Job Offer: Bad news

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Mei Xing had prepared a table filled with home-cooked dishes for dinner. She was steering the last dish on the table when Yi Chunhua arrived.

"Hmm. My house has never smelled this heavenly since I bought it," Mei Xing heard her say.

"Welcome home, Chu. Want to take a quick shower while I tidy up the kitchen?" She asked.

"Oh cool. But I'll wash the dishes once we are done with the meal, yeah?"

Mei Xing sighed and nodded. "Yeah."

A few minutes later, they were seated and had started eating. Yi Chunhua was very impressed by her best friend's cooking skills. She praised all the dishes she had.

"Thank you for that heartfelt meal, Mei," Yi Chunhua sighed out in satisfaction.

"You are most welcome. I'm gonna run to the bathroom real quick."

Saying that, Mei Xing left for her room. While she was gone, Yi Chunhua cleared the table and began to load the dishes into the dishwasher.

RING RING

Yi Chunhua paused at the sound of a phone ringing. Turning slightly, she spotted the device on the kitchen island.

"Mei, your phone is going off," Yi Chuhua called out. "Someone called 'Senior' is calling," she added.

Mei Xing came out just in time to pick the call before it was over.

"Hello, good afternoon, Senior," Mei Xing spoke as soon as she placed her phone beside her ear. She mouthed a 'thank you' at Yi Chuhua as she waited for a response from the other end of the line.

"Hi, Mei. Good afternoon," Longwen replied cheerfully. "How's your project going?"

Mei Xing opted to sit on one of the high stools by the kitchen island as she continued her phone conversation. "It's good. I've made adjustments where it's needed. And I was thinking about calling you for help."

"Oh that is great then. I think we are in a bit of a sync here. I called for that same reason- to help you." There was a little pause before Longwen spoke again.

"Mei Xing, will you accept a job offer to work at my company as an architect?"

Mei Xing's jaw hit the floor as she stared out in shock. The words 'job offer' kept ringing in her ears.

The silence went on like that until Yi Chunhua tipped Mei Xing's chin close and nodded to the phone still pressed against her ears. "Answer him," she whispered.

Mei Xing was so stunned it took her a few seconds to get herself back. "Ahem. Uhm, Longwen are you still there?" She asked with a strain in her voice.

"Yes. I am. So will you accept the offer?"

"Well…" Mei Xing stalled, her eyes moving to her best friend who now stood opposite her.

Yi Chunhua nodded to show her support for the idea. Despite that, Mei Xing was still hesitant.

"I appreciate you offering me a job. I truly do," Mei Xing sighed out.

"But," Longwen said out the word hanging in the air.

"But I want time to think about it. I hope you understand," Mei Xing said.

Longwen sighed audibly on his end. "Alright then. I will wait for your decision. I'll still support you no matter what it turns out to be."

"Thank you," was all Mei Xing had to say to that.

"Have a good night's rest, Mei. Bye."

With that said, the call went dead. As soon as Mei Xing put down the phone, Yi Chunhua slammed a napkin on the kitchen island.

"What the hell, Mei? That was a good opportunity served to you on a silver platter. Why didn't you accept it?" Yi Chunhua questioned.

Mei Xing groaned as she ran a palm down her face. "I don't know, Chu. It just took me by surprise. It's unexpected and I haven't even let my thoughts go there. I'm just even finding out that he owns a company," she blurted.

Yi Chunhua sighed. Rounding the island, she sat on the stool beside Mei Xing.

"Look, I know you had something planned no matter how little. But I think accepting that guy's offer will do you good in the long run. You'll gain some experience which will be good for that website you've worked hard to create," she said.

"I know that." Mei Xing sighed.

"So think about it then. Since there is no pressure, I'm sure you'll make a decision that suits you best. And just like he said, I will always support you. Even when you decided to have your ex kidnapped and beaten."

Mei Xing burst out laughing at Yi Chunhua's words. The latter always had something to say to lift her mood and she was thankful for that.

Just when they were having their moment, Mei Xing's phone came alive with another call. 'Mother' was boldly written on the screen.

"What is the probability that she is calling to welcome you with open arms, back into the Luo family?" Yi Chunhua asked as they both stared at the ringing phone with uncertainty.

"Zero," Mei Xing answered. "Okay let's see what she has to say now."

With that, Mei Xing took up the phone and swiped on the green call icon. She placed the phone beside her ears and waited for the person at the other end of the line to speak.

And then...

"Mei Xing, why are you Wicked? Why is your decision more important than your own family?" Mrs Luo cried.

Mei Xing's brows furrowed as she locked eyes with Yi Chunhua. "Mo... What do you mean? What did I do now?" She questioned. Mei Xing wasn't having a good feeling about what was to come.

"You still have the guts to ask me that stupid question, huh? I told you to go and apologize to your husband but you refuse," Mrs Luo yelled into the phone.

"And I told you that I would not be forced back into that cage," Mei Xing talked back, her anger now rising.

Mrs Luo scoffed and said, "All because you chose to be petty, your father's hard work is plunging. Feng Houyi has taken out some percentage of his investment in your father's company."