Chapter 283 - Ming's Girlfriend

After the whole fashion walk was done, there was a small after-party with light snacks before the event officially ended. 

The Zhao family already left first, and Madam Zhao had told Lena the location of their dinner. Lena sent Angel off before heading out herself. However, as she exited, she was flooded with reporters.

"Miss. Shen, is it true that a portion of your designs is copies of last week's fashion jewelry release?"

"What do you have to say about copying other people's designs?"

"Why did you continue to release the designs?"

"Are you responsible for the damage to the partnership?"

"What do your partners have to save about SHYNE duping other artists' designs?"

James and additional event security blocked the reporters as Lena continue to walk past them and into the car. She did not say one word nor did the other people. 

When she got inside the car, she immediately called Kris. He didn't answer so she called him again. When she called him the third time, it was not Kris that picked up the call.

"Miss. Shen?"

"That's indeed my name.... but shouldn't you be calling me Lady boss, Becca?"

"Ah, forgive me, Lady boss. It's just hard for me to remember such a temporary name."

"Where is Kris?"

"Kris? He's busy."

"Busy with what?" Lena asked.

Becca walked over to the bathroom door and knocked on it.

"Kris? Do you want me to bring the clothes inside or should I just leave them out here?" Becca spoke loudly, obviously making sure Lena heard it.

"Just leave it out there. I'll be done and out soon." Kris replied to which Lena heard it softly.

Before Becca could make another comment, the phone call got disconnected.

When Kris got out of the bathroom, he was in a bathrobe. He was drying his hair with a towel.

"Where's Collin?" Kris asked.

"Oh, he's getting your clothes right now."

"Then why did you even ask me where to put the clothes if you don't have it. Tsk..." Kris snickered. "Why are you even here in the first place?"

"Oh, CEO Huang wanted me to make sure you were alright. We already fired the waitress that served you the drink."

"That old man worries too much. It's just a drink."

"In the past, you would have immediately removed the waitress. She stained such an expensive suit of yours." Becca pointed out.

"In the past, you wouldn't be so bold to just walk into my room like this." Kris glared at her. "Get out. Tell CEO Huang I am fine and I will see him at dinner."

Becca nodded and then left the room. Kris walked over to the table where he left his cellphone. He was sure he heard Lena's ringtone calling him. When he checked, there were no logs but he was sure Becca probably did something.

He grabbed his phone and immediately called Lena, however, it rang but no one picked up. He called her again.

========

"Are you going to pick that up?" James spoke from the driver's seat, seeing Lena casually ignoring the phonecall and touching up on her makeup.

"Not important."

James knew it was Kris' ringtone. Did those two get into a fight? 

James drove into the restaurant and parked. He got out and opened the door for Lena. Lena shut off her phone and got out of the car. 

"You don't need to pick me up after I am done. I'll have someone drop me off."

James nodded. 

Lena walked inside the restaurant and the waitress immediately recognized Lena. She greeted Lena and took Lena to the private room that the Zhao reserved.

When the door opened, Lena got inside. She spotted that CEO Zhao, Madam Zhao, Ming and Mike was also there.

It's been a while since she saw that bastard.

"Hello." Lena greeted them.

Madam Zhao immediately signaled Lena to sit next to her. 

After a few minutes, the food arrived and everyone casually chatted and ate. 

"It's been years since I saw my wife walk down the walk, she said it was your idea." Zhao Lin spoke.

"Madam Zhao suggested that I walk, but I felt that she was more suitable and experienced," Lena replied.

"You were beautiful, Mom." Ming complimented his mother in Italian which Lena did not understand.

"Aren't you a little to chill considering the problems with the new right now?" Mike spoke. "This is also affecting the Zhao's image."

"Should I be scared right now? Panicking?" Lena smiled. "It seems like you're still new to the business game. But that's understandable, you have only entered this field a few months ago. Oh wait, but then so did I." Lena laughed. "I guess people learn at a different pace."

"What are you trying to say?" Mike got agitated while Ming tried not to laugh too.

"SHYNE did not copy anyone's design. The fashion was live broadcasted, and anyone with good eyes would know that the designs today was on a different level than the one released last week. A good mistake from a competitive company doesn't always come so easily. If you want to take out the competition, then you also need to be patient."

Zhao Lin chuckled. "Miss. Shen is definitely intelligent. If you don't work out with the young boy Li, I'll give you my son for free."

Ming choked on his water and looked at Lena. He slightly shook his head.

"Thank you, CEO Zhao. I'll remember that." She replied.

Everyone continued to eat casually and have a small chat. 

"I heard that the third Madam Shen is pregnant?" Zhao Lin suddenly asked Lena.

Lena was caught off guard. Aunt Ma was indeed pregnant, but the rest of her family do not even know about it yet, how did an outsider like Zhao Lin know?

"Yes." Lena replied with a smile.

"That's very good. Do you know the gender yet?"

"No. I have not talked to them for a while. With the fashion release, I had been busy."

"I see." Zhao Lin took a sip of his drink. 

"Lin, didn't you say you want to show Mike more of the outskirts company tonight?" Madam Zhao interrupted them.

"Did I?" Zhao Lin looked at his wife and then he remembered. "Ah, yes. What time is it?" He looked at the clock and it was not very late yet. 

Ming also looked at his father. He did not hear anything about his father showing Mike around the other companies. 

"Father, there is still time." Mike excitedly replied.

"Ah... but Miss. Shen is here today." Zhao Lin pointed out.

"That's fine, Ming can accompany her and send her home, right son?"

Ming looked at his mom and then at Lena. "If it's fine with her."

"That's fine." Lena replied. Why does she feel like the Zhao's are still trying to hook her up with Ming...?

And that was settled. After dinner, Zhao Lin, Madam Zhao and Mike left together. 

Ming looked at Lena but she continued to eat. Since it was just him and her now, hell, she was not going to leave until she had her fill. She was just practicing nice table manners before, but now, with no one else, she can freely eat.

"Why do I feel like you are emptying my wallet?" Ming asked as he looked at Lena who continued to stuff herself.

"I got invited here so obviously you are paying." Lena replied.

Ming sighed. He glanced at his phone that kept buzzing from text messages.

"Who is it?" Lena asked. "A girlfriend?"

"..." Ming looked at Lena and laughed. "I guess you can say that."

"Are you ignoring her? It's bad to ignore the woman."

"It's bad to ignore men too."

"..." Lena looked at him and then continued to eat. 

Ming looked at his phone at the flood of messages he was getting.

Ada: Updates!!! Updates!!! 

Ada: Can you tell her to stop ignoring me?

Ada: Tell her not to eat too much?

Ada: No drinking

Ada: Reply!

Ada: :'C

Ada: Can you take a picture of her for me? :o

Ming looked at the texts and shook his head. He turned his phone on silent and looked at Lena. "Wanna drink? My girlfriend might kill me tomorrow."

"Hell yeah! I am a wonderful drinking partner. Now tell me, is she hot?"