Can't Hide My Love for You - Chapter 36

“Director Chi, the car has been washed. We can depart at any time.”

Si Wen was curious. Chi Yi had specifically instructed the driver to take the Maybach for a “deep clean” today—detailing the seats and interior. Previously, Chi Yi had never concerned herself with such trivial matters as car washes.

“Are we expecting a VIP?” Si Wen asked.

Chi Yi hummed an affirmation. “Yixin has relatives holding a wedding banquet in Jingning. Her father and mother are flying in today; their flight lands at 5:00 PM.”

“Oh, that is a big deal,” Si Wen smiled. “No wonder the car needed washing. Director Chi, should we prepare some gifts for her parents? There’s still time. We have high-quality tea leaves at the company intended for clients.”

“No need. I’ve ordered a bouquet of flowers. I’ll pick them up on the way to the airport.”

Chi Yi had considered more extravagant gifts, but since her official status with Cheng Yixin’s parents was just “friend,” a grand gesture might overwhelm them. A simple bouquet was elegant—not too formal, yet enough to show she didn’t take their arrival lightly. It was just right.

On the way to the airport, Cheng Yixin, who had finally found a break in her schedule, sent a voice call. She was clearly still anxious.

Her assistant, Xiao Yu, was away with her for work, and her manager, Li Wenjing, was tied up with a contract negotiation. Left with no other choice, she had to entrust the airport pickup to Chi Yi. She was worried; Chi Yi and her parents had never met, and their lifestyles were worlds apart. Her parents were hardworking people who still ran a hotpot restaurant despite her success; they possessed the unpretentious air of the marketplace.

Then there was Chi Yi—who, as Lu Qing had pointed out, was from a completely different social stratum. The thought of them together in a small space made Yixin cringe with secondhand embarrassment.

“Um, are you sure you want to pick them up?” Yixin confirmed again. “My parents are… very blunt. You might not find them easy to ‘get along’ with. I can ask a colleague to do it instead.”

“I’ve checked the flight; it’s on time. I’m already on my way and expect to be at the arrivals hall fifteen minutes early,” Chi Yi reported methodically. “I’ve also coordinated with Wenjing. A cleaning service has already prepared your house. New slippers, towels, toiletries, and even a new razor for your father have been purchased. Is there anything else I missed?”

Yixin’s mouth hung open. As their biological daughter, even she hadn’t thought that far ahead. A razor… how embarrassing.

“No… nothing else,” Yixin rubbed her nose. “My dad is wearing a blue polo shirt, and my mom is in a red dress. My dad is about 1.7 meters tall, my mom is a bit shorter. If you see a middle-aged couple in that color combo, that’s them. I already told them you’re coming.”

“I’ll be back tomorrow at noon,” Yixin added. “Just drop them off at home and I’ll have Wenjing order some delivery for dinner. Sorry to trouble you tonight.”

“It’s no trouble at all,” Chi Yi replied calmly, easing Yixin’s heart.

The Maybach stopped at a florist. Chi Yi unbuckled her seatbelt. “I’ll get them.”

The new driver, Xiao Wu, was surprised to see the boss being so hands-on. “Sister, who is Director Chi picking up?”

“Ask fewer questions about the boss’s business,” Si Wen replied.

Chi Yi picked up a bouquet of nineteen carnations—a mix of red and light pink accented with dusty miller. Wrapped in light taro-purple paper, it was beautiful and sophisticated, exactly the kind of color palette a middle-aged mother would appreciate.

Leaving the florist, she stepped into a nearby convenience store.

“Which lighter do you want?” the clerk asked. “The 3-yuan disposable or the 10-yuan windproof?”

Chi Yi bought the 3-yuan one. Lighters were prohibited on flights; her father would have to discard it at security when he left Jingning anyway. Buying an expensive one would only make him feel guilty for throwing it away.

At the arrivals hall, Chi Yi had Si Wen hold up a sign that simply said: [Cheng Papa & Cheng Mama].

When the couple emerged, they looked exactly like any other pair of tourists. Chi Yi felt a sudden, uncharacteristic surge of nerves. She was a titan of industry, yet she was terrified of saying the wrong thing to these two ordinary people.

Forcing a look of composure, she stepped forward. “Uncle, Auntie, hello. I am Chi Yi, here to pick you up.”

She handed the flowers to Cheng Mama. As she did, she felt the calluses on the older woman’s hands.

“Flowers too?” Cheng Mama was flustered. “Oh, how embarrassing. I’m the elder and I didn’t bring anything for you… Yixin hasn’t even bought me flowers in years.”

“Yixin prepared these,” Chi Yi lied smoothly. “She felt terrible that she couldn’t be here due to work, so she wanted these to express her heart.”

Hearing they were from her daughter, Cheng Mama’s face broke into a radiant smile. Meanwhile, Chi Yi noticed Cheng Papa patting his pockets and looking around restlessly.

“Uncle,” Chi Yi pulled the 3-yuan lighter from her pocket. “Smoking is banned in the airport. There’s a smoking area right outside the exit; you can have a few puffs before we head out.”

“Good, good!” Cheng Papa’s eyes lit up as he snatched the lighter like a treasure. “I was just wondering where to buy one. Flying is a hassle—they don’t let you carry a flame.”

In the car, the parents were stunned by the Maybach’s luxury.

“This car is beautiful,” Cheng Mama remarked. “A Mercedes like this must cost millions.”

“It’s not that expensive,” Chi Yi smiled. “It was 1.8 million. Cars lose value the moment they hit the road. I only bought it for work because it’s spacious.”

Chi Yi then handed them two thermoses. For the mother: a tea made of roses, longan, red dates, and honey for “beauty and health.” For the father: high-quality Huangshan Maofeng green tea. Both were delighted by the thoughtfulness.

Dinner was at a high-end restaurant serving local Jingning specialties. To avoid the awkwardness of the “bill fight,” Chi Yi had Si Wen pay at the front desk secretly. When the restaurant manager came in to offer a “complimentary fruit platter” and announced the meal was on the house because the “owner is a friend of Director Chi,” the parents were deeply impressed.

“Uncle, Auntie, should we pack the leftovers?” Chi Yi asked at the end of the meal.

Cheng Mama hesitated, worried about looking “cheap” in front of their daughter’s successful friend.

“If I remember correctly, the wedding is tomorrow at noon,” Chi Yi said naturally. “You’ll have to leave early to beat the traffic. It’s better to have a hearty breakfast at home first; these leftovers just need a quick minute in the microwave.”

The parents happily agreed. The “waste” was avoided, and their dignity remained intact.

After dropping them off at the villa, Chi Yi went home to her own house across the street. That night, Cheng Mama gave Yixin a glowing review of her friend.

“She has money, but none of the arrogance,” Cheng Mama said. “She’s very detailed. I was worried you couldn’t get along with the ‘rich’ crowd.”

“Some are okay, some aren’t,” Yixin replied.

“Well, do you get along with her? I feel like… she might be interested in you.”

“Huh?” Yixin’s heart skipped a beat. “Mom, you just met her. Don’t be ridiculous.”

Later, Yixin saw that the paparazzi had snapped a photo of Chi Yi picking up her parents. While the general public didn’t care much, the “Yixin-Yi” (Chi Yi x Cheng Yixin) shipping fans were losing their minds.

“What CEO has time to pick up a friend’s parents?! This is love!”

Yixin leaned against her balcony, looking at the road below. She dialed Chi Yi’s number.

“I called and you didn’t answer,” Yixin said when the call finally connected.

“I was in the shower. I thought I was hallucinating the ringtone,” Chi Yi’s voice had a slight echo. “I’m in the bathroom now.”

Yixin felt a sudden urge to tease her. “Are you? Open your video then.”

She hung up the voice call and immediately sent a video request, assuming Chi Yi would never accept it.

The screen flickered.

She accepted!