" I .... I left my phone in Yuan Zi's car"
Silence
...
Then Huimin clicked her tongue.
" You left your phone in his car ? How?
Wait!
What!!!
!!!!
Yuan Zi!!!???!
Yu...Yuan Zi's car?!"
" Yes"
"Why were you even in his car?"
Zhenya groaned.
"That's not not even the worst part . I broke his watch. Limited edition watch!"
A dramatic gasp came through the receiver
" You what?!"
Zhenya covered her face with her hand .
"It was an accident!
But, well .... Now I have no idea be his assistant "
This time there was a full five seconds of silence.
Then Huimin burst into laughter.
"Zhenya are you serious?
You --- his assistant?
Do you even know how to assist someone?
You can barely assist yourself "
Two weeks had passed in quite uncertainty when Yuan Zi's phone buzzed with a call from his agent.
It was time to return. He hesitate for a moment, his thoughts tangled, before dialing Zhenya's number.
Zhenya nearly dropped her phone when she saw his name flashing on the screen.
He hadn't contact her since that day, and now out of the blue, he was calling?
A strange mixed of surprise and unease swirled in her chest as she answered.
"Come back with me "
Yuan Zi said, his voice steady but lacking warmth.
There was no explanation, no pleasantries - just a simple command.
Zhenya pressed her lips together, waiting for more, but silence stretched between them.
He didn't know what else to say and she didn't know what to expect.
"Alright" ,
she finally agreed, pushing down her lingering questions .
That evening, she told her parents she had secured an internship. They didn't ask many questions, and she didn't offer any details.
The truth was too complicated to explain, even to herself.
At the airport
Yuan Zi was already waiting. The sight of his - tall , poised and unreadable made her her heart clench.
As she approach, he met her gaze briefly before turning toward the gate .
"Let's go" , he said.
And just like that, they bearded the flight together, neither knowing what awaited them on the other side.
Their plan take off.
"Where will you stay? "
He said before getting in the car .
"At my friend's house then I'll move out"
" Get in the car"
"Okay"
Then Zhenya get in
After few minutes of silence. Yuan Zi said with unreadable face -
"Do you need me to find you apartment?"
" Oh no no , you must be busy. I'll take care of it"
"Okay"
He didn't talk more. But he wanted to help her to find apartment. Because of him she came early before summer vacation ended. And he did little trick to made her , his assistant , when he already had one. Although he didn't said more about that topic but he was unsatisfied with her refusing him .
He knew in his mind he should keep distance from her but he couldn't help but want to get closer to her.
This is the first time he wanted to get close to a girl.
While he was thinking , he heard Zhenya to tell driver to stop car.
The car stopped as she arrived at her friend's house .
She got out, and he rolled down the window,
" Get ready early cause we would be going to the agency tomorrow".
"Okay "
" Good night " she added with a soft smile before stepping inside.
He stared as she stepped inside, a faint smile appearing on his face.
Meanwhile, Zhenya arrived at Huimin's apartment. The moment Huimin saw her, she rushed forward and pulled her into warm hug.
"Aaaaa, I missed you so much"
"Me too" Zhenya said.
"Alright, alright ". Huimin said with a gentle smile.
" Go freshen up and get some rest"
" Okay, I have to wake up early tomorrow "
After saying that Huimin gently guided Zhenya to room she will stay, ensuring she was comfortable before leaving.
Meanwhile, on the other side of the city . Li Wei sat in his office . Buried under endless work .
The city outside buzzed with life , but he remain still glazing out from his chair , lost in thought.
A knock echoed though his office door.
Without looking away from city lights , he spoke in a clam and authoritative tone .
"Come in"
The door open and his assistant step inside holding a file in his hand.
"Boss, the information you requested about her - I've got it .
Here is the file "
He place it on the desk and pause
"Do you need anything else?"
Li Wei didn't shift his glaze from window , his expression unreadable.
" Nothing for now you can go "
He said his voice steady.
As the door closed behind his assistant , a faint smile played on his face . Finally he had the information he had been waiting for.
The first time he laid eyes on Zhenya. She left undeniable Mark on his heart .
There was something about her - something that lingered , something he couldn't ignore.
Soft chipping of the birds filled the morning air as the first ray of sunlight streamed through the curtains. The sudden beeping of the alarm shattered the peaceful silence, pulling Zhenya from her sleep.
She blinked adjusting the light , her mind still lingering in the haze of dreams. With a tired smile , she reached out to turn off alarm , stretching lazily before sitting up. A new day had begun .
Zhenya freshened up and had her breakfast . As she finished , her phone buzzed with a message from Yuan Zi.
He had sent her the address of his house — they will be heading agency from there.
Meanwhile, Huimin just woken up , her hair slightly disheveled as she blinked at Zhenya who was already on her way.
"I make your breakfast"
Zhenya said .
Pausing at the door
"Eat it while it's hot"
With that she stepped outside , the crisps morning air greeting her as she made her way to Yuan Zi's place.
Zhenya arrived at Yuan Zi's house. She take a deep breath and press the doorbell.
Within few seconds
the door open , revealing Yuan Zi in his casual home cloth.
He lean against the doorframe his glaze setting on her before he step aside.
"Come in"
His voice calm yet inviting.
As Zhenya stepped inside , Yuan Zi close the door behind her. The faint scent of freshly brewed coffee lingered in the air, mixing with subtle trace of his cologne .
"Wait for me"
He said causally and disappearing for change.
Left alone Zhenya glanced around the living room. It was neat yet lived-in.