Chapter 81 - A Favor

One hour later, Matthew Xi arrived in Z Image Group. Going straight inside the office, he looked around. 

The last time he was there, Zoey's employees had treated him very 'nice'. It's good that they already went home. Matthew Xi was afraid to be the center of a circus again if they were around. 

Just as he thought no one was around, Matthew Xi caught a figure in his peripheral vision as he attempted to call Zoey. Turning to the figure, Melanie Xue was carrying a whole load of boxes in her hand. 

The boxes she was carrying surpassed her small height, hence she didn't notice Matthew Xi standing near the entrance. However, Matthew Xi didn't consider about her reaction as he cleared his throat — purposely trying to catch the woman's attention. 

"Jesus virgin Mary!" Startled by the unwelcome sound, Melanie Xue jolted and dropped the boxes. 

"Oh, my ghad!" Melanie Xue panicky shifted her shaking gaze to the source of the sound. Upon setting her eyes on the towering figure of Matthew Xi, a heavy sigh of relief slipped from her mouth. "Boss Darling! You scared me to death!" She apprehended. 

Due to the surprised moments ago, Melanie Xue forgot that she was scolding her future big boss. Therefore, Matthew Xi didn't take her scolding to the heart as he was partially at fault. 

"I'm sorry about that." Matthew Xi apologized, scanning around to find the culprit for why he was there. 

"They say having your heart skip a beat feels weirdly right. I should have known it's a lie — it's deadly." Patting her chest, Melanie Xue murmured. Even after realizing it was just Matthew Xi, Melanie Xue's heart beat rapidly. 

"Where is she?" Ignoring her murmuring, Matthew Xi asked. Obviously, he was asking where he could find Zoey in this establishment. After all, it felt weird going straight to Zoey's office, which was also her home. 

"Boss Zhou?" Blinking her eyes many times, Melanie Xue pondered. "I think I saw her in the kitchen earlier." 

"Kitchen?" Matthew Xi knitted his brows, tilting his head a little to the side. Zoey had toured him around before, hence he remembered seeing a kitchen somewhere here. 

However, Matthew Xi was unsure if Zoey has another small space for the kitchen in her room. Considering the size of her office and room, it was possible to have a kitchen if they managed the space correctly. 

"Yep! The kitchen over there!" Using her thumb, Melanie Xue pointed on her left — the direction of the office kitchen. "That's the only kitchen we have here." She added, before squatting down to pick up the boxes. 

"I see..." Nodding his understanding, Matthew Xi didn't probe anymore. Squatting down, Matthew Xi helped her pick up the boxes. 

Obviously, his kind gesture made Melanie Xue stare at him. She heard him ask, "what?" But she didn't answer immediately as she stared at the handsome knight in the suit before her. 

"Boss Darling, when are you marrying Boss Zhou?" Out of nowhere, Melanie Xue's inner thoughts spilled out from her mouth. 

Upon hearing her sudden question, Matthew Xi nearly choked. What was that sudden question? No, it wasn't a question but an assault! 

Why do the people around Zoey and Zoey herself tend to rush things? For heaven's sake! No one gets married in the first few weeks after meeting each other!

"Oh! Sorry, sorry! I didn't mean to ask that." Realizing her slip of the tongue, Melanie Xue shook her head sideways. "I just got carried away because Boss Darling is really nice — whatever. It will never be your fault, anyway." She added, tossing Matthew Xi tons of question marks. 

"Anyway, if you can't find Boss Zhou in the kitchen, she probably went back to her office! She always works late so if no one responded, just check inside. Boss Zhou forget the world when working." After picking up the last box and placed it on the nearby desk, Melanie Xue instructed. 

Since Melanie Xue often worked overtime, she knew Zoey's habits day and night. After all, every time that Melanie Xue sent Zoey an email regarding work, she would respond within a few minutes — depends on how complicated the situation. 

"Let me help you carry those—"

"It's fine, Boss D! I got it!" Shaking her head sideways while waving both her hands, Melanie Xue refused his offer politely. These boxes weren't that heavy. If they were, she wouldn't be carrying them all at once. 

"Alright, then." Nodding in understanding, Matthew Xi glanced at the bubbly employee. He then turned toward the kitchen to check if Zoey was there. However, he stopped in his tracks and returned his gaze to Melanie Xue upon hearing her last remarks. 

"Boss D, can I ask you a favor?" Hesitant, Melanie Xue gravitated whether to say this odd request. 

"Hmm?"

"Can you not like Boss Zhou... just yet?" Mustering her courage, Melanie Xue requested. Obviously, it caused his brows to furrow, not getting the grasp of this strange request. 

"Ay... nevermind." Seeing Matthew Xi's clueless reaction, Melanie Xue scratched the back of her head. "I'm just joking — probably because I'm tired and haven't had dinner! Haha!" She laughed, awkwardly; giving out a lame excuse. 

"Anyway, I prefer a baby boy!" With that said note, Melanie Xue carried one box and immediately scurried away. 

Her last joke was completely a joke. However, it left Matthew Xi a little awkward. A baby boy? What do they think they would do? Matthew Xi and Zoey wasn't in that kind of level yet! 

Even if they were, Matthew Xi preferred marriage before doing the deed! He hasn't caught up to this generation's new normal, after all. 

Still, Melanie Xue's request earlier lingered in his head. "That's odd..." he muttered, thinking of any reasons Melanie Xue asked him that. 

To him, Melanie Xue didn't seem she was kidding when she asked such a favor. It was the opposite. She sounded genuinely worried and sincere. 

But, why?

Matthew Xi pondered on those words as he headed to the office's kitchen.. No matter how he looked at any angle, he only came up with lame and fill with holes for a reasons.