My Weekend Lover Turned Out To Be My Boss - Chapter 17

Chapter 17: Clash of Wills. “The Less I Understand”

The frustration I had bottled up from Guan Shuyun was completely vented and unleashed upon Phoebe. Phoebe turned with a look of fury. The heaving of her chest indicated that I had once again successfully enraged her. But her anger ultimately turned into a scornful sneer. Phoebe crossed her arms and said sarcastically:

“A person feels a sense of crisis because she knows she doesn’t measure up. What I am to you—do you need to ask me this question? You Feifan, do you realize how irrational you’ve become? You’re constantly losing your temper, circling in place, thinking the whole world is bullying you.”

“You repeatedly fantasize about things that aren’t there, yet you never proactively seek out the truth from me. For the time being, I will have the housekeeper look after Qing Fan. We shouldn’t contact each other for now. Come back to me when you’ve figured things out. We both need to calm down.”

This exchange was both frustrating and ridiculous. Phoebe stepped forward, but I quickly blocked the door. I stared at her, biting down and asking through clenched teeth, “So, in the end, I’m the one who’s wrong? I’m the one creating something out of nothing? You blame me for not asking questions? Is that what you mean? Since you’re here today, let’s talk this through…”

Phoebe turned around and walked back toward the sofa, calmly tossing her bag onto the coffee table. She sat down and crossed her legs. I had nearly exhausted her patience, but her tone softened considerably: “Fine, what do you want to talk about, just say it directly.”

“I admit that I’ve focused all my thoughts and energy on the home these past few years. I thought this was another kind of balance, just as we said: one manages the outside, the other manages the inside. The truth is, over time, our worlds began to disconnect. You have your career, and I have to look after our home. But now, it looks like we aren’t a family at all.”

“When did it become like this? Friends rarely visit the house anymore. You can count our weekend gatherings on one hand. Even Qing Fan—she is your child, yet you can bear not seeing her for over a month. Do you think I’m the only one who has changed? You won’t say anything unless I ask. You always choose silence, and I’m always guessing. Even after so many years together, with all our tacit understanding, I might not be able to read every look in your eyes. I’ve become your accessory, called when needed and dismissed when not. Our love shouldn’t be like this.”

To this day, I dare not imagine the true extent of Phoebe and Guan Shuyun’s relationship. The facts Jian Yumeng told me and the challenge Guan Shuyun personally issued felt like bitter water that I struggled to swallow. I didn’t want to show distrust, as that would hurt Phoebe and the feelings we had accumulated over many years. But the instances of disloyalty I’d witnessed in recent days were constantly building up. I didn’t want to explode, yet I couldn’t digest it.

“Feifan, I chose to move out because I was too tired. You know how busy the company is, so I didn’t want to come home and continue to deal with the trivialities of daily life with you. What I need is your understanding and support, but what do you do besides argue with me? But please understand, I have never changed my feelings and I will not betray you. Let’s just leave it at that. We both need some time to cool down.”

I sat in a corner of the sofa, feeling lost. A loud slam echoed as Phoebe shut the door behind her and left. I stared blankly at the floor, raising my hand to cover my mouth. We seemed to be growing increasingly weary of our current relationship.

Entering Qing Fan’s bedroom, I replaced her fever patch. The little girl reached out, asking both Phoebe and me to sleep with her. So, I took off my shoes and climbed to one side of the bed, hugging her, while Phoebe rested on the other side, rubbing the little darling’s palm. Qing Fan’s eyes instantly turned red, and she begged pitifully, “I’ll be very good and obedient from now on. Can Mama and Da Fan please not leave me? I won’t be naughty anymore… Mama, please stop being angry at Da Fan…”

Looking at the child’s flushed face and her muffled pleas, my heart shattered. How old was Qing Fan? How could she understand the adult world? I wanted to give her a carefree paradise, allowing her to grow up without worries, but it seemed I had failed.

Phoebe and I exchanged glances. Finally, she stroked Qing Fan’s little head and comforted her: “Mama and Da Fan were wrong, not our little darling. How could we leave you? Mama isn’t angry at Da Fan either…”

The little girl lifted her head and stuck out her pinky finger: “Pinky promise…”

Phoebe’s hand and mine clasped together for her to hook her pinky around. The child sang softly, “Pinky swear, hang till death, 100 years, no changing it!”

I told a very nonsensical fairy tale and finally managed to coax Qing Fan to sleep. Even Phoebe, leaning beside us, seemed on the verge of drifting off. I found a blanket and draped it over her. I held her hand and gently pressed it against my face. All I wanted was this moment of peace, but why was it so difficult?

As I stood up, preparing to leave the bedroom, Phoebe’s hand held me tightly. I crouched down again, leaning close to her, and whispered, “What’s wrong?”

“Can you stay with me?”

Her tone broke my heart. Phoebe was always strong and never confided her work difficulties to me. I wanted to be her emotional garbage bin, but every time I showed concern, she pushed me away with coldness. I chose to remain silent and simply stayed by her side quietly, carefully moving Qing Fan so I could squeeze in next to Phoebe and lean against the headboard.

I put my arm around her shoulder and rubbed her ear, whispering, “If you need me for work, I’m always here. I can join the company anytime. I don’t want you to be so tired. In my eyes, you’re like a taut rubber band. I always worry it will snap the next moment. That’s not good.”

Phoebe looked up at me warmly, then shook her head: “Like you, I love moments like this, with you and Qing Fan here. I admit I enjoy success in my career, but you and the child are my biggest motivation…”

“Don’t think about it. If you’re tired, sleep. I don’t want you to break down from work.”

Phoebe shifted into a comfortable position, closed her eyes nestled in my arms. I gently rocked her to a rhythm, coaxing her until she was deeply asleep. She usually had trouble sleeping, waking up at the slightest movement, but this time was different. I laid her down beside Qing Fan and tucked the blanket around her, and she didn’t wake up. She must have been truly exhausted.

Leaving the bedroom, Su Wei saw me come downstairs alone and asked, “Where is Phoebe?”

“She was probably too tired and fell asleep with Qing Fan.”

Su Wei stood up happily and said, “Since everyone is here today, I’ll ask the kitchen to prepare a few more good dishes. Feifan, why don’t you sit with General Manager Guan?”

“You go ahead and be busy.”

Watching Su Wei leave, only Guan Shuyun and I remained in the living room. I refilled her teacup with hot tea and casually started a conversation: “I also used to work at Jieshi Zhuoyue, but after Qing Fan was born, I shifted my focus to the family. Lately, I keep hearing from Phoebe that she’s very, very busy. I’m puzzled. She was busy before, but never so busy that she wouldn’t come home or barely look at her child. What kind of business is so consuming?”

Guan Shuyun raised an eyebrow and finally offered a faint smile: “Being busy is a good thing; it means the company has a lot of business and is making money.”

“General Manager Guan is right. It’s also quite rare that I seem to run into you whenever Phoebe is around.”

“It’s not rare. After all, I am the business partner Phoebe invested a great deal of effort into securing. Our project, with just one decision, will determine the future development trend of this city…”

The implication is that I shouldn’t offend you? Watching Guan Shuyun’s triumphant expression, I couldn’t help but criticize her silently. I poured tea and changed the subject: “General Manager Guan, please have some tea.”

Accepting the cup, Guan Shuyun seemed to have nothing more to say to me. We sat awkwardly on the sofa, staring at each other. During the ten minutes of silent confrontation, her phone rang several times, indicating she was also a busy person. Finally, she simply put it on silent. I felt strangely happy inside. Little pest, you just want to stick around and wait for Phoebe, don’t you? Tsk, such audacity!

Just then, Guan Shuyun looked around the house’s decorations and suddenly brought up the past: “Years ago, there was a scandal in the Lan family. Phoebe’s husband kidnapped mother and daughter, intending to die together. You played the hero, offering yourself as a hostage instead. The other party detonated the bomb, and you were burned beyond recognition.”

I paused, holding my cup, looked up at Guan Shuyun, and said very calmly, “Why bring up the past?”

Guan Shuyun set down her teacup, lowered her head, and drew circles on her cheek with her finger. This action felt like a reminder that I was a surgically altered monster. She continued, speaking slowly: “There’s a connection Phoebe must not have told you about. The deceased Jo Ann was a friend I met while studying abroad. We were quite close. Looking back now, it feels like something that happened in a past life, yet the memories are still fresh. Jo Ann’s face would light up every time he mentioned Phoebe—it was unforgettable. Thanks to his care, my time studying abroad was pleasant and fulfilling.”

“After returning home, I was tied up with work and didn’t see him for many years. In the end, I missed not only his wedding but even his funeral. Now, finally meeting the Phoebe that Jo Ann dreamed of and couldn’t forget, I have to admit, who wouldn’t love a woman like this? I have no reason not to step forward and challenge you. Considering my deceased friend, considering my desire to win the person I like, I’m simply using the same tactics you used to steal Jo Ann’s beloved.”

“If I’m not mistaken, the process you used to pursue Phoebe was probably: meeting unconsciously, then showcasing your skills (cooking/arts), then getting close to her, seizing opportunities to be kind to her, integrating her into your circle of friends, and making her feel less lonely… Hmm… I haven’t even started my so-called tactics yet. How can you afford to lose?”

I widened my eyes in astonishment. I couldn’t process Guan Shuyun’s words immediately. Before I could speak, she looked at her watch, looking impatient: “Let’s skip this casual meal. I can’t compare to you. I’m very busy. I don’t have much time to enjoy life’s leisure…”

Saying this, she looked up toward the stairwell. Phoebe, with her hair loose, was walking down. Guan Shuyun stood up and walked toward Phoebe, excusing herself very politely: “I wanted to try the Lan family chef’s fine cooking, but unfortunately, the company needs to hold an important emergency meeting, so I must rush back.”

Damn it! It’s a waste of Oscar-worthy dramatic acting for Guan Shuyun not to be an actress! She changed her expression so naturally. One moment she was darkly grinding her teeth, and the next, her face was wreathed in a breezy smile. What an old fox!

I thought Phoebe would try to persuade her to stay, but I only saw her return the smile and instruct me: “Then I won’t force General Manager Guan to stay. Feifan, see our guest out.”

“Okay. General Manager Guan, please.”

I walked side-by-side with Guan Shuyun toward the courtyard. I considered this round a win for me! Seeing her to the parking garage, I made sure to put on a fake smile and thank her: “General Manager Guan is so busy, yet you still drove Phoebe here to see Qing Fan. Thank you for the trouble.”

Guan Shuyun was not someone whose emotions could be easily rattled. She smiled back: “You Feifan, you are truly too kind.”

I bit my lip, forcing a smile as I bid her farewell: “I look forward to our next meeting.”

“Who wouldn’t look forward to that?”

With that, Guan Shuyun stomped on the gas pedal and roared away. Watching the receding car, I couldn’t help but sigh: the newcomer meant trouble, and she was coming on strong…