Mu Yuhao finished speaking in one breath. Like a seventeen or eighteen-year-old teenager confessing to his first love. His heart felt like it was going to explode. His eyes stared at Jing Wushuang and waited for her reply.
Wushuang was not too surprised; she had a feeling that this was going to be the case. It was not that she was narcissistic, it was just an easy guess. Apart from work matters, what else could it be when a single male colleague asked a female colleague out?
The arc of her mouth drew a little wider. Her fair hand touched the edge of the white porcelain cup. She raised her gaze and met his eyes. "I've heard that President Mu is twenty-three years old this year?"
Mu Yuhao nodded but did not know the reason for the question.
"I'm twenty-five years old. I've no plans to be in a relationship with someone younger than I. Moreover, I like the mature and stable type." In other words, 'President Mu, you are not my type.'
"But…"
"No 'buts'. Any more 'buts' then it'll be that our genders are incompatible." She thought of the man's solid reason and took the rare opportunity to make a joke.
Personal matters were easier to handle. Should he muddle it with work-related matters, it would be harder for her to get out of.
Jing Wushuang's fair hands lifted the white porcelain cup and finished her remaining coffee. The cold bitter taste filled her entire oral cavity.
Seeing her frown inadvertently, Mu Yuhao thought that people who love black coffee were truly masochistic. Just by looking, his heart too felt somewhat bitter. "Wushuang, I know I've been a little abrupt, but don't be so quick to reject me. Just give me a chance?"
Jing Wushuang took a napkin and gently wiped the corners of her mouth. "President Mu, as you've just witnessed, feelings can't be forced. I too want my heart to beat for someone, and unfortunately there's no one. Therefore, I can only apologize. If there are no other matters, I really have to be getting back to my beauty sleep."
Jing Wushuang stood up, put her coat on and flipped out her hair that was restrained under the collar of her coat. She then picked up her handbag and hung it across her arm. "President Mu, the next time you ask a girl out, try not to pick a weekend with such weather. You'll lose some brownie points."
She put on her coat in such an imposing and orderly manner. Having heard what she said, what more could Mu Yuhao have said? This was the first time he had ever asked a girl out and confessed. He did not expect to suffer such an utter defeat, but at least he got to express his feelings.
"I'll ask you out the next time on a sunny day. I've taken a number, don't forget that I'm first in line."
Jing Wushuang smiled. "Vice President Mu, there's no way you can go back in time and be born two years earlier. Better save the opportunity for other young ladies."
"Wushuang…"
Wushuang playfully winked and tapped her forefinger on her lips a few times, indicating an end to this conversation.
Mu Yuhao stood up grudgingly and picked up his jacket. "Let me take you home."
Wushuang fished out a pair of car keys from her coat pocket and waved it. "It's alright, I drove here. Goodbye."
"Goodbye."
Mu Yuhao stared at Wushuang's back view, the flame of desire in his eyes burned even stronger.
At twenty-three years old, it was not too extreme to still be considered a boy. He was young and could not accept rejection. If it were not for the earlier buffoonery, he would not have given up so quickly. This was just a temporary retreat.
There was no doubt that this woman was special. He suddenly felt that the other women that threw themselves at him previously were quite insipid. It was only meaningful if one had to fight for the woman they wanted.