With Su Banxia's nod, Pei Shaoze's lips curled into a handsome smile. They got into the car together and headed straight for school. The atmosphere inside the car was a bit stifling, so Su Banxia casually looked for topics to break the silence.
"I was organizing files earlier and noticed our company has a partnership with the Lin family. What's the background of the Lin family?"
"The Lin family?"
Pei Shaoze drove while searching his memory. "Oh, just a small company."
"I saw the contract signed by Lin Haoran. Do you know anything about him?"
Su Banxia asked with some concern.
Pei Shaoze's brow furrowed for no apparent reason. He turned back and glanced at Su Banxia with displeasure. "Why are you asking so many questions?"
Su Banxia was momentarily taken aback, then quickly said, "Lin Haoran is Shiqing's boyfriend. I want to ask about his character."
"So what? You can't even leave your best friend's boyfriend alone?"
Pei Shaoze felt irritated. Why did this woman have to think about other people's affairs when she was with him?
"I... no, I'm just simply concerned. I'm afraid Shiqing might get hurt."
Su Banxia couldn't keep up with Pei Shaoze's train of thought and was amazed by his imagination.
"Just mind your own business. Why think so much?"
Pei Shaoze's voice was cold, devoid of any emotion or warmth.
Su Banxia glanced at him calmly, then slowly said, "She's my only best friend. If I don't care about her, who should I care about?"
"Care about me!"
Pei Shaoze said very seriously.
Hearing this, Su Banxia couldn't help but look at him more closely, then curled her lips into a faint smile. "Care about you? President Pei, are you joking? Don't you have people around you who care about you?"
"Call me Shaoze!"
Pei Shaoze was in a bad mood. This woman was clearly asking for trouble!
"Fine, fine, you're the boss. You call the shots."
Su Banxia turned her face away to look at the scenery outside the window, ignoring the man sulking beside her.
After school, Su Guoguo and Su Hao spotted Su Banxia at once and bounced over. But when they saw Pei Shaoze standing with her, both children's expressions shifted slightly.
"This is Uncle Pei. Say hello."
Su Banxia said with a faint smile.
"Mom, why are you with him again?"
Su Guoguo's little face was full of grievance, and she instinctively grabbed Su Banxia's clothes.
Children always speak their minds, and Su Banxia immediately looked at Pei Shaoze with an apologetic expression.
Fortunately, Pei Shaoze didn't take the words to heart. He bent down and looked at Guoguo with affection. "Mom made a big contribution to the company today, so the company is rewarding her. We'll take you all out for something good to eat."
"Really? Mom is awesome!"
At the mention of food, Su Guoguo's eyes lit up entirely.
"No backbone."
Su Hao stood to the side, muttering helplessly.
Pei Shaoze sensed Su Hao's hostility toward him and couldn't help but chuckle. "You're not happy about going out for good food?"
"Trying to buy me and my sister off with a nice meal?"
Su Hao glanced at him dismissively. If it weren't for him always making Mom work overtime, how could she be drifting further away from them?
"Sorry about that, Hao Hao always talks like this. He's been aloof and mature since he was little. Back when we were abroad, I didn't have time to take care of Guoguo, so Hao Hao did it."
Su Banxia explained awkwardly on the side, subtly signaling Su Hao with her eyes to soften his attitude toward Pei Shaoze.
Su Hao held his head high proudly and got into the car without looking back.
"This kid..."
Su Banxia shook her head helplessly.
"It's fine."
Pei Shaoze's lips curved into a gentle smile. "I really like this kid's personality."
Su Banxia chuckled dryly. How could he not like it? That personality was clearly carved from the same mold as his!
They really were father and son—none of the good traits were inherited, only the bad ones showed through.
"What do you want to eat today? My treat."
Sitting in the car, Pei Shaoze turned around and asked seriously.
"Since you're treating, you should decide."
Su Hao's voice was cold, completely refusing to give him face.
"Hao Hao!"
Su Banxia scolded him softly.
Compared to Su Hao's coldness, Su Guoguo was more excited. "I want fish balls, big chicken wings, and I love chicken legs too!"
"Su Guoguo, you need to go on a diet. You weigh more than me now!"
Su Hao listened to Su Guoguo and helplessly rubbed his forehead.
"I'm not fat. Mom said girls who love to eat are little fairies."
Su Guoguo raised her head and said seriously.
Su Banxia felt very embarrassed. She had made up that lie to satisfy her own snacking urges, never expecting this little girl to bring it up today.
"You believe her? She's as fat as a pig herself!"
Su Hao ruthlessly teased.
Su Banxia: "..."
It seemed she'd need to give Su Hao a lesson later—how dare he call her fat!
Pei Shaoze sat to the side, listening to the family of three's banter, and a handsome smile curled at the corners of his mouth.
"Since Guoguo likes those things, how about I take you all for hotpot?"
Pei Shaoze's voice was very gentle, tinged with a hint of joy.
"Great!"
Su Guoguo raised her hand in cheer, grinning from ear to ear.
Su Banxia had no idea what to do with her two children. Su Guoguo was so disloyal—usually, a single meal could buy her off.
"Any objections?"
Pei Shaoze saw the kids hadn't refused and turned to look at Su Banxia.
"Anything to eat is fine, as long as they're happy."
Su Banxia sighed helplessly.
Pei Shaoze chose a well-regarded hotpot restaurant, parked the car at the entrance, and they all got out together.
The place was bustling with business, and since it was mealtime, it was packed inside. Because of Pei Shaoze's special status, the owner arranged a private room for them.
Sitting in the private room, away from the noise outside, they enjoyed their meal quite thoroughly.
Su Banxia looked out at the scenery through the floor-to-ceiling window behind her, feeling a sense of comfort.
"Mom, you have to sign more contracts in the future, or else Guoguo won't get to eat such delicious food."
Su Guoguo ate happily, not forgetting to take a moment to instruct Su Banxia.
"Have I ever skimped on you at home?"
Su Banxia was truly exasperated with this little foodie.
Su Guoguo playfully stuck out her pink tongue. "Those aren't as good as this."
"If you like it, Mom can bring you here."
Su Hao ate his meal quietly and said flatly.
Pei Shaoze naturally understood what this little guy meant. He was afraid that Pei Shaoze would take their mother away, so he was constantly keeping his distance.
"What do you usually like to play with, Hao Hao?"
Pei Shaoze looked at him with a faint smile.