Xu Zheng had previously considered bringing He Yao along, thinking that two people using their classmate connection would be better than him going alone.
However, Zhan Jingrui was not interested in her, so he didn't dare to say more.
Unexpectedly, he brought it up proactively today.
But Xu Zheng was not in the mood to bring He Yao today.
"She's dealing with some personal matters these past couple of days. She has to look at apartments after work and just asked for leave from me. She's busy. How about we two get together, and we can bring her next time if there's a chance?"
Upon hearing news about her, Zhan Jingrui's heart stirred, and he instantly felt better.
"What a coincidence. It's rare for classmates to get together, and she's looking at apartments. Where is she buying a place?"
Xu Zheng had no idea about his convoluted thoughts and thought he was just casually mentioning it, so she chimed in.
"Indeed, but she's not buying, she's renting. It's quite interesting, actually. Someone from your Zhan Corporation is introducing her to apartments. They might be dating recently; it's the person you met at the restaurant last time."
Zhan Jingrui understood.
It was Engineer Tang who introduced her to the apartment.
This person was truly pervasive and meticulous, involved in everything.
Was the technical department that idle? Or was it that there were truly no other women?
He Yao had only been to Zhan Corporation once or twice, and he managed to hook up with her.
After chatting for so long, Xu Zheng thought Zhan Jingrui was interested in her, but then he changed the subject.
"I'm not free today. I have something to do, I'll be busy now."
After hanging up the phone, Zhan Jingrui opened the door to the CEO's office and went outside.
The CEO's special assistant quickly stood up and greeted him as he saw him emerge, "Mr. Zhan."
"Send me the list of all employees in the technical department and their job responsibilities."
Although he didn't know what he was going to do, the assistant agreed, assuming the CEO must have his reasons.
Zhan Jingrui watched him operate the computer for a while before returning to his office.
He found Engineer Tang's name on the personnel list, clarified his job responsibilities, and then called the director of the technical department.
"The BOM for product nt590 is not detailed enough, and the version is quite old. I can find such a major flaw with just a random check; imagine what would happen if I looked closely?"
"The technical department should be a rigorous department. I don't want to discover such issues in future work. Rectify it immediately."
Tang Gong, being singled out for criticism, startled the director. He immediately convened a department meeting, severely reprimanded everyone, and demanded that each person self-reflect and self-examine, work overtime, and quickly correct any flawed areas.
Otherwise, if the CEO discovered such issues again, no one's job would be secure.
With no other choice, Tang Gong sent He Yao a message apologizing, saying he couldn't accompany her to look at apartments that evening.
He had urgent work, and He Yao understood, saying it was fine and she could look by herself.
As they were politely exchanging words, Xu Zheng came running over excitedly again.
"He Yao, no matter how big the matter is tonight, you have to push it aside. Come with me to a dinner party."
He Yao was confused and asked him what kind of dinner party it was.
"Mr. Zhan still remembers you as an old classmate and specifically asked me to bring you to dinner tonight. Don't you think it's an honor?"
"Whether our company can secure business and develop well in the future depends on your performance tonight. You must go, no matter what."
"Quick, quick, push back the apartment viewing and get ready."
He Yao was speechless.
Zhan Jingrui specifically asked her to attend a dinner party with him? Was he sick?
Hadn't they met privately enough these past two days?
When they met, his attitude was very clear, as if he didn't want to get too entangled with her.
Why did he want to have dinner together now? What exactly did he want?
She didn't want to go: "They're selling at a low price because they're in a hurry to get rid of it. If you miss this village, there won't be such a good shop..."
Xu Zheng thought she was deliberately playing hard to get.
"Oh, as long as you can make Mr. Zhan happy and successfully negotiate business for me, isn't it just a little bit of rent? I'll pay it back for you!"
"Go ahead with confidence. From now on, I'll give you an extra 2,000 yuan for rent each month. Is that okay?"
If he had been this straightforward earlier, none of this would have happened.
It's just a meal, isn't it?
She had to spend money on food by herself anyway.
He Yao immediately agreed: "Okay."
Zhan Jingrui went back on his word. After dealing with Tang Gong, he messaged Xu Zheng again, saying he had time to have dinner with him.
Xu Zheng, being decisive, finished telling He Yao and busied himself with booking a restaurant.
Before leaving, he didn't forget to remind her.
"Quickly go to the nearest mall and buy a set of clothes, something that is both dazzling and elegant. Change into it."
"If you can't make Mr. Zhan's eyes light up today and rekindle his old classmate feelings, don't expect me to think of you for good things in the future."
She could buy clothes, but He Yao said she had no money.
Since Xu Zheng needed her help, he gritted his teeth and stared at her for two seconds.
"Alright, alright, I'll transfer you 1,000 yuan. Use company funds to buy it, hurry up."
He Yao took a taxi to the nearest mall and chose a wine-red, square-neck, fitted dress. She then went to the mall's beauty counter to get her makeup done. The whole process took nearly an hour.
Xu Zheng had already sent her the restaurant address, so she took another taxi to the restaurant.
When she arrived at the restaurant and pushed open the private room door, both Zhan Jingrui and Xu Zheng turned their gazes towards her.
Upon seeing her attire, both of their eyes lit up simultaneously.
He Yao was already naturally slender and had a great figure, with fair skin.
As the sales assistant had said, wearing this wine-red dress made her look like a collision of strawberries and milk; the colors were stunningly beautiful.
Coupled with her soft and sculpted features, her short hair was particularly pixie-like and cute, and she had a subtle, exquisite makeup.
How could she look like an office drone who had just left work? She looked like Audrey Hepburn attending a banquet.
She was incredibly dazzling, elegant, and pleasing to the eye!
Xu Zheng's impression was that He Yao was pretty. Although she looked good after their reunion, she wasn't particularly stunning.
With today's makeover, he truly felt his heart skip a beat again.
She was so charming.
He unconsciously began to be attentive, pulling out the chair between himself and Zhan Jingrui for He Yao to sit.
"Come, come, sit down quickly. It's not good for Mr. Zhan to wait for you for so long. Let's use tea as a substitute for wine. You should apologize to Mr. Zhan first."
Zhan Jingrui watched the graceful He Yao, who floated towards him like a light cloud, and sat down with a gentle smile.
A void in his heart was gradually being filled.
After sitting down, He Yao picked up the cup of water Xu Zheng had poured for her and clinked it against Zhan Jingrui's cup.
She faked a smile.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Zhan, for keeping you waiting. Please accept my apologies first. Help yourself, I'll drink mine."
After speaking, she downed it in one gulp.
Zhan Jingrui looked at her fair, snow-like neck, and a long-dormant desire within him was instantly ignited. He unconsciously swallowed.
Xu Zheng watched the two of them from the side and inadvertently caught Zhan Jingrui's unusual reaction.
He thought to himself: Did I misread this? Or do all men have a base nature, and Zhan Jingrui is no exception? Why is he looking at He Yao with such infatuation?