"And we're treating you to a meal to thank you. You're bringing a gift too, won't that make the favor even harder to repay?"
"If it's hard to repay, so be it. I never said you had to. If not for you, then buy something for Auntie. Come with me, let's see what Auntie likes to eat."
Tong An'an remained seated, looking at him with pleading eyes.
"Can I beg you? Please? Don't be like this, I really feel so much pressure."
Since it was the first time she had opened up to Jiang Jingyu, he decided to ask her directly.
"What kind of pressure? And in what way?"
"I don't know, I just feel like you're my boss, and you shouldn't be this good to me. I have no way to repay you. I don't know how to face you."
"So, that's why you haven't been willing to ride in my car or commute with me recently?"
It was probably that.
Since they were already discussing it, Tong An'an decided to admit it.
Jiang Jingyu gazed out the window for a moment, then suddenly made up his mind and turned to look at her.
"Tong An'an, do you perhaps have some issues with me?"
"Huh? Issues with you? How is that possible!"
"You think I'm using my position as your boss to deliberately get close to a female employee with ulterior motives. You think I'm promiscuous, don't you?"
Tong An'an quickly explained, "No, no. Everyone at the company says you're aloof and never initiate conversations with female employees. They describe you like an iceberg."
"In all the time I've known you, it seems I'm the only one who has received so many favors from you. How could I possibly think you're promiscuous?"
"You also know that in all this time, I've only ever treated you this way? I guess you're not entirely clueless."
Jiang Jingyu looked at her intently.
"Have you ever thought about why I only treat you this way?"
Tong An'an had indeed thought about it before.
But she felt it couldn't possibly be true.
Now that he brought it up and looked at her with such eyes, she had to trust her intuition.
Her face flushed as if it would bleed, her heart pounding as if it would leap out of her throat.
Her gaze was flustered, and she dared not look at Jiang Jingyu, wishing she could crawl under the car seat.
"Mr. Jiang, I, I, I don't know what you mean."
"You know. Tong An'an, you're not stupid. When someone deliberately gets close to you, creates many opportunities to be alone with you, and only wants to treat you well with all their heart, how could you not sense it?"
Jiang Jingyu pressed her, his gaze unwavering.
"Or perhaps, you have someone else in your heart and think my actions are harassment, causing you distress, and that's why you're indirectly rejecting me?"
What did he mean by harassment and distress?
Tong An'an had never thought that way and quickly waved her hands.
"No, no, I never thought you were harassing me."
"Then what are you thinking? Do you think I'm doing all this for pure friendship, for the sake of becoming friends with you, that's why I'm spending my time and energy on you?"
"..."
"Regardless of what you thought before, it was my fault for not expressing myself clearly. It's my problem, you don't need to feel awkward."
Jiang Jingyu said, "I know we haven't known each other for long, and you might find what I'm saying strange, but I promise you, I'm serious."
"Tong An'an, your recent cold attitude towards me has made me feel very uncomfortable. I prefer the way we interacted a few months ago."
"I don't want to hide my feelings anymore, so I'm confessing to you now."
"I like you. I felt something for you the first time I saw you at your family's restaurant. I want to pursue you. Can you give me a chance?"
Jiang Jingyu had confessed to Tong An'an, fallen for her at first sight, wanted to pursue her, and asked for a chance?
Although Tong An'an had fantasized about this possibility in her heart, it was just a fantasy.
When it actually happened, she was quite shocked.
She was plain-looking, had average education, and came from a poor family.
Why would a wealthy, handsome, and socially prominent diamond bachelor like him be interested in her?
But judging by Jiang Jingyu's demeanor, he didn't seem to be joking, and she really didn't know how to answer him.
Jiang Jingyu stared into her eyes, making Tong An'an feel like she had nowhere to escape.
After a long pause, she finally managed to stammer out her words.
"But, why me? I mean... I'm not that outstanding, how could you fall for me at first sight?"
Jiang Jingyu looked at her gently and said.
"Who says you're not outstanding? You have to believe in destiny, believe in feelings. I think you're wonderful, and I'm definitely not joking."
Tong An'an dared not look at him, lowering her head to pick at her fingers. After a long while, she said.
"It's too sudden. I never thought about these things, and I didn't dare to. Mr. Jiang, can you give me some time to think about it?"
"Of course. I'm not forcing you, I just want to be honest about my feelings. If you don't like me, or even hate me for this, you can tell me honestly. I won't make things difficult for you at work just because I'm your boss."
Tong An'an knew he wasn't that kind of person, and besides, she didn't dislike Jiang Jingyu.
In fact, she felt very comfortable when she was with him, often losing herself in the moment.
She had never been in a relationship before, and she didn't know if this was what it felt like to have a crush.
While she was still in a daze, Jiang Jingyu closed the car door, went to the supermarket to buy two cases of good wine and two packs of good cigarettes, and they continued driving.
As the familiar scenery drew closer, Tong An'an's heart began to race again.
"Mr. Jiang, can you not mention our situation to my mother for now?"
Jiang Jingyu found her defensive stance amusing.
"You haven't agreed to me yet. What situation are we in?"
Tong An'an realized and blushed.
"In any case, don't tell my mom that I'm pursuing you. She's impatient, and before anything even happens, all the distant relatives will know."
"What? Are you afraid I won't be persistent enough and will break up with you halfway, making you lose face in front of your relatives?"
"That's not what I meant, I just think..."
How could they be talking about breaking up when they weren't even together yet?
Realizing she had fallen into his verbal trap again, Tong An'an pouted and turned to look out the window.
Jiang Jingyu was in a great mood, and when he parked the car in front of her house, he looked as refreshed as a son-in-law visiting for the first time.
Hearing the sound of a car parking outside, Mother Tong, wearing an apron, rushed out with a spatula in hand.
Seeing them get out of the car, one on each side, her eyes crinkled into a smile.
"Mr. Jiang is here! Come in, come in! The tea is ready, and the dishes will be soon. Come in and sit!"
Jiang Jingyu greeted Auntie with a smile and went to the trunk to get the gifts.
Seeing him bring gifts, Mother Tong's smile widened.
"Look at you, we invited you for dinner, why did you bring gifts? An'an, you should have stopped him."
"Old Tong, come quickly! Mr. Jiang is here!"