How many face do you have?
Seeing her flustered for the first time, the corner of Matthew Xi's lips curled a little up unconsciously. However, it immediately faded away when Zoey opened her mouth again.
"You act like you don't like me but you do, jeez..." Zoey murmured as a smug grin plastered across her lips.
'Ah?' Baffled that her conclusion on his kind gesture escalated to love so suddenly, Matthew Xi's undereye twitched.
Raising her gaze at him, Zoey pursed her lips and stretched it back to a smile. "Wait, are you smiling?"
"I am not." Despite the wrinkle near his lips because he smiled, Matthew Xi denied. It was not like he was lying... he was just unaware with the movement of his lips. "Eat your food. Stop saying nonsense." He added with his usual flat, inexpressive tone.
"Ey..." Beaming him a knowing grin, Zoey didn't press on it to give him a break. Regardless, she truly appreciated him for accompanying her today. If not, she'd truly cancel her meeting upon seeing that person.
As they eat, Matthew Xi constantly glanced at her. By the looks of it, he was curious about something but contemplating whether or not he should ask.
"Hmm?" Sensing his constant glance, Zoey raised her brows and set her eyes on him.
"Why did you do that?" Deciding to satiate his curiosity, Matthew Xi asked.
"What did I do?" Zoey knitted her brows as she tilted her head to the side, confused on the question he was pertaining.
"About the meeting. You might have lost an opportunity to close the deal if the manager didn't agree." Giving her the exact thought he had in mind, Matthew Xi was curious what would she do or what she had in mind while doing business.
After all, in his eyes, or many to others as well, Zoey transformed into a different person when she was working. If Matthew Xi met Zoey in a different situation — for example, he met her in a formal term — he would probably offer partnership with the Z Group Image in a heartbeat.
Why? Because Zoey was a terrifying enemy in business but would be a useful ally.
"Hehehe. He wouldn't." Nodding in understanding, Zoey chuckled as she forked a piece of meat. "By this time, Manager Feng know that our services is better than the others. I have him my time and exerted effort months ago but he kept stalling time — obviously, canvassing to get a lower deal." Instead of shoving the piece of meat inside her mouth, Zoey placed it down and raised her gaze to meet the russet pair of orbs.
"Trying to make a lower deal is wise, though."
"It is and I have nothing against it. But like I said, I exerted effort and time... my people too. Meaning, he was the one who cancelled the orders after several meetings. The art team had to stay overtime to finish the designs he wanted and he had the audacity to call it off without informing me." A scoff escaped Zoey's lips as she explained what displeased her about Manager Feng's unethical action.
It was fine if he told her that he would reconsider the offer. However, he went with the flow, making her and her team work for the designs he asked for and then cancel halfway.
"Mhmm..." Matthew Xi nodded his head in understanding. He got the gist of what happened and to him, Zoey might not want to transact with Manager Feng. He was wrong though because Zoey was dying to work with Manager Feng and earn more than she was supposed to.
"Darling, do you want to know a secret?" Seeing that he stopped probing, Zoey smiled as she leaned forward with arms on the edge of the table.
"?" Upon hearing her last remark, Matthew Xi didn't say a word but furrowed his brows and anticipated what secret she would reveal.
"I don't have any competition." Without further ado, Zoey revealed which baffled Matthew Xi.
'No competition?' After repeating her words inside his mind, Matthew Xi somehow understood what she meant. Hence, he nodded his head slowly while staring at her sweet front.
"Right. One of the best thing in this industry is, there's almost no competition... for the one who rules." Slowly, the side of Zoey's lips curled into a cunning smirk, replacing the sweet, bright grin seconds ago.
Witnessing this brief transition, Matthew Xi remained quiet and stared at her without a word. Zoey then began eating again yet, Matthew Xi still stared at her — observing her to be exact.
"Darling, I know I am pretty — you might feel stuffed and blessed just by staring at me." Sensing his intent stare, Zoey lifted her gaze and teased.
Yet, Matthew Xi didn't fall for her reverse psychology this time. Subconsciously, Matthew Xi didn't process her humor as he continued to study the woman across her.
'How many faces do you have...?' After some time, another question floated above his head.