Chapter 17 Her Only Friend
"So, is that a yes? Are you finally agreeing to shift to Shanghai?" Zhou Yonge asked with doubt. At the same time, excitement could be heard in his voice.
"Yes, I am."
"Ahhhhh." Zhou Bingbing shrilled loudly when she heard Zhou Liying. She rushed inside the dining room and pulled Zhou Liying up from the chair, gripping her hands tightly.
"Are you coming to Shanghai with me? Like really?" She questioned with wide eyes; eagerness was visible in her voice.
"I am. I think I can't delay my visit to Shanghai."
"Oh My God, oh my god." Zhou Bingbing squealed and twirled with Zhou Liying.
Once her adrenaline lessened, Zhou Bingbing stopped twirling and looked at Zhou Liying with a wide smile.
"You are coming to Shanghai with me, tomorrow and that's final." She declared.
"No, I can't. I still have some…."
"Leave them on me." Zhou Yonge interrupted her. "I will do all the work related to the London office. You join BingBing in her journey."
"Aren't you in a hurry to send me away?" Zhou Liying pouted.
"I am. I am afraid, otherwise, you will change your mind." He teased, and Zhou Liying pouted.
But she must agree, that if she stayed long in London then there were chances that she may change her mind about shifting to Shanghai.
Moreover, the earlier she would go to Shanghai, the more days she could spend in the company of her grandfather.
The three of them had their dinner with gusto. They were already planning about the shift of the head office of Zhou corporations to Shanghai.
After dinner, Zhou Liying left for her penthouse. She had some packing to do. She also wanted to bid adieu to Arthur, her neighbour.
**
"Oh my god, am I dreaming? Is the almighty Zhou Liying seriously standing at my door?" Arthur dramatically pinched himself when he saw a special guest at his door, Zhou Liying.
"You are not dreaming." Zhou Liying looked at him with deadpanned expression.
"Then the sun must have risen from the west that you are here." He teased.
"Arthur, will you please stop with your nonsense? If not, I am going back." Zhou Liying groaned.
"Ok, ok, I will stop with my nonsense." Arthur raised his hands in surrender. "Now, come in please."
Arthur invited her inside the house and Zhou Lying entered in. Feeling curious, she looked around the house, at the paintings painted by him.
"I didn't know you are a painter." Zhou Liying commented.
"You didn't know because you never tried to know about me." Arthur pointed out.
"You are so good at it." She praised, admiring the paintings with awe.
Arthur scratched his neck and looked at her with an embarrassed expression. "Nah, I am not so good. I simply exhibit my paintings here and there. But they are nothing like what was painted by other painters."
"You are underrating yourself." Zhou Liying smiled. "I loved to paint. I have seen many paintings and I can say you are great with your art."
"You are a painter?" This time, it was Arthur who was in surprise.
"I was but I have stopped painting a long time back." Zhou Liying looked down with long lines on her forehead and a sad smile. She sighed and then looked at Arthur. "By the way mister, you are a bad host. You do not know how to serve your guest. You haven't even asked me to take a seat yet."
Arthur chuckled and offered her a seat. He then ran toward his kitchen and returned with a glass of water with some snacks.
"So, why are you here?" he asked after taking his seat on the couch.
"I am here to say goodbye. I am shifting to Shanghai."
"Oh really." Arthur stretched a smile on his face. "I will not lie that I am happy because I am gonna miss you like hell. You are one of my friends you know."
"I know."
Both shared a small chat over the time they spent together. They also shared a laugh on the count which Arthur kept on the men with whom Zhou Liying slept.
They parted their ways with a hug, initiated by Arthur. Zhou Liying was shocked when he hugged her but soon, she hugged him back, feeling awkward.
"I will miss you. I will try to visit you whenever on the trip to Shanghai. I hope you will not forget about me." He teased.
"I will not." Zhou Liying insured and left his house.
Arthur saw her leaving figure and sighed. He sent a quick prayer, 'I hope she will find her true man in Shanghai. She is such a pure soul and she has suffered enough. Now she needs someone to truly look after her, to care for her, to love her.'
**
The next day, together with Zhou Yonge, Zhou Liying announced in front of their staff that they were shifting their headquarters to Shanghai from London.
The staff at the London office had a mixed reaction. Many people were very happy, especially the higher-ups but some were sad regarding the shift.
"I am so happy that Hitler is leaving for Shanghai. Hash, now I can come to the office without worrying about facing Hitler." An employee celebrated a small victory, mentioning Zhou Liying as Hitler.
"Don't be so happy. Do not forget, our London office climbed in success only after the takeover by Miss Zhou. She may be cruel or heartless but she is one of the best leaders." One of the employees pointed out, feeling bad.
Everyone had their views; some were happy that Zhou Liying was going away but some were sad. It was also a truth that headquarters always get more importance than branches. Now that headquarter was going to shift, their branch was ought to suffer some losses.
After announcing the shift, Zhou Liying left the meeting room, toward her office. She still had some work to complete before leaving for Shanghai.
When she entered her office, she found Min Yue in a gloomy mood. She raised her right brow, expectedly looking at her secretary.
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