11 Chapter 11: Take You Shopping
The next morning, Miyeon arose around noon fully intent on embodying the 'salted fish' life. She made some coffee and decided to have a peanut butter and jelly sandwich for brunch. Making her way to her small white loveseat, she finally looked through the news and last night's messages on her phone. 'Shu Li appears to be having a great time judging by the amount of photos and videos on Vechat and Veibo.' Miyeon thought with a smile.
She came across the text messages from Lu Minzhe and felt a bit odd inside. Since she might appear rude to ignore a big shot CEO, she messaged back despite her qualms.
**text message**
[IamIrene]: Yes. Sorry, Mr Lu. I was asleep.
Not expecting a prompt response from such a busy individual, she began to look for Korean dramas to watch. However, she was shocked when almost immediately after sending her reply her phone vibrated. True enough it was another text from Lu Minzhe, 3 consecutive ones to be exact.
**text message**
[Minzhe]: Since 9:30pm?
[Minzhe]: Didn't we agree to drop the formalities?
[Minzhe]: Would you address your brother as Mr?
Miyeon read the texts and became confused. 'How should I respond to this type of barrage?'
**text message**
[IamIrene]: Minzhe-Ge, I didn't see your message until this morning.
**text message**
[Minzhe]: It is almost 1pm.
'What does he mean, I responded too late?' So she typed...
**text message**
[IamIrene]: I woke up late.
**text message**
[Minzhe]: Did you have lunch?
'What is this situation?' Before she knew it, she somehow ended up sending random texts back and forth with the CEO of Lu Co.
**text message**
[IamIrene]: Yes.
**text message**
[Minzhe]: ?
**text message**
[IamIrene]: I had coffee and a PB&J.
**text message**
[Minzhe]: A balanced diet is necessary for maintaining a healthy body.
**text message**
[IamIrene]: Um.. Just I don't have any other food at my house right now.
**text message**
[Minzhe]: I see.
Reading his response, Miyeon wanted to refute that this is not her typical eating habits but she knows quite well that she doesn't have the best diet. She tends to skip meals and eat whatever is simplest to make, usually salads, fruits, and sandwiches. Miyeon felt vexed in her heart.
**text message**
[Minzhe]: Will you buy groceries?
To this, Miyeon quickly responded. 'Ahah! This should wrap up this conversation.'
**text message**
[IamIrene]: Yes when I am free.
**text message**
[Minzhe]: Shu Li mentioned your schedule is available today.
'... I should rethink my relationship with that girl.' Miyeon glowered. 'Why is she telling other people my schedule?!'
**text message**
[IamIrene]: Yes.
Before she could begin to crucify Shu Li in her heart, her phone vibrated again. Her eyebrows rose and mouth hung open.
**text message**
[Minzhe]: I will pick you up at 5pm.
**text message**
[IamIrene]: Pardon?
**text message**
[Minzhe]: To go grocery shopping.
[Minzhe]: Send your coordinates.
Miyeon was silent for a full 5 minutes unsure how to respond. Then she received another text.
**text message**
[Minzhe]: ?
'Should she ignore his message? He would stop texting right?' Miyeon thought. But just then another text came.
**text message**
[Minzhe]: Your address.
Eventually, she decided to text her location. 'He is a good friend of Shu Li. He shouldn't be a weirdo. I hope.' Miyeon prayed.
**text message**
[IamIrene]: 777 Bldg 1 District 4, Y City, XX Province, 020910
[IamIrene]: Please be discrete. This is a working class neighborhood.
**text message**
[Minzhe]: Good.
Afterwards, Miyeon sat dazed on the couch unable to make heads or tails of what just occurred. Meanwhile, Lu Minzhe who was currently in the middle of an internal meeting with the department heads of Lu Co, gave a soft chuckle. This made the senior executives' faces stiffen in shock and Secretary Jin felt cold sweat trickle down his neck. Everyone subconsciously thought 'Is a competitor going bankrupt?'
It wasn't that they considered CEO Lu to be a cold and unfeeling person; however, Lu Minzhe is the type who keeps a clear distinction between business and personal matters. Though he is known to be kind and magnanimous towards family members, in regards to corporate affairs he is particularly impassive and decisive. In fact, he often unsparingly doles out punishments for work related infractions. Of course, this is how he deals with business rivals as well. Currently, such a person is looking at his phone with a rare smile during a planning meeting. As such, this group of highly intelligent individuals can only come up with one plausible conclusion 'a rival has met with death or insolvency.' The thoughts of which company is facing their downfall plagued their minds throughout the meeting.
"Hearing no other business, is there a motion to adjourn?" (Lu Minzhe)
"I move the meeting be adjourned." (Finance Director, Wang Hao)
"I second the motion." (Marketing Director, Zhao Han)
After the entire group indicated they were in favor to adjourn. CEO Lu promptly ended the meeting unaware that a huge misunderstanding has not been cleared.
"Reschedule all my meetings after 5:00pm." (Lu Minzhe)
"Understood. Will you take the rest of the day off as part of your think week, sir?" Secretary Jin is aware that Lu Minzhe regularly schedules time off with no distractions and noise in order to come up with new ideas for the company.
"No. I am grocery shopping. Prepare a discrete car for me as well."
"Sir?" Poor Shi Jin was left to ponder if there are issues with his own hearing or if CEO Lu is participating in some new reality tv experience? Otherwise, there is no way this financial mogul would buy his own groceries. 'Has he ever stepped foot in a supermarket and what is a discrete car?'
.........
Around this time, Wei Shu Li, who was in the middle of a facial treatment and therapeutic massage, received a call from Lee Miyeon.
[Shu Li]: Hello? You missed me already? It's only been a day. *acts coquettish*
[Miyeon]: Stella Wei. I just want to confirm. Is Lu Minzhe okay up there?
[Shu Li]: Ah?!
[Miyeon]: I mean, is he normal?
[Shu Li]: Da Xiao Jie, can you speak clearly. I can't understand what you mean. *laughs*
Authors Note: Da Xiao Jie - joking and affectionate way of calling a rich and bossy young woman
[Miyeon]: Well, he suddenly texted me saying he will take me to buy groceries. It's so weird. I thought he had some you know…. Mental issues…
[Shu Li]: …
[Miyeon]: *cough* Even rich people suffer from those afflictions. Anyway, why did you tell him I am free?
[Shu Li]: Aiyah, I just mentioned that you came back to C Country recently and are currently unemployed.
[Miyeon]: … So basically, that I am a NEET.
[Shu Li]: A gorgeous NEET. *laughs*
[Miyeon]: …
[Shu Li]: Aiyah, Minzhe-Ge is a very good person.. He treats his family very well. And, I did mention that we are close like sisters so, it makes sense for him to be nice to you bah.
[Miyeon]: Really? *slightly suspicious* But isn't he extremely busy?
[Shu Li]: Come on lah. He's different from us okay. He is extremely productive and efficient. How else do you think he can lead the Lu family at his age?
[Miyeon]: Fine. Fine. I'll listen to you. I just thought it was odd so I asked.
[Shu Li]: Mmm, Bye.
After hanging up the call, Shu Li happily enjoyed the luxury spa experience onboard the Wei yacht. In recent years, things have been going exceptionally well for her. Miyeon is truly her lucky star.
