"May I?"
Xia Xiaobing's expression when she said this shocked Lu Zhe.
The reason for the shock was not only that President Xia could actually show such a pitiful look, but more importantly, that look was so... alluring.
Especially her eyes.
Phoenix eyes are characterized by upturned corners, with the single-lidded phoenix eye being particularly long and narrow, exuding a cool and aloof aura. Double phoenix eyes, on the other hand, are formed by adding a double eyelid to the upturned corners. While not as long and narrow, double phoenix eyes are more in line with modern aesthetics, but they inevitably add a queen-like, unapproachable feel.
Moreover, not only do Xia Xiaobing have phoenix eyes, but her eyebrows are also sword-shaped with slightly upturned ends. Of course, they are not as thick and dark as men's sword eyebrows, but they are more heroic than many girls.
Therefore, whenever she stares intently at someone, she inevitably exudes a sharp and imposing aura.
However, at this moment, she gently frowned, gazing tenderly at the boy before her. Her beautiful, cold eyes were brimming with tears. It was clearly noon, but her melancholy and sorrowful eyes reminded him of a lake at night, with the moonlight shattering and swaying on the clear ripples.
Xia Xiaobing gazed intently at him, her cheeks slightly flushed. Her voice, usually calm and confident, had become weak and hesitant: "I also feel a little awkward asking this question, but besides you, I really can't find anyone more suitable to help me. Although there are so many male employees in our company, you're probably the only one who knows my secret and can be considered a friend... And you? In your heart, can I be considered just an ordinary friend?"
With the boss taking this attitude, what else can we do?
Lu Zhe gritted his teeth and pondered for a moment, then suddenly asked, "Is it just to be a shield?"
Xia Xiaobing nodded.
Lu Zhe forced a smile and said, "Of course, no problem. Don't be so formal, Sister Xia. I owe my current job opportunity to your kindness. In my heart, you're more than just a good friend; you're like an older brother to me!"
Xia Xiaobing smiled, but there was also a hint of helplessness in her smile.
Are you free this weekend? Saturday or Sunday afternoon.
Lu Zhe: "It should be fine."
Xia Xiaobing: "Then it's settled. I'll let you know whether it's Saturday or Sunday once I confirm my mom's schedule."
Lu Zhe nodded: "Okay, it's only this once anyway, so of course I have no problem."
The implication is that if there's a next time, things might get really tough.
Suddenly, the door to the private room opened. A waiter brought in a plate of spicy and fragrant double-pepper rabbit and placed it on the table.
Xia Xiaobing instructed in dialect, "Bring some rice."
The waiter nodded and turned to leave.
Xia Xiaobing picked up her chopsticks, took a piece, and switched back to Mandarin: "I know you can handle spicy food, and this dish isn't too spicy, so you should like it."
Lu Zhe also picked up a piece and tasted it. Sure enough, the rabbit meat was fragrant and tender, with just the right amount of spiciness, which made him salivate even more.
“It’s really delicious,” he said, spitting out a small piece of rabbit bone. “It’s just that there’s not enough meat; it’s not satisfying.”
Xia Xiaobing: "You want to have some fun? I'll take you out for steak next time?"
Lu Zhe: "I feel bad always eating your food. I'll treat you next time."
"Get this straight, I'm the one who pays your salary. Are you trying to give me something for nothing?"
Just as Xia Xiaobing finished speaking, the waiter came in again. This time, he brought out two small bowls, one filled with white rice and the other with boiled beef.
Compared to the double-pepper rabbit, the boiled beef looked much spicier. Although the dish is called "boiled," the broth was a vibrant red, with many Sichuan peppercorns and dried chilies floating on the surface. The broth itself was a deep crimson, suggesting an excessive amount of chili oil had been added. The beef slices were also sprinkled with a touch of pepper powder.
"Is this the cuisine of the Salt Gang?" Lu Zhe exclaimed, his mouth watering uncontrollably, and he couldn't help but pick up his chopsticks.
Xia Xiaobing smiled as she watched him eat a piece of beef, but didn't start eating immediately. She pulled the small bowl of rice in front of her and picked up the wooden spoon used for serving rice.
Lu Zhe quickly put down his chopsticks: "I'll scoop the rice..."
Xia Xiaobing waved her hand, took Lu Zhe's small bowl, filled it with white rice, and placed it back in front of him.
Lu Zhe couldn't help but feel a little uneasy. It was one thing for the boss to treat him to a meal, but for the boss to serve him rice? How could he feel at ease?
Especially now that the boss's thoughts are completely predictable, the pressure is even more pronounced. The request for a shield from criticism just now carries even greater weight.
Although the food was indeed delicious, Lu Zhe was still somewhat distracted during lunch.
————
After finishing their meal, Lu Zhe followed Xia Xiaobing back to the car and drove to the parking lot downstairs at the company.
But after the car came to a stop, Xia Xiaobing did not open the car door. Instead, she reclined the seat back, making it almost flat like a lounge chair.
She said, "I'm a little tired, I'll take a nap here."
Lu Zhe stared at her, blinked, and his eyes conveyed the same meaning—you're taking a nap here, so what about me?
Xia Xiaobing seemed to have guessed his inner thoughts and said, "You can also sleep here for a while. You've worked hard, take a break, and balance work and rest."
Lu Zhe took out his phone and glanced at it: "But it's almost one o'clock..."
To be precise, it will be 1 p.m. in five minutes. And the company's lunch break ends at 1 p.m.
Xia Xiaobing smiled mischievously: "I'm here, are you afraid of getting caught slacking off?"
Lu Zhe: "You're leading the way in slacking off."
Xia Xiaobing directly activated the mechanism under the chair for him, allowing the backrest to recline flat.
This situation made it really difficult for him to leave. Besides, after eating and talking all afternoon without taking a nap, he was inevitably feeling a bit sleepy.
The problem is, is it safe? Is it appropriate to sleep in Mr. Xia's car?
Just as he was hesitating, Xia Xiaobing suddenly asked, "Is there anything to worry about?"
Lu Zhe: "No..."
"Then why aren't you going to sleep? Hurry up, your nap time is limited, and I'll have to wake you up when I wake up."
Before she could finish speaking, Xia Xiaobing had already lay down and gently closed her eyes.
Lu Zhe hesitated for a moment, gritted his teeth, and simply lay down as well.
The underground parking lot was lit, of course, but the light was rather dim, making it quite suitable for sleeping. After lying there for only a short while, Lu Zhe felt a wave of drowsiness wash over him. The pretty woman beside him also began to breathe more evenly and slowly.
Mr. Xia has fallen asleep?
She pulled me to sleep... a nap. What was her intention? Was it simply to bring us closer?
With these questions in mind, Lu Zhe gradually drifted off to sleep.
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