Chapter 338 - Prove That It Wasn’t A Dream

"Is this how you do business? Letting opportunities slip… I mean purposely letting it slip away from you?" Matthew asked, his countenance mixed with amusement, disbelief and dismay. 

Sure, the fact that she was so utterly unpredictable that she was impossible to read was admirable. However, they were doing business where being honest all the time was impossible. After all, Matthew was surrounded with cunning people and he must be twice as cunning as them. Or else, it would be the end of the XI Corporation.

That was how he was raised. The reason he had been studying, practicing to lead people, and what it was like to be the ruler. Now, it had become a part of him. Therefore, in his eyes, her refusal was a stupid move.

Or rather, her condition was a move for someone who was naive and had a dim future in business; that's what they do. They were honest expecting good in return, but life has always been cruel. The reason he was displeased that Zoey seemed to have the same mentality.

That is not good.

"Are you stupid?" Unfazed by the disappointment that glinted across his eyes, Zoey blinked slowly and innocently as she asked.

"What did you say? Are you calling me---"

"No, I am asking." Zoey bluntly answered, interrupting him midway. "Clients should act like clients. You're not my boss." Short and straight-forward, Zoey advised languidly.

"I am giving you opportunities."

"Really?" Upon hearing his last remarks, Zoey raised both her brows as the side of her lips curled up. "Then, how about marrying me? I'll have more doors of opportunities that would open for me once I've become Madam Xi. Hehehe!" She giggled, casting him a knowing and teasing look.

Matthew just stared at her, bearing a poker face. "That's greedy."

"If you can't, then forget about it. You want to do business with me? Follow my conditions." She shrugged, stressing her last remarks in a matter-of-fact tone. 

For a little while, Matthew remained silent as he pondered about her last statement. After going deeper into the meaning of her words, he nodded his head in understanding as his lips stretched a little upward. "Then, I'll have to send you the revised contract tomorrow." Calm as a sea, Matthew informed and didn't argue with her anymore.

"Good." As she studied his front, Zoey smiled meekly as she began arranging some scattered papers on the bed. Good thing he understood why Zoey had to stick in the prices her company followed.

Why? Because everyone treated Matthew Xi as akin to a God of Money. Whether he was a client or a business partner, he was treated specially special. Not that Zoey wanted to stand out among them, but her indirect way of telling him that this business with them, the XI Corporation must also comply no matter how big it was.

Zoey didn't mind on accepting the business proposal. If she disregarded all other things, it was actually a good head start. However, she didn't want others to think -- especially Vivian Xi -- that Zoey was just using Matthew to attain success.

Therefore, since Zoey was expecting a breakthrough this week with the Feng's, she'll reconsider the XI Corporation. Having business with him means more time to see him. After all, three dates weren't enough for her to get by. She needed him to remind herself of her goal in this lifetime.

"By the way…"

"Hmm?"

"I talked to the medical director and he told me you can only get discharged if there was a nurse to look after you." Since his Plan A failed and she successfully bent it on her own terms, Matthew thought he should proceed to plan B. 

"Nonsense." As soon as his words reached her ears, Zoey cringed in dismay as she returned her head back at him. "I have no money to pay for a personal nurse and I live inside my office, alright? I can barely fit in my room!" Zoey exclaimed, not thinking twice of the words that were coming out of her mouth.

"Don't worry about that." Aware of her dilemma, Matthew shrugged his shoulders as he stretched his lips into a meek suspicious smile.

"Don't worry about what? I worry more because of that sketchy smile on your face." Zoey's words were unfiltered as always. But, he didn't mind as he preferred her this way.

"Haha. Funny." He chuckled, his faint laughter resonating across the room which calmed her down a little. 

Just hearing his faint laughs that were cold yet soothing caused her heart to skip a beat. Unknowingly, she ended up staring at him more than she was supposed to be, not listening to the words that were coming out of his mouth.

"Miss Zhou?" After a little while, Matthew called out for the third time as Zoey seemed to be listening but actually not. She's in her trance, just staring at him while her mind wandered.

"Miss Zhou?"

"Ah, yes?" She snapped, shifting her unfocused eyes to meet his pair of russet orbs. 

"What can you say?" Purposely, he asked despite knowing that she wasn't listening to him. "Were you listening? Or has your condition worsened? Shall I ask for a doctor?" To add more confusion to her, Matthew threw a series of questions to divert her attention.

"What? No! Of course, I'm listening. I was just a bit distracted -- that's all!" Her tone in denial, shaking her head profusely as she closed her eyes.

"Distracted? By what?"

"By your looks!" Without a second hesitation, Zoey exclaimed out of habit. "I just can't believe how good-looking you were and we already smooch smooch! It's like a dream." She added, unknowingly digging her own grave.

Upon her last remarks, Matthew Xi's eyes darkened. Slowly, he placed his palm on the armrest, pushing himself up while Zoey's eyes widened in confusion. "You can't believe it?" He asked, walking slowly towards the bed.

"Uh… I mean -- what are you doing?!" While she laughed awkwardly and tried to explain, Zoey's eyes widened as he started loosening his tie the closer he was on the bed!

"Prove that it wasn't a dream." Low and emotionless, he explained.. At the same time, he reached the bed, leaning down as he moved closer to her face; the side of his lips tilted into a smirk as his right brow raised briefly, casting her a knowing look.