Now that Song Ge had agreed and Duan Lun had booked a hotel, Song Ge told her junior assistant to go back first.
Duan Lun had booked a high - end Western restaurant. From the moment they entered, there were dedicated waiters to guide them. Duan Lun seemed to attach great importance to this date. He was not only dressed extremely formally but also seemed tense, as if he was afraid of making a mistake at any moment.
Song Ge smiled. She was thinking about finding a suitable time to tell Duan Lun her true feelings. Whether she said it or not, it would be painful for Duan Lun.
But from her own perspective, it was a matter of being responsible to both Zhai Cheng and herself.
Duan Lun ordered several signature dishes of the restaurant. After the food was served, Song Ge took a couple of bites and then put down her cutlery.
Duan Lun, being a considerate person, immediately asked Song Ge, "Is the food not to your taste? I noticed you've only eaten a little." He pointed at Song Ge's plate.
It was a top - grade Boston steak. In terms of both taste and texture, it was of the highest quality and very delicious. But Song Ge had something on her mind, so she had no appetite.
"Not really," Song Ge shook her head. She felt that the following conversation might break the peace between them. She gritted her teeth and said, "Duan Lun, since we're both free today, I want to talk to you about something." Song Ge forced a smile.
Duan Lun's face immediately changed. He said unhappily, "Can't it wait until after we've finished eating? I don't want to hear it. Song Ge, let's talk about it later." Duan Lun's tone was firm.
"No," Song Ge was also firm. The sooner they got this over with, the sooner everyone could be relieved. Dragging it out would only hurt Duan Lun more.
"Duan Lun, what I want to say today is..." Song Ge endured the awkwardness. "I've always known how you feel about me, but I also want to tell you clearly, Duan Lun, I really only see you as a friend."
Although saying this might make Duan Lun feel embarrassed, for his own good, she had to be tough.
Duan Lun put down his knife and fork. He seemed rather unwilling. He stared intently at Song Ge and asked stubbornly, "Song Ge, I've always known what you're saying, but why can we only be friends? Why?"
Song Ge shook her head. "I don't know how to answer you. You should know that feelings can't be forced. Duan Lun, I really don't have any other feelings for you."
Duan Lun looked dejected. He sighed, picked up his knife and fork, and continued eating. "I see. But Song Ge, if Zhai Cheng had never appeared, would you have liked me?" He wanted an answer.
"Duan Lun, do you think the key issue between us is Zhai Cheng?"
Duan Lun nodded and continued, "If it had been me instead of Zhai Cheng who had always been by your side, would the result have been completely different?"
Song Ge didn't know how to answer. "If you really think so, all I can say is to see things clearly earlier. Duan Lun, we're friends, so I don't want to say harsh words to you. Please don't push me, okay?"
Duan Lun shook his head self - deprecatingly. His tone was helpless. "So you think I'm pushing you?"
The atmosphere became awkward for a moment. Song Ge didn't know how to handle it.
The TV in the restaurant started broadcasting the city news. On the TV, a good - looking female reporter was standing in front of the Zhai's Building with a microphone in her hand, looking serious.
"Local news, local news."
"According to our front - line reporter Yin Hong, the latest listing plan of Zhai's has been postponed. The postponement of the listing is undoubtedly a huge challenge to Zhai's economic response ability. We don't yet know the reason for the delay. Zhai Cheng, the person - in - charge of Zhai's, previously refused to disclose any internal information of Zhai's during an interview with us."
The listing failed?
Song Ge murmured these words in her heart. Was it a very serious matter? She wondered how Zhai Cheng would handle it.
Song Ge had absolutely no mood to eat. She forced a smile and said, "Duan Lun, are you done eating? Let's go."
"Okay," Duan Lun's eyes were filled with desolation.
But Song Ge was only concerned about Zhai Cheng's situation at the moment and didn't notice Duan Lun's emotional change at all.
Duan Lun drove Song Ge home. The first thing Song Ge did when she got home was to turn on her computer and search for news about Zhai's failed listing. However, there was very little information available on the Internet, and most reports simply glossed over it.
The situation became rather mysterious. How could a company as big as Zhai's not disclose any information about its failed listing? It seemed that someone was deliberately trying to hide it. Maybe the reason for the failure was unfavorable to Zhai's, which was why Zhai Cheng was reluctant to disclose it?
If so, it meant that Zhai's was now in a crisis, and Zhai Cheng must be under a lot of pressure.
Song Ge wanted to help Zhai Cheng but didn't know how to start, as she knew nothing about the situation of Zhai's.
Song Ge took out her phone and dialed Leng Jing's number. She felt too embarrassed to ask Zhai Cheng directly, so she could only learn about the company's situation through Leng Jing.
"Hello," Leng Jing was also quite shocked when she answered the phone. Why on earth was Song Ge calling her? She didn't think their relationship was that good.
"Song Ge," Leng Jing glanced at the screen. She was sure she wasn't mistaken. It was indeed Song Ge's number, but why was she calling?
"Why are you calling me?"
"Well, Leng Jing," Song Ge bit her lower lip. "I want to ask you something about Zhai's failed listing."
"I see," Leng Jing dragged out the word. "What do you want to know?"
"The reason for Zhai's failed listing. Why did it suddenly fail? I remember Zhai Cheng had put in a lot of effort to get it listed," Song Ge asked puzzledly.
Just mentioning this made Leng Jing angry. She clenched her fists, and Song Ge could feel her anger even through the phone.
"It's all that stupid general manager's fault."
"What, what did he do?"
"He's a traitor! I'm so mad! He stole Zhai's listing materials and the design of the latest business plan and gave them to General Manager Chen. This General Manager Chen has always been a sworn enemy of my uncle. After getting such confidential information, he's bound to try his best to deal with my uncle. The failed listing is also related to him. He secretly launched his business plan before Zhai's, and Zhai's didn't know about it. By the time Zhai's launched, it was already too late. Now they've found the Copyright Association and claimed that Zhai's has infringed their rights. The original listing date has also been postponed. Can you believe how angry this is? It's Zhai Cheng who was copied, but they dare to turn around and bite Zhai's. If I were my uncle, I'd beat that guy into a real pig's head for turning against us. I'm so mad!" Leng Jing rarely talked so much to Song Ge.