The man was caught off guard. What did I just say?
His memory quickly returned to him and he addressed Guan Jing, “Oh. I told Mr. Zong that your girlfriend is pretty.”
Guan Jing jumped slightly, almost losing his balance. His eyes widened to the size of saucers and he barked, “Are you blind? Since when did I have a girlfriend?”
Lin Xinyan was standing next to Zong Jinghao. She caught the subtle twitches in the vein in his temple and leaned in toward him discreetly.
A stranger misunderstood because he doesn’t know any better.
Is it really worth getting angry over?
The man was dumbfounded by Guan Jing’s response. What’s going on?
He looked at Guan Jing, then at Lin Xinyan.
Did I say something wrong?
Sweat pooled on the man’s forehead. “I… I was…”
Lin Xinyan was well aware of Zong Jinghao’s temper. I chose not to come in because I didn’t want to disturb him. I can’t allow him to take his anger out on someone who formed a reasonable misunderstanding.
She turned to the man. “I’m actually here for Mr. Zong. You can go back to work.”
The man did not dare to move on her command. He looked at Zong Jinghao, awaiting his order.
The president growled, “Didn’t you hear what she said?”
The man’s jaw fell open. I think I just stumbled upon something.
This woman…
“Why are you still here?” Guan Jing spat at him.
The man anxiously scuttled out. In his haste, he failed to notice the door and collided headfirst into it. A small bump swelled on his forehead. Guan Jing turned to face him. “If there’s something wrong with your eyes, you should get it checked out at the hospital.”
“I am due for an eye checkup.” The man placed a hand over his bump and scrambled out.
Guan Jing erupted into sniggers. Serve you right for making such a blunder.
Zong Jinghao did not join him. Instead, he stared at him blankly.
His tepid reaction irritated Guan Jing, who threw a pleading expression toward Lin Xinyan.
This is my fault. Don’t aggravate him.
Lin Xinyan was about to speak when Zong Jinghao beat her to it. “You want to ask me to go easy on him?”
She immediately sealed her lips.
Guan Jing appeared to be resigned to his fate.
Today’s really not my day.
Lin Xinyan reached out to clasp his hand and asked, “What time do you get off work?”
Zong Jinghao was still fuming and did not reply her.
Lin Xinyan snaked her arms around his neck and whined, “I’m hungry. Can we go eat now?”
Behind Zong Jinghao’s back, she gestured at Guan Jing who received her message and quietly sneaked toward the door.
Zong Jinghao lowered his gaze at her. She flashed him a wide grin. Without lifting his head, Zong Jinghao muttered, “This acquisition will be headed by you.”
Guan Jing let out a sigh of relief. “Yes, Sir.”
He marched out of the office quickly, shutting the door behind him.
Lin Xinyan released her grip and was about to back away when she felt Zong Jinghao wrap his arms around her waist. With one yank, she found herself pressed up against him. His lips curled up and he purred, “Trying to leave after you’ve used me?”
Their bodies were plastered together. Lin Xinyan hung her head and whispered, “You’re too petty.”
He lifted her face by her chin and planted a light kiss on her lips. “How am I petty?”
I’m extremely normal. Which man could tolerate their beloved being called someone else’s girlfriend?
Men and their machismo, Lin Xinyan lamented inwardly.
Her next words came out slow and strained, “Can you call Su Zhan for me? I need to see him.”
Zong Jinghao did not respond.
“Why did you call me here?” Lin Xinyan asked.
He had been busy recently, leaving for work early and only returned late at night. It had been some time since they last sat down for a meal together. He instructed his secretary to make a reservation so he could have a private dinner with Lin Xinyuan.
Instead of answering her question, Zong Jinghao asked, “Why do you need to see Su Zhan?”
Lin Xinyan thought back to Qin Ya’s tortured expression. She let out a small sigh and raised her head to meet Zong Jinghao’s gaze. “I want to punch him.”
Her reply stunned him. His eyebrow twitched, and he massaged his temples. He did not know whether to laugh or cry.
“Call him.” Lin Xinyan snuggled deeper into his embrace and tugged on his tie. She rarely acted in such a coquettish manner around him.
Zong Jinghao tried to hide his delight by remaining quiet.
Lin Xinyan pulled him nearer to her by his tie. Their noses touched. With such close quarters, he could practically map out every detail of her face.
She put on a mock display of fierceness. “Are you going to call him or not?”
Lin Xinyan knew there would be a difference between her calling and him.
If I call and end up showing my displeasure, I’ll have to handle it on my own. But if he calls, and I end up acting on my anger, I’ll still be able to say that Zong Jinghao feels the same way.
He’s the one who called after all.
Zong Jinghao blinked, his eyelashes getting caught in a few loose strands of her hair. He smiled ruefully and said in a defeated voice, “Whatever you want. But only on one condition.”
“What condition?” Lin Xinyuan asked warily.
He narrowed his eyes and pondered for a moment. “How about you take the initiative for once?” Zong Jinghao asked hopefully.
Lin Xinyan was speechless.
A blush bloomed on her cheeks and Zong Jinghao hugged her tighter. While keeping one hand wrapped around her waist, he used the other hand to dial on his office desk phone. He called Su Zhan and asked him out to dinner.
Su Zhan agreed cheerily.
After he hung up, Zong Jinghao turned his attention back to Lin Xinyuan. “Are you satisfied?”
She made an inaudible sound of agreement.
However, Zong Jinghao still had some work to attend to and sat Lin Xinyuan down on his lap. He kept one arm around her as he perused various documents. She did not understand most of the contents and gradually dozed off to sleep. Zong Jinghao allowed her to lean against him as she slumbered. “I’ll wake you later.”
In her barely awake state, she made mumbled an acknowledgment.
Zong Jinghao woke her as he carried her into the car. She asked if he was done with his work.
He grabbed her jacket and grunted in response, “Are you hungry?”
She nodded.
It was long past dinnertime. If they ate now, it could be considered supper.
The luminescent moon painted an iridescent glow across the night sky.
Zong Jinghao stopped the car in front of a fine dining restaurant.
Lin Xinyan looked out the window and caught sight of Su Zhan conversing with a woman by the side of the road.
She lowered the window, allowing a gust of chilly air to rush in. She put on her jacket and scrutinized the woman. Is that Su Zhan’s ex-girlfriend?
Are they still in contact?
She narrowed her eyes in disapproval.
From the moment Liu Feifei left the hospital, she hired someone to follow Su Zhan. She intended to find the right opportunity to drive a wedge between them.
She knew Qin Ya had left the Su family, and the elderly lady had become mute.
This is the perfect time to get Su Zhan to come back to me.
She knew she needed to use a soft approach. This meeting was all part of her scheme. Although she did not approach Su Zhan, she put on a compelling performance of a damsel in distress who was harassed by a pervert.
Naturally, even the pervert was stationed there by her.
Since I can’t speak to him of my own accord, I’ll get him to come to me instead.
There’s no way he could ignore seeing me being harassed. We might not be together anymore, but he used to love me.
He has to care more about me than a stranger, right?
She carefully calculated the time and just as she expected, Su Zhan rushed in to rescue her.
While grappling with the “pervert”, she accidentally sprained her ankle.
Liu Feifei intentionally thanked him without lingering. She limped away pitifully.
The last thing Su Zhan wanted was to reconnect with her, but her unstable gait forced his hand.
“Where are you going? I’ll send you there.” He supported her by her arm.
Liu Feifei lowered her gaze. “Forget it. I don’t want to trouble you.”
“I would help strangers in such a situation as well.”
Liu Feifei stopped objecting.
“I’m really sorry about this. I wanted you back so badly in the past, which led me to make many mistakes. I apologize for causing so much inconvenience to you with my actions.” Liu Feifei’s sincere body language reminded him of who she used to be, who she was a long time ago.
Su Zhan was momentarily stupefied.
