For Zhuo Jiarui's inexplicable friendliness, Le Tong was quite puzzled. Her first reaction to such unexpected kindness was to refuse, but directly refusing seemed too disrespectful to her boss. The only option was to use her boss as a shield.
Based on her understanding of Ji Rui, he probably wouldn't explain for such a trivial matter.
Zhuo Jiarui found it hard to believe. What era are we in, and there's still a company using such cliché terms to restrain employees? And most crucially, are there really such obedient employees who would be restricted by a simple company clause?
But rather than not believing his suspicions, he was more unwilling to believe that Le Tong was actually subtly rejecting him.
Therefore, he turned to look at Ji Rui.
"President Ji, isn't your company always promoting people-oriented management, claiming your company's management is very humane?"
Ji Rui glanced at him, "Isn't it?"
Zhuo Jiarui took Ji Rui's default acknowledgment of Le Tong's words, "What kind of ridiculous rule is this? Employees only sign an eight-hour work contract with you. Beyond work, can you, President Ji, control them?"
Ji Rui snorted, "I can't control others, but as the Young Master of the Ji Family's biggest competitor, isn't it wrong I forbid you from privately interacting with my personal secretary?"
Le Tong didn't expect Ji Rui to help her cover up, casting a grateful glance over Zhuo Jiarui towards Ji Rui. Unexpectedly, Ji Rui didn't even look at her; after finishing with Zhuo Jiarui, he turned his head to look out the window.
Zhuo Jiarui gave Ji Rui an accusing glare, seeing no room for compromise, he pulled out a business card and handed it to Le Tong.
"Tongtong, this is my business card. If you ever get bored and want to find someone to watch a movie, chat, or eat with, feel free to reach out."
Le Tong couldn't very well toss the card out of the car window in front of everyone, although in her heart she truly wanted to. Yet, she smiled and accepted the card, putting it into her backpack.
"Hey, where did you guys go to have fun before? A bike trip or..."
"Oh, we went hiking. We thought the weather was nice, so we cycled there." These weren't secrets that couldn't be shared. Compared to dealing with Zhuo Jiarui's pestering, she'd rather talk about these inconsequential topics.
In Zhuo Jiarui's circle, the most common pastime was like today, playing golf. A few years earlier, occasionally organizing a tennis match, but his circle never showed much enthusiasm for the more public-friendly activities like cycling and hiking.
"That really sounds nice. Do you guys often cycle around together?"
Zhuo Jiarui thought he'd found a shortcut to approach Le Tong, feeling very pleased.
"Not really, just occasionally when everyone happens to think of it."
Before working at the Ji Family, Le Tong often went out with siblings Luo Yuanyuan and Luo Yifan, but in the past six months, due to frequent overtime at the Ji Family, her meetings with Luo Yuanyuan had been fewer.
"Oh, I've been feeling a bit chubbier lately too. Maybe I should buy a bike and we can ride out together when there's time?"
Le Tong was just thinking of how to dismiss him when Ji Rui, who had been looking out the window, suddenly turned his head, first glancing at Le Tong then staring at Zhuo Jiarui's belly.
"Zhuo, with all that fat, forget about cycling shedding it off. Even if I gave you a horse cart to run circles around the city every day, it wouldn't necessarily shake off all that fat."
Zhuo Jiarui was pissed off, "President Ji, you're still mad, aren't you? Alright, tell me, what exactly did I do to offend you that you have to badmouth me so much in front of Tongtong!"
Men usually love saving face, especially in front of a woman they're trying to court, making a good impression becomes exceedingly crucial.
Being ridiculed repeatedly by Ji Rui made Zhuo Jiarui feel utterly embarrassed!
Ji Rui glanced at him again stoically, "Badmouth you?!!"
Zhuo Jiarui quickly conceded, hands up in surrender, "Alright, alright, no badmouthing. I am just like this originally."
More than losing face, Zhuo Jiarui feared angering Ji Rui, worrying perhaps Ji Rui would say something else to undermine him, so along the way, he obediently refrained from flirting with Le Tong.
Le Tong couldn't quite grasp the meaning behind Ji Rui's meaningful glance earlier; pondering over it, she still found President Ji's thoughts too elusive and decided to stop dwelling on it.
Seeing Zhuo Jiarui shut his mouth, she was also happy to enjoy the peace, turning her head to look at the scenery speeding by outside the window. The car drove along the road, and the three inside stayed silent until it stopped at a countryside restaurant known for its wild game dishes.
Le Tong got out first, and because the man behind was her boss, even if it was non-working hours, she habitually stood by the car waiting for Ji Rui to get out before following him into the restaurant.
The waitress came to greet them and led a group of six to their reserved private room. To avoid sitting next to Zhuo Jiarui or Ji Rui, Le Tong squeezed in next to Luo Yuanyuan.
Luo Yifan initially intended to sit beside Le Tong but was held back by Zhuo Jiarui by the arm, "Yifan, your Brother Ji has something to ask you; sit next to him."
Just as Luo Yifan was reluctant to comply, Ji Rui, who had been enjoying his tea leisurely, suddenly looked towards Le Tong.
"Le Tong, come over here. The information for tomorrow's business trip, prepare it for me."
Le Tong was momentarily stunned, quickly recalling that Boss Ji was flying to L City the next day for a business negotiation.
But this particular deal had always been handled by Special Assistant Yang. During the time Special Assistant Yang was abroad expanding business, Ji Rui personally took charge of it, and it had never involved her.
Could it be that this was some form of retaliatory move?
Le Tong inwardly cursed Ji Rui for being petty, but since he was her meal ticket, even if she was annoyed, she could only obediently comply. Besides, compared to dealing with Zhuo Jiarui's incessant pestering, she preferred organizing files for Ji Rui.
Zhuo Jiarui saw Le Tong obediently go over and stood as if wanting to follow.
Ji Rui seemingly saw through his intention at a glance, "Zhuo Jiarui, this is a multi-million-dollar deal."
The implication was that Zhuo Jiarui and Luo Yifan should abandon any thoughts of sitting next to Le Tong.
Le Tong sat down as Ji Rui had already taken out his laptop, opened the business negotiation proposal.
"The first draft of this proposal, the other party mentioned some terms might conflict with local regulations, help me check and modify them."
Although Le Tong was very unhappy with Ji Rui's arbitrary exploitation, she was extremely serious about her work.
Following his notes on the proposal, she logged into L City's government website, opening the local regulations, she meticulously compared the proposal's terms with the regulations.
This meal, Le Tong could only think about regulations and laws, eating tastelessly. After the meal, she originally had plans to hang out with Luo Yuanyuan and the others, but Ji Rui's single sentence completely ruined her mood.
"Le Tong, tomorrow you're going with me to L City!"