After the editor-in-chief left Zhao Rao slipped into the office, looking at her friend curiously.
"What is it?"
"Well, what did you guys talk about?"the secretary asked hesitantly.
"They want to feature me in their magazine as Bachelorette of the Year."
"Did you agree?
"Mm."
"How come?"
"They carried a voting session online and I got selected. They approached my grandpa first and knowing how tenacious he can be I agreed,"she explained.
"So, that's how it is,"Zhao Rao sighed letting the realization sink in .
"Anyway I'll just pose for photos and come up with a background story about my career."
"I think you deserve that title so I wish you the best,"the secretary said with a genuine smile.
---------------
Xu Li was clad in a long blue evening dress with a pair of black ankles strap heels. Her hair was tied up to form a french bun. Xu Wei,the sixty two year old businessman and former/retired CEO of Lingyun Tech,was dressed in a sleek black suit with his medium sized white hair brushed backwards perfectly revealing his face that was dashing despite his old age.
The grandpa and granddaughter duo walked arm-in-arm as they entered the large, fancily decorated party venue. The place was filled with colourful chandelier lights,miscallenous drinks and snacks were impeccably arranged on strategically placed tables accompanied by soothing and alluring instrumental music playing in the background.
Businessmen and women dressed in expensive outfits graced the venue with their presence sipping drinks leisurely while engaging in small talks. Mr Xu gestured her to follow him to a group of men about his age. Since Mr Xu had been in the business industry for more than thirty years,he was well connected and had a great number of friends. Amongst the old men there stood a stunning young man probably in his twenties in a fitting royal blue suit sipping his wine quietly, with his dark eyes watching everything around.
"Everyone this is Xu Li my granddaughter and CEO of Lingyun Tech,"Mr Xu introduced her. Xu Li bowed respectfully and greeted each of them with a forced smile.
"This is Mr Xiao from Xiao Electronics Hub ,"one of the old men introduced.
Xu Li shook hands with the introduced man and gave a fake smile.
'So this is that Xiao Jiayuan the Bachelor of the year. He's even more handsome in real life ,'Xu Li thought.
'I never expected Mr Xu to actually have such a pretty granddaughter,'Xiao Jiayuan thought to himself.
The two stared into each other's eyes,a spark of attraction visible in their gazes. Their hands remained glued to each other's while they continued their staring contest. This is was the first time Xiao Jiayuan felt interested in a woman. He had always thought he was asexual,turns out he was capable of getting attracted to someone. Xu Li on the other felt connected to him even at the first glance. They were brought out of their reverie when the bunch of old men cleared their throats in sync and they immediately let go of each other's hand as if struck by electricity.
Xiao Jiayuan was left staring at her as Mr Xu dragged the beauty away introducing her to what seemed like eligible bachelors.
"Lao Xu,you old thing you never miss parties do you,"a hoarse male voice spoke up earning heur attention.
Mr Xu turned around with a smile,"Lao Guo oh Lao Guo, aren't you the same? Attending every party like a lad who has hit puberty real hard,"Xu Wei joked and the two men burst out laughing filling the venue with the deep and hoarse sounds of their heartfelt laughter.
Xu Li greeted him and seized the chance to slip away while the two old friends were busy catching up with each other.
Her grandpa had introduced her to several young men and kept asking whether she liked them or not. She felt exhausted and drained like introvert with a running low social battery. After taking a break in the ladies' room she came back to the venue and picked a drink. She drank her wine with her gaze fixed on the entrance.
'Why is this bitch not here yet?'she questioned glancing at her wrist watch restlessly'It's almost ten ,is she not coming?'
"Waiting for someone?"a sultry deep voice asked startling her.
She turned around to face the speaker.
" Mr Xiao,"Xu Li uttered bowing slightly.
"Miss Xu ,"Xiao Jiayuan said in response gazing at her intensely,"Seems like you're waiting for someone,"he said with a playful smile .
"Yeah I'm waiting for a friend."
"Then Miss Xu if I may request can you save me a dance later?"Xiao Jiayuan asked courteously.
"I'll think about it,"Xu Li replied curtly.
"I hope you'll consider it then," the man said with a polite smile and walked away. Xu Li couldn't help but watch him, assessing his physical features.
"Gosh he's so good looking that I can't resist him."
"What are you mumbling about?"Zhao Rao inquired in an enthusiastic voice startling her friend.
"What's with everyone startling me today?"Xu Li questioned in annoyance.
"What? Did someone else startle you?"
"No never mind."
"What's good about the party so far?" Zhao Rao her eyes wandering around venue.
"It's just so-so,"Xu Li said apathetically.
"Where's your grandpa?"
"Probably mingling around with his old buddies."
There was a slight lull in their conversation till something caught Zhao Rao's eye and she squealed with joy.
"Oh My God Xu Jie Jie look at that handsome guy over there. He looks like an actor,"Zhao Rao exclaimed looking at Xiao Jiayuan.
"I've seen him,"Xu Li said totally bored by the conversation.
"Look he's coming this way!" Zhao Rao almost screamed as giddiness overwhelmed her,"I'm already in love!"
Soft orchestral music played as Xiao Jiayuan approached
them looking like a Greek god. The moment felt romantic.
"Have you made your decision Miss Xu?"Xiao Jiayuan asked with a polite smile.
"Mr Xiao meet my friend Zhao Rao. Zhao Rao this is Mr Xiao."
Zhao Rao immediately stretched out her hand to him.
"Nice to meet you Mr Xiao,"Zhao Rao said with a shy smile. She felt a tingling sensation caused by skin contact between her hand and her crush's hand..
"Nice to meet you too Miss Zhao."
"About the dance my friend will dance on my behalf,"Xu Li clarified faking a smile.
Although Xiao Jiayuan sensed the indirect rejection and got disappointed,he quickly covered it up with a smile. He took Zhao Rao's hand and guided her to the dancing floor to join other dancing couples.
"Finally no more distractions,"Xu Li said and sighed with relief. Taking one last glance at her friend and the pretty boy,she turned around and walked away,heading out of the venue.