Chapter 36 Chapter 36 You are... for me...
The previously awkward atmosphere finally eased.
There was a large shopping mall nearby. After coming out of the Japanese restaurant, Shao Chengzhang suggested going for a walk to help digest the food, and Shen Zhuo readily agreed.
Chen Zhuo was strolling around casually and passed by Dreamora's store. She took a look and saw that there were quite a few people there, so she walked in.
The store manager was answering a customer's question when a tall, long-legged man came into view, giving her a start. She had previously been to headquarters for training and had met the big boss.
Why is the boss here at this hour? He's known to be a workaholic. Is he really that perverted that he's patrolling the store on a weekend night?
She quickly answered the customer's question, then smiled and walked towards Shao Chengzhang. Shao Chengzhang made eye contact with the store manager nearby, guessing he knew one of his employees. He stood behind Shen Zhuo and raised his index finger to his lips, signaling her not to disturb him.
The store manager stopped, his smile faltering, and he nodded silently.
Chen Zhuo looked at the little dolls in rows and thought they were very cute. She moved closer to observe them carefully.
"Want to buy it? This is the series that came out last year," said Shao Chengzhang.
Shen Zhuo turned to look at him in surprise, as if to ask, "How did you know?" Shao Chengzhang coughed lightly and said, "You forgot that I have a friend who likes to collect blind boxes."
Chen Zhuo said "Oh" and asked him casually, "Why do you think blind boxes are so popular?"
"Because modern young people are under too much pressure in life and real life cannot give them a sense of satisfaction, blind boxes are a low-cost form of happiness and can be seen as an emotional outlet." Shao Chengzhang explained to her simply.
"Essentially, everyone has a child in their heart who needs to be comforted. Dreamora simply provides them with a legitimate way to satisfy this need. Of course, there are other reasons, such as the younger generation's need for a sense of self-identity, and Lumi allows them to quickly find social groups and social topics, and the stimulating mechanism of hidden items in blind boxes can make people addicted to buying blind boxes."
"You're so knowledgeable, but hearing what you said, I feel like their boss is really amazing." Chen Zhuo listened carefully and sighed, "It turns out that money is earned by people with brains."
Shao Chengzhang couldn't help but smile.
Not to mention, after looking at it for a long time, Chen Zhuo actually thought it was pretty good. She took a fancy to a pendant series, and there were several designs in it that really caught her eye, and she was eager to try it out.
"Do you think I can win it?" She pointed at her favorite figurine through the glass.
"Try."
"How about we each draw one?"
Shao Chengzhang nodded and picked one up at random. Shen Zhuo carefully selected one and took one as well.
After paying, Chen Zhuo opened her box first. The moment she tore open the package, she caught a glimpse of the color and knew it wasn't hers. "It's over, I didn't win."
She urged Shao Chengzhang to open it, but the pendant he took out was not on the display counter.
A young lady next to her took a breath and said, "This is a hidden version."
The people around looked over after hearing the noise. "What?"
“What good luck!”
"Holy crap! A 72 to 1 ratio, is this a koi possessed..."
Shao Chengzhang put his index finger through the buckle and held it in front of Chen Zhuo, "Hidden version, this is for you."
The girl next to him screamed in a suppressed voice: "Damn, why don't I have a boyfriend like this! He's so handsome and lucky..."
"Sister, you are a winner in life."
Chen Zhuo was already embarrassed to be watched, and after hearing the sighs of the people around her, she didn't dare to look into Shao Chengzhang's eyes. With a red face, she took the hidden pendant in front of her and turned away.
Shao Chengzhang followed behind and laughed softly.
She didn't deny it just now.
After leaving the mall, the cool breeze blew away the heat. Chen Zhuo gave him the pendant he had opened, "Here, as a gift in return, this is for you."
Shao Chengzhang took it, a smile in his eyes. After getting in the car, he placed the small pendant directly on the dashboard, openly using it as a car ornament.
The all-black interior was matched with a cute furry doll, which looked out of place no matter how you looked at it. However, Chen Zhuo said nothing. Her profile was reflected on the car window, with a faint smile.
The car started slowly, heading home towards Yuelan Bay. The two people tacitly did not speak.
Shao Chengzhang casually turned on the car radio and happened to play an English song. The melody was gentle and slow, and it was particularly clear in the quiet car.
“Can I go where you go?”
“Can we always be this close?”
“Forever and ever”
"And ah, take me out, And take me home, (Take my hand and take me home)"
“You’re my, my, my, my lover.”
After a brief pause in the song, the gentle and deep voice of the male host came from the radio: "Unlike the original version, the love expressed in this version is deeper and more restrained, with a feeling of long-lasting love."
The female anchor then spoke: "Yes, the original version's love is more passionate and straightforward, like a young girl's heartbeat. Today is the weekend, I wonder if our listeners have spent some quality time with their loved ones?"
Shao Chengzhang listened, his eyes shifting slightly as he glanced off to the side. Chen Zhuo, head bowed, was fiddling with the pendant he'd given her. Her face was expressionless, only a thin layer of warm light from the roadside filtered through the glass, illuminating her profile and outlining a gentle outline.
After the song ended, Shao Chengzhang said, "I want to discuss something with you."
"Hmm? Go ahead." Chen Zhuo raised his head.
"I want to convert my current workroom into a second bedroom and move the desk to the study. This way, when Mom comes over next time, she can stay here directly. What do you think?"
Chen Zhuo was stunned. That was originally his home. He didn't need her consent to make any changes, right?
"I have no objection, but...my mother doesn't come here often, so it might be a bit troublesome-"
"Chen Zhuo," Shao Chengzhang lightly stepped on the brakes and stopped at the red light. He turned his head to look at her with a serious look, "To me... you are someone who can be 'troublesome'."
"Oh." Shen Zhuo was stunned at first, then nodded.
His heart couldn't help but beat violently. Chen Zhuo took a deep breath and tried to steady his heartbeat.
"Then I'll arrange for someone to rearrange the room."
Shen Zhuo said, "Okay, I have nothing to do tomorrow so I can go to IKEA."
Shao Chengzhang asked, "What about me?" She didn't seem to plan to ask him to go with her.
"You?" Chen Zhuo glanced at him. "If you have work to do, then just deal with it. I'll come back and show you what's suitable. If you buy online, I'll have it delivered directly to your door."
Is she still angry? Shao Chengzhang wondered.
"I can go."
"Um?"
Shao Chengzhang said eagerly, "I think... we can go together."
Shen Zhuo glanced at him silently and curled the corners of his lips.
She shrugged and said nonchalantly, "Sure, come along when you have time."
After getting out of the car, Shao Chengzhang lagged behind Chen Zhuo by half a step, his eyes unconsciously falling on the bag she carried across her body. She hadn't noticed when the small pendant he'd given her had been hung on her bag. As she moved, the soft, cute little doll swayed adorably.
Shao Chengzhang stared at the pendant and couldn't help but smile.
After washing up, Chen Zhuo saw a message from Jiang Jun: "If you don't come back tonight, I'll lock the door."
Shen Zhuo pursed his lips and smiled: "Baby, I will definitely go back next week."
Jiang Jun: "Girls can't be kept at home when they grow up. It's okay, she will just have to stay alone in an empty room." She sent a .jpg of herself wiping tears.
Chen Zhuo suddenly remembered: "I'm going on a business trip to Q City next weekend, so it will be the week after next. You won't blame me, will you? Pray.jpg"
Jiang Jun: "Of course not, smile.jpg"
Jiang Jun: "I'll just change the locks. I don't think you'll be able to come back to this house."
Chen Zhuo sent an aggrieved expression.
Jiang Jun: "How about a date today?"
Chen Zhuo: "It's been a rollercoaster." She briefly talked about the quarrel and apology over replying to the message.
Jiang Jun is just like real-time barrage.
Shao Chengzhang said that Shen Zhuo had complicated thoughts. Jiang Jun: "? What nonsense is he talking about?"
Shao Chengzhang apologized, and Jiang Jun said: "Fortunately, he has a mouth and admits his mistakes quickly."
Shao Chengzhang wanted Chen Zhuo to treat him to a meal, but Jiang Jun said, "Wok, this guy is quite capable."
After hearing the end, Jiang Jun said, "Shao Chengzhang is lucky to have met a soft-hearted god like you. Otherwise, who would care if he just said sorry?"
Chen Zhuo agreed very much: "That's right!"
*
Shao Chengzhang was busy almost the entire day, holding online meetings with various departments.
Heavy rain has caused logistics disruptions in some factories in the south, and core product series are facing the risk of delayed shipment. If they cannot be replenished in time, it will directly affect the upcoming big promotion period.
Shao Chengzhang requested contact with backup suppliers, negotiate urgent additional orders, accept payment premiums to shorten delivery cycles, and instruct the finance department to quickly approve reserve funds, prioritizing production over profit and ensuring that the platform's SKUs were met...
Nearing noon, Chen Zhuo closed her notebook. She tilted her head back, closed her eyes, and stretched her shoulders and neck. She had been staring at the densely packed text all morning, and her waist was almost broken. Walking to the living room, she glanced towards the study.
Through the glass grid, she saw Shao Chengzhang sitting behind the desk, his brows slightly furrowed, his expression stern, his lips slightly parted, as if he was in a meeting.
He was a completely different person from the one he had been yesterday, when he had apologized to her with a humble look and pitifully tried to please her. Meanwhile, at work, Shao Chengzhang was confident yet calm, decisive, and strong, as if he had everything under control.
Shen Zhuo leaned against the wall, staring at him from afar for a long time, and suddenly felt as if he was fascinated by him again.
Shen Zhuo walked over and asked him what he wanted to eat. Shao Chengzhang raised his head from the documents and took off one of his headphones. He didn't change his tone for a moment and said, "You eat first. You don't need to prepare mine."
"Oh, okay." Shen Zhuo was stunned for a moment. It seemed that he was really busy.
If you say you don’t want to prepare it, then don’t prepare it. Shen Zhuo was too lazy to cook for herself since she was eating alone, so she opened her phone and ordered some fish noodles.
While waiting for her takeout, she went to check on Ares. She tapped the glass with her finger, trying to tease him, but he squinted his eyes and lay on the landscaping tree, not even looking at her. The overhead light simulated daylight, and he was basking in the sun comfortably.
Chen Zhuo curled his lips and clicked his tongue twice, thinking to himself that you are just like your master, ignoring people when you don't need them.
Chen Zhuo finished his fish meal at the island counter, then went to the audio-visual room to choose a movie to watch.
Shao Chengzhang finished reviewing the last document in the work group chat and typed "OK," finally concluding a long day of overtime. The glass beside him was already empty, his throat dry, but he didn't get up immediately. Instead, he leaned back in his chair, letting his weight off. He raised his hand and pinched his brow, feeling a little tired.
A picture suddenly emerged in his mind - it seemed that Chen Zhuo came to see him at noon?
He stood up and left the study, then walked around the living room. No one was there. He went to the bedroom, but it was empty. Finally, he walked to the audio-visual room, pushed the door open, and saw a quiet figure huddled on the sofa.
Chen Zhuo folded his legs and leaned sideways on the armrest of the sofa, his head slightly tilted against the back of the chair, his long hair hanging down, covering half of his face, and his breathing was slow and even, like a kitten.
The screen was still on. She had chosen an old film, over four hours long. Shao Chengzhang picked up the remote control on the small table and pressed pause. A progress bar popped up, indicating that the film was almost over.
The bright white screen light cast a soft halo on her face, reflecting her quiet eyebrows and eyes, making her whole person look very soft.
The sudden pause in the sound made Shen Zhuo show signs of waking up. She tilted her head and half-opened her eyes. Her lazy eyes were mixed with some unclearness, and she found a person standing in front of her.
She woke up, her head still a little dazed, and she muttered subconsciously, "Are you done?"
Shao Chengzhang lowered his head to meet a pair of watery eyes, his breath paused, and his throat felt even more dry. He wondered why he hadn't drunk some water first. His Adam's apple rolled and he uttered a muffled "hmm".
Chen Zhuo shifted her position, brushed her hair, and leaned back with her chin slightly raised. She was still sleepy, and every glance she gave Shao Chengzhang was full of allure.
Shao Chengzhang stared at her, suppressing the rising restlessness in his heart, and asked her with a slightly hoarse voice: "What do you want for dinner? I'll make it."
She said drowsily, "Aren't you tired? Why don't you take a rest?"
"Not tired." Shao Chengzhang felt that he was very energetic now and even needed to take a cold shower.
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