Dinner

Tian Long nonchalantly accepted, "It will do. I didn't have any expectations anyway."

-This guy…why does every word from his mouth seems to stifle me.- irked Wei Hui. "What would you like to drink? I have some German beers, pineapple and banana juices, or maybe would you like a Elderflower cocktail? I'm really good at making one, and the Elderflower extract is my own recipe!" eagerly declared Wei Hui to show-off her drink-mixing skills. "I can also make a virgin one."

The young master Tian Long was not short on international and expensive drink growing-up. Needless to say, Tian Long is also very particular on his drinks, but this evening he felt gracious and decided to indulge in Wei Hui's bartending whims. "Give me a virgin Edelflower cordial. I still have some matters to take care of after this."

"Two virgin Edelflower cordial then," added Wei Hui as she marched back to her kitchen counter and started on the drinks. Tian Long seated himself and watched Wei Hui shuffling through the cabinet and refrigerator for ingredients.

Despite her bubbly nature, Wei Hui was seriously concentrating on measuring each ingredient for her concoction. Similar to when she's researching in the laboratory, her every movements and measurements were precise. This surprised Tian Long who detected Wei Hui's change in mannerism. With two drinks in hand, Wei Hui returned to the table. The Edelflower cordial was clear in color but with bubbles of carbonation and several ice cubes. Wei Hui garnished the drinks with floating blueberries and raspberries.

As Tian Long raised his glass to taste the drink, Wei Hui stared at him in anticipation. Seeing her anticipation, Tian Long slightly smiled and said, "it's good."

Wei Hui felt stunned seeing his slight smile because he truly looked too charming. "Well, Sir, I would not boast of my skills if it's not true in the first place," chuckled Wei Hui.

If Nan Jing were here, his mouth would've been agape at such an exchange. His usually strict boss drinking something that's not at least hundreds of dollars and commenting that the drink was "good" is a rare occurrence. Though Tian Long did mean it, the base of the drink was a carbonated lemonade with the addition of Wei Hui's homemade Edelflower extract, which created a mildly sweet and refreshing taste.

The rest of dinner was carried out in silence.

…

After dinner Tian Long helped Wei Hui clear the table and dry the dishes as she washes them. This was also a sight for sore eyes. No one has ever seen the young master of the first branch perform any chores before. Though Tian Long is an antisocial and aloof young master, he was not an ingrate and was grateful to Wei Hui for her help. After cleaning-up, Wei Hui retreated to her room before emerging with a new toothbrush and some towels. She showed Tian Long where the bathroom is and bidded goodnight.

…

Wei Hui holed herself in her room for the rest of the night to review the lab testing data obtained today. However, she was distracted from her work at the thought of the gentleman that was occupying her living room. Though he seems arrogant at times, he was generally well-mannered, and she did not feel threatened with having him in her home. Needless to say, this was not the first time that Wei Hui offered her hospitality and assistance to a stranger. More than often, she had encountered a lost tourist here and there. The only bad incidence that had occurred was the one time she unknowingly brought a fugitive back to her place. He was a German citizen, who was convicted for a small bank robbery. Luckily, the robber did not have any ill-intentions, and the police quickly apprehended him.

Embarrassingly, Wei Hui had already forgotten Tian Long's name after he first introduced himself. She was never good with names and also had a mile case of face blindness. This is partly due to her short stature. At a 150 cm height, Wei Hui always felt too lazy to crane her neck to make eye contact with someone taller than her. Every single close friend, that she ever had, can reminisce of how Wei Hui would sheepishly ask them two weeks later after the first meeting of what his/her names were.

Wei Hui comforted herself that at least she will not see this gentleman again after tomorrow.

-He seems to be someone of great importance- surmised Wei Hui. If she has ever learned anything from the romance Chinese novels and Japanese manga from her adolescent days, it's to avoid these CEO-like characters.

…

Tian Long nestled himself under the blanket covers on the couch. He did not have a change of clothes, so he slept in his trousers and collared shirt with some buttons loosened. He was not used to the light flowery scent of the blanket, but found it nonetheless pleasant. After sending Nan Jing a list of items to bring to him tomorrow morning, Tian Long closed his eyes and drifted off to sleep.