The restaurant was an independent two-story building.
Having evidently made arrangements in advance, the waiters began serving dishes one after another.
Chu Xu looked around the interior, which was completely different from an ordinary restaurant.
There were no extra dining tables; the entire layout resembled a family living room.
No wonder it wasn't open to the public—even these two tables wouldn't be enough for a real business.
"Director Jiang, you've arrived," a middle-aged man in a black uniform walked over to greet her.
He glanced up and down at Chu Xu,
curious about who this person brought here to dine by Director Jiang could be.
Since the restaurant first opened, he had never seen the boss bring any man here; today was a first.
Jiang Mu nodded in acknowledgment, then said softly, "Remember his face. He can come and go as he pleases from now on."
"Understood, Director Jiang."
Their relationship certainly wasn't ordinary... Still, he didn't dare ask too many questions. He memorized Chu Xu's appearance and quietly stepped back.
"That's great. Can I bring my friends here, then?"
Jiang Mu looked up at Chu Xu, frowning slightly. "Not now. Later... depends on your performance."
It was meant as a joke, but Chu Xu hadn't expected her to say that at all.
*Depends on my performance later...*
Of course he knew what that meant.
Depends my ass, what kind of dog would lower themselves to be a bootlicker...
The private chef's culinary skills were truly impressive. Chu Xu had eaten a lot during his previous meal here, and he was still quite full now.
By contrast, Jiang Mu barely touched her chopsticks, spending most of her time reviewing documents.
Chu Xu suddenly felt curious. "You're so busy every day, yet your skin is still this good. Are you just naturally blessed?"
For an executive like her, staying up late was a regular occurrence. Maintaining skin like that was nothing short of impressive.
"Maybe," Jiang Mu said, turning off her screen. "Are you planning to stay at that company indefinitely?"
A first job right out of college was basically just for building experience to make job-hopping easier later on.
Very few people stayed at their first job forever.
"Who knows? I'll just take it as it comes for now. I can't very well quit before I even pass my probation period."
"Mm..."
Pondering for a moment, Jiang Mu said, "Why don't you come work for me? My project department happens to be short-staffed."
Chu Xu shook his head. "Forget it. It took a lot of effort just to get past probation; there's no need to quit now."
Following Jiang Mu would certainly lead to a comfortable life—who knows, maybe the boss would be in a good mood one day and assign him a high-paying position where he could slack off.
But their relationship hadn't reached that point yet.
Even if Jiang Mu actually arranged it, Chu Xu wouldn't go.
There would bound to be too many restrictions, and Chu Xu didn't particularly like being bossed around.
"Fair enough. Let me know when you want to come." Jiang Mu gracefully shifted her sitting posture, looking at Chu Xu with a faint smile.
This woman was always staring at him, though he had no idea why.
Still, Chu Xu didn't feel awkward; he just ate and drank as he pleased.
Trying too hard to act elegant in front of the opposite sex was a rather unpleasant thing.
And Jiang Mu happened to think that being authentic was better, which was why she found looking at Chu Xu quite pleasant.
"By the way, are you free tomorrow?" Jiang Mu suddenly thought of something.
Chu Xu calculated his schedule; he should have plenty of time. "Nothing much going on. Why?"
"I need to make a trip to Rongcheng... Accompany me." Jiang Mu parted her red lips, a subtle change coming over her beautiful face.
It seemed to be a trace of shyness.
She had never said such a thing to a man before. Saying it for the first time felt thoroughly unfamiliar.
Chu Xu was momentarily stunned. Why did it sound increasingly ambiguous? But...
Could you please let me take a single day off? I really want to sleep in this weekend.
"Do you have to?"
In response, he received an icy glare. Chu Xu hurriedly straightened his expression and smiled. "Of course not! I'd be more than happy to accompany Director Jiang on a business trip. You're so gorgeous and capable—accompanying you is simply my good fortune."
Normally, Jiang Mu would find such remarks repulsive, but coming from Chu Xu, she found them pleasing to the ear.
It was as if she could never grow tired of hearing them, no matter how many times he said it.
"Good to know."
Jiang Mu looked at Chu Xu with satisfaction, took a key out of her pocket, and said, "Pick me up at eight tomorrow morning."
"You want me to drive all the way to Rongcheng?" Chu Xu was speechless.
Over three hundred kilometers meant more than three hours of driving each way—six hours total.
She really didn't treat him like a human being.
"What, can't you handle it?" Jiang Mu rested her chin in her hand with a meaningful look, the corners of her lips curling into an enigmatic arc.
"Ah... If you can't, that's fine too. I'll just call a chauffeur." Jiang Mu sighed and gently shook her head.
Putting on a look of profound regret.
Chu Xu truly hadn't expected a billionaire director to have such a mischievous streak.
Her talent for teasing people one after another was genuinely surprising.
However, a man could never admit he couldn't handle it.
"Are you kidding?"
Chu Xu snatched the key right out of her hand, stood up, and headed for the door. "Let's go. I'll drive you home."
Jiang Mu chuckled and followed Chu Xu out.
After dropping Jiang Mu off at her home, Chu Xu drove the Mulsanne back to his own place.
The sudden appearance of a multi-million-dollar luxury car in the apartment complex's garage was indeed rather eye-catching.
Yet, in the dead of night, nobody paid attention.
"I'm home."
Just as he sent the message to Jiang Mu, she happened to reply at the same time.
"Are you home?"
Well, look at that—things were improving; he was actually receiving a CEO's concern.
"What a coincidence, Director Jiang and I really share a telepathic connection..."
They bantered and chatted idly for a little longer.
Chu Xu discovered that Jiang Mu was actually quite pleasant and not as rigid as he had imagined.
On the contrary, she sometimes had a mischievous streak, completely different from the ruthless businesswoman he had pictured.
So, if they continued interacting and she didn't find him repulsive, they could genuinely give a relationship a try.
Meanwhile.
In the sprawling living room, Jiang Mu was entirely by herself.
Today, she had unusually set aside her work.
Dressed in a black lace silk slip dress, her hair cascaded loose over her shoulders and back, and her long, slender legs were free of any excess fat as she reclined lazily against the sofa.
It was a scene of extreme temptation, though unfortunately, there was no one around to witness it.
Jiang Mu held her phone, occasionally amused by Chu Xu's remarks to the point of a chuckle.
Among the men her mother introduced to her, not a single one was anything like Chu Xu.
They either rambled on about everything and nothing or offered endless empty solicitations.
Some even tried to discuss the meaning of life and human ideals with her.
Jiang Mu found such conversations idiotic and a waste of time, with not the slightest desire to reply.
That was why she merely added many of them on WeChat and never responded.
Yet Chu Xu gave her a completely different feeling; he never spoke according to standard formulas, nor was he intimidated by her status.
It felt just like chatting with a close friend.
That sense of authenticity left Jiang Mu very satisfied.
While they say love starts with good looks, Jiang Mu was no exception.
She had seen plenty of handsome male celebrities, but not a single one made her instantly reluctant to push them away at first glance.
That was why their story began, and why they started getting to know each other step by step.
If he had been just like the others—boring, rigid, and predictable in his words and actions—Jiang Mu would have remained entirely indifferent.
A pretty face was only a bonus, never a passing grade on its own.
Still... Thank goodness he was different.
Jiang Mu contentedly turned off her screen, a smile lingering at the corners of her mouth as she dozed off for a moment.
...
The next morning at eight o'clock.
Chu Xu arrived as promised at the underground garage of her apartment complex.
After waiting a few minutes, she came down.
In an era where people routinely kept you waiting an hour or two, women like Jiang Mu were a rare breed.
No wonder she was able to become a CEO; her sense of punctuality was etched into her very bones.
"Over here."
Today she was wearing a short black jacket with a white shirt underneath, her voluminous, wavy hair falling casually down her back with light flax-colored tips, and a pair of black aviator sunglasses. The entire look made her appear exceptionally dashing and spirited.
A sight for sore eyes was probably the best way to describe her. Chu Xu smiled and pulled open the front passenger door for her. "Director Jiang looks even prettier today than yesterday."
Jiang Mu glanced at him with a look of disdain. "Stop flattering me."
Yet anyone with eyes could tell she was actually very pleased.
...