Ye An's name meant 'Darkness'. Apart from being Cree's right-hand man and personal assistant cum secretary, he had another identity: proprietor of a homestyle cafe and owner of a small private detective business. While Cree outshone Ye An, Ye An's dark and distinguished looks made him desirable by women.
To cover up for the secret one-night stand between Cree and his Xiaoruo, he had been entrusted to find her and return her the wallet. In the end, he had found her at the onset of being attacked by some unknown men. He had saved her and sent her to the hospital.
Cree had also asked him to investigate her background, of which he performed diligently. The results rocked him, and he knew Cree would not be happy about finding out the results. Nevertheless, it had been months and Cree had not chased him for an update on the investigation results, which could be a good thing.
Today, he received a new task, which was to pick up Qiao Ruo and send her to and fro work.
She was quiet in the car, and not a word transpired between them, which made him consider how Cree had described her as inquisitive, playful and unafraid to voice her opinion. He had also called her the type who would often jump to conclusions, but one of her strong points was how she would not take instructions from anyone. She was a person of her own opinion and she hated people telling her what to do. He guessed correctly that this was the exact reason Cree had made her his girlfriend during their second meeting: to resist his overcontrolling mother.
Li Yao was a tough opponent, and the fact she had lost her son at a very young age had wrecked her and made her a very sensitive woman. She was determined to source a perfect wife for Cree, which in her mind was the best daughter-in-law. However, she had failed to realize that this was the twenty-first century, and Cree was no longer the wild teenager she had adopted then. It was impossible to continue controlling him.
Ye An halted at the parking lot of the building, and before he could assist Qiao Ruo with the door, she had already opened the door of the vehicle by herself and left. He realized how independent he was, and shook his head in pleasure. Madam Li would have a worthy challengor.
Qiao Ruo was helping herself to a cup of latte when Cree walked in, devoid his disguise. She admired how decent he appeared to be in just a simple white shirt and grey work pants. His hair was neatly combed and waxed, and he was wearing his Ye Qi-glasses. As there were people surrounding them, they put up an act and introduced each other.
"I'm Qiao Ruo, reporter for the gossip column. You can call me Ruo Lan or RL," she offered him her outstretched hand warmly. He introduced himself in response to her, taking her arm briefly.
"I apologize that I wasn't feeling well yesterday. Have you had a proper tour of the premises?"
'Ye Qi' stared at her as if she was a stranger. She was used to his pretensive icy demeanour as Cree in the past, and acting as if she was a stranger today was no difference. Patiently she awaited his reply. He smiled without the least of an expression on his face, and said, "Well, they have, but it won't hurt for you to do it again. Perhaps there are some secret corners or hidden areas the others missed out. Anyway, you won't be remaining here long, will you? So, it's best that you personally give me a tour." Despite not being Cree, Ye Qi was the strict and firm, serious Head of Design, a white-collared employee who had successfully climbed the career ladder to become who he was now. What he demanded was what he received; when he said 'one' it meant one, there was no argument from any other party that it would be 'two'.
"Yes, this week is my last," she said. "When do you want to do the tour, then?"
"Now," he said, and she just smiled, finishing what remained of her coffee.
