Moments later, a figure emerged from the building and stood before Wells; it was the very assistant Lin Qiu had instructed.
Whatever they discussed, Wilson then stuffed the roses he was holding into the assistant's hands before looking up one last time at Lin Qiu's office. He then reluctantly got into his car and drove away from the firm's building.
The assistant stood rooted to the spot, roses in hand, seemingly at a loss, wondering if she should take the flowers back inside.
The next second, her phone rang.
"Just throw the flowers away!" Lin Qiu's voice came through the phone, icy and devoid of any emotion.
"Okay... okay, Manager!"
The assistant, clearly relieved by the instruction, hung up and headed straight for a trash can on the roadside.
Watching the crimson roses disappear into the trash can, the tension in Lin Qiu's brow eased, and she returned to her desk.
"What, you don't like this suitor?" A sudden voice startled her, and she quickly looked up.
Seeing it was Taran, she gave a resigned shrug.
"I've already rejected him quite clearly. My other half will definitely not be an American..."
"Oh? And why is that?" Taran asked, raising an eyebrow with interest.
"Er..."
Lin Qiu instinctively glanced at Taran's face, then her gaze flickered to his armpit before she shook her head firmly.
"No particular reason. I just don't like him, that's all."
"..."
In the distance, the car that had just driven away from the firm's building had somehow returned.
There was now an additional figure inside.
"Wells, it seems your charm has diminished somewhat..."
The long-haired man in sunglasses glanced at the roadside trash can, then turned back to the handsome man in the driver's seat, jerking his chin towards it and teasing with a smile.
Wells's handsome face was impassive, as if he didn't care in the slightest about the roses in the trash can.
"Women in high positions are often like that; it's understandable if they're a bit difficult."
"Oh? You plan to continue? The higher-ups haven't given us much time!"
"It won't take long. I've dealt with plenty of women like her. Have you ever seen me fail?"
Wells looked at the long-haired man beside him, a slight smile playing on his lips, his eyes flashing with a peculiar light.
Seeing the sudden change in Wells's expression, the long-haired man's gaze froze for a moment, then he burst out cursing, as if from shame turning to anger.
"Fuck! You damn bastard, don't give me that look!"
"Did that make your heart flutter? HAHAHA!"
「The next day at noon」
A crowd of employees streamed out of the firm building's entrance.
"Where are we eating today?"
"The usual spot, of course!"
"Or should we check out that new Eastern restaurant?"
"..."
While everyone was discussing where to get lunch, a man in a suit stood quietly at the firm's main entrance, holding a fresh bouquet of roses, evidently waiting for someone.
"Why is he here again?"
"Manager Lin Qiu seems to have rejected him many times already, right?"
"Could this be love?"
"He is really handsome, though!"
"..."
The employees passed by the man, their expressions varied, but no one stopped to watch the spectacle, as they already knew how it would end.
"Do you guys think Manager Lin Qiu has a boyfriend?"
"I think it's possible!"
"Do you think Manager Lin Qiu might be with Mr. Chu Feng..."
"Shut up! Look behind you before you speak!"
The hushed whispers from the huddled groups vanished instantly with the sound of footsteps approaching from behind them.
As Lin Qiu reached the main entrance and stepped outside, she immediately saw the person she least wanted to see.
"Beautiful lady, may I invite you to lunch?"
The man offered the stunningly vibrant roses, his voice rich and magnetic.
"Wells, I've told you many times, stop bothering me!"
As the man drew closer, Lin Qiu wrinkled her pretty nose and instinctively took several steps back.
If it weren't for maintaining her composure, she probably would have covered her nose by now.
Just how much perfume had this white guy doused himself in?
Meanwhile, Wells watched the woman deliberately maintain her distance. Despite the warm smile on his face, a flicker of darkness crossed his eyes.
Damn it, why is this Eastern woman so difficult to deal with?
Wilson, who considered himself quite knowledgeable about Eastern women, had never encountered one who frustrated him so thoroughly.
He had been pursuing her for over a month, yet he hadn't imagined that even inviting her for a private meal would be such an unrealistic hope.
At this rate, the plan devised by the higher-ups was probably doomed to complete failure!
"Lin Qiu, I don't know why you dislike me so much, but my feelings for you are genuine. I hope you'll give me a chance!"
Gazing into his seemingly sincere eyes, Lin Qiu inexplicably felt a shiver of revulsion.
Moreover, as he unconsciously took a step closer, the overpowering scent wafting from him made her stomach churn.
"UGH!"
Although Lin Qiu desperately tried to maintain her composure and suppress her physical reaction, her barely suppressed gag did not escape Wells's notice.
In an instant, rage flooded Wells's heart.
Bichi! Damn yellow-skinned monkey! If it weren't for the orders from above, I'd make you understand just how formidable I can be!
Wells's hand, held behind his back, clenched into a fist so tight that his knuckles turned white.
Yet, his facial expression didn't change at all; instead, he wore a look of extreme concern.
"What's wrong? Are you not feeling well? Let me take you to the hospital!"
Catching him trying to approach again out of the corner of her eye, Lin Qiu quickly waved her hand dismissively.
"No! What I need right now is for you to stay far away from me!"
At the same time, the renewed whispers from the surrounding crowd made Lin Qiu's brow tighten.
Her expression turned cold again as her icy eyes swept over the onlookers.
The next second, those who had been eager to watch the drama felt their courage fail them and hastily turned to leave, not daring to linger any longer.
"Let's go, let's go! I'm starving..."
Once the crowd had dispersed, Lin Qiu turned back, her face stern.
"Mr. Wells, I am formally warning you now: do not come and harass me again! If you show up again, I will have security remove you."
"Lin Qiu, can't you just give us a chance?"
Wells lowered his head, his voice trembling slightly as if making a final plea.
"No!" Lin Qiu's voice was adamant. She knew she couldn't give this relentless man the slightest opportunity, or he would undoubtedly latch onto her again.
Hearing her response, the roses in Wells's hand dropped to the ground. He slowly raised his head.
"I never expected... I never truly expected my first failure would be because of a yellow-skinned monkey like you!"
As he spoke, his voice laced with derision, a sinister sneer slowly spread across his face.