As she wrapped up the presentation, Xia Yi stood resolutely at the head of the conference table, her attention fixed intently.
"As you can see, this strategy guarantees a 15% increase in market shares within the first quarter."
The door opened and He Shihan entered before the executives could respond.
He slipped onto the seat next to Xia Yi and nodded at the team without even apologizing.
Her mouth tightened. Leaning slightly in his direction, she said, "You're late."
Shihan grinned and adjusted his handcuffs.
"Until I got there, I knew you'd be alright. Think of it as a test.
"A test?" Anger surged in Xia Yi's eyes.
"Or just a convenient excuse?"
"Maybe both." He shrugged, entirely unbothered by her look.
"I like to see how people handle pressure."
The discussion resumed when the executive next to them clumsily cleared his throat. Before starting, Xia Yi gave He Shihan one more glance.
She could feel his piercing eyes on her as she moved through the last few slides, taking in every word and motion. It was both unsettling and strangely thrilling.
One of the top executives grinned at the conclusion of the presentation.
"Well done, Miss Xia."
Before she could answer, He Shihan leaned forward and spoke in a calm yet incisive manner.
"Not too awful. However, it lacks flare.
Xia Yi gave him a stern glance. "Flair?"
"Yes. Even though it's competent, no one invests in "competent," he observed in a tone that was quite nonchalant. You want them to feel a sense of excitement, perhaps even fear.
Her voice was chilly as she crossed her arms.
"And I assume you have suggestions?"
He smiled slowly and knowingly at her. "Always."
Xia Yi packed her laptop as the conference room cleared out, the weight of He Shihan's stare still hanging over her. She gave him a quick glance.
"If you have suggestions, send them over."
"I have a better idea."
He buttoned his coat and stood.
"Supper. It's eight o'clock. My treat."
"Dinner?" Xia Yi blinked, surprised by his abrupt change.
"You think I'm free tonight?"
He grinned. "You'll make time."
She raised her eyebrows in shock.
"You're awfully confident."
"I get that a lot." He looked at his timepiece.
"My driver will pick you up."
He was halfway to the door when Xia Yi opened her lips to object.
He continued, "Don't be late," without looking back.
She gave a quick, half-inquisitive, half-annoyed sigh.
"Who does he think he is?"
At exactly eight o'clock that night, a sleek black automobile arrived at her apartment complex.
Xia Yi stepped in, wearing a blue garment that gave her a sense of strength and invincibility.
The restaurant he selected was opulent yet personal, the sort of setting where every look and utterance mattered.
When she came in, He Shihan got up from the table and inspected her favorably.
"Punctual," he commented with a small smirk.
"You expected anything less?" she responded, settling onto the seat across from him.
"I like to keep people on their toes."
He poured a glass of wine for her.
"Makes things more interesting."
Xia Yi joked, "Interesting isn't always good," and accepted the glass.
His eyes remained fixed on her as he carefully swirled his drink.
"Depends on how you define good."
There was an unsaid tension in the air between them. Neither said anything for a while.
Waiting for the other to do anything next was a game of wills.
"So," Xia Yi said, breaking the ice, "what's the real reason behind this dinner?"
His elbows were resting on the table as he leaned forward.
"I wanted to see if you were as impressive outside the boardroom as you are in it."
"And?" A challenge shone in her eyes.
"What's the verdict?"
He smiled at her in that annoying, unreadable way.
"Undecided."
She matched his energy by leaning in closer.
"All right. I also enjoy keeping folks guessing.
He gave a quiet laugh.
"This partnership is going to be complicated."
Xia Yi stated, "Complicated doesn't scare me," in a calm, low voice.
"I never liked things simple."
The corners of He Shihan's mouth lifted, and his eyes darkened a little.
"Then I think we're going to get along just fine."
A silent accord was sealed as their glasses clinked lightly together. There was no doubt that whatever lied ahead would not be easy or dull.