The clothes Lu Zhe wore today weren't bought for him by Tang Qi, nor were they Xia Xiaobing's; he bought them himself at the mall. A mid-length trench coat paired with black jeans—he thought it looked alright, but surely not enough to elicit a compliment from a wealthy woman like him, like "handsome and dashing"?
But that wasn't the end; what followed was even more astonishing.
Dai Ting smiled and said, "I think you're quite handsome and young, not bad at all. So, are you interested in coming here?"
Lu Zhe was stunned.
Tang Qi, who was standing next to her, immediately became anxious: "Mom, what are you saying!"
Dai Ting: "Don't forget I'm also an entrepreneur, why can't I poach talent from others?"
Tang Qi: "But didn't you go back to Dad's side?"
Dai Ting: "Going back to be his wife doesn't mean I have to give up my own company. My company is small, but it's still operating, and with your dad's big business backing it up, it's doing very well now. But I don't really want to work hard anymore, so I just want to find someone to help me keep an eye on things."
Tang Qi turned to look at Lu Zhe, then at her mother, her large eyes filled with anxiety, yet she didn't know what to say.
At this moment, Lu Zhe cleared his throat and asked, "Auntie, I'm certainly happy that you think so highly of me. However, if I may be frank, this is our first meeting, and you don't even know what kind of work I've done before. How can you trust me to help you manage the company?"
Dai Ting smiled and said, "Although this is our first meeting, Xiao Qi has mentioned you to me more than once or twice. Xiao Zhe... may I call you that?"
Lu Zhe: "Of course."
Dai Ting: "Xiao Zhe, Auntie knows you used to work in internet operations, you have experience, and your performance was quite good. The fact that you were promoted to department head by the new boss so quickly is enough to show your ability. But that's not the key point. The key point is that my place needs someone trustworthy."
Lu Zhe grasped the key phrase: "Trustworthy?"
Dai Ting nodded slowly and said, "That's right. Ability is secondary. The important thing is that you can be trusted. I understand your relationship with Xiao Qi. I know that this child can't hide anything from me. Besides, being with me is a kind of training. If you can prove your abilities, you might be able to get more important responsibilities from Xiao Qi's father."
Other things were fine, but when it came to Tang Qi's father, Lu Zhe immediately wanted to refuse. However, since he was facing Tang Qi's mother, who was practically her future mother-in-law, he couldn't say anything too harsh.
So Lu Zhe pretended to think seriously for a while, then slowly shook his head: "To be honest, I am really grateful that Auntie thinks so highly of me. But I already have a lot of work to do and responsibilities that I have promised to others. If I just quit here, I think that would be too much, and I would never forgive myself for it."
Dai Ting sighed, "Let's not talk about that for now... The food is here, please try it."
As they were talking, the waiter brought out two cold dishes.
The portions at this rooftop restaurant aren't large, but the plates are quite spacious, and the presentation is exquisite. Taking a bite with chopsticks reveals a truly refined flavor.
However, all three people present seemed somewhat distracted while eating.
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After dinner, Lu Zhe drove the mother and daughter to their apartment building and then drove away.
The mother and daughter entered the apartment building. However, Dai Ting was unfamiliar with the place and didn't even know the exact floor number. Therefore, Tang Qi naturally had to press the elevator button.
After pressing the button, and watching the elevator doors slowly close, Tang Qi finally couldn't help but ask, "Mom, why are you suddenly trying to steal my boyfriend today?"
Dai Ting narrowed her eyes: "Let's give him a little test and see what his personality is like."
Tang Qi: "But what if he agrees?"
Dai Ting: "Isn't that a good thing?"
Tang Qi clenched her small fists anxiously and said angrily, "If he agrees, then he'll have to go to Huadu to manage your company, which is thousands of kilometers away from me! And... and he's so close to my dad, who knows what might happen?"
Dai Ting smiled calmly and said, "What's there to worry about? If you really like him, just drop out of school and go to Huadu to be with him. Do you really think your dad and I care about your education?"
Tang Qi: "Drop out of school..."
Dai Ting glanced at her daughter and said meaningfully, "But if he really agrees and shows that he doesn't care about breaking up with you, then I think you should seriously consider whether this person is suitable for you."
Tang Qi lowered her head and pondered for a long time.
The elevator arrived, and the doors slowly opened.
As soon as Dai Ting stepped out of the elevator, she heard her daughter's voice from behind her.
"mom……"
"What's wrong?"
Tang Qi looked up and said, "Mom, you're terrible at business, but you're quite good at relationships."
Dai Ting scoffed, "Are you kidding me? What do you think I make a living from?"
Tang Qi: "Based on feelings? But if you're really that amazing, why did my dad later fall for men?"
Dai Ting blushed, and the veins on her forehead bulged slightly as she argued, "There are no winners or losers in matters of the heart... and I didn't lose either. He's an old gay man... gay! Can he even be considered a man?"
Tang Qi couldn't help but laugh. But out of respect for her mother, she covered her mouth and didn't laugh too loudly.
Amidst their laughter and conversation, the mother and daughter had already reached the door.
Tang Qi pressed her fingerprint to enter the password, pushed the door open, and led her mother inside.
Upon entering the house and passing through the foyer, one naturally sees Xue Xiaodie sitting at the dining table, engrossed in drawing.
Tang Qi came to her side and gently patted her arm.
Xue Xiaodie finally raised her head and took off her headphones. As she did so, the girl noticed the unfamiliar woman standing not far away, immediately guessed what was going on, and quickly stood up.
Tang Qi introduced, "Sister Xiaodie, this is my mom. Mom, this is..."
Dai Ting walked over and extended her hand: "I've heard Xiao Qi mention you before, you must be Xue Xiaodie?"
Xue Xiaodie immediately put on a respectful and polite smile, and said while shaking hands, "Yes, hello Auntie."
In that instant, Tang Qi suddenly felt that the scene seemed familiar.
By the way, when I met Lu Zhe before, didn't my mom shake hands with him?
After shaking hands, Dai Ting said, "I heard from Xiao Qi that you take good care of her in her daily life. Sigh, my good-for-nothing little girl is so insensible, she must have caused you a lot of trouble, right?"
Xue Xiaodie immediately shook her head: "No way... Xiao Caitang is very cute, and I especially like being with her."
Dai Ting and Xue Xiaodie's eyes met. Both wore friendly smiles that seemed perfectly genuine, but their eyes held a hint of probing.
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