PRESENT TIME
As Zoey's birthday celebration proceeded, Mel approached Matthew Xi who was just watching the employees fawned around their big boss while giving her gifts.
"Boss D, thank you." Bubbly as ever, Mel thanked him while stretching her lips from side to side. Her already chubby cheek grew chubbier by her expression.
Matthew Xi cast her a side glance, and a faint sigh escaped from his lips. Why was she thanking him? He did nothing.
After all, Matthew Xi didn't intend to join this surprise party. He just went back to fetch the car he used, but they saw him and he was dragged back in there.
Therefore, Matthew Xi knew he shouldn't be thanked by her. He ditched Zoey after all — almost ruining everyone's plan.
"You know, you're the first one who visited Boss Zhou's office." Receiving no verbal response from him, Mel didn't dwell on it as she smiled and turned to Zoey's direction.
"First one?" Matthew Xi arched his brows as he glanced at Melanie Xue's side profile.
"Mhmm..." Melanie Xue nodded her head as she pursed her lips. She was about to tattle Zoey's dating history but chose not to. After all, it was irrelevant to mention about Zoey's past dramatic dating history to Zoey's 'new lover'.
"I don't know but you're the only person who Boss Zhou proudly paraded around while calling you a sweet endearment." Melanie Xue shrugged her shoulders as she informed Matthew Xi about this fact.
"Why?" Out of curiosity, Matthew Xi asked flatly. He had read a few articles about Zoey's involvement with different elites — even A-list celebrities.
"Huh? Why no one visited Boss Zhou in her office?" For a moment, Melanie Xue was confused regarding his question. Hence, she asked for clearance. "We really don't know. Some of us assumed that rumors were just rumors while others think their relationship was not that serious." Melanie Xue said with a shrug again.
"How about you? What do you think?" Upon careful observation, Matthew Xi noticed that Melanie Xue had been spouting what the rest thinks but not hers. Therefore, curious about what this female employee who seemed closer with Zoey, Matthew Xi asked specifically.
"Me? Hmmm..." Surprised that Matthew Xi was curious about what her thoughts were, Melanie Xue blinked her eyes many times while she glanced at Matthew Xi briefly. "Boss Zhou hates it when a stranger intrude in her private space. This building is her home so... I'm not really sure. My Boss is quite complicated at times." Melanie Xue honestly gave her thoughts about it.
She had been a pioneer employee in the Z Image Group. Thus, Melanie Xue was somehow used on Zoey's likes and dislikes.
Zoey didn't like someone touching her precious possessions. Be it a pen or a simple old paperclip, if Zoey regarded it with great value, no one in the office would dare touch it.
They already learned their lessons.
"Oh, I said too much." Realizing that she was talking with his future boss, Melanie Xue bit her lower lip and smacked her lips a little. "Boss D, please pretend I didn't say that. Boss Z will kill me if you tell what I said about her. Please, please?" Rubbing her palm against the other, Melanie Xue pleaded.
Matthew Xi just nodded in understanding. It's not like Melanie Xue was the only person who thought Zoey was a complicated person. Perhaps not just Melanie Xue and Matthew Xi, but also the rest of the employees.
Regardless, although Zoey was a complicated person, in Matthew Xi's perspective, that personality of Zoey didn't hinder her relationship with her people. Just what magic does Zoey hold to be liked dearly by her people?
"You really like her, do you?" Out of nowhere, Matthew Xi spoke, which made Melanie Xue smile.
"Of course! You can't find another Boss like Boss Zhou! She might make everyone cry, roast everyone in each meeting, and sometimes act like a grumpy virgin grandma... but she wouldn't turn her back on us — never." Melanie Xue got carried away while summarizing why she liked her boss. But when she realized that she spoke too much again, Melanie Xue slapped her mouth as she slowly looked up to the towering noble-looking Matthew Xi.
"I won't tell her, don't worry." Sensing what kind of favor Melanie Xue had in mind, Matthew Xi answered even before Melanie Xue could ask.