Chapter 133 - Do You Really Like Me?

Upon hearing the invitation, Olivia Tang's eyes gleamed. Who would have thought that that tactless nobody would be her key to get Vivian Xi's attention?

'I should thank that bumpkin for bringing that man last night. Heh.' Olivia Tang sneered inwardly, thinking that she could take advantage of last night's event to this situation. 

After all, Olivia Tang had been following Vivian Xi: from salons, spa, country club, and etc. Olivia Tang had spent a lot and used the extent of their family's connection to gain membership to these prestigious establishments. She did everything just for this moment; to have a chance to befriend one of the most influential women in the country. 

Being friends and having close ties with the Xi's, Olivia Tang's expenses could be considered as investments. The whole Tang clan would benefit anyway if they got in Vivian Xi's good graces. 

Surely, Olivia Tang had thought things through thoroughly. She knew that it was impossible to approach the aloof and evasive CEO of the XI Corporation. Therefore, Vivian Xi was the easier pass than Matthew Xi. After all, they were both mothers, and certainly had a lot in common.

"So...?" Raising her gaze, Vivian Xi smiled as she patiently waited for Olivia Tang's response. 

"Of course! I would love to, Madam Xi!" Snapping back to reality, Olivia Tang nodded her head profusely. 

"Good. Shall we?" Pleased at her acceptance, Vivian Xi courteously invited. "Or, you still have to see the monk?" Recalling that Olivia Tang had her reasons for visiting the temple, and by the looks of it, she hadn't gone inside yet. Hence, Vivian Xi arched her brows as she inquired.

On normal days, Vivian Xi wouldn't be so courteous as people were already kind just by knowing her name. Hence, no one had dared to make her wait. 

However, since she didn't fully know this woman, Vivian Xi didn't want to ruin her image as the Xi chairwoman and the mother of Matthew Xi. Her son would rebel if she went crazy in front of other people. 

"No, I can drop by here next time." Shaking her head, Olivia Tang gave this once in a lifetime opportunity a higher importance. She could not let this slide to pray and ask for blessings. Vivian Xi would be their greatest blessings if she left a good impression on her, after all. 

"Alright then. Shall we? You can share a ride with me, I would love to chat with you on the way!" Nodding her head in understanding, Vivian Xi proposed which elated Olivia Tang to another degree. 

With that, both Madams headed to Vivian Xi's car as if they'd become best friends. Unbeknownst to Olivia Tang, she had neglected one thing: Vivian Xi could be the Tang's biggest blessing… that was if she wasn't Vivian Xi.

****

[Hours later at Crown Hotel]

"Are you really going home?" Frowning, Zoey inquired as she stared at him who was perched across the dining table. 

"Mhmm," Matthew Xi hummed a tune, nodding his head as he ate a piece of vegetable. 

"Oh, man... this is so sad!" 

Glancing at her dejected front, Matthew Xi drank a mouthful of water. "Rest for today. I'll be here early in the morning." He reassured as he placed down the bottle of water. 

"But I want to cuddle while watching some movies!" Zoey argued grumpily. She was happy enough that she woke up with him asleep in a sitting position with only the back of his hand as his pillow. 

It felt nice that even with that uncomfortable position, he didn't disturb her nap. However, it still affected her that their day was about to end — although he would accompany her with her plans tomorrow. 

Upon hearing her argument, Matthew Xi slowly placed his chopsticks down as he raised his gaze. "Do you really like me?" Out of nowhere, he asked directly. 

"Yes!"

"Why?" Without further ado, he threw another question that surprisingly shut Zoey up. He peered at her, waiting for an honest answer as it always bugged him that Zoey had always acted as if she longed for him. 

For a while, Zoey just stared back at him and pursed her lips. Just as she opened her mouth ever so slightly, she closed them again as she turned her gaze to her plate. 

That hesitant look in her eyes made his brows furrow. He was prepared to hear some shallow reasoning as it was a typical Zoey. However, he didn't expect silence as an answer. 

Nodding his head, Matthew Xi said nothing further as he resumed on eating. Just as he did, he heard her soft voice assailed his ears. 

"Do you like me?" Without glancing at him, Zoey asked. Matthew Xi raised his eyes again as he studied her demeanor. "Why?" She added, despite not receiving an answer from her first question.

"..." 

"I like you because I like you — that's that. I don't think I need any reasons to like someone." Playing with her food before clipping a piece of egg, Zoey glanced back at him. "It's a plus that you don't share the same interests as me and you tickle my curiosity." She added with a nonchalant shrug. 

Matthew Xi got the gist of her first statement. However, her latter remarks were quite vague. It somehow contradicted her first claim. 

For some reason, Melanie Xue's request the other day floated inside his mind. 'Don't like Boss Zhou back just yet.' 

Does this have some connection to what Zoey was saying? Matthew Xi felt like Zoey's answer was also a tease and very complex. 

"Anyway, you're really going? Can't you stay for a little while?" Changing the subject, Zoey beamed him a smile as she suggested. 

"Sure." Without thinking twice, Matthew Xi agreed and nodded his head. With that, it brought a huge smile on her lips as she happily resumed on eating. 

As he watched her transitioned back to her cheerful persona, Matthew Xi felt his phone ring. He first glanced at Zoey before taking a glimpse of the caller. As soon as he saw an unfamiliar number, Matthew Xi instantly rejected the call. 

It was neither Paul Qian nor Vivian Xi. Only three people know this new contact number of his that Zoey lent her. Therefore, any calls that were not from these three — including Zoey — would be instantly rejected. 

However, as soon as he ended the call, Matthew Xi received a message from the same number. "Big Brother Matt, I brought your new toys but you're not at home! This is Enzo, by the way.." Upon seeing that message, Matthew Xi glanced at Zoey who was staring back at him in confusion.