Trafford's Trading Club

656: Chapter 69: If It’s a Girl Like This 656: Chapter 69: If It’s a Girl Like This “A little water will make you feel better.”

Later, Zhu Maolin brought Xiao Lu back to the company.

He fetched a cup of water from the pantry and handed it to Xiao Lu.

The two were sitting in the office at this moment. “Thank you.” Xiao Lu nodded, reaching out her hands to take the paper cup.

It was warm water, without any scalding sensation, and in this winter, it didn’t feel cold.

Since it was near the advertising company’s building, Zhu Maolin simply suggested that Xiao Lu rest here if she didn’t mind…

There wasn’t much conversation along the way.

Xiao Lu seemed somewhat dazed, her lips a bit pale, still fearful.

She looked at Zhu Maolin, “Um…

Manager, aren’t you going to ask about my situation?”

Zhu Maolin said calmly, “I told you, I won’t interfere too much in your affairs.

Helping you today was mostly because you made a good finished film for me…

So, your personal matters are your personal matters.”

Xiao Lu lowered her head and silently took a sip of the warm water.

She watched the water circles swaying in the paper cup and said softly, “I understand…

It would be the same with anyone.

Who would want to deal with someone like me who’s entangled with those people…

Everyone prefers to avoid trouble.” “It’s good that you know.” Zhu Maolin nodded.

But Xiao Lu suddenly looked up, expressing gratitude, “But… but even so, I must thank you today.

Manager Zhu, if it weren’t for you today, I truly don’t know what I would have done… how to handle it.”

Sadness welled up, the kind of face that could easily evoke a man’s protective instinct…

This weak and helpless demeanor didn’t seem to be an act.

Zhu Maolin frowned.

How to put it—only a day before, they had finished filming, so they knew each other, yet the next day, such a thing happened—a coincidence like this was a bit hard to believe for Zhu Maolin.

The reason he drove away the man from before was perhaps because there really was a chance it wasn’t just coincidence. “On the street, he wouldn’t dare do anything to you.” Zhu Maolin shook his head: “Like I said earlier, even if it weren’t me, someone would have come forward to help eventually.

Sooner or later…

If there’s nothing else, rest up and go back on your own.

Think about how to face those people in the future.

But I can give a suggestion, most of those debt collectors have a bad background, you could consider seeking help from the police.” “It’s useless, those people!” Xiao Lu shook her head vigorously. “Have you tried?” Zhu Maolin asked back.

Xiao Lu remained silent.

Suddenly, Zhu Maolin said, “There’s something to eat in the pantry fridge.

If you’re hungry, use the microwave to heat it up.

Just rest here for a while, and be careful not to touch things randomly, I still have work to do.”

Not giving Xiao Lu more opportunity to speak, Zhu Maolin simply returned to his office, leaving Xiao Lu in the empty outer office.

Having finished the client’s film, the employees, free of rush work, could leave early today—so when Zhu Maolin brought Xiao Lu back, there was no one here.

Quietly, only the faint sound of typing on a keyboard could be heard from the manager’s office.

Through the not completely closed venetian blinds, Xiao Lu could see Zhu Maolin clearly had entered his working mode, seemingly unaware of the passage of time. “Really no resentment at all…” Xiao Lu frowned.

Therefore, the abilities of past dreams couldn’t be activated…

Perhaps, as Da Zhe said, judging Zhu Maolin was too rash.

But if the plan was modified to thoroughly investigate the master’s information from now on, it clearly wouldn’t align with her usual high-efficiency working mode…

In that case, she’d rather, in the identity of Xiao Lu, pierce the thick wall built on emotionless work.

The water that was just warm had now turned cool…

It seemed even the human heart was cooling.

Xiao Lu opened the office door of this floor and went out alone.

Upon hearing the sound of the door closing outside, Zhu Maolin looked up and, after finding the outer office empty, continued staring at the screen, expressionless.

He himself wasn’t aware of how much time had passed.

In the uninhabited company, unless something else interrupted, it seemed he wouldn’t stop on his own… until he heard noises from the outer office again.

Someone was knocking on the outer glass door.

Zhu Maolin frowned, walked over, and found that the person separated by the glass door was none other than Xiao Lu, who had clearly left a while ago. “Why are you back?” Zhu Maolin opened the door, confused and asked, “Did you forget something?”

Xiao Lu smiled slightly then, “Manager, you’re still working overtime, huh!

Are you hungry?

You helped me just now, at least let me repay you a little…

Let me treat you to something!”

Zhu Maolin was surprised, only to see Xiao Lu taking out a bowl of instant noodles from the convenience store bag in her hand.

He slightly opened his mouth, seeing for the first time someone offering instant noodles as a form of repayment…

Zhu Maolin gave a little laugh.

Xiao Lu, however, looked annoyed, “Um… actually, I don’t have much money on me.

Also, there’s nothing else good to eat nearby, because it’s too late.”

It’s late.

Zhu Maolin subconsciously looked at the time…

It was almost midnight, and in this area full of office buildings, there indeed wasn’t much food—had it unknowingly reached this hour again. “But!

Don’t underestimate it!” Xiao Lu quickly said, “Even if it’s instant noodles, if you put in some effort, you can make it taste really good…

Borrowing the pantry for a bit!”

With the bag in hand, Xiao Lu lowered her head and quickly walked past Zhu Maolin into the pantry.

Zhu Maolin followed her in with a frown. “No need.” He said to Xiao Lu, “I said, even if I hadn’t helped, someone else would have stepped in.

There’s no need for this.” “It’ll be quick!” Xiao Lu turned around, her eyes full of hope. “Really quick…”

Such an uneasy and guilty expression seemed to come from the heart…

No, this is something only genuine feelings can produce. …

Am I overthinking it?

Zhu Maolin was silent for a while, then nodded, “You’ll leave after eating, right?”

Xiao Lu earnestly nodded. “Suit yourself then.” Zhu Maolin nodded.

Xiao Lu then broke into a joyous smile and started fiddling with the instant noodles she bought.

She took out the seasoning packets, poured hot water over the noodles, covered it tightly, and placed the seasoning packets on the lid to warm them?

Next, she took out pickled vegetables and sausages from her bag, finely chopping the pickled vegetables with a fruit knife found in the pantry, mixing them with the warmed seasonings.

She then sliced the sausages into thin pieces.

She used a glass plate meant for fruit as a dish.

After draining the water from the noodles, she mixed the sauce made from pickled vegetables and seasonings into the noodles, arranging the sausage slices around the top.

She presented the finished noodles to Zhu Maolin with both hands, cautiously, “You can eat it now.” “Why go through so much trouble?” Zhu Maolin looked at Xiao Lu’s creation, puzzled.

For someone like him, who valued work efficiency and time, this behavior seemed like a waste… wouldn’t it taste the same if everything was mixed and eaten together?

But Xiao Lu still took out a bottle of orange juice and apple juice, mixing them together, adding some ice from the fridge, and brought it to Zhu Maolin with a smile, “I learned this while working at a restaurant before, combining these two brands tastes really good…

Of course, it’s not as good as fresh juice, but it’s still alright.” “You still haven’t answered my question.”

Xiao Lu lowered her gaze, seemingly unable to meet Zhu Maolin’s eyes, and said softly, “How to put it…

Sometimes it feels like, even when eating alone, you shouldn’t neglect yourself.

Even something as simple as instant noodles, if you put a bit of effort into making it, you’ll be happier…

This is also enjoying life!” “Really?” Zhu Maolin nodded…

There are people like that.

In life, quite a few people think this way.

It seems pretty normal. “Actually…” Xiao Lu, a bit embarrassed, lightly tugged at her earlobe. “It’s because I eat this sort of thing almost every day.

If I don’t change things up a bit, even I can’t eat it anymore.

The words I just said sounded too nice; even I found them hard to listen to.

How’s the taste?”

Zhu Maolin had already started eating, not chewing carefully nor gobbling it down, just eating efficiently.

He said calmly, “The taste doesn’t have any noticeable difference.” “Ah…” Xiao Lu laughed awkwardly.

Zhu Maolin suddenly said, “But the presentation can gain a few extra points.

It’s not bad.” “Really!”

It seemed so easy to satisfy her…

Just a simple word of acknowledgement.

Zhu Maolin was taken aback; in the world of advertising, he felt he had never encountered such a pure-hearted young model…

Especially, since this thought suddenly sprang up in his mind. “Why do you often eat this kind of thing?” Zhu Maolin suddenly asked. “Logically, you should be able to get jobs, not to the extent of not affording a meal.

Didn’t I settle your payment yesterday?”

Xiao Lu shook her head, silently tidying up the trash after handling the bowl of instant noodles.

Zhu Maolin didn’t continue to ask. “I’m finished.” He finally put down the plate. “Ah, okay.” Xiao Lu responded quickly, “I’ll wash these clean and leave immediately!” “Hmm.” Zhu Maolin nodded and returned to his office.

Soon, the lights in the tea room went out, and Xiao Lu quietly left.

Zhu Maolin didn’t mind, and he continued working for another hour or so.

His physical fatigue was reminding him that it was time to rest… time to go home.

He sighed, tidying up everything there.

Before leaving, he instinctively went to the tea room, turned on the light, and glanced around…

The place was impeccably clean, even the floor seemed to have been wiped spotless. “Perhaps I’m overthinking.”

He shook his head and left the company.

She… probably fell asleep by now? …

The headlights swept across the bus stop on the road, revealing a person still there… jogging around the bus stop in small steps, then hopping, occasionally rubbing her hands, breathing warmth into her palms. “Why are you still here?”

Zhu Maolin had to stop the car… he met this girl once again. “I’m waiting for the bus…” “There’s no bus at this hour.” Zhu Maolin shook his head. “Then… isn’t there another bus stop nearby?” Xiao Lu asked quickly, “I’m not familiar with this area, I can’t find my way.” “This is the only one nearby.” Zhu Maolin shook his head, “Why not call a taxi?” “I see…” Xiao Lu nodded, “I understand.

Manager Zhu, you should head back, I’m fine.

Look, the convenience store across is still open!” “Okay, be careful.” Zhu Maolin released the parking brake and drove off.

As he looked at Xiao Lu through the rearview mirror, he saw that she just rubbed her hands and sat down, not immediately taking out her phone, just sitting there.

He backed the car up…

It’s late, bending some rules isn’t a big deal. “Ah…

Manager Zhu, why did you come back?” Xiao Lu curiously asked, opening her eyes.

In winter, her cheeks had already turned a bit pale.

Zhu Maolin frowned and suddenly asked, “You weren’t… planning to wait here until morning, were you?

Didn’t I just tell you to call a taxi?” “I will, I’ll call one soon.

I can’t possibly stay here all night!” Xiao Lu laughed, “I’m not stupid.” “Alright then, call one soon.” Zhu Maolin nodded.

Xiao Lu took out her phone, but seemed to notice that Zhu Maolin hadn’t left.

Eventually, she weakly said, “Sorry, I was actually planning to wait here because it’s only a few hours.

And… and taxis are too expensive.”

The car door suddenly opened, and Zhu Maolin said with a somewhat helpless tone, “Get in the car, where do you live?

I’ll take you home.” “But…” “Quickly, don’t waste time.”

Xiao Lu hesitated for a moment, then said, “Wait… wait a moment!”

She said, quickly running into the convenience store in front, and shortly after, she came back out of breath, then sat in the car, handing Zhu Maolin a bottle of hot milk, “Manager, drink this, coffee and tea aren’t good to drink this late.”

But there was none for herself, and Zhu Maolin guessed she probably didn’t want to spend money on herself.

Even though she was so cold waiting for the bus. “Really, the difference is significant?” Zhu Maolin suddenly asked.

Xiao Lu lowered her head without answering, “Just drop me off at the next point with night buses, no need to take me home…” “Oh.” Zhu Maolin nodded.

The car drove on slowly.

Some time later, Zhu Maolin said indifferently, “The film you were in, the client bought it.

But it probably won’t air during prime time.

If it goes well, I’ll recommend you to sign an exclusive contract with this company.” “Really!”

The car’s cabin, once silent, with only the sound of wheels on asphalt outside, was now broken with this voice.

Such a girl… untainted by the mud.

Zhu Maolin smiled slightly.

On this road at a late hour, which he was used to, it suddenly didn’t feel as long as before.

This… feeling.