Cupid On Duty

Chapter 9: Corporate Dinner Disaster

The Zhao-Lin dinner was more than just food—it was strategy wrapped in fine dining. The Zhao and Lin families were finalizing talks for a joint project, one that could pave the way for even deeper ties between the two households.

The Jin family had also been invited, with Victor Jin himself attending in place of his busy father. His presence lent the meeting weight, signaling that even the Jins found this alliance worth observing.

Zhao Sera skimmed the seating chart near the entrance, her eyes narrowing. Lin Han was scheduled to sit across the table from her sister, Zhao Ling. No. Too far. I can’t build romance from that distance. They need thigh proximity. Shoulder proximity. At least sharing-a-salt-shaker proximity.

Her eyes lit up. With a quick flash of her sweetest smile, she cornered a nervous waiter. “Hi. Minor adjustment needed. Please move Lin Han’s name card here, right beside my sister.”

The waiter blinked. “But, Miss Zhao—”

“It’s feng shui,” Sera whispered gravely. “If their auras don’t align tonight, the stock market could crash. Do you want to be responsible for that?”

The waiter, horrified, nodded and obeyed.

Sera dusted her hands. “Perfect. Operation Dinner Romance is a go.”

Guests filed in with elegant greetings. Zhao Ling sat with poised grace. Lin Han followed, pausing slightly when he noticed his changed seating card. His brow furrowed, but he said nothing, taking the chair beside her.

Sera fist-pumped under the table. Yes! Victory!

Then came Lian Mei. Draped in pale blue silk, every step refined, she greeted the elders with flawless manners before taking her seat with a demure smile. Her eyes flicked once toward Zhao Ling and Lin Han—then toward Sera—with a glint that only Sera caught.

Sera hissed under her breath. Oh great, the final boss of fake innocence has arrived.

But the surprises weren’t over.

A stir went through the hall as Chen Kai arrived, handsome in his tailored suit, charm practically dripping from his every movement. He bowed politely to the elders.

“On behalf of the Zhao family’s entertainment branch, I’m honored to be invited tonight,” he said smoothly.

The elders chuckled, pleased. “Yes, yes. Young Master Chen is Zhao Corporation’s brightest star.”

Sera nearly choked on her water. They brought him to show off? Seriously?! Couldn’t they just bring a PowerPoint?

Chen Kai’s seat was placed across from Zhao Ling. Too close. Far too close.

Sera ground her teeth. Of course. The universe just loves torturing me.

And then Victor arrived. Tall, cool, unbothered, he strode in and immediately commanded the room. His seat at the head of the table gave him full view of everyone—including Sera.

Her back went ramrod straight. No funny business tonight. I’m subtle. I’m elegant. I’m—

She promptly dropped her napkin under the table.

The first course was served. Ling sat tensely, Lin Han beside her like a silent wall of tailored steel. Chen Kai filled the silence with charming anecdotes about his latest filming project, earning chuckles from the elders.

Sera’s eye twitched. Nope. Nope nope nope. This is supposed to be Ling and Lin Han’s bonding time, not Chen Kai’s free PR campaign.

So she “accidentally” knocked her soup bowl.

It tipped forward, splattering perilously close to Chen Kai.

“Ah!” Sera gasped, springing to her feet. “I’m so sorry! My clumsy hands!”

Chen Kai dabbed at his sleeve with a napkin, still smiling though his jaw tightened. “It’s alright, Miss Zhao. A little soup won’t ruin my evening.”

The elders, however, frowned disapprovingly. Zhao Father’s eyes narrowed. Zhao Ling’s lips pressed into a thin line.

Sera wilted. Uh-oh. Maybe too much soup.

Then Victor’s voice cut through, calm and commanding:

“It was my fault.”

All eyes turned. Victor set his glass down with practiced grace. “I passed a dish at the wrong angle. The spill was on me.”

The elders immediately relaxed, murmuring, “Ah, accidents happen. No harm done if Victor says so.”

Sera blinked at him, stunned. Did… did he just save me?

Victor didn’t glance her way. He simply picked up his fork again, the picture of composure. But his message was clear: You owe me.

Sera slumped back into her seat, whispering, “Thanks, scary boss.”

Dinner resumed. The elders turned to business talk, while Chen Kai continued to charm them.

But Lin Han leaned toward Zhao Ling, voice quiet. “Ignore the rumors. They don’t matter.”

Ling froze slightly, then glanced at him. “The articles about Sera and Victor?”

“Yes,” Lin Han said firmly. “They’re irrelevant. Don’t let them affect you.”

For the first time that evening, Ling’s gaze softened, just a touch.

Sera clasped her hands together under the table. YES. Look at that emotional growth! Soup disasters are worth it!

But Chen Kai noticed, and smoothly interrupted. “Miss Zhao Ling, your leadership in the last project was admirable. You must share your insights sometime.”

Ling inclined her head politely, the warmth gone.

Sera seethed. You soup-dodging peacock. One day, I’ll drown you in broth.

After dinner, guests rose to mingle. Sera tried to sneak toward the dessert table for a macaron when a shadow fell over her.

“Clumsy,” Victor murmured.

She froze. “…Hi. Thanks again for the soup save. Totally had that under control, by the way.”

His brow arched. “Under control?”

“Yes! I was strategically distracting Chen Kai. Brilliant plan.”

“Foolish,” he corrected.

She huffed. “Maybe a little foolish. But it worked! Lin Han comforted Ling, didn’t he?”

Victor’s gaze lingered, unreadable. “You’re reckless.”

“You’re cold,” she shot back.

For a moment, silence stretched. Then—unexpectedly—his lips curved faintly. “You’re entertaining.”

Sera’s brain promptly short-circuited. Did… did the iceberg just call me entertaining?

Before she could recover, he turned and walked away, leaving her sputtering.

Back in her room, the system chimed.

[Mission Progress: +15%.]

Sera rolled on her bed, kicking her legs. “Yes! Soup chaos worked! Cupid powers, activate!”

[Correction: Progress due to Lin Han’s concern for Zhao Ling.]

“Yeah, yeah. Details. The point is, I’m a genius.”

[Reminder: Do not antagonize Jin Victor further.]

Sera groaned. “Too late. He already thinks I’m reckless. And entertaining. Ugh. Why does that sound suspiciously like flirting?!”

The system didn’t answer.