'They called her the President? What's going on here? Why can't they see that it's still her?'

He was flabbergasted. The more amazing thing that he realized was that she returned to the ball. He was given another opportunity to interact with her. It was probably his one last shot.

Therefore he did not waste any moment and followed her every movements.

He saw her walk straight to Chairman Xue, her father.

Chairman Xue most probably knew because his eyes almost bulged out of their sockets.

They talked for a while in a vacant s.p.a.ce, Butler Lee stood aside as if guarding the pair.

'Something's fishy here. But it's none of my business.'

'My business, and the most important at the moment, is to talk to her again. How am I gonna do that?' He thought.

'He remembered their recent anecdote. He stuttered, and was able to only say 'You look gorgeous tonight' and some pleasantries.

He racked his brains. He needs all his creative juices to solve this life-threatening and life-defining moment. This is a make-or-break situation.

He took a gla.s.s of whiskey and downed it.

He's not much of a drinker but he decided that he needed the help of alcohol. After one gla.s.s he felt just a little tipsy. His cheeks turned a bit rosy.

Chen Linyun watched as the Chairman left Xue Jinxu's side. She roamed around for a while and engaged into small talks with her business partners.

What surprised him was that girls also tried to flirt with her.

'Can't they tell that she's also a woman?'

'Perhaps all they care about is his position, nothing else.'

He rolled his eyes. He was being presumptious, judgmental… or jealous, even?

'At least they can flirt with her in the open.'

It did not take long, and the President prepared to leave the ballroom. Chen Linyun also prepared himself, his plan, his emotions.

He was so nervous that he was sweating so hard.

His heart beat as fast as a bullet train. It was also defeaning.

Soon the President pa.s.sed the exit, followed by Butler Lee.

He followed close behind.

When they were near the entrance of the hotel, at the vestibule that was near empty, he decided to implement his plan.

'It's now or never.'

'I have to do it right.'

"Xue Jinxu." He called her, not too loud, but enough for her to hear.

The President seemed to falter, but continued walking as if nothing happened.

"Xue Jinxu. I know it's you. I'd like to speak with you."

Finally, the President turned, and when she saw him, she was bewildered.

'He was the guy who talked to me before. Does he have ever so discerning eyes that he noticed?'

She gave a side-eye to Butler Lee and said to the man in front of her, "What do you mean?" Her voice was still low, similar to a guy's tone.

"I wish to talk to you alone. I have something to discuss with you, Xue Jinxu."

"Why don't you say it here?"

She preferred to ignore him calling her with her real name.

"It's fine with me, but is it fine with you?" He glanced at Butler Lee and to a few who were starting to get near them. "Let's talk somewhere private."

During this time, since Xue Jinxu consented, Butler Lee showed his efficiency and work ethics. He had already contacted the hotel manager and booked a private room in the hotel's restaurant. The private room was usually used during business meetings so the hotel manager did not think anything was unusual. She also saw the Young Master of Xue s.h.i.+pping which was rare to be seen outside. She just thought that it was a normal business meeting.

Chen Linyun and Xue Jinxu settled inside. Butler Lee left them to have some privacy, but he was just waiting outside by the door. He did not trust Chen Linyun.

"So… What is it that you want to talk about?" Xue Jinxu started. She wanted to end it soon.

"Do you remember the last night you spent in the University X?"

Xue Jinxu was tongue-tied. She clearly was not expecting this question nor the direction that the conversation was taking.

"I'm Chen Linyun, the person who 'saved' you that night. You told me to approach you if I need anything, and that you will treat me to a meal as thanks." He came clean.

That was his plan. So simple. He just wished that it would work.

"Y-you're that Chen guy, B-brother Chen?"

He smiled. 'She still remembered.'

"Yes. I tried to find you to claim my free meal, but you were gone."

"Well, we can have it now, I'll treat you to a meal. Let's schedule it." She grinned. 'So that was what it was all about. She sighed in relief.

"Not that easy. The free meal was long overdue. It had been five years. Make it ten meals. Share ten meals with me."

"Are you crazy? Ten meals? That's a lot!" Her brows knitted and her voice raised an octave. It was unbecoming of her current male façade.

"You said you'll do anything to return the favor."

"Hmph. Indeed I said that. But aren't you too much?"

"How about five then?"

"Deal."

Chen Linyun stood up. "One more thing." He grabbed her hand that was resting on the table. He gently guided it for her to stand up. She followed her lead and stood up, confused.

The next thing she knew, she was enveloped in his warm embrace. "I missed you."

She blushed. She tried to push him away.

His left hand was cradling the back of her head while his right hand secured her lower back. She was held tightly in his embrace.

"Just a little longer."

She was helpless. "I'll sue you for hara.s.sment."

"You wouldn't do that." He finally released her and stared at her blus.h.i.+ng face.

"This time I won't leave your side."

Her innate woman's instinct strongly told her that this guy was not all talk. She was soon proven right.

After the awkward conversation, Chen Linyun ushered her and Butler Lee to the front of the hotel where their car was waiting. Butler Lee a.s.sisted the Xue Jinxu at the back seat. Chen Linyun exchanged nods with him as acknowledgement before he sat at the pa.s.senger seat.

"Finally it started." He beamed. He was ecstatic. He pulled his dark-rimmed gla.s.ses up to his nosebridge enigmatically. 'Well done.' He was praising himself in the head.