After Long Jinjing finished the business call, she led her boyfriend and the ladies to the recently finished restaurant inside the company. If Iris didn't insist on building it, Long Jinjing would never have approved such an expensive project.
In her opinion, the cafeteria was good enough but Iris wanted a more high-end service for everyone working in the company. Now that the restaurant was completed, Long Jinjing had to admit that it was indeed a good investment. The employees' happiness and satisfaction levels were at an all-time high which was always good news.
It was still early for dinner so the group only ordered some light snacks. While chatting, Long Jinjing noticed a subtle change in Lu Zihao's expression. She was only able to detect it because of their intimate relationship. The others didn't notice anything amiss at all.
Then he frowned.
"What's wrong?" she asked in a whisper.
He didn't reply but instead fished out his phone and checked something on the internet. She took a peek and gasped.
"What happened?" AJ Zheneres asked.
The others stopped talking and looked at the couple, wondering what caused such a reaction from Long Jinjing. They became confused when she looked at Ashandra Knightson and her eyes immediately watered.
Lu Zihao handed his phone to AJ and proceeded to embrace Long Jinjing in full view of the employees.
"Don't cry," he murmured. "It's nothing but fake news."
"I know that. But I still can't stop myself from…." She bit her lower lip.
"Feeling jealous?"
Her lips trembled. She blinked her watery eyes at him and nodded.
He lowered his head and whispered directly to her ear, "Don't worry. I'm not interested in Ashandra at all."
"But she's beautiful."
"You're more beautiful than her in my eyes. It's you I want to keep on fucking, not her or any other woman."
Her entire skin turned red but she still smiled shyly, pleased and comforted by his reassuring words.
Meanwhile, AJ was trying to figure out how to turn on the automatic English translation on Lu Zihao's phone because the articles were written in Chinese. Finally, she was able to figure it out and began reading. The others crowded around her to take a look as well. Even without reading, the photos were enough to make them understand what made Long Jinjing upset.
"Oh no." Ashandra looked upset as well and then angry. Then she gave an apologetic look to Long Jinjing. "I'm sorry about this. It doesn't always happen but when people recognize me, there will be paparazzi following me wherever I go and creating all sorts of rumours about me. That's why I prefer staying in the academy. Please don't mind it, Jinjing. Your Hunter is not my type."
"You're not my type either," Lu Zihao told her.
Ashandra chuckled. "Touché." Then she turned to Long Jinjing again. "I've been linked to so many different men that I already lost count. I don't even know most of the men they're linking to me. This kind of thing happens so often that I've grown numb to them. Furious girlfriends and wives even confronted me and tried to rip all the hair out of my head because of those fake stories. I hope that we don't come to that point, Jinjing. I really like you not just because you're Xiulan's sister but because you're a good person who I want to continue being friends with."
Long Jinjing smiled at her. "Don't worry, Ashandra. I'm not upset with you at all but at the fake stories online. I also like being friends with you. Also rest assured that I won't try to rip your hair from your head. Your hair is safe from me."
The others laughed. Even the corners of Lu Zihao's mouth lifted in a barely discernible smile.
After AJ returned Lu Zihao's phone, he stood up and excused himself, telling them that he was going to make a call. Long Jinjing knew that he was going to take action for the fake news stories.
In an empty corner at the restaurant, Lu Zihao tapped on his hidden earpiece.
"Delete all those fucking photos and articles," he commanded.
"Understood, Uncle Zihao," Bacon's voice replied.
"Let ShaWn handle that task. I want you to trace the motherfucker who took those photos and wrote the fake stories. Don't leave the ones who spread them either. I want everyone involved to pay for upsetting my woman."
"Bacon will do it, Uncle Zihao. But just a reminder that this is extra work that is outside the scope of what I signed up for in my freelance employment contract. Uncle Zihao needs to pay—"
"I'll fucking pay you, you little moneygrubber, so just do it!"
"Bacon thanks Uncle Zihao. Still, my feelings are hurt from your cursing. Bacon will ask Father later to demand compensation—"
"I know already," Lu Zihao growled. "I'll pay whatever compensation you want so just hurry the hell up!"
"Understood, Uncle Zihao."
The black cat AI was fast. Not even a minute later, he already traced the culprits.
"Uncle Zihao, Bacon sent all the information to your phone. Please check."
Lu Zihao grunted and immediately read the results on his phone. His eyes flashed with viciousness. He gave commands to his subordinates to deal with the paparazzo who was still chilling in the neighbouring building. As for the other people involved, including the editors-in-chief who approved the headlines in the various news platforms, and even the netizens who fueled the fire, he gave additional commands to both Bacon and ShaWn.
He was about to return to his woman and the others when Bacon's voice called him.
"Uncle Zihao."
"Hm? What is it?"
"Bacon is now stronger and has acquired a new ability. I want to try it out. May I?"
Lu Zihao raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What ability?"
Bacon started explaining something called a power flood. Lu Zihao was a smart man but he still couldn't fully understand what the hell his AI nephew was saying. When he heard the phrase "world destruction", he didn't think too much of it because he was already used to the little devil spouting such a threat every time Evelinka's safety was endangered.
In the end, he just said, "Just do whatever it is that you're talking about."
For the first time ever, Lu Zihao heard Bacon laugh. And for some reason, it sent a chill up his spine.