8 Chapter 8: To Our Friendship

"Hello, Miss Lee" rang the smooth masculine voice.

'Oh, Bollocks! Why is he popping up here of all places?!' thought Miyeon. Her expression changed from surprised, to perplexed before finally settling into a calm graceful look. Well as graceful as can be considering she doesn't have her shoes on and she is still sitting cross legged on the couch, plus her phone is currently ringing with the game music. She immediately muted her phone and placed it aside.

"Mr. Lu, what a coincidence. Please have a seat." Miyeon gestured to the empty space beside her.

Lu Minzhe, who had been quietly observing the changes in Miyeon's expressions, couldn't help but smile in response. It was hard to imagine the woman currently wearing a mask of indifference had all those expressions on her face a few seconds ago. He thought of how she was while playing her game and was happy that there was still a semblance of her 13 year old self remaining.

"Thank you. I hope you don't mind the intrusion. Suhan had told me about this place."

"Ah..Well of course not. I would imagine Mr Lu would be welcome anywhere."

'Ah ah ah it's so awkward.' Miyeon initially had no intention to leave the alcove balcony until the grand toast at 9 oclock. But seeing as that is half an hour away, she couldn't help but start weighing her options. What would be the lesser of two evils? Go out and socialize for half an hour or be stuck with Lu Minzhe for half an hour?

'She seems to be thinking hard. Though I can mostly guess what is on her mind.' Lu Minzhe covered a rising smile as he leaned against the left arm chair of the loveseat sofa. "Perhaps, am I making you uncomfortable?"

Miyeon, who was in the midst of putting down her legs and finding her shoes, froze a bit. Deciding it's best to be honest, "Hmm. A bit."

"Oh—?"

"Mr Lu is definitely not someone to be casually entangled with. People who have tried to get close to Mr Lu for their own selfish motives whether for money, connections, or a potential intimate relationship have not fared well. Both in business dealings and high society's retaliation." Those at the upper echelons of society have more power and at the top of everything is Lu Co., they make the choice of whom to deal with.

"..."

Seeing Lu Minzhe's silence, Miyeon continued "As Mr Lu may know, I am currently estranged from my family. In the future, there is no intention to reconnect as well. A woman building a life by oneself is already tough in normal society. I don't want to be the subject of any salacious rumors in high society. I have not even started my career in Y City."

Miyeon has seen those news in her Veibo and Shu Li has also added her to several chat groups in Vechat so she knows very well what type of topics are usually discussed by the upper class. Since she has left the Lee family at 13 years old, she had no other connections as well as privileges of noble families. Miyeon considers herself a normal working class individual who just happened to make friends with some of the beau monde.

Lu Minzhe had been quietly listening to Miyeon and understood her qualms. For guests who tried to approach him in the Wei residence, if he had wanted to, he could block their business dealings. He could also ensure that the daughters were not able to make satisfactory marriage matches. This is the power of Lu Co. The fact that he did not take such action is just a matter of giving them face. Further, he was also aware many in high society love to create gossip. These rumors released in social media can easily affect stock prices of less established companies. Baseless rumors born from jealous hearts are even easier to affect the reputation of celebrities, much less regular citizens.

However, unbeknownst to Miyeon, there is one crucial difference in this situation. Now that she is finally back in C Country, he intends to make up for her past 10 years of suffering. He is confident that he can protect her this time.

Lu Minzhe tilted his head slightly as he replied, "Miss Lee is quite right in her observations. However, if we are talking about deliberately approaching someone, in our case wouldn't it be the opposite?"

"The opposite?"

"Yes. I am quite sure I approached Miss Lee first."

"That may be so..but"

"And considering our relationship with Shu Li, at the very least we are acquaintances are we not?"

"Well. I guess—" Miyeon's brows furrowed. 'This conversation seems to be heading in a rather unexpected direction. I am not sure if I like it.'

"So as far as retaliation from the haute monde, it shouldn't be of concern."

"..." Though innately she knows something is not quite right, for some reason Miyeon is finding it hard to refute Lu Minzhe's words.

"Also, since I am aware that you have no selfish designs on me, I don't see any reason for our acquaintanceship to not develop into sincere friendship. Is that not the case?"

"Uhm, well that is a possibility."

"Then it's settled."

"Ah—?!"

"To our friendship." Minzhe said as he reached out his hand. He knew he was being presumptuous but considering Miyeon's personality, there was no way she would try to befriend him first. If he maintains his distance, she will just move further away. Presently, she is just like a cat with her ears perked and tail bristled, always alert and onguard. So, Minzhe figured he would just unabashedly move forward.

"..." Miyeon had a bemused look on her face as she shook Lu Minzhe's hand. 'Was he always like this? His personality seems very different from my first impression at the cafe* as well as on tv and the news articles. He is somehow… almost rather shameless.' She was reminded of when a kid would give candy to another kid and insist: I shared my candy with you so we are friends now. We have to play together from now on. 'Pfft.'

Authors Note: *Miyeon believes they first met at the cafe in Chapter 1

"Ah right you are a year younger than Shu Li?"

"Yes, I turn 24 this year."

"Ah— in that case, just call me Minzhe Ge like Shu Li."

"..."

"You don't want to?"

"Ah no. Then please call me informally as well. Minzhe Ge." As she responded, Miyeon saw Minzhe's lips quirk up. 'His appearance is very handsome, but so overbearing.' Miyeon who felt like she was completely defeated in this conversation thought in her mind. She suddenly gained a Gege more than 10 years after leaving C Country. She couldn't understand why he was so insistent on being friends with her. Surely it is impossible that CEO Lu is in want of friends.

"Then let's get along well, Miyeon." Lu Minzhe felt as if a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He felt happier at this moment than when he had signed his first billion dollar contract.

Engrossed in their own thoughts, the two stared at each other silently as the soft wind blew past and moonlight lit the balcony.

Somewhere in the night the clock chimed 9 times.