"Miss Liu, it's almost afternoon. Why don't you make us a light lunch?"

Duan Chengyu's voice took on a teasing tone as he spoke to his helper from the phone.

"I-I really don't know what came over me! I'm sorry for sleeping so late, Chairman Duan!"

Liu Rachael could feel sweat form in the palm of her hand despite the cool air that came from the air conditioning unit in the room.

"It's okay Miss Liu, just come downstairs whenever you're ready. No need to rush, okay?"

Despite his warm tone, Liu Rachael could not help feeling incompetent. The lack of response made Duan Chengyu notice something was wrong with his helper.

"What is the matter? Miss Liu?"

"It's-It is  nothing. I will get dressed and come downstairs to get your food ready, if you don't mind. It may take more than five minutes to make it to the kitchen."

"Miss Liu, you don't have to feel awkward around me. An extra thirty minutes isn't going to make a difference, just take care of what needs to be taken care of before leaving your room."

Duan Chengyu's laugh was so infectious that soon Liu Rachael found herself smiling.

A beep sounded on his phone, which showed a message flash across his screen. Curious to see what it was, Duan Chengyu saw it came from his mother.  The contents made him change the plans he had with his helper.

"I'm sorry Miss Liu. I don't think I'll be able to eat lunch with you, I need to go to the office. Don't wait on me."

Without a goodbye, the Chairman of Cinopec Group ended the call to go see his mother.