“You owe it to him?” Su Jiu cocked a brow, suddenly feeling as if she wasn’t privy to the entire matter. However, she never planned on finding out more on it and instead flashed a quick smile to Yan. “Alright, I won’t ask further. Continue walking forward and the last door is President Han’s office.”
“Thank you.”
“I’m going for lunch now.” Su Jiu waved at Yan before leaving immediately.
Once Su Jiu left, Yan marched forward and followed the given instructions. She walked along the corridor until she arrived at the last door and since it was closed, she had no choice but to knock on the door.
“Enter,” a deep, gravelly, male voice answered from the other side of the door. Yan felt butterflies in her stomach when she heard his voice, which made her nervous. However, she collected herself swiftly before pushing the door open.
Han Qing still stared at the computer screen. He had answered automatically when he heard a knock on the door earlier and never bothered looking up to check who it was. Instead, he expected whoever it was to present themselves. After all, this was the norm in his office.
However, Han Qing waited for some time and he noticed that his office was exceptionally quiet. It was when he looked up that he saw a young lady holding a bag. She stood obediently in front of his desk while observing him nervously. Ah, so it’s her. No wonder it’s so quiet.
“You’re here,” he stated.
Yan nodded earnestly while stammering, “W-Well, this. Shall I p-put this… on the office desk?”
Han Qing recalled clearly when Yan used to be energetic whenever she was around him. In fact, her eyes would gleam brightly whenever she sees me—just like the glint in animals when they see something they wanted. Her eyes used to reflect the simple and sincere feeling of charging forward. It’s so sincere and truthful that it feels slightly scary. But now, the young lady is avoiding my gaze and she’s always stuttering when she speaks to me due to her nervousness. She looks extremely uncomfortable. I must have affected her. Han Qing was upset by his thoughts. Should I even summon this young lady over if she is reduced to such a state in front of me where she’s unnatural, nervous and scared? Do I want to be the person stripping her of her youthfulness and vigor? He thought of something as he stood up. “There’s a table here,” he stated softly.
Yan had no choice but to follow him and she placed the bag on the table. Since she had bumped into him in his office, Yan asked after placing the bag down, “In that case, I’m placing the food here. If there’s nothing else, can I take my leave now?”
The handsome man across the table looked up while focusing on her face, noticing that she phrased her question tentatively. Han Qing regarded her in silence and his gaze was sharp. “Are you very scared of me?”
Yan hesitated before answering timidly, “N-No.” I’m just nervous because I’m afraid he might do something. Besides, I’m still feeling embarrassed after what happened previously.
“Why are you in such a hurry to leave if you’re not scared of me?”
Yan was again left with no choice but to sit on the couch in front of him to prove that she was not scared at all. She placed her hands on her knees while maintaining a proper sitting posture—just like a student. “I’m not in a rush to leave at all. I just figured I shouldn’t hang around to disturb you since you’re having your meal soon. I don’t mind sitting here if you don’t think I’m a bother.”
“Okay.”
I can’t believe Han Qing did not reject me. He’s having his meal in front of me right now. In fact, he looks elegant when he eats. The outline of Han Qing’s handsome side profile is especially prominent. His thin lips keep opening and closing while he chews and they are of a slightly darker color. Nevertheless, it’s not an ugly color. On the contrary, it suits his temperament. Yan was lost in her thoughts as she stared at him and somehow naturally recalled that time when she forcefully kissed Han Qing in the past. I used to be a bold and fearless young lady in the past. I‘ve always worked harder after his rejection and I wouldn’t feel dejected at all. However, it’s a different story altogether now. I’m horrified by my actions. If I were to fall for someone else, I would never do something like that again because I won’t do things that will cause me to lose my self-esteem. It’s true that for certain things, one would lose their courage once they have to try again.
Han Qing suddenly looked up when Yan stared at him. Their gaze met coincidentally and she was rendered motionless for about three seconds before she looked away hastily. Yan tried to appear nonchalant and casual, but her ears were already flushed.
Han Qing stared at her for some time, and realized that the pink hue had spread from her ears to her neck. She’ll most probably look like a boiled prawn if I continue to stare. He commented softly when he thought of that, “The box on the table is for you.”
Box? Yan took a quick glance at the table. True enough, there was a small paper box on the table and it looked especially pretty. The first thought that flashed across her mind was, Is Han Qing giving me a present? She responded in the manner that corresponded with her thought process, so she waved while dismissing him, “No need for that. There’s no need for that at all. You don’t have to give me anything. I haven’t even returned my medical fees from that day, so—”
“It’s your phone,” Han Qing clarified by interrupting the young lady.
Phone? Huh?? Yan wrecked her brains and suddenly felt embarrassed. It turns out that is my repaired phone! Su Jiu had already mentioned this when I was on my way here. I can’t believe it slipped my mind. I can’t believe I assumed that Han Qing wanted to give me a present when I saw the box… She blushed in the color of blood at that thought. Hence, she picked the box up abruptly while opening it in a hurry. True enough, it was her repaired phone placed neatly in the box.
“It’s been delayed by several days, but the phone is back to its normal function.”
Yan’s throat felt as dry as dust due to her fumbling earlier. Hence, she merely smiled with a nod. “T-Thank you. So sorry to have bothered you. How much is the maintenance fee? I will return it to you together with the medical fees.”
Han Qing ignored her once she started asking about money. Instead, he lowered his head to enjoy his food.
Yan sat motionless on the couch while feeling dazed. Why would he give me a present? I’m such a ridiculous person and I’ve embarrassed myself in front of him once again. Yan, can’t you remain calm? Why are you always so useless like how you are right now?
“However, I didn’t bring any money with me today. I’ll have the money prepared for you tomorrow. There’s still work in the shop, so I’ll—” Yan explained while standing up, but Han Qing looked up to stop her just in time. “Why are you in such a hurry? I do have a gift for you.”
Yan was rooted to the ground while she stared at him in astonishment. “What are you saying?”
Han Qing put down his chopsticks before he stood up and took a box from the top of the shelf, handing it to her. Yan did not have the courage to accept it initially. Instead, she regarded Han Qing with suspicion. “What is this?”
“There’s a banquet being held the night after tomorrow. Would you like to go?”
Yan was rendered speechless when she heard that.
“Keep that. Inform me beforehand if you would like to go. I will not force you if you are unwilling to attend the event.”
Yan finally regained her senses when she heard that. Hence, she looked up at Han Qing while asking him, “Are you… asking me to attend a banquet with you? Is it a dress… in the box?”
“Yeah.”
Only then did she reach out to accept the box. However, she was so nervous that she lacked the courage to open the box. Han Qing couldn’t help but break into a tender and warm smile when he saw her holding onto the box like it was a piece of treasure. “Why don’t you see if you like it?”
