My Weekend Lover Turned Out To Be My Boss - Chapter 9

Chapter 9: The Argument – “Amnesia Butterfly”

Standing in the garden, I hugged Phoebe tightly. As we separated, Yu Xiao’s words surfaced in my mind. Frowning slightly, I chose to believe—believe that our love had nearly a decade of accumulation, and no one could easily tear us apart!

Phoebe and I continued our ordinary life. She still left early and returned late, and I remained the carefree You Feifan with Qingfan. This continued until one evening when I was walking Xiduoduo along the tree-lined avenue in the villa area. A black Porsche sped toward me. The car flashed its lights at me. I slowed my pace and walked forward curiously. At that moment, a figure opened the car door and stepped out.

Guan Shuyun leaned against the car door, the smile on her lips revealing nothing of her emotions. She and Phoebe were indeed very similar—their every expression made it difficult to fathom their inner thoughts. I was somewhat surprised, expecting Phoebe to emerge from the car, but it was only Guan Shuyun. Her presence caused the usually docile Xiduoduo to let out a low growl.

I tugged on the leash to maintain some distance. Guan Shuyun didn’t seem afraid of dogs. She walked past Xiduoduo in her high heels and came right up to me: “Miss You, how have you been lately?”

“CEO Guan, what brings you here?” I asked directly.

Guan Shuyun smiled and pointed to the adjacent garden: “The last time I brought Phoebe home, I thought this neighborhood was nice—quiet and not a row-house area. So, on a whim, I bought a house here and occasionally come to stay. You could say we’re neighbors now.”

I forced a laugh, but still offered a congratulatory remark: “Then congratulations, CEO Guan, on joining the neighborhood.”

“I’ve moved in for a while now, but I’ve been busy with work and haven’t paid a visit. Since we’ve met, would Miss You honor me by coming in for tea and a chat?”

“Sure.”

Guan Shuyun opened the iron gate to the garden, returned to her car, and parked it inside. I tied Xiduoduo to the garden gate before following her into the house. I was used to the luxury of the wealthy. Guan Shuyun took out coffee and tea and asked, “Coffee or tea?”

I shook my head lightly: “Mineral water.”

“You’re truly an easy person to please.”

“You flatter me.”

Saying this, Guan Shuyun went to the kitchen to fetch the water. I sat on the sofa waiting, looking up at the room’s decor. ‘Some people are hard to guard against, especially an old player. Even if Phoebe is firm, it doesn’t mean Guan Shuyun can’t undermine her.’

Jian Yumeng’s words warned me until Guan Shuyun placed the cold mineral water bottle against my cheek, snapping me back to reality. She twisted open the cap and said with a smile, “What are you thinking about?”

“I was thinking that CEO Guan really knows how to enjoy life.”

Guan Shuyun leaned back on the sofa, crossed her legs, took a sip of water, and chuckled, “Isn’t earning money for enjoyment?”

“If only my Phoebe had that kind of awareness.”

“Perhaps everyone’s pursuits are different. For her, money is secondary; pursuing achievement is the goal. If I were like her, wanting to live at the company three hundred and sixty-five days a year, I’d probably have collapsed already.”

“Woof woof woof…”

Xiduoduo’s bark rang out. Guan Shuyun and I both looked towards the doorway. Phoebe stood there, one hand holding her designer bag, the other holding the leash. Xiduoduo wagged his tail. Phoebe’s expression was not good. She looked at me indifferently: “Go home.”

Guan Shuyun, however, stood up easily to greet her: “Since you’re here, come in and sit down before you leave.”

Phoebe looked up at Guan Shuyun. I thought she might relent, but she didn’t disappoint—she was always a woman of her word: “No need to trouble CEO Guan. Everyone has worked hard all day; it’s time to go home and rest. You Feifan, let’s go home.”

Just as I was about to get up and leave with Phoebe, Guan Shuyun snapped her fingers: “Oh, Phoebe, you left something at my place last time. Please wait, I’ll go upstairs and retrieve it for you.”

With that, Guan Shuyun walked upstairs. Phoebe frowned slightly: “Why are you here?”

I raised my head, unusually calm, and questioned her: “Since when do you always ask me, ‘Why are you here’?”

“Because there are some places you shouldn’t be.”

“I’m also curious why your belongings are left here?”

Just as we were at loggerheads, Guan Shuyun returned to the doorway, fiddling with a fountain pen, and said with a pleased look: “Didn’t you come here to discuss a contract last time? This pen was left in my study. It writes quite well. Where can I buy one? I’d like to get one too.”

I reached out and took the pen directly from Guan Shuyun’s hand, saying with a sarcastic smile: “This pen was a gift from me to Phoebe. It’s unique; you can’t buy it on the market.”

“I see. Well, since you two are leaving, I’ll see you to the gate.”

“Please don’t bother, CEO Guan.”

With that, Phoebe handed Xiduoduo’s leash to me and walked away without looking back. Guan Shuyun leaned close to my ear and whispered, “A woman like that is full of the feeling of conquest.”

Then she closed the door, leaving me standing alone. I stroked Xiduoduo’s head, staring at Phoebe’s retreating back, and asked, “Duoduo, can you tell me what is loyalty and what is betrayal?”

Walking out of the garden, Phoebe’s car was parked by the gate, but she didn’t wait for me, driving off towards home. I fiddled with the pen in my hand, still strolling along the tree-lined avenue. The pen showed wear from the years. If it weren’t for today’s incident, I would have almost forgotten the origin of this pen. So, you still had it.

Back home, Phoebe stood with her arms crossed, seemingly waiting for me. I stretched, pretending to be nonchalant, and prepared to go straight upstairs to rest, but Phoebe called out: “Don’t you have anything to say?”

I stopped and turned to look at her. I took the pen from my pocket and placed it in front of her. We stared at each other, speechless. Finally, I conceded: “Guan Shuyun moved into the neighborhood a while ago. You knew, right?”

“Yes.”

“Don’t you have anything to explain?”

“Where she lives, what business is it of yours?”

I picked up the pen and threw it straight into the trash can: “This pen is too old. Let’s buy a new one.”

I didn’t want to hear anything more about Guan Shuyun, so I decided to leave directly. Phoebe stood up and angrily blocked my way. She glared at me and commanded: “Pick up my pen, wipe it clean, and give it back to me.”

I bit down on my teeth, my eyes reddening, and said one word at a time: “The lone white rabbit looks east and west; clothes are not as good as new, people are not as good as old.” (A classic line implying she prefers the old me/our past love, but now things are changing/deteriorating.)

I slowly climbed the stairs step by step. A sound of shattering came from downstairs. Whose heart wasn’t aching? What exactly did I do wrong to make you so disappointed in me? I successfully provoked Phoebe, causing her to sweep the cups off the coffee table onto the floor. Our paths began to diverge, heading towards an abyss.

…

“You’re finally awake. Your alcohol tolerance is terrible!”

Qiu Qi wiped my forehead with a cloth. My throat signaled dryness. She twisted open a bottle of water and handed it to me, continuing, “No wonder you’re thirsty. Last night you kept calling out ‘Phoebe’ and cried as if your parents had died. Who is this person?”

I drank half a bottle of water in one go. Why were all my recent dreams unhappy memories? I shook my head, not answering Qiu Qi’s question, and just asked: “What time is it?”

“It’s just lunchtime.”

“Have you eaten? If not, let’s go out together.”

“I already ordered takeout for you—maocai. It smells delicious and is still hot!”

Qiu Qi pointed to the food on the table. I stumbled out of bed. She supported me and asked gently, “Are you heartbroken?”

She was touching a sensitive spot. I gave up and looked at her, posing a question: “Qiu Wuming, why do you love traveling?”