Returning - Chapter 18
Chapter 18: Hooked
When Xue Zi'ang's video call came through, Zhao Yu had just finished sending a WeChat message to Xu Chengyan's secretary:
[Lu Bin, little bro, are you off work yet?]
[[Picture] Your President Xu left his clothes at my place. That scoundrel, I don't want to deliver them myself. Come pick them up for him.]
After forcefully adding him as a friend at the airport last time, she hadn't been blocked. Now with a photo as evidence, she believed Lu Bin would definitely not ignore her.
Xue Zi'ang was still wearing that crisp suit, the hotel room in the background—he had probably just finished a meeting.
"Have you eaten?"
Zhao Yu shook her head. "The delivery hasn't arrived yet."
Xue Zi'ang propped his phone on the cabinet, loosening his tie while staring at the screen. "How's your hand? Let me see."
Obediently, Zhao Yu aimed her palm at the camera. "It's all better now."
"There's still a scar. Remember to apply the scar removal cream."
Seeing him take off his suit and change into more casual clothes, Zhao Yu asked with a grin, "President Xue has plans tonight?"
"They've organized a gathering. I'm just going to join the fun."
"Is it the type with lots of beautiful women?"
Xue Zi'ang smiled at the screen. "What? Jealous?"
"Not at all."
Xue Zi'ang happened to be buttoning his shirt. Seeing her insincere denial, he smugly patted his firm six-pack abs. "These—saved for you. Not letting anyone else touch them."
"Only ghosts would believe you."
"Don't believe me? You'll know when I get back." Xue Zi'ang smiled meaningfully. "I've been storing energy all these days. When the time comes, I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it."
Catching his lewd innuendo, Zhao Yu blushed and glared at him without courtesy. "Your head is full of nothing but obscene filth."
"If your head weren't full of obscene filth, how would you know that's what I meant? Assistant Zhao, your thoughts are impure. Are you coveting your superior's beautiful body again?"
They chatted until Xue Zi'ang walked out the door. After hanging up the video call, Zhao Yu finally saw Lu Bin's reply from ten minutes earlier:
[Please send me the address. I'll come pick it up now.]
Zhao Yu unhurriedly sent him the address of a restaurant, then carefully dressed up before heading out herself.
By the time Lu Bin arrived at the private room Zhao Yu had designated, she was already inside ordering dishes.
Seeing him push open the door, she immediately greeted him warmly and urged him to sit. "Let's eat first, then you can go."
Lu Bin politely declined. "That won't be necessary. I'll eat when I get back. Please just give me President Xu's clothes."
Zhao Yu looked at him innocently. "But the clothes are in my car. If you don't keep me company while I eat, where will I get the energy to go fetch them for you?"
This was nothing short of shameless rascality.
Lu Bin hesitated, then sat down across from her. "I thought Miss Zhao asked me to come here because you happened to be eating here with a friend."
"Exactly." Zhao Yu blinked at him slyly. "Aren't you my friend? Having Secretary Lu travel all this way, of course I have to treat you to a meal."
"President Xu's public and private affairs are all my responsibility. This is part of my job."
"Your boss's clothes are at my place. You must think I slept with him?" Zhao Yu rested her chin on her hand, smiling radiantly at him. "But I didn't, actually. Your boss is too difficult to crack. I've decided to give up. Starting today, I'm pursuing you instead."
Lu Bin had just raised his teacup to his lips. Her last sentence nearly made him spray water directly into her face.
Ignoring his shocked and horrified expression, Zhao Yu continued staring at him intently. "I'm not joking. From now on, I'm going to pursue you."
Lu Bin's face flushed bright red. After finishing the meal, he fled in utter disarray.
Zhao Yu truly meant what she said.
Early the next morning, just as Lu Bin had parked his car in his spot, Zhao Yu emerged from the car beside his and stuffed breakfast into his hands, giving him a radiant smile. "A loving breakfast made especially for you. Make sure you finish every bite."
Clutching the breakfast, Lu Bin fled in disarray once more.
At lunchtime, just as colleagues were clamoring to order takeout, a group of delivery workers suddenly arrived with a sumptuous lunch, announcing it was a treat from Miss Zhao, Lu Bin's girlfriend. The office erupted in cheers, everyone pestering Lu Bin for gossip about his wealthy and generous girlfriend.
[What exactly are you trying to do?]
[Pursuing you.]
Looking at Zhao Yu's reply on the WeChat interface, Lu Bin was speechless.
For three days straight, Zhao Yu persisted in personally delivering breakfast and ordering lunch and afternoon tea for Lu Bin's colleagues.
Finally, on the morning of the fourth day, just as she was stuffing breakfast into Lu Bin's hands, Xu Chengyan appeared.
Observing Zhao Yu, who had forcefully hooked her arm through Lu Bin's in the underground parking lot, Xu Chengyan let out a cold laugh. "What game is Miss Zhao playing now?"
Zhao Yu smiled with utter candor. "Pursuing a man."
"Oh?" Xu Chengyan raised an eyebrow slightly. "Which man?"
"Naturally, President Xu's secretary." Zhao Yu looked at him with amusement. "President Xu didn't think I wanted to pursue you, did you?"
Xu Chengyan didn't answer, but the smugness and scorn written all over his face spoke volumes.
Zhao Yu smiled. "Since President Xu has already seen my true colors, I wouldn't dare harbor any improper thoughts about you even more now. Don't worry, I know my place. Someone of President Xu's status is beyond my reach. But Lu Bin and I—a personal assistant and a secretary—we're a perfect match."
Xu Chengyan continued watching her with a half-smile, sarcasm tugging at the corner of his mouth.
Zhao Yu's smile deepened. "Is President Xu displeased? Although Lu Bin is your secretary and personal assistant, he should still have the right to date, shouldn't he? And I have the right to pursue him, don't I?"
Xu Chengyan chuckled softly and walked toward the elevator. "Do as you please."
Lu Bin was absolutely terrified.
Of course he was unconditionally loyal to his boss. But his boss hadn't really given him any directives either. It truly seemed, as Zhao Yu said, that whatever they wanted to do was their right.
He had verbally rejected Zhao Yu before, but she simply wouldn't listen, and he couldn't bring himself to do anything more forceful. Besides, every time she drew near, his heart indeed flustered, his reason scattered.
He knew perfectly well that Zhao Yu didn't really want to pursue him. But as an NPC being used as a love pursuit prop, aside from letting himself be maneuvered, what other choice did he have?
That evening, Zhao Yu came to wait for Lu Bin downstairs at Yicheng Technology as usual, inviting him to dinner.
Lu Bin was working overtime with Xu Chengyan. The two rode the elevator down together. The moment she saw them emerge, Zhao Yu rushed over without hesitation and hooked her arm through Lu Bin's. "Today we're going to that famous couples' restaurant in Xinglong Plaza. I've already made a reservation."
Lu Bin glanced nervously at the boss beside him. Before he could even open his mouth, Zhao Yu was already dragging him toward her car.
Just as the car door opened and Zhao Yu was about to shove the bewildered Lu Bin inside, a powerful arm suddenly seized her wrist.
Xu Chengyan's lips curled slightly upward. "Isn't this just about wanting me to take the bait? I'll play along. Dare to?"
Comments
Post a Comment