Chapter 19 - 17: Personal Assistant
There was no work today, so Zhu Yilan’s attire was less corporate than usual.
A silk camisole in a smoky pink was paired with a lace half-skirt in a similar shade, slit on one side, occasionally revealing her smooth, fair calves as she walked. Over it, she wore a long trench coat, the belt loosely hanging on both sides. Nude high heels accentuated her gentle, ladylike charm and visually elongated the lines of her legs.
Upon entering, she changed into house slippers, glanced at the tea room, steadied her emotions, and walked over with a calm expression.
Zhu Yilan had gone to a hair salon earlier in the morning to style her hair. Her wavy curls were jet-black and glossy, casually tied in a low ponytail with two strands intentionally left out to frame her face. She wore a subtle makeup look that matched her outfit, softening her usually stern eyes and giving them a bright sheen.
"Long time no see, Lanlan, you’re stunning today," Lu Yanzhi admired her with a teasing tone, "You look like a leading lady in a Korean drama."
Zhu Yilan forced a smile in response to him: "Long time no see, Young Master Lu."
"Tsk, so cold to me, yet I think of you often," Lu Yanzhi dramatically clutched his chest, feigning heartbreak, "It wounds my heart."
Zhu Yilan, though young, conducted herself with a maturity beyond her years, stern and proper both in private and in public. This was why she had become Fu Jichen’s secretary. To Lu Yanzhi, she was like a female version of Qu Mo, strictly by the book. He found it amusing and always wanted to tease her a bit whenever they met.
Zhu Yilan maintained an indifferent demeanor, unaffected, and addressed him formally: "Please don’t tease me."
Lu Yanzhi laughed heartily: "Are you here for your boss? I recall there’s nothing serious on his schedule today in the afternoon."
It was precisely because he heard that Fu Jichen had no pressing tasks that he came over to unwind, to steal a moment of leisure, enjoy the scenery of the garden, savor some of his treasured tea, and then join for dinner.
Zhu Yilan turned her gaze towards the person who had yet to speak.