My Weekend Lover Turned Out To Be My Boss - Chapter 78

Chapter 78: Banquet. “Li Bai”

She seemed to understand what I was implying, giving me a sly smile and a perfectly logical explanation: “Qiao Xin has already left. She won’t be attending the Guan Corporation’s annual gala; after all, we have no ongoing business dealings at the moment.”

“Fine. I’ll do my best to choose for you, but if I pick something ugly, don’t blame me.”

We walked toward the walk-in closet. In the world of women, I thought Phoebe’s requirements for her wardrobe were already high-spec—she was the face of a major corporation, after all. But Guan Shuyun was on another level. Her closet made Phoebe’s look modest. To put it simply: the world of the wealthy is like a black hole—full of surprises and shocks. A hired stylist pushed a mobile rack toward us, draped with various gowns. Guan Shuyun lifted the hem of one, looked dissatisfied, and moved to another.

She turned and threw the dilemma to me: “Which one suits me?”

I leaned in and flipped through the dresses, finally pointing to the side. “That qipao.”

The designer’s eyes crinkled into a smile. “Oh, this lady has a sharp eye! This modern, refined qipao is the best for elevating one’s temperament, though it’s quite demanding on the figure! Custom-made for CEO Guan, it uses top-tier silk velvet with hand-embroidered frog fasteners. Wearing a qipao to a gala is naturally eye-catching—luxurious without looking aged.”

“I’ve always felt a Chinese woman needs at least one tailored qipao,” I added. “It never goes out of style. The embroidery on this one isn’t too flashy. Why don’t you try it on?”

Guan Shuyun traced the fabric, a small smile playing on her lips. “It seems being with Lan Feiyi for so long gave you decent taste.”

She signaled the designer to help her change in the dressing room. Suddenly, I was alone. I moved quickly, scanning the room for her clutch. My logic told me she must have been in here just before meeting me, and that Qiao Xin’s departure and the designer’s arrival happened in quick succession.

Just as I was starting to panic, Guan Shuyun’s phone rang. Heaven is on my side! I held my breath and searched for the source of the sound. “CEO Guan! You have a call!” I called out.

“Check who it is for me,” her calm voice came from behind the door.

“I can’t find your bag.”

“Stupid! Look on the sofa. It’s probably buried under the clothes.”

Found it. Under a pile of discarded outfits, I opened the bag, grabbed the phone, and—more importantly—retrieved the ring from the side pocket, sliding it back onto my finger. Just then, Guan Shuyun stepped out in the qipao.

I dutifully handed her the phone. She glanced at the missed call, deemed it unimportant, and handed the phone back to me. “How does it look?”

I looked her up and down. Her curves were perfectly accentuated. I stroked my chin. “Mhm! It has character. Pair it with an emerald bracelet and matching gemstone studs, and you’re set.”

She looked at herself in the full-length mirror. “Does it look too old?”

“Just don’t do a formal updo. Blow-dry it so it cascades naturally over your shoulders. Besides… you are in your late thirties…”

She shot me a death glare, and I immediately shut up with a smile. She turned to the designer: “I’ll take this one.”

Damn! She actually listened to me. I was so surprised I couldn’t hide it. She laughed. “I’m giving you face today. Since your eye for style isn’t bad, I’ll go with your pick.”

…

I acted as her driver. Ironically, the gala was held at a hotel owned by Jieshi Excellence. It was the end of the year, and the venue was packed with corporate events.

I sat in the lounge area, bored out of my mind, eating snacks and people-watching. I had attended Lan’s galas for years; the faces changed, but the script remained the same: flattery, fake smiles, and business talk. I watched Guan Shuyun give a confident speech on stage, thanking partners and employees. I didn’t care—I was a “parachuted” employee on my first day; I didn’t even understand half of what she was talking about.

Phoebe’s arrival caused a stir. Guan Shuyun greeted her warmly with two glasses of champagne. It was a masquerade ball; everyone wore a mask of smiles while thinking a million insults.

When the crowd thinned, Phoebe found me. I was about to grab some sashimi when she leaned in. “Don’t eat cold food in winter. It’s bad for your stomach.”

“I specifically like the sashimi at CEO Lan’s hotel. I eat it every year at the gala. If I don’t, I feel like something is missing,” I replied neutrally.

Phoebe placed a small bowl of hot soup next to me. “You’re not a child anymore. Learn to take care of yourself.” She paused. “I don’t know what game you’re playing, but please… protect yourself.”

“I took CEO Guan for a walk on Lovers’ Road after lunch today,” I said. “Guess what I saw?”

Phoebe knew exactly what I meant. “The old man starts selling chestnuts on Lovers’ Road in late autumn.” Her voice was light, but it stung.

I laughed. “Exactly. That boss. He was very friendly. I bought some and peeled them for CEO Guan; she quite liked them. She even tried a roasted sweet potato. Quite a feat for her.”

Phoebe’s grip on her glass tightened until her knuckles turned white. She lowered her eyes. I continued with a smile: “I only realized today that there isn’t just the ‘eating chestnuts together’ kind of relationship. There’s also the ‘I peel chestnuts for someone else’ kind. It’s quite fascinating.”

“Must you wear down my love for you bit by bit like this?” Phoebe asked, her voice trembling.

I looked into her eyes for a long time. “If you loved me, you would see what my love looks like. When you can no longer see it, perhaps my heart has changed… or perhaps you have.”

Then I changed the subject, reporting insincerely: “CEO Guan takes good care of me. Her chef is better than me and has a lot of variety. I eat two bowls of rice every meal. Don’t you think I’ve gained weight, CEO Lan?”

Guan Shuyun approached us then. “What are you two chatting about so happily?”

“I was telling CEO Lan that your chef’s cooking is so good I’ve gained weight.”

Guan Shuyun put down her glass and tilted my chin up to inspect me. She nodded. “You have. It’s good; you were far too frail.”

Phoebe stood there like an outsider, her face a mask of coldness. She eventually took her leave. I turned to Guan Shuyun. “Do you want sandwiches again tomorrow? I’ll change it up and cook breakfast for you personally.”

Guan Shuyun’s face darkened. “She’s gone. How much longer are you going to keep up the act?”

“I understand you’re cautious,” I said with an injured expression. “You’ve been testing me constantly. But what’s the result? I told you I don’t love her anymore. Why keep pinning these labels on me? I’m just a person with no background; I can’t involve myself in your high-stakes power games.”

Someone interrupted us for a toast. Guan Shuyun dealt with it quickly and led me out of the hall into a quiet emergency stairwell. I took off my coat and spread it on the stairs. “Please sit. It’s clean.”

She sat on my coat, legs tucked to the side. “Alright. No one to disturb us. What do you want to hear? You asked for protection, and I gave it. I brought you back into the workforce, and you keep me from being bored. We’re using each other. On some level, I’m starting to trust you.”

I knelt down and naturally began massaging her calves. It looked intimate, but I knew the effect it would have. She had been in heels all day; her muscles were tight and hard. She squinted at me. “How did you know my legs were sore?”

“The lines are obvious,” I whispered. “I’m grateful for the job, but I don’t want to be the wedge between you and Lan Feiyi. Our grudges can’t be settled in a lifetime—just like you did terrible things to me, and I struck back. But even with that hatred, aren’t we here now, eating and talking peacefully? I just don’t want you to think my every move has a hidden motive. I’m just trying to draw a line between me and my past self. I need a new life, and you just happened to give it to me.”

Guan Shuyun faltered, looking stunned. But before she could speak, Phoebe’s icy voice came from behind us:

“Your ‘new life’ is being with someone like her? Do you have any idea what kind of people she and Qiao Xin are? They destroyed our peaceful life, and now you’re standing on the same side as them?”