to torment her?
She dutifully followed him inside, the house pitch-dark, not a soul in sight.
Zhou Moyan fetched a pair of slippers from the hall closet, one man's and one disposable pair, and placed the latter by Tian Youyou's feet. He dialed a number on his phone.
While Tian Youyou stood dazed in the living room, a resort staff member delivered dinner, apparently pre-ordered by Zhou Moyan.
This man was indeed inscrutable; she still had no idea what he was up to.
The dinner was homely: bamboo shoots with corn, tomato beef, steamed fish, lotus leaf chicken, and a nourishing soup—not the spread one would expect at a guest reception, nor did it seem there were other guests expected.
"Let's eat," Zhou Moyan said as he began to eat unhurriedly.
"Mr. Zhou, is it just the two of us?" Tian Youyou felt the day was particularly stifling.
"What else? You seeing ghosts?" Zhou Moyan replied irritably.
"Zhou Moyan! Can you stop being so sarcastic?" Tian Youyou lost her temper, tired of having to guess at his intentions.
Zhou Moyan's lips twitched, barely suppressing a smile. He fetched two wine glasses, poured some wine, and handed one to her.
He seemed to have the leisure to enjoy his wine!
Tian Youyou downed her glass in one go, somewhat defiantly.
Regardless, she was famished and beyond caring. She'd eat and drink her fill.
Zhou Moyan didn't speak further. Seeing her finish her wine, he refilled her glass.
Tian Youyou started eating, and surprisingly, the dishes were all to her liking.
Wait, had Zhou Moyan ordered this? Did he remember what she liked... Tian Youyou paused, looking down, then resumed eating.
Zhou Moyan also finished his wine in one gulp and poured himself another.
Thus, the meal progressed without toasts or formalities, and by the time they nearly cleared the dishes, they had also emptied a bottle of wine.
With flushed cheeks, Tian Youyou, who usually drank little, felt her head grow heavy from the wine.
Suddenly standing, she leaned on the table and demanded, "Zhou Moyan, can I get off work now? Take me home!"
Zhou Moyan's lips curled into a subtle smile as he turned to retrieve the box from the table.
His tall frame loomed, casting a shadow with the warm floor lamp behind him, making his face even more indistinct.
Officially, Linda was the chief secretary, but Tian Youyou was almost taking over her role.
After all she had endured, Tian Youyou realized she had to be strong enough not to fear others' oppression.
She had spent over two decades in smooth sailing, only to find herself unable to escape from tumultuous waters. Rather than wasting time on trivial romantic entanglements, she'd rather focus on her career and personal growth.
That day, she worked tirelessly, barely remembering to drink water until her throat began burning from her acute tonsillitis, reminding her of the IV treatment she still needed that evening.
Just as Tian Youyou was about to turn off the lights and leave, Zhou Moyan entered.
His cheeks slightly flushed from drinking, his heavy scent of alcohol mingling with his casually draped suit jacket, he staggered in, leaning against the doorframe.
Tian Youyou glanced at him and decided not to engage, striding towards the exit.
As they brushed past each other, Zhou Moyan deftly grabbed her arm.
"Mr. Zhou, I'm off work now, don't forget to pay my overtime!" Tian Youyou glared at him, trying to shake off his grip, but couldn't break free.