American History 1988
Chapter 83 - 78: Are You Serious?

Chapter 83: Chapter 78: Are You Serious?

"Yes, we have such plans. But you know, Jerry, I need to find a decent office in Cleveland for Price’s List first. Otherwise, even your boss wouldn’t be interested in a networking company that doesn’t have a fixed office location, and he might even reconsider the achievements you have secured," Dean said, holding the phone in his right hand, his legs perched on the desk, fully indulging in the airs of a boss.

Sitting beside him, Miranda glanced disdainfully at him. He was just like those unscrupulous bosses you see in TV dramas, with each sentence oozing the naked scent of something called interests.

"That’s just what I was waiting for you to say, Jerry! My office is already so crowded that the secretaries almost have to sit on my lap. Can you understand the pain of being pressed against a gun every few minutes? So get Price’s List’s office sorted out before I lose it, Jerry! It could cost someone their life, you know!"

With a satisfied snap, Dean hung up the phone. For some reason, the rental advertisements for Price’s List were unusually hot this week.

In just a few days, he had received over 600 rental advertisements. That number was nearly equivalent to the total orders from the previous half a month, and most of them came from the rental company called Cheap Rent.

Of course, it wasn’t possible for Jerry to contribute that many adverts on his own; they all came from the Cheap Rent directors from other regions. Dean’s instincts told him that something must have happened internally.

And Jerry’s call just now had confirmed that. The head office of Cheap Rent actually wanted to collaborate with Price’s List in Columbus?

This was good news for Dean; he was thinking about expanding Price’s List’s influence in Ohio. But there were some troubles as well, because their base in Cleveland was not yet stable.

"Miranda, do you think Price’s List could secure a loan from the bank?" Dean once again sought the opinion of the black-stocking businesswoman, Miranda.

Upon hearing Dean’s question, Miranda intentionally crossed her arms and grinned at him, "Miss Secretary, ah? Pressing against a gun, ah? Dean, you really broaden my horizons."

"My dear Miranda, you know those were just necessary jargons for doing business," Dean defended himself without blushing or skipping a beat, "In my heart, you have always been the epitome of beauty, charm, and intelligence, really, I swear!"

"Wow~ so I am that charming?" Miranda exaggeratedly spread her arms.

"Of course, always have been." Dean stealthily took his legs off the desk, and then sat up straight with composure.

"Don’t even think about it, Dean, you can’t have it!"

"What?" Had he really gone too far with his previous words? Dean covertly observed Miranda’s reaction.

"Forget about the bank loan; I bet if you told those bankers that you wanted to take out a loan for a website, they’d first ask you what product the website is? How many websites does your company sell each year?" Miranda watched him with amusement, "Got it? Dean, hardly anyone has heard of it, let alone offer it a loan."

So they were talking about the loan issue. Dean unconsciously let out a sigh of relief. However, he quickly retorted, "But Price’s List is different, it’s already well-known in Cleveland."

"So what? You can’t even bring anything to the table for collateral. As for the website? They won’t accept that. Perhaps..." Miranda pointed to a few desks not far away, "if you brought the computers from this office and offered them as collateral, it might be more persuasive."

Simon and Arlene, who had been all ears eavesdropping, quickly pretended to be immersed in work when they saw Miranda pointing in their direction.

"All right, I’ll think of other ways." If Price’s List was to expand, ramping up the investment was an inevitable choice. At that moment, the figure of Gary Morgan Taller flickered in Dean’s mind.

But there was no rush for that, with plenty of time before the half-year mark, Dean thought to wait a bit longer.

"By the way, Miranda, are you free tonight?"

"Ah-ha~" Miranda crossed her arms triumphantly and looked at Dean, "So, is this a date invitation?"

Dean blinked; he only intended to talk with her and the student associates about the last editorial. But as the words reached his lips, he nodded definitively. "Yes, that’s right. You’ve helped me a lot recently, so... I thought..."

"Unfortunately, I have to return to Yale tomorrow. I promised Dad to join him for dinner tonight, so..." Miranda gave a knowing look, but her slightly upturned lips betrayed her smug heart.

"Ok, I understand." Dean feigned the sad look of a boy rejected by a girl. His expression made Simon, nearby, lower his head, his shoulders convulsively twitching.

"Dean... It’s not that I’m purposely declining..." Seeing him like this, Miranda hesitated.

"Miranda, you don’t need to explain. I know, I am just a student, I have nothing. When I go to the bank for a loan, I don’t even have collateral..."

"No, Dean, you’re excellent! You are the best student I ever met. I like you, I..."

"Hmm????" Dean wore a face full of question marks. Sister, are you for real?

Simon’s trembling shoulders stopped, and then he raised his head to stare blankly in their direction. Arlene, typing an ad copy, could not continue.

Realizing belatedly, Miranda covered her mouth, her eyes darting around in panic. "OMG~, OMG~, Dean, don’t get me wrong! The like I was talking about isn’t that kind of like!"

"I’m not too clear..." This time Dean deliberately played confused.

"Anyway..." Miranda stood up and paced back and forth twice, unsure of how to begin, "Anyway... I’ve got to go."

Concerned that staying any longer would add to her embarrassment, Miranda made a beeline for the door.

Tap tap tap, the rapid footsteps headed towards the exit.

"Dean~!" Simon was in a rush, itching for gossip and visibly agitated.

Arin’s gaze fluttered incessantly between the door and Dean.

"Focus on your work, you’ll only get a commission after you finish today’s tasks," Dean said calmly, before slipping his hands into his pockets and heading towards the door.

Once he was out of the office and away from Simon and the others’ view, Dean sprinted down the hallway, chasing after Miranda.

"Miranda~ Miranda~" Dean caught her arm.

"Dean, just now..." Miranda was still a bit embarrassed and didn’t know how to explain herself.

However, Dean was much more direct and, under Miranda’s surprised gaze, he wrapped his arms around her and offered his fervent kiss.

"Hmm~" Miranda’s small hands flailed in panic before quickly settling down submissively.

It wasn’t until Miranda started to gasp for air that Dean quietly stopped to release her.

The rapid rising and falling of their chests proved their intense involvement just moments ago.

"Dean~" Miranda, who hadn’t realized it yet, blushed at the sight.

"Miranda, we’ve both received each other’s answer now," Dean said, holding her slender waist, his eyes burning with intensity.

"Mhm," Miranda nodded, smiling as she leaned in closer once again. Well, since the delightful misunderstanding had already happened, why not embrace it?

Wow~ this feels really good, Dean thought, almost too lost to pull himself away. Of course, it would have been perfect if there weren’t two nosy heads stealthily peeking around the corner of a certain office door.

The two of them finally pulled apart, having thoroughly indulged themselves. Following Dean’s gaze, Miranda also noticed the pair of gawkers.

"Dean, I do need to go back to Yale tomorrow. My advisor needs my help with some research, it’ll probably take about two weeks. So..."

"Ok, we have plenty of time," Dean said, indicating he was in no hurry, and besides, he needed to plan out his schedule as well.

"Then... should I call you later?"

"No problem, you know both my dorm and office numbers," he replied.

After another glance at the two people near the door, Miranda smiled and hurried upstairs.

Hmm~ Dean looked fondly at his own hands, he had just felt her encircling embrace, Very Sexy!

Honestly, he hadn’t expected his relationship with Miranda to progress so quickly, but since the timing was right, there was no need for pretense.

Whistling, Dean strolled back into the office. Simon and Arin had already returned to their seats and, seeing Dean look their way, they both gave him a thumbs up, their eyes full of admiration.

Miranda was essentially their teacher, a student and teacher? Tsk tsk~ exciting...

Dean ignored their lewd grins and gossiping faces as he looked around the classroom. What used to be three desks had now expanded to five, and the relatively spacious room had become cramped with filing cabinets and other furnishings.

The other two desks were empty since the part-time students were in class. He hoped to hear from Jerry soon; considering it was already May, he couldn’t stay at Cleveland State University much longer.

"Dean, can we talk?" While Dean was surveying his domain, an unexpected visitor stood at the door.

"Hey~ Dyson, long time no see," Dean greeted the figure warmly.

However, at Dean’s greeting, Dyson seemed a tad embarrassed. It had been a while since he had seen Dean or even been here.

Ever since Dean tried to recruit Dyson and was politely turned down, Dyson’s visits became less and less frequent, especially during the time Dean was back in Youngstown, after which Dyson simply vanished.

Unexpectedly, after nearly a month, Dyson had taken the initiative to show up. Still, Dean remained warm towards him since he had helped Dyson in the past, and there were too few coders in Ohio for Dean to discuss things with.

"This place looks great, seems busier than before," Dyson noted, his eyes lighting up a bit more upon seeing the additional desks.

"Yes, as our user base grows, of course, we’ve got to keep busy," Dean replied, uncertain of Dyson’s intentions and simply making polite conversation.

"So, business is doing well, isn’t it?" Dyson glanced over Arin’s desk and noticed a large amount of advertising copy.

"Let’s just say I no longer have to worry about the operating expenses for Price’s List," Dean answered with a shrug, giving a noncommittal response.

"Congratulations, Dean. You’ve made it," Dyson said, looking somewhat enviously at the small, chaotic, but busy office.

"So Dyson, what brings you here today...?" Dean finally inquired directly, as Dyson hadn’t yet stated his purpose.

After rubbing his palms together, Dyson raised a smiling face. "Shall we step outside to chat?"