Chapter 29: Feels like a date.

Surprisingly, this 2nd meeting with Lu Minzhe was not as uncomfortable as the previous one. Miyeon was even enjoying their time reading together 'separately' in silence. 'When he is silent he looks more like the brooding and handsome CEO from the magazines.' Miyeon thought taking a glance at Lu Minzhe who was deeply engrossed in reading Ouran KouKou Host Club.

"I wonder who Haruhi will end up with? Would it be Tamaki or one of the Hitachiin twins?" Lu Minzhe muttered out loud.

'Nevermind I really can't take him seriously at all.' Miyeon decided with a shake of her head. 'How can someone be this silly? Is this really the heir to the Lu Co.? But I guess..because he is like this I am able to feel more at ease with him.' she continued to ponder.

Miyeon became lost in her train of thought that she didn't notice her companion had already stopped what he was doing and had begun to stare at her.

"Miyeon? Miyeon? Miyeon-ah?" Hearing no response, Lu Minzhe moved towards the young lady beside him to grab her attention. However at the same moment, Miyeon suddenly turned to face him. As a result, the two sat eye to eye in the small theatre room their faces mere inches from each other.

**Thump Thump Thump.**

Suddenly Lu Minzhe could hear a loud thumping sound ringing in his ears. Seconds passed and their gazes remained fixed on each other. Lu Minzhe remained still in his spot oddly unable to move his eyes away from the beautiful girl in front of him.

**Thump Thump Thump**

'There it is again. What's wrong with me.' he thought. 'Is it arrhythmia?'

"Hmm?" Miyeon uttered a soft sound and tilted her head slightly in question. She appeared completely unaffected by their proximity.

Lu Minzhe cleared his throat and leaned back slightly to create more distance between them before speaking, "It's about time to check out."

"Oh. Alright. Let's go then," Miyeon said with a placid smile.

...............

After leaving the manga cafe, the two began to look for a dinner place as they walked around the busy streets of Shibuya. Surprisingly, Lu Minzhe is quite easy going about food and there was nothing he wouldn't try at least once.

"Minzhe-ge, do you want to go to an izakaya?" Miyeon asked with a twinkle in her eye. She'd been wanting to try out having skewers at a Japanese style pub but she knew this wasn't Shu Li's scene. For some reason, she felt that Lu Minzhe would be open to that experience.

Lu Minzhe was somewhat taken aback to see an excited Miyeon in front of him. 'It only took this much to make her happy? If so, then we can just spend more days together like this,' this sudden train of thought gave Lu Minzhe a start. He wanted to be a pillar of support to the adult Miyeon but to achieve that goal he didn't necessarily need to always be in her company.

Based on the comprehensive report he received from Cheng Yan, Miyeon was hospitalized for a short while back in England due to chronic stress and exhaustion then she moved back to C Country shortly after. She has also been seeing a psychiatrist called Dr Robinson for the past 5 years for severe depression and anxiety. Since she had been excommunicated by her family, she had learned to be self sufficient at a young age. Currently, she is unemployed and searching for work; however, she seems to have some money saved up and is doing part-time work as a model. The fact of the matter is, the easiest and most efficient option to help Miyeon is to provide her with financial resources. 'It must be the guilt. It must be eating at me that's why I am having these crazy thoughts.' Lu Minzhe decided.

"Sure. Let's have skewers. I know a place around here." Lu Minzhe turned to Miyeon with a pleased look.

"Woah really? Is it one not frequented by foreigners?" Miyeon beamed at her companion.

"En. A Japanese business associate of mine introduced me to this place. I would go here from time to time when I stop by Tokyo." (Lu Minzhe)

"I see. I presume you are fluent in the language like Shu Li?" (Miyeon)

"Mm more or less," he answered nonchalantly.

"Are you surprised I didn't answer you more shamelessly?" Lu Minzhe asked with his signature cheeky grin.

"..." Miyeon just shook her head at his comeback and the two made their way to the Izakaya shop.

"At the moment I speak 6 languages fluently: English, Mandarin, Italian, French, Japanese, Korean" Lu Minzhe mentioned casually.

"At the moment?" Miyeon inquired with a tilt of her head.

"Well...learning is a never ending journey," Lu Minzhe answered with a laugh.

"..." Miyeon remained silent. 'That's pretty amazing considering how busy he is with managing Lu Co,' she thought.

"Are you surprised at how amazing your 'big brother' is?" Lu Minzhe grinned as he nudged her shoulder causing her to laugh.

'I guess it's not so bad to have an 'older brother' to joke around and have meals with.' she thought.

..........

The izakaya Lu Minzhe chose was a small and cozy place that could only sit 10 people. The two settled themselves at the counter and Lu Minzhe began to chat with the owner grilling the meat. Afterwards, the two enjoyed some draught beer with their skewers. They ordered yakitori, chicken cartilage, chicken skin, chicken gizzard, chilled silken tofu, a variety of kushiyaki, and edamame among others. The dinner and ensuing conversation was so enjoyable that before they knew it, an hour and a half had passed.

Miyeon was feeling giddy from the alcohol and was smiling more than usual. Her flushed cheeks and dimpled smile looked extremely attractive, causing people to stop to stare as the two walked past. Lu Minzhe became aware of the glances his companion was receiving and felt oddly peeved. 'Miyeon is too beautiful. There's too many bad guys out there. Should I hire some bodyguards for her?'

Lu Minzhe had been deep in thought when he felt a hand grab his arm. "Minzhe-ge I want ice cream," Miyeon said while pointing at the cremia stand. He felt his heart soften when she gave him another dimpled smile. "Al..Alright I'll get you one," Lu Minzhe said as he looked at the girl humming softly beside him.

'A slightly tipsy Miyeon is definitely dangerous. I should place some people around her. I have to take care of my little sister after all. I would do the same for Shu Li too.' he concluded after much deliberation.

.............

It was already past 9pm by the time they arrived back at Aman Hotel and Miyeon had sobered up during the taxi ride.

"Minzhe-ge are you also staying at this hotel?" (Miyeon)

"Hm? Oh..yeah. I am." (Lu Minzhe)

"I see. Such a coincidence. You should meet with Shu Li before you turn in then." (Miyeon)

"Alright," Lu Minzhe answered as he sent a text to Secretary Jin.

**text message**

[Minzhe]: Secretary Jin, book me a suite at Aman.

[JinJin]: Ah? CEO Lu… We are already checked in at the Ritz.

[Minzhe]: For tonight.

[JinJin]: CEO Lu... (ಥ﹏ಥ)

[Minzhe]: I am arriving at the hotel in 5 minutes.

[JinJin]: !!!!! (⊙_☉)

[JinJin]: Understood. I will have the room ready ASAP.

[Minzhe]: Good.

[JinJin]: CEO Lu, can you please give me a heads up next time. 2 hours.. Even 1 hour is enough. (ಥ﹏ಥ)

[Minzhe]: No way. It's more fun this way.

[JinJin]: （πーπ）

[Minzhe]: This is what I am paying you for right?

[JinJin]: Yes, sir. v(ಥ ̯ ಥ)v

............….

"Yoh! Isn't this my good friend Lee Miyeon? What have you been doing outside that you only came back now?" Shu Li exclaimed with her arms akimbo while she stood at the doorway to greet them.

"Shu Li, you are so dramatic. I met your Minzhe-ge along the way." Miyeon said with a helpless smile.

"Ohhh! Minzhe-ge, you were with my Miyeon the entire time?" Shu Li asked, looking surprised.

"En," Lu Minzhe nodded as he gave Shu Li a warm hug.

"What were you guys doing?" Shu Li asked as she ushered them both into the living area of the suite.

"Hm, we went to a manga cafe, had dinner, walked around and got ice cream." Lu Minzhe answered as he sat down on the couch.

"That….totally feels like a date." Shu Li declared giving Lu Minzhe a fixed gaze.