Chapter 212 - Do You Find Me Pretty?

"I..." Paul Qian's words trailed off, contemplating on a believable excuse. After all, he couldn't just say the reason he was here was because his boss told him to check on her, right? 

"I'm here for a meeting." Stretching his lips up, Paul Qian lied. Well, since this place had places to have a lunch meeting, she wouldn't question that. 

Moreover, lying that he was just there for a stroll during office hours would make things worse. If he did, Paul Qian was afraid that Zoey would drag her somewhere and he wouldn't have an excuse when he needed to escape from her. 

"I see, so you're not busy anymore?" Nodding her head in understanding, Zoey grinned which froze the forced smile on his lips. 

'How did she conclude that?!' Paul Qian exclaimed inwardly, evidently confused at how Zoey thought of that. 

"If the meeting is over, I assume you have now vacant time! After all, a certain someone said that people in XI Corporation had more free time than anyone thought!" In a matter-of-fact tone, Zoey beamed him another sweet smile as she recalled Matthew Xi's words in the past before he was kicked out. 

"Huh?" Upon hearing the words 'free time', Paul Qian's thought bubble overflowed with question marks.

No one has free time in the XI Corporations! Every single one of them wished that a day had more than twenty-four hours. After all, they had too much on their plate for the day that they had to rush everything as efficiently as possible because it was a dog eat dog company. 

Hence, free time has almost never crossed Paul Qian's head when he began working for Matthew Xi. Same goes with all the Xi employees; they were all XI Corporation slaves!

"Let's stroll for a bit, eh? What do you say?" Cocking her head to the side, oblivious about Paul Qian's thoughts about where her wrong source came from. 

"I'd take that as a yes then! Let's go!" Since he wasn't responding, Zoey grinned as she suddenly grabbed his arm and dragged him somewhere inside the mall. 

With that, Zoey's initial plan to confront Matthew Xi delayed as she dragged Paul Qian with him. She needed help and for some reason, Paul Qian would probably help her. 

After all, Zion Kwan and Enzo Li, the guys she was close with, wouldn't help Zoey as they were against Matthew Xi... rather, against that she was 'fooling' Matthew Xi. They were that judgmental! 

Not to mention, Cora Ma and Patrizio Moretti had almost the same advice! Perhaps, if she relied on someone who wasn't biased, or knowledgeable enough, Zoey would see a new perspective instead of just forcing Matthew Xi. 

*****

"It's good! Try it!" Licking the ice cream in her hand, Zoey glanced at Paul Qian who was staring at the ice cream in his hand. 

"Thank you," Glancing back, Paul Qian tilted the corner of his lips into a meek smile. It's not that he was against eating ice cream, it's just that they appeared as if they were on a date, perched on one of the benches around the mall. 

"Say, Mr. Handsome Qian, do you find me pretty?" Out of nowhere, Zoey inquired before she licked the cold dessert. However, her timing was awful as Paul Qian just started tasting the ice cream and nearly choked. 

"Miss Zhou, why are you asking that all of a sudden?" After Paul Qian recovered from his series of coughs, he inquired as he averted his eyes. 

"I'm just curious. I mean, if I seduce you, will you get tempted?" Out of curiosity, Zoey inquired innocently which caused Paul Qian to move away from her a little. 

"Ey... I'm just curious, no need to move away from me. I won't strip you here." Seeing his discreet action, Zoey sighed as she knew this was probably a bold conversation. However, she didn't want to beat around the bush as Paul Qian wasn't Matthew Xi. 

"Ahem," Clearing his throat, Paul Qian felt slightly embarrassed as he didn't think Zoey would notice. "Miss Zhou, I didn't mean to sound rude, but I think you're asking the wrong person." Paul Qian answered politely, as he thought he wasn't that close with Zoey to discuss such a subject. 

"Tsk. Come on, man." Clicking her tongue, Zoey sighed as she shook her head lightly. "I'm asking you this because I know I won't care if I'm your type, alright? Also, I'm out of options as all of my friends are judgemental. So, I want to know someone else's perspective who isn't biased." Zoey explained, not sugarcoating her words as she affirmed that Paul Qian wasn't his type... for now. 

For a moment, Paul Qian remained silent as he gravitated whether to continue this conversation or not. Staring at Zoey, he sighed as he averted his eyes. 

"Miss Zhou, I'm a man and you're a woman — pretty and intelligent one at that. So, whether it is against my will or not, I will be tempted if you show me the same interest." Clearing his throat once again, Paul Qian spoke his thoughts out loud.

Not that he was saying he liked Zoey or anything of the sort. He was merely answering her question according to the situation she stated. Just like what he said, he's still a man and if someone like Zoey would show signs that she's interested in him, he'd probably give it a try. 

"I know right?!" Hearing the answer she wanted to hear, Zoey snapped her finger as she moved her body and faced Paul Qian. "Mr. Handsome Qian, is it possible that a man will never get tempted even the slightest if they were deliberately seduced?" Throwing another question, Zoey blinked her eyes as she waited for Paul Qian's response enthusiastically. 

Paul Qian pondered, thinking if it was possible. Recalling a certain someone who would not move a muscle even if a woman walked naked in front of him, Paul Qian cleared his throat. 

"Well, although most men would get tempted as it's our nature, it is not possible. There are people out there that are immune to temptation." Paul Qian explained, but deep down, he only knew one man who was immune to all temptation and that was his big boss. 

"Ah..." As if disappointed with his reply, Zoey pursed her lips on a thin line. "But, is it also possible because he was more into the same gender?" 

"Well, possible." Without thinking too much with Zoey's last inquiry, Paul Qian nodded his head as he resumed eating the ice cream before it would melt down to his fingers. 

After all, Paul Qian was convinced that only Matthew Xi could heartlessly kick a person out who ever tried to climb his bed.. Hence, if Zoey was pertaining about another person, he wouldn't be surprised if her suspicions were correct.