Chapter 171 - 3 C's: Control, Compromise, Calm Down

Two days later, it has been a month since Zoey and Matthew Xi's odd encounter. During these two days, Matthew Xi busied himself by getting used to the Z Image Group's operation, Zoey's usual schedule, and relevant things about the whole company. 

"Boss Xi, you're really a life saver! Hehe!" Receiving the designs that were approved, Luigi Chan snickered. 

The moment Matthew Xi started working as Zoey's assistant, the time where they would have to listen to Zoey's scolding was reduced enormously. They didn't have to suffer her rage as their breakfast as Matthew Xi screened them first before sending it to Zoey. 

Therefore, before the designs from the art department would go through Zoey's eyes, Matthew Xi checked them first. Not just that, but also, although they often made mistakes and overlooked a thing or two, Matthew Xi detected and pointed them out professionally. 

No scolding, no Zoey's wrath, and no weeping anymore! Surely, Zoey was right about her introduction of her assistant — Matthew Xi was their godlike sunshine who brought forth spring in this office!

"Lu, check your work with fresh eyes in the morning before submitting them. I'm sure Miss Zhou would prefer them a little late than seeing mistakes early in the morning." Giving him a piece of advice, Matthew Xi raised both his brows briefly. 

"Will do, sir!" Saluting to the company's new god, Luigi Chan nodded his head in understanding. 

Matthew Xi just sighed as he watched Luigi Chan slightly bow his head and went back to his department. It has only been two days and Matthew Xi already lost count of the company's problems. 

First, although Zoey's employees arrived earlier, they got nothing done. Hence, during their morning meetings with Zoey, she fed them with her wrath as breakfast. 

Second, Zoey might be a bit harsh on them sometimes. However, she was too lenient on them which may be a double edge sword. 

And lastly, the relationship Zoey has with almost all of them. Matthew Xi noticed along with her leniency, friendship also tagged along. Thus, her employees were both scared and not at the same time. 

'I can't even list down the problems in this office...' Matthew Xi murmured inside his head as he sighed and went back to Zoey's office. 

"You have a scheduled meeting with a client after lunch. We will be late if we don't depart now." As soon as Matthew Xi entered her office, he announced looking at Zoey who was leaning on her swivel chair as if she was in her deep thoughts. 

"Darling, what do you think about me?" Out of nowhere, Zoey asked without casting him a glance. 

Upon hearing her abrupt question, Matthew Xi arched his right brow. "Troublesome." Without batting an eye, Matthew Xi spoke his mind, 'the kind of trouble that I like,' alas, he left the rest within him. 

"No, aside from that." Shaking her head, Zoey slowly turned her head to him. "You like me, right? I mean, romantically." 

For a moment, Matthew Xi didn't say anything as he studied the genuine curiosity plastered across her face. "I am a working professional at the moment. So, I can answer that only after working hours, Boss." 

"Tsk," Clicking her tongue, Zoey peered at him from head to toe. "Aren't you my sugarbaby? Then, why do I feel like we don't share that kind of relationship? Warm my bed my *ss." Zoey snorted, utterly disappointed at his 'compromise' about this stagnant relationship. 

It has been two days since they started living together. However, Matthew Xi often gave her the cold shoulder and kept his distance from her as if she was diseased. 

Although they sometimes talk about random things, Matthew Xi never tried to make his advances. Well, he sometimes teased her, but that's it!

They even sleep in the same room but he would shamelessly put a pillow in between them as if she would take advantage of him! Hence, now that Zoey was thinking about it, nothing changed!

Yes, he didn't change — not at all! Aside from bluntly telling her that he liked her, and about his compromise about her problematic love habit, he didn't do anything about it! 

Staring at her colorful expressions made the corner of his lips curl into a smirk. Slowly, he walked in front of her desk and languidly placed his palms on the surface of the desk. 

"Do you want me, Boss?" He asked, gluing his gaze on her. 

"Of course! Who wouldn't?" Without a second hesitation, Zoey nodded her head. True, despite knowing his plans, it wouldn't affect her heart from waning. 

Actually, what he was doing just incited her desire to crack his strong defense. The reason Zoey was in distress; Matthew Xi's methods were effective, apparently. And it was driving her crazy!

"Then you know how to get me, Boss Zhou." Pleased at her honest response, Matthew Xi slowly drew away with a meek smile playing upon his lips. 

"Jeez... playing hard to get." Criticizing him from head to toe, Zoey scoffed in disdain. 

Just then, Zoey had a brilliant idea flash across her mind. "Alas," slowly, Zoey rose from her seat as she walked over to him. 

"My dear assistant, be careful of the game you're playing..." Zoey clipped her fingers on his tie, pulling it closer to her. "You might think you're a pro, but let me tell you — I don't play the game, coaches don't." As her lips were an inch closer away from his, Zoey teased him a little more by reducing the gap between their lips. 

"No, not today. Maybe next time." Whispering in front of his lips, Zoey smirked as she drew away from him. 

Matthew Xi gulped, sniffing her scent, her breath touching his lips, and the tone she used. She made him want her, that instant was like a cannon ball hitting his defense wall. 

'Control, compromise, and calm down, Xi Matthew.. ' Matthew Xi chanted internally as she watched the arrogant miss chuckle as if she had won a battle while arranging her desk.