CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE (33) Sunshine

Mrs Chen was happy to see them and offered dinner.

They all agreed.

Ye Zedong hand held Xu Dandan just in time, so she wouldn't refuse. Everyone could tell she was angry because of Rose's statement. One thing was clear though, Xu Dandan was an employee like they were while Grace was their boss's childhood friend. But she would get worked up and jealous sometimes.

*~~~*

On the other side of the city, in the same restaurant, a man sat in the corner, constantly checking his wristwatch.

He would also sip on his water at times then giraffe his neck to see if that same lady would reappear again.

Su Yuanqi ran his fingers severally through his black hair, waiting patiently, but the time seemed to have slowed down. Nothing exciting to see as people came in and out of the restaurant.

Did she forget they were supposed to meet up? Did she forget they had to finalize the deal today? Why wasn't she coming? Or is it because she was busy? Or running late? Or perhaps, didn't want to come? Which was it?

He was angry within himself, but didn't have the courage to leave.

He believed she'd still show up. It was getting colder by the minute and he didn't dress up warm enough. He'd still wait though.

She was a big mystery, she was probably playing with him.

The waitress from the other day had her day off, so a male waiter was constantly checking up on him. He showed up for the uncountable time, asking if he was ready to order.

"I'm still waiting..."

"Why does it look like you have been forsaken sir?" The waiter interrupted to ask.

Su Yuanqi's jaw dropped.

"Don't be offended but it seems like your date has more important things than you."

Forsaken.

More important things..

"Are you sure she likes you the same sir?"

Su Yuanqi was short off words. The waiter had misunderstood it all just like the waitress from before. And it made him wonder, what the employees were taught by their management.

"You don't have to appear so soft for her, she won't still consider you if you did, so just play hard to get as well."

Su Yuanqi's grip on the glass of water loosened and it dropped on the floor, shattering into pieces.

The waiter covered his mouth in shock. "Are you alright sir?" He bent over to check on Su Yuanqi.

The latter was speechless, he looked down at the broken glass and blamed himself for hurting it.

Su Yuanqi licked his lips, stood up, dropped some cash on the table and walked away.

The waiter watched on with his mouth still open and thought to himself. 'He must have taken my advice.' He felt proud that someone was willing to listen to him.

The instant Su Yuanqi got outside, he took in breaths of fresh air. That young waiter was after his life, for sure. Just that he was lucky to get out of their in time. He ran his hand through his hair once more before waving a taxi down.

He blamed his luck, what exactly was going on? It was time to make big sales, but now he had to depend on a girl he hated? He hated being stagnant... He wasn't even in the same position anymore, he had fallen back! Yes!

He should have bought that building when the thought popped up in his mind months ago. By now, he won't have to deal with the arrogant rich girl. Or her Empire.

Su Yuanqi's calm aura began dissipating as more thoughts crawled into his mind.

He had hopes of meeting her today, at least he'd get to find out his stand, know his next move and plan accordingly but what did she do? Leave him hanging. He couldn't even keep count of how many times he had checked his phone, hoping she'd drop an apology text and explained why she was running late. If she could make it or not.

None came in.

*

Su Yuanqi arrived at his apartment, and he went straight to the refrigerator to take out freshly made chicken soup, then proceeded to put it inside the microwave. He also brought out unboiled rice, washed it, put it inside the rice cooker and went to bath.

Su Yuanqi strode into the kitchen in his pajamas, sneezing occasionally as he set his dinner on the kitchen counter and was about to eat when a call came in, he dropped his chopsticks and went to look for his cellphone, which he found on the sitting room table.

"Hello,"

Hearing the voice, he paused for a moment and slowly a smile crept up his face.

"Ran'er," it wasn't her, the person on the other end was his little sister. She had called using a telephone, that is why he wasn't able to tell at first if it was her or someone else.

"How are you big brother?" Her excited voice came over the phone.

"I'm good." Yes, he felt much better hearing her voice. She was his ray of hope. She makes everything better, his sad moments and his happy moments. His little baby girl.

"Have you had dinner?"

Su Yuanqi walked fast, heading for the kitchen counter. "I just started." He immediately scooped the soup and drank.

"That's great."

"And how are you?" He skipped asking if she has eaten. It was like asking a rat if he wants fish? She was a great eater and his mother enjoyed cooking too.

"I'm great!"

"Oh I see," he chew on a chicken drum. "Where are you?" He heard some noise in the background, which caused him to frown.

"Oh, we went to get ice cream."

Su Yuanqi frowned. "Are you out of stock."

"No, no." He could imagine her shaking her little head. "The flavor I wanted was chocolate... we just happened not to have it and mommy said we could go buy."

"You should have just called me..."

"Nooo. You must be busy at the restaurant, you're the last to leave so why should I interrupt you because of ice cream?"

Su Yuanqi didn't know whether to laugh or cry. "Why are you talking like an adult? Hmm?"

"Haha, I'm an adult."