章 23: Just stay pretty, darling.
Blinking his eyes and staring at her grinning lips, Matthew Xi cleared his throat as he recomposed himself. "Stop saying words with insincerity." He said, pulling his arm away from Zoey.
"Eh?" Tilting her head to the side, Zoey glided to catch up to him. "So, is it fine to just kiss you?" Again, a playful grin formed on the side of her lips as her eyes twinkled.
"Stop harassing people too." Casting her a side glance, Matthew Xi was unfazed by her remark.
"Darling~" Pouting, Zoey acted as a spoiled brat as she teased him all the way to the mall's office.
****
"Miss Zhou, is it possible to finish the signs by the end of the month?" After a while, a middle-aged man asked as Zoey studied the floor plan.
"Yes, we can." Slowly, Zoey raised her gaze and met the four-eyed guy perched across her.
"That's great! I'd look forward—"
"Manager Feng, yes we can finish the designs and deliver you the product... but I'm afraid we won't." Slowly, the corner of Zoey's lips tilted into a meek smile which made the latter frown.
"What do you mean by that, Miss Zhou?" Displeased that she popped his bubble, Manager Feng's frown grew uglier.
"Manager Feng, haven't you agreed that once we make the order, it will take weeks depending on the number of signs?" In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey reminded him that displeased her client even more.
'What is she thinking?' Meanwhile, Matthew Xi, who was standing on the side, acting as Zoey's secretary, knit his brows as well. He had been listening to their transaction and in his point of view, this would be a good deal for the Z Image Group.
However, he had already noticed Zoey's reluctance to work with the mall. It might not be that obvious to others but to someone like Matthew Xi, as simple as this wouldn't escape his eyes.
'Crazy girl.' He added in his mind as he could see this transaction going nowhere. Such a waste that Zoey was crazy enough to slip opportunities that could benefit her... or so he thought.
"Yes, I know that." Dissatisfied already, Manager Feng sighed as he showed disinterest about this meeting anymore.
"So, you also know the rates if you want your products to be rushed?" Arching her brows, Zoey leaned her back against the chair as she smiled sweetly.
"I—"
"Manager Feng, didn't you canvas prices for the signs? That's why it took you so long to respond to me?" Smirking, Zoey stated, which caused the manager to be lost of words.
Well, he considered other companies. However, although he found lower prices than the Z Group Image, the standards and the expected date of the end products wouldn't make it until the launch of the mall's other branch.
"Because of the sudden growth of the economy, the supplies and materials had a price hike. If I estimated correctly, our raw materials before the hike suffices to complete your orders. Manager Feng, I'll leave the decision to you if we will shake hands or not." Zoey shrugged her shoulders nonchalantly.
What she meant was that, if Manager Feng slipped this opportunity again, not only the rates would change but also they would waste the days that were supposed to have progressed. Hence, he needed to decide now because the clock was ticking.
"Well, you can contact me —"
"You got the deal." As Zoey began arranging her stuff, she heard Manager Feng agreed.
Zoey bit her lower lip, restraining her lips from grinning. She gulped a mouthful of saliva and kept her composure intact. "Well then, I'm looking forward to working with you." When Zoey raised her head, the money signs on her eyes were gone as she remained calm.
"Yes," Slowly, Manager Feng and Zoey stood from their seat as they shook hands.
"..." On the other hand, the witness of this transaction and how Zoey did a low key daylight robbery was speechless.
Matthew Xi thought they wouldn't push through. However, they did?! Manager Feng agreed? Didn't he have eyes and a brain to know that Zoey purposely raised her prices?
On a second thought, Matthew Xi would probably do the same if he was in Manager Feng's shoes. After all, Matthew Xi hated wasting his time on waiting. He would prefer paying a bit more if he would get the product as soon as possible.
"Well, it's my pleasure to work with you." Manager Feng exchanged pleasantries with Zoey for quite a while before Zoey and Matthew Xi departed the office.
As soon as they left the office, Zoey stopped in her tracks as she turned to face him. "Where's my good job kiss?" Eyes shining, Zoey blinked her eyes many times as she sought for a compliment.
"You did great." Just staring down at her, Matthew Xi stayed in his stance, not surprised or tempted to do her request.
"Right? Just know I am doing this for our future — Wifey will work hard!" Zoey clutched her hand tightly on her chest as she declared, her resolve unwavering.
"..." Unable to rebut, Matthew Xi studied her determined front. By the looks of it, Zoey meant what she said — did she want a house husband?
"Don't worry, darling. All you have to do is stay pretty — I'll do the providing!" Zoey added, which caused Matthew Xi's brows to twitch.
"Scram." As blank and flat as a person could hear, Matthew Xi muttered and began walking away.
"Darling, wait~!" When he walked out, Zoey giggled as he seemed to be annoyed at something. Even so, she skipped her steps, and caught up to the displeased, towering, old baby.
クリエイターの想い 
BAJJ
BAJJ hey, I'm sorry that you haven't heard from me for the longest time. I didn't intend to go M.I.A just like that. It's just that our internet connection had a problem and because of the lockdown, it wasn't fix till last night. Despite that, I still have to edit chapters and change a few scenes while editing so it took me some time to finish 1/4 of the drafts.
Anyway, I really didn't mean to leave everyone hanging. It's been too stressful for me too. I hope you understand. Anyway, I'll be uploading five chapters daily to fill in the missed days (17 days = 17 chapters) I had no internet. Then back to regular release.
Again, I am sorry and thank you for understanding.
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