Ji Rui proactively raised his glass towards Director Chen and then tilted his head back to drink it all. Le Tong’s mouth formed an O-shape, with no intention to close it, and Director Chen looked equally astonished.
"Hey...Mr. Ji, it’s up to you, it’s up to you!" Director Chen, coming to his senses, hurriedly reached out to try and stop Ji Rui.
Although he enjoyed competing in drinking, he knew very well he couldn’t afford to offend certain people, like Ji Rui.
He had dined with Ji Rui a few times; the first time, not knowing Ji Rui’s temperament, he muddled his way through, insisting on toasting Ji Rui. Ji Rui merely glanced, and his secretary Le Tong immediately understood and took the drink for him. Refusing to give in, he insisted Ji Rui drink, otherwise, the secretary would have to drink double. In the end, Ji Rui didn’t drink a drop; Le Tong ended up drinking them all.
With that experience, Director Chen no longer dared to toast or persuade Ji Rui to drink.
Ji Rui drank up and looked at Director Chen, "Want another?"
Director Chen was already terrified, waving his hands repeatedly, "No more, no more. This tea is good; let’s savor the tea and chat."
Ji Rui put down his wine glass, and Le Tong immediately took it away and replaced it with freshly brewed tea.
Because Ji Rui and Director Chen had important matters to discuss, the waiter was dismissed, leaving only Ji Rui, Le Tong, Director Chen, and his male assistant in the private room.
As Ji Rui and Director Chen switched from alcohol to tea, the task of brewing tea naturally fell to Le Tong.
Ji Rui didn’t like talking during meals, and Director Chen naturally didn’t dare to say much. Despite having authority, in front of a wealthy group president like Ji Rui, he was like an employee helping Ji Rui with huge sums of money.
"Stop brewing, eat something!"
Ji Rui suddenly addressed Le Tong, who had been focused solely on brewing tea rather than eating a single grain, and scanned Director Chen’s male assistant, who was energetically tearing into a fresh and tasty crab. Feeling a chill, the assistant raised his head to meet Ji Rui’s cold eyes.
Ji Rui was displeased. It was said not to hit the dog for the sake of its master, so why could Director Chen’s assistant comfortably eat to his heart’s content while his own secretary had to serve them like a pitiful maid?
"I...I don’t know how..." the assistant said, visibly fearful.
Ji Rui snorted coldly, "You were born knowing how to eat?" New ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄhapters are published on novel_fіre.net
The assistant, sweating, tremblingly reached out to move the tea set in front of himself.
The fright was shared not only by the assistant but also by Le Tong. However, her surprise was mixed with gratitude.
Having followed Ji Rui for over half a year, it wasn’t uncommon for her to eat only a few mouthfuls before being forced to drink a bellyful of alcohol during meals. This was the first time Ji Rui showed concern for her well-being.
Le Tong gratefully smiled at Ji Rui, softly saying, "Thank you, President."
"Eat, so Yang Sheng won’t nag."
Ji Rui’s words explained his unusual behavior well.
"Hmm." It was indeed because a senior had privately reminded him. Otherwise, with President Ji’s abrasive personality, why would he be so kind to consider whether she might have stomach pains or go hungry?
Having received the direct approval of President Ji, the foodie Le Tong unhesitatingly extended her chopsticks towards the various exquisite dishes on the turntable, not even sparing the fruit served after the meal. When leaving, she stood with her belly slightly protruding; if not for the three gentlemen present, she would surely have rubbed her belly to aid digestion.
It must be said that this outing with Ji Rui was the most enjoyable and delicious one so far.
Ji Rui and Le Tong walked out of the hotel door together, the car stopped in front of Ji Rui, and Le Tong went over to open the car door. Ji Rui held onto the car door but did not plan to get in, instead turning to look at Le Tong.
"Let the driver take you home."
Le Tong waved her hands repeatedly, "No need, no need. I ate too much; I’ll take the bus home to digest."
Ji Rui, as if ignoring her, said coldly, "Get in."
Seeing his expression, she became increasingly unwilling to stay with him any longer.
President Ji, unpredictable in mood, had been so kind to her just now; who knows if it was a candy before a slap? "President, I really ate too much. If the car bumps around, I might get car sick. It’s not far from my home; I’ll walk back."
With that, she let go of the car door, her feet springing like she had springs installed, darting away.
Le Tong backed up a few steps, waved at Ji Rui, "Goodbye, President! Goodnight!" and then sprinted away.
Ji Rui silently watched her silhouette disappear around the corner before getting into the car.
Le Tong ran onto the sidewalk outside the hotel; suddenly going outside from a warm indoor space left her unadapted. Coupled with the cold wind blowing, she couldn’t help but shiver, bouncing along like a little kangaroo, wrapping her scarf twice around her neck, then putting her hands in her pockets.
Slowly, as the heat from the jog offset the cold wind’s chill, Le Tong’s body warmed up again, so she slowed down, strolling leisurely towards home.
As the weather turned colder, there were fewer pedestrians on the street compared to hot days, and those who occasionally passed Le Tong walked briskly, none as leisurely as her.
Despite the cold weather and the wind howling past her ears, Le Tong’s mood was quite good, probably because she had eaten many delicious things tonight.
Cheese-baked lobster, steamed crab...
The world of a foodie is indeed simple; just reminiscing a little, the sense of happiness in Le Tong’s heart escalated.
This Saturday, she might try making cheese-baked lobster. Of course, she couldn’t afford large lobsters, but buying some small ones to make-do should also be good.
Le Tong was cheerfully planning in her mind, unaware that Ji Rui was watching her through the car window while waiting for a red light on the road.
Watching her with her head slightly raised against the cold wind, Ji Rui was reminded of her on a rainy day not so long ago, her demeanor under the umbrella was lethargic and dispirited back then, whereas now, she emitted a joyful aura.
Her kind of happiness was simple and clear, transparent at a glance, just like how sunshine represents brightness, and rain symbolizes gloom, simple and easy to understand.
What had made her so joyful in such a short time?
Was it because of Yang Sheng?
Ji Rui’s world was always complex, so he had never felt the kind of happiness Le Tong was experiencing now. Even when he first held his baby son, he wasn’t happy; although relieved at that moment, he couldn’t feel happiness!
What does it feel like to be like Le Tong, radiating happiness and joy for a single person, perhaps someone you like?
And such a feeling, he might never experience!