The Supreme Soldier in the City

Gina Lopez nodded and said, "Since you’ve made a condition to me, I must set a condition too."

"You’re pursuing me and still setting conditions?" James Brown leisurely sipped his red wine, smiling as he looked at Gina Lopez.

Gina Lopez smiled faintly. By this time, she had entered a particular state, the same attitude she maintained at work. To her, James Brown was now a challenging project to conquer. She would display her full capabilities to secure this project. In this state, whether Gina Lopez spoke or moved, she did so with composed and graceful ease, without a hint of awkwardness or unnaturalness. She asked, "So, are you scared of me?"

James Brown smiled back, "I’m not scared of you. However, I’d rather you think it’s too difficult and give up. If we don’t talk about this, whether we’re colleagues or you’re my boss, at the very least, we could still be friends. But with what you’re saying now, I’m afraid we might not even remain friends."

"Okay, it seems I really am facing quite some difficulties ahead. But I’m not someone who gives up easily. If I can’t truly prove myself, I won’t be satisfied."

Seeing Gina Lopez drop her conditions and maintaining such a state worried James Brown slightly. In the time he had known her, he was aware that Gina Lopez in this state was her most formidable.

"Gina, why can’t we just stay good friends?" James Brown frowned, looking at Gina Lopez earnestly.

Gina Lopez pursed her lips in a smile, took a gentle sip of her red wine, then slowly swirled the wine glass in her hand. The red liquid shimmered slightly. Looking through her glass at James Brown, she said, "Don’t worry, I, Gina Lopez, won’t resort to any clingy or desperate tactics. I certainly won’t stoop low enough to sabotage anything between you and your girlfriend, nor would I try anything underhanded just to succeed or fail at this – isn’t this acceptable?"

James Brown stared at Gina Lopez, making sure she meant what she said. This could have been a relatively relaxed situation, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that this matter wasn’t so simple.

"Alright, it’s time for work. As a man, shouldn’t you be paying the bill now?"

James Brown shook his head and said, "I’m a poor man; it’d be more appropriate if you, the boss, treated me."