Ning Youguang doesn’t really eat shellfish.
So Shi Wangyue ordered her a large plate of crayfish, and for himself, he ordered some oysters, scallops, as well as some tofu, eggplant, and other vegetables.
And of course, red willow lamb kebabs, which are a must-have.
Since there were only the two of them, they couldn’t eat all that much.
When the grilled food gradually arrived, the air was filled with the aroma of cumin and garlic.
Ning Youguang’s appetite was also piqued.
"I’ll have a bottle of orange soda," she said to a passing waiter.
Shi Wangyue casually ordered himself a few glasses of cold beer.
Seeing him drink alone, Ning Youguang felt something was missing, so she said, "Why don’t you call your company people to join us?"
After all, it’s just across the street, isn’t it?
Shi Wangyue thought about it, took off his disposable gloves, and sent a WeChat message to Assistant Jin.
...
Assistant Jin, who was working overtime at "Starlight Investment Fund," hesitated for a second upon seeing the boss’s WeChat before deciding to head downstairs.
When he arrived at the barbecue restaurant, he saw his typically aloof boss elegantly and skillfully peeling the crayfish while wearing disposable gloves.
Assistant Jin and his colleagues had been to this restaurant several times, but each time they dared not invite the boss.
Some felt that although the food was good, the decor was really mediocre, bordering on shabby, and feared that if they abruptly invited the boss over, it would feel too beneath him.
But today he found that despite the somewhat mundane atmosphere, the boss and Miss Ning sitting in such a down-to-earth place, even if they seemed a bit out of place like celestial beings accidentally descending to earth, didn’t give off a pretentious vibe.
In fact, the boss even seemed more approachable than when in the office.
He peeled the crayfish, occasionally looking at Teacher Ning beside him and smiling.
Teacher Ning, meanwhile, was holding two lamb skewers, teasing a slightly greasy four- or five-year-old boy standing next to her, without the least bit of disdain for the child’s lack of hygiene.
"Xiao Jin, you’re here," Ning Youguang, giving the lamb skewer to the boss’s son, was the first to notice Assistant Jin at the door.
They had met in Boston before, and Ning Youguang found calling Assistant Jin "Xiao Jin" so smooth and natural.
It made Assistant Jin feel a bit honored.
"Good evening, Teacher Ning," he said, sitting down beside them.
Shi Wangyue was still focused on the crayfish, "Order whatever you want."
Ning Youguang handed him a glass, "Do you want your drink cold or not?"
How could Assistant Jin allow the future boss’s wife to serve him?
He quickly took the glass, picked up a beer nearby, and poured himself a full glass, "I can handle it myself, thank you, Teacher Ning."
While pouring himself a drink, he had intended to pour one for Teacher Ning as well but noticed she was already happily drinking her orange soda.
Even a fairy sipping soda through a plastic straw was a cute fairy.
Assistant Jin felt a bit embarrassed to stare at her too much, so he buried his head in the barbecue.
Shi Wangyue neatly lined up the peeled crayfish tails on the plate, "The project’s wrapping up, so I’ll have some time off, and it’s been a while since I’ve experienced the local scene."
Ning Youguang looked at him, waiting for more.
Assistant Jin’s heart skipped a beat.
"Can I join you for a trip to Qinghai?" Shi Wangyue seriously looked at Ning Youguang, a bit nervous inside.
Ning Youguang was a little surprised but then smiled, "Of course you can, it’s been a long time since we traveled together."
Shi Wangyue felt relieved, "Could you give me your flight details? I’ll have Assistant Jin book my ticket, oh, and also the hotel details over there."
Assistant Jin felt the barbecue tasted less appealing.
So, even after working hours, he’s still just a tool, right?
He was quite troubled, thinking that when Mr. Yun comes to Beijing in a few days, he’ll find a pile of unhandled tasks while another person in charge has gone to Qinghai to have fun, and as someone’s assistant, how could he bear such a heavy responsibility?
He also knew that if even now he showed a slight lack of support for the boss and true love’s "happily ever after," he wouldn’t need to wait for Mr. Yun to discipline him; he could be done for tonight.
So, downing a large glass of ice-cold beer, he felt a chill but put on a perfectly suitable smile, "If the departure day is soon, we indeed should book tickets quickly."
He cooperatively took out his phone, looking expectantly at Teacher Ning.
Teacher Ning, being very helpful, took out her phone, opened a certain app, and gave her flight information to him.
Assistant Jin, accepting it with both hands, carefully cross-checked the information on his phone and earnestly started booking the flight for his boss, even thoughtfully asking, "Teacher Ning, our company has a partnership with Jinshan Airlines. If internal staff book tickets, they can upgrade to first class for free, shall I assist you with it?"
The partnership exists, but the free first-class upgrade does not.
Assistant Jin, meticulously devoted to his work, thought, "As the future boss’s wife of MM and Starlight, how could she travel in economy class?"
Ning Youguang was unsuspecting, "Is there such a good deal?"
It’s not that she couldn’t afford first class; she just didn’t like wasting money.
But if there were extra perks, she wouldn’t mind enjoying them.
Assistant Jin nodded earnestly, "Yes."
Ning Youguang was very happy, "Thanks, Xiao Jin."
Assistant Jin quickly booked the boss’s flight with his phone and also upgraded the future boss’s wife.
While he was busy with the phone, Ning Youguang said, "I’ve already booked a hotel in Xining, but since you haven’t been to Qinghai before, if we’re going together this time, I’d like to take you to see Qinghai’s scenery, so I decided to change the itinerary. How do you feel about that?"
Shi Wangyue’s eyes were full of smiles, "Will it delay your schedule?"
Ning Youguang gently shook her head, "I’m going there for a retreat, the retreat is for ten days, and I have five more days to accompany you."
After thinking it over, she suggested, "Actually, while I’m in retreat, you could come back early."
Shi Wangyue fell silent, while Assistant Jin was quite tempted by her proposal, continuously signaling the boss with his gaze.
Ning Youguang observed their minor interaction, lightly laughing as she asked Assistant Jin, "Xiao Jin, have you adapted since returning home?"
Assistant Jin answered cautiously, "Work is much the same as abroad; it’s just occasionally dealing with clients requires a shift in mindset."
Some seasoned business people are really hard to deal with.
Boo-hoo-hoo, without a tyrant suppressing things at the company, us little minions really can’t hold on.
Ning Youguang nodded, "Indeed, the way people in China handle things and talk is quite different from people in the United States, a bit more roundabout, though in essence, there’s no real difference."1314