Ying Yue He checked her boss’ schedule to see if there had been any specific tasks or meetings that Li Yang needed to attend. The woman was actually trying to check which was the most appropriate time to return the man’s suit coat, especially when the man didn’t seem all too interested in coffee right now.

She chewed on her bottom lip as she realized that thankfully, most of his morning schedule didn’t have any meetings—what kind of horrible thing would have happened if the CEO failed to show up? In a couple of days, an Investor Board’s Meeting would occur and that was a crucial time. She had already placed it in his schedule as an important task and an urgent one—but there was something more urgent.

There was something in his afternoon schedule.

“A meeting with the Director of Wang Corporation?” She frowned for a moment and raised her brow. If her memory served her correctly, “That’s a subsidiary company… why not talk directly with the mother company?” Ying Yue He was not an expert in networking with other companies, but she found it slightly offensive that they were making a subsidiary connect with them instead of the parent one.

They should at least pay more respect.

She took note of another thing and pouted, “The meeting isn’t here? All meetings are supposed to take place here….oh, they want to meet in that fancy tea shop.” Ying Yue He had to admit that at least the subsidiary knew how to make a good impression. “Nuo did say booking an appointment there is extremely difficult. At least they’re giving us some face by having it there.” She sighed in relief and smiled. “Mister Li probably already—”

A sudden thought went through her mind.

“The reason why he didn’t’ want to have coffee is… this?” Ying Yue He slapped a hand over her face and fought back the urge to laugh at herself. She was too butt-hurt about it, but now it made sense. Someone like him probably didn’t want to get those two drinks mixed or something, that kind of reasoning made sense for such a meticulous and even fastidious man like him.

She looked at the schedule and pursed her lips, “Maybe I can remind him in person and return the suit coat at the same time?” That made sense. It was the perfect situation and it was a quick thing—he wouldn’t mind, would he? Ying Yue He pulled up to her feet and gingerly picked up the man’s suit coat.

Her memory of him lending it to her made her cheeks flush for a bit.

The man hadn’t brought her home but simply letting him borrow it showed his thoughtfulness and… Ying Yue He needed to stop stalling herself from knocking at the man’s office. It was right behind her.

She knocked on the door and waited for a moment before slightly opening the door. “Mister Li, I wanted to remind you about a meeting…”

“A meeting?” He asked.

Ying Yue He took it as the opportunity to step inside and inclined her head, “Yes, it’s a meeting with Director Wang Haoran, 3pm at the Heavenly Jade Pavilion.” The man didn’t say anything yet and she took it as a chance to continue and step closer to the CEO at the table, “And uh, I wanted to return your suit coat… from last night?”

The secretary wanted to hit her against a wall—her cheeks felt hot. She probably didn’t need to put emphasis on the last bit, but she still wanted to see how he would react to it. Did he take her out for coffee on a whim? Did he call it a date but didn’t want to bring it up anymore…? Ying Yue He had even checked tickets for an available zoo last night.

She held herself back from mentioning that. She didn’t need to bring that up at all.

Ying Yue He would keep it professional.

Business-y.

“Ah, thank you.” Li Yang stood up from his seat and approached her. “I hope you’ve been able to go back to your home safe and sound—it had rained last night.”

Even though it was him mentioning the weather, she couldn’t help but blush as the man got closer to retrieve his suit coat. “Ah, yes. I managed to get home on time.” That was a complete lie, she had gotten drenched by the rain while keeping his suit coat completely dry but it was worth it. She handed it to him and the man didn’t exactly step back immediately.

…That was a good sign, wasn’t it? A sign of interest?

Ying Yue He looked up slightly to see his face properly. And he did look concerned about it. The usually stone-cold expression had shifted and there was even a small sigh of relief. “I see, that’s good.” He nodded, “If you had gotten wet, I would have much-preferred driving you back to your place than that.”

“O-Oh, it’s fine. I was able to get back without the rain—” Ying Yue He sneezed and quickly covered her mouth and nose. Her boss didn’t say a thing, but her body betrayed her at this moment didn’t she? She cleared her throat and flashed a sheepish smile, “A-ah, but my immune system is still a bit weak. It’s really quite chilly, isn’t it Mister Li?”

“Would you like to head to the clinic?” He asked.

Ying Yue He appreciated his concern—although it might have been a natural thing to say—but shook her head instead, “It’s just a little sniffle, Mister Li. Although, uh, I’ll probably get a surgical mask so I don’t spread the virus in the air.” She probably didn’t need to say this to him, did she?

“…If you’re going to get yourself one, Miss He. Would you get one for me as well?” Her boss took out his phone for a moment and seemed to have searched for something when he looked back at her. “I believe our office clinic might have an FDA approved surgical N95 respirator? It’s much safer. You can get one for yourself too than a face mask.”

“O-Of course, Mister Li. I’ll be right back.” She flashed him a smile and started to walk out of his office. Ying Yue He’s smile was frozen on her face as she shut the door behind her. She always got that the man was meticulous and conscientious. It kind of fit since he was a CEO.

But was he always that fussy and painstaking health-conscious?

She had just sneezed once and now he wanted a respirator? It was like saying he wanted her out of the room immediately! Ying Yue He clutched her chest and frowned. She couldn’t have been that revolting and disgusting when she sneezed, right?!