Just before dinner time, the chef suddenly came to Xu Zifan in a panic to ask for leave. Her mother had fallen and broken her leg at home, and she needed to go to the hospital immediately. This was a serious matter, so Xu Zifan immediately granted her leave, telling her not to rush back to work and to take good care of her mother at the hospital. He also told her that she could contact him if she had any financial difficulties.
The chef left gratefully. Xu Zifan said to Ji Yawen, "We can ask the other two maids to cook dinner, but they're not very good at it. How about we order takeout?"
Ji Yawen rarely eats takeout, feeling it's not as healthy as cooking at home. Remembering that Xu Zifan had just fainted and she didn't know if he'd been injured, she thought he needed some nourishment. So she volunteered, "Chairman, I can cook. I'll make dinner tonight and let you try my cooking."
Xu Zifan smiled and said, "Great! You're really all-around amazing. How can you do everything?"
"Chairman, you're the one who knows everything! I've learned so much from following you. Since I have the chance today, I'll cook a big meal to thank you." Having spent a lot of time with Xu Zifan in private, Ji Yawen's speech has become less rigid, revealing a more youthful playfulness and liveliness.
Xu Zifan led her to the kitchen and pointed out the general locations of the refrigerator, pots, and pans. However, he had hardly ever been in a kitchen before and wasn't very familiar with it, making him seem more like a guest. Ji Yawen laughed and said, "Chairman, you go ahead and get busy. Kitchens are all pretty much the same; I can handle it myself. I'll call you for dinner when it's ready."
Xu Zifan leaned against the door and looked around. Seeing that Ji Yawen was putting on the apron with practiced ease, he told her to be careful and go upstairs without worry.
Ji Yawen is a great cook, but this was the first time she had ever cooked for someone other than herself. She prepared four dishes and a soup, all nourishing. Knowing that this was for her most admired male idol, Ji Yawen put in her best effort, carefully completing each step. Her knife skills and control of the heat were impeccable, and she even arranged the food beautifully on a plate. It was arguably the best she had ever cooked.
She called Xu Zifan down for dinner, her heart filled with anticipation yet maintaining a calm facade, only her occasional glances at him betraying a hint of her emotions. Xu Zifan couldn't help but smile at her, thinking that she was finally showing a bit of her girlish side. He picked up the nearest dish and took a bite. The moment the food entered his mouth, he looked at Ji Yawen in surprise, "It's delicious! Your cooking is amazing!"
Ji Yawen smiled unconsciously, "It's just home cooking. I really enjoy food and I cook at home every day. Chairman, please try these dishes; they're all your favorites."
All four dishes and one soup were to Xu Zifan's liking. Xu Zifan tasted them one by one and nodded with a smile, "They are especially delicious, Assistant Ji. You can go and take the chef's certification exam. People who love their work usually don't have much time or energy to take care of their families, or they don't even like it. I didn't expect you to be so talented. I really didn't know that."
"There's no way around it. I've got such a talented boss, I have to learn a few more tricks so I don't fall too far behind," Ji Yawen joked as she picked up her chopsticks. The fact that her cooking was appreciated by someone she admired filled her with a deep sense of joy.
Xu Zifan glanced at her. Perhaps because she had just finished cooking, her hair and clothes weren't as meticulous as usual, giving her a more homely and gentle appearance. He ate the delicious food, his mind completely relaxing. Since transmigrating to this world, he had been constantly scheming to deal with the strategists and the system, and dealing with his business rivals. He had always been on edge, afraid of falling into someone's trap. This was the first time he had chatted so easily and enjoyed a meal like this.
The dishes and soup were both nourishing, and Assistant Ji not only observed his usual tastes but also thoughtfully remembered to prepare nourishing foods for him, giving him a warm feeling. It was a feeling that... made the monotonous and empty home warm and cozy. If it were someone else, he probably wouldn't feel this way. It was only because Assistant Ji had become the most special person in his life over the past few months that the atmosphere was so relaxed.
It was like having a companion; they fought together, no longer alone. They shared secrets, and he even entrusted his safety to her twice. She admired and supported him, and they trusted each other implicitly. He hadn't felt the need for a companion before, but now, he found it incredibly comforting to have one in this world of unknown threats—a synergy greater than the sum of its parts.
While the Luo family was celebrating wildly, Xu Zifan and Ji Yawen enjoyed a warm and relaxed dinner. Xu Zifan even opened a bottle of red wine to celebrate their victory against the Luo family! Ji Yawen was very happy and drank quite a bit, but when she went to her study to work after dinner, she didn't seem drunk at all. She was very focused on her work, her mind was exceptionally clear, and she and Xu Zifan worked together to quickly sort out all the incriminating evidence against the Luo family, working until 2 a.m.
Things were almost done. Xu Zifan finalized the major steps for acquiring Luo's Group, glanced at his watch, and said, "It's late. Let's refine the plan again tomorrow. That's all for today. Go back to your room and rest."
Ji Yawen nodded, "Okay, Chairman, you should get some rest too."
After finishing her work and knowing she was safe at her boss's house, Ji Yawen relaxed and got up to walk towards the guest room. Xu Zifan was surprised to find her walking unsteadily, almost bumping into the door frame, and couldn't help but laugh. It turned out she wasn't sober; she had been maintaining her best mental state throughout the workday, and now that she relaxed, the intoxication had kicked in.
This was probably something she'd practiced when going out for social events before; after all, it would be dangerous for a young woman to show signs of drunkenness in public. He was also influenced by his memories...
I was fooled. I thought Ji Yawen had a high alcohol tolerance. She's such an interesting girl.
Xu Zifan stepped forward, took her arm, and led her away, saying, "I'll take you back to your room."
Ji Yawen nodded obediently, feeling a little dizzy. When she reached the door of the guest room, she looked up and smiled very happily, "Boss, we will definitely succeed. Luo's will soon be ours."
Xu Zifan cooperated and said, "That's right, the Luo family will soon be ours."
Ji Yawen chuckled twice, her eyes seemingly shining, "Boss, you're amazing! I want to be like you someday, to become someone so amazing that others look up to me!"
Xu Zifan pressed his fist to his lips, coughed lightly, and couldn't help but laugh, "I believe in you, you will definitely succeed, and then you will be Chairman Ji."
"Excited? No, I'm not excited. It will be a long, long time before I catch up with the boss. Why would I be excited..." Ji Yawen shook her head, pressing her forehead and frowning as if feeling dizzy.
Seeing this, Xu Zifan advised, "Go to sleep, your head won't be dizzy when you wake up."
Ji Yawen subconsciously replied, "Yes, Chairman."
Xu Zifan raised an eyebrow: "Didn't you call me 'boss'? Why are you calling me 'chairman' now?"
Ji Yawen lowered her voice and leaned closer to him as if whispering, "Actually, I think 'boss' is more friendly, but I don't dare to call him that. Boss, do you think it's okay?"
"Sure, you can call me 'boss' from now on."
"Then just call me by my name, don't call me 'Assistant Ji'. I can't stand it every time I hear it. Please, please don't call me 'Assistant Ji' anymore."
"Why?" Xu Zifan was a little surprised. Wasn't Assistant Ji a very ordinary title?
"Just... just don't shout..."
Xu Zifan saw that she seemed sleepy, so he didn't press the matter. "Okay, Ya Wen, go to sleep, be a good girl."
Ji Yawen's eyes widened in surprise, and she exclaimed, "That's so unfair! My God!"
She instantly covered her ears and slammed the door shut! Xu Zifan stepped back just in time to avoid being hit on the nose. Thinking of Ji Yawen's reaction, he chuckled and slowly returned to his room with his hands in his pockets. In the bathroom, he saw his smiling face in the mirror and suddenly realized that he had been single for a very, very long time. No wonder he was feeling a little romantic. And the person who made him realize this was, of course, the one who had captured his heart.
That night, Ji Yawen slept soundly in her hotel room and even had a sweet dream. The next morning, she was woken by her phone alarm. She sat up groggily, instantly sobering up at the sight of her unfamiliar surroundings. When she recalled her drunken behavior, she felt as if struck by lightning. Grabbing her hair, she cried out, "Oh no! The boss will definitely think I'm crazy! Ji Yawen, how could you be so stupid! Couldn't you have gone back to your room and acted like that?! Ahhh!"
She grabbed her phone to check the time, not daring to delay, and quickly washed up. A maid knocked and brought in a clean suit. After changing, she took a deep breath and forced herself to remain calm as she went downstairs. Xu Zifan was sitting on the sofa reading a newspaper. She walked over and gave a stiff smile, "Good morning, Chairman."
Xu Zifan put the newspaper aside and joked, "Didn't we agree yesterday that you'd call me 'Boss' from now on? Ya Wen, you haven't forgotten, have you?"
Ji Yawen's elegant smile instantly cracked. She lowered her head like a student admitting her mistake and whispered, "I'm sorry, Chairman. I didn't know I would get drunk and act crazy. I promise I won't drink so much in the future."
"It's not your fault, it was just that the bottle of wine I took was too strong. And you didn't act crazy while drunk. I think it's good that you're just being your most authentic self in private." Xu Zifan's words made Ji Yawen breathe a sigh of relief. Then Xu Zifan changed the subject, "But Yawen, you'd better not drink outside in the future, it's too dangerous. If someone saw you like that last night, it could easily attract bad guys."
Ji Yawen's face flushed bright red instantly! What was she like last night? She was totally all smiles and acting like a lovesick fan! Isn't that how excited and adoring a little fan is in front of her idol? She usually hides it so well, but she didn't expect to expose herself when she was drunk! Facing Xu Zifan's smiling face, she awkwardly couldn't say a word.
Xu Zifan stood up and understandingly let her off the hook, saying as he rolled up his sleeves, "It's still early, let's make breakfast and see what ingredients we have."
"Huh? Oh, okay, make breakfast." Ji Yawen hurriedly walked to the kitchen, as if she were running away.
However, Xu Zifan followed behind her, helping her while occasionally calling out "Ya Wen." Ji Ya Wen's ears remained red; she felt this boss was too mean, teasing her relentlessly after she embarrassed herself. How could he be so mean!