Pei Kexin, seeing his eager expression, which was quite charming combined with his handsome looks, brought him to the laboratory.
“Some things aren’t seen with the naked eye; they require experiments. The lab has a coating thickness gauge. You can measure the coating thickness according to the drawing requirements and use relevant testing liquids. Whether the coating thickness is sufficient can be determined by a test,” she explained.
After speaking, she demonstrated how to operate the instrument for him, also briefly mentioning the standard thickness requirements for common electroplating materials on the market.
Zhan Jingchen found her proficiency to be more than just ordinary; she could recall such minute details by heart.
After that, the two of them became inseparable.
Zhan Jingchen was like a student, and Pei Kexin was the teacher. He followed her every step, learning about the conductivity of various copper materials, the resistivity of flux-cored wires, the hardness requirements for iron raw materials, and the different types of plastic products and their distinctions.
This extended to mold design, assembly, and the advantages of progressive dies over traditional ones.
Then, it moved on to the selling points of Pei’s products, their strengths and weaknesses, and sales techniques.
As long as he asked, Pei Kexin answered.
She explained everything thoroughly, leaving no detail out, for the entire day.
After a day of interaction, Zhan Jingchen finally understood why she was able to become a vice president at such a young age.
Pei Kexin was not only beautiful and had a straightforward personality but was also exceptionally professional.
When it came to anything related to products, from design drawings, raw material procurement, mold design, assembly line production, inspection, sales, to after-sales customer service, she was proficient in every step.
Zhan Jingchen’s understanding of the word "professional" had been vague before.
Although it was widely rumored that his parents were highly skilled in their professions and his siblings were capable in their respective fields, he had never witnessed it firsthand and thought it was probably just hearsay.
Today, Pei Kexin gave him a vivid lesson.
He truly felt his own ignorance and the gap between himself and others, and he began to admire her.
At this moment, in Zhan Jingchen's heart, she was not his benefactor, nor was she the daughter of the Pei family about to be driven out, nor some demoness.
She was a respectable teacher, truly worth cherishing.
Unconsciously, he wanted to get closer to her, protect her, and even felt honored to be able to get close to her.
In the blink of an eye, it was five in the afternoon. The workday ended, and they took a taxi back.
While waiting for the car at the entrance, Zhan Jingchen asked her what she wanted to eat for dinner.
Pei Kexin thought for a moment. “Lamb chops. I’ve heard for a while since I got here that the lamb chops here are quite good, but I haven’t had a chance to try them. Since I have some free time today, I’ll treat you.”
Zhan Jingchen found a well-reputed restaurant on an app and handed her his phone to look at.
“How about this one? The rating is quite high. If you have no objections, I’ll book it.”
Pei Kexin didn’t look. “You’re the expert in this area. If you think it’s good, it’s good.”
Zhan Jingchen made the reservation.
The industrial area was somewhat remote, and the ride-hailing car would take a while to arrive.
Pei Kexin watched him place the order, stood there for a moment, then turned to ask him, “Is it booked?”
“Mm.”
“How much did it cost?”
“Are you going to reimburse me?”
Pei Kexin took out her phone and opened Alipay.
“Yes, I will. Tell me, how much?”
Zhan Jingchen didn’t refuse and handed her the payment interface to see.
As Pei Kexin transferred the money to him, she listened to him gloat about his good fortune.
“Actually, you didn’t need to pay. Sometimes women should act like women and rely on men when they should. Being too strong might hurt a man’s pride.”
After the money was transferred, Pei Kexin looked up at him. “So, did I hurt your pride?”
“…Not at all.”
Zhan Jingchen gave a sly smile.
Pei Kexin averted her gaze.
“There might be men like the one you described in the world, but I’ve been unlucky and haven’t met them.”
“So, it’s better to place hope in yourself.”
Zhan Jingchen didn’t quite believe it.
“You’re so beautiful, and the men chasing you should form a line miles long every day. Why are you talking so pitifully… Hey, can I ask you a personal question?”
Pei Kexin immediately thought of that night, thought of their…
“I’m sorry. I can’t.”
“Tsk, you don’t even know what I’m going to ask.”
“A dog’s mouth can’t spit out ivory.”
“You understand me so well?”
“Don’t be so self-important. It’s not that I understand you, but rather the group you belong to. Are men really that good?”
“…What if I’m the exception?”
Pei Kexin couldn’t be bothered to argue with him anymore. “What’s that got to do with me?”
“…”
The two took a taxi to the restaurant Zhan Jingchen had booked.
The restaurant’s signature dish was roast lamb chops.
They were huge, meant to be eaten with hands, like gnawing on a stick in one’s mouth.
Although not elegant, it was also hearty.
Pei Kexin hadn’t drunk alcohol during her few days here. Tonight, having company, she asked the owner to bring two bottles of wine to enjoy while eating.
The owner recommended a local aged wine, which was high in alcohol content but sweet to the taste and didn’t cause headaches even after drinking a lot.
The two wine lovers ordered, drank a couple of glasses, and found it a bit boring.
Zhan Jingchen suggested to her, “How about we play a game?”
“What game?”
“From now on, whoever makes a sound first has to do something for the other person.”
Pei Kexin found it childish and unimpressed.
“My self-control is so strong, I’m guaranteed to win.”
Zhan Jingchen explained the details. “You can’t make any sound at all, including eating or drinking. Not even a little bit.”
Pei Kexin looked at him like he was an idiot.
“If you dare, why wouldn’t I? Just don’t go back on your word if you lose.”
The game began.
Pei Kexin chewed the meat very carefully and sipped her wine in small amounts.
Zhan Jingchen watched her from across the table, not eating or drinking, completely still and silent.
She hadn’t expected it to be like this.
Pei Kexin grew increasingly uncomfortable under his gaze, her expression stiffened. She took two more bites, then turned her body away to avoid his eyes.
Just as she turned, Zhan Jingchen tickled her waist.
She was only wearing a shirt, and being tickled made her both itchy and numb. She instinctively let out a slight sound.
Zhan Jingchen seized the opportunity, grabbed her shoulders, and turned her back.
“You lost. You have to do something for me.”
Pei Kexin glared at him, furious. “You cheated! That’s not how you play! This round doesn’t count.”
Zhan Jingchen ignored her. “You didn’t say we couldn’t play like this before we started. A loss is a loss. I didn’t expect the esteemed Vice President Pei to go back on her word.”
Pei Kexin didn’t want to argue with him over such a trivial matter and waved her hand.
“Don’t ask for anything excessive. Go ahead, tell me what you want me to do.”
Zhan Jingchen grinned slyly again. “I don’t want you to do anything, I just want you to answer one question for me.”
Pei Kexin picked up her wine glass and took another sip. “Are you that curious about my private life?”
“Extremely curious.”
“Do I have to tell the truth?”
“Of course.”
She drank more than half a bottle of wine, feeling a bit tipsy. Pei Kexin boldly put down her glass.
“I lost fair and square. Alright, go ahead and ask.”
Zhan Jingchen, not surprised at all, asked gossipy, “How many boyfriends have you had?”