When men's feelings towards women are concerned, even though a man may have seen a woman only once, as long as an impression has been formed, it becomes very easy to turn obsessive.
The feelings Jimin had for Rosé were somewhat complicated.
The first glimpse of her graceful form had left a favourable impression on him. However, when he found out about her situation, found out that she had once been enthralled by that man's charms, found out that he had kept her captive and captivated for several months, and then, found out that the man had finally been shot dead in her arms.... how should he express his thoughts and emotions? No one close to Jimin had ever encountered such a situation.
Inexplicably, he felt both oppressed and distressed on her behalf.
Two months later, Jimin once again visited Lin City and met Rosé. This time, it was in his capacity as a business partner.
He had originally intended to shift the focus of his undertakings to the southwest, and Rosé was now the owner of the strongest corporation in Lin City. Interaction between them was unavoidable. On the day of their reunion, Rosé was looking through several statistical reports in the company's top-floor office. The secretary came in to report, "President Roseanne, President Park from Beijing has arrived."
Rosé nodded, and felt a faint sense of delight.
It had nothing to do with love. It would definitely move you to have such a man pursuing you, caring about you, and teasing you during the most difficult time of your life. Although she had rejected him, they could still be friends.
After a while, a tall, clean-cut man walked unhurriedly into the room while hiding a smile. The secretary at the door had previously received flowers on Rosé's behalf on countless occasions, and thus a fleeting smile appeared on his face. Rosé smiled politely at Jimin and said, "President Park, please sit."
Jimin's initial plan to adopt a formal 'I am here to negotiate a major project' tone failed as he laughed suddenly. He raised his eyebrows, and spoke as if in disbelief. "What did you call me? President Park? Have we grown so distant after not seeing each other for just two months? Rosé, just call me 'Jimin."
Rosé had thought that they had turned the page on what had happened between them. When she heard his words, she looked up into his eyes, which bore an expression which was like a smile, yet not quite a smile. For a brief moment, she had no idea how to reply. Jimin then brought out a sheat of plans from his briefcase and casually handed them to her, saying, "Come on, let's get to business. There's no rush to talk about private matters."
Rosé: "..."
Some people are born to bring happiness to others.
Such as Jimin, Rosé had never met a company boss and scion of a top party official who was like Jimin. All day long, he was slovenly, while his mouth could spout nonsense like none other. There was nothing proper about him at all. Whether it was a business meeting, or a business lunch, he was capable of making people rock back and forth in laughter.
However, he was completely clear and logical when it came to real work. Rosé had learned how to conduct business only from Chanyeol, and had just started to figure it out, when it all came to an abrupt end. Moreover, Jimin's business style was different from Chanyeol's. He was not as ruthless as Chanyeol, but was even more cunning. Sometimes, when he came up with fresh ideas, Rosé would find herself dumbfounded and entirely at a loss for words. And, at other times, she was completely unable to follow his strategies for arbitrage trading.
Naturally, at such times, Jimin would take one look at her slightly glazed eyes, and would then sit down beside her in high spirits and smilingly explain everything clearly and carefully. As his concluding statement, he would always say, "Call me any time if there's anything you don't understand. I'm available 24x7!" Rosé really did call him at 3 o'clock one morning. It was the eve of some big project, and she had stared at the data on the investment report without being able to make clear sense of the numbers. She felt bad about asking her subordinates and ended up calling him. They talked until 5 a.m. Rosé thanked him sincerely, and was just about to hang up, when he interjected, "Ai ai ai! Don't hang up! I'm already at your office building, come down and have breakfast."
Of course, Jimin drove and gave her instructions at the same time. Once again, Rosé saw the disparity in strength between the two men.
And Jimin was observing all of Rosé's efforts.
Of all the different types of people in the world, Jimin and Jungkook were of the same type. In truth, after having interacted with Rosé several times, Jimin was very clear that this lady's business acumen was only so-so. In her hands, the estate that Chanyeol had bequeathed to her had developed sufficiently. With a little more effort, it would perhaps be possible to maintain the current situation. The best option, for both Rosé and the company, would be for her to sell off her shares.
However, he naturally could not tell her this. He did not want to deal a blow to her industrious nature. Furthermore, she clearly had not needed any intervention where the project was concerned. She had only wanted to fully comprehend all aspects of the business, and was willing to work overtime every day in order to do so.
It didn't matter. With him helping her, it might be possible to groom a future female entrepreneur star one day.
Even if he did not like her romantically, he would still want to help her when he considered all the difficulties she had encountered. To say nothing of the fact that he liked her very much indeed.
Half a year passed by swiftly.
The partnership between the two companies strengthened. Jimin's subtle hints and outright statements were also becoming more obvious.
As the representatives and backbones of their respective companies, they signed a partnership agreement. With a deadpan expression, Jimin told everyone, "There are still a few confidential conditions which I have to negotiate with President Roseanne." Everyone else fled the room as quickly as possible.
Fully immersed in work, Rosé queried, "What confidential conditions? Please, do tell."
Jimin replied, "Hmmm. I've yet to think about that. I'm more concerned about where we're going for dinner tonight to celebrate signing the contract."
She had also become accustomed to his presence. Once, when the two of them were eating dinner, Rosé also drank a little wine. Jimin said something-who knew what it was-that was really funny, such that Rosé could not restrain her laughter, and also could not help stretching out her hand to punch him on the shoulder. Like lightning, Jimin grabbed her hand, and his eyes, normally always full of laughter, also took on a profound expression.
Rosé immediately snatched her hand back.
Should she accept him?
It was not the first time Rosé had asked herself this question.
Although he had never again mentioned pursuing her, their relationship was ambiguous She had also come to rely on him, somewhat like a drowning person who clutches at a straw that suddenly floats by. She was unable to figure out whether what she felt towards him was love.
When she thought about love, she felt rather numb.
The issue came to a head during the annual meeting at Rosé's company HQ. Their partnership had officially come to an end, and Jimin was to return to Beijing the next day. It was a winter night, with snowflakes falling everywhere. The atmosphere was really joyous. Most of the people present had drunk a little wine, and many others kept going up to where Rosé and Jimin sat at the main table to toast them.
The Head of the International Trade Department was a female professor who had studied abroad. She was gorgeous, and had a swift and decisive manner. Those with a discerning eye said that she quite liked Jimin. However, while Jimin treated her with respect he always kept her at arm's length.
Holding a glass of wine in her hands, the female professor finished toasting Jimin and Rosé, then commented, "President Park, it's been almost a year since you've come to Lin City. Why are you still single?"
Everyone laughed, including Rosé. Everyone assumed Jimin would brush off the comment with a jest, as he usually did. Who knew that Jimin would smile faintly as he glanced at Rosé, then reply in a leisurely manner, "Haven't I been pursuing your President Roseanne all this time? I can't catch her ah."
Everyone was struck dumb.
Although there had been rumours about the two Presidents, when all was said and done, their relationship seemed to be neither here nor there, and nobody had observed any development. As time passed, everyone assumed that there was nothing going on. Who knew that Jimin would boldly disclose the situation in front of so many people in response to a department head.
After a moment's pause, everyone burst out laughing but had no idea what to say after they had done so. The female professor who had been pursuing Jimin put down her wineglass, muttered a few words in embarrassment and walked away.
Rosé also felt awkward, incomparably awkward. For a moment, she actually felt her heart sink... with this revelation, it would be impossible for them to carry on interacting as per usual while pretending that nothing had happened.
She excused herself to go to the restroom, but when she stood up to leave, her face had already turned red.
Jimin put down his wineglass and, as expected, followed her out of the room. He was not the slightest bit embarrassed, for this was how Beijing rogues pursued their girls.
They walked to the terrace one after another. Jimin ensured that the door was shut , then consoled her, seemingly with great understanding. "Don't be affected by what they say. It's ok ah."
Rosé turned her head and quietly looked at him as she said, "I'm sorry, Jimin. I still can't do it right now."
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