Chapter 292: What Does That Friend Of Yours Have Anything To Do With Wei Zilin?

Wei Zilin’s lips opened just barely and his gentle eyes twinkled as he lowered his head and asked, “Now, will you give me a chance to take you out to dinner?”

Xu Moyan’s face went completely red and she could not help but smile. “Okay.”

As she walked alongside Wei Zilin, her mind would not stop thinking of what she should do? Wei Zilin was such a great guy and he was always so straightforward and honest, whether it was in the way he spoke or how he dealt with things, and she admired that. Whether or not she ignored the whole Yu Linling incident, she would still fall for him.

She had been constantly reminding herself to be careful not to get sucked into this whirlwind, but somehow, she had unknowingly fallen in regardless. Her feelings toward him had entirely devoured her sense of rationality and cautiousness.

Liang Wenyin who was now left at the entrance of the office could not help but turn to Zheng Yuntong. “What would that friend of yours have anything to do with Wei Zilin?”

Without realizing, her condescending tone came off arrogant.

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Zheng Yuntong despised people with such an attitude, but after reminding herself that Liang Wenyin was ultimately her client, she responded politely in a casual tone, “Just as President Wei said himself, my friend treated him with dinner once and he’s just returning the favor today. I’m not too sure if there’s anything more to that though, and my friend’s unclear on that as well. I’m afraid President Wei is the only one who’s clear on what’s happening now. Would you like me to ask him in your place?”

“What is this attitude!” Liang Wenyin snorted before turning around to leave unhappily.

Zheng Yuntong then turned to Guan Zexi. “I’m sorry, I think I may have been a little rude to my client.”

Guan Zexi responded with a smile, “You don’t seem like you really mean it though, but it’s alright, Liang Wenyin won’t let such a small matter affect both parties’ collaboration.”

Zheng Yuntong nodded even though in her head she did not mind losing a client like Liang Wenyin.

She and Lu Lixin were not exactly lacking clients who could earn them loads of money and at the same time were not difficult to work with.

When she agreed to have lunch with Guan Zexi, she did not expect Guan Zexi to choose the same Western restaurant as before and to coincidentally end up sitting at the same table.

Zheng Yuntong sat down and immediately could not help but think of the time Sheng Zongyi sat across her.

“What’s the matter?” Guan Zexi asked with concern when he noticed that Zheng Yuntong was zoned out.

Zheng Yuntong quickly recovered and after she blinked her eyes, the person sitting across her was Guan Zexi once again.

Disappointment flooded through her mind as she shook her head reluctantly. “Nothing, just that I’ve been here once before and the food was quite good. I didn’t expect you to know about this restaurant.”

“This restaurant has a good reputation,” Guan Zexi said, “When I found out you were working at Lin Yi, I specifically searched online review sites to find good restaurants near your office, and that’s when I found this restaurant.”

“It’s quite expensive though. Senior, you don’t have to go to this extent for a simple meal,” Zheng Yuntong said, embarrassed.

“No, there’s no need to save money when it’s at my expense,” Guan Zexi replied with a smile, “So what’s it like working at Lin Yi? How have you been?”

“It’s great! My boss treats us well, and although he looks strict most of the time, he’s very thoughtful and considerate towards his employees. He’s very protective of his employees at critical times. My mentor’s nice to me too and he’s very patient when it comes to teaching me the ins and outs of the company. All of my colleagues get along well, there are no petty disputes or anything of the kind, so I’ve enjoyed my time here so far,” Zheng Yuntong said. She was unlike most people who would tend to frown and begin venting when they speak about their workplace.

Instead, her face lit up and she was full of smiles, not a hint of negativity present on her expressions.

“Wow, I can really tell that you love your job.” Then, Guan Zexi added reluctantly, “To think I was originally planning on inviting you to join my company. We’re currently short on people in the public relations department and it would be of great help if we could get a professional to take control at the moment.”

With a smile, Zheng Yuntong shook her head right away. “I can’t possibly do that. I am still yet to finish my mentorship! Even if you were looking to hire someone to fulfill that role, you should at least hire someone as experienced as my mentor. Why me? However, I can tell you that as for now, my mentor is a hundred percent loyal to Lin Yi. Many companies have tried to poach him over the past few years and they’ve never stopped, but my mentor’s loyalty has never faltered. He likes the working environment at Lin Yi, and he appreciates the freedom that our boss gives us, and so do I.”

“That’s a pity,” Guan Zexi exclaimed with regret, “To be honest, you shouldn’t doubt and be so harsh on yourself like this. Look at Lin Yi’s reputation, and perhaps you’re still a mentee in comparison to your mentor, but the fact is if you were to leave Lin Yi now, you’ll be at the top of the line in the public relations sector. Not many people have as much quality work experience as you so you’ll be incomparable, and many companies would willingly hire you as their head of department.”

“Really?” Zheng Yuntong gave a small laugh. “I’ve never thought of that, but I’m currently very happy at Lin Yi and have no plans of leaving yet.”

“Yes, you keep emphasizing this and I can tell that it’d be impossible to persuade you. Seems like I won’t get the opportunity to become colleagues with you, but hopefully we’ll get the chance to collaborate on future projects together,” Guan Zexi said as he gently folded his hands on the table, “When I first graduated, I was so busy trying to start a business with my friends. During that period of time, I was so busy I didn’t have a care in the world for anything else. I didn’t have time to go back to university to see you and we eventually lost touch. That’s something I regret deeply even until now.”

Zheng Yuntong was in the middle of chewing on a piece of her steak when he had said that. She was stunned, unsure of how to react. Her teeth chewed on the piece of meat in her mouth robotically as her hands froze in the air, her knife and fork still in hand.

“Hehe,” Zheng Yuntong let out an awkward laugh, “Senior, you’re too kind. I have a big heart and I’m not that petty, so you don’t have to say all these things to make up with me.”

“I’m not just saying this to make you happy. There’s no point being courteous toward you. Yuntong, I’ve never forgotten you since graduating from school, and not just because you’re my junior. I had so many juniors back in university and I don’t remember any of them, but you’re the only one I remember,” Guan Zexi continued, “When the company had just been established, I had the busiest, worst days, where I endured so many sleepless nights that I developed cold sores, I seriously contemplated giving up. I often wondered to myself, was I capable of starting my own company? I’m inexperienced, and I’m nothing more than a fresh graduate from university. Did I bite off more than I could chew?”

Zheng Yuntong continued chewing her steak, which was now beginning to taste like wax. She did not know what to say. “Senior, you’re more than capable. Look, aren’t you doing really well now? That means you made the right choice back then,” she said in a dry tone.

“Yes, but I’ve certainly considered giving up several times back then. In my head, I felt that with my experience at school, my resume would still look decent enough to apply for a job at a reputable company. I would more or less be guaranteed a future filled with potential, so it was pointless tiring myself out like this. However, I stuck through it all and although it was tough, I managed to persist. Do you know what gave me the motivation to keep going?” Guan Zexi asked, his eyes were locked with Zheng Yuntong’s so she was unable to divert her gaze.

Zheng Yuntong panicked and gulped nervously, her eyes twitching involuntarily as she tried to avoid his gaze. She had never been narcissistic, nor had she ever felt confident about herself. She was timid when it came to feelings and relationships. She never dared let herself overthink things when the other party showed interest, hence she has missed out on multiple potential relationships since university.

However, she could sense something from Guan Zexi’s little speech.

This… Was this a confession?

Zheng Yuntong’s mind slipped away for a bit and the piece of steak that was still not well-chewed in her mouth got stuck in her throat due to her unsteady breaths and swallowing.

Her face instantly turned red and she began to cough and beat her chest.

Guan Zexi quickly reached out for a glass of water and passed it to Zheng Yuntong. “Quick, have some water. Why are you so careless?”

Zheng Yuntong coughed as she quickly gulped down a few mouthfuls of water to wash the piece of steak down. Then, she finally heaved a sigh of relief, but since the uncomfortable feeling was still there, she stopped eating for a while.

Guan Zexi smiled wryly. “Is it really that bad? I haven’t even gotten to the point and you’ve already had such a big reaction. I don’t know how to continue now.”

Zheng Yuntong had the urge to reply, asking him not to go on, as she really did not know how to reject him.

She was the worst at saying no to people.

“Yuntong, even back then, I——” Guan Zexi continued speaking.

“Senior!” Zheng Yuntong could no longer hold it in and quickly interrupted him.

If this happened back in university and Guan Zexi confessed to her, she might have accepted him straight away. Back in university, she actually did admire him, but it was nothing more than admiration for his personality charm and character. If he did confess his feelings for her, she would not be able to think of a reason to reject him so she would be forced to give it a go. If she was completely honest, she never thought anything of him before his confession.

The thought of developing a romantic relationship with Guan Zexi had never crossed Zhen Yuntong’s mind, so she was not the least bit emotional.

She could only consider giving it a try, and perhaps she would develop romantic feelings toward him as they dated. It was nowhere near the point where she would constantly think of him and wanted him badly.

If this was a few years back, she might have accepted him.

However, at that moment while she faced Guan Zexi, she was unable to concentrate on what he was saying. Her mind was filled with thoughts of Shen Zongyi.

Guan Zexi suddenly paused, seemingly crushed by Zheng Yuntong’s reaction.

“Actually, I don’t think I want to know,” Zheng Yuntong said quickly, “In fact, some things are better left unsaid.”

Guan Zexi frowned slightly, visibly unhappy. He stared at Zheng Yuntong with a look that appeared stern and upset. “Just let me finish what I have to say. I hope you at least consider what I’m about to say.”

His stubbornness and refusal to let her speak her mind was making her uncomfortable.

“Look, I’ve always seen you as nothing more than my senior. Back in university, I was just a small secretary in our club, but you’ve taken good care of me ever since, and I’m grateful for that. For that, I genuinely thank you, and I respect you, but to me, you’re not just a senior, you’re like an elder brother I never had,” Zheng Yuntong added quickly, afraid of being interrupted by Guan Zexi once more.