19 Feed the cat

In a nearby restaurant.

Feng Qiao sat shocked silly. He couldn't comprehend what just happened. Why is he in a restaurant right now with none other than Zhao Lin?

He looks at this walking temptation who is now gracefully giving his orders to the waiter.

After seeing that Zhao Lin is done giving his orders, Feng Qiao summoned his courage to finally ask.

"W-Why are we here?"

"To eat." Zhao Lin replied briefly.

Feng Qiao didn't know what to reply. Of course, they're going to eat! This is a restaurant!

Feng Qiao took a deep breath, "I mean.. why is it only the two of us? We even left others back there..." He looked down, his hands are fidgety.

Eating together. Just the two of them. Doesn't this seem like..... a dd-date?

Feng Qiao's white cheeks turned slightly red with his embarrassing thought. No! I shouldn't think like this! Senior Zhao Lin is just being nice to me because I'm his junior...

"I am treating you today as congratulations for your hard work..." Zhao Lin smiled as he put both of his arms on the table and leaned closer to Feng Qiao. "... and if I brought the others with us, they'll just make a fuss out of this"

Realization dawned on Feng Qiao. Yeah... before when Zhao Lin treated them all, they all get shocked and excited like little kids. It seems like Pres Zhao Lin treating others is a big deal.

If they knew that Zhao Lin was treating their junior Feng to lunch, who knew what would they think?

"You don't really have to treat me. I'm just doing what I must do.... but... thank you." Feng Qiao said with his voice getting softer at the end.

Zhao Lin smiled with satisfaction on his face when he heard him say 'thank you'

Their talk was interrupted when the foods arrived. And when you say 'foods', it meant LOTS of foods.

Feng Qiao was stunned seeing different dishes kept coming until their table was full. What is this? There's only two of us right? How can we finish this!?

"I don't know what you like so I just ordered anything on their menu." Zhao Lin said nonchalantly like there was nothing wrong with what he did.

Feng Qiao didn't know whether to laugh or cry. He could've just asked me, right?

"But Senior, we can't finish this all..." Feng Qiao tried to explain to this person who doesn't seem to follow the logic.

Zhao Lin furrowed his brows, it really seems like he gone overboard this time. He was too eager to feed this 'cat' and ordered anything that he might like.

"Hmm, then just choose those that you like and we'll return the others."

Relieved, Feng Qiao immediately chooses 3 dishes to stay and let the others go back. He really can't take to see those food being wasted.

"Is it fine to return those?" Feng Qiao whispered. He was worried that the owner might be angry for them ordering and then returning them the next moment.

"It's fine. Don't worry"

Seeing Zhao Lin's confident countenance, Feng Qiao finally felt at ease and started to eat. From their rigorous training before, all his energy was used up and he was feeling hungry.

Feng Qiao was too focused on satiating his hunger that he didn't notice that Zhao Lin was observing him while eating.

Zhao Lin observed this cat that's eating happily in front of him. When he ascertained that the cat already let his guard down, he thought that it was time to say his real motive for bringing Feng Qiao here.

Zhao Lin put down his spoon and fork and leaned back in his chair, his gaze not leaving the still eating Feng Qiao. He opened his mouth and talked in an unhurried pace—

"So tell me, why are you avoiding me?"