My Weekend Lover Turned Out To Be My Boss - Chapter 13

Chapter 13: The Dinner Party II. “Ten Thousand Times of Sorrow”

General Manager Qu privately slipped his business card to Phoebe. After Guan Shuyun patiently sent him off, she smiled earnestly at Phoebe. She leaned against a nearby buffet table, picked up a slice of mousse cake, and handed it to Phoebe, gently advising, “You must have rushed here straight after work. If you’re going to drink, you should eat something first to line your stomach, or you’ll feel uncomfortable.”

“Thank you, but I don’t really like sweets.”

Saying this, Phoebe shoved the plate she had accepted into my hand. I raised an eyebrow, stared at the cake, tilted my head, and took a bite. Personal bias aside, I’d give the pastry chef five stars.

Guests came and went, offering toasts to Phoebe, keeping her busy. I couldn’t interject into their conversations, so I stood stiffly a short distance away, watching the wealthy merchants compliment each other.

The flow of guests around Phoebe was constant, keeping her fully occupied. But soon, the main event arrived. The surrounding lights dimmed, and a single spotlight illuminated the podium. Predictably, the compliments below the stage weren’t exciting enough; they needed to get on stage and brand themselves to be fully satisfied. I expected Guan Shuyun to start her rambling speech, but she simply thanked the guests for coming. Then, she extended her hand toward Phoebe in the audience:

“Today, a friend has graced my dinner party with her presence. In the real estate sector of our city, she holds significant weight, and reaching a business partnership with her is the biggest developmental achievement for the Guan Corporation in recent years. She is the Chairwoman of Jieshi, Zhuoyue, and Beisheng International, General Manager Lan Feiyi. Taking advantage of tonight’s banquet, I invite General Manager Lan to come on stage and briefly discuss market analysis in the real estate industry in recent years…”

A round of applause erupted. Phoebe slightly lifted her long gown and walked onto the stage without any stage fright. She leaned on the podium, adjusted the microphone, and gave a faint smile. After a few opening pleasantries, she went straight into industry topics. I saw the rich people below; their eyes reflected Phoebe’s light. I was happy, yet subtly sad.

Suddenly, a gust of warm air hit my ear. Guan Shuyun whispered, “Shall we talk somewhere private?”

I didn’t answer but turned and followed her steps, walking toward a corner slightly away from the stage. Again, setting aside personal prejudice, my assessment of Guan Shuyun was that this woman’s shrewdness radiated from her bones. Whether it was her figure or her appearance, as Jian Yumeng said, she was not inferior to Phoebe in the slightest—she was like a replica.

But I couldn’t understand: even if she was attracted to women, there was so much female beauty in the world, why did she have to covet Phoebe? Guan Shuyun could perceive my thoughts even in the dark. She stared into my eyes, then burst into a laugh. I held my composure and asked with a smile, “Am I that ridiculous that General Manager Guan finds me so funny?”

Guan Shuyun covered her mouth and continued to stare at me. She answered mockingly through her fingers: “Some people look comically like clowns without needing makeup… Do you know why I invited you here?”

Ignoring her attack, I dropped the smile from my face and said with restrained calm, “Let’s be straightforward. Don’t ask me questions. I’m not a mind-reader.”

Guan Shuyun raised both hands and made a rectangular frame with them, aiming at Phoebe. She said leisurely, “Look at the woman on the stage. She is dazzling, with all eyes on her. Every subtle move is a focus point. Before I got to know her deeply, I imagined countless times what kind of outstanding person it would take to manage such an arrogant woman.”

“I thought I would be competing with a formidable character, but do you know the feeling of having your fantasy shattered? My imaginary rival turned out to be an utterly ordinary person, yet she possesses the most radiant star. This just makes the person seem incompetent and completely mismatched.”

“You Feifan, I won’t beat around the bush. I’ll tell you directly: I have my eye on Lan Feiyi. The people or things I like are usually easily within my grasp, but she is different. Phoebe keeps fueling my possessiveness and desire for conquest. I don’t even need manipulation to easily disrupt your relationship, and you seem to have zero ability to resist.”

“I invited you so you could understand that some gaps aren’t just about money and material wealth; they include family background, connections, cultivation, ability, quality, culture, and so on. Other than possessing her, what else do you have to show for yourself?”

Saying this, Guan Shuyun reached out and straightened my collar, casually flicking away dust from my shoulder with a curved finger. She didn’t need vulgar abuse; she insulted me without using a single vulgar word. She continued, “The price of this gown is not something an ordinary person can afford, and the style is beautiful, but for some reason, you still look out of place standing here wearing it. Do you understand my intention?”

“This world is not for you to play in. Clinging to her like a parasite, over time, no matter how much love there is, it will feel distorted. Furthermore, what can you bring her? Do you genuinely believe you’re living a life of caring for your husband and raising children? I’m not some malicious devil; this is a kind warning: going forward, I will try not to harm you as I slowly take her away.”

I maintained my calm, arguing back but without any real offensive power. My voice was soft: “I don’t have status, and I don’t have money, but as you said, I possess her. You have everything, yet you’re greedy enough to take her from me. By what right? By your so-called material wealth? Family background? Ability? Connections? General Manager Guan, Phoebe and I have been together for nearly ten years. We have been through…”

Guan Shuyun shook her head in amusement: “Don’t bring up the past. No matter how dramatic it was, it’s just the past. In fact, time has worn down your relationship to almost nothing, hasn’t it?”

She easily negated my efforts. Just as we stared at each other and the fuse was about to be lit, Phoebe’s voice came from behind us. I didn’t know when she had gotten off the stage: “I’ve had my drinks and met many friends. I have a pile of things to deal with tomorrow, General Manager Guan. We’ll take our leave now.”

Guan Shuyun smiled at Phoebe, as if the dark side I had just witnessed was all my hallucination. She walked past me, reached out, and linked arms with Phoebe, then waved at an attendant: “General Manager Lan has had some wine; arrange for a driver to take her home.”

“No need, Feifan hasn’t had any alcohol; she’ll take me back. I just need to trouble General Manager Guan to have someone send my car back.”

Saying this, Phoebe took her car key from her clutch bag and handed it to Guan Shuyun. Guan Shuyun, deeply understanding the principle of not rushing things, immediately agreed to Phoebe’s request and personally walked us to the parking space. I opened the passenger door, helped Phoebe inside, and as I walked toward the driver’s seat, Guan Shuyun, like a smiling tiger, gave me a meaningful farewell: “You Feifan, I look forward to seeing you next time.”

I pursed my lips, nodded, pulled open the car door, and slammed it shut with a snap. The world finally quieted down. Phoebe had her eyes closed, dozing. I leaned over and, out of habit, fastened her seatbelt. She held my hand, opened her eyes, and looked at me without speaking. I didn’t know if I should ask, but I gathered my courage anyway: “In your eyes, am I a parasite?”

“Why would you ask that?”

“Nothing, just asking… Which place are you going back to?”

“The villa.”

“Okay.”

I thought I would be the one to speak first, but this time it was Phoebe. After the drive home, she changed into slippers and sat silently on the sofa. Used to this, I walked into the kitchen and got her a bottle of mineral water. She took the bottle but didn’t seem interested in drinking it, so I instinctively twisted the cap off the bottle in my hand and handed it to her.

She shook her head again. I tactfully sat on the other side of the sofa, turned sideways, and looked at Phoebe. Phoebe turned her head to meet my gaze and began: “General Manager Guan today…”

I thought we could still talk about normal things, but when those two words popped out of her mouth, I reacted like an angry cat, baring my teeth only to protect myself: “It’s all about her! If you like her so much, why did you leave so early?”

“You Feifan, did you eat dynamite?”

Phoebe didn’t bother to argue and asked back sharply. I laughed, stood up, and mocked: “I think the two of you are quite a match. You have money and status. If you were together, you’d be the envy of others.”

Phoebe stood up, took my car key, and prepared to leave. She remained calm: “Stop pushing me away step by step.”

Saying this, she walked toward the door. I looked at her back and asked in retort: “You’re the one walking away step by step. Do you need me to push you? She’s our neighbor, she’s the one who cooks for you on the weekends, and she’s the one who makes you shine at banquets. Then what am I? The nanny who takes care of the child, the chauffeur who drives you around, or a cat or dog you play with when you’re in a good mood and ignore when you’re not? Lan Feiyi, what exactly am I to you?”