Chapter 36：Zhou Zhili and Bo Xilai

When Yang Xinyu had stormed out leaving his team in the manufacturing unit, Zhou Zhili who had accompanied the CEO had to find someone to give her lift back to her home. Her home was located half an hour away from the office. She asked Bo Xilai.

"Bo Xilai could you please drop me back home? I was supposed to go with CEO Yang but it seems he is in a rush," she asked politely.

"Of course Zhou Zhili. Come over. There are two more managers in the car," he replied.

The plan was to drop the managers to the nearest metro station. Zhou Zhili thought that she would also take the metro back to her house rather than troubling Bo Xilai to drop her all the way back to home, as by the time they would reach it will be very late.

While driving back the group decided to have dinner at a highway restaurant. Despite being tired, the group chatted and laughed while having dinner. Zhou Zhili occasionally glanced at Bo Xilai who was eating and talking. The food had smeared around his lips. Without giving it a thought Zhou Zhili wiped the food around his mouth. Bo Xilai didn't seem to notice and continued eating. Zhou Zhili did it twice and then shaking her head she just passed him the tissues to wipe on his own.

They resumed their journey and reached the city at 11pm. The two managers got off at the nearest metro points leaving Bo Xilai and Zhou Zhili in the car.

After driving for another ten minutes Zhou Zhili said, "You can drop me here Bo Xilai. This is the nearest metro which will take me home."

Bo Xilai didn't say anything and kept driving. There was an awkward silence between them.

"I will drop you at your home," he said.

"But it will take another half an hour and then your home is also very far off. It will become very late for you," she resisted his offer. "Please drop me here. I don't want to burden you. I know it has been a long day for you as well," she added.

Bo Xilai turned his face to her and saw that a genuine concern was etched on that tired demeanor. He raised his hand from the steering to pat her hair. "Don't worry Xiao li, I am fine," he said dispelling her unease.

"Thank you Brother Xilai," she said giving him a lovely smile.

Since the traffic had trickled down at this hour of the night, they reached Zhou Zhili's home little before midnight. Her apartment was located in a housing complex that had five building nestled together in a cluster. Her apartment was far on the right in a 30-storeyed building. It was on the fifth floor.

Bo Xilai was extremely tired by now. His eyes were red and the face looked haggard. He had to drive another forty minutes to reach his home.

On an impulse Zhou Zhili told him, "Bo Xilai, why don't you stay at my place today." But immediately she bit her lips. 'He must be thinking what a bad character I have!'

Bo XIlai was a little surprised but the offer was too lucrative to be rejected. He was extremely tired. Staying at Zhou Zhili's place for tonight would be a good decision, as it would not only save him time, he will get more time for rest.

Before Zhou Zhili could retract her offer, Bo Xilai accepted it gratefully. He parked the car and ambled aside her. At this time of the hour there was no one around.

Zhou Zhili opened the apartment with her keys and switched on the lights. Her apartment was very small, enough for her. There was a living room, a bedroom, a kitchen and a small bathroom. Other than that there was a mini balcony where only one chair could fit. There was a large sofa in the living room with a two beanbags thrown around. A small rug in the center of the room was littered with her clothes. There was a square table on the side of the sofa where her morning coffee mug was still perched.

Zhou Zhili was embarrassed of her untidy house. She quickly gathered her clothes from the rug and threw them in the washing machine. She cleared the sofa for Bo Xilai and said, "You can sleep on it tonight."

This was the first time a man had entered her apartment and Zhou Zhili was flustered even though the man who had come was Bo Xilai!

Bo Xilai was like a girlfriend to her!

She went to her bedroom and quietly closed the door behind her. Although she knew it was safe, she still latched her bedroom door.

Back in the living room Bo Xilai was so drained from his day's activities that he crashed on the sofa without even taking the blanket to cover him.

Next day in the morning he found himself neatly tucked in the blanket. Zhou Zhili had left for the office.

He found a note on the coffee table, 'I am leaving for the office. There is breakfast in the refrigerator. Please warm it before eating. I will inform the office that you will come late.'

Bo Xilai had a very warm feeling in his chest – a feeling that reminded of home… 'This is good…' he smiled.