He Liked It

************

Lu Aotian was even more shocked when he heard what Mei Xing told him.

"Two hours? I had no idea," saying so, his eyes trailed to his secretary who by now was standing with embarrassment laced in her features. His eyes narrowed at the woman. "Ruoan, why was I not informed about Ms Mei Xing's arrival?" He asked, sounding angry at her.

"I-I apologize, boss. You always said not to let anyone in after your morning meetings. S-so I thought you did not want to be disturbed," Ruolan, the secretary, stuttered. She did not dare look Lu Aotian in the eyes as she spoke.

"And all those times I gave that rule I had no further engagement after my morning meetings. Don't you notice these things?' Lu Aotian scolded her.

"I-"

"Just get back to work," he cut her short before turning to Mei Xing. His angry eyes turned soft. "I'm sorry for the wait, Ms Mei. Do I still have a chance for this meeting or do you have somewhere else to be?"

Mei Xing sighed and shook her head. "It's fine. I still have time."

Lu Aotian sighed and nodded to the man who has been silent since the whole ordeal. As soon as he left, Lu Aotian held his hand to the direction he was coming from. "Let's talk in my office, shall we?"

"Yes, sure."

"Ruolan, get us some refreshments, please," Lu Aotian called out as they passed by her desk.

"Yes, boss."

Lu Aotian led them down the passage sharing a space containing a long desk- each holding cubicles for five to six workers. Twenty of the workers were so engrossed in their works that they didn't spare her more than a single glance.

Mei Xing could not help but compare them to those at her ex, Feng Houyi's workers.those people were always watching and waiting for anything they could use to pass their working hours.

Lu Aotian held the door open and gestured for her to walk in first. Closing the door behind him, they both sat opposite each other, his black mahogany desk acting as a barrier between them.

"First of all, I am very sorry to have kept you waiting for so long. I already concluded that you could not make it today and made a mental note to call you after work. I'm truly sorry for the delay. It will not happen again."

Mei Xing nodded. "You don't have to apologize to me so many times. Next time, I would call to let you of my arrival," she said.

"Okay. That will work too. Thanks. So, how do you see the space? Do you think it will contain the innovative stuff you have in store for it?" Lu Aotian asked, getting straight to the point. He did not want to waste any more of her time than he already has.

"Well, I must admit to exaggerating your working space to some extent. But that won't change much. I can still work with what I have," Mei Xing answered honestly.

"Oh, that is fine. It is better to have more space in mind than little."

Just then a knock was heard and Lu Aotian answered with a 'come in.' Ruolan came in with a tray full of refreshments. After placing them on the table, she stepped back with lowered head.

"Uhm, Ms Mei Xing," she hesitated. "I am sorry about earlier. If not for my negligence, you would not have that long."

Mei Xing was surprised that the woman would be so humbled to apologize . She smiled and nodded. "Apology accepted. It's fine now. And thank you for bringing these in."

After all that, Ruolan left feeling better but still embarrassed . Mei Xing and Lu Aotian spoke a bit while they ate from the refreshments the secretary. Proceeding next, they went outside to get better hold of the outside working space.

The workers had gone for lunch as she was told by Lu Aotian. She nodded feeling less tense with no audience even if they were not going to pay attention to her.

"So, first of all, these little demarcation of walls will have to go. It is giving the space a suffocated edge. And I don't think that is needed considering they are already boxed in by their cubicles," Mei Xing suggested.

Lu Aotian nodded along with what she said. He did find the demarcations kind of dramatic when he resumed there anyway. Following her lead they came to a stop in the middle of the space.

"Another thing I thought of are the tables," she said.

"What about the tables?"

"I think it is too old-fashioned," Mei Xing said matter of factly, earning a chuckle from him. "Did I say something wrong?"

Lu Aotian shook his head and made a fist in front of his lips to hide his smile. He couldn't help but think of his father's reaction to this young woman calling him old-fashioned.

Mei Xing eyed him for a second, not totally buying what he said. But she moved on anyway. She kept talking for the next thirty minutes, demonstrating as she spoke.

All through, Lu Aotian just nodded along with whatever she said, only inputting small suggestions where needed. The rest of the conversation was just one-sided as his gaze followed Mei Xing with admiration and a little bit of something else.

He liked the way she was brimming with confidence. He could see and perceive the passion briming out of her as she spoke. He even caught quick smiles on the side of her lips when she stopped for a bit.

He just liked seeing her like that. Bold and happy. A Lot different from the vulnerable woman crying in his arms at the club that night.

"-Aotian?" Mei Xing's voice shook him out of trance.

"Huh?"

Mei Xing sighed, resting her hands on her hips wrapped by her black pencil skirt. "Were you even listening to all I have been saying?" She asked.

"Of course, I have. Why wouldn't I?" He tucked his hands into his pocket.

"You were staring into space."

Lu Aotian scratched the back of his head in awkwardness. "That's because I was having a vivid picture from your words. You truly are amazing, Mei Xing. I couldn't help but get a bit lost," he brought his thumb and index finger together for emphasis.

Mei Xing sighed trying to hide a smile. "I'll recap. So please try to pay attention without being too caught up in the picture."