"Now, let this big sister know what your plans are."
Wang Yuvin was about to answer the question but his stomach let out a loud growl.
They stared at each other with amusement. Wang Reiji tipped her head back and roared with laughter.
"Hahaha! Looks like we need to fill that empty stomach of yours. I'll head down first to oversee the lunch preparation. See you!"
Wang Reiji announced as she walked toward the door, their conversation interrupted by the noise of Wang Yuvin's stomach.
"Okay! Be there in 15 minutes." Wang Yuvin then walked leisurely to the shower to take a quick bath and fix his disheveled appearance.
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A woman gracefully descended from her mansion's grand staircase as the natural light from the glass dome overhead shone on her attractive face.
Her metallic rhinestone detailed ankle-wrap heels moved fluidly against the carpet with elaborate golden designs and black tapestries.
Everything was right about the scene-- except for the woman herself.
As soon as the she reached the marble floor, a middle-aged woman who seemed like her assistant was already waiting for her, nervous and slightly shaking.
"Lady Xur, you have an invitation from Oriental Europa. The hotel is inviting you to attend their masquerade ball at the end of the month."
"Masquerade ball? Interesting. You know what to do, right?" Huang Xur asked as she sat down on the couch, crossed her leg and signaled her assistant to move closer.
The assistant reluctantly obeyed, her nervousness multiplied, her wrinkles increased.
According to office rumors, this lady boss' outer features do not mirror her inner nature -- that behind her charming looks was an atrocious b*tch who's ready to give anyone a good a beating whenever she felt displeased.
"Yes, Lady Xur. In fact, I already set a meeting with the top couturiers of Beijing." The assistant answered, her hands trembling, heart pounding.
Huang Xur did not react, causing her assistant to feel even more worried.
Was that a wrong move? Was she supposed to wait for her go signal before she arranged a meeting?
The lingering silence had started choking the assistant as if a pair of invisible hands were depriving her of oxygen.
"I want you to do two more things for me." Alas! Huang Xur spoke.
"I want you to find out Prosecutor Zhang's schedule and arrange me a dinner meeting with him. And if you think you cannot accomplish these tasks before the event comes, I suggest you go find another job. Understood?"
The poor assistant swallowed a lump in her throat before she answered.
"Yes, Lady Xur." The assistant almost murmured.
"I have nothing more to say. Now, scram!" Huang Xur yelled at the pitiful assistant.
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Inside a hotel room, hazy rings of mist float upward as Zhang Chenric pushed out smoke particles in rapid and steady bursts.
As soon as he flicked the cigarette, ashes sprinkled across the carpeted floor.
Noticing that it was short enough to burn his fingers, he crushed it against the glass table.
Then he lit up another one, he inhaled deeply, sucking the smoke
Further into his lungs, trying to remember when was the last time he was able to get a peaceful sleep.
During times like these, whenever he was under too much stress and constant pressure, the cigarette was his only comfort and companion.
Just as he removed the stick from his pink lips, his phone buzzed inside his jeans' pocket.
He blew the smoke carefully into the air, letting his phone to buzz some more, making the caller wait a little bit longer, giving a hint that phone calls no longer excite him in this point of his life.
His dark eyebrows sloped down in a serious way the moment he saw who his caller was.
After a few more rings, he finally picked up the call.
"Speak." Zhang Chenric commanded.
"Young master, you received an invitation for an upcoming masquerade ball happening at the end of the month."
It was his assistant Lee Qingya, reporting news that may somehow stir the interest of his young master.
"Did you call me just to say that? What do you take me for? Some teenage boy that would feel excited about that kind of event?" His tone was harsh though he spoke with calmness.
"My apologies young master. I just want to know if you plan to attend the event that will be organized by Oriental Europa."
Zhang Chenric was about to end the call but immediately refrained from doing so the instant his assistant mentioned the name Oriental Europa.
The annoyance on his face suddenly turned into curiosity.
"Also, Miss Huang Xur wants to have a dinner meeting with you. Should I send a confirmation?" Lee Qingya added.
"No, don't do that. Decline instead. What I want you to do is book me a flight back to Beijing scheduled next week. You also prepare an update report about the things I asked you to investigate on."
After giving his orders, he abruptly ended the call, leaving Lee Qingya hanging on the other line.
Putting his cigarette down, he rubbed his temples.
Will the masquerade ball become a way to return the comfort that he long had ached for?
He smirked, that's a nearly impossible feat. But one thing's for sure.
This time, he'll muster all the courage he can get just to make his Yin talk to him, one on one.