While I was driving, I received a call from someone I didn't expect to hear from.
"Zhou Yuanyou? You don't call me often. Is something up or are there problems at the company?" I asked.
She was my only friend, we studied together, and so we became close quite quickly. Afterward, she started working at the company I bought.
I told her back then that even though I was the owner, she had the right to make her own decisions and, in general, take charge.
"Not exactly, I was wondering if you're free today? Would you like to have dinner?" she asked.
"Are you asking me out?" I asked.
"No, I just need to talk to you," she said seriously. "Okay, although I'm not in China right now, I'll be back later this evening. I'll pick you up from the company." I said.
"Okay." she said and hung up.
Something was definitely wrong with her; I could tell by her voice, which was different from all the previous times.
Scrolling through my contacts, I found Lin's contact again.
"Listening, Boss!" came little Lin's voice.
"I need to fly back to China for one day. Let them prepare the plane for departure." I said.
"Understood, Boss." After she said that, I ended the call, leaving only one person to tell, the one I'd told I'd be there tomorrow.
"Yes?" came the voice from the phone.
"Ai, it's me." I said.
"Ms. Director? Did something happen?" Ai asked, surprised.
"Nothing special, I just need to go back to China for a day, so I can't come tomorrow." I said, feeling guilty.
"It's okay, I understand." she replied.
"How are the kids?" I asked, changing the subject.
"Are they sleeping?" Ai replied.
"Did I wake you?" I asked.
"No, I was going to sleep, but I couldn't." she said.
"Is that woman still in your apartment?" I asked.
"Are you talking about Miyako? Yes, I heard her in the kitchen." Ai said.
"Ask her to make you some hot milk; it should help you sleep." I said.
"Okay." Ai said.
"See you then," I said. "Goodbye, Madam Director." were the last words that came from the speakerphone.
I wonder when she'll call me by my first name. For a month, I still haven't managed to convince her.
But I hope in the future...
(Zhan Ying's pov)
"Zhang Ying, the workday is ending soon..."
"Zhang Ying, can you hear me?"
"Zhang Ying?"
"Did you say something?" I asked, looking at my friend, who sighed.
"Are you still thinking about her? You knew she was straight, so what were you expecting?"
"I told you about the straight trap, and you still confessed to her." Van Lele said.
Yes, how could I forget about the straight trap...
"Hmm, what's that noise?" my friend asked, causing me to turn my attention to the colleagues gathered near the door.
And a few seconds later, a tall girl in a black coat, with gray hair, red eyes, and... ears... appeared in the doorway.
Cute!
Turning to face my friend, I saw delight on her face, like a fan who had just met her idol.
"Van Lele, why are you looking at her like that?" I asked.
"Don't you know her? She's the richest woman in China, and in the world, for that matter. She even owns this company."
"I heard that she and Zhou Yuanyou went to the same university!"
"She and Zhou Yuanyou..." I said.
And I didn't like what I was imagining at all...
What if she sees Zhou Yuanyou...
They've known each other for a long time, after all...
What am I even talking about!
Zhou Yuanyou is straight, that can't be...
Right?
And besides, I've already been rejected, so what am I even hoping for...
But why do I feel so uneasy just seeing this beautiful girl...
Why did I imagine her with Zhou Yuanyou?
"By the way, it seems like a few years ago she came out of the closet. I remember all the news was about it back then."
"What?!" I couldn't help but exclaim.
Damn, not only is she the richest and most powerful woman in the world, but she's also a lesbian, my rival for love...
"Van Lele, let's have a drink today." I said.
"Oh, what's this all of a sudden?" my friend asked.
"Yes, just like that." I replied, watching the woman enter Zhou Yuanyou's office.
No, I definitely won't give up! Never!
(Feng's pov)
Entering the office, I immediately noticed my friend talking to a woman I'd never seen before...
Zhou Yuanyou spoke up immediately upon seeing me.
"You're here..." she said.
"Yes, I told you I'd come. I also made a reservation at the restaurant, so get ready." I said.
"Yes, right now... By the way, this is Xiang Lan, she's from the company we're working on a joint project with." Zhou Yuanyou said, and I simply nodded to the woman.
She bowed slightly and extended her hand.
"Nice to meet you, the well-known CEO," she said.
I simply shook her hand and nodded.
"For the record, even though this company is my business, Zhou Yuanyou is the one in charge, so if your boss wants to work closely with her, she should contact Zhou Yuanyou," I said.
"Noted. In any case, I won't interfere with your date." Xiang Lan said.
"Wait, this..." Zhou Yuanyou couldn't finish, as Xiang Lan had already left.
"So, are you ready?" I asked, to which Zhou nodded.
"Then let's go." I said, shoving my hands in my coat pockets and heading for the exit.
(Xiang Lan's pov)
How interesting, I never thought I'd meet such a celebrity today...
If I could arrange a meeting, my boss might even promote me...
But I didn't even know they knew each other...
And they're even going to dine at a restaurant?
And how is Zhan Ying now? Seeing them together...
Perhaps I still feel guilty for treating Zhan Ying the way I did, even though I rejected her back in school, for not even seeing me off...
Although, in the end, there were a lot of things I didn't know back then...
Even though I'm pretending to be straight now, I'm not. If Zhan Ying finds out about this, will she be angry with me?
Will she think I'm a monster? Or has she already let go of everything she's done...
"Hmm, where are they?"
Have they already left?
I'll call Van Lele...
"Yes?" came the voice from the phone.
"Van Lele, are you with Zhan Ying now?" I asked.
"Yes." she replied.
"Where are you going now?" I asked.
"To the bar!"
"To the bar? Are you going to drink?" I asked.
"Yes, give me booze!" she said excitedly, making me unsure whether to laugh or cry.
"Van Lele, if you're both drunk, how will you get home?" I asked, to which silence followed.
"..."
"Oh, I get it. Are you heading to the bar where we first met?" I asked.
"Yes." she said quietly, a little guilty.
After hanging up, I headed for the exit.
Why did they suddenly start going out for drinks in the middle of the workweek?
Although, I think I know the reason...