Book Synopsis
Book Tags
Donation Rankings
Comment
0 Comments
You May Also Like
墨書 Inktalez
In the afternoon of the second day, I stepped into the 28th floor of Building C, clutching my meticulously prepared proposal and several Strawberry Dessert samples, feeling as if I were walking to my doom.
Shen Zhi Zhou's office was as minimalistic, cold, and meticulous as he was. The massive floor-to-ceiling windows offered a view of the bustling cityscape outside, while the interior was dominated by shades of black, white, and gray. The only splash of color came from the bright red Strawberry Desserts I had brought along.
He sat behind a large desk, engrossed in a document, not bothering to look up. “Put it there,” he instructed curtly.
I carefully placed my items on the coffee table in the reception area.
Finally setting down the file, he rose and walked over, his gaze sweeping over the desserts I had prepared: Strawberry Mille-Feuille, Strawberry Mousse, Strawberry Tart… all proud creations that I had stayed up late to finish.
“Speak,” he said succinctly.
I took a deep breath and began to explain my design concepts, choice of ingredients, and flavor profiles, trying my best to appear professional, calm, and composed.
He remained silent, merely picking up a small fork to taste each dessert one by one. His movements were elegant, but his expression… well, there was still little to no expression at all.
Once I finished my presentation, I anxiously awaited his judgment.
He set down the fork and wiped his mouth with a napkin, pausing for a moment in silence.
“Too sweet,” he offered in two words.
I thought to myself: …Of course! I knew it!
“Lacks creativity,” he added with three more words.
I thought: …I knew it would be like this!
“The acidity of the strawberries hasn’t been fully brought out; the layers are too singular.” Finally, he delivered his concluding remarks.
I felt as if my carefully crafted work had been mercilessly torn apart; a mix of grievance and defiance welled up inside me. “But President Shen, the general public tends to prefer sweeter flavors, and these samples received positive feedback in our internal tests…”
He raised his gaze to meet mine, curiosity flickering in his eyes. “Who is the target customer for ‘Tang Cube’ at the Art Center?”
I was taken aback.
“What we need to create is an ‘artwork,’ not a mass-produced product.” His tone remained flat but carried an undeniable professionalism. “Redo it. I want a new proposal and samples by Friday.”
Another command.
I felt a surge of frustration but had to admit that he made a valid point. I hadn’t considered all aspects thoroughly enough.
“…Yes, President Shen,” I replied dejectedly.
As I began to gather my things to leave, he suddenly spoke up. “Wait.”
I stopped in my tracks, looking at him in confusion.
He picked up the dessert he had previously deemed "too sweet" and "lacking creativity," the Strawberry Mille-Feuille, and took a big spoonful, popping it into his mouth. Then came the Strawberry Mousse, followed by the Strawberry Tart…
I stared at him in disbelief as he elegantly, yet not slowly, devoured all the Dessert Samples I had brought… finished them all?!
He… finished… everything…
Even the last bit of cream was scraped clean with his fork.
Didn’t he say it wasn’t good? Didn’t he say it needed to be redone? What was this behavior?!
A phrase floated through my mind: “disdainful of the mouth but honest to the body?”
He seemed to sense my gaze, setting down his fork and meeting my uncertain eyes. A hint of a suspiciously subtle red flickered at his ears—was it just the lighting?
“Just getting rid of it to avoid waste,” he explained in a flat tone, though his eyes wandered, avoiding mine.
I thought, “You’ve got to be kidding! Is that what you call getting rid of it? You clearly enjoyed it!”
An iceberg… turned out to have a tsundere attribute?
This realization quietly replaced my earlier frustration and discontent with a stranger emotion. I felt like laughing, and yet… there was something oddly cute about his awkward demeanor?
No, no, no! Lin Xiaoran! Get a grip! He’s the capitalist who’s squeezing you for revisions!
“Well then… President Shen, I’ll take my leave,” I said, trying hard to suppress my amusement and keep my expression neutral.
“Mm,” he replied, taking a sip from the glass beside him, his movements seemingly laced with a hint of concealment.
I clutched the empty plate and hurriedly left his office.
As I closed the door behind me, I finally couldn’t hold back any longer; my lips broke into a wide smile.
Shen Zhi Zhou, beneath that icy exterior, is there perhaps a little volcano hidden away? You clearly love it but act so disdainfully about it.
Tsk, how contradictory.
Comment 0 Comment Count