Naruto and Lin Ruoxi enter the hotel hand in hand, Lin Ruoxi happily hooked her arm over Naruto's elbow. People look at this pairing with envy and jealousy on their expression, the man has handsome and lean feature while the woman has beautiful and noble feature makes this pairing looks like a perfect match made by heaven.
Ignoring the hateful stare from the surrounding, The pair walks slowly toward the hallway of the hotel. On the path to enter the hotel, both sides had ancient Greek columns and goddess statue. After entering the hotel, both sides were instead filled with various western artists'oil paintings of many different sceneries.
The imposingly grandiose decorations, which created a fashionable yet classical fusion, made the whole Blue Bay Hotel filled with an air of honor, even the guests that came and went were immaculately dressed, with arrogant expressions on their faces.
The pair stopped at one of painting that features in grand scale, the painting describes some sort of war between gods and goddess long time ago, there are gods and goddess that wear ancient Greek armor, ancient Norse armor, ancient Japanese armor, and ancient Chinese armor. They have said that the wars between gods and goddess almost burn the entire earth into nothingness, the casualties are innumerable, a sea of blood and storm of pain can be seen anywhere.
At the eve of the war, a holy maiden pray for salvation and peace, her pray somehow being granted, and a celestial being appears between these gods and goddess, its speak through this holy maiden and manages to put an end the hellish war that has been going for years. The celestial being becomes reverent and worshipped everywhere. The long peace has been created.
Naruto stares at the paint while Lin Ruoxi read the description out loud.
"Amazing isn't it?" Lin Ruoxi suddenly said
"Hmm? what did you say?" Naruto looks at Lin Ruoxi with a startled expression.
Lin Ruoxi strangely look at Naruto "I said it is amazing..."
Naruto knitted his brows before asks "which part of it that amaze you?"
Lin Ruoxi face turn to the painting, she smiles and says "the holy maiden, who become the vessel of that celestial being, she has the courage to sacrifice her self in order to put an end into the war between gods and goddess"
Naruto also turns his face back to the painting, he sadly mumbles "courage ?"
"I'm scared"
"I don't want to die"
"help me..."
"like hell she did"
"Hm? did you say something?" Lin Ruoxi inquired because Naruto talks in low voice
"nothing, let's go now, we didn't want to make our host waiting" Naruto smiles while reminding her.
"oh yeah, come on" Lin Ruoxi drags Naruto hand while they walk away from the painting.
Naruto takes a last look before letting himself being dragged by Lin Ruoxi.
They both arrive at a private booth facing the lake. The milky white decorated wooden door at the time opened, a man wearing a black Hugo Boss suit entered. This man had curly hair, a rugged beard and he wore a simple smile. Upon gesturing a "please enter" with his hands he said, "Welcome Miss Lin, our Family's young master has been waiting"
Naruto and Lin Ruoxi noticed that this man seemly on purpose excluded Naruto from his welcome gesture and eyes that completely ignore him. Naruto sneers and he secretly signaling Lin Ruoxi with his eyes. Lin Ruoxi smiles and says "Thank you, this is my husband Mr. Naruto"
Lin Ruoxi action clearly caught the man off-guard because if he still acted like Naruto didn't exist, isn't that mean he doesn't give Lin Ruoxi any faces? what if she got offended and cancel tonight's meeting? wouldn't young master will blame him? even though this is supposed to be young master plan.
secretly cursing out loud in his heart, the man smile and says "pardon miss Lin, I forget that you are married now, please mister and madam, come in" the man awkwardly make another welcome gesture.
Naruto and Lin Ruoxi almost cannot help to bear a laugh, they both quickly enter the room together leaving the man with ugly expression.
The private room is very vast, the scent of lavender scattered all over the place was enough to raise one's spirits
"Ruoxi, I finally get to meet you" A magnetic voice came out from the sofa. The speaker wore a blue dress shirt, had a head full of neat short hair, and a pale handsome face. He possessed the rare temperament of reverence from the inside out, this type of temperament cannot be nurtured by an average family.
impassively, Lin Ruoxi nodded her head,"Boss Xu, I'll be troubling you"
Facing Lin Ruoxi's cold indifference, Xu Zhihong wasn't even fazed. Still using the appearance of a mature man, he wore a face full of smiles."I've invited you quite a number of times, and it's quite rare for you to be free. Your father has talked to me about you for quite some time, saying how you've been really busy at work. As a matter of fact, I do not mind, the fact that you were willing to come and join me for dinner alone makes feel content."
Perhaps if he used this word to other women, they would feel flatter and shy, but Lin Ruoxi remains impassive, she only said "You're too kind"
Xu Zhihong too did not feel anything was wrong as he personally pulled a chair and invited her, "Come, please sit Ruoxi"
Lin Ruoxi felt that she had underestimated Xu Zhihong's intelligence. His way of handling this was just to disregard Naruto. It seemed as if he already thoroughly investigates Naruto's background. who would believe that a big corporation's CEO would marry a previously unknown small stall seller? It appears that Xu Zhihong had long known of Lin Ruoxi's fake marriage plan.
But she and Naruto already prepare for this situation, they already planted a seed of trouble at the entrance of the private booth. With the same motion, they look at Xu Zhihong servant with a sneer on their face and threateningly look.
Feeling their glare make the servant suddenly turned pale, it was clear what they want him to do, if this time he let Lin Ruoxi introduce her husband again by herself, she will have a reason to be offended. Gritting his teeth, he smiles stiffly "Young master this is Miss Lin husband, Mr. Naruto"
Xu Zhihong face turned ugly as he glare at his servant, wasn't their plan was supposed to pretend to ignore this man existence and shaming him in front of Lin Ruoxi?! why would he suddenly introduce him? isn't this simply making his previous act come into nothing?
suppress the feels of wanting to hit his own servant, Xu Zhihong embarrassingly smiles and apologized "Oh Hairy Ball why didn't you mention this earlier, quickly pick up a chair for to seat"
Hairy Ball nervously picks up another chair and place it beside Lin Ruoxi's.
Still, with a face full of smiles Xu Zhihong says "I'm sorry I didn't greet you before, I though Ruoxi wouldn't come with her husband instead come with her big brother, look at your intimate manner"
Big Brother? Naruto almost laugh out loud, 'where is the resemblance between us? pathetic, simply pathetic.' without giving any mercy Naruto smiled "Wow I don't know that young master Xu aware that our Ruoxi usually called me big brother at home, especially when coming into the bed! the feels are to crisp"
Silence! Everyone in the rooms as if forgot to breathe!
Don't even mention about the master-servant pair, even Lin Ruoxi turned speak less after hearing her collaborator's words, she turned all red from head to toe, and glare at Naruto. This man is too shameless, Although these words were meant to counter against Xu Zhihong, this is too... too...
Xu Zhihong, seeing Lin Ruoxi suddenly displaying an expression of bashfulness and glaring at Naruto as if they intimate secret has been exposed, he was infatuated by her sudden change, but upon thinking again, for Lin Ruoxi to act like this, his heart turned cold and he couldn't help but wonder that they relationship is actually true.
with a great difficulty, Xu Zhihong laughed and said "This mister is sure known how to joke, come, come, everyone please sit down"
it wasn't long until the situation is back to normal, Lin Ruoxi and Xu Zhihong already discussed about their cooperation in business. It already becomes a tug of war, Things that ought to be yielded should be, and things that ought to be fought for should be as well
In Reality, Xu Zhihong was very clear, dealing with women like Lin Ruoxi, the art of sweet talk does not work at all. As both of them were businessmen, he must utilize methods to convince the other party, if a man gives up his career for a woman, how will this sort of man win the heart of a strong woman like Lin Ruoxi?
Just like Xu Zhihong, once the official talks began, Lin Ruoxi's words started increasing as well. Her interpersonal relationship skills may not be that great, but once she started talking, this ridiculously beautiful girl also displayed a somewhat "bitchy" demeanor. Once she started to argue, she wouldn't give up until she reaped the maximum profit.
Hairy ball who clearly didn't understand what this both person doing, just stare at Naruto, trying to assess and provoking him, he clearly still feels grudge regarding the previous humiliation.
As for Naruto who doesn't have any interested with their business transaction and grunt like Hairy, no matter what strength he has, it still considered nothing in Naruto eyes.
Therefore, Naruto only sits on his chair and playing with his phone, streaming a certain cat chasing a mouse.
"Yes, I hope Boss Xu can stick to his promises, this year's Autumn Fashion Show, with your company's stage designs and our company's Fall wear, it is certain that we will capture a wider market." Lin Ruoxi finally said as she signed the contract. Due to speaking for an extended amount of time, her cheeks were flushed displaying her hard to come by supple beauty.
While looking at this scene, Xu Zhihong's eyes dulled for a moment before nodding: "Of course, I hope that our partnership goes smoothly."
"Since business is concluded, I expect that you are now hungry Ruoxi, let's have the food served now," Xu Zhihong said as he clapped.
The waiters near the door immediately started to get busy. The dinner is a formal western cuisine. While the dinnerware was being set on the table, Lin Ruoxi glanced towards Naruto with worry in her eyes but quickly disappeared as she remembers that Naruto had spent his time in the United States before so he must be at least know about the etiquette.
Her guess proved to be correct as Naruto didn't immediately launch into his food but act mannerly like a gentleman prepare to eat.
Xu Zhihong look at Naruto with ugly and disappointed expression but still maintained his smile "Naruto, even though this is my first time meeting you, I did not prepare a proper gift, so, I specially ordered a bottle of Nebbiolo from the year 1992 and I hope that Mister Naruto can evaluate it for me."
Naruto nod solemnly and everyone thought he is confident about evaluating the wine. The little bit they know that Naruto is actually gloomy and helpless inside. How could he have an ability to evaluate a wine if he doesn't even like drinking? and every wine or beer he drinks would just taste and turn like normal water for him as they didn't have any effect on him. But since directly rejecting it would cause Lin Ruoxi to lose face, he has to accept it and pretending to be able to evaluate it even just a little.
Naruto raises his glass and the waiter only poured a bit before stopping, Naruto didn't feel anything out of place and he lightly swirled the liquid around the glass, smelt the wine, placed the tilted glass to his lips and slowly savored a sip.
Xu Zhihong worriedly looks at Naruto, he asked, "Mister Naruto, what do you think?"
Naruto smiled and says "First of all, I want to tell you that I'm not really familiar with any kind of wine and beer since I don't like drinking them. Second, the taste of this wine is like experiencing leathery, gripping high tannin that seems to clasp the inside of your lips to the front of your teeth. But despite its tannic structure, there are flavors of cherry and raspberries, it also has aromas of rose and anise. To put it short this wine is subtle yet bold, simple yet complex"
From this, Xu Zhihong felt a bit of surprise, true, that he explain and evaluate the wine on general basis, but he said before that he not familiar with any kind of wine because doesn't like drinking them, yet, he is capable of describing the wine with his eyes, nose, and lips. what is that mean? it meaning is either he is lying about never taste this wine, a pretending professional wine taster, or he simply has high sensitivity of his senses.
If it was the first and second reason, Xu Zhihong will not feel any pressure and simply hold contempt or disdain for this man. But if it was the third reason...
Xu Zhihong gulp the saliva in his throat because he simply feeling the pressure from this man can be very heavy.
"True enough, it Seems that is truly not ordinary, it's no wonder that Ruoxi wanted you to accompany her", Xu Zhihong said with a fake smile.
"Is that so?" Naruto look at Lin Ruoxi with infatuated eyes and lovingly said "Without any skills how can I manage to attract such a goddess like my wife? isn't that right my little Ruoxi?"
Lin Ruoxi's lovable dimples suddenly flashed red. Although she knew that he only act in order help her block Xu Zhihong attempts but being called such intimately and possessively by him, her heart almost jumped out to her throat, she rigidly nodded her head in embarrassment.
Xu Zhihong could feel his world become darker as he murderously staring at Naruto. With one hand gripping tightly onto the crystal clear wine glass, even his veins were visible, he forced a laugh and said: "Haha... so you and Ruoxi are truly has tied the knot, I am... feeling happy for both of you".
After saying that, all of them started eating normally though the atmosphere becomes heavy after Xu Zhihong last word, Lin Ruoxi started to feel apprehensive but thanks to Naruto who changes back his eating manner into a boorish person, her heart lighten up as she giggles and laugh at him. They chat and flirt each other meanwhile Xu Zhihong is getting gloomier and darker.