Chapter 337 - Strangest Business Deal

"I said I like the sound of it." Matthew shrugged, seemingly too honest for his own good.

"Look who's saying marriage is sacred." She gasped in disbelief, shaking her head sideways as her gaze went up and down. "That's like what? One minute ago." She added in a matter-of-fact tone.

"Don't go out of context." Matthew Xi fluttered his eyelashes slowly. "I said I like the sound of it. That doesn't mean I want to marry any time soon. Don't get excited." He chuckled, shaking his head as her reaction was quite precious to see.

Her expression was a mix of shock, disbelief, and a little bit of excitement combined into one. Just what was going on inside her head to have such a reaction? Matthew was curious.

"What? I'm not!" She denied, although deep down, her heart was. After all, her beloved husband in the future was talking about marriage, albeit denying he was going to marry. Nonetheless, Zoey knew it was her -- the person he would marry. So, that's fine, is it not?

"Mhmm," His tone was half hearted, barely anyone would believe that his hum was the sound of a person who was convinced. Thus, Zoey gasped in dismay as she placed her palm on her chest.

"As I was saying, I have a proposal -- business proposal." Matthew changed topic to the initial subject before she smoothly changed it without him noticing. It was admirable, that she could lead the subject to another as if it was the real subject. Well, she's amazing. He must give her that.

After all, no one dared sidetrack his focus whenever he talked, or rather, no one could. If he was discussing a certain subject, the discussion would remain limited to that subject. But with her, it got out of hand and he didn't mind the brief distraction. If anything, he felt willing to give his thoughts about it although it was his personal view.

"Business proposal?" Since he was now talking about business again, Zoey tilted her head to the side, her eyes blinking innocently. "No deal." Yet, before he could even start, she already refused!

She was rejecting the person with whom many sought to shook hands with! If those businessmen who were willing to die just to make an appointment with him could hear her right now, they might have the urge to strangle her! The nerve of her to reject a giant company's offer even before it could start.

"I have three new branches that are under construction and we need your company's services." Despite her immediate refusal, Matthew leaned closer as he placed the folders on the edge of the bed. "You can see the floorplan for yourself." He added, cocking his head slightly in the direction of the folders.

Zoey pursed her lips, exhaling deeply as she reluctantly picked up the brown folder. "Wow." She muttered, seeing how huge the building would be. Was he sure this would only be a branch of the XI Corporation?

The size of it was the same size of the Z Image Group and it's just supposed to be a branch building. Well, considering the size of the XI Corporation, this was probably small for them. Still, it was a little waste to just buy lots and build it from scratch if he could just buy an already established building and renovate it.

"The contract is also attached at the back of the documents. You can see if the prices are acceptable so we can negotiate." As he watched her go through the files, Matthew Xi added and then went on a silent mode.

He just stared at her side profile, the corner of his lips unconsciously hooked upward as she seemed different while going through the contract. He never actually expected that she would have this side to her. A solemn look which ironically appeared seductive in his eyes.

If he saw her like this at first, he would probably have a different impression. But well, it was not his first impression of her that didn't attract him. Either way, Matthew could safely say he was interested in her; finally, he was now interested in a woman… rather, in a human. After all, business talks aside, he was never interested in any male or female.

"Uhh…" After some time, Zoey raised her head and faced him; her face had a look of dismay.

"Hmm?" By the looks of her face, Matthew couldn't read what it meant. Hence, he hummed a questioning tone.

"What are these?" She frowned, holding the paper up as she showed him the part of the contract regarding prices.

Matthew glanced at the part she was pointing before he shifted his gaze back to her. "My offer. Is it too low?" he asked, tilting his head a little to the side. Well, he did think that he should get a discount since it was three projects all at once.

So, it was only natural to indicate his offer. Not that it wasn't negotiable. It was just at the very least, he tried and they have a limit during negotiations. 

"Too low?" The frown on her lips grew uglier, shaking her head slightly as she sighed. "This is twice my rate now. Aren't you the great Xi Matthew of XI Corporation? How could you not know about my Z Image's prices?" Zoey looked at the prices once again and sighed.

"..." For a moment, Matthew was rendered speechless. He thought that she thought it was too low, but was actually complaining because it was double her company's rate? That was weird...

Who in their sane mind would be displeased by this? This was supposed to be a good news, like hitting the jackpot in a lottery ticket and she should be jumping in glee. However, she appeared disappointed and insulted. Why? He couldn't truly read this woman as he surprised him always.

"Lower the price and I might reconsider it." Still bearing her ugly frown, Zoey closed the folder and put it down.

Upon hearing her last remark, Matthew's brows could not help but twitch.. This was the strangest business deal he had ever encountered because normally, one would ask for more. Yet, she was asking for less???