Chapter 128 - Why Are You Here (1)
Zhao Shunrong looked indifferently at the old master who was eager to take credit. “As long as Yarong is happy.”
The old master rolled his eyes at Zhao Shunrong in a speechless manner. He obviously liked his daughter too, yet he had to bring Yarong into this. His eldest son was not speaking his mind. Would it kill him to admit that he was satisfied with her?
After the old man finished mocking his son internally, he shifted his gaze to the second floor, listening to the laughter coming from the second floor.
While he was jubilant, he was feeling a little bitter as well. How long had it been since such laughter was heard in the main residence? Probably since that incident that year.
When the old master saw that his eldest son’s eyes had softened slightly because of the laughter from the second floor, the guilt he felt was finally assuaged a little.
But it was only a little, because he understood that a small compensation like this would never be able to make up for what happened back then. Certain guilt was bound to haunt him for a lifetime.
Zhao Youlin and Joy’s rooms had been decorated personally by Duan Yarong. It was not too fancy, but it was homely, and it suited Zhao Youlin’s liking.
However, as Joy was still little and so attached to Zhao Youlin, after checking out the rooms, the mother and daughter decided that Joy would continue to share a room with Zhao Youlin.
When Joy grew up in a year or two, he would sleep in his own room. As for the room that was intended for Joy, it would be used as a small room to store Joy’s toys.
Ever since Duan Yarong heard that Joy and Zhao Youlin were moving back, she had planned to buy various toys for Joy, including little cars, blocks, lego, and basically everything else. Filling the small room with toys would not be a problem.
Since then, Zhao Youlin had made herself and her child at home in the main residence without any obstacle. No one knew if it was because certain people had learned their lesson, or if it was because someone’s presence in the main residence was too high of a hurdle for some, but Zhao Youlin had not seen any of those annoying people after living for a few days in the main residence.
This had put Zhao Youlin in a surprisingly good mood these days. She was in such a good mood that she started to think about buying that pastry store she had her eye on.
After her talk with Zhao Shunrong that day, Zhao Youlin had already made up her mind to rent that store.
Zhao Youlin was not an indecisive person. Whenever she set her mind on something, she acted on it without delay. Soon after that, she began to contact the tenant of the store, and it did not take her long to work out a deal with the tenant—she would rent the store at 30,000 yuan per month.
This price was quite acceptable among the stores in Shalnork, especially on the west side of the city center.
Zhao Youlin agreed to the rent and made an appointment with the tenant to sign the contract.
Zhao Youlin started to get busy after signing the contract. The rented shop was an empty shell, so business could not be opened right away.
After Zhao Youlin thought about it, she hired a reliable renovation team to refurbish the entire store.
During those few days, Zhao Youlin had been running in and out of the store almost every day to discuss her renovation requirements with the renovator. She would always bring Joy, who was equally excited as her, over to inspect the progress from time to time.
Zhao Youlin was so preoccupied with the refurbishment of the new shop and simply did not notice that a strange black car had been parking regularly in the street corner not far from her storefront. Inside the car sat two familiar men.
“President…” After being dragged over for who knows how many times to serve as a free driver after work, Xia Zhetao finally could not stand it anymore as he said to his big boss, who was at the back seat, “How about we go out to take a stroll…?”
‘And pretend to have a chance encounter with Mrs. President?’
How many days had it been? He had been working as a free driver every day. He was a secretary, not a driver, okay? And he had to drag him over every time when he was about to go home after work. ‘President, asking me to work during non-working hours without overtime pay is just evil!’
That was not all. All he did was sit in the car staring at the former Mrs. President, and he would do this for one to two hours every time. What on earth was he trying to achieve? Most importantly, he even changed to another car in order to avoid former Mrs. President from recognizing him. He obviously really wanted to see her, so what was the point of doing these stupid things?
How come he did not notice before that his president was someone with such passion despite having a stony face? Look at his emotional intelligence! He could not help but worry for him now.
Before Xia Zhetao could finish, Mu Tingfeng had already shot him a threatening glare, which succeeded in shutting Xia Zhetao up.
After a moment of silence, when Xia Zhetao thought Mu Tingfeng was not going to say anything, Mu Tingfeng’s first sentence managed to console Secretary Xia’s restless mind.
“Pay raise for you at the end of the month.”
His short sentence was like a shot of adrenaline in the arm for Xia Zhetao. In an instant, Xia Zhetao felt his whole world was revitalized — like spring had returned to Earth, as if everything was radiant again.
Mu Tingfeng glanced at his good-for-nothing chief secretary, who had been bought off by money, and continued, “Let’s go back.”
Xia Zhetao was invigorated by his words. He reversed the car smoothly and was ready to leave.
When the car started, Mu Tingfeng subconsciously took a last glance at Zhao Youlin and Joy, whose backs were turned to him in the shop. His eyes gleamed. His eyes that were as deep as the galaxy concealed unreadable emotions.
Zhao Youlin felt a slightly blazing gaze cast on her back. She turned her head abruptly to look around, only to find no one behind her.
Zhao Youlin frowned. She did not think too much about it as she thought it was just a hallucination caused by her oversensitive senses.
After Mu Tingfeng left, he ordered Xia Zhetao to drive the car directly back home. Standing at the front door of his villa, he suddenly felt a little lost.
Every time he returned here before Zhao Youlin left, and every time he looked at the faint yellow light above the villa, he was always full of impatience and annoyance, but now, he felt strangely lonely.
Mu Tingfeng did not stand at the door for too long. He moved his feet and walked inside the villa, then he saw someone who was not supposed to be in the hall.
Mu Tingfeng furrowed his brow and blurted instinctively, “Why are you here?”
Su Qing, who was talking to the old butler, was a little stunned when she heard Mu Tingfeng’s voice. When she came around, she recalled Mu Tingfeng’s question. Her face darkened slightly as she said indignantly, “Tingfeng, am I not welcomed here?”
Mu Tingfeng expressionlessly cast a glance at Su Qing’s slightly bulging belly and said calmly, “Why are you still running around after you’re pregnant? Is Brother Yi okay with this?”
Su Qing was exasperated by Mu Tingfeng’s attitude. “Excuse me, it was my husband who personally sent me here. Also, why are you trying to make me mad, knowing that I’m pregnant? Aren’t you going to show me any sibling love?”
“I don’t dare to. I don’t want to be plotted against by Brother Yi.” That was a henpecked husband with a wife complex. When he got jealous, he would not care about whether they were related by blood or not.
“You!” Su Qing was provoked by Mu Tingfeng. This brat here was always so insensible no matter how many years had passed. He always pulled a long face, and he did not know how to be tender to a woman. It served him right that he was a single dude until now. Even his wife had run away with his son. Hmmph!