CHAPTER FIFTY (50) Do Better

"What happened down there? Who was it? Why did you go down to the lobby all of a sudden? Is it something serious? Is it something to worry about? Talk to me, why aren't you saying anything?" Xu Dandan was infuriated by Zedong's silence.

They were in the middle of a meeting, when he received a signal.

Xu Dandan could tell it was a signal because it sounded different from his phone ringing tone. And for the fact, that he didn't return until the meeting was completed said a lot more.

Ye Zedong sighed, massaging his temples he asked. "Can you just shut up?"

Xu Dandan eyes dangerously swept all over his body. "Why should I? Hmph? Why can't you tell me?"

"It isn't your business, that's why."

She rolled her eyes at him. "Yeah, whatever." Dandan exited his office, slamming the door shut.

Ye Zedong's mouth hung open in shock. "That crazy girl..."

"I heard that." Dandan said from the door. "You're cursing out on your juniors, you have no shame..." she pouted, hoping away, knowing fully well that he will be enraged.

"Ahan..." Zedong closed his eyes, massaged his temples for the second time and tried to shake off what Dandan had just said. He turned on his computer, clicked on his mails and downloaded the photos Rose had sent to him earlier.

He sent it to the printing machine to print and went out to go grab a cup of coffee.

He stopped by Anshu's office to ask how the meeting went.

"How was it?"

"Good," Anshu spun around to face him from her computer, a big smile was on her face as she asked. "Do you want to see?"

"Hmm," For sure he wants to see what idea she came up with. He collected the files from her and while going through it, he inquired. "Cup yoghurt?"

"Yes," Anshu's voice was filled with happiness.

Ye Zedong was impressed by the flavors she chose, "Kiwi, Dragon fruit, pomegranate and cocoa."

Anshu nodded again excitedly. He looked up at her and smiled. "Did you submit it?"

"No, not yet." Anshu answered. "I was waiting for your approval."

"It's good," Ye Zedong's statement caused Anshu, to almost shriek in happiness. "I'll take it to the boss, be on your toes." He quickly left her office, went into his to grab the printed images.

Anshu felt like this was a signal to do better. "Sure!" She screamed at Ye Zedong's departing figure.

*

"Were you able to avoid commotion?"

The first sentence Zedong heard when he entered Rose's office almost gave him a scare until he saw the airpod plugged in her ear. And he thought, maybe she wasn't talking to him.

Rose didn't raise her eyes from her computer screen as she typed.

He stood there, waiting instead of interrupting her.

After what seemed to be a lifetime, Rose's mouse made a clicking sound before she looked up at him.

She irked an eyebrow then asked. "Why are you just standing there? And not answering me?"

"Hmm?" Zedong was taken aback.

"Were you able to avoid a commotion?" Rose repeated and saw it dawn on Zedong. He just realized, she wasn't talking to anyone through the airpod.

"Yes," he answered when he came to. "I told Mingyu to escort them out."

She nodded. "Did you receive my message?"

"Oh, yes." Zedong recalled he had come for a reason. He dropped the printed file on her glass table, while withholding the file he collected from Anshu.

"What do you think?" Rose spun her chair so she'd be facing the white sky, colorful and busy city as well as other skyscrapers. She raised one of the printed images, it was her own drawing of the yet you be built restaurant.

"A restaurant is a business that prepares and serves foods and drinks to customers. Meals are generally served and eaten on the premises, but many restaurants also offer take-out and food delivery services." Zedong gave a brief meaning of what Rose was venturing into.

"There are a lot of five star as well as seven stars restaurant in our country, which only the rich can afford. They appear sophisticated and out of reach, and while their main priority is to make profit, yours is to bring us closer and allow us make a lot of memories to last for a life time. With a different culture, to make it seem like we are in another world of our own..."

He paused and a smile lit up his face. "I think you'd not just sell out, but help people to get more closer through this little act of yours."

There was a moment of silence in the large office room.

Rose was smiling all throughout Zedong's speech. He was one to hit the nail right into the spot and leave your thoughts wandering.

She admired his intelligence and straightforwardness.

"You're never wrong," Rose took a long lasting glance at the paper in her hand, It was a seven floor, castle building. She chose this particular style, because it was one to never be found in her home country.

"And what do you think it's lacking?"

"There's a watchtower, but no curtain walls, donjon but no main Bailey, lower Bailey, drawbridge or even a gatehouse..."

"That's because there's no curtain wall nor a barbican." Rose said with a pout. She also spun to face Zedong. "We will need to expand the land to be able to get everything we want."

Zedong nodded understanding. "So what do you plan on doing?"

"I was thinking..." she glanced around as if to check whether they were being listened to. "To buy the other building behind."

Zedong pressed his mouth to suppress his laughter. "Why are you whispering?"

"Obviously, I don't want anyone to hear."

"Why?" Zedong whispered back to her, causing her to burst into laughter.

And after relaxing she said. "I don't want people to continue calling me evil, or all sorts of names."

The silent this time was deadly as Zedong was torn in between laughing and crying.