CHAPTER FIFTY-FIVE (55) Muddled

"Get back to work," Baozhai said when she got to the door.

Shen sighed and got ready to go deliver to the site.

*

"Ah, you should see the big smiles on their face when I arrived. They all thanked me like I had given it for free... Aish. I really think, Miss Chen is a thoughtful person, I can't believe she really orders lunch for her employees."

"She's a human." Yuanqi said before turning the juice blender on.

"True," Shen agreed. "I guess that's the reason why," he saw Baozhai come out of the kitchen and went ahead to ask. "Bao, what do you think? She's not so bad right?"

Baozhai had no desire to answer, but seeing Yuanqi raise his head to look at their direction she said. "Maybe..." She has no reason to hate on Rose nor a reason to like her either. But for the fact she was their business partner... it would be wrong of her to throw insult as she pleased.

"I thought the same," Shen nodded, he was oblivious to the fact that Baozhai wasn't in the mood for discussion so he continued. "Brother Yuan, took extra time to prepare the coconut rice, did you taste it? It's so delicious, don't you agree?"

Baozhai's face was blank. "Hmm," she merely replied.

"I'm also happy we are back to work, does it make you feel good?"

"Can you stop talking?" Baozhai mood was ruined since when she found out Rose would be lurking around them more, especially Yuanqi as they were now business partners. She took the opportunity that Yuanqi went back into the kitchen to shut Shen up.

Shen was taken aback but he stopped talking immediately.

They both heard the alumaco door open, turned to see Changsu entering with a pouty mouth.

"What?" Shen inquired. "You didn't see her right?"

Changsu eyed him.

"Hahaha, I told you." Shen was now in a better mood seeing Changsu's dampened face.

"You're back, let's eat." Yuanqi said from over the counter.

"Let me help with serving," Shen offered.

After they were done eating, everyone took part in cleaning the kitchen, Baozhai offered to wash the plates and pots alongside Yuanqi.

Baozhai zoned out, watching Yuanqi with admiration until his phone rang, disturbing her little moment. He took off the gloves and took out the phone from his apron.

Since they were standing four feet apart, she was able to see who his caller was. 'Miss Chen,'

Baozhai's hand around the sponge tightened. Why was she calling him? Isn't she satisfied with the lunch? What more? What could she possibly need from him?

Yuanqi stepped away from the sink, picked up the call. "Hello,"

"Way to go, Mr Su." Rose said. "I must say, you're good, I would reserve the word great, as I'm not sure if you took time to impress me... Or you're really great."

Su Yuanqi was speechless. He still held the phone to his ear, with his mouth widely apart.

What absurdity? He wanted to ask what she really thought of him.

And just when he thought there was more to her... She kept giving him reasons to question her.

"What?" He heard Rose ask.

Su Yuanqi licked his lips and took his time to reply. "Whichever one you think it is, suit yourself."

"Uh?" Rose laughed. "Don't you understand sarcasm?"

"Not at all." He answered while imagining the big smirk on her face.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to provoke you..."

"It's fine." He said. "So tell me,"

"I enjoyed it, you exceeded my expectations. The rich milk flavor of the rice, the not too tenderness of the drumsticks... And the salad? Woah!"

A surprising tiny giggle escaped his throat. "Good to see you let go of your ego."

Rose heard his giggle and couldn't explain how it made her feel but she remembered he had said something after that, so she asked. "I had one?"

"You want to hear it come from me?" He asked, expecting her to know more than that. "It won't do you any good then, because like you said, I have a bad way of talking..."

"No," Rose cut him off. "You said that to me first."

"Alright, my bad."

Anyone whom was hearing them converse would get the wrong idea. The two people that were a total opposite of their personality. Were talking like long time friends.

While one didn't give a care in the world, the other kept a calm aura around him, and would easily smile at people, so it made him appear approachable, but Baozhai knew better.

She was listening to the conversation with a rapt attention, though she couldn't hear what the other person was saying. It terrified her to think that Yuanqi and Rose might be cool with each other.

"Now, I really believe we will make big sales compared to the other restaurants out there. We shouldn't have gone out to waste money... Next time, I would want you to prepare our lunch. What do you say? Is that okay?" Rose was nodding her head at the other end.

"Hmm," Yuanqi made a thinking sound and after some time replied. "I'll think about it."

"You always say that and end up agreeing... You're much cooler than I expected."

Now, Su Yuanqi was back to being speechless.

"Say something,"

"What do you want to hear?"

"I want to hear you agreeing,"

"Fine, then."

"Uhh, you're really obedient. Next time I would buy you gift."

"I don't accept bribes." He informed her and it made Rose burst into laughter.

"I'm not bribing you, it's my way of commending good work." She said seriously. "And thanks for agreeing..."

"I can't be jobless till the restaurant is complete."

"You're a wise one, I must say."

"Thanks."

"Find out from your co-chefs about their salary expectation, and give me a heads up."

"Sure, I will."

"Thank you for the lunch, it was really good."

"You're welcome."

The call ended.

Baozhai didn't know how to react or feel. Wait, how many days has it been already? It seemed to have aged.

Su Yuanqi's whole phone conversation left Baozhai's brain muddled.

Wasn't he angry that the restaurant was destroyed? So just when did it all start?