Without hesitation, Zhou Pengfei had just dropped the email into the mailbox and, before 'Yun Shijin' even received it, immediately called Yang Yajing to make an appointment.

"Zhou Pengfei? That's rare! No class today?" Yang Yajing said with a smile as she answered the phone.

"Yes! I'm working on a research project, so I only meet with the professor twice a week to review the drafts," Zhou Pengfei replied.

"You guys have so much free time in class!" Yang Yajing laughed.

"Are you free after school today?" Zhou Pengfei wasn't in the mood for arguing.

"Today? I only have one class this afternoon, so I should be free," Yang Yajing replied affirmatively.

"I have something to tell you about your food court."

"So serious?" Yang Yajing asked, puzzled. "Okay! Four o'clock in the afternoon? I'll go to class first?"

"Okay!" Zhou Pengfei replied and hung up the phone.

After ending the call, Zhou Pengfei belatedly realized that his palms, which had been holding the phone, were sweaty. He chuckled to himself, "What was I so nervous about? So useless!"

It was still morning when Zhou Pengfei got home and tried to design his research project. However, he found that he couldn't calm down and kept thinking about what he had planned to do that afternoon.

He imagined Yang Yajing's reaction to his confession and worried about how he would face her if she rejected him.

Will there be a rift? Should we strive to catch up?

Or... should we forget about this and continue to be his partner?

Zhou Pengfei immediately rejected the latter! Of course, the partnership should continue, but he couldn't pretend nothing had happened.

So... if Yang Yajing doesn't like him, he'll pursue her until she does!

It is said that even a strong woman can be swayed by a persistent suitor. Although Zhou Pengfei did not know what constituted a persistent suitor, he could learn!

As Yun Shijin once said, there is nothing you can't learn, only things you don't want to do.

In the middle of the day, Yang Yajing wrote only two lines of a research proposal, but her notebook was filled with scribbles of her name.

Looking at the manuscript, Zhou Pengfei laughed at himself helplessly: "Zhou Pengfei, Zhou Pengfei! It seems that if I can't settle down, my studies will be ruined!"

At 3 p.m., Yang Yajing had just gotten into the car when her phone rang again.

"Boss Xia? What's up now?"

"I've spoken with my friend at the tax bureau; will you come over to discuss the details?"

"Today? Not today! I'm busy!"

"You're a student, what's there to be busy with after class?"

"I'm going on a date today, to meet my future boyfriend!" Yang Yajing smiled.

Where to?

"Why are you asking so many questions?" Yang Yajing rolled her eyes. "We'll talk about it tomorrow."

Before Xia Changlong could say anything, Yang Yajing hung up the phone.

"Secretary Huang!" Xia Changlong stared at his phone for a while, then pressed the intercom and shouted into the other end.

"President Xia." Secretary Huang hurriedly pushed open the door and came in.

"Did you find it?" Xia Changlong asked.

"The documents are all here." Secretary Huang handed Xia Changlong a stack of files.

"Is the person who followed you still around? Check where he is now," Xia Changlong asked, taking the documents.

"We just received word that he's at his teacher's wife's food court!"

"Send him the money, no need to follow up anymore!" Xia Changlong waved his hand.

Secretary Huang was about to leave when he was called back: "Wait! Pack your things, we're going to the food court!"

"President Xia? We have a meeting later!" Secretary Huang reminded him.

“It doesn’t matter whether I’m at the daily closing meeting or not.” Xia Changlong said, then picked up the documents on the table, put on his coat, and headed for the elevator.

What the boss wants to do is none of his little secretary's business.

In the car, Xia Changlong was looking through documents when Secretary Huang glanced at him several times in the rearview mirror, looking rather curious.

For no apparent reason, his boss hired a private investigator to investigate a college student, someone with whom he had no business dealings. What's going on?

Yes, the person who checked that information was indeed Zhou Pengfei.

Xia Changlong looked at the photos, flicked his fingers, and thought to himself, "He's actually quite good-looking! I hope he's not a terrible person!"

In 2002, online media had not yet reached the point of frantic doxxing, and not many people recognized Xia Changlong.

However, Xia Changlong was probably feeling guilty. Before getting out of the car, he took off his suit jacket, removed his tie, and even unbuttoned one button on his collar before taking the documents into the food court.

He looked around, locked onto his target, and then sat down one seat away.

"Chairman Xia, aren't we going to the private room?" Secretary Huang asked in a low voice.

"Why go to a private room? You can't see anyone from there!" Xia Changlong glared at Secretary Huang. "Order a pot of tea and keep your mouth shut!"

Secretary Huang shrank back and did as instructed.

Yang Yajing arrived shortly after.

"Hi! Zhou Pengfei!" Yang Yajing saw Zhou Pengfei, waved, and sat down opposite him.

Upon seeing Yang Yajing, Xia Changlong subtly concealed the folder in front of him. This action gave Secretary Huang the feeling that his boss was there to catch him cheating.

After exchanging pleasantries and discussing trivial matters for a while, Yang Yajing asked, "Why did you ask me out today? You seem so serious."

"I...I have something very important to tell you." Zhou Pengfei nodded.

"Speak! What is it?" Unlike Zhou Pengfei's serious demeanor, Yang Yajing's expression and tone were very relaxed.

"Yang Yajing... um..." But when it came time to speak, Zhou Pengfei found himself at a loss for words.

"What is it?"

"Well... I want to be in a relationship..." Zhou Pengfei said in a softer voice.

"How inconvenient!" A voice faintly came from the next table, but it went unnoticed.

"Pfft!" Yang Yajing laughed. "I know! We'll find out on Saturday, won't we?"

This chapter is not finished, please click the next page to continue reading!