Tai Jun's thoughts: A diskette... from you?

With Shin Dong Xian dropping the case, I finally have some breathing space to look into other Hotel matters. I am scratching my head about the new Mediterranean restaurant at the new extension when someone knocked on my door.

It is not locked, just come in.

When I looked up, I was surprised to see Yun Xi in front of me.

With a bright smile, she said: "I've told you already. I will come back... Can I start work today?"

It is nice to see her back but how did she manage to come back so easily, so soon? Director Jin was furious enough to send his men to drag her home...

Then, she reassured me that her father has approved it this time. Still, I am hesitant...

"What's wrong? Is it because now you know I am Director Jin's daughter, you don't like me anymore?", she said.

No, of course not. However, I do have to be careful here given the touchy situation: it will only be a matter of time that Madam Cui finds out about this...

But, there is one thing I want to know: why did she fight so hard to work here?

"Mr. Tai Jun: you have to change your bad habits?", she filed her complain.

My bad habits?

"Even if you know the answer already, you always like to ask, even so indirectly. You know that I am interested in you... I want to stay here, stay with the one I love, and that is only natural. Why do you have to keep asking?" She said, not even blushing...

What am I going to do with this little girl? I already told her that I am too old for her. Why can't she take no for an answer?

"Are you afraid, afraid of how people look at us? Or are you worrying about our age difference? There is really nothing to worry about." She said with confidence.

Yun Xi, you are still young. There are so many things in the adult world that you don't understand...

"... but I've another reason... apart from you. I really want to learn more about the Hotel as I want to be in the hotel business eventually."

Another hotelier in the making... with her persistence, and her ability, I am sure she will make it...

"Don't be glad so soon as I'll be your strong competitor..." so she reminded me.

I've been in and out of the hotel since I was a kid. Even when I got the hotelier blood in me, I am still learning everyday. It will take her a while before she catches up on me. But I admire her confidence and determination... In any case, it is nice to see her back.

"Mr. GM: what should I do now?", she asked.

"Let me call Manager Lau first, and you can go down to greet the team later." I told her. She nodded, and said goodbye. Before she left, she turned around and said, "I miss you very much."

She misses me very much... It is amusing to hear a love confession from someone who is some 12 years younger than me: she was not even born when I finished my primary school ...

...

I walked by the Business Centre, and you were standing outside the door looking. You should not have jumped in with your help but I should apologise to you about what I said... But, what are you looking at? The Business Centre is empty, and you should be at the front desk. Why are you here?

Looking at your face, I know you are still not happy that I shouted at you... Zhen Yin, I am sorry...

Then, you handed a floppy diskette to me, "This diskette contains some information from the internet … regarding cuisine and décor that are related to the Mediterranean theme ... yes, for your reference."

How do you know I am looking for this? And, you actually took the time to do this for me... Thank you, Zhen Yin, for the time and the effort you put in... I am really sorry for what I said: have you got over it yet?

"I am going to take some staff to Casablanca for a preview. You are coming along as well, OK?" I tested, for your response.

You nodded, without objection. So, we reconciled...

Zhen Yin, you are so nice to me... even though you irritate me a lot at times, you do have a special place in my heart...

"It was not me..." you said, as I was about to leave the room.

Not you? Not you what?

"It is from your girlfriend", you continued.

My girlfriend? What girlfriend? The diskette is not from you?

"Jin Yun Xi... she asked me to pass it to you." You said.

Yun Xi is not my girlfriend. Like Jenny, she is like my little sister...

"You have got such a nice girlfriend now. You should be happy!" What is that supposed to mean? What kind of tone is this? Are you jealous or what? If you are jealous, just say so. Why did not have to go around the corner like this? What about you? Everyone know that you went to see your "300 roses" in order to save the Hotel... Shouldn't you leave some face for me?

"I'll see you later." There is nothing more for us to talk about... I walked back to my office with Yun Xi's floppy diskette ... I still have a lot of work to do...

Zhen Yin's thoughts: Your diskette... not from me...

I was covering duties for other staff. Seated, I was mulling over him. Someone walked into the Business Centre, I stood up, "Welcome to the Business Centre, what can I …" Yun Xi? To be correct, I am quite surprised to see her. Haven’t her resigned? Haven’t her left the Hotel? Why is she doing here, now, in the staff uniform?

Why am I here? Funny question. I am a Hotel employee. She should have seen me through the glass panels. Anyway, I am covering others’ duties for the time being. What brings her here?

She wanted to print some information for Tai Jun. GM Han? What kind of information? She is aware that GM Han is busy over the final touches to Casablanca, the décor and cuisines. She recited some information to me. I know what is belly dance. Is she testing me?

She said, "Maybe the information here is not of much help. However, I wanted to show them to Tai Jun, let him relax a little …" So I see Yun Xi knows quite a bit of the ongoing hotel matters … Must I print them for her? … She added, "I’ll come back later … " She paused and continued, "Please hand the diskette to him, Manager Xu." Why is she handing that to me? Just hand the diskette to GM Han when she sees him! She looked straight at me. But ok, no problem. I’ll hand her diskette to the GM. Small matter.

Wait … wait … Miss Jin … It has been "Tai Jun", then "him". So, this GM Han has got himself a young and considerate girl friend when my romantic relationship is almost facing a standstill … irritating, even sore … I know I shouldn’t be thinking this way ... but … you lucky man … Nevertheless, we are on duty in the Hotel now. She shouldn’t be addressing GM Han as Tai Jun. The formal title is GM Han, does she understand? Even I, who is an old friend, have to address you as GM Han in the Hotel … Yun Xi replied with a smile, "Yes. I see. But I only address him as Tai Jun in front of you …" Making the error deliberately? This girl adds to the headache I am having.

"Sorry to trouble you!", Yun Xi left the Business Centre, smiling. The diskette is in my hand. I’ll hand the diskette to the GM. This Yun Xi … should mind her manners … Haven’t you taught her something? Who does she think she is? Why is parading in front of me? … She looked definitely arrogant.

GM Han came in. "Here", I pushed that diskette to GM Han, the diskette that is especially hand-delivered from your little girl friend to you, through the "post-box", me. This post-box repeated Yun Xi’s words, well almost recited, "This diskette contains some information from the internet … regarding cuisines and décor that are related to the Mediterranean theme ... yes, for your reference."

GM Han instructed me to join the group to preview Casablanca 2 hours later? Ok! Manager Xu will attend.

You are smiling … Well, you need not parade the sweetness in front of me. Should show that to Yun Xi. You only know to use loud words on me and call me a fool. "You are so nice to me", GM Han said. No, GM Han, don’t get it wrong. Yun Xi is the one who is nice to you, not me. Yun Xi is the one who has collated the information, not me. I don’t have much free time, besides, my computer is down, can neither surf nor collect information for the GM. The GM must feel contented to have such a thoughtful girl friend … You are in love when I am almost drowned in sadness ... by the way, she is too conceited, do remember to teach her some courtesy …