Chapter 65

“Huh, Hongzhuang, what are you doing here?”

“During work hours, you must use my title.” Ruan Hongzhuang glared at Jiang Taozhi.

“But I’m not on duty right now.”

“But it’s still work hours.”

“But I took leave!” Jiang Taozhi said dumbly.

Ruan Hongzhuang burst into laughter and reached out to pinch her cheek again.

But Jiang Taozhi dodged away with a look of disgust.

Sometimes she even doubted she kept Jiang Taozhi as her assistant just so she could pinch her face—it was truly stress-relieving.

Ruan Hongzhuang sat down opposite Jiang Taozhi, waved over a server, and ordered herself a coffee.

But she noticed a bouquet of flowers still on the table—not roses, but tulips, sunflowers, and baby’s breath.

“Did he send this?” Ruan Hongzhuang asked, surprised.

The man hadn’t arrived yet, but the flowers were already here—clearly, he’d put thought into it.

Jiang Taozhi chuckled, “He not only ordered my coffee, but had the staff transfer the flowers they were holding for me.”

“He really does seem thoughtful,” Ruan Hongzhuang said.

“I just don’t know what he’s like—but since Wenxin-jie introduced him, he’s probably reliable.”

Because of the flowers, Jiang Taozhi now felt a little anticipation for this date.

“Did he say when he’d arrive?”

“Wenxin-jie said he’d be here by six-thirty.”

Since companies in Haibin usually end work at six, Ruan Hongzhuang guessed, “He works nearby?”

Jiang Taozhi nodded. “Yeah, same company as my cousin.”

“Your cousin’s old company, or that new game company?”

Jiang Wenxin was a dispatched accountant and not officially part of Glory Animation, which was why she’d phrased it that way.

“Probably the game company?” Jiang Taozhi said uncertainly.

Ruan Hongzhuang frowned slightly—Glory Animation was Haibin’s largest game company, but compared to others, its strength and scale were pitiful, even inferior to her own company.

But since Jiang Wenxin had introduced him, she kept her opinion to herself.

With Jiang Wenxin’s status, she wouldn’t trick her own cousin.

“Do you have a photo? Do you know what he looks like?” Ruan Hongzhuang asked curiously.

“No.”

“Didn’t Wenxin-jie send you his WeChat?”

“Nope.”

Ruan Hongzhuang: …

“How can you know nothing?” Ruan Hongzhuang said, exasperated.

“Why do I need to know all that? I’ll find out when I meet him,” Jiang Taozhi said confidently.

Ruan Hongzhuang was momentarily speechless—she had to admit, it made sense.

“If he’s ugly, I won’t meet him? But this is Wenxin-jie’s introduction—I have to give her face, so it doesn’t matter what he looks like or whether he’s nice. Honestly, none of it matters, because I can’t dodge it—I just need to meet him once to satisfy Wenxin-jie, not because I actually want to date him…”

“But…” Jiang Taozhi fixed her gaze on Ruan Hongzhuang.

“But what?”

Knowing Jiang Taozhi well, Ruan Hongzhuang was sure the next words wouldn’t be good, so she stared her down.

Jiang Taozhi grew uneasy under Ruan Hongzhuang’s gaze.

Ruan Hongzhuang had phoenix eyes, naturally exuding authority.

Raised as a favorite child at home, she developed a dominant personality.

As an adult, she built a formidable career and ruled her company with absolute authority—her demeanor and bearing shaped by status and comfort.

Over time, her authority grew even stronger, like a queen seated high above.

Her piercing gaze held immense intimidating power—most people couldn't withstand it.

But clearly, Jiang Taozhi wasn’t most people—first, she had a carefree nature; second, having worked with Ruan Hongzhuang for so long, she was routinely glared at every few days and had long since become desensitized.

So though slightly flustered, she still said, “Why are you more anxious than I am? Why do you care so much? Are you secretly craving a man?”

“Impudent!” Ruan Hongzhuang snapped.

“Hmph, we’re not at work now. Let me remind you—I’m older than you. Call me sister,” Jiang Taozhi crossed her arms and puffed out her chest defiantly.

The two stared at each other like roosters in a standoff, neither willing to yield.

At that moment, the server brought Ruan Hongzhuang’s coffee.

Ruan Hongzhuang’s gaze softened at last. “I’ll let you off this time.”

“Hehe~” Jiang Taozhi beamed triumphantly.

Ruan Hongzhuang sipped her coffee, glanced at her, and said coolly, “We’ll settle this tomorrow at work.”

“Gah~”

Jiang Taozhi’s laughter cut off abruptly.

“Boss, you can’t do this! You promised we’d be best friends forever!”

“That’s right—we’re best friends now, so I’m indulging you. Tomorrow we’re boss and subordinate, so I won’t let you off.”

“Then I quit.”

“Not allowed,” Ruan Hongzhuang put down her coffee and smiled sweetly.

“You dirty capitalist—you should be hanged from a lamppost!” Jiang Taozhi fumed.

“Thank you for the compliment. Any more? I’m listening,” Ruan Hongzhuang said calmly.

Seeing she hadn’t angered Ruan Hongzhuang, Jiang Taozhi instantly did a 180-degree turn.

“Hongzhuang, I’ll tell you—there’s a cake shop nearby with amazing flavor.”

“Oh, really?” Ruan Hongzhuang bit back a smile, indifferent.

“Yes! Their tiramisu is delicious,” Jiang Taozhi drooled.

She added, “And your favorite baked cheesecake—do you want some? I’ll go buy it for you.”

Saying this, she immediately stood up.

“Wait—you’re on a date! What if he arrives and doesn’t see you? That’s rude!”

“No problem—it’s right next door. I’ll be back in a second, no delay.”

Before Ruan Hongzhuang could respond, Jiang Taozhi grabbed her phone and ran off.

“Watch my bag!”

Watching her retreating back, Ruan Hongzhuang finally realized—Jiang Taozhi hadn’t come to buy her baked cheesecake.

She just wanted the tiramisu. Ruan Hongzhuang had once called her lazy and gluttonous—and she wasn’t wrong. This girl was a total food fiend; her bag never held makeup, only snacks. She ate wherever she went.

Luckily, she was one of those people who never gained weight—if she weren’t, she’d have been fat to death by now.

Seeing she wouldn’t return, Ruan Hongzhuang had no choice but to keep sipping her coffee and wait.

But she waited and waited, and Jiang Taozhi still didn’t come back.

Ruan Hongzhuang grew anxious, wondering whether she should call to check.

Jiang Taozhi hadn’t returned because she’d arrived at the wrong time—the tiramisu had just sold out, but a fresh batch would be ready soon.

Unwilling to leave, Jiang Taozhi decided to wait inside the shop, which was why she was delayed.

Since the company was nearby, Shen Siyuan rode his electric scooter directly to Sunset Coffee.

He parked the scooter by the roadside, pulled out his phone, and checked it.

In the afternoon, Jiang Wenxin had sent him a photo—a bouquet of flowers—telling him the owner was his date tonight.

Sunset Coffee was an outdoor café, but surrounded by a small fence and planted with flowers and plants.

Shen Siyuan walked in and immediately noticed the girl seated on the right—her beauty stunned him, and her aura surprised him even more.

Only then did he notice the bouquet on her table, and he felt a pang of astonishment—could Jiang Wenxin’s cousin really be this beautiful and elegant?

Thinking this, Shen Siyuan walked toward her.

Ruan Hongzhuang also noticed Shen Siyuan approaching, so she set down her coffee cup and met his gaze.

But then she suddenly realized—he wasn’t looking at her. He was looking behind her.

She turned in confusion—behind her was only an empty table.