Lu Lian and the Receptionists looked at the source of the voice.
A handsome man, wearing a grey color suit, was standing a few steps away from the reception area as his eyes darted at the young woman, standing in front of the reception table.
The moment Lu Lian saw Ming Rusheng, her eyes left wide open, and Ming Rusheng stepped towards her. The Receptionist bowed to him and stayed silent.
“Are you here to meet me?” Ming Rusheng asked, coldly.
“Yes,” Lu Lian nodded, her heart beating faster in her chest.
She couldn’t understand why she was so nervous seeing him as she came there to meet him only.
“Follow me,” Instructing, Ming Rusheng led her way towards the elevator, and Lu Lian followed him, getting out of the daze.
As they waited for the elevator, Lu Lian could hear the heartbeats rang in her ears, making her as deaf, and it got worse as they entered the elevator. Ming Rusheng was standing facing the door with both hands tucked in his pants pocket, his face devoid of any expressions.
Lu Lian was standing beside him, facing the door, keeping as much possible distance between them. She didn’t know what to talk as suddenly the atmosphere turned chilly for her.
‘This man is so intimidating. Is it because of what happened that night? Am I embarrassed by what kind of situation he had seen me in?, or Is there something in him that made me feel like this?’ so many thoughts rushed Lu Lian’s brain and made her feel nervous.
——
Ming Rusheng had a meeting with a few clients, and after the meeting, he came out of the office to see them off as they were the important people for him. Bidding farewell, when he came back and stepped towards the elevator way along with his assistant, he noticed a familiar figure standing in the reception area.
Thinking he was mistaken, he looked at the young woman again. She was wearing a simple dark blue, floral print top tucked in off-white trouser and paired with the blue booties, the black elbow-length hair left open as the two tiny hairpins tucked at either side of the head to prevent the hair falling in front of her face.
“You can leave,” Ming Rusneng instructed his assistant and stepped towards Lu Lian.
He heard part of the conversation when the Receptionist asked for Lu Lian’s ID proof to set the appointment booking form. Seeing Lu Lian hesitant, he understood what was going on and interrupted them.
——
Elevator’s door opened, and Ming Rusheng stepped out for it, not saying a word to Lu Lian while she continued following him silently. Receptionists at that floor bowed to Ming Rusheng and tried to recognize the girl following their boss while Lu Lian made sure not to look at them.
Ming Rusheng opened the office door, entered inside to sit on the couch and instructed Lu Lian to sit, who followed him to his office.
Lu Lain sat opposite to him on the couch, feeling nervous under his cold gaze. Just as she was about to speak, not knowing how to start the conversation, Ming Rusheng spoke.
“What business do you have with me?” it was a straight rude question that was devoid of politeness.
Not minding it as they were not familiar with each other, Lu Lian replied, “I tried to call you, but you didn’t receive the call, so I had to come here. I….”
“I don’t receive the calls from the strangers,” Ming Rusheng interrupted her, even before she could finish what she wished to.
Lu Lian didn’t take it to heart as she was no less than a stranger for him though they were relatives now. Moreover, she knew how come he would know it was her contact number who tried to reach him.
Accepting his words, she held the bag in front, “I was here to return this.”
“What’s this? He asked, his sight still the same unknown to how this girl was feeling tortured under his cold gaze and not so welcoming behavior.
“The jacket and the wallet. It’s the one that day….,”
“Ohh, you came so early to give it back,” came the sarcastic reply from the man as he never stopped interrupting her, but as usual, Lu Lian tried to be composed.
“I am sorry, but…”
“Or is it just an excuse to meet me like this?” he questioned, the pride about himself filled in his voice.
Lu Lian felt like she heard something wrong. “Pardon?”
Ming Rusheng chuckled. “Are all the young women in the Lu family the same to offer themselves so easily to the man?”
This time Lu Lian lost her calmness and raised her voice, “What do you mean….”
“The meaning is straight. It’s just a jacket that doesn’t matter to me, and as you came so late here, my wallet doesn’t matter to me as well. I have a new one with new cards. Being from a rich family, you already know how it works. Also, I didn’t come to you to ask for my things; then, I must have renewed them all, isn’t it obvious to understand? Now tell me what was the reason to come here if not for just an excuse to meet me,”
“I am here to say…..”
“Don’t tell me you are here to show your gratitude for saving you. Isn’t it too late to do so?” Ming Rusheng interrupted as he added, “You took after your sly brother who knows how to lure the people. He did it with Yuyan, and now you are doing the same”
Lu Lian continued listening calmly. When he finally stopped and waited for her to defend herself, she inhaled deeply and spoke as she stared back in his eyes.
“Are you done?” she asked. The nervous young woman was nowhere to be seen.
Ming Rusheng waited for her to talk as he was sure there was nothing that she could defend herself with.
