Chapter 19 Chapter 19 A desire for the world.

"The crab paste tofu is quite fresh, and this method is also interesting. You said you wanted to reform the kitchen, and you did a good job."

Zhuang Peiying praised someone for once, but the person being praised did not respond. His eyes were fixed on the distance, and his mind was no longer on this meal.

Fortunately, Zhuang Peiying really enjoyed today's dinner, and was only focused on eating, not noticing Zhuang Youkai's distraction. Lin Zhuowen rolled his eyes back and forth and took over the words that were about to fall, "Akai, he wants to do everything to the best of his ability. Last time you gave some suggestions, he changed them immediately!"

As he said that, he kicked Zhuang Youkai under the table. The latter finally came back to his senses and reluctantly responded, "Yes."

"It would be great if you could be so obedient in other matters." Zhuang Peiying scolded him, "You should know about Mrs. Xu's affairs. When you have time and return to Hong Kong Island, we'll make an appointment to meet each other."

Zhuang Youkai coughed lightly, "Didn't grandpa say that he wanted to revitalize those hotels with poor performance? You'll be busy when you go back."

"That won't delay it."

Lin Zhuowen led Zhuang Peiying to change the subject to her wedding. What island and beach to choose, how grand the scene would be, all of these were filled with women's extreme yearning for a sense of ceremony. Even if Zhuang Peiying's marriage was only to fulfill the family mission, she was still slightly moved when she talked about these things.

In the spare time that his sister could not spare, Zhuang Youkai kept looking at the end of the large French window. The sunny boy showed his enthusiasm in a clumsy way, while the girl opposite him kept her back to him, and it was unknown what expression she had.

After sending Zhuang Peiying away, the first thing he asked Lu Qianning was, "What has Zhao Manzhi been busy with recently?"

"You have been receiving Miss Peiying these two days. She only has some administrative work left, which is relatively easy. After work, she seems to go to the gym, practice for a while and then go home. What's wrong?" "

Nothing, just caring about subordinates."

Thinking of the origin of this sentence, Lu Qianning couldn't help laughing, "Don't you care about the new friends your subordinates make?"

Zhuang Youkai's expression was a little serious, "Who?"

"Eric from the marketing department, graduated from an Ivy League school, young and promising, very popular with female colleagues, it seems that they met at the gym downstairs."

The group is not an airtight wall, and Lu Qianning is particularly careful. After thinking about the content of the chat between Zhao Manzhi and Jennie in the afternoon, he went to inquire about it, and indeed got a lot of useful information.

There was no conversation on the way up the elevator until Zhuang Youkai walked to the door of his executive suite on the top floor, then he stopped and asked, "Does the gym on my office floor have a spare access card?"

Lu Qianning nodded.

"Give it to Zhao Manzhi and say it's an employee benefit."

"Then if Miss Zhao accepts it, will you still go to the gym?" The old housekeeper's question was very clever, asking whether he wanted to help her or if he wanted to be the second Eric.

Zhuang Youkai was silent for a moment, "Let's talk about it later."

"Understood, I'll do as you say."

The next day, Zhao Manzhi held the card with a confused look on her face, and repeatedly confirmed with Lu Qianning, "I remember that the employee handbook said that ordinary employees can only use the gym on the third floor? It turns out that there is one on our floor too..."

"The equipment on the third floor is older and more people use it. This floor is new and fewer people know about it. You don't have to queue up to use the equipment when you go there." Lu Qianning smiled and put the card on her desk, lowering his voice, "Keep it and don't say anything. Just go when you want to go."

Zhao Manzhi exclaimed, but still accepted it, "Then... thank you, Uncle Ning."

"You're welcome."

Lin Zhuowen, who had been peeping at the whole process from Zhuang Youkai's office, was shaking with laughter and almost spilled the coffee in his hand on the expensive Persian carpet, "You really give all the dirty work to Uncle Ning."

"If you keep talking too much, you'll go next time."

"Look at you, you're not willing to go in person when you're chasing a girl, when are you going to make a move, are

you going to get married?" Lin Zhuowen sighed, "And I don't think Mandy is a romantic person, it'll be hard for her to understand your intentions!" "Who am I chasing after, Zhao Manzhi? Is being nice to her considered chasing? You have a very rich imagination." Zhuang Youkai sneered, "According to this statement, buying a bag for Jiang Yu is also chasing her?"

"Hey, just talk about your business, don't involve me!"

"You can't win the argument, but I like to talk, so why don't you say less."

Since childhood, Lin Zhuowen has known that Zhuang Youkai has a bad temper and is too lazy to argue with him about this. "At the dinner table that day, I saw that Sister Ying was really anxious. She mentioned the Xu family several times. Do you think it was possible that it was the old man's intention? The old saying goes that getting married and building a career always comes first. You were dragging it out in the past because Sister Ying was withstanding the pressure. Now that Sister Ying is married, your carefree days are over."

Zhuang Youkai was silent for a moment. "Don't we still have Zhuang Youliang? He's not much older, but he's still a brother."

"You hit the nail on the head." Lin Zhuowen snapped his fingers. "Guess why Sister Ying is in a hurry to match you and Xu Lingxin this time?"

"Could it be that Chen Peishan has taken a fancy to her family?"

"Yes."

Chen Peishan has been competitive all her life. In the past, she was unwilling to be a secret lover and went straight to Lin Shuyun to force a palace. Later, she kept instigating Zhuang Youliang to grab resources. The Xu family has strong assets and extensive business, so it is natural for her to consider it.

"Miss Xu has a bad temper, Zhuang Youliang might not be able to handle it."

"Chen Peishan thinks the same of you."

When they mentioned this, they smiled at each other. Everyone knows that Zhuang Youliang knows how to whitewash the situation and pretend to be a good man, and Zhuang Youkai rarely forces himself to be nice. If Zhuang and Xu really become a good couple, it would be like a collision between Mars and the Earth.

Zhuang Youkai tapped the armrest and said, "If grandpa really wants me to get married, the worst that can happen is to hide away. He has given me the task of revitalizing the hotel. There are so many places in the New Territories and Kowloon, there is always a place for me to hide." 

"There is less than a month of free time left, it is really time to make some plans." Lin Zhuowen counted the options for him on his fingers, "Kowloon Tong, Wan Chai, or Shatin?" 

"Shatin, isn't it the one in CUHK? 

" "Yes, maybe you can see Mandy BB again." 

"Lin Zhuowen, you!" 

"Just kidding, you are so angry, drink some herbal tea." 

After driving the smiling Lin Zhuowen out, Zhuang Youkai looked out the window. The Bund, which was just lit up, was rejuvenated by modern neon lights, but he suddenly thought of the sparks of Victoria Harbour, which were classical and dazzling, like an old record from the last century. 

He would eventually go back, and Zhao Manzhi's internship would eventually end. They were originally on two different tracks, and only by chance did they intersect for a moment. 

Soon, Zhuang Youkai was frightened by this moment of absent-mindedness. What was he doing, and why was he reluctant to part with Zhao Manzhi? 

"Akai, I told you, if you really decide to take this path, it's best to never be tempted by worldly desires." 

He prided himself on being noble, indifferent to worldly affairs, and extremely contemptuous of love. He even regarded the fate of life and death as a means of planning. Would 

he be so easily tempted by someone? Wouldn't it make his previous principles extremely absurd? It's not that 

he didn't understand what Zhuang Peiying meant. He could make a mistake and have fun for a while, but he couldn't really lose his heart. As a graduate with an A in game theory, he knew better than anyone how to maximize benefits. 

No, at least it shouldn't be Zhao Manzhi.
Zhuang Youkai wanted to get rid of all distracting thoughts, but when he closed his eyes, many moments of his time with Zhao Manzhi could not help but emerge in his mind. Her pale face when she was frightened by Wang Huainan, her accidentally touching his fingertips when she scooped up the wontons and handed them to him, her back when she was eating with Eric, and the "Regards, Manzhi" that appeared in his mailbox day after day...

When he thought that all these would be permanently sealed in a month, he couldn't help but breathe hard, and he tore his tie loose and took a few deep breaths.

Zhao Manzhi knocked on the door at this time. Seeing his appearance, she thought something had happened and shrank by the door in a daze, "Boss..."

Zhuang Youkai was upset and responded a little unhappy, "If you have something to say, say it, otherwise get out!"

"I, I want to say that tomorrow's brief has been sent to your mailbox. If there is nothing else, I will leave work first."

"I know, you can go." Zhuang Youkai turned his back to her so that she would not see his embarrassed appearance.

"Okay."

After a while, he didn't hear the door closing. Zhuang Youkai turned around and saw that she was still standing there, sticking her head out with a nervous look on her face.

"Are you not leaving yet?"

"I see that you are not in good condition, and I want to see if you need any help."

Zhuang Youkai bit his lower lip. He suddenly became convinced that the reason why he was so attached to Zhao Manzhi was because she was always considerate and caring. He was just nostalgic for someone who cared about him. How could it be considered a worldly desire?

Yes, that's it.

"No need. Don't ask about my private affairs in the future." His tone became colder and colder. "You can go home now. Go out."