Reborn as the Harem King-Chapter 95 Next Goal[Part 2]

the warmth spread through her chest, perhaps stirred by the lively ambiance of the restaurant or touched by Zhou Yi's sincerity.

She decided to set aside the cold, impersonal social norms she'd adopted while living abroad and embrace the moment.

With a hint of sadness, she said:

"I was thinking about my parents. When I returned to the country, I planned to spend more time with them. But I couldn't find a suitable job in Province A, so I ended up coming to Huaihai instead."

Zhou Yi smiled faintly. "That's easy to fix. Why don't you bring them here to settle down in Huaihai?"

Jiang Ruolan shook her head. "They're used to their social circles back home. Moving would only make them uncomfortable."

After a moment's thought, Zhou Yi suggested, "Then how about I give you three extra days off each month so you can visit them?"

[Jiang Ruolan's Affection Level +5]

Jiang Ruolan was genuinely taken aback.

As much as she appreciated his kindness, she knew such preferential treatment could cause resentment among her colleagues, which wouldn't benefit the company.

She proposed another solution.

"If possible, I could skip my weekends and take those days off instead. That way, I'll have the same number of vacation days as everyone else, and it won't create any issues."

Zhou Yi hadn't expected Jiang Ruolan to be so principled, refusing even a small favor. But he admired her integrity—it meant he wouldn't have to compromise fairness later to win her trust.

He agreed readily.

"You could still take one day off per week and save the remaining four for later. Working twenty-plus days straight would exhaust anyone."

"Alright, Mr. Zhou. Thank you so much," Jiang Ruolan replied, her smile softening like melting snow under the spring sun.

She signaled the waiter for a bottle of alcohol, intending to toast Zhou Yi. To him, this gesture symbolized her taking the initiative.

Jiang Ruolan wasn't a lightweight when it came to drinking.

"Mr. Zhou, do you prefer beer or baijiu?"

"Whatever suits you."

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"Then let's go with baijiu. I'll need to get used to drinking it for business meetings anyway."

She was already prepared to go above and beyond for Mr. Zhou!

Jiang Ruolan ordered a bottle of baijiu and poured two small glasses full. Though the cups were tiny, she downed hers in one gulp.

"Mr. Zhou, this one's for you," she declared before emptying the glass.

The liquor burned sharply as it went down, unfamiliar yet potent.

Jiang Ruolan's boldness added another layer to her personality, making her appear even more vivid and multidimensional in Zhou Yi's eyes. He raised his glass and matched her sip for sip.

The two exchanged smiles, the atmosphere subtly shifting under the influence of alcohol.

Jiang Ruolan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear, her cheeks flushed—whether from the liquor or something deeper remained unclear.

"I'm not much of a drinker," she admitted sheepishly. "If I end up drunk later, don't laugh at me, alright?"

Zhou Yi chuckled lightly, teasing, "Even if I did, I doubt I'd remember it tomorrow."

Jiang Ruolan laughed, dismissing his comment. Someone like Mr. Zhou would likely remain composed even after several drinks.

Refilling their glasses, they sipped slowly, chatting about work and life while indulging in the occasional drink.

Moments like these were rare for Jiang Ruolan. Her life revolved around relentless pressure, sustained only by endless cups of coffee. There was little room for relaxation or bonding with her boss over food and drinks.

Living abroad had taught her to maintain distance, communicating primarily through emails and avoiding casual interactions with colleagues. Over time, she realized that prolonged isolation made people colder, less connected.

Everything about being back here made her feel happy, evoking that familiar sense of the past, just like returning to her college days when she sat across from her classmates or close friends, chatting, drinking, and laughing together.

Those carefree days were long gone.

She felt a rare pang of nostalgia for those years. It was Zhou Yi who brought out another side of her— A more emotionally vulnerable Jiang Ruolan.

She looked at Zhou Yi sitting before her.

If this were university, Director Zhou would surely have been the dreamy campus prince chased by countless girls.

He was simply irresistible. At this moment, she even forgot about their age difference, her thoughts drifting back to her university days, wondering if such a man could ever be her boyfriend.

[Jiang Ruolan's Affection Level +5]

This was the first time her heart skipped a beat because of Zhou Yi's handsome face. Right now, Zhou Yi wasn't her boss—he was merely a charming young man.

Jiang Ruolan gazed at his enchanting smile, her vision starting to blur. Well, truth be told, her tolerance for alcohol wasn't great.

She realized she shouldn't drink anymore, or else she'd end up drunk. Actually, the delayed effects of the alcohol were hitting her already—she was tipsy. "Director Zhou, it's getting late. We'll... see each other tomorrow."

Her eyes were hazy, the outer corners faintly reddened, carrying an indescribable allure. Her cheeks were flushed like they'd been dusted with rouge, her lips slightly parted, and she looked at Zhou Yi with sultry, half-lidded eyes.

Zhou Yi stood up to steady her. "Where do you live? I'll take you home. It's not safe for you to go back alone like this."

Jiang Ruolan felt her steps faltering; she really did need someone to accompany her. Safety was always on her mind. Moreover, Zhou Yi gave off such an air of reliability that she nodded without hesitation. "Alright, thank you, Director Zhou."