The man's bag was seized suddenly. "She said she doesn't need it anymore. Give her bag back to her," came a stern voice, unmistakably displeased.
The young manager, not daring to challenge the CEO's authority, reluctantly placed the bag down.
The imposing man snatched the bag from the manager, pulling it so forcefully that the slim manager stumbled.
"President... I have something to attend to. I'll be going now. You carry on," the manager said hastily before quickly making his escape.
"Thanks, Uncle," Lin Ruirui said, giving the man a sweet smile.
"Let's go. Tiantian has booked us a table at the Western restaurant. We might as well enjoy it together."
The man walked ahead with a stiff expression, trying to suppress a smile so fiercely that his face twitched uncontrollably when he thought no one was watching.
Soon, they reached his car, where he promptly opened the passenger door for her.
On the seat lay a bag, which he handed to Lin Ruirui.
"This is for you."
"For me? Can I open it now?"
"Sure," he replied.
Lin Ruirui eagerly opened the bag to find a pair of shoes, identical to the ones she had deliberately left behind the previous day—only these were brand new.
"The shoes I lost yesterday? Uncle, you are so thoughtful!"
Lin Ruirui didn't hold back her praise, and the man merely nodded, then started the car.
The dinner was a pleasant affair, mostly filled with Lin Ruirui's chatter while the man quietly served her food.
After the meal, he drove her home. Noticing they still had some time, Lin Ruirui suggested, "Uncle, it's still early. How about we catch a movie?"
"Sure," he agreed without hesitation.
However, when they arrived at the cinema, the only show starting soon was a horror film.
After a moment's hesitation, Lin Ruirui agreed, and they entered the darkened theater.
Taking advantage of the darkness, the man reached out and took Lin Ruirui's hand. She could feel the sticky sweat in his palm.
Not long after they sat down, the man excused himself. When he returned, he was carrying a pile of snacks and his hands felt noticeably drier, likely from washing them.
Just then, a scary scene unfolded on screen, causing Lin Ruirui to instinctively grab his hand again. This time, she noticed his hands were much cooler and cleaner.
The touch of her hand made the man's heart race. Though his eyes were on the screen, his senses were acutely aware of the warmth in his palm. He had just washed his hands, hoping not to make her uncomfortable with any residue sweat. He worried incessantly about whether his hands would start sweating again, making her uncomfortable.
Thus, he spent the entire movie in a state of self-doubt, barely watching the film as he was completely tuned in to every little movement of hers.
After the movie, Lin Ruirui, still shaken by the film, clung tightly to his hand.
Once in the car, she naturally let go, and he felt a pang of loss. However, he quickly recovered, opened her door, and politely ushered her into the car.
Just as he settled into the driver's seat, his phone rang—it was his brother.
"Uncle, did you and Ruirui go for that Western meal? Did you make sure she got home safe? I've been texting her, but she hasn't replied."
It was Tiantian's cheerful voice on the phone.
"Yes, everything's done. You've been drinking again, hasn't Big Brother told you off?"
"How can he not, but what can he really do about it?" his brother replied, taking over the call.