In her office, she sits on the chair, legs crossed and in deep thinking. Her nose crinkles from time to time as she debates internally.

Shi Lian is unsure whether to say yes or no. She knows she should have made her decision earlier itself but she isn't sure. Fang Xiao has shown the required information she needed and it's getting harder to say anything about it.

"I think we should go for it. The opportunity is good" Fang Xiao puts her opinion. Shi Lian glances at her in a way saying she heard her.

If she says yes and regrets it later, the company will be the one to face the consequences.

"If you overthink this, you might regret it later," she says, giving her a small smile.

Shi Lian sighs, "Alright" she straightens her spine, "I have decided. ". Fang Xiao smiles nodding at her.

Dialing his number, Shi Lian waits for the call. Within two rings, he picks up. "Hello? " he says, sounding annoying and cranky.

"Hello, Mr. Ming," she says, glancing at Fang Xiao, "I am Shi Lian."

She hears the squeaking of the chair as he stands up abruptly at her mention. "Oh Shi Lian, Miss Shi Lian. Good Lord, an apology for not recognizing you" he says, his voice suddenly sweet and somber.

"Not a problem. Anyway, I hope I didn't make you wait for too long" says she, smiling as she continues, "I decided and made my decision. "

"That's great to hear! I have crossed my fingers" he jokes, laughing a little.

"Don't need to" she laughs, "Our company will be glad to working with you. I accept your proposal, Mr. Ming" she says.

"That is an excellent thing to hear!" he says, sounding happy and excited. "Miss Shi Lian, thank you for giving it a chance. "

"Hoping for a healthful corporation, Mr. Ming," she says professionally. Just as she is hoping that the conversation is going to end, the man on the other line requests something.

"We should celebrate. Miss Shi Lian, I would like to take you to dinner" he requests.

Shi Lian isn't expecting that and now she is in confusion about what to say. Keeping the phone at a distance, she whispers to her secretary, "He wants to take me to dinner. "

Fang Xiao's eyebrows rise but she knew he would ask this. Before, where she used to work, she got to know that it's a tradition that they do after they join hands.

Fang Xiao does not like the man or the vibes he gives. She finds him a creep and a lurker. She knows it's not her place to give her personal opinion to Shi Lian when she is only suspicious of him. She does not have evidence to believe what her intuition says.

Getting back on the phone she replies, "Alright then. Looking forward to the dinner, Mr. Ming. "

She hangs up and groans loudly, regretting her decision. She does not want to go to dinner with him. She was actually looking forward to spending time with Zichen, since her company is now stable, she can focus on other things.

She hasn't seen him for almost a week, but then her father's words pop into her mind. She has no idea what's the deal between her father snd him or the Fu family and why he wants her to stay away from him. But it will be meaningless to not see him without any reason. Unless and until she gets to know what's the actual reason behind this, she believes it's fine.

"What happens? " Fang Xiao asks.

"I think I shouldn't have agreed to the dinner but I know it will be rude and he may think whatever negative things and then he might—"

"Chairperson, relax" Xiao chuckles and stops her from blabbing.

Shi Lian sighs and smiles, "Yeah...."

Maybe she should stop thinking negatively snd do one thing at a time. She can spend time with Zichen another day.

But she hasn't got any messages or calls from him and she wonders if everything is alright. She dialed him several times since yesterday night but he didn't pick up nor did he called her back. She was hoping to get calls from him or even texts, but nothing came.

It annoys her and worries her at the same time. The last time he did like this, she let it go. He refuses to tell her anything related to his family or anything to get to know him and that's what makes it even harder to do next, what to expect from him.

She thinks of calling Rong but then she drops that idea thinking it will make her sound desperate which she is not. Is she?

"Prepare this in advance, and make sure no mistakes" she hands the file to Xiaoxiao. "And give this to Vice President Ruxi, tell her to check it and give it back when she is done. "

"Yes, Ma'am" noting her works, she leaves the office.

Shi Lian tells herself to stop thinking about him and focus on work. Maybe he is busy, yes he must be busy. She makes herself believe this and focuses on her work.

**

Yesterday night at the Pearl Mansion,

He shouldn't have agreed to come. God, if he knew what her mother was planning he definitely wouldn't come.

He wasn't going to step into this house but his mother begged and requested to come. She even told him that his brother has gone somewhere and won't be back for few days. It's a good thing he doesn't need to face his brother and he doesn't even want to.

When he asked for what reason she wants him there, she replied with motherly concern that she misses him.

Zichen had a hard time deciding whether to go or not but at last, he is here. He should have known her mother will not call him urgently just because he misses him.

If he knew she is trying to patch him with the daughter of her friend, he never agreed to that. Now he sits beside the woman her mother chose for her.

"Would you....like some juice?" she asks, blushing way too much. Zichen finds her annoying and the more she acts like this, it won't be long for him to snap at her.

He nods without looking at her. His mouth is set in a hard line and he is looking straight at some antique painting. It's not that the woman is hideous, but for Zichen, Shi Lian is the only one that makes him want to stare at her.

Shen Wangli is 25 years old, smart, beautiful, and educated lady. She is well respected and is good at what she does. She has liked Zichen since the day she saw him at a party. It was a long time and they were teens. Her mother and his mother are good friends and she always makes sure Zichen's mother likes her because if she does, it will much easier for her to be with Zichen.

She was thrilled when Zichen's mother asks her to come and visit her. She wasn't interested in meeting her but at the mention of Zichen, she agrees to her right the second.

It's been fifteen minutes and in these fifteen minutes, she is the one who has said anything. Zichen hasn't spoken to her nor does he look interested.

"So Zichen... Um... How are you doing now these days? " she tries to strike up a conversation.

She smiles and waits for him to say something, anything will be fine but he gives her a cold look and looks away.

She fiddles with her fingers, her jaw flexes and the feeling of humiliation creeps into her slowly. She has known him for years but in these past years, he never tried to talk to her. He never even passed her smile but she never loses hope. She thought that one day, he will see her the way she wants him to and accept her.

She smiles, keeping her chin high despite his rude attitude and says, "You must be very busy now these with the company and everything."

Zichen has this urge to tell her off to shut her damn mouth but he promised his mother he will behave well and be polite. He nods slightly, his poker face still in the act. His legs are shaking showing he is nervous because he does not have his fucking phone with him and if Shi Lian calls him and he won't pick up he will be getting a scolding from her for sure.

He only wishes she do not get the wrong idea and he isn't going to tell her about this whatever gathering he has right now because nobody wants to dig their own grave.