Jingxia Rose

Chapter 63: The Step-by-Step Approach
This was the first time Wen Qi had asked about her personal schedule since they reunited more than a month ago.

She always gives off the feeling that she'll invite someone to do something at any moment.

But this idea is actually absurd. Not to mention that the two of them are no longer related now, even when they were dating, Wen Qi never took the initiative to suggest going on a date.

Ironically, after dating for four years, the two of them had never even seen a decent movie together.

Her first love in 28 years is actually quite embarrassing to talk about.

During her university years, she was always focused on her studies, striving to excel and not wanting to let down her second uncle and aunt who had raised her.

So even though many people pursued her back then, she rejected and ignored them all.

But she knew that a normal couple would never be as bland and boring as the one she had with Wen Qi.

Thinking this, she didn't answer, but instead asked, "Does Mr. Wen have any other work arrangements?"

"I wonder what kind of activities are held in Moscow for Christmas and similar holidays?"

Ji Xian was surprised that he would ask this. He paused for a few seconds, blinked, and pondered, "There will be sled races, some churches will have vigils, and most families will choose to have a meal together."

She heard all of this from her colleagues.

She has little knowledge of holidays and such, perhaps because she grew up living with relatives and never thought much about holidays, including her own birthday.

Not to mention foreign holidays like Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, which she doesn't celebrate.

Wen Qi pursed his lips. He definitely wouldn't participate in the sled race, and the church vigil was out of the question, so all that was left was the dinner party.

“We’ve been in Moscow for over a month now, and we’re having a dinner party at the hotel tomorrow night. If you don’t have any other plans, you’re welcome to come and join us.”

He was lying through his teeth; he hadn't actually made any arrangements at all, he had just made them in his head.

Ji Xian was quite surprised.

In the past, the president's office would have a dinner party every month, but Wen Qi had only attended once, when he made a brief appearance at the dinner party during the first month he and Ji Xian got together.

He is not a person who likes crowds; relatively speaking, he prefers quiet.

After a moment of silence, she politely declined, saying, "Since it's your company's dinner, it wouldn't be appropriate for me to come along."

Wen Qi had never advised anyone before, nor did he know how to say polite, pretty words.

Now that he's clearly refusing, he doesn't know what to say.

Anxiety rose in his heart again, his thin lips pressed together and curved downwards, and his slender fingertips repeatedly pinched and released.

Soon, the car arrived at the hotel. Ji Xuan parked the car and got out, only to see Wen Qi standing two or three meters away waiting for her. She had intended to lag behind by a step or two, but as soon as she slowed down, Wen Qi slowed down as well.

The two of them moved at varying speeds, sometimes fast and sometimes slow, making them look like a young couple having a tiff amidst the snow-covered winter landscape.

Ji Xian glanced at him speechlessly. It was a cloudy day, with the sun hidden behind thick clouds, its golden rays unable to penetrate. In addition, there was a cold wind. Despite the weather, Wen Qi remained composed and dignified, with a noble and elegant demeanor.

Finally, the two entered the hotel and elevator side by side.

When they arrived, Ye Xueyan, her assistant, two senior executives, and another translator were already gathered around the dining table, organizing the materials from today's meeting. They were waiting for Wen Qi to return so they could have another discussion meeting.

Since many of the materials included Russian text, Ji Xian and another translator naturally had to take on the task of translating the written text.

Fortunately, their meeting was short, but because there were many documents and materials that needed to be translated, some of which were quite complicated, including a lot of English in addition to Russian.

Even after their meeting ended, Ji Xuan and Polina's work was far from over.

Ji Xian believed in finishing today's work today, so if things weren't done by the end of the workday, she would naturally have to work overtime, and Polina had no objection to this. As for dinner, Wen Qi suggested that they eat together here. Ji Xian originally wanted to refuse, but since Polina agreed, she had to swallow her refusal.

Including the executives, there was a whole table full of them.

In addition to the meals provided by the hotel, Wen Qi also asked Ye Xueyan to order seven or eight Chinese dishes for takeout.

At the dinner table, Wen Qi invited Polina to have dinner together the following night.

Not to mention Polina, everyone else at the table was stunned.

Only Ji Xian ate the sweet and sour pork calmly and naturally.

Yes, it's the taste she missed, authentic.

Ye Xueyan was a little confused. Had she lost her memory?

Are we having a get-together tomorrow?
How come her secretary knew nothing about this?

Wen Qi casually glanced around. Although he didn't wink or make any faces, his hints were very clear. The others were slow to realize what was happening, except for one executive in his forties who didn't react at all.

Polina's parents and family were not from Moscow. When they heard Wen Qi's invitation, they were surprised and delighted. They replied in Chinese, "Thank you for the invitation, Mr. Wen. I will accept it without hesitation."

Okay, that's done. Let's move on to the next one.

Ye Xueyan thought this, but after a long time she still hadn't heard Qi Wenji Xuan, and the atmosphere inexplicably became heavy.

She glanced blankly at Wen Qi, who returned her glance at just the right moment before looking away and slowly cutting the steak on his plate.

"..."

What do you mean?
Is she a mouthpiece?
Fine.

“Ah-Xian, are you busy tomorrow night? Come on over, look, Polina is here.” She winked. “There’s a semi-open-air platform on the roof of this hotel, which is perfect for barbecue. I saw on the weather forecast that the weather will be nice tomorrow, so it won’t be cold sitting around the grill bar.

No wonder Ye Xueyan has been able to hold onto her position as chief secretary so securely for over a year.

While ability and skill are paramount, this keen insight and shrewdness should not be underestimated.

Knowing that this was a dinner party deliberately organized by Wen Qi for Ji Xian, and that Ji Xian and Xiao Gu Xing had eaten barbecue together yesterday, President Wen certainly couldn't miss it.

Ji Xuan slightly raised his eyes, and for some reason felt a sense of... a gradual and predictable pattern?
Illusion?
"I……"

Ji Xian moved her lips, but found that the reason she had used to refuse Wen Qi in the car was no longer valid.

After all, Polina had already agreed to come and play tomorrow.

"Come on, come on! We've been busy for over a month, it's so nice to finally relax a bit. It'll be more fun if we all play together."

Seeing her hesitation, Ye Xueyan immediately pushed her forward, "Besides, we usually eat out for work."

After he said that, the others also joined in the persuasion.

The older executive gradually came to his senses and seized the opportunity to ask the secretary next to him, "Is there a dinner party tomorrow night? When was the notice issued?"

The secretary, a mature and capable woman in her thirties, sighed, "Just now."

Executive: ???
Ji Xuan was now in a difficult position, but he finally agreed, "Then I'll come and bother you all tomorrow night."

Hearing her agree, Wen Qi, who was cutting a steak and bringing it to his mouth, curled the corners of his lips, and his tense heart instantly relaxed.

One more chapter is on its way, I'm currently writing it.