My Weekend Lover Turned Out To Be My Boss - Chapter 47

Chapter 47: Warm Moments. “The Coming Rain”

Since I left with the letter of intent, Guan Shuyun has been silent. I didn’t think much of it; many things are like that—the prospects look bright and the talk is flowery, but once real money is involved, it’s never as pretty or simple as described. However, we held several departmental meetings during this period and set up an independent task force for the Island Construction Project. The first-hand information Guan Shuyun provided was very useful; at least in terms of preparing qualification materials, we were many steps ahead of everyone else, saving a significant amount of time.

Rarely in the mood to work overtime, I walked toward the parking garage with exhausted steps as soon as the clock hit the end of the workday. As I approached my parking spot, I saw Feifan wearing a backpack, with several bags of groceries at her feet—they looked quite heavy. She was focused intently on her phone, but likely hearing the click of my high heels, she looked up quickly and offered a massive smile. She naturally reached out to take my car keys and handbag, opened the car door with the air of a proper gentleman, and then loaded the groceries into the trunk.

Back in the driver’s seat, she took advantage of the brief moment while the engine warmed up to lean over mischievously and bite my ear. I shivered and poked her forehead: “So greasy! Tell me, how did you know I was off work?”

She shook her phone smugly: “I’ve planted an informant by your side~”

“Of all people, you have the most crooked schemes. Did you bribe Secretary Du with small favors?”

“I’m not telling~”

“In such high spirits today, running out to buy all this.”

Feifan pulled the car out of the garage, keeping her eyes on the road while answering honestly: “The little one starts school in a few days. I came out to buy some good food to treat her for a bit. Otherwise, once she goes back to boarding school, she’ll get as skinny as a monkey again.”

I adjusted into a more comfortable position, leaning sideways to stare at her face: “Your head is full of the kid; can’t you save a spot for me? Let me ask you, if Qingfan and I…”

Before I could finish, Feifan blurted out: “Oh, if you both fall into the water, I’ll definitely fish the kid out first! You won’t drown that quickly anyway, and besides, I remember you can swim. You’re actually trying to pull that ‘mother-in-law vs. wife’ question on me! Actually, you reminded me—I should sign her up for swimming classes this summer…”

At this rate, Qingfan is going to become my love rival. Still, being jealous of my own daughter felt surprisingly sweet. I crossed my arms and huffed, caught between laughter and annoyance: “How did you know I was going to ask such a worthless, nutrient-free question?”

Feifan freed a hand to interlock her fingers with mine, swaying her body as she sang in a mock-serious tone: “I am a fat, long, thick roundworm, living happily in your tummy with good food and drink~”

I pulled my hand back and patted her shoulder, exasperated but amused: “Aren’t you disgusted? Silly! Who describes themselves like that!”

“Hahahaha, I just wanted to make you smile~”

…

Back at home, Feifan was playing games with Qingfan in the living room. The little one had grown taller again; likely due to Joann’s genes, her skin was pale like a European’s. Under her dark brown bangs, her deep, large eyes sparkled with innocent light. I beckoned to Feifan, and she sat down beside me.

As we both stared at Qingfan’s back, she asked in confusion, “What’s wrong?”

“She looks more and more like Joann.”

I thought she might feel awkward, but instead, she slapped her knee and launched into a stream of rambling praise: “Looking like Joann is a good thing! Who doesn’t want to have a biracial child? Our Qingfan’s looks are already streets ahead of other kids. And look at those long arms and legs; she’ll definitely be 170cm when she grows up. Her silhouette is like her dad’s, but her features are like yours. I think our Qingfan will definitely attract both men and women in the future—as long as she isn’t a heartbreaker!”

Seeing her talking excitedly with spit flying, I shot her a sharp look: “You are a typical ‘daughter slave,’ always talking nonsense. Since I’ve managed to find some free time today, tell me—what else do you want to do with the child?”

The moment she heard my words, Feifan’s eyes lit up, and she hurried to call Qingfan over: “Little-Little Fan, come here quickly.”

“Mama~ Big Fan~”

I scooped the child into my arms and looked at Feifan seriously: “Go on, what do you want to talk about?”

“Let’s talk about the child’s interest-related issues?”

Hearing this, I was stunned and asked in confusion: “What? Sexual orientation? She’s so small, where would…”

Feifan shook her head helplessly: “I said interest. related. issues. Not sexual orientation! Though if you want to explore that area, we can talk about it too.”

I narrowed my eyes to scrutinize her, then brushed the topics aside and asked point-blank: “Just say it, what do you want to do with the kid?”

To avoid a repeat of the conflict we had years ago over her schooling, I had learned to use a “retreat to advance” strategy this time. I wanted to see what tricks she was up to. She scratched her head and answered honestly: “I’m in the parents’ WeChat group, right? The other day there was an activity about children’s hobbies and future growth, so I took her to participate.”

I crossed my arms against the sofa, probing further: “And?”

“Oh~ modern parents don’t even treat kids like kids. They aren’t allowed to do this or play that. It’s nothing but studying and signing up for various hobby classes—cramming education won’t work. However, I’ve been calculating: when Qingfan enters first grade, we’ll sign her up for classes based on her interests. Either way, Chinese, Math, and English won’t be part of it.”

I finally understood. Back then, her ‘kidnapping’ the child to protest was to secure a playful childhood for Qingfan. Now that she’s about to start primary school, that mindset hasn’t changed a bit. “What if I don’t agree?”

Knowing I wouldn’t agree easily, Feifan’s expression didn’t change much. She asked simply, “Why?”

“Play, play, play. All you think about is playing. She played for years in kindergarten; she’s going to keep playing in primary school?”

“It’s not like that. We need to ‘educate through entertainment.'”

“How about this: the school has entrance exams. If her grades are good, I’ll agree. If not, you’ll have to handle it yourself.”

“Fine, fine. We’re going to handle this peacefully this time!”

…

After dinner, I was organizing documents in the study when Feifan poked her head in, looking around like a thief. Hearing the movement, I looked toward the door: “Being all sneaky—what are you doing?”

She pointed a finger at the time on her phone: “Ten past ten. The kid is tucked in and asleep. Do you want me to coax you to sleep too? I downloaded some new bedtime stories for children. Want me to read them to you?”

“I’m afraid you won’t be able to read them out! I’ve been very busy lately, and it might get even busier. You go to sleep first; I’ll sleep once I’ve approved these files.”

“Staying up late again. You’re heading into your late forties; can’t you take care of your body?”

I leaned back in my chair and glared at her: “Don’t provoke me, or I’ll give you a taste of my menopause by arguing with you every day.”

“Aiya~~ I was joking. My wifey is so well-preserved, you look no different from a girl in her twenties. You know that celebrity… what’s her name… right, Yu Feihong. She’s lived over half her life and still looks like a fairy. You’re just like her—the older you get, the more elegant and beautiful you are~ I’ll go cook some late-night snacks for you. Just say the word!”

“Tangyuan (sweet dumplings). The small ones you cook are the best, and they aren’t much trouble to make.”

“You got it! Wifey, wait for me!”

Watching her leave happily, I prepared to continue working. Just then, a call from Guan Shuyun came in: “President Lan, I’m sorry to bother you so late.”

“Is something the matter, President Guan?”

“Tomorrow night, I’m hosting a dinner at my home. Will you do me the honor of attending?”

“Sure, it’s hard to refuse such a warm invitation.”

“I’ve also invited a few close friends to introduce to you. We’ll just have a casual meal and get to know each other. It’s late, so I won’t disturb you further.”

I hung up and toyed with my phone, thinking. I still couldn’t figure out Guan Shuyun’s motives, but expanding my network wasn’t a bad thing. After a while, Feifan walked in cheerfully with the dumplings: “Hot snacks are served! Eat while it’s hot, you busy woman~”

As we sat at the desk, she didn’t want me to lift a finger. She blew on a dumpling and held it to my lips: “Ah~”

“I’m not Qingfan, you don’t have to feed me.”

“I treat everyone equally. You’re always so jealous of the kid; now that you get the same treatment, you’re unhappy?”

I bit the dumpling and pouted at her: “I’m just unhappy.”

“Careful, it’s hot.”

“By the way, I have a dinner tomorrow night. I’ll be back a bit late.”

Feifan nodded understandingly: “One requirement: drink less.”

“Got it.”

…

Back at Feifan’s apartment with Duoduo, hunger hit me, but I had no appetite. Suddenly, there was a knock at the door, mixed with Duoduo’s barking. I pulled the door open a crack only to see Jian Yumeng’s face magnified in front of me, with Yu Xiao—her long-term “conjoined twin”—following behind.

Jian Yumeng tilted her head to look at me through the crack and teased: “President Lan’s vigilance is worth learning from. Aren’t you going to invite us in for a seat?”

I opened the door wide. Duoduo sniffed Yu Xiao’s feet and wagged his tail vigorously. I was a bit surprised: “He’s not biting.”

Yu Xiao knelt down to rub Duoduo’s head, answering with a smile: “I don’t contact Feifan often, but I’ve been to your house a few times. Duoduo knows me.”

Jian Yumeng looked around the room and turned to me in confusion: “Where is she?”

“Who?”

“You Feifan, of course. You’re at her house, but she’s not here. That doesn’t make sense.”

I pursed my lips and sat down on the sofa, deciding not to reveal the news of her leaving for now: “She went on a trip.”

Yu Xiao asked in surprise: “She ran off without saying a word? I heard her say just a few days ago she wanted to find a weekend to make up for her birthday.”

Following their lead, I gave a half-truthful answer: “You guys know how it is; we’ve been arguing a lot lately. To ease the tension, I told her to go out and get some fresh air. It’s better than staying at home with the kid all day without any fun.”

Feeling my explanation was reasonable, Yu Xiao nodded: “True. It’s good to go out for a walk and clear her head.”

Jian Yumeng remained silent, then said politely: “Yu Xiao and I just ate nearby. Since it’s close, we thought we’d drop by and give her a surprise. We even packed some snacks. Have you eaten, President Lan?”

I shook my head helplessly: “Not yet… I just brought Duoduo over and was planning to stay for a few days.”

“That works out then! The snacks are still hot. Have a taste while they’re fresh…”