Chapter 218 - Vivian Xi's Counter Sue

[Z Image Building]

"Uhm... people?" When Zoey arrived at the office, she was utterly surprised at how diligently her employees were working!

Usually, Zoey would see them goofing around or just gossiping while working leisurely on their desk. But today, it seemed like they were all at war, being all focused on their duties. 

"Wow... I feel like I'm inside Z Image building that's in the parallel world." Zoey murmured, walking peacefully towards her office which she knew Matthew Xi was currently in. 

However, as soon as she opened the door, no one was inside. "Mel, where's Assistant Xi?" Raising her voice, Zoey inquired. Yet, Melanie Xue didn't respond. Thus, Zoey had to walk back to Melanie Xue's cubicle. 

"Hey," Knocking on the side of the desk, Zoey tilted her head to the side as Melanie Xue jolted from her seat. 

"Boss Z! I thought you're not coming in today?" Melanie Xue fixed her glasses as she unplugged her earphones that made her focus on their project design. 

"Where's Assistant Xi?" Instead of answering Melanie Xue, Zoey inquired as she knew Matthew Xi should be here. 

"He went out early..." Casting Zoey a conflicted look, Melanie Xue averted her gaze which made Zoey narrow her eyes. 

"What happened?"

"Err... I think he was pissed off earlier." Scratching the back of her head, Melanie Xue explained vaguely which raised more suspicion in Zoey's heart. 

"Pissed off? Huh?" 

"Luigi and the rest made another mistake earlier, so..." Melanie Xue fiddled her mind to speak what should be spoken as everyone assumed that Matthew Xi walked out because they were too much. 

"Even so, it's unethical to leave work for such a petty reason... that's not him at all." Zoey tilted her head to the side slightly, contemplating how weird it was of Matthew Xi to leave work because he was pissed off. 

After all, Zoey recalled how Matthew Xi told her to calm down and hold back whenever she was apprehending her employees. He also told her that it's unprofessional to talk to them like that. They're not in the military after all. 

Hence, Zoey highly doubted that Matthew Xi would call a sick leave just because he was upset. 

"Err, I don't know Boss Zhou." Shaking her head, Melanie Xue diverted her focus back on her monitor screen. "What I know is he asked us to finish today's work and pass it to him by the end of the day. I don't even know what will happen to us if we didn't finish this Boss Zhou." She muttered, indirectly telling Zoey not to disturb her as Matthew Xi would not let her off if any one of them wouldn't report back at the end of the day. 

Obviously, Zoey got her hint which made her brows twitched. Why does she feel that she's just a mere distraction now? In her own company?!

Just then, another employee approached Zoey. "Boss Zhou, you have a visitor — it's Madam Xi." She whispered as she leaned closer to Zoey. 

Since it was the second time Vivian Xi visited the building, everyone recognized her. Hence, some bowed their heads in respect before refocusing on their work. 

"Madam Xi!" Although surprised by her sudden visit, Zoey still welcomed her before her gaze shifted to Paul Qian who was standing behind Vivian Xi. 

"Miss Zhou, didn't I tell you to call me Aunty?" Sighing, Vivian Xi stretched the corner of her lips into a meek smile. 

"Ahh... I'm sorry, Aunty Xi." Zoey chuckled awkwardly, darting her gaze from Vivian Xi to Paul Qian. "Come in, I mean follow me. My employees were in their zone and it's once in a blue moon that this office looks like an office." Zoey humored, leading Vivian Xi and Paul Qian to the empty conference room where she could accommodate them. 

When they entered the room, Zoey immediately trudged to make Vivian Xi tea. "Miss Zhou, are we disturbing you today?" Watching Zoey make tea, Vivian Xi inquired. 

"Uhm, no, of course not Aunty Xi. I'm just a little... relieved. I just came in, just in time that you've arrived." Shaking her head, Zoey didn't glance back at her as she explained. 

"I see..." Not surprised, Vivian Xi knew that Zoey just arrived as they waited inside their car earlier. 

"I don't see your assistant...?" Looking around, Vivian Xi asked as she watched Zoey approach with a tray in her hand. 

"Well, he called a sick leave all of a sudden." Zoey shrugged her shoulders, placing down the tray on the table. "Aunty Xi, I don't want to sound rude, but may I ask why you came here today?" Without beating around the bush, Zoey inquired as it was just too sudden. 

Slowly, Zoey then cast her gaze to Paul Qian who was standing wordlessly on the side. Just earlier, she was talking to this man. Did something happen? Was the reason they were here was because Paul Qian accompanied her for a little while and forgot an important order? 

Did Zoey unwittingly sabotage an important deal of the XI's?!

"Actually, Miss Zhou, I came here to take you as my hostage." Calm and collected, Vivian Xi answered which caused Zoey to furrow her brows. 

"Hostage?"

"Yes. Fret not, it's not a bad kind of hostage. Honestly, I want to introduce Mr. Qian to you." Chuckling at Zoey's reaction, Vivian Xi grinned as she pointed at Paul Qian. 

Meanwhile, upon hearing Vivian Xi's words, Paul Qian's shoulder stiffened, his back broke out in sweat. 'Madam, please don't get me killed!' He wept internally, as he perceived this as a suicide!

"Ahh... haha! Aunty Xi, I actually know Mr. Qian through a friend so..."

"I mean, Miss Zhou, I kept thinking about the dilemma you told me." Halting Zoey's words midway, Vivian Xi spoke. "As you know, Mr. Qian is a very capable and kind-hearted man, and in the near future, he would hold a position that's far more important than anyone in the company." 

"Uhm, Aunty Xi, are you — are you setting me up for a blind date?" Hearing how Vivian Xi uttered Paul Qian's merits, Zoey could not help but assume that Vivian Xi was recommending Paul Qian for her to date!

"Yes, Little Zoey." Vivian Xi chuckled, reaching her hand towards Zoey's. "Although the time I have known you is short, I've already grown fond of you. So, Aunty Xi is worried that Assistant Xi will not take care of you properly." From the bottom of her heart, Vivian Xi patted the back of Zoey's hand as she beamed her a gentle smile. 

"I can introduce you to my nephews too, but, Mr. Qian has an advantage because he's not a Xi." Vivian Xi added, as if admitting that it was better if Zoey never associated herself to the Xi's... rather, to her foolish, unreasonable, and toxic son. 

Unbeknownst to Zoey, Vivian Xi's phone was connected to a call and Matthew Xi could hear how her own mother found a suitable partner for Zoey.