My Weekend Lover Turned Out To Be My Boss - Chapter 51

Chapter 51: Day of Conspiracy. “Moonglow”

In the center of the first-floor hall stood a pure white grand piano. Its unique design was eye-catching, looking less like a musical instrument and more like an ornate piece of decor. Despite daily cleaning, one could tell it was lonely; an instrument that cannot make sound is always lonely. I had almost forgotten what it felt like to let my fingers dance across black and white keys. How had my life become so dull over the years?

Guan Shuyun pressed me onto the bench with an enthusiastic flourish. “Look at you. The moment you sit there, the rest of the room loses its color. Do you know why? Because you are radiant.”

Finding it impossible to refuse her flattery, I sat and lifted the fallboard. Stroking the keys I hadn’t touched in so long, I remembered Su Wei holding her camera years ago, and my younger self in a cheongsam playing Three Variations on the Plum Blossom.

How many years had passed? Even I couldn’t remember. I thought of a niche piece called Moonglow and began to tap the keys. The spacious hall provided a natural reverb. I thought to myself: I must play for Feifan more often in the future; she would love it. Maybe I should let Qingfan learn as well—after all, her mother has plenty of time now.

As the final note faded, a solitary applause echoed behind me. “You are like a goddess with an infinite treasury of talent. Everything you do carries a charm that makes one unable to let go.”

Guan Shuyun rested her hands on my shoulders. I stood up with a faint smile. “You flatter me, President Guan.”

I checked my watch; it was dinner time. But Guan Shuyun said, “Let’s go to the study to chat. There are some things I should finally tell you.”

I tilted my head, puzzled. “What things?”

She smiled easily. “You’ll know in a moment.”

…

We chatted as we stepped into the elevator. Guan Shuyun’s study was on the top floor of the villa. She pushed open the door and explained, “Actually, you and I share a bit of fate. I also studied in France. That passionate country brought me many beautiful memories. Do you know why I put my study on the top floor? Every time I look up at this arched dome, it reminds me of Amiens Cathedral—and of a late French friend of mine.”

A loneliness I couldn’t decipher flickered across her face. The room was lined with walls of books and decorated in a classical Western European style; everything felt strangely familiar. Guan Shuyun began to tell a story with a smile.

“When I was nineteen, there was a crisis in my family. My father sent me to France. I met a French boy there. Because our parents knew each other, I lived at his house. He was the epitome of a French gentleman—soft-spoken, elegant, and incredibly gentle. When you were with him, you didn’t have to think about anything; you only had to enjoy the beauty he provided. All my spare time belonged to him. From overlooking Paris from the Eiffel Tower to the waves of the Côte d’Azur and the depths of the forests in Provence, he took me everywhere. But don’t misunderstand—I wasn’t in love with him. I just felt that in the prime of my youth, he showed me the beauty of the world.”

I reached out to touch the solid wood bookshelf. Before me was a collection of Shakespeare’s tragedies and comedies. I pulled it out and flipped through a few pages. “And then?”

“The boy had already lost his heart before he even met me. He said he loved a girl who couldn’t be described by simple words like ‘pretty.’ That girl was also Chinese. I was so curious—what kind of girl could make his praise fail him? Because of her, he learned Chinese and even unconditionally loved the land of the East. But it wasn’t the right time to confess; he needed to make himself better first.

I asked him what made him so obsessed with a person. I remember when we discussed this, we were feeling the coastal breeze of southern France. The sky was clear, the waves were rolling in. He looked at me with the sun at his back and answered in broken Chinese: ‘One look for a lifetime. Is this what you call ‘love at first sight’ in Chinese?’ He looked innocent, yet determined that he hadn’t loved the wrong person.

We lived together for several years until I graduated. Later, for the sake of his love, he came to China. The Guan family business was just starting out, and I was so busy I didn’t even have time to meet him.”

At this point, the usually smiling Guan Shuyun actually choked up. Her eyes reddened as she stared at me. She steadied her emotions before continuing. “I heard he got married. I heard he had a beautiful daughter. His wife was indeed the girl he loved so deeply.”

She paused, then said coldly, “But I also heard that he died.”

I stared at the book in my hand. A chill ran down my spine, and my hands began to tremble. I looked up at her. She gave me a bleak smile. “He died a terrible death. His body was torn apart; there wasn’t even a whole corpse left. Who was it that killed him? Lan Feiyi, do you know? My storytelling skills aren’t great; this story doesn’t sound exciting at all.”

I snapped the book shut and looked her in the eye. “I’ll ask one more time: what is your purpose in approaching me?”

She shook her head in disappointment. “Why don’t you ask me what this dead Frenchman’s name was? Ask me!”

I closed my eyes in distress, turned to put the book back, and replied with my back to her, “Joann’s death was his own doing.”

“You used his love to fight for the Lan family fortune! Then, because of a woman in prison, you tossed him aside! You gave him the home he wanted only to betray him! It was you! The one who killed Joann was you!”

I looked calmly at the spiraling Guan Shuyun. She roared with indignation at my words. I let out a cold laugh. “So you approached me and signed a cooperation deal all to avenge Joann?”

Just then, a servant knocked on the door. “Boss, the guests have arrived.”

A dark smile crept onto Guan Shuyun’s face. “Lan Feiyi, today’s guests are very eager to see you.”

“And if I refuse?”

She replied coldly, “This is the Guan estate, not your Lan ancestral home.”

…

Under what felt like a threat, I had to follow Guan Shuyun down to the dining room. Inside, only two people sat at the massive round table. Their faces were not unfamiliar. A blonde woman tapped her wine glass with her finger. As we entered, both of them wore treacherous smiles.

“Lan Feiyi, how many years has it been? I remember the last time was in France, when you were doing IVF with my brother. I spent so much effort accompanying you through that.”

The other woman was dressed ostentatiously, yet she couldn’t hide the aging of her face. I knew that caustic smile all too well. Li Shuhua said in a mocking tone, “I am your elder, after all. Aren’t you going to greet me properly?”

Qiao Xin, Li Shuhua, and Guan Shuyun. All of them were difficult, ruthless characters. This was the exact scene I never wanted to see, yet now I had to face it. Guan Shuyun closed the dining room door. “One is your ex-husband’s sister, the other is your father’s original wife. You’re practically family. Won’t you say hello, President Lan?”

I laughed at the defeat. “What a fine conspiracy. I must have been blind to fall into your hands.”

Qiao Xin waved her hand. “Phoebe, do you know how long I’ve waited for this day? This is only the beginning.”

Guan Shuyun opened a bottle of wine to change the subject. “Don’t be in a hurry. The finale should be saved for last. President Lan, today is a grand day. The Guan and Lan families are signing a partnership; we should have a drink to celebrate.”

She poured me a glass. “Cheers.”

Seeing I didn’t move, she added, “Don’t focus on the fact that everyone here is an enemy. Friends and foes—didn’t you say they’re the same?”

She handed me the glass. I took a small sip without responding. Then, Li Shuhua began her clumsy performance. “The situation at Beisheng International isn’t looking great. Did you receive my gift? Thanks to Miss Qiao Xin’s help abroad, your lost supply chains have all moved to me. You wanted to fight a price war, but unfortunately, the suppliers aren’t buying it. By the way, please look kindly upon the new trading company Miss Qiao and I have partnered on. The market should be shared; you shouldn’t eat alone.”

No wonder Xiao Du couldn’t find any information on the rival company. It had been premeditated. I swirled my glass and leaned back. “I took Beisheng International from you as a hobby; it doesn’t affect the Lan family much. Your ‘gift’ isn’t enough to crush me. If I can’t get agencies for imported products, I simply won’t do it. There are plenty of resources domestically with better market prices. I wish your new trading company luck in establishing itself here.”

“You!”

Li Shuhua was at a loss for words. Qiao Xin clapped her hands and said bluntly, “My time is precious. I’m here to notify you that I will be investing in a 10% stake in your and President Guan’s joint company.”

“I don’t agree. The agreement clearly states in black and white that investment requires the approval of both the Lan and Guan parties.”

Guan Shuyun poured me another glass. “Don’t be so quick to object. Qiao Xin must have her reasons for saying that.”

Qiao Xin finished her wine and shifted the topic. “How old is Qingfan now? As her aunt, I should find time to visit her. Father and Mother often mention their granddaughter and want to see her.”

At the mention of the child, I looked at Qiao Xin warily. “What do you mean?”

“The child wasn’t born from you alone. Even if you have custody, we have visitation rights.”

“Hmph. I will never let you see Qingfan.”

“What era do you think this is? Do you think you can cover the sky with one hand? Oh, right, right.” Qiao Xin mocked a laugh and looked at Li Shuhua, though her words were meant for me. “President Li, Chinese law doesn’t seem to recognize same-sex relationships yet, does it? The child is so young; I’m very worried about her living in such a family environment. Are there any good legal teams in the country? Please help me look for one. After all, she is my brother’s biological daughter, my niece. I am very concerned about her development.”