Chapter 214 - Next Boss Zhou

Inhale, exhale... inhale, exhale...

Matthew Xi calmed himself while stabilizing his ragged breathing. Gay? Next love interest? He never heard the most ridiculous joke in his life until seconds ago!

Blasphemy! Zoey's train of thoughts were absolutely absurd! How could she misunderstand his actions as him being... what?! The most funny part was she had already concocted a concrete plan on her next move if Matthew Xi admitted it! 

Oh good lord almighty... Matthew Xi never had to pray this hard to calm himself. Hell, he had never felt this irked in his life. What's more? Instead of having to take the usual solution he often resorted to, he couldn't because this was Zoey. 

It wasn't as easy as one two three. He'd rather prefer being utterly offended by someone and deal with him accordingly. But this... he's just speechless. 

On the contrary, the only thing that was keeping Matthew Xi sane till now was knowing that Zoey actually liked him. Still, it wasn't enough for him. He was uncertain if it was just a shallow feeling or something he should celebrate about. 

Just as Matthew Xi was meditating, a light knock came from outside the office and the door immediately opened with Melanie Xue peeking her head in. 

"Boss Darling, we're going out for lunch, wanna come?" Excited, Melanie Xue grinned as she slowly opened the door. 

However, as soon as Melanie Xue stepped her foot inside, she instinctively gulped as the temperature inside Zoey's office was colder than the lowest temperature of the air conditioner.

As soon as Matthew Xi's piercing gaze settled on her, Melanie Xue slightly jolted back as it was her first time seeing Matthew Xi in such a terrible mood. "Uhm, boss... if you can't come, we'll just bring you lunch. Hehe!" Awkward, Melanie Xue took a step back as she knew it wasn't the best time to nag Matthew Xi. 

'Damn it! Are we so terrible that it only took one day of Boss Zhou's absence for Boss Darling to become the next Boss Zhou?!' Melanie Xue cursed internally as she recalled how relieved they were in the morning when they had committed a not so major mistake again and Zoey wasn't around. 

Yet, Matthew Xi dealt with it calmly and now they've been working and fixing the problem. However, dealing with that led to discovery of more mistakes. 

Was that what pushed Matthew Xi to the edge?! Now, Melanie Xue was convinced that Zoey wasn't just overreacting. 

"Miss Xue, I'll be going out today. However, I expect that everyone will finish their works today and submit them to me by the end of the day." Before Melanie Xue could leave the office, Matthew Xi snapped his fingers as he decided what to do. 

Organizing his desk that was placed near Zoey's desk, he added. "I expect everyone to make up for the mistakes that happened earlier. If not..." Matthew Xi raised his gaze, sending chills down Melanie Xue's spine. 

"Yes, sir!" Out of instinct, Melanie Xue stood straight as she saluted like a soldier. 

Seeing her reaction, Matthew Xi nodded his head yet, his same imperious mien didn't change. With that being said, Melanie Xue immediately left the office and headed back to her colleagues. 

"Mel, where's Boss D?" Seeing Melanie Xue rush her way back without Matthew Xi, Luigi Chan inquired. 

Since everyone saw Matthew Xi as a god who had descended from heaven, everyone wanted to treat him to lunch. After all, he was too kind not to apprehend them earlier and even found a convenient solution to deal with the problem. 

Not that Zoey never did that. The only difference was Zoey would put them all on fire before reviving them back. 

"People, we need to change if we don't want another Boss Zhou in this company!" As soon as Melanie Xue reached her excited colleagues, she exclaimed in between her pants. 

"Ah??" Tilting their head to the side, the employees who were enthusiastic to have lunch with Matthew Xi were baffled at Melanie Xue's remarks. 

Shortly after, they saw Matthew Xi walking towards them which made them understand the situation. Upon laying their eyes on him, Luigi Chan, Melanie Xue, and everyone else were nearly blown away by his overwhelming presence. 

What's worse was that it wasn't the good kind of aura. The aura emanating from Matthew Xi was dark — too dark as if he was off to murder someone. 

"Boss D..." Luigi Chan murmured, alas, Matthew Xi just walked past them without a word. 

"Let's not have lunch..." One colleague whispered as they could not believe the sudden change of air that seeped through every wall of the company building. 

"I don't even think I can eat." Melanie Xue agreed, watching Matthew Xi's departing back as if he was a mafia boss without guns and men with him. 

*****

[Xi Old Residence: Garden]

"What is it that my son sent you here for, assistant Qian?" Cocking her head to the side, Vivian Xi knitted her brows. 

"Madam Xi, Young Master just told me to drop by here." Conflicted how to explain this vague order from his boss, Paul Qian cleared his throat which made Vivian Xi crease her forehead. 

"Drop by for...?"

"My apologies, Madam Xi, but I am also confused." Hanging his head low, Paul Qian expressed as he had no clear answer for Vivian Xi's question. 

"Mr. Qian, care to explain everything that happened before he said that? I might decipher what he truly wanted." Since Matthew Xi was her son, Vivian Xi was quite familiar with her son's antics. Still, it would take her time to distinguish his message as Matthew Xi was a little weird sometimes. 

"Well, Young Master ordered me to check on Miss Zhou..." After Paul Qian nodded his head, he filled Vivian Xi with what transpired earlier in full details and according to the timeline. 

The more Vivian Xi listened to him, the more her gaze changed as she stared at Paul Qian in pity. When Paul Qian was done detailing the occurrences, he furrowed his brows as Vivian Xi shook her head and sighed. 

"Assistant Qian, how long have you been serving my son?" Sighing, Vivian Xi inquired as she wondered how come Paul Qian didn't understand the hint. 

"Six years, Madam Xi."

"Six years..." Nodding her head in understanding, Vivian Xi sighed once again before raising her gaze back to Paul Qian. "So you know that my son is inclined towards hunting, don't you?" She added, arching her right brow as Paul Qian nodded before his eyes widened. 

"Assistant Qian, you just realized this now?" Seeing that Paul Qian's reaction appeared as if he finally figured it out, Vivian Xi reached for her tea to calm herself down. 

"Good thing you came here as soon as possible. If not, you might have seen how terrifying my son can be if he sees you as his enemy." After sipping from her tea, Vivian Xi was relieved that Paul Qian didn't waste his time before reaching out to her. Or else, Matthew Xi might have committed something he would regret later. 

After all, her son might be a capable businessman and a leader. However, there were still sides of him that Vivian Xi found terrifying despite being his mother. The reason she was also concerned if Zoey would be able to accept her son's flaws beneath his perfect shell. 

"Mr. Qian, be my assistant for today. I'll play with my son until he calms down." Vivian Xi placed her cup of tea on the table calmly. "Remember, never leave my side or Butler Yi." Upon her last remarks, Vivian Xi warned solemnly as if once Paul Qian defied her orders, no one would know what would happen to him. 

"Yes, Madam Xi. Thank you.." Bowing his head deeply, Paul Qian understood what kind of situation he was in and was well-aware that it was more dangerous than what he had imagined.