A small candy

Chapter 9 Are You Drunk?

A muffled thunder exploded in Jian Ling's mind.

Her pupils dilated, her breathing suddenly quickened, and she took several steps back in a state of unprecedented panic. In the quiet lounge, a chaotic clatter of high heels echoed, revealing the owner of the shoes to be in a state of panic.

It wasn't until her calf hit the cold corner of the coffee table, causing a sharp pain, that she finally stopped. During this process, she didn't dare to take her eyes off Cheng Zhixu's face for a moment, fearing that he would open his eyes the next second and look at her in condemnation.

Fortunately, God was kind to her.

After waiting for a while, Cheng Zhixu was still sleeping soundly, with no sign of waking up.

After enduring the most difficult few tens of seconds, Jian Ling let down her guard a little, took a deep breath, and covered her heart that was almost beating to death. However, she was still frightened and did not dare to act rashly. She automatically stayed away from Cheng Zhixu.

For the next ten minutes or so, Jian Ling's heart never really calmed down. Whenever she thought about the scene just now, her brain started to explode with fireworks and she couldn't calm down.

What did she do?
She! Actually! Kissed Cheng Zhixu! Even though it wasn't intentional...

That's surprising, isn't it?!
Jian Ling buried her face in her arms, her whole body burning with shame and anger.

How could a good plan to pursue someone turn out like this? It was completely different from what she had imagined! She couldn't help but wonder if her roommates' idea would work, or if she was just too stupid to grasp the true meaning of it.

While she was daydreaming, the crisp ringtone of a cell phone suddenly rang in her ears. Jian Ling sat up in shock like a kitten whose tail was stepped on.

Cheng Zhixu raised his hand and pinched the bridge of his nose. Without opening his eyes, he groped for his phone and instinctively slid to the answer button. "Are you there? Okay, I'll be right down."

Jian Ling didn't dare to meet Cheng Zhixu's gaze. She lowered her head and pricked up her ears to listen to his voice. She heard him hang up the phone, heard the rustling sound of clothes being arranged, and then heard him say to her, "Jian Ling? Jian Ling? Are you asleep? The driver is here. I'll take you home."

Jian Ling lowered her head, grabbed the chain of her bag, and stood up, speaking quickly: "I thought about it, there's no need to trouble the driver. It's easier to get a taxi here. I can go back by myself."

She had wanted to take Cheng Zhixu's car home because she wanted to spend more time with him, but now, she just wanted to find a quiet place to scream and vent her emotions.

"It's half past ten, a bit late. It's not safe for a girl like you to take a taxi." The alcohol had taken its toll, and Cheng Zhixu spoke slowly, with an intoxicating gentleness and temptation in it. "If your uncle knew I let you go home alone so late, he would scold me for being dishonest."

Ye Guizhou had called him a while ago to ask him to take good care of his niece. Even if it weren't for this, he couldn't let a little girl like her leave like this.

Jian Ling sighed silently. She couldn't refuse Cheng Zhixu like this.

"Okay then," she whispered.

Cheng Zhixu left the lounge first, and Jian Ling followed. She looked up at his broad back, then quickly lowered her eyes and secretly adjusted her breathing.

Are all those who have a crush on someone the same as her? Every minute and every second spent with the person they like is extremely painful. They want to get closer but dare not get too close for fear of making things worse.

In fact, she had already made things worse.

Jian Ling was absentmindedly walking down the stairs. Cheng Zhixu suddenly stopped and glanced at Jian Ling, who was one step behind him. She was not paying attention and almost bumped into him.

Cheng Zhixu stared at her for a few seconds, as if he was struggling with something. Finally, he reached out his arm in front of her as if to compromise: "Hold on. Your heels are very high. Don't fall."

A light bulb went off in his head just now, and he remembered the second plan of Jian Ling's pursuit plan that he had seen in the notebook - pretending to sprain his ankle when going down the stairs.

The stairs were so high and steep, and she was wearing high heels. If she really fell down due to improper operation, it would be more trouble than good. To be on the safe side, he decided to stop her plan in advance.

However, what he didn't know was that Jian Ling's mind was full of fireworks. She was so scared when she saw him that she had thrown the "Plan to Chase Cheng Zhixu" out of the sky.

Jian Ling looked at the man's arm in front of her and was stunned for a moment.

Even though she had forgotten her plans, she was still deeply moved. Woohoo, how could there be such a thoughtful and gentlemanly man in this world?

She loves him so much.

"Thank you, boss." Jian Ling forced herself to calm down, smiled politely and dignifiedly, raised her hand to hold Cheng Zhixu's arm, and slowly walked down the stairs with his strength.

The car stopped at the entrance of the club and the driver got out and opened the door for the two people.

Jian Ling sat obediently beside Cheng Zhixu, her hands on her knees. She felt like she was on a battlefield the whole night, overwhelmed by all the chaos and did not dare to relax at this moment.

Cheng Zhixu glanced at her and found it a little funny that she was sitting like a first-grade student who was being repeatedly emphasized by her teacher.

According to the plan she wrote, the third one should be that when she was riding in the same car with him, she would pretend to fall asleep and then lean on his shoulder to see how he reacted.

But seeing how energetic she looked, it didn't seem like she was going to pretend to sleep. Could he be wrong?
Cheng Zhixu was puzzled and felt a little tormented inside, as if he knew the answers to the test paper in advance but the test was nowhere to be taken.

He also couldn't understand himself.

In short, after waiting for a long time, Jian Ling did not take any action. In the end, he fell asleep and did not even know when Jian Ling got off the car.

The neon lights on the roadside shone through the car window, and rays of light passed across his face.

When Cheng Zhixu was almost home, he woke up, sat up a little straighter, glanced at the empty seat next to him, touched the corner of his lips with his fingers, and laughed silently.

-

"Aaaaaaaaaaa!"

When Jian Ling got home, she threw her bag down and screamed at the empty house. Not only that, she kicked off her high heels, stepped onto the sofa, and started bombarding the group chat with her phone in both hands.

"Comrades, I will die before I can achieve my goal!"

"Please comfort me, please hug me, please touch me!"

"The gap between reality and ideal is too big. I am destined to never marry a handsome man!"

"Excuse me, how should I face my crush after kissing him? God, someone please save me! TAT"

The originally quiet group suddenly became lively.

Zhou Xingyan: "Kissing your boss??? Is that true? Don't scare me, I'm a coward..."

Gu Meng: "I remember that the plan we discussed last time didn't even reach the kissing stage. Jian Ling, you're amazing! What's the point of reaching the top in one step?"

Lin Botong: "Hurry up, I want to know the details."

What details could there be? Jian Ling told them about this accident like she was complaining bitterly. As a result, they were greatly disappointed and said it was not exciting enough.

Gu Meng: "I thought it was some erotic scene, but it turns out he was asleep and he was so engrossed that he accidentally kissed me. You also said he was drunk at the time and was sleeping so soundly he didn't know anything. What are you afraid of? Just act like nothing happened."

Jian Ling: "I just can't look him in the face. I feel like I've insulted him and I feel really guilty. Oh, I don't know how to describe that feeling to you. I want to die now."

Zhou Xingyan: "I understand. What are you going to do next?"

Jian Ling felt a little discouraged. She lay down on the sofa, grabbed a pillow and covered her face with it. After a long while, she finally picked up her phone and sent a voice message to the group chat, feeling very depressed: "I don't know. I don't dare to show my presence in front of him anymore. I'll hide for a while and let me calm down."

I thought so in my heart, but man proposes, God disposes.

When it was almost time to get off work this Thursday, a WeChat message popped up on Jian Ling’s computer screen.

Cheng Zhixu: "Are you free after get off work? I'd like to treat you to a meal. You contributed to the successful completion of this project, and this is my way of thanking you." Although Jian Ling was currently an employee, it was not the Planning Department's responsibility to negotiate a project with an Italian supplier, let alone a newly hired intern. This was extra work for her, so she should be thanked.

Jian Ling's heart was pounding. She took a deep breath and replied on the keyboard: "Will my uncle come too?" This was the arrangement for the previous meals.

Cheng Zhixu: "I didn't ask him, I don't know if he's free, do you want him to come?"

Jian Ling: “…”

That means she and Cheng Zhixu had dinner alone?
Not getting an accurate answer, Cheng Zhixu sent a question mark.

Jian Ling quickly replied: "I'm free, I'm free."

This was the first time Cheng Zhixu took the initiative to invite her to dinner. Even though she couldn't face him because she accidentally kissed him, she couldn't find the words to refuse politely.

Cheng Zhixu replied: "Okay, I'll pick you up after get off work."

Jian Ling breathed a sigh of relief, took a long sip of water from the cup on the table, and stared blankly at the chat on the computer screen. Beside her, Dai Wangchu knocked her head with a document, and Jian Ling came back to her senses and glanced over.

"What are you daydreaming about?" Dai Wangchu said, "Do you want to have dinner with me tonight? There's a hot pot restaurant near my rental. It's incredibly delicious. I'll treat you."

Jian Ling choked and put down the cup, pretending to regret: "Sorry, I have an appointment tonight."

Dai Wangchu squinted his eyes and smiled: "Our Lingling peach blossoms are flourishing."

Jian Ling held her chin up and sighed, "It would be nice if it really was peach blossoms."

Cheng Zhixu is not her peach blossom, but the "big devil" in her strategy. She needs to overcome difficulties and obstacles to get him.

From the tone of her voice, Dai Wangchu understood everything. She was the one who had a one-sided love for someone else.

"They say people who have a crush on someone are most likely to be humble. I didn't believe it, but you'll tell." Dai Wangchu slid the universal wheels of his chair, approached her and encouraged her, "You're very good. You don't have to deliberately cater to the other person. Just be yourself."

Jian Ling: "Be yourself?"

Dai Wangchu nodded: "We adults don't play the game of secret crushes. In fact, we don't like to play the game of chasing people. We should rely on our own advantages to attract others to us. If that doesn't work, seduction is fine."

Jian Ling was confused.

Why does everyone tell her something different?

"Jian Ling, have you never been in love before?" Dai Wangchu looked at her silly look, covered his lips and smiled, then shook his head and said with a smile, "No wonder you seem so clueless."

"..."

Jian Ling was ridiculed, feeling dissatisfied but unable to find words to refute, so she left with her bag in a huff. So what if they had never been together? Everyone has been an idiot in love.

Having experienced this several times before, Jian Ling easily found Cheng Zhixu's dedicated parking space in the parking lot. She arrived early, and Cheng Zhixu hadn't gotten out yet, so only the driver was in the car.

She nodded and greeted him, then put on some makeup while getting into the car and waiting for someone.

Dai Wangchu's words echoed in her ears. Thinking about it carefully, she did have some truth in her words. She always acted shy and unrecognizable in front of Cheng Zhixu.

Reflect on it, this is not good, really not good.

The car door beside her was opened. Jian Ling put away her cosmetics, looked up and saw Cheng Zhixu, and smiled: "Cheng... Boss, you're here."

Cheng Zhixu was surprised by her enthusiasm. After all, she had been quite shy the first few times she met him. He was stunned for a few seconds before he smiled softly and replied, "Yeah."

Jian Ling then said, "Actually, you don't have to be so polite. After all, I'm also a member of the company. I'm honored to be able to help the company."

"You mean..." Cheng Zhixu paused and couldn't help teasing her, "I don't need to treat you to a meal?"

Jian Ling uttered an "uh," not realizing she'd gotten herself into trouble after all the roundabout ways. So she smiled and changed the subject, "You said you'd treat me to a meal, and now I'm here, you won't go back on your word, will you? At worst... I'll treat you!"

Cheng Zhixu laughed: "Just kidding."

Jian Ling: "Oh."

Why is he just like her uncle? He likes to tease her no matter what, watch her get angry and frustrated, and then make fun of her, saying, "Jian Ling, why are you so childish?"

-

Cheng Zhixu took her to a Western restaurant he often went to. He was very personable and thoughtful throughout the whole process.

After constant psychological suggestion, Jian Ling was not as restrained as she was at the beginning. After letting go, she became more relaxed and happy than before.

Cheng Zhixu ordered a bottle of red wine. When the waiter was about to pour it for Jian Ling, he stopped her and asked her, "Can I drink?"

"Just a little bit is fine." Jian Ling usually drinks more fruit wine and rarely touches red wine.

Her family had repeatedly warned her not to drink when she was alone outside, so she felt at ease with Cheng Zhixu and didn't have too many worries.

The waiter poured her some, and she raised her glass to clink with Cheng Zhixu: "Thank you, boss, for the treat."

After drinking half a glass of wine, Jian Ling completely relaxed. She signaled the waiter to pour her another half glass, and the factors in her brain began to become active.

"Boss, can I ask you a question?"

Cheng Zhixu's slender white fingers held the knife and fork, and he paused slightly in his steak-cutting motion. He looked at the person asking the question politely and said, "Well, ask."

"You...what kind of girls do you like?" Jian Ling said, then distanced herself from the topic. "I'm asking on behalf of my uncle. He wants to introduce you to someone."

Cheng Zhixu curled his lips slightly, as if smiling: "Don't worry about your uncle anymore."

Jian Ling's heart skipped a beat: "Why, do you have someone you like?" She had hinted to Ye Guizhou before that he didn't have a girlfriend at the moment, otherwise she wouldn't have been so confident in pursuing him.

As for whether he had someone he liked, she really had no way of knowing.

Cheng Zhixu didn't beat around the bush and confessed, "No."

Jian Ling secretly breathed a sigh of relief and spoke naturally: "Boss, you haven't answered my previous question yet. What kind of girls do you like? Tell me quickly."

Cheng Zhixu felt a little uncomfortable hearing him call me boss all the time: "Don't call me boss in private."

Jian Ling's mind was hazy. She propped up her chin and tilted her head to look at him: "What should I call you? I can't call you Uncle Cheng." Before Cheng Zhixu could speak, she firmly denied it, "...No, no. I can't call you Brother Cheng either. You and my uncle are good friends, and there's a generation gap between us. Calling you Mr. Cheng? Oh, that sounds weird. I don't know what to call you."

She frowned and covered her ears in annoyance. "Is it okay to call me Cheng Zhixu? Wouldn't it seem a bit disrespectful to call the boss by his first name?"

Cheng Zhixu observed her calmly for a while, and after a long while, he made his own judgment: "Jian Ling, are you drunk?"

Suddenly I have a lot to say.

　Cheng Zhixu was confused: Is this a new trick to pursue me?
　　
　
(End of this chapter)