Chapter 168 - Homeless Matthew

"I'll pay for your rent — pay me back when your salary arrives ." After Zoey successfully shooed Matthew Xi to create a little distance, she proposed as she breathed heavily. 

Why must he undress himself? Good lord... she has a weak heart plus a throbbing head. They might end up using this hospital ward as a motel — can't they do it in a proper room?!

Well, obviously, Zoey was about to lose her focus as Matthew Xi's abs were the epitome of distraction. 

Perching on the chair near her bed, Matthew Xi glanced at Zoey as his eyes screamed how foolish she was. "There are new tenants." He said. 

Just like what he said, he came prepared this time. Therefore, all her attempts were all futile. 

"We'll find you a new place, alright?" Glancing at him in disdain, Zoey scoffed as his problem was easy to solve. Little did she know, that problem wasn't as easy as she thought it was. 

"Alright."

"And you, darling, isn't this quite an inappropriate time to apply for a real job? Where's your resume?" Widening her eyes, Zoey scoffed at him as he was purposely doing and saying things in one go to muddle her mind. 

Not to mention, his way of distracting her — where's justice?!

"I can do anything but you'll need me as your assistant." Shrugging his shoulders, Matthew Xi suggested. He purposely didn't prepare a resume as it would shock Zoey to the core. 

"Isn't there a vacancy in your office? I don't see any appointed assistant at the moment." He added as it was true. 

For a businesswoman like Zoey, it was commendable that she didn't have any personal assistant. Not that the Z Image Group was a small company. Actually, it was progressing well more than other companies. 

"Vacancy? Everyone in Z Image is my assistant." Zoey chuckled, as she proudly spouted a fact that everyone in her company knew. She's very much certain that if anyone in her company heard her, they would all agree with a helpless sigh. 

"Then I can lift their burden." Unfazed, Matthew Xi shrugged. Little did he know, his offer which bore a hidden agenda would gain worship from Zoey's employees. 

"Whatever. I'm getting discharged anyway. We'll find a place for you to stay in for now." Rolling her eyes, Zoey sighed heavily as she reflected upon her past actions. 

She had to reflect on the insincere words and silly jokes from the past month. God... she did wish that they would stay together always and offered him work. But not under these circumstances when Matthew Xi was acting like a lost cause. 

*****

Three hours later, Zoey finally got discharged and was on the way to the Z Image Group. While Matthew Xi drove, Zoey contacted places and inquired for a room vacancy. 

However...

"Alright, please contact me when a room is available. Thank you." Zoey muttered, disheartened as this was the nth time that an apartment was full. 

Meanwhile, the corner of Matthew Xi slightly curled up into a meek smile. Again, he came prepared this time around.

Matthew Xi had given out an order that all apartments within the city should be occupied today. Hence, his people had to execute the order without a question which they did. 

Therefore, Zoey's efforts were all for naught. Matthew Xi wouldn't stay in other places besides her own — even if it was achieved by means of foul. 

"Why are you smiling?" When Zoey gave him a side eye, she arched her brows. "Browny, you'll be homeless yet you're still smiling?!" She exclaimed in disbelief. 

"Am I?" Glancing at her, a smug smirk formed on the side of his lips before he returned his eyes on the road. 

"Gosh... how can you be so good-looking?" Zoey murmured, clicking her tongue as no matter how much in distress she currently was, she could not say she was completely annoyed. 

"I'm sure we'll find a place for you. I have a long list here!" Looking on the brighter side, Zoey diverted her attention as she dialed the next number below the one she crossed out. 

"Good luck." Without a change of tone, Matthew Xi calmly drove as he kept hearing Zoey's inquiry throughout their journey. 

He even memorized it and even watched the transition of her mood discreetly. Well, although it was annoying to hear the same words like a broken recording, yet since it was Zoey, he didn't mind. 

Soon, Matthew Xi could see the Z Image Building. As he drove towards its parking space and parked, Matthew Xi turned towards the front passenger with Zoey who had her arms crossed on her chest. 

"So?" He arched his brows, tilting his head to the side. 

"So?" Zoey repeated, tossing the list of apartments from her lap. "So, everything is occupied. So, you'll be homeless — sucks for you." Out of annoyance, Zoey mocked which unfazed Matthew Xi. 

"Sucks for me." He nodded, agreeing on her ridicule which made her frown. 

Zoey gazed at him still bearing her frown, as a deep sigh escaped her nose. "Damn it..." she murmured, as she was left with no choice. "Homeless Matthew, since you're now my sugar baby and my employee, remember this — stay professional at work, okay?" 

"Mhmm," Matthew Xi hummed a tune, nodding his head in agreement. Well, he was well-aware of that and didn't need any reminders. 

At the very least, Matthew Xi could discern the time to flirt with her and not. Therefore, Zoey didn't need to worry about that. 

"Until we find a place for you to stay, you'll be staying with me." Zoey rolled her eyes as she let out another heavy sigh. 

Upon hearing her last remarks, a glint flickered across his eyes as he lightly bit his lower lip. "Thank you," he said, as he watched Zoey unbuckle her seat. 

"Jeez... I still prefer my innocent darling." She mumbled, casting him a glance of disinterest. "Anyway, you have to help me pack my things." Shrugging her shoulders, Zoey stated as she placed her hands on the door's handle. 

"Pack your stuff?" Knitting his brows, Matthew Xi stared at her as she watched her open the front passenger door. 

"Yep. It's awkward for two people to live in the office. Unless we want some attention." In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey headed out and lowered her head as she peeked back inside the car. "I have my own place aside from the office, alright?" She added before she shut the door closed. 

"Own place..." Nodding his head, Matthew Xi repeated as he could not help but smile. "That's even better.." He whispered before he unbuckled his seat.