Long Huojin arranged for a new update on the security system promptly. Not only did her house receive an upgrade but at the front gate as well. New security patrolled the neighbourhood and followed new protocols.
Xue Guangli wondered if the person who followed her the other day had anything to do with her father?
She felt like she had to look more into it, but she had been busy with work overwhelming her.
At work, one of her employees said, "Guangli! Customers are complaining about s.h.i.+pments. Some have gone missing, and others are taking too long to arrive. What should we do?"
Xue Guangli went online and looked over her emails and social media; many customers were angry.
"I need you to help me respond to them. Offer lost packages a new s.h.i.+pment and discount, those who have yet to receive their packages, offer two discounts for there current transactions and the next one to use. I will contact a new supply distributor to a.s.sist with s.h.i.+pments."
"All right," said her colleague.
Xue Guangli contacted a new distributor. Although it required more money, it was necessary to satisfy her costumers and to help with her small company"s reputation.
When Xue Guangli began to finish up her work, she heard another one of her employees gasp next to her. Xue Guangli maintained her focus until she felt her colleague tap her shoulder. "What is it?" Xue Guangli asked. She looked up, and her eyes widened.
Long Huojin was gazing around the store, wearing a sharp suit that complimented his features. Her staff began to feel nervous around him.
Xue Guangli approached him while he was admiring one of the dresses. "What are you doing here?" she asked him.
"I am here to pick you up," he said.
Xue Guangli was taken aback. "I"m fine with walking."
"It"s not safe, especially at night," he said.
Xue Guangli sighed. "Fine. But I"m not done work, come back in an hour."
"I"ll wait," he said. Long Huojin sat at one of the lounge chairs with one of his long legs resting over the other, smiling at her.
Xue Guangli gritted her teeth and went to her desk and proceeded to work.
After twenty minutes, she glanced at him and realized he wasn"t sitting anymore. She gazed around and found him speaking to some of her customers. Instead of acting cold and aloof, he was polite to them almost as if he worked there. Xue Guangli chuckled. If only they knew who he actually was, she thought.
Soon after, Xue Guangli realized that the store was getting busy and Long Huojin was attracting more attention.
He helped some of the women make decisions on their choices, and they were satisfied with his help.
One of the customers, an older woman approached her. "That man is very handsome and sweet. Does he work here all the time?" she asked her.
Xue Guangli glanced at Long Huojin, who was already looking at her. She glanced away and smiled at the lady. "He doesn"t work here often, but he"s part of the business."
"Oh my," the woman said. "Get him to promote your business."
Xue Guangli smiled. She wouldn"t want Long Huojin helping more than he already was, otherwise she felt like she was beginning to depend on him more and she didn"t want that, at least not now.
After all the customers had gone away, Long Huojin stayed back and asked to help close the store. Xue Guangli knitted her brows.
"What"s with you?" she asked straightforwardly.
"I have nothing to do," was all he said.
Xue Guangli eyed him. "Fine."
She then told him what to do, and it made her job done quicker.
Afterward, Long Huojin began to drive her home, but she was starting to feel hungry.
"Are you hungry?" he asked out of the blue.
"Erm...Yes," she said.
"Let"s stop by my aunt"s restaurant," he said.
Long Huojin"s aunt greeted her enthusiastically once they arrived. "I haven"t seen you in so long, my dear."
"Sorry, Aunt Jia. I"ve been held up," Xue Guangli responded, hugging her.
"Oh, I know. But you"re here now, and with my nephew too! Take a seat!" Aunt Jia said.
Xue Guangli and Long Huojin didn"t pick any dishes because his aunt had told him that she would pick it out for them.
Soon after, Aunt Jia returned with many steam dishes and they began to eat.
The tables around them were packed, and Long Huojin stood out in the middle with his appearance. He had already removed his suit jacket, but there was no doubt that the people around them stole glances at him. Xue Guangli rolled her eyes.
Soon after, Aunt Jia pulled up a chair and joined them.
"Guangli, how do you find the meals?" she asked her.
Xue Guangli smiled. "Very tasty. I missed this place." It"s true. Xue Guangli used to visit Aunt Jia"s restaurant for years before she declared herself to be enemies with Long Huojin.
"How are your sisters?" Aunt Jia asked.
"Very well," she said. Better than her, she thought.
"And w.a.n.g Weimin. How are wedding details coming?" she asked while picking the meat from the bone.
"Aunt Jia," Long Huojin gaped at his aunt. Xue Guangli smiled because Aunt Jia looked innocent.
"It"s okay, Jin. She doesn"t know," Xue Guangli said to him.
Long Huojin glanced away, flushed. She had never called him "Jin" before, and she said it so casually.
Xue Guangli faced Aunt Jia. "w.a.n.g Weimin and I broke up."
Aunt Jia"s jaw dropped. She then glanced at Long Huojin, and he glared at her. The thought then clicked in her mind. She was interrupting something.
"If I may say something," Long Huojin"s aunt began. "I never liked that w.a.n.g Weimin guy, perhaps I"m biased."
Xue Guangli laughed. She looked at Long Huojin with a broad grin, her eyes like crescent moons. It stunned him. Aunt Jia then went on about why she didn"t like her ex.
Xue Guangli felt like she was finally able to talk about w.a.n.g Weimin without a tinge of hurt. It was still there, but faint. In her heart, she knew she could not wipe w.a.n.g Weimin away instantly. But she felt like she was starting to get in a good place now.
Xue Guangli was able to vent about problems with relations.h.i.+ps, and Long Huojin tried to put his input, but Aunt Jia would dismiss him, saying "Men have no part in this." Long Huojin rubbed the s.p.a.ce between his brows, but he let the two women have their conversation as he ate.
Soon after, Xue Guangli and Long Huojin rose to leave after they finished eating. They parted ways with Aunt Jia.
"Guangli, make sure you come back with Huojin!" she said, waving to them. Xue Guangli nodded and waved back.
They went back to the car, and Long Huojin drove her home. Xue Guangli felt like she was in a good mood since she had a busy day at work and a warm meal to top it off.
When she hopped off from the car, Xue Guangli began to walk when she stopped herself and turned. "When will I see you next?" she asked him.
Long Huojin didn"t let himself have any hopeful thoughts. He smirked, "Tomorrow."
Xue Guangli rolled her eyes, but when she turned back to the direction of her home, she secretly smiled.