“I’d like you to join me for a date.”

Ying Yue He’s lips parted in surprise, “A-ahh…” She stared at the man in front of her. Her boss, CEO Yang Li was asking her for a date? Is that the reason why he had asked her if it was after business hours. The face of the man looked at her with a serious expression. “Y-You’re just joking aren’t you, Mister Li?” Her face grew hot as she awaited for a smile to break on his face and tell her that it was all a test.

Someone like him had never showed any sign of interest so why now?

“No. I’m completely serious.” He once again confirmed it.

Somehow it still felt like there was a missing element to his method of asking—but a situation like this only appeared and happened in movies, didn’t it? And for it to actually happen to her in real life now made her feel as if she was the star in some show.

[ You Have Gained 50 Charm Points ] .

A blue screen appeared near the edge of his vision. Whether it was actually its skill, the Panda grabbed the notification box and gave him a look. “What sorcery is this?”

But that was something happening on the side, Yang Li awaited for his secretary’s response. If she declined now, then that was alright—he had more than enough days to ask her on a later date. But if there was anything he learned in negotiating and even introducing ideas to stockholders even more conservative than him, it was this: Introduce a wild and insane idea first and once they point out its ridiculousness, introduce the real suggestion one had in mind.

“I-It’s a casual thing, right Mister Li?” Ying Yue He asked with a sheepish smile, she gingerly pushed back some of her hair. “It’s not like you’re going to take me to a fancy five star restaurant in one of the most expensive hotels in the city, or anything like that?”

He quirked a brow, “I was thinking of coffee. But if you’d like to have dinner then—”

“Coffee is good! Casual and smooth.” Ying Yue He laughed as her expression lightened up. The corner of her eyes crinkled up as she laughed—and so it was a genuine one. It was almost impossible for any employee in this business setting to not have a thing for coffee. Or acquire a taste for it.

And that was regardless of the fact that it was six in the evening now.

The Panda moved in between them and raised the notification box at him, “You’re going to take her out for just coffee?! Haven’t you seen that she wanted you to take her to a fancy restaurant?”

“Seems uncomfortable.” Yang Li said.

Ying Yue He blinked, “H-Huh? What seems uncomfortable, Mister Li?”

“Taking you to a five star restaurant is something that would have made you uncomfortable, wouldn’t it, Miss He?” Yang Li ended up explaining his thoughts. He glanced down her pencil skirt and from her fair legs to the heels that she was still wearing. “It’s similar to wearing those heels when you’re eager to wear your sneakers.”

His secretary’s face flushed slightly, “A-Ah, it’s exactly like that, Mister Li!”

Yang Li glanced idly at the Panda. The creature made the notification box disappear—until another one popped up to replace it.

[ You Have Gained 10 Charm Points ]

“What the hell is this woman thinking? That was the worst analogy I’ve heard.”

Yang Li ignored the comment from the Panda and focused on his secretary, “I’ll wait for you to change your footwear then.” If things would happen according to schedule—he could still get home by nine or ten in the evening.

[ You Have Gained 10 Charm Points ]

Ying Yue He couldn’t believe what was happening—she had always known that CEO Li was a quiet if not serious man, it was one of the reasons why he was successful. A steady man but right now he was considerate and observant of her needs.

She didn’t want to keep him waiting though and be dubbed as slow. The secretary took off her heels and felt a bit naked as she twitched her toes and hoped the man didn’t stare too much. She took out her sneakers and changed into them. Once she packed her heels in her backpack, she looked up to the man and tried to keep her cool.

Coffee. Just coffee.

But this was the first time she’d ever heard of or seen their boss initiate and take out any of his employees, she cleared her throat, “I’m good to go, Mister Li.” It was best for her to not be delusional about this or anything though.

She needed to be realistic—but who seriously took out their secretary for a “date”?!

.

.

.

The two of them reached the parking lot underneath the building. Somehow once they reached there, it was the Panda who seemed to scout their surroundings, it raised a paw over its eyes. “So what’s your ride, mister hotshot CEO Li? I see some notable and even luxury brands, you’re not just some small-time CEO eh?”

It was a little surprising that it was aware of that but Yang Li didn’t reply as he passed the other vehicles that the creature was pointing at and finally found his car and unlocked it. He couldn’t be asked to spend too much on a vehicle—he understood that many enjoyed being lavish and showing it off perhaps. But he simply saw the car as a mode of transportation.

“Ah, you drive a sedan type of car.” His secretary, Ying Yue He suddenly pointed out.

He gave her a brief nod, “I do. What about you?”

“O-oh, I ride the public transits.”

“I see, you’ll be joining me for this ride then.” That was as much as he could carry the conversation—he probably should have done some more small talk, but he didn’t exactly like asking mundane questions.

Instead he half-wondered if he should open the car door or not? And would that earn him some more “Charm Points” or would she take offense?

“U-uh, do I sit in the back or the front, Mister Li?” She suddenly asked as she approached his car. Her hands grasped the straps of her backpack as she looked at it uncertainly.

He wasn’t the only one who didn’t know what to do.

Yang Li raised a brow and found it weird actually. And yet it was somewhat relieving to hear her ask something. “In front of course, if you sit in the back—wouldn’t it make me seem like your driver?”

[ You Have Lost 10 Charm Points ]