My Weekend Lover Turned Out To Be My Boss - Chapter 25

Chapter 25: Wife is Coming Home. “Unrequited Love”

It seems neither Qiu Qi nor I were suited for continuous night travel. After all, we were both “delicate women,” and couldn’t withstand the constant jarring and lack of rest. So, I slept until the world felt upside down. When I woke up, the room was eerily quiet. I kicked off the covers, and the cool air made me shiver. Covering my face with my hand, I slowly woke up and softly called out, “Qiu Wuming… Qiu Wuming…”

There was no sign of Qiu Qi in the empty room. I picked up my cigarette pack and walked to the window, pulling back the curtains with a satisfying zzzz. Unable to adjust to the bright external light immediately, I squinted and relaxed for a moment. I wondered where this person had run off to again. Lighting a cigarette, I checked my phone. Still no messages. Looking at the time, holy cow! It was already 2 PM. Looks like I had a long, deep sleep.

Click. The door opened. Qiu Qi walked in, carrying packaged food and bringing a gust of cool air from outside: “Oh, you lazy pig, you’re awake!”

I stubbed out my cigarette and asked casually, “Where did you go?”

“Do you know how soundly you were sleeping? I couldn’t wake you up even by shouting! I thought you had died…”

“Bah! Can’t you say something nice?”

“Here, I got you hot fried rice. It’s delicious!”

Qiu Qi looked quite cute with her beaming smile. She held up the food box as if expecting praise. I took out a card from my wallet and handed it to her: “This is my pocket money savings from over the years. I can’t keep letting you pay. Take this and use it. Don’t think too much, though, the amount isn’t large.”

Qiu Qi dismissively waved my hand away: “Tsk tsk tsk, am I short on money?”

“I shouldn’t always let you foot the bill.”

“Give it a rest. Traveling together is fate. These small favors, look how touched you are…”

“I’m going to take a shower. I’ll eat after I’ve cleaned up.”

“Hurry up! This delicious fried rice will be wasted if it gets cold!”

I stepped into the bathroom, letting the shower soak my hair. I closed my eyes, covering my face with my hands, feeling exhausted. Why did I still feel so tired even after sleeping for so long? At that moment, Qiu Qi knocked on the door and called through the door: “My phone battery died and it automatically shut off. I urgently need to check the road conditions. Let me use your phone, okay?”

“Oh! The password is 1010, use it~ Wait! You’re not thinking of leaving today, are you?”

“Nonsense! Of course we’re leaving today! Why else would I be checking road conditions?”

“……. I give up! Are you in a rush to reincarnate!”

After washing myself clean and putting on fresh clothes, I eagerly opened the food box. It was still slightly warm. Qiu Qi tossed her phone aside and stared at me with an expectant face. I chewed the mouthful of fried rice slowly.

“How is it, how is it? Doesn’t it taste good?”

“Mhm! It’s quite tasty!”

“I knew it! I ate two huge portions…”

“Cough, cough, cough, cough…”

Choking from what Qiu Qi said, I coughed urgently. Qiu Qi quickly handed me a bottle of mineral water: “You choke even while eating. Honestly, you…”

“Cough, cough… you… cough… are… cough, cough, cough… a hungry ghost… cough…”

“Alright, alright, stop talking while you’re choking!”

Qiu Qi rubbed my back, her face almost splitting into a grin. I rolled my eyes: “Cough, cough… cough, cough… you ate so much, why didn’t you burst!”

…

“I really want to eat your cooking~ The official meals here are practically inedible…”

“Then I must apologize to my wife; you must have lost weight again. Hmm… what do you want to eat? I’ll cook everything you want when you get back…”

“Anything at all, as long as it’s made by you~”

I sat in the study. The drawer was already stuffed with photos. I leaned back in the swivel chair, holding my phone with one hand. Phoebe’s tone comforted me. These days, she had been in particularly good spirits, and our communication was completely unimpeded. Hearing her slightly coquettish voice, I turned my head and closed the drawer.

“Do you want to hear some good news?”

“What good news?”

“Guess~”

“Is my dear wife coming home?”

“Now I suddenly don’t want to tell you~”

“Ah!!! That’s such a tease!”

“It’s a little surprise anyway~”

“Wife, I miss you so much. Please come home soon!”

“Be a good girl and wait for me to come home… When I do, this Empress will lavishly favor you~”

It was rare for Phoebe to say something so playful. I laughed happily like an idiot: “Your Majesty the Empress, your concubine will attend to you diligently~”

“A little flirtation makes you happy, doesn’t it~ Now give this Empress a kiss before I hang up~”

Has this woman been watching some bizarre Qing Dynasty palace drama lately? She’s deeply poisoned! Her serious playfulness truly made me laugh and cry at the same time. I had no choice but to bring the phone close: “Kiss! mua~”

And so, I lived my days in the dual agony of suspicion and anticipation, receiving photos from Guan Shuyun every day at a fixed time while having regular long phone calls with Phoebe. I started becoming numb. I thought I was strong, that I was trusting enough, but without her company, Guan Shuyun’s disgusting tactics were wearing me down to the point of exhaustion…

October 10th was a good day for me. After all, on this day decades ago, I certainly gave my mother a hard time! I meticulously cleaned my apartment. Just after 10 AM, I drove away from home and headed to the supermarket in the Jieshi Zhuoyue shopping district, deciding to stock up on groceries. Soso and a group of friends had already sent me congratulatory texts early in the morning, and I collected a large wave of WeChat red envelopes. Hehehehehe! I am easily satisfied like that~

Since it was a weekday, my friends were all busy with their careers. Everyone had families now, and it was hard to gather everyone together, so I decided to postpone the dinner party. But buying groceries was essential. Calculating the days, Phoebe would be back around this time. I needed to fill the large refrigerator in the villa and prepare everything to feed my wife, who was as busy as an emperor!

The shopping cart was overflowing with fresh ingredients by the time I was satisfied, checked out, and left. Sitting in the car, listening to soothing instrumental music, I was in such a good mood that I intentionally took a detour along the coastal lovers’ road, admiring the seascape as I slowly drove home. The cleaning lady I had booked was already waiting at the front gate.

Finally, we entered the garden, chatting happily. Oh dear, I had been so out of it lately that I had forgotten this green landscape. How am I supposed to explain the withered appearance to Phoebe now! I carried the food into the kitchen and sorted it into the refrigerator. Just then, a WeChat notification sounded. I looked over, and it was a message from Secretary Du.

‘Feifan, we just boarded the plane. We should arrive around 3 PM to nearly 4 PM. General Manager Lan said she isn’t returning to the office today. I’ve leaked the latest news to you, offsetting your last afternoon tea~’

‘You’re a lifesaver! I’ll make you more delicious food next time!’

‘Will do!’

Tossing my phone aside, I was so happy I was shaking my head and grinning. The menu in my mind was scrolling through page after page. What should I cook? Phoebe likes light flavors. I just bought a fresh turbot today, which I originally bought to celebrate my birthday with a sense of ritual.

Perfect timing! I can cook it for my wife! Da Pan Ji (Big Plate Chicken) is also a good choice; Phoebe said it was delicious last time, with an authentic Xinjiang flavor. And I should make steamed spareribs with rice powder—they’re very fragrant! I’ll also make a corn and pork bone soup. For her aging bones and joints, let her replenish some calcium~ With that in mind, I rolled up my sleeves and got busy in the kitchen.

After preparing all the side dishes, I saw that I still had time, so I went downstairs to the wine cellar to pick out a bottle of red wine. Tonight, I absolutely had to share a drink with Phoebe. No need for necessarily sweet words, but at least a heartfelt talk would be nice. I just wanted the whole world to stop bothering my wife and me!

I carried the red wine into the bedroom and ordered a bouquet of roses. It was a cliché arrangement, but it always worked! To create a romantic atmosphere suitable for a reunion after a brief separation, how could I skip wine and flowers? Let it be cliché!

When you’re busy, time flies. In the blink of an eye, it was already 4 PM. The doorbell rang. I instinctively ran to the garden, only to find it was the flower delivery person. What a waste of my excitement! I rushed back upstairs with the roses, scattering petals on the clean duvet. I also sprinkled some in the bathtub, just in case there was some indescribable merrymaking later~ Hehe! I couldn’t miss any opportunity!