Their four jin fish arrived quickly. Wen Ya stared at the large bowl placed on the table and swallowed with difficulty.
Just look at those bright red chilies. Look at those tender, thick slices of fish. Look at that rich broth bubbling vigorously…
She flicked her long hair back, picked up her chopsticks, and was about to start eating heartily when the sound of a cup being set down came from across the table.
Wen Ya immediately put down her chopsticks and smiled with restraint.
She must have been dizzy from hunger, actually reaching for the chopsticks before the boss. Completely clueless, truly clueless.
“Tie your hair up.”
Wen Ya lowered her head to glance at her long hair, which was indeed a little troublesome right now. She then looked at her wrist and finally rummaged through her bag.
Hair tie, hair tie. You really are a troublesome little creature.
Lin Xuehe could tell from her awkward smile what the situation was. He raised his hand and called a server over.
“Please give her a rubber band, or any string that can tie hair.”
The server nodded with a smile. Wen Ya did not know whether the server was dazzled by his looks with her heart pounding, but she did know that opportunity would not come twice. She quickly added another sentence.
“Please bring me a bowl of rice as well.”
After the server left, Lin Xuehe glanced at her.
“Quite an appetite.”
Wen Ya laughed awkwardly. “You still have to eat. Tomorrow I will definitely work even harder to find a house!”
“So you mean you were not working hard enough before?”
“…This time I will be working so hard it will shorten my life.”
Seeing her forced explanation, the displeasure in Lin Xuehe’s heart suddenly loosened. He smiled slightly.
“That sounds very promising.”
He smiled again, and Wen Ya could not help drifting off for a moment.
When this man was difficult, she wanted to kick him away. But whenever he smiled, all her temper vanished.
She even felt a little satisfied.
The server brought the hair tie and the rice. Wen Ya turned slightly to the side and carefully gathered her long hair behind her head, revealing her fair, slender neck. Her chin was small and slightly soft.
It looked very pinchable.
After tying her hair, Wen Ya noticed Lin Xuehe’s gaze resting on the bowl of rice in front of her. After hesitating for a moment, she said, “Would you like a bowl too?”
Lin Xuehe slowly withdrew his gaze. His tone was calm.
“You do eat quite a lot.”
“!”
She had not said she would finish the whole bowl! She was just an ordinary girl, alright? She did not eat that much!
One hour later.
All the fish slices had been picked clean, the vegetables were completely finished, and only a little rice remained at the bottom of the bowl.
Wen Ya contentedly rubbed her slightly bulging stomach. After many efforts, she had almost recovered half of her energy.
Seeing the heavier way she walked, Lin Xuehe raised an eyebrow with a faint smile. “You really can eat quite a bit.”
Wen Ya, who had momentarily forgotten herself, froze.
The dining atmosphere had been too good. She had not controlled herself for a moment.
“Check, please.”
Seeing this, Wen Ya quickly tried to stop him. “Mr. Lin, I will pay. How could I let you…”
Lin Xuehe pressed a hand against her forehead. She immediately became obedient.
The cashier girl could not help laughing as she showed them the bill. “Two hundred and thirty two.”
Lin Xuehe took out his phone with one hand and paid the bill. Afterward, still in that posture, he lightly patted her forehead.
“You can smile now.”
Although she still felt a little uneasy, Wen Ya could not help smiling sincerely now that her small wallet had been saved. Even her eyes brightened.
She still added a polite line. “Mr. Lin, this is really too embarrassing.”
Lin Xuehe shook his head and turned to leave.
Wen Ya hurried after him while sighing inwardly. Pretending in front of a smart person was simply a joke. It was better to be honest.
At ten at night, the city was not deserted, but it was no longer lively either.
The cool April night breeze brushed against her face. Wen Ya stood respectfully in front of Lin Xuehe.
“Then Mr. Lin should head back and rest as well.”
“Get in the car.”
“What?” It was already so late. What else were they going to do? She had not even rested properly last night.
Lin Xuehe glanced at her. “I will drive you home.”
Wen Ya immediately refused, this time sincerely. “There is no need to trouble you. I can just take a taxi.”
“Just in case.”
Since he had said it like that, Wen Ya could hardly insist there was no such possibility. So she nervously got into the car and guided him left and right along the way.
Fortunately, it was not far. They arrived after about twenty minutes of driving.
At the entrance of the residential complex, a young security guard stretched his neck to look outside. Under the bright streetlight, he glanced at the car that had stopped and clicked his tongue.
“A Porsche. A luxury car.”
“Thank you.” Wen Ya stood outside the car door and bowed toward the person inside.
Lin Xuehe nodded slightly to accept her thanks, raised the window, and drove away.
“Phew.”
Wen Ya let out a breath and rubbed her stiff neck.
This proved that the overseas returnee she had been set up with on a blind date had been talking nonsense. Mr. Lin’s personality was not the best. He was strict, even a bit picky. But that did not stop him from having a careful and considerate side.
Wen Ya was not someone who failed to recognize kindness. What should be noticed, she noticed.
Lin Xuehe really was a very outstanding man.
Perhaps having the chance to interact with him was actually a kind of good fortune.
The alarm clock started beeping. A slender arm swung over and slapped it silent.
Wen Ya sat up and rubbed her eyes.
Sunlight poured into the room. It was another beautiful sunny day.
When she sat down at the dining table, the pickled cucumbers made by Mother Wen were pushed toward her along with steaming hot white porridge. There was also a plate of buns and a plate of fried dough sticks.
“Mom, you got up late today.”
Mother Wen twisted her ear. “Am I not allowed to be tired sometimes? Hurry up and eat.”
Wen Ya picked up a dark colored fried dough stick bought from the breakfast stall outside and dipped it into the hot porridge.
“I did not say you could not. I just said it casually.”
Mother Wen glared at her. “You have been coming home late these past few days, right? You came back in the middle of the night again yesterday. Working overtime?”
“Ah.” Just thinking about it made Wen Ya annoyed. “I am helping my boss’s cousin find a house. It is exhausting.”
“Oh, so it is for work. If it is hard, then it is hard.” Mother Wen showed no sympathy at all and moved on. “Speaking of houses, remember the company I used to work for? That boss somehow got into gambling. Now he owes a huge amount of money. He has to sell his houses and everything to repay the debt.”
Father Wen said, “The one you mentioned before, the boss who bought two apartments in the nearby complex and gave you a ride a few times?”
“Yes, him!” Mother Wen sighed. “I heard the bigger apartment was originally meant as a wedding house for his son. It is huge, and it even has a terrace… you know what a terrace is, right? Not like our tiny sesame sized balcony. His terrace is big and open…”
“Wait!”
Wen Ya stopped biting her bun.
“Hold on, that house has a terrace?”
Mother Wen was stunned by her exaggerated reaction and took a moment before nodding.
“Mom, do you have the contact information for your former boss? My boss’s cousin wants to buy a place with a terrace.”
Mother Wen clicked her tongue. “That house will sell for quite a lot of money.”
Wen Ya took another bite of her bun, her lips shining with oil. “He said money is not a problem.”
“Oh, so your boss’s cousin is wealthy too.” Mother Wen understood and took out her phone. “Alright, wait a moment while I make a call.”
Mother Wen had originally worked for a small company in the clothing business. After making quite a bit of money through opportunistic deals, the boss had never put on airs. He remained very down to earth.
When the call went through, the other party actually answered despite being in such a difficult situation.
After hearing Mother Wen explain the situation, the gambling boss happily agreed. In the past few days many people had come to see the house, but because he was desperate to sell quickly, the price had been pushed very low. With one more potential buyer viewing the property, the price could rise a little. It was all benefit with no downside.
Wen Ya said, “Ask him to arrange a viewing time. I can go over anytime.”
Since the big boss had gone to L Province, she no longer had to revolve around him and her schedule was much freer.
Mother Wen asked as instructed. The gambling boss was anxious as well and immediately said that whenever it was convenient for them was fine, even right now.
Wen Ya thought it over and decided to go immediately.
She would scout it first. If it seemed suitable, she would arrange another time to bring Lin Xuehe to see it again.
After finishing the Wednesday morning meeting, Lin Xuehe had just sat down when his glamorous assistant placed a cup of steaming coffee beside him.
“Thank you.”
The assistant smiled and shook her head, then looked at her handsome new boss with concern. “Are you used to living and eating here? The chairman told me that if you have any requests…”
“Just a moment.”
Lin Xuehe picked up the phone. “What is it?”
Wen Ya had sent him photos but received no reply. Unable to suppress her excitement any longer, she called him. Her speech came out fast and slightly loud.
“Mr. Lin, did you see the photos I sent you? I visited the place in person and found an excellent house. The environment is quiet, the space is well divided, the bathroom is huge, the terrace has a wide view, and it is a fifteen minute drive… without traffic.”
The office was very quiet, so the assistant nearby heard most of it.
President Lin was actually dissatisfied with the house personally arranged by the chairman!
She had clearly heard that the house was already a luxury residence worth tens of millions!
“Mr. Lin, I took the photos myself, so their authenticity is guaranteed. I am still inside the house right now. If anything looks unclear to you, I can take new pictures…”
“…Wait a moment.”
Although Wen Ya did not understand why, she immediately stopped and obediently responded.
Lin Xuehe looked up and met the gaze of his assistant, who had slightly turned toward him.
“Do you know why I did not ask you to help me find a new place to live?”
The assistant froze, then felt a chill run down her spine.
She had spent many years navigating the workplace. Once reminded, she quickly understood and hurriedly assured him, “Do not worry, I will not say anything.”
She would not let a third person know, and she absolutely would not let the chairman know that he disliked the house personally prepared for him.
Everyone understood the unspoken meaning. Lin Xuehe nodded slightly.
“You can go out now.”
Once the assistant hurried away, Lin Xuehe brought the phone back to his ear.
“Hello.”
Hearing what he had said on his side, Wen Ya’s mood became heavy. She paused for a full three seconds before responding, “Yes.”
Lin Xuehe praised her. “You did well.”
Wen Ya covered her face. “You flatter me, you flatter me.”
Pretending she did not understand.
Yes.