Chapter 5: Turbulence in the Internet (2)

Song Xiulan gaped and gasped when she saw the dress Dandan bought. The dress was beautiful but it was too sexy and eye-catching for her.

"Dandan... isn't this a little too much?" Xiulan can't help but ask.

"Boss! The restaurant is a seven-star restaurant. A lot of prestigious people will be there and I would like my boss to always look her best even if it's just dinner." Dandan retorted.

"..." Xiulan was speechless. All she could do was nod at Secretary Dandan's suggestions.

It was almost seven pm. Dandan helped Xiulan also do her makeup and hair. The makeup was unnecessary but Dandan urged her to wear some makeup. Xiulan just obliged since Dandan refused to let her go if she didn't wear any makeup. It's like Dandan already envisioned what she wanted to do and no one can stop her.

Xiulan is now wearing a baby blue sleeveless lace short dress from Elie Saab. Her cleavage can be seen slightly but it was not provocative. It was also tight from the waist to hips and ends on the thighs that made Xiulan's perfect figure exposed.

Dandan chose this dress because she already imagined that her beautiful boss would look like a goddess in it and she was definitely right.

Dandan wanted to boost her boss' sex appeal. She actually wanted Hongqi to know that her boss' beauty was unlike any of his previous lovers. She must set a line that her boss and his celebrity girlfriends are far worlds apart.

Dandan also knew about Gong Yuming. She wants to let that woman know that there is a person who exists that is far more beautiful than her. Also smarter and kinder! She thought of Gong Yuming as a harlot since she only snatched Hongqi from his previous lover.

Dandan raised her head and brushed her chin decisively. She felt good over the perfect results. She imaginary patted her back to congratulate herself for good work.

"Boss! You look so ethereal! I bet Hongqi will be head over heels for you once he sees this work of art!" Dandan dreamily said.

Xiulan glanced at the mirror in front of her and looked at Dandan's work. She always knew that Dandan was really good in fashion but she really worked hard on her looks tonight. She treats her to some expensive meat soon.

"Dandan, thank you so much for working hard. I really appreciate this makeover. But I would like to correct you. I don't want that Hongqi to like me." Xiulan smiled when she commended Dandan but immediately removed the smile when she mentioned Hongqi.

Dandan sweated. She's suddenly confused about the situation. Her boss didn't like Hongqi? She never thought about that. Dandan thought that Xiulan also liked Hongqi since she's allowing him to court her. There must be a mistake, she never thought about that! What if her boss is mad at her for making her look too good for Hongqi? She silently cursed herself.

"Dandan, don't worry. I can read on your face that you're suddenly worried. Your work is fine. I just want to correct you that I don't like Hongqi. I'm only doing this for father. Right now, I just don't want him to harbor unnecessary feelings or attraction for me. I'm not saying I'm confident that he will like me, but the way he acted in front of me when we met makes me really cautious." Xiulan confessed and smiled at Dandan to ease the tension.

Dandan was dumbfounded but managed to nod and synced all the words from her boss. Her boss was right though and has a point.

Xiulan put some perfume before she heads out of her office.

Dandan drove Xiulan to the venue. Dandan will also eagerly wait for Xiulan to finish her dinner with Hongqi. She was sure that Xiulan will try not to go with Hongqi after their dinner. So she obliged to wait for her and send her home.

When Xiulan steps out of her car, all the people outside the hotel put their attention to her. She was extremely and mysteriously beautiful. There was an ethereal aura lingering on her.

Dandan looked at the people's reactions and she quietly sobbed that her work and her boss were appreciated.

As Xiulan walked towards the restaurant, people can't help but take a second glance or gape at her. Some women asked their partners not to look and some quietly asked who she was or what's the brand of her dress or who her surgeon was.

Men wanted to talk and approach her but she has this cold aura that wouldn't let them do what they want.

When Xiulan entered the restaurant, a woman who looked like a manager of the restaurant talked to her and asked if she has a reservation. The woman looked at her with a begrudging and jealous look.

"Shit. I forgot to ask Dandan about the details. Stupid." Xiulan quietly scolded herself. She was hungry so all she can think about was food for awhile ago that she already forgot to ask Dandan the details.

She was about to answer when someone called her name.

"Miss Song, you're here." A very handsome muscled man said. Her mind tried to find who this person was in her memory. Good thing she remembered that it was one of Hongqi's men. She saw him last time when she met Hongqi. He is one of the two bulky guys before.

Xiulan smiled at him and greeted. "Hello."

The young muscled man smiled as well. "I'm Young Master Hongqi's secretary, Gong Yang Bo. Master is already here. He was with a client earlier but he's all alone now. Also, you are very beautiful, Miss Xiulan." Yang Bo said. Yang Bo glanced at the restaurant manager and uttered: "She's with us."

The restaurant manager nodded and smiled at Yang Bo. She gave a malicious one last look at Xiulan before she puts her attention on the logbook.

Yang Bo escorted Xiulan to where Hongqi is. All Xiulan could notice was that the people inside the restaurant were uttering Hongqi's name.

"I saw God Xing Hongqi! Good gracious, he was magnificent!"

"It's my first time seeing Xing Hongqi in person! I feel like I'm too lucky today."

"Who is he with? I thought he was with Gong Yuming. He was all alone at his table."

"Damn, he's all alone. I want to talk to him and propose the new theme park we have. I want him to invest."

"I really want to take a picture with him but we're in a seven-star restaurant. It will be too embarrassing!"

Xiulan's throat suddenly went dry. She can't help but feel a certain pressure and an insecure feeling. She wanted to go back to where she came from and go to her parents' house and demand that she doesn't want to get married.

She suddenly felt that Hongqi was someone that anyone can't mess with. Damn, they are in a seven-star restaurant and people are acting so unrefined just because he's here.

When she saw Hongqi pompously sitting like a king and looking at their way, she gulped the air that was stuck on her throat. She really wanted to get out and run.

Hongqi's eyes were glued to her while she walks towards him. His eyes were traveling from her face to her body. He was like a hawk, putting his attention on his meal. It made Xiulan feel like she was in danger.

"Young Master, Miss Song Xiulan is here." Secretary Yang Bo announced to Hongqi and bowed.

Hongqi nodded and signaled Yang Bo to go away. He stands up and hugged Xiulan.

Xiulan didn't have any time and room to express her shock.

"I miss you. Did you like my presents? You are really beautiful tonight." he endearingly said and looked at her. His eyes were twinkling like he found a new treasure.

"Yes, I like them very much especially the cakes and the flowers. Thank you so much." Xiulan honestly said. She was nervous but she managed to hide it.

"Good. I will give you more of that. But what about the other gifts? You don't like them?" Hongqi asked while he pulls out a chair for Xiulan. He escorted her to the seat and put a kiss on her forehead before he sits on his chair.

Xiulan was kind of taken aback by the sudden kiss. "I… I umm… " Xiulan can't find the words. She doesn't know if she should answer his questions first or rat at him for suddenly kissing her forehead. They weren't even close! She suddenly remembered her dad's smiling face when he saw Hongqi did the same thing a few days ago. She felt defeated.

"Hmmm?" Hongqi waited for her to answer. He was smiling like an innocent boy.

"I also like them but they are too expensive. I would like to refrain from sending such expensive gifts." Xiulan managed to say something.

"Ah… I think I can't do that. Didn't I say before I want to spoil my wife?" Hongqi said. He was smiling but his tone has a tinge of intimidation.

"I understand but …" Xiulan was about to say her reasons but Hongqi cut her off.

"My wife… just let me just spoil you, okay?" Hongqi said but there was a demanding tone to stop whatever Xiulan was going to say.

Xiulan felt disrespected by his tone but she doesn't want to create any drama here. She was not that kind of person and never will be. She will never lose her cool.

She smiled sweetly at him to remove his irritation. "I got it." she quietly said and looked down. Her eyelashes fluttered and it made her look like someone bullied her.

Hongqi's expression became tender and he endearingly held Xiulan's hands that were on top of the table. Xiulan wasn't able to pull out her hands due to Hongqi's endearing stare. She was afraid to ruin the moment.

"You know what, you are really beautiful tonight. I really can't stop saying this and I think I will say if over and over again." Hongqi huskily said and played Xiulan's small hands. "Your hands are really small and soft. I want to hold them forever." Hongqi charmingly said and gave off a seducing look.

Xiulan slightly gulped and she blushed. She really doesn't know what to reply. Hongqi's flirty attacks are too high level. Also, Xiulan was never good in interacting with flirty men. She doesn't know how to repel them. That's why she would always ask help from her father to push them away. But right now, that's not the case.

"Thank you." Xiulan meekly and adorably said.

All Xiulan could do right now was to submit to whatever Hongqi wants except for sexual stuff. She would immediately punch him if he dares.

The way Xiulan said her thanks to Hongqi made him feel different kinds of things like it fluttered his heart. It was too adorable and made him want to see more of Xiulan's different expressions.

He can't help but kiss Xiulan's hands. "So beautiful." He uttered again and let go of her hand. He doesn't want to let go of it yet but he has too since there were people who were trying to look at the situation in their table. He doesn't want to make Xiulan feel uncomfortable as well.

Their dinner went well even though Xiulan was really awkward with Hongqi's endearing stares and overly positive comments about her. They talked about Xiulan's favorite things and how she manages her company.

Apparently, Hongqi was trying to get more details about Xiulan. It seems that he was really serious about marrying her. He sounded really interested in her and would ask even the most childish thing.

Xiulan can't help but smile and laugh sometimes. Honestly, Hongqi was a humorous guy. Xiulan doesn't know if that was one of the talents of flirty guys.

But Xiulan can't still fathom and read Hongqi. He was too sweet that she doesn't even know if it's fake or an act anymore. It was too flawless and the way he praises her was too smooth that Xiulan can't counter him. She can only accept the praises with a smile.

Hongqi was really honest about his feelings towards Xiulan that night. He was really captivated that he wanted to drive her home but apparently he has to rest early since he has a flight in N city for collaboration with a telecommunication company.

When Xiulan got home, she immediately removed all of her clothing, makeup and bathe leisurely in her shower.

For some reason, she slept easily that night and went to sleep earlier than her normal routine. But she suddenly woke up too early too when her phone kept on buzzing nonstop. It was only 4 am and her phone kept on vibrating from the notifications.

She squinted her eyes while looking at her phone's notifications. All of them were from Wenyan, her college friends and her sisters. She tried to peak at one of the messages and she regretted that she even checked them.

"Girl! You're trending right now! Your dinner with Hongqi is trending! Everyone is talking about you and Gong Yuming's fans are at the rage and leaving bad comments about you! Girl wake up what the hell! Damn it." It was Wenyan's message.

Xiulan grunted and felt dreadful of the situation. It was only a simple dinner but why did it end up in the trending list.

Xiulan grunted again before going back to dreamland. She will deal with it later once she had her full sleep.