For the second time that day, her phone rang in her pocket, making everyone turn their heads towards her. Shen Lingqing froze in her seat for a moment as soon as she realized who was calling her so late tonight.

Excuse me. Please continue with your business, she said as she stood up and walked away to answer the call.

Miss Qiao, who could it be this time? Yang Fangjin asked curiously. However, it seemed that he wasnt the only one who wanted to know the answer, as the others turned their attention to Qiao Lian as well.

Hmm, based on Director Shens reaction, theres only one person who could make her react like that. Qiao Lian rubbed her chin.

Is it her lover? Yang Fangjin grinned before teasing. For a woman as beautiful and as outstanding as Director Shen, its impossible for her not to have a boyfriend.

Qiao Lian sighed at that. If only that was true but she never once saw Shen Lingqing grow interested in any men she had met before. It wasnt like she wanted her friend to get married and settle down soon, but Shen Lingqing wasnt just into casual dating.

No. As far as I know, shes not seeing someone. Its probably President Shen who is calling her now. He might want to know how the first day went, she answered.

It might not be obvious for some people, but Shen Lingqing was more like a daddys girl through and through. Although she also loved her mother, Shen Lingqing had spent most of her time growing up next to her father.

So it didnt come as a surprise to everyone around them when Shen Lingqing resembled not only President Shens facial expressions but also some of his mannerisms.

Then, its a good thing we did well today, Lin Xiao commented.

Well continue to do so in the future. Im sure it would be amazing if our restaurant would be recognized and given a Michelin star one day, Liu Jinfei added.

Right. It seems impossible at first, but if we continue to work hard and help Director Shen, maybe that dream wouldnt be impossible at all.

Yang Fangjin was impressed when he first heard that Shen Lingqing was given such an impossible task by her father. However, when he witnessed it himself how dedicated and efficient she was at work, it made sense to him why Shen Lingqing was willing to go to the extent of extending a hand to help him and his sister.

Although half his salary would be deducted to cover the medical expenses of his sisters treatment, Yang Fangjin didnt mind it all. It was just a fair exchange in his opinion. After all, Shen Lingqing might not know the grat.i.tude he and his sister felt for extending an olive branch to help them.

When Shen Lingqing came back and returned to her seat, she finished her drink and took a sigh. While her mothers call earlier was able to make her calm down, her fathers call was enough to make her aware of her reality.

Whats wrong, Qingqing? Something happened? Qiao Lian asked her.

Nothing much. Dad wants me to send a detailed report in a week to see how the restaurant is performing in its first week. Another task I would need to work on soon.

Just as Shen Lingqing thought that she was relieved from the great pressure, her father had delivered another blow to keep her grounded. Ah, she should have expected this to happen.

Its okay, Qingqing. You have us, so we will make sure that the report you would present to your father would be sufficient and satisfying, her a.s.sistant consoled her, patting Shen Lingqings back.

Thanks, Lian, but its okay. It only makes sense why Dad has asked me to do it, but yeah, lets continue doing our best. She agreed with Qiao Lian. It wasnt someone she could easily mess up with, anyway.

Director Shen, is it true that you dont have a boyfriend? Have you gone on a date before? Yang Fangjin shamelessly asked Shen Lingqing, much to Qiao Lians shock.

Qiao Lian felt her eyes stung with tears as she coughed violently behind her hand. What the h.e.l.l was Yang Fangjin up to? She had never met anyone brave enough to ask Shen Lingqing such a personal question.

No and yes, Shen Lingqing said without batting an eyelid, aware of how Qiao Lians eyes widened into saucers from hearing her answer.

Qingqing!

What? The Shen princess frowned. You think Im that innocent, Lian?

Well, Shen Lingqing couldnt fault her friend. It was just that she kept this matter strictly private. She didnt think its everyones business to know who she was seeing.

I thought Im your best friend. How can you not tell me about such a tea? Qiao Lian asked, feigning the hurt coming from Shen Lingqings words. They knew each other since they were young, but how come she didnt know about such a thing about Shen Lingqing?

Thats because you kept on a.s.suming things, Lian, and you havent really asked me the right questions, unlike Mr. Yang.

Then, tell me, did you have a boyfriend when you were abroad? Since Shen Lingqing put it that way, Qiao Lian had to question her bluntly in front of everyone.

No, but I went on a date with someone once. Shen Lingqing admitted.

So what happened, Director Shen? You werent compatible? Yang Fangjin grinned, cupping his chin with one hand as he waited for their bosss answer while glancing at Liu Jinfei who hadnt uttered a single word in his seat.

How could he waste this chance to observe his fellow chefs reaction? Yang Fangjin didnt mean to probe, but since the first time he met Liu Jinfei, he always found the man sneaking a glance at his boss whenever others werent paying attention.

Its not that we arent compatible. We decided not to pursue a relations.h.i.+p to focus on our respective goals.