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Li Fuqiang called Thursday evening, inviting her to a business dinner the following day. Zhiwei naturally agreed.
After school on Friday, she washed her long hair, applied light makeup, and wore the diamond earrings her mother had given her, along with her black coat.
Around six o'clock, he arrived with his driver but did not go upstairs. The doorbell rang, and she gracefully descended the stairs. Li Fuqiang was immediately struck by her beauty—she did not have her usual loose, seaweed-like curly hair, but instead had her hair pulled back, revealing her smooth neck, giving her a unique charm.
At the entrance to the party, he helped her take off her coat and handed it to a waiter, which was even more stunning. She wasn't wearing the dazzling red dress from before, but rather a deep blue cheongsam with short sleeves, perfectly tailored, highlighting her slender figure and jade-like temperament.
"The dress I made myself is still a bit rough if you look closely, I can't let it down for you," she explained with a light laugh.
He patted her hand and said sincerely, "A beauty is like jade; she looks beautiful in anything."
She smiled and took his arm as they entered the banquet hall. Zhao Youlin and Qian Dayou, who had already arrived, immediately greeted them and stood by their side.
Youlin looked at the girl in front of her. Her appearance and demeanor were completely different from the usual schoolgirls. She was both dignified and charming, and her pure and innocent appearance exuded a natural air of sophistication. No wonder the boss was so infatuated with her. Qian Dayou also put away his playful thoughts and behaved with the demeanor of a vice president.
Zhiwei mostly listened with a smile, her bright eyes focused intently on the speaker, occasionally nodding in agreement, making everyone feel at ease. Occasionally, when a guest who only spoke English came over, she would skillfully exchange pleasantries and translate for Li Fuqiang, creating an extremely harmonious atmosphere. The meal flew by for Li Fuqiang.
As the party ended, Qian Dayou tactfully took Youlin's arm, making no mention of taking Miss Chen home. Surely he had that much insight?
When the car arrived at the apartment building, Li Fuqiang saw her off and asked gently, "Were you feeling bored?"
She shook her head: "It's quite interesting to watch everyone speak such polite and formal words."
He was immediately amused; after all, he's still a child, and you can see the humor in that.
The New York night air was chilly in February, and fearing she would catch a cold, he urged her to hurry upstairs. Zhiwei returned home and, without changing her clothes, went to the window. Li Fuqiang was still looking up from downstairs; seeing her appear, he waved to her. She waved back, signaling him to go back.
Only after his car drove away did she change out of her cheongsam and collapse onto the sofa. Sitting upright all night was simply not as comfortable as this.
That night, Youlin returned to the hotel and called Zhou Xuanyu. Xuanyu then learned she was back. She asked how his internship was going, and he replied that he was still rotating through various departments and might be able to join a specific project next month. They chatted casually, with Youlin only responding with "uh-huhs."
As night deepened, Xuan Yu noticed the hoarseness in her voice and asked, "Aren't you resting yet? Do you want me to come over?"
Youlin only managed a hoarse, "What do you think?"
He arrived shortly after the call ended.
After a brief separation, they were too busy to say much. Only after the rain stopped and they had washed up again did Xuan Yu, exhausted, stroke her back and ask, "Why did you go back so long without saying a word?"
Youlin mumbled in a daze, "It's just something the boss orders us to do. We naturally have to serve the boss's favorites."
"Who is this person that warrants your personal intervention, Grand Steward?"
Youlin suddenly became a bit more awake and mumbled, "Why talk about the boss? Aren't you sleepy yet?"
Xuan Yu patted her lightly: "If you run away so quietly again next time, see how I punish you."
Youlin just chuckled, and the two of them rolled around together again.
Li Fuqiang thought that Zhiwei would inevitably accompany him to various occasions in the future, and it would be unreasonable for her to always prepare her own clothes. So he discussed with Youlin and asked her to accompany him to buy some clothes.
The next morning, after Xuan Yu left, You Lin called Zhi Wei to ask if she would like to go shopping together. Zhi Wei understood and readily agreed to meet in the afternoon. You Lin arrived with her driver and asked which brand she preferred. Zhi Wei smiled and said, "I'm afraid of huge logos that will dazzle people. Compared to that, some Dior clothes are relatively understated."
Youlin nodded in agreement.
The two headed straight to the Dior counter at Saks Fifth Avenue. Zhiwei had a keen eye and acted swiftly, quickly selecting a gray suit skirt, several shirts, a pair of black high heels, a white coat, two evening dresses, a formal midi skirt, along with a silver handbag, a black handbag, and a small backpack.
Youlin asked her if she wanted to pick out a larger handbag, and Zhiwei chuckled quietly: "If it weren't for the need to make a good impression, who would bother carrying such a formal bag?"
Youlin laughed too: "Yes, if it weren't for the occasion, who would have the patience to wear high heels? I don't know if I'm wearing them, or they're wearing me."
She had been pondering how to tactfully explain her purpose, but Zhiwei was quick to understand, requiring no effort from her. Yet, she wasn't the kind of shallow woman who would fleece someone as soon as she caught a fat goose.
The couple's extravagant shopping spree caught the attention of the shop assistants, who not only presented them with a top-tier black card but also diligently accompanied them to their car with their shopping bags.
Unfortunately, she bumped into Xuan Yu when she went out.
Upon seeing You Lin, before he could even finish his greeting "Lin?", he noticed Zhi Wei behind her.
"Zhiwei?" He was taken aback. In a flash, he pointed at Zhiwei and asked Youlin, "The boss's favorite, is she her?"
Seeing this, Zhiwei said to Youlin, "Miss Zhao, I'll go back to the car first. You two can continue your conversation." She then led the shop assistant towards the garage.
Xuan Yu and You Lin were left standing there, frozen in place.
"So, it's all because I'm in the way?" After a long silence, Xuan Yu smiled bitterly.
“Xuan—”
"Miss Zhao is truly a good employee of the boss. At the boss's command, she's even willing to offer up her [illegible]? Perhaps she's become quite adept at it through practice?"
Youlin suppressed her anger: "Xuan, don't lose your temper in public. Let's talk calmly."
Xuan Yu blocked her way: "Did I say something wrong? You've been following orders from the beginning, haven't you? If the boss liked you, you'd sleep with him anyway? It's just a pity you're not pretty enough!"
Lin couldn't refute him, but what she would say next would be too embarrassing. Just as they were at an impasse, a man passing by asked, "Miss, do you need help?"
Youlin took the opportunity to escape, thanked him, and hurriedly left, leaving Xuanyu alone.
She calmed herself down and returned to her car, where Zhiwei was already waiting, looking at her phone. Seeing her get in, she calmly instructed the driver, Lao Wu, to take her home.
Youlin felt uneasy, suspecting that she already knew, but she didn't know where she had given herself away.
Upon arriving home, Old Wu took out the shopping bags. Youlin asked reluctantly, "Miss Chen, would you like me to help you carry these upstairs?"
Zhiwei replied politely but distantly, "No need, I can carry it. Miss Zhao, you've been so kind to keep me company for so long. You must be very busy, so I won't invite you up for coffee." She then said to Old Wu, "I won't be going out today. Thank you for your hard work."
Youlin sensed a hidden meaning in her words, but her expression remained unchanged. Unable to say more, she could only take her leave.
Zhiwei went upstairs and put all the shopping bags into the closet, without any interest in admiring them one by one. She felt a little lost; this "job" was well-paid, even the clothing allowance was so generous. Unfortunately, it came too easily, and the happiness was diluted.
I remember how I scrimped and saved to buy a Max Mara cashmere coat back then, and I was so happy about it, showing it off quite a few times. Now, I don't feel that same excitement at all.
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