When Hearts Collide: From Ashes to Love

Zhang Gong appeared uneasy, a faint look of guilt showing on his face. Last week, in a moment of impulse, he had rashly agreed to an additional project requirement, thinking only of his team's interests. He hadn't considered the difficult position this would put Marian in. After reflecting on it over the weekend, he realized his response had been too hasty. Now, he was particularly anxious to gauge Aaron's reaction.

Not only was Zhang Gong eager to know Aaron's attitude, but so was Liang Meiqi, who was discreetly eavesdropping on their conversation. When she heard Marian was planning to personally treat Aaron to dinner to apologize, a smug satisfaction filled her heart.

So much for being old classmates, she thought gleefully. Clearly, it didn't matter. Aaron wasn't cutting Marian any slack. They were probably nothing more than acquaintances back in school—if they had even spoken at all. After all, Marian's plain, rustic appearance couldn't possibly have left any impression on someone like Aaron.

"Um, yeah, he's still pretty upset," Marian said, her tone half-serious. "Last week, he yelled at me so harshly I almost cried."

Although she had exaggerated slightly, Liang Meiqi took her words at face value. Beaming, she eagerly interjected, "Marian, do you want me to come with you to apologize? Oh, I run into Mr. Aaron at the coffee shop all the time, and he's always really nice to me. If I say something, I'm sure he'd be lenient toward our company."

Marian gave her a cool glance. "No need for now. I'll let you know if I need help." She had a plan: since Aaron had said he would get back to her in a few days, she intended to gauge his mood during dinner tonight.

"Alright then," Liang Meiqi replied, before suddenly lowering her voice conspiratorially. "By the way, Marian, just a heads-up—I've changed hotel rooms. From now on, you'll have that room all to yourself."

Marian paused mid-typing, looking up. "Where are you staying?"

Liang Meiqi's lips curved into a triumphant smile. "I've moved to the top floor—the presidential suite."

Marian frowned. "We're going to be here for several more months. Are you sure you want to stay in a presidential suite the whole time?"

"I want to, and that's none of your business, is it?"

Fair enough, Marian thought. But she needed clarification. "Is the project budget paying for it?"

"Of course not," Liang Meiqi retorted. "Don't worry, I'm not misusing project funds. But, speaking of money—are you planning to expense the cost of your dinner with Mr. Aaron?"

Marian pressed down her annoyance. "Don't worry. I won't be expensing it."

At exactly 6 p.m., Marian received a message from Aaron:

"Meet me at the underground parking lot."

His timing was so precise it was as if he had set an alarm. Marian replied immediately:

"Got it. On my way."

By the time she arrived at B1 via elevator, Aaron was already waiting outside the doors.

"Mr. Aaron," she greeted.

"Mm, I just got here," he replied.

No need to explain yourself, Marian thought. I'm not vain enough to assume you waited here on purpose.

The parking lot was massive, and without Aaron guiding her, she would have certainly gotten lost. Once she fastened her seatbelt, Aaron smoothly started the car, and they left the building.

As they exited the parking lot, Marian noticed through the rearview mirror that Liang Meiqi was getting into Mao Quan'an's car. The greasy, lecherous grin on Mao's face made her stomach churn.

But why was Liang Meiqi getting into his car?

"What's wrong?" Aaron asked, noticing the furrow in her brow. "Are you feeling unwell?"

Marian shook her head. "It's nothing."

Whatever. Liang Meiqi can hang out with whoever she wants as long as it doesn't interfere with work, she thought. The rest isn't my concern.

The atmosphere in the car was quiet. Aaron, after several attempts to start a conversation, realized Marian was engrossed in her phone, messaging someone.

At a red light, he glanced over and discovered she was chatting with He Bing. Suppressing his irritation, he let out a slow, heavy breath and lowered his gaze to mask the chill in his eyes.

When the car started moving again, Aaron spoke casually, "Marian, look up reviews for the restaurant online. Make sure we don't order anything bad."

"Oh, okay." She exited her chat app and opened a review site. Then, something occurred to her. "Wait, Mr. Aaron, haven't you been to this restaurant before?" She had assumed he frequented the place, given how smoothly he'd mentioned its name earlier.

"I've been there," he admitted.

Then why ask me to check reviews? she wondered. Surely his firsthand opinions are more reliable.

Aaron suddenly said, "You're treating me to dinner, and you're glued to your phone. Do you think that's polite?"

Marian's face flushed with embarrassment. Hastily, she put her phone away.

If that's what you wanted to say, you could've just said it directly. No need to make it sound so harsh.

When they arrived at Four Seasons Pavilion, a server escorted them to a private dining room. Aaron casually flipped through the menu, ordering a few dishes before asking Marian, "What would you like to drink?"

"Oh, no drinks for me," she said quickly, shaking her head. After her drunken fiasco over the weekend, she wasn't about to risk alcohol again.

"Alright, then just this." Aaron handed the menu to the server, adding, "And bring us a pot of pre-Qingming Dragon Well tea."

Oh, he meant tea, not alcohol… Marian breathed a small sigh of relief.

As the server left, she discreetly reached for the menu to glance at the prices, only for Aaron to slide it out of reach.

"Were you messaging He Bing earlier?" he asked, leaning back in his chair, looking relaxed. Yet, his words carried an undertone of scrutiny.

"Yes," Marian replied, unsurprised. After all, Aaron had witnessed He Bing's behavior in the elevator last week.

"He's pursuing you, isn't he?"

"No, it's just… normal communication between colleagues."

"Colleagues?" Aaron scoffed. "He's a full-time employee, and you're an external contractor. How does that make you colleagues?"

The word contractor stung, and Marian's expression hardened. "So what? Contractors aren't human?"

Aaron raised an eyebrow, his annoyance growing. "So, if he were pursuing you, would you agree?"

Marian was so exasperated she nearly laughed. What on earth is going through this man's mind?

"Absolutely not."

"Not?" Aaron seemed visibly relieved, his features softening as he sipped his tea.

"Why not? He seems like a decent match for you—probably fits your criteria for a partner."

Marian's temples throbbed. She reminded herself repeatedly to keep her cool. He's the client. Even if he's an arrogant, disrespectful client, he's still the client. And I need his help on something urgent.

"Mr. Aaron, I wouldn't choose him because I've already tried, and it didn't work out."

Aaron froze, visibly stunned. "What do you mean, tried?"

"He Bing was my ex-boyfriend. We dated when I first started working. His family didn't approve of me because of my background, so we broke up. Is that answer satisfactory, Mr. Aaron?"