My Weekend Lover Turned Out To Be My Boss - Chapter 44

Chapter 44: Mystery and Confusion. “Undercurrent”

Feifan acted as if she were manic, yet she was enveloped in a long-accumulated aura of suppression. After her outburst, she calmed down and knelt in the kitchen, picking up the scattered fragments of a mess—a scene that looked hauntingly eerie. My anger was laced with a thick sense of sorrow. I knew that no matter what choice I made, she was destined to be the one hurt. I could solve countless complex problems, but the moment things involved her, I found myself utterly helpless.

She pushed open the door and stood before me. I should have given her a warm embrace and told her everything, piece by piece, explaining that things weren’t as they seemed. But rage caused me to lose control, and I slapped her. Inside, I was screaming, “Do you have any idea what the consequences of this are? You have a criminal record! Why are you still being so irrational!”

But I didn’t dare say it out loud. Seeing Feifan so scarred and broken reminded me of the times in the prison visitation room, seeing her calloused hands and her timid, constrained posture. I couldn’t wound her self-esteem again. Pain radiated from my palm to my chest; I hadn’t just slapped her face, I had slapped our hearts—I had shattered this hard-won love.

Feifan’s face was too calm, so much so that all I saw was a profound despair. We’ve both grown weary lately, clashing at every critical juncture. Guan Shuyun uses the simplest tactics to drag the innocent Feifan back to her original state, and I can only pretend not to see, unable to acknowledge or explain.

I never do anything without a foundation of certainty. While I temporarily struggle to find a better way to handle the relationships between everyone involved, I have likely become the unfaithful, cold-hearted villain Feifan believes me to be. If only she could give me a little more time—everything will eventually come to light.

Guan Shuyun lay motionless in the living room, the wound on her face oozing a piercing crimson. Feifan stood at the doorway, every word she spoke feeling like a sharp blade piercing my heart. As I watched her resolute figure push the door and leave, I understood deeply: perhaps with this departure, I would never find my “streetlamp” again.

I wanted so badly to take her hand and tell her: I didn’t forget today is your birthday. I’ve made an appointment with the best doctor; if you want it, we’ll give Qingfan a little brother or sister. But I can’t right now. It’s too late. I can’t lose my composure. When you possess everything, everything requires protection. For now, I can only choose silence.

Perhaps letting her go is the best way. That old fox Guan Shuyun would use a hundred different ways to retaliate. Just as I was contemplating how to respond next, Guan Shuyun suddenly sat up. She wiped the blood from her face as if nothing had happened and spoke with nonchalance:

“I thought this kid had some backbone, but I didn’t expect her to be so impatient. Lan Feiyi, I just don’t get it. Someone like You Feifan is a dime a dozen. No talent, no money, no family background, no education… everything you have, she lacks. Are you blind? Do you absolutely have to love her? But you did surprise me—even with the love of your life driven away, you still won’t speak of your grievances. You follow the rules of the game; I’ll give you that. Are you feeling particularly miserable right now? Good. That means you’re deeply invested. Got a band-aid? I’m hurt.”

So, the fainting was an act. I stared at Guan Shuyun. I had seen enough of this face. No one had ever dared to provoke me so boundlessly—not even Feifan. I raised my hand to strike her, and Guan Shuyun tilted her head back and closed her eyes, as if ready to receive it. In the end, I didn’t. I didn’t want to lose my dignity any further. I simply gritted my teeth and hissed: “Are you even worthy of my slap? Get out…”

She stood up, straightened her wrinkled shirt, and looked around the room. The smirk on her face slowly faded: “Finally, that loyal dog You Feifan is gone. Isolated and without help, how are you going to keep playing with us? Qiao Xin said the game is only fun when played slowly. You can’t beat us; you’re destined to lose in the end.”

Guan Shuyun whistled, trailing her hand along the back of the sofa as she walked leisurely toward the door. She suddenly stopped, turned back, pointed to her face, and threatened with an icy tone: “Don’t let me catch You Feifan alone.”

I took a deep breath and snapped: “You wouldn’t dare.”

She burst into laughter: “Ha… do I look like someone who wouldn’t dare?”

…

Silence finally returned. I leaned back into the sofa, exhausted. After living together for so many years, the familiar space felt strange without Feifan’s presence. Just then, the door opened, and Mu Duoran walked toward me with the sharp clicking of high heels. She questioned me with a hint of irritation: “Where is Feifan?”

“Gone.”

“Gone? Gone where?”

“I don’t know.”

“What do you mean ‘I don’t know’? Go find her and bring her back.”

Mu Duoran paced back and forth with her arms crossed, continuing irritably: “I really can’t fathom what you’re thinking. Guan Shuyun has gone too far; how much longer are you going to endure this? Today she tricks Feifan into leaving; who knows what she’ll do tomorrow. Did you call me back from Germany just to watch this mess?”

I closed my eyes wearily, too tired to argue: “Remember, Mu Duoran no longer exists in this world. It’s not time for you to appear before others yet. Don’t go looking for Feifan. She’s offended Guan Shuyun; I don’t have the energy to protect her right now. It’s better if she leaves for a while so she doesn’t suffer more innocent harm.”

“Lan Feiyi, I’m telling you one more time: stop hurting her so recklessly. You always have that ‘high and mighty’ attitude. I told you the day I got back—you should tell Feifan about these complications. Keeping it hidden only causes her distress and weighs you down. If she knew the truth, even if she couldn’t help, she could still be your emotional support. Don’t you think you should reflect on how things got to this point?”

“Enough! I brought you back to help, not to lecture me. If you really want to help me win this round, then handle what I’ve assigned to you instead of wasting breath on me!”

The living room fell silent. Mu Duoran sat on the sofa, biting her tongue. I picked up my phone, debating whether to call Feifan, but logic dictated that I should keep our relationship “cold” for now. Currently, no one but Mu Duoran knows how besieged I am on all sides.

Mu Duoran propped her head on her hand and suddenly started talking about the past: “Back then, even I thought I was a goner. I was sure I would die. With tubes in my mouth, I watched you sit in front of me. You pointed at my body and said, ‘Heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys—nearly every organ has been replaced. I gave you this life, so your whole person belongs to me. Mu Duoran is dead; I’m giving you a new name: Lan Yueru. Once you’ve fully recovered, go to Germany. Everything is arranged. Don’t ever come back.’ It was a cynical scene; of all people, why did it have to be you who saved me?

Phoebe, don’t you know what kind of person you are? You can make a lawsuit disappear overnight, turn a living person into a dead one, and give someone a new identity. You can orchestrate a revenge plot for family feuds that makes everyone fear and respect you. With all that power, how did you end up like this?”

I was amused by Duoran’s words. In her eyes, I had become something like the Monkey King—omnipotent. But no one is truly invincible; everyone has their secrets: “After all these years, you still haven’t changed. I taught you: to see a matter through, you must see the people involved clearly. Guan Shuyun isn’t fighting me alone. Behind her are a group of people who hate me; any one of them could tear my family apart.

I wasn’t afraid before because I was alone. Now it’s different. I have Feifan and Qingfan. I have Jieshi, Zhuoyue, and Beisheng International. On a larger scale, Suwei Feijun, Soso Dazhuang, Pu Ke Xier… they have all become my weaknesses. It is precisely because I have love that I have burdens. That is why I dare not act rashly.”

“And what about Feifan? You have to give her an explanation eventually.”

“Keep an eye on her for me for the next few days. If anything seems wrong, let me know immediately.”

“Fine. You just got back from your business trip; get some rest. I’m leaving now… let’s keep in touch.”

“Mm.”

After seeing Duoran out, I went for a walk in the garden. Xiduoduo was tied to the fence, wagging his tail. The cake delivery arrived. I placed the cake on the tea table under the garden umbrella, lit the candles, and sang the birthday song. The uncontrollable choking in my throat made me sing out of tune.

Every year at this time, Feifan would gather friends and family. She would personally cook a lavish feast for everyone, and the kids would play together—it was as lively as New Year’s Eve. This year turned out like this, and undeniably, the fault is mine.

‘Huh? Just us two for a BBQ?’

‘Is there a problem?’

‘No problem at all! Then… can I invite my friends? It’s more fun with more people…’

‘Do as you wish.’

Thinking back to that time, when she brought her friends into the garden, it was the first time I felt I was lonely. The way she clumsily grilled food to please others was silly, but so heartwarming. Everyone said: Lan Feiyi, you are so lucky. You have every beautiful thing in the world, and you even picked up a treasure like You Feifan.

A tear fell onto the cake. I sniffed and checked my sadness. In any situation, crying is the least effective way to solve a pro

…

Looking at the proposal in my hand, Xiao Du knocked on the door and walked in: “President Lan, a guest wants to see you.”

I continued flipping through the files without looking up, asking curtly: “Do they have an appointment?”

“No appointment, but she asked me to give you this document. She said you would definitely be interested.”

Closing the proposal, I took the document from Xiao Du. The white paper packaging looked unremarkable, but the content inside quickly caught my attention. It was a bidding project that hadn’t been publicized online yet. I looked through it thoroughly and found the person who provided it very interesting—they wanted to share “first-hand” news but had torn off the second half of the project book.

I looked at Xiao Du to confirm: “Where is the person?”

“I asked her to wait for news in the lobby on the first floor.”

“Bring them to the meeting room. Prepare two coffees.”

“Understood, President Lan.”

Just then, my phone vibrated on the desk. I didn’t know when Feifan had secretly set the caller ID photo—it was a picture of her holding a young Qingfan, playing “airplane,” flashing happily on the screen.

“Hello, Xiao Fan.”

“Wifey! Wifey! We haven’t met for half a day and I’m missing you to death!”

“Don’t be so dramatic. Tell me, what’s up?”

“You absolutely have to come home for dinner tonight!”

I glanced at the desk calendar: “Is today a special day?”

“Oh, let me tell you, lately I’ve been seriously and meticulously studying Xinjiang cuisine. I bought so many ingredients. I’m going to show off today and make a Xinjiang feast for you. I just put the freshly made naan bread into the oven… in a bit…”

At that moment, Xiao Du knocked on the office door. I signaled her to attend to the guest. While tidying my documents, I interrupted Feifan, who was talking enthusiastically on the other end: “A guest is here; I have to hang up. Wait for me at home, good girl.”

“Alright~ My dear wifey~ Love you~”