Chapter 1881: Mage’s Handbook in the Workplace (Part 2)

Sonia had no idea what her steak tasted like.

Ash said he was taking her out for some business, but in reality, he drove her straight to this French restaurant, claiming it was lunchtime so they should eat first.

But Sonia knew this restaurant was hard to get a reservation for, normally requiring booking half a month in advance. She had even discussed with Diya when to come and try it... Whether Ash had booked ahead or used connections, it showed that he valued this meal greatly, and it was definitely not just casually taking Sonia out for a work lunch.

In fact, Sonia kept an eye on the surroundings, thinking that if the restaurant’s band suddenly started playing the wedding march and a group of people appeared to scatter petals, followed by Ash kneeling down on one knee and pulling out a little box... she wouldn’t be surprised at all.

How should she react?

Should she be a bit reserved or a bit happy?

Should she stick her tongue in during the kiss?

While Sonia was absorbed in her daydreams, she continued eating, and by the time she came to, the waiter was already leading them out of the restaurant. Bathing in the late winter sunshine at noon, Sonia felt a bit dazed, glancing at Ash and then at the restaurant.

"How did you find the taste?" Ash asked.

"Hmm? It was okay, I guess." Sonia cautiously asked, "This restaurant is hard to book, right?"

"It is. I had to pull some strings to get a table." Ash shrugged, "I can say it didn’t really disappoint my expectations, but it wasn’t all that surprising either."

"Is today an important day?" Sonia asked with implications, "Is that why you specially came to this restaurant for a meal?"

Ash thought for a bit, "Sort of."

He looked down at his phone and suggested, "There’s an hour left before meeting the client, so why don’t we walk around nearby?"

Naturally Sonia didn’t refuse. Actually, when they left the restaurant, right outside was a stone slab pedestrian street, lined with shops on both sides, street performers singing joyfully in the sunlight, and the crowd mingling elbow to elbow. With London usually cloudy, it was rare to have such bright sunlight today. Some even moved a chair to soak up the sun in the street, giving a working day an atmosphere rivaling that of holidays.

The black-haired boy of Chinese descent and the red-haired girl blended into the crowd unnoticed, with the warm sunlight like satin on their faces. Ash couldn’t help but let out a yawn. As if yawns were contagious, Sonia, who had been eyeing Ash, also couldn’t help covering her mouth to yawn. They exchanged glances and grinned.

"Feels like a long time since we’ve walked together like this." Ash recalled, "The last time we went strolling together must have been..."

"Three years ago," Sonia said, "Once Vishi and the others came, the company expanded, our work increased; and you never invited me out, so where would we get a chance to walk together?"

"Yeah," Ash chuckled, "We’ve known each other for three years already, time really flies. Back then you were still a university student who didn’t know much."

"And back then, you were a general manager without much authority," Sonia pouted, "You still don’t have much now."

"I’m just adapting to the UK workplace environment, lowering my status to blend with the employees..."

While talking and laughing, Sonia suddenly saw an ice cream shop by the roadside and stopped right in front of it, not moving. Ash glanced at her and then at the ice cream shop, "Didn’t we just have dessert?"

"Ice cream is a different stomach," Sonia said confidently.

"Alright, alright, then I’ll deduct your part from your salary... Oh, oh, I’ll treat you, don’t poke, don’t poke."

Watching Ash go buy ice cream, Sonia unknowingly curved her mouth into a smile, her eyes brimming with joy, the soft sunlight gently caressing her side face, making even the fine hair on her cheeks shine brightly.

She reached into her bag to grab that packet of handmade chocolates, secretly gathering courage. She knew with Ash’s personality, even waiting a hundred years she wouldn’t get him to take the initiative, but Ash had already walked ninety-nine steps toward her, now it’s her turn to take one forward.

Ash returned with two ice cream cones: "Do you want vanilla or chocolate?"

"Vanilla."

They stood by the roadside, licking ice cream like cats. Right at that moment, the curved display screen on the outer wall of the square showed an ad MV for The Gods of Four Pillars, immediately catching their attention—The Gods of Four Pillars being Aurora London’s major operational mobile game project.

"Six years." Ash suddenly said, "I’ve worked in China for three years, then dispatched to London for three years. Unwittingly, I’ve been working for six years, almost thirty years old."

"Are you boasting?" Sonia joked, "28 and already a general manager."

"Not at all, not at all, you’re also a vice general manager at 23."

They praised each other for a while, then Ash looked at the ad display screen on the outer wall and said, "But honestly, when I first arrived in London, I felt unsure; no one from headquarters came with me. I didn’t even speak English well and thought I’d soon have to return in shame."

"Unexpectedly, on the first day the company opened, you rushed up to apply—though back then, I hadn’t even started recruiting yet. Every time I recall it, I think you truly had a sharp eye!"

"I’ve said it many times, I just pressed the wrong elevator and entered the wrong company." Sonia said sullenly, "In my heart, I thought this company was too shabby. The office was empty yet dared recruit university students for part-time jobs, and the boss was a foreigner, so it had to be an international fraud group."

"But I really appreciate you," Ash tilted his head, his gaze full of smiles, "Having you by my side is what made me get through those initial tough times."