goblin
Since learning that You Jiale was so enthusiastic about the "pilot route" in the southern part of the city, Zhang Xiande did not expose him directly. Instead, he chose a more roundabout way to see what he was really up to.
That afternoon, after finishing his official business, Zhang Xiande drove to the courtyard of "Leji Delivery" and said to You Jiale, who was tidying up the accounts, "Come on, come out with me."
Yu Jiale, who was already dizzy from dealing with a bunch of numbers, paused for a moment upon hearing this, looked up, and asked with a look of exhaustion and confusion on her face: "Where are you going, boss? There's been a lot going on at 'Leji' lately..."
“It won’t take up much of your time.” Zhang Xiande said calmly, picking up his hat from the table and putting it on. “Go take a look around the south of the city and see those new shops you mentioned that have a lot of repeat customers.”
You Jiale's heart skipped a beat. "Alright, I also have some new ideas I'd like to share with you." But in his mind, he began to wonder what kind of trouble Zhang Xiande was up to by suddenly going to the south of the city.
The car drove into the south of the city and finally came to a smooth stop in front of a bustling herbal tea shop. The shop wasn't big, but it was packed with nearby neighbors and shopkeepers, creating a lively atmosphere.
"This herbal tea shop has been open for quite a few years, and the taste is pretty good. It's considered a long-established brand in the south of the city," Zhang Xiande said casually as he got out of the car first.
The two found a window seat at the herbal tea shop and sat down. The waiter warmly served them two bowls of steaming tea.
Zhang Xiande picked up his teacup, took a small sip, and asked seemingly casually, "You've been traveling around this area a lot lately, so you should be quite familiar with it, right? Do you remember anything from the past?"
You Jiale looked at Zhang Xiande. The seemingly casual remark from the other man only strengthened his conviction that Zhang Xiande was indeed trying to trick him into revealing information. He put down the half-finished cup of iced tea in his hand and looked calmly at Zhang Xiande.
"Boss," You Jiale's voice carried a hint of feigned honesty, "I know you didn't bring me here today just to see those run-down shops I mentioned."
“Ever since I woke up, you’ve been staring at me like I’m a thief. Am I wrong?” You Jiale continued.
He paused, staring intently into Zhang Xiande's eyes. "Especially recently, you've probably found out something, haven't you?"
Zhang Xiande did not deny it, but merely raised an eyebrow, signaling him to continue.
You Jiale's tone carried a hint of certainty, "Is it about what happened before I fell into a coma? Or about my background and some past events, but I don't know the specifics."
Zhang Xiande's gaze deepened, as if trying to see through You Jiale's heart. He remained silent for a few seconds before slowly speaking, "So what if it is? What are you trying to say?"
“I want to say that you don’t trust me, and that’s not the attitude of cooperation,” You Jiale said bluntly. “You found out something, but you’re testing me indirectly, trying to see if I really have no memory of Chengnan at all.”
He continued calmly, "I can tell you very directly that I really can't recall anything from the past, as you just asked. So, don't waste your time."
Zhang Xiande looked at You Jiale, his expression complex and unreadable. He seemed to have not expected You Jiale to so directly reveal his thoughts. A subtle tension filled the air.
After a moment, Zhang Xiande put down his teacup, his tone carrying a barely perceptible probing and an indescribable meaning: "Since you insist that you don't remember anything... how about this, I'll take you to the hospital to get checked out?"
He looked at You Jiale and continued, "Let's see if there's any way to recover from your amnesia. Perhaps the doctor can find a way to help you remember your past."
You Jiale's heart skipped a beat. He understood that Zhang Xiande's words had a hidden meaning; if he pretended to have amnesia, the hospital examination would naturally expose him.
"Fine, I'll go." You Jiale's tone carried a hint of reluctance, but she tried her best to act nonchalant.
"If I can remember something, it might be beneficial to me." He knew that if he refused outright now, it would only arouse Zhang Xiande's suspicion. For now, he could only bite the bullet and cooperate with Zhang Xiande to go to the hospital for a check-up, taking it one step at a time.
"I told you so. The doctor said when I came for the checkup last time that they couldn't find anything, and that it would probably get better in a while."
Zhang Xiande took You Jiale to the hospital. After a series of detailed examinations, the doctor's conclusion was similar to what You Jiale had said during her previous "consultation"—no obvious physiological cause could be found for the amnesia. It was probably temporary amnesia after a head injury, and it needed time to be observed. If it did not affect her normal life, then it was fine.
Zhang Xiande listened from the side, his gaze occasionally falling on You Jiale's face, as if judging the truthfulness of his words.
After leaving the hospital, the two got back into the car. The atmosphere inside wasn't as tense as it had been on the way there, but it still carried a hint of probing.
“You Jiale,” Zhang Xiande spoke first, his tone slightly mocking, “I don’t think you’re in a hurry to regain your memories at all.”
You Jiale pursed her lips and said helplessly, "It's because I've always had a bad memory, but you probably haven't noticed because I'm so capable at work. But don't worry, I haven't forgotten my business acumen and ability to make money for you."
Zhang Xiande chuckled and flicked off non-existent cigarette ash. "Is that so? But I think your ability to deceive people has improved since you lost your memory." His gaze was meaningful.
You Jiale pretended not to understand and said with a grin, "You're mistaken. In order not to disappoint you, boss, I've been thinking day and night about how to better serve you!"
After a moment of silence, Zhang Xiande suddenly stopped smiling, his tone becoming serious. "You Jiale, regardless of whether you remember the past or not, if you do remember something but hide it from me, or even dare to lie to me," his eyes sharpened, carrying an undeniable threat, "you won't want to know the consequences."
You Jiale looked at him sincerely, "Boss, what are you saying! Don't you know how I feel about you? My feelings for you are as clear as day."
"Don't you dare insult heaven and earth," Zhang Xiande said mercilessly.
He paused, his tone tinged with grievance, "Besides, didn't I already tell you the truth? Although I don't understand what's in that box, I know it's something extraordinary. I chose to tell you immediately. Doesn't that show my sincerity?"
You Jiale used his usual tactic, saying with a hint of ingratiation, "Boss, you said you'd spare my life as long as I haven't wronged you, right? You're so wise and powerful, a man of your word, you certainly wouldn't go back on your promise, would you?" He blinked his big eyes, trying to dispel Zhang Xiande's doubts with an innocent expression. "I'm absolutely loyal to you, my heart is as red as the sun, I would never do anything to betray you!"
Watching You Jiale's practiced combination of punches, Zhang Xiande's expression, which had been tinged with anger, suddenly froze. Looking at the face before him, so earnestly feigning innocence and dependence, he felt a softness in his heart that even he found hard to believe. He knew that You Jiale's coquettish and cute manner when asking for something was an act, yet he still couldn't help but soften.
He suddenly remembered the gossip circulating in the company about him and You Jiale. At that moment, Zhang Xiande suddenly felt that those rumors might not be entirely unfounded.
You Jiale is a bewitching enchantress.
Once back in her office, You Jiale relaxed a bit, and the role of testing the waters subtly shifted.
“Boss, things seem a bit unsettled in the city lately,” You Jiale said casually as she strolled around Zhang Xiande’s spacious office, touching and looking around. “I heard some students are staging some kind of protest, apparently to protest against some unfair policy.”
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