Chapter 399 - Sweet Elevator Ride

After her breakfast with her grandfather, Xiong Zhi went directly to IHZHI. 

On the way, Linfeng noticed that his Young Miss was deep in thoughts. He did not even hear her usual habit of appreciating his looks in his suit, or any coy statement teasing him before entering the car. 

He was lost for a bit but went on to do his job as her butler.

He glanced at the rearview mirror a few times. His Young Miss's somber face appeared like she was analyzing something deep, as if trying to figure out something.

Was it about Xiong De's case, or about Xiong Wuyue? Or perhaps she was ruminating about the second branch's movements?

Linfeng looked back at the previous conversation between the Young Miss and her grandfather on the table earlier, trying to find a clue. However, based on the earlier casual talk, with some of Xiong De's matter, nothing seemed too difficult to solve or worth pondering about.

He pressed down the urge to ask what troubled her so much because he did not want to disturb his Young Miss's thoughts. Knowing her, she should be thinking of something important. At times like these, one should not disturb the other's concentration and focus, or else the painstakingly analyzed line of thoughts would break.

Thus, full of patience, he stayed beside her quietly, his doting eyes falling on her from time to time.

They arrived at IHZHI with silence.

********************

Since returning to Country C and becoming Xiong Zhi's butler once again, Linfeng had been busy preparing for Xiong De's scandal while assisting Xiong Zhi in the Xiong Empire's corporate building. Not to mention, he also had to set aside some time checking the reports from his business abroad.

It was the first time Linfeng followed his Young Miss to this company, IZHI.

Xiong Zhi's existence as the big boss was not known to IZHI's employees, except to the CEO and the Vice President.

However, because the employees had been seeing her in the company premises for the past year, they conjured an assumption that she was a big investor of IHZHI. Not many know the real face of the heiress of the legendary Xiong family, but Xiong Zhi's noble and charismatic temperament made people guess that she was a big shot with an amazing background. Especially with a handsome butler tailing behind her.

This time, Xiong Zhi used her personal private elevator. It was the only elevator that could go directly to her own floor.

IZHI had expanded several times, and the entire building finally belonged to IZHI. For the sake of easy access and management, the CEO's office of Fang Dien was located on the middle floor. Hers was on the top floor.

She had been dazedly following the tall man before her, still immersed in her thoughts.

As the door closed, a deep and soothing voice sounded in front of her. "Which floor, Young Miss?"

Xiong Zhi woke up from her daze and finally noticed that they arrived at her private elevator in IHZHI. She blinked at Linfeng and answered absent mindedly, "Top floor."

Linfeng pressed the top floor button. He stepped behind her and kept silent.

The doors slowly closed.

The walls of the interior of the elevator was made of reinforced glass panels over mirror. 

Xiong Zhi watched Linfeng's calm and handsome face on the reflection. The man's eyes lifted and looked directly at her through the reflection. 

Then he gently smiled.

Truly attractive.

Xiong Zhi suddenly realized that she forgot her daily 'routine' of appreciating the male beauty because she was too immersed earlier in her thoughts. It appeared that she had been ignoring him inadvertently since earlier, not talking or looking at him.

Linfeng also seemed to be silent since earlier, not saying a single word. He was not blaming her for ignoring him, right?

Xiong Zhi straightened up imperceptibly, feeling slightly guilty.

How could she neglect her 'boyfriend' in a place unfamiliar to him?

She suddenly turned around to face Linfeng.

"...?" Linfeng was startled at the sudden movement of his Young Miss.

Seeing the serious look in her eyes, he asked confusedly, "Is there something wrong, Young Miss?"

Xiong Zhi opened her mouth but did not know what to say due to lack of experience.

Err, how did an emperor coax a neglected concubine again? The question suddenly popped in her mind. 

Wrong! The resource materials were messing up with her brain. Linfeng was not a concubine, but her 'empress', the only member of the harem. Thus, she decided to do it her own way.

She raised her hand and patted his arm in comfort. "Sorry, I was too preoccupied earlier. I didn't mean to ignore you, so don't be sad."

"..." 

'I am not sad, Young Miss. I am just trying to be silent. '

Linfeng wanted to retort but found Xiong Zhi's misunderstanding a bit amusing and funny. He also could not deny that he felt a bit happy with her clumsy way of appeasing him. 

He went along with it. He lowered his eyes and said, "So that's it, I was a little lost because Young Miss seemed to forget my existence earlier, even when I was sitting next to you in the car." 

After saying that, he suddenly felt that what he was saying was actually half-truth.

Goodness, he just realized he was such a petty man.

The inexperienced Xiong Zhi felt even guiltier. She blamed herself and held his hand. "I am sorry, okay? Don't feel so bad, I really didn't mean it. Linfeng is first in my heart."

"…!"

Linfeng pursed his lips to prevent himself from smiling. This is really ridiculous for him to be so petty just to get comforted. Yet happiness filled him at his Young Miss's heartfelt confession, but he also felt kind of shy for some reason. He looked down to push the foolish smile that was tempting to break out from his lips.

"Alright..." But he wanted to be spoiled a bit more...

Hold on. Something was wrong here... The genders have totally switched! 

His Young Miss should be the one whom he must spoil!

Realizing that he was acting like a girl, he coughed and straightened his back. He tilted his head and gave back an appeasing smile. "Seriously, Young Miss, it's nothing, don't worry about it. I figured you were thinking of something important, so I didn't disturb you."

Xiong Zhi stared at the soft smile of her beloved man, and felt like falling in love again. She smiled back.

Linfeng continued to hold her hand and did not speak any more. The elevator was about to reach the top floor of the tall building.

Xiong Zhi asked. "...You are not going to ask me why we came here? Are you not curious?"

After all, she had not told him yet the truth about her ownership of IHZHI.

Linfeng thought, 'Is she finally willing to tell me about her connection with IHZHI?' 

So he answered honestly. "I am curious."

The woman tilted her head confusedly. "Then why are you not asking?"

"Because I'm waiting for Young Miss to tell me."

Her heart softened. She sighed helplessly.

"...What if I forgot to tell you?"

"I can guess." Linfeng suddenly thought of something. "Are you troubled because of this?"

Xiong Zhi shook her head before nodding. "I haven't told you yet about the existence of IHZHI."

Ding!

The doors of the elevator slid open for them, but Xiong Zhi did not step out.