The Apple of My Eye

"But..." When David was about to say something, Autumn interrupted him, "David, no need to say anything anymore."

Autumn wasn't a spoiled lady who would not do any work. Although she didn't like Linda, she couldn't let her go out alone. After all, it was not safe for a lady to go out by herself.

"I will go with you," said Autumn plainly to Linda.

After she heard her, Linda smiled. But David was seemingly upset about this.

"You can tidy up your desk first. I will go to fetch the contract." Seeing Linda leave, David walked in front of Autumn's desk and stopped her. "Mrs. Lu, you don't have to agree to go with her. You know that... And if Mr. Lu knows this matter, he will blame me for it."

"Don't worry." Autumn smiled. "He has an appointment with someone else tonight, so he won't come back so early. Moreover, I'd be worried if we let Linda go out alone to meet Mr. Song. Don't worry. I'm an adult and I can take care of myself," she said.

"But..."

"It's okay. It doesn't matter. I will try to come back early, "Autumn assured David.

David knew that it was impossible to dissuade Autumn, so he quietly came out of the office and dialed Charles's number nervously. However, he couldn't get through the call.

"Please pick up the phone."

David was very anxious, but after Autumn and Linda went out, he tried again but failed to reach Charles on call.

Autumn predicted what would happen during the dinner. Luckily, she listened to Charles's suggestion and wore a pair of long pants today. She thought that if she tried not to talk much during the dinner, she might not draw others' attention. Linda wore a custom-made cheongsam which perfectly showed her graceful and charming figure.

On their way to the restaurant, Linda kept on fixing her make-up. Autumn sat beside her quietly and enjoyed looking out on the streets.

Sending Linda back to her house safe and sound was Autumn's only goal.

"This is a profile about Mr. Song. You can study it now," said Linda, while taking out a file and throwing it at Autumn's legs.

Without saying anything, Autumn took the document and started reading it carefully.

Mr. Song was one of the regular customers of Shining Company. The amount of orders from him took up a large share of the company's total orders. This time, the cooperation was especially important. Precisely speaking, this time the cooperative partner wasn't Mr. Song, but a client whom Mr. Song had recommended. The client had just come back from abroad and wasn't familiar with how the business deals worked in domestic.

He had interest in Shining Company's products. After he researched about ten companies in the same industry in Y City, he wanted to meet the people of Shining Company. And he invited Mr. Song to recommend him to them.

Mr. Song provided them with little information. Linda had no idea about client's expectations, likes and interests, food preferences, and so on. What's worse, she knew nothing about the client's company. Autumn frowned. She thought that Linda shouldn't meet a new client unprepared. It was not the proper way to do business.

"Linda, this..." Autumn was still frowning. "It is often said that one will be successful if one knew the opponents well. The client chooses us, so they must have done a thorough background check of our company. But if we know nothing about their company and sign the contract, I'm afraid that we might not get any benefit from the association."

"Do you think I don't know this?" Linda caught a glimpse of Autumn while fixing her make-up. "This client is very unpredictable. I have tried every way to look for his information but it was of no use. Mr. Song told me that if we succeed in closing a deal with this new client, Shining Company will reach a new height. So I have to try even if there's a slim chance."

Linda didn't tell Autumn that Mr. Song had arranged the dinner today. To put Autumn into an embarrassing situation, Linda accepted his invitation without any hesitation.

"Aren't you worried about this?" Autumn thought that Linda was someone who was trained by Charles, so she wouldn't be that stupid. Perhaps she didn't care about the deal this time because she just wanted to put Autumn in a difficult position.

"I don't worry about anything." Linda smirked and said, "You have just joined our company. There are a lot of things that you don't know. Mr. Song... is a bit lecherous, but he just dare say something unpleasant And you don't have to worry. He has a sense of propriety while taking any action. I believe we can surely succeed in signing the contract with his help."

Autumn kept silent.

The taxi stopped at the gate of the restaurant. Linda had reserved a private room at this restaurant that had a local flavour.

She learnt that the client just came back from abroad. It was a good idea to choose a traditional restaurant. It would bridge the distance between them and the client. Autumn couldn't help but have a look at Linda for a little while.

They arrived at the restaurant earlier than others. Mr. Song had reached the private room's door at 6:30 PM. He was a short man. His little eyes were fixed on Linda's breasts. He smiled and said, "Linda, it's been a long time. How are you doing lately?"

Linda smilingly stood up and walked up to Mr. Song while swinging her waist. She extended her hand to receive Mr. Song's arm. "I'm doing very well these days. But you seem to have lost weight. Are you keeping well recently?"

"Actually, I..." Mr. Song took Linda's hand and kept on touching her. Autumn was furious to see this.

"Linda, look, I lost weight because I miss you too much these days. So you must have more glasses of wine with me tonight..." He also pinched Linda's waist happily.

But Linda didn't react to his behavior. She was used to all these things.

It was so common for women to be molested by men while closing business deals. But they too had their own exclusive advantages of being a woman.

"Mr. Song has a really good sense of humor. Trust me. I will drink some extra glasses of wine with you today." Linda smilingly took his arm and let him sit next to Autumn. In this way, he sat between Linda and Autumn.

"Why hasn't Jenny come today? I haven't seen her for a few days. I miss her so much." Autumn lowered her head and didn't wear sexy clothes, so she didn't attract the attention of Mr. Song. And Mr. Song began to look for Jenny after he sat down.

Linda pretended to get angry and said, "Mr. Song, you have disappointed me. How could you say that you miss Jenny in front of me. This is too much to handle."

Mr. Song put his arms around Linda's waist and whispered something in her ear. Linda laughed. She then replied, "You're so naughty and thick-skinned. How could you say that?"

"Oh, it's nothing. Don't be so surprised," said Mr. Song smilingly.

Autumn kept her head lowered. She didn't care what happened around her.

Linda stole a glance at Autumn. She then said to Mr. Song, "Oh, right, Mr. Song, I haven't introduced..."