Chapter 18 chapter 18 Perfect match.

"And then you really had a cold war for several days?"

"Yeah, she didn't look for me, and she was indifferent when I looked for her. It's too much to say such excessive things, everyone is wrong, I can't be the one to apologize."

"That's really serious." Having been classmates for more than ten years, Chen Hang naturally knew Zhao Manzhi's personality. She treated people with an emotional balance, and she treated others the same way as others treated her. If they couldn't reach a mutual understanding when they were angry, Zhao Manzhi would never be humble to comfort them. "Then you still want to wait for her to find you? I remember Fang Ling is very introverted and sensitive. I'm afraid it's harder for her to speak than you."

"I don't know." Zhao Manzhi was a little annoyed. She stopped the treadmill and gradually slowed down her pace, panting. "Let's talk about it later. I think it's not worth it to make such a fuss over a few words after being friends for so many years."

Shen Hang chuckled on the other end of the phone, "Then I think you may still find her. You are soft-hearted and don't care about any principles."

"Oh, you are really annoying. When are you going to come back? I will deal with you."

"I'm preparing for the exam here. Come and see my parents next week."

"Are you really going to take the exam for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs? Have you thought about it?"

As the college years are coming to an end, everyone chats and can't escape the choice of the future. Because of Shen Hang, Zhao Manzhi also learned about this kind of exam and knew that it is difficult to enter the diplomatic system. It is even more difficult for an only child like Shen Hang who is not a Beijing resident.

"Well, let's give it a try anyway. The French major has reached saturation in employment. You can either work as a translator or do trade with France. It's quite an honor to be able to engage in diplomatic work."

"Don't be stationed abroad at that time. It will be a pity if we don't see each other for a long time."

Chen Hang smiled at her, "We don't see each other very often now, and some friendships can't be maintained by meeting in person." "

That's right. Then tell me when you come to Shanghai, and I'll treat you to a big meal!"

"No problem."

After hanging up the phone, Zhao Manzhi took off the Bluetooth headset and put it in her pocket, then picked up the water cup and took two sips of water. She found her locker, changed her sweat-soaked clothes, picked up her gym bag and walked out. As soon as she walked out of the gym, she was stopped by someone: "Hello, are you Mandy?"

He was a tall boy with beads of sweat on his face and a bright smile. "I'm Eric from the marketing department. I've seen you in the gym these days and want to make friends with you." She 

had just quarreled with Fang Ling, and the term "opposite-sex friends" sounded a warning bell in her mind. Zhao Manzhi pulled the corners of her mouth and said coldly: "There's no need to make friends." 

"Don't, give me a chance." Eric was not discouraged and followed her. "I know you have high standards, but I have a very good background, really, how about getting to know me?" 

His appearance of a peacock spreading its tail made Zhao Manzhi think of an old friend for no reason. She really wanted to shout to the sky: Why is one Chen Muchuan not enough, and here comes Chen Muchuan 2.0? 

"Really, no need. I don't have any plans to fall in love for the time being." She walked into the elevator and smiled at him, "Goodbye." 

"Hey, wait for me." Eric squeezed in, "I also have to go upstairs to report on work." 

"Just wearing sportswear?" 

"...Our boss is not very particular." 

When they reached the floor, Zhao Manzhi walked straight towards the office. Eric knew that the end was where his immediate boss was, so he stopped. 

Jennie from the administration department came over to change tea and gossiped quietly: "Isn't that Eric, the most beautiful girl in the marketing department? Is he pursuing you?" 

"No, just come and talk to me." Zhao Manzhi patted the back of her hand, "You've been thinking about it all day long." 

"Oh, you're just saying a few words, and you're already looking forward to it." Jennie shrugged her nose, "Mandy, you don't have a boyfriend, do you? You can be calm and indifferent when you see Eric, that's not easy." 

"I don't, and there's nothing between me and Eric." 

"I thought we would see the birth of a golden boy and a jade girl, what a pity." 

Jennie's weird look made Zhao Manzhi laugh, "You are as sincere as a CP fan." 

"Isn't it? If we talk about the most suitable match, it has to be you and Zhuang--" 

Jennie's voice stopped abruptly before she finished speaking. She pinched Zhao Manzhi, causing her to stand up straight in pain: "Hey, what are you doing..." 

Turning her head and seeing Zhuang Youkai's face, she immediately swallowed back all the extra words and greeted respectfully: "Hello, boss." 

Zhuang Youkai just nodded. Next to him stood a dignified lady. Zhao Manzhi recognized her almost at a glance. She was the one who helped her pick up the brooch in the lobby of Huanye. 

"Hello." 

Zhuang Peiying also smiled at her, "Hello." 

The two entered the rest area and sat down. Zhao Manzhi followed and set out tea and snacks and left. Obviously, they had similar Chinese and Western looks, Zhuang Youkai was cold and stern, and Zhuang Peiying was gentle, but inexplicably, Zhao Manzhi felt very uneasy about getting to know her. 

Looking at the back of the girl leaving gracefully, Zhuang Peiying's eyes darkened a little, and she took a sip of tea, "Has the atmosphere in the hotel become like this?" 

"It's just a few jokes between employees." 

"You didn't have this attitude when it came to Vivian before." Zhuang Peiying looked at him with a smile, but her eyes were cold, "Akai, don't be emotional." 

Zhuang Youkai looked away, playing with a thin lighter between his fingers, and a cold light flowed on the metal surface, "Zhuo Wen said that you have become a little verbose in the past two years. It seems that he is right." " 

Don't take it lightly. What's the matter with what they said just now?" 

"You are too nervous." 

"I am worried about you!" It was too abnormal. He was more afraid of provoking the wind and the moon than anyone else. Why was he so protective this time? Zhuang Peiying put down the teacup, and the bone china clinked together, like an alarm on the wrong frequency, "Akai, I told you that if you really decide to take this path, it is best not to be tempted by worldly desires forever." 

Memories came like a tide, drowning him and almost suffocating him. 

Yes, he was destined to take this path, to seize power with Chen Peishan and her son, to clear the injustice of his mother and brother. 

He was the last bargaining chip, and he had to give it a try whether he was willing or not. 

After a long silence, Zhuang Youkai turned around, held his sister's cold hand, and comforted her, "Sister Ying, I know you want to get married and you can't worry about me because you have to take care of the family, but I know my limits, don't worry." 

"Really?" 

"Really." 

Zhuang Peiying's expression eased a little, and she covered his hand with hers and patted it gently, "You know your sister is not forbidding you to have fun, but playing is playing, don't really get involved, and don't make it unhappy, otherwise some gossip will spread later. Grandma told Jiang Yu that she likes her, but if you really want to talk about marriage, Hong Kong Island will be the best place to benefit you. I had dinner with Mrs. Xu before, and she likes you very much..." Zhuang 

Youkai pulled his hand away, "I haven't made any plans in the past few years." 

"There's no rush in the next few years, but it's time to put it on the agenda. When I go to Singapore in the future, it won't be easy for me to return to Hong Kong at any time. I will definitely do everything I can to plan for you in advance."
"Don't talk about me, let's talk about your marriage." Zhuang Youkai lay down in the single armchair, "Boss Wu is wealthy, but is it necessary to sacrifice yourself? He is so much older than you and has a complicated family. He marries you just to repair his reputation. What about that little star if you marry him?"

Zhuang Peiying's face turned pale and her fingers curled up unconsciously, "I'll arrange it, you don't have to worry about it."

Seeing this, Zhuang Youkai chuckled, "Everyone looks confused, but who is not confused?"

This sentence touched Zhuang Peiying's sore spot. She picked up the teacup, but didn't drink a sip for a long time, nor did she put it down. Zhuang Youkai thought about it and decided to let it go. "Okay, Sister Ying, it's time for dinner. Do you want to try the new dishes in the restaurant? And check them for me."

Zhuang Peiying walked down the stairs, straightened her clothes and stood up. "Okay, let me see how well you have integrated the local flavors."

*

It was already past the end of work time. Zhao Manzhi was already depressed. She took advantage of Zhuang Youkai's busy days to go to the gym. As a result, she came back and met her boss while chatting. Her mood suddenly became worse. She didn't even want to think about what to eat, and went straight to the hotel restaurant to find food.

Huanye's employees are treated very well. Even interns can enjoy the buffet of the luxury hotel for free. Zhao Manzhi didn't have much appetite. She picked some salad, bread, and yogurt at random, and found a quiet place to sit down and eat. As a result, within two minutes, she heard the lingering voice again, "Hi, Mandy!"

She didn't need to look up to imagine Eric's big white teeth baring and greeting her.

"I didn't expect we would be destined to meet. What a coincidence." Eric quickly put the plate in front of her, pulled out a chair and sat down. "I thought you went back first. Why are you so busy now? Are you working overtime?"

"No, I just simply sorted out tomorrow's schedule." Zhao Manzhi picked at the salad and ate, "Is there something?"

"It was too hasty just now. I wanted to introduce myself to you." He cleared his throat and spoke solemnly, "I graduated from UCLA two years ago, and my current position is..."

"Stop." Zhao Manzhi interrupted him, "Eric, I think I've made it very clear. I'm not interested in these. Besides, we don't have much business dealings. It seems that there is really no need to make such a friend specially, don't you think?" 

"But we all work out, right? Don't look at me like this. I have done a lot of research in this area. If you don't understand, you can ask me more, and I can also take you to practice together. I think your shoulder and back lines are already very good. If you can practice your hips and legs--" 

"You just can't listen to me?" Zhao Manzhi was almost laughing. "I said no, and I really don't. If you keep doing this, I'll eat somewhere else." 

Eric was frightened by her eagerness to try, so he zipped up his mouth and lowered his head to eat. 

Zhao Manzhi finally got some peace and quiet, playing with her phone while picking at the food in the bowl. 

The two sat facing each other in silence, not noticing that a pair of eyes were fixed on them not far away.