Chapter 145 - Had To Do Something

The day is usual for her. The company, work, chaos. Even if her head hurts, she cannot leave her work. Although she can she won't. 

She is now in the middle of talking with Mr. Ming to discuss their collab for the collection. He was thrilled to be a part of it. 

"20 percent sounds reasonable" Shi Lian asserts, h his offer to some thinking. 

He nods with a smile on his face. "So shall we fix the deal?" he asks, his sunken eyes making her hand twitch. 

She forces a smile, "Yes for sure." She gets up from the couch and puts forward her hand for a handshake. He accepts it gladly. 

"I'll see you on Wednesday then," he says, giving a little squeeze and a flirty smile playing on his lips. That's one of the reasons he is annoying. Shi Lian withdraws her hand and says goodbye, exiting his office in a hurry. 

She breathes a sigh of relief as she steps out of his company. Can't believe she has to see him again. 

It is almost her lunchtime and when she checks her phone, there's a message from Zichen waiting for her. She opens the text. 

CAN I INVITE MY WOMAN FOR LUNCH?

She chuckles reading the text. A cute text from Zichen is always cute and funny at the same time. She types back a yes and goes to her car. 

When she replied with a yes, he instantly sent her the address. It is somehow in the middle of her company and Ming's. She tells the driver the address and sits comfortably in the car. 

Fifteen minutes later, she reaches her destination. She tells the driver to park the car somewhere near the building. She steps out of the car and stands outside the hotel. It's that luxurious hotel where elite people come to stay, have dinner, or whatever. She looks around, cautious if any reporter snaps a picture of her. She walks forward and enters the hotel. The manager of the hotel, dressed in a Royal Blue suit and a professional smile comes to her. "Are you Miss Shi Lian?" he asks. 

She nods, "Yes, I am."

"Please follow me, Miss Shi Lian," he says and walks to the upper section, Shi Lian to his behind. 

This place is also like a café and also a high-end restaurant. So refined and carefree at the same time. The glass roof is what fascinates her. 

He takes her to a VIP section and opens the door for her. He gestures her to head inside and when she is inside he closes the door. The room is big and spacious. She walks further exploring inside but then it pops her. Where is Zichen? 

"Zichen?" she calls but no reply comes. She calls again but then too no reply. 

Just as she is going to turn around, someone's arm snakes around her waist making her startle and flinch. "Zichen!" she scolds, trying to calm her racing heartbeat. His cologne is enough is to make her known his presence. 

He laughs under his breath, "Did I scared you?" He plants a peck on the side of her neck making her squirm a little. 

"Yes, you did," she says, trying to keep her tone firm but he keeps teasing her and she forgot about it. 

She breaks free from his embrace and turning around she faces him. How long has it been since she saw him? God, she missed him. 

She cups his face and gently caresses his cheeks with her thumbs. Then, she plants a soft kiss on his lips, keeping her eyes closed. 

"Are you trying to turn me on? Because you are" he says, his voice husky as he holds her by her waist. 

She smiles, "Not now. So are we having lunch here?"

He nods and taking her hand he leads her to another room where the table is already set and it looks beautiful. In the center, white lilies are gracing the table making it more beautiful. 

Taking her to the table, he pulls out the chair for her and gestures to her to take a seat. She gladly takes her seat and makes herself comfortable. 

"Is this a date?" she teases, feeling giddy. Shi Lian loves dates and other small but cute things that she used to see young couples doing when she was in America. 

He sits on his chair as well. "If you want to think, then it is a date" he jokes as well and they both share a laugh. He then serves her whatever is on the table one by one. Shi Lian's mouth waters and she forgets her novelty. She holds the fork and knife and dugs into the food. Gosh, each dish is extremely delicious! 

"You like it? " he asks, eating his food. 

She nods between bites and the way she eats makes Zichen smile. She appears so cute as she eats and all he wants is to be like this forever. 

After the heartful lunch, they hug each other for a while. She is already late but she has no heart to go. "I need to go" she mumbles but not wanting to go. 

He sighs and giving a kiss on her forehead, he lets her go. "Fuck this work" he groans. 

Shi Lian chuckles and taking her purse, she leaves the room. They already planned that Shi Lian will go first and after a while, Zichen will make his exit. 

For the paparazzi's sake, they cannot go out in public, was holding hands, or kiss. This secret relationship makes both of them suffocate but they don't have any better way. 

**

When Shi Lian is going to her office, on her way she notices her uncle coming straight. She looks at him and recalls what happened the other day. He looks up from his phone and notices her too. His eyes change. He at first is cautious but then he sneers as he walks closer. 

Shi Lia tries to ignore him but he has another motive. He speaks up, "Are you well my niece?" the way he says makes her want to vomit. 

She looks at him coldly, "I wasn't ill. "

He sneers giving all his attention to her now. "I meant about your mental state. You accused me out of the blue, remember?"

Shi Lian rolled her eyes and curls her fingers into a fist. "Let's see how long are you going to pretend" she challenges. 

"I said earlier and now I will say again. Show me the proof. Evidence is what matters. If you have no proof then shut your damn mouth."

Shi Lian grinds her teeth because there's nothing strong for her to say to him. He sneers again and acts, showing him to zip her mouth. 

"Fear, uncle. Have at least a bit of guilt for what you did" she says making him stop. He scoffs, giving no value to what she said. 

"I don't need to learn morals from you, Shi Lian. Stop poking your nose into the business from now or else..." he threatens her. 

Shi Lian scoffs, "Or else what? Try to kill me again?"

"Perhaps" he whispers in her ear and brushing past her he continues walking. 

She feels defeated. How will she get the evidence? As far as she knows there's nothing left for her to investigate at the warehouse. But wait, maybe she can track that man her uncle was talking to? 

Then another idea pops into her mind. The weird creepy man who called her saying he knows everything, perhaps he can tell her? will he help her? She doesn't know but she got to take the risk.