Chapter 79:
This was a dinner that looked somewhat romantic.
In an elegant restaurant setting, people conversed in hushed tones. Aside from the piano melodies, the only other sounds were the faint clinks of utensils and platesa sound unavoidable when dining here, even though everyone tried their best to minimize it.
Even when sitting in the main hall, there was a natural and inherent sense of isolation between each table. Each table formed a small space that could only accommodate the individuals seated around it.
With petals on the table, red tablecloth, and exquisite tableware, even without Lin Qi making any deliberate arrangements, the atmosphere felt somewhat romantic. Perhaps it was the petals or the ambiance, but most of the diners here were young couples.
While the chefs were still preparing their dishes, Lin Qi discussed work with Vera. Sometimes, women may appear easy to talk to, but they would still hold on to certain convictions within, and there was an enigmatic aspect to them that even they might not understand.
So, the core theme must not be neglected. Lin Qi invited Vera to dine, with the focus on work. If he didn't bring up these topics, it would make Vera uncomfortable, leading to her overthinking. However, by addressing them, those other elements would become embellishments to a delightful dinner.
"You know, I've been busy with the new job lately," Lin Qi unfolded his napkin, smiling. A handsome person always had a captivating smile, just like how a beautiful person's smile could be enchanting.
Lin Qi was a handsome man, and his good looks were his most important pass. In truth, for him, being handsome or ugly wasn't an obstacle to reaching the peak, but being handsome made the process somewhat simpler.
Just like now, an attractive young man inviting a woman who was currently in a cold war with her husband to dinner. The atmosphere was a bit romantic, and the woman might enjoy this slightly dangerous sweetness with a slightly flushed face.
But if Lin Qi were an ugly person, let alone a romantic atmosphere, she might not even answer Lin Qi's call.
Looking at Lin Qi's face, Vera nodded, "You mentioned to me before that you have plans for a new company."
"Yes, I did," his voice seemed to carry a kind of charm that allowed people to feel his inner joy through it; this was a very special skill.
Expression, gaze, and voice, when coordinated, could release enough misleading signals, making people think he was happy. People would tend to lower their guard subconsciously in the face of positive things, not only humans but also animals.
"I plan to establish a large company covering the entire state. It should be fully formed by the end of this year or early next year," halfway speaking, a waiter with an apologetic expression stood beside the table, interrupting Lin Qi's words.
The waiter held a bottle of red wine and bowed, "Sorry to interrupting, madam and sir. This is the wine you selected," he showed the label, "Shall I open it now?"
Vera touched her cheek and, with a smile that wasn't accusatory, said, "I didn't know you ordered red wine."
"If you don't like it, we can have something else. Juice or a non-alcoholic beverage?" Lin Qi decisively changed the choice, making Vera feel embarrassed to refuse. She just said, "It's okay," and tacitly accepted the alcoholic drink for the evening.
Of course, she trusted Lin Qi, and she didn't think he would do anything inappropriate to her. Sometimes, having a handsome face could be truly deceitful.
After sniffing the cork, looking at the wall, feeling the changes in aroma and bitterness, Lin Qi confirmed the order of the ten-year-old red wine. After the waiter left, he smiled and said, "Actually, I don't really like red wine. Its taste..." He shrugged, making Vera chuckle.
"If you don't like it, why did you order a bottle of red wine?" Vera, perhaps not even knowing why she asked such a question, didn't know what answer she was expecting.
Lin Qi, however, poured some wine into Vera's glass, taking over what should have been the waiter's job. While pouring, he said, "I thought you might like it. I've read some books, and they say ladies like red wine, don't they?"
His response was surprising, blocking any further questioning from Vera. If she were to ask why he read those books, the answer might make everyone uncomfortable. However, without her asking and Lin Qi not providing a definite answer, she would overthink. Even if she didn't show it, after the alcohol took effect later in the evening, she would start overthinking.
A handsome young man trying to please hershe would give herself a forcibly reasonable reason, feeling pleased and enjoying the atmosphere. She might even tell herself that Lin Qi pursuing her was his decision, but she wouldn't agree to it; this wouldn't be considered betrayal or infidelity. She couldn't stop someone else's freedom because of her own thoughts, even though the reality may be entirely different.
Women's thoughts were sometimes contradictory, and of course, men could be contradictory too.
Vera's lightly applied makeup couldn't hide her blushing cheeks anymore. That touch of rosy red gave her a blurry beauty, and her temperament became more alluring.
"...This time, the company I'm forming will have a dedicated accounting department. I'm not very confident in others, so I hope you can take charge of this department," Lin Qi placed the red wine in an ice bucket with some ice cubes. The weather was too hot, so the restaurant had prepared a special ice bucket.
The water from the melting ice wouldn't directly contact the wine bottle, and the bottle's body wouldn't directly touch the ice, maintaining a very suitable temperature for drinking.
When talking about work, Vera's expression became more serious. She seemed a bit unsure, "I've never done this kind of work. Perhaps you should find someone with enough expertise, and I can assist him/her/them."
Lin Qi looked into her eyes, shaking his head, "I don't trust anyone else; I only trust you."
Being needed by someone was undoubtedly a happy thing. Vera's eyes softened a bit, and her voice became even softer than before, "I'll keep an eye on it for you..."
"I insist." Lin Qi looked at her, "I'm not afraid of you making mistakes, and I'm not afraid of any losses. This department is yours; let's agree on that."
She nodded helplessly, "I'll do my best. If I mess up, don't blame me."
Lin Qi smiled without saying a word, pausing for about ten seconds, giving Vera ample time to understand, accept, and store this information. Then he continued, "The new job may be quite busy. I'll be dealing with multiple companies, and it might take up some of your extra time. If..."
Vera pursed her lips, interrupting Lin Qi, "I'll help you, don't worry."
With a sense of responsibility and a mission, an inexplicable force would flow into a person, giving them a kind of thing called determination. This thing could create many miracles.
Lin Qi then discussed some work details, and the chefs finally prepared their dinner, serving it to them.
A sumptuous dinner, exquisite tableware, an elegant environment, along with the romantic atmosphereno wonder people always yearned for wealth, as true happiness hid within wealth.
After eating for some time, around nine in the evening, Lin Qi drove Vera back to the community where she lived. Initially, he intended to drop her off at her home, but he ended up stopping outside the community.
In Lin Qi's words, if her husband saw his wife returning in the car of a young man, it might make him angry, affecting their relationship. So, this considerate man only parked his car outside the community gate, saying it would allow Vera to sober up a bit.Please vote for this novel at /series/blackstone-code/
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