"Is this house your relative's?" Su Ying asked abruptly after finishing half a bowl of noodles.
Caught off guard, Fu Zheng blurted out, "Mm, it's my second uncle's..."
He instantly regretted it.
When he first joined the company, his resume stated he had no connections. Owning property, and not just one, in this location suggested someone of considerable influence.
Su Ying looked at him with a half-smile.
See, his truth had been revealed.
"Don't be scared, I don't bite," Su Ying teased with a laugh. "I'm just curious. Given your family's circumstances, you shouldn't be stuck working as my assistant in my studio, right?"
Why not be a second-generation heir? Being bossed around by her all day, not even having enough time to sleep, what a life!
Fu Zheng habitually scratched his head. "I just want to prove that I can support myself without relying on my family..."
Su Ying tutted, indicating understanding.
A driven young man!
However, making him her assistant and part-time driver, was that not a waste of his talents?
Su Ying seriously reflected.
"Do you genuinely like this job?" Su Ying asked, propping her head on her hand. "I want the truth!"
"I do," Fu Zheng replied earnestly. "I feel fulfilled, and in the two years I've been with President Su, I've learned a lot."
Su Ying rubbed her temples, feeling that the young man must be seeing her through a heavily filtered lens. "I'm not as great as you think. I can be quite demanding when I'm working!"
"No job is easy these days. To gain something, you have to put in double the effort."
"Having this kind of understanding at such a young age is commendable!" Su Ying cast a look of approval at him.
Being affirmed by Su Ying made Fu Zheng very happy.
"It's getting late, I should be heading back. Thank you for your hospitality tonight." Su Ying was a smart person, how could she not sense the unusual affection in his gaze?
She subtly composed herself and stood up, ready to leave.
Fu Zheng also stood up. "It's so late, let me drive you back."
"No need to trouble yourself, I can get a taxi downstairs," Su Ying said, wanting to avoid giving him false hope. Her refusal was direct.
Unfortunately, she had underestimated Fu Zheng's resolve.
"It's a holiday today, it'll be hard to get a taxi," Fu Zheng reminded her.
"A holiday?" Su Ying paused for a moment, finally recalling what day it was. Every year on this day, the streets were packed, let alone getting a taxi, even walking was a struggle.
Moreover, the commercial street near this neighborhood was even more crowded. Even if a car was available, it would be difficult to get one. A taxi app might allow her to book a ride, but it would likely take over half an hour.
While Su Ying hesitated, Fu Zheng had already grabbed his car keys and changed his shoes.
Fortunately, she wasn't one to dwell on things and followed him downstairs.
Once in the elevator, Fu Zheng directly pressed the button for the underground parking lot. As the elevator slowly descended, Su Ying inexplicably felt a wave of dizziness. She reached out for the handrail, but Fu Zheng had already steadied her.
"President Su, are you alright?"
"I'm fine, perhaps I've been sitting for too long, my circulation is a bit poor," Su Ying said, rubbing her temples and trying to adjust. She hadn't experienced this in a long time, and it had to happen now.
Fu Zheng helped her stand steady but didn't let go immediately. "Are you still dizzy? If you feel faint, you can lean on me."
"I don't mean to take advantage of you..." He quickly added, fearing Su Ying might misunderstand.
Seeing how cautious he was, Su Ying couldn't help but burst into laughter.
So pure and cute!
She hadn't met such a chaste young man in ages!
Fu Zheng's ears turned red and his cheeks felt hot from her laughter, but he didn't know how to respond.
Just then, the elevator smoothly stopped at the first basement level with a crisp chime.
Su Ying flicked her hair and walked out first.
Fu Zheng took a deep breath and quietly followed.
"Which one is your car?" Su Ying asked, looking around at the many luxury cars in the garage.
Fu Zheng pressed his car key, and the headlights of a black Mercedes-Benz lit up instantly.
Oh, it was an SUV.
This was far beyond Su Ying's expectations.
She had assumed a young man like Fu Zheng would prefer a sports car.
Fu Zheng walked over and personally opened the passenger door for her.
Su Ying glanced at him and didn't refuse, leaning on his hand as she sat inside.
Seeing her cooperation, Fu Zheng breathed a slight sigh of relief.
If she only saw him as a subordinate, she would have chosen the back seat. Opening the passenger door was a test. He thought she must have some inkling of his feelings, so why not indulge himself for once?
If she refused, he would remain hidden and wait for another opportunity.
But Su Ying did not refuse.
In the eyes of most girls, the passenger seat was reserved for a girlfriend or wife.
No girl had ever sat in his passenger seat before. Su Ying taking the passenger seat meant that she didn't just see him as a subordinate.
This realization made Fu Zheng secretly happy for a long time.
In truth, Su Ying hadn't thought that deeply.
She simply felt that the front seat offered a better view and would be more comfortable.
The car slowly drove out of the garage onto the road, and indeed, traffic had come to a standstill. Pedestrians swarmed the crosswalk, and traffic lights had long lost their meaning. Fu Zheng inched the car forward, careful not to scrape anything. The short stretch of road, barely a few dozen meters, took a full ten minutes.
Su Ying, however, didn't seem too anxious. She even propped her head on her hand, admiring the scenery outside.
Because of the holiday, giant Christmas trees decorated with colorful lights and various ornaments were placed outside the shopping malls. From afar, they shimmered golden, exuding a festive atmosphere.
Many pedestrians on the street wore red Santa hats, chatting and laughing, creating a warm ambiance.
Su Ying, busy with work all these years, rarely had such a leisurely moment.
"Would you like to go for a stroll?" Fu Zheng asked boldly, seeing the spark in her eyes.
Su Ying shook her head. "No, I don't want to go to crowded places, it's too packed."
Although Fu Zheng was disappointed, he didn't insist.
While waiting for pedestrians to pass, a person dressed as Santa Claus, carrying a large basket of flowers, walked past the car. "Sir, buy a bouquet for your girlfriend?"
Fu Zheng stealthily glanced at Su Ying. Seeing she was looking elsewhere, he paid almost without thinking.
He picked out a bouquet he thought was the prettiest from the pile and quietly placed it on the armrest.
After doing so, he nonchalantly continued to drive, but his heart rate quickened, as if it would leap out of his chest.
Su Ying looked at her reflection in the car window, a playful smile tugging at her lips.
Did this silly boy think she was deaf and blind?
It was as obvious as covering one's ears while stealing a bell!
But, why was she suddenly feeling a flicker of emotion?