Chapter 135 You've Kissed Me
Ashley felt puzzled, analyzed the situation logically, and replied, "Deputy Director Hendrix, you must have some basis for your statement.
"I participated in a legitimate exam, not an art interview for art students. We were all strangers, so who would remember you? Don't tell me that you loved me at the first sight."
Hendrix stopped eating, rested his elbow on the table, and smiled openly, and said, "There's something called insider information, you know?"
Ashley dismissed his words, saying, "May I ask Deputy Director Hendrix how much 'insider' we are talking about?"
"Do you want me to spill the beans?" Hendrix said as he smirked, his thin lips curving deviously. He felt a sense of pride in his alternative way of obtaining information. "If you want to know, take three more bites."
Ashley hadn't eaten much that night, and her stomach was already growling. She said, "This is the first time I've seen someone negotiate in this way. It's impressive."
Corn porridge was also one of her favorite foods. Even after not having it for many years, the taste remained familiar. After taking three bites, she was ready to put down her utensils.
Hendrix said, "If you want to eat, go ahead. I won't look at you differently."
Ashley had a stubborn personality. If someone told her to eat, she wouldn't eat. "I'm full, so you go ahead," she insisted.
"One of my friends studied at your school. He said he was amazed by your ID photo at first sight and curiously checked your high school records. All the pictures were beautiful, so he told me about this. Does it make sense now?" Hendrix explained.
Ashley felt a bit happy being openly complimented for her looks.
"Later on, did you find out your friend was tricked? I'm just an average female student," Ashley said self-mockingly.
"No. After seeing you, I scolded my friend severely. He's a science major and should study literature instead. He really didn't know how to describe a beauty like you," Hendrix said and laughed.
Ashley couldn't help but laugh and cry at the same time. Hendrix was very strange and hard to read.
"You exaggerate too much, and I'm not interested in you. Once we finish eating, Deputy Director Hendrix, let's say goodbye here!" Ashley stated.
Ashley took out her phone, prepared to pay, and had no intention of taking advantage of Hendrix.
Hendrix pulled out a hundred-dollar bill and threw it on the table. "A lady shouldn't pay for a meal. Wasn't I humiliated enough?" he remarked.
The boss seemed to be familiar with Hendrix. When they were about to settle the bill and leave, the boss asked in a low voice, "Is she your girlfriend?"
Hendrix scratched his eyebrow with his finger, thoughtfully, and replied, "Not yet, I'm still pursuing her."
The boss clenched his fist and encouraged him. "She's beautiful, gentle, dignified, a perfect match for you," he complimented.
Hendrix was happy to hear this and patted the boss on the shoulder. "You know how to compliment someone," he teased.
Rochester City was known as one of the ten most beautiful cities and was selected as a livable place for several consecutive years.
It was located near the coast, on a warm spring night, with a gentle breeze and the vitality of young people striving for success.
Walking near the campus where groups of university students gathered, Hendrix saw couples walking hand in hand. Occasionally, he heard a few sweet quarrels, which excited him.
Hendrix took out his cigarette case and lighter from his pocket, ready to light one up, but he thought of something and put them back untouched.
"There's an observatory nearby. Do you want to go check it out?" Hendrix asked.
"No, thanks," Ashley firmly refused. She didn't come here for a date.
Hendrix glanced at the couple hugging in front of them. "Did you act like this when you were in a relationship before?" he probed.
Ashley felt offended and stopped in her tracks, speaking coldly, "Deputy Director Hendrix, we're not familiar enough for you to gossip about my love life."
"We'll get to know each other slowly. Don't always carry a hostile attitude. Actually, I'm not a bad person—be careful!" Hendrix said abruptly.
A bike suddenly appeared and almost hit Ashley. Hendrix swiftly stepped forward, grabbed her waist, and pulled her into his arms, taking her to the side of the road.
The boy riding the bike apologized and quickly fled under Hendrix's fierce gaze.
The sudden incident left Ashley frightened. She didn't immediately regain her composure while being held in his arms. Just as she was about to say thank you, she looked up and saw a majestic figure under a streetlight.
Across the street, the man's sharp aura cut through the night sky and frightened everyone present.
Sensing Ashley's unease, Hendrix turned his gaze and deliberately held the woman in his arms even tighter, provocatively smiling up at Damian.
"Damian, we meet again. It seems like we have fate!" Hendrix taunted.
Leaving the banquet early, Damian drove alone, aimlessly wandering around the city. Somehow, he ended up near the university in Rochester City. Across the street, he saw a bustling crowd on the snack street. Damian remembered that he had been to this street only once before.
Back then, the planning bureau and environmental protection bureau of Rochester City had not yet implemented comprehensive management of the stalls. It was messy inside, with a strong smell of oil and smoke, which was almost unbearable.
Ashley hopped around inside, acting like a tour guide as she introduced him to the specialty snacks one by one. But Damian couldn't stand the heavy smoke and reluctantly stayed.
Spotting a familiar slim figure in the crowd, Damian thought he must be mistaken. How could it be so coincidental that he thought of her and then saw her?
It wasn't until she broke free from Hendrix's embrace and their eyes met that he was certain it was Ashley.
Ashley escaped from Hendrix's arms, knowing she hadn't done anything wrong, yet still felt scared when she saw the hostility in Damian's eyes as he approached.
Hendrix leaned close to Ashley's ear and whispered, "It seems like I'm not the only one who likes to stalk and take pictures," then he said louder, "Damian, aren't you supposed to be on a date with your fiancée tonight? Why do you look so upset? Did you two have a fight?"
Hendrix just wanted to make Damian unhappy. The angrier Damian got, the more pleased Hendrix felt.
Damian ignored him, reaching out with his long arm to hold Ashley's hand, gripping it tightly. "Why didn't you wait for me to come together?" he asked.
A hint of confusion was expressed in Ashley's eyes. Where did Damian get that idea from? Had they made plans? Did they discuss it?
Damian raised his hand, naturally brushing Ashley's bangs aside, smoothing them to the side of her ear. His fingertips just happened to graze her earlobe as he lowered his head to look into her eyes.
Damian asked gently, "Things have changed here, it's more organized, and there's a wider variety of snacks. Have you noticed anything you want to eat?"
This time, Ashley not only felt confused but also wanted to applaud Damian's acting skills.
Ashley began to speak, "Damian, I don't remember we..."
Damian interrupted her with a smile. "You don't remember, but I do. It happened right under that lamppost up ahead. You kissed me," he stated.
