"There's nothing to discuss."
He had already fulfilled all the obligations of morality and righteousness. Now they wanted him to continue cooperating with them and let them reap the benefits?
Yan Xin naturally knew what Pei Shaoze was thinking. He had already turned them down earlier. He just watched Pei Shaoze return to the company alone, couldn't help but feel a bit puzzled—after all, he had taken Su Banxia on the business trip with him.
"How did the negotiation for the West Bank contract go?"
He remembered clearly that Pei Shaoze had called him, saying he was taking Su Banxia to negotiate the West Bank contract. These past few days, all the work that should have been Pei Shaoze's at the company had fallen on him, exhausting him completely.
Mentioning the West Bank, Pei Shaoze paused to recall, then said calmly, "Didn't negotiate. A West Bank contract isn't worth that much of my effort."
He was just using the West Bank as an excuse. Only Yan Xin would believe it.
Yan Xin looked shocked, as if he'd been deceived. "Then what have you been doing these days..."
If he hadn't gone to negotiate the contract, how was that any different from a vacation...
Pei Shaoze suddenly looked up, a hint of menace in his gaze toward him. "Is President Yan trying to find out my whereabouts? Or..."
He knew exactly what Yan Xin was thinking, but he asked deliberately.
Yan Xin was momentarily at a loss for words, not knowing what to say, and could only grumble in frustration, "Shaoze!"
Pei Shaoze ignored him, still speaking calmly. "President Yan should know what I'm about to say. Just do your job well. I won't say more on the rest."
"Yes."
Seeing Pei Shaoze so serious, Yan Xin realized that this time, he might truly be serious about Su Banxia, and he could only back off.
He sighed, almost mockingly, and walked toward his own office.
Zhang Shanshan, who had recovered and was back at work, noticed Yan Xin looking utterly dejected. Feeling a pang of sympathy, she quickly poured a cup of hot water and brought it to him.
"President Yan, what's wrong? You look unhappy."
She rarely saw Yan Xin like this, and her concern was mixed with curiosity.
"Shanshan, I'm fine. Just tired from work. These past few days, Banxia has been on a business trip with President Pei, so all the work has fallen on me. How could I not be tired?"
Yan Xin forced a smile and continued with his work.
Su Banxia's foot had healed, and it was the weekend. Thinking about how she'd been so busy with work that she'd spent little time with her children, she felt a twinge of guilt.
"Guoguo, Haohao, where do you want to go play today? Mommy will take you."
She hugged her two little ones, who had just woken up.
As soon as Guoguo heard that Mommy was taking them out to play, she was instantly wide awake. "I want to go to lots and lots of places!"
She waved her tiny hands excitedly, unable to contain her joy.
Su Banxia smiled and nodded. "Okay, okay, okay. We'll go to lots of fun places! Haohao, what about you? Anywhere you want to go?"
Haohao remained calm, saying flatly, "Just being with Mommy is enough."
Su Banxia felt deeply comforted. Despite how busy she was, her two children understood her, and that made her happy. She had thought Haohao might blame her, but he was just too mature.
"Alright, let's go wash up first! Haohao, keep an eye on your sister."
She let them go and got up to head back to her room to get ready.
Seeing that Fang Shiqing's door was still closed, she pushed it open and went in. Fang Shiqing was indeed still asleep.
"Shiqing, the sun is burning your butt!"
She lay down beside Fang Shiqing and poked her cheek.
Fang Shiqing wasn't usually one to sleep this late. Today must be a rare exception.
Fang Shiqing turned over and mumbled, "It's finally the weekend, and I don't have a date. Let me sleep a little longer."
Su Banxia smiled helplessly and pulled the blanket over her. "Then I'll take Guoguo and Haohao out. Breakfast is on the table. Remember to eat."
"Mm-hmm, thanks, sweetie."
Fang Shiqing was still half-asleep, nodding repeatedly.
When Su Banxia went back out, the two little ones had already changed clothes and were eating breakfast at the table. Seeing this, she went back to her room to change as well.
"Mommy, where are we going?"
Guoguo, still holding half a slice of bread, ran into Su Banxia's room, her big, adorable eyes sparkling with joy.
Su Banxia scooped her up. "Today, Mommy is taking Guoguo to see little animals, okay? There are beautiful peacocks and cute pandas!"
She remembered that Fang Shiqing had recently taken the kids to the amusement park, so there was no need to go again. Thinking of the nearby zoo, which she hadn't taken them to yet, she decided to bring them today—it was close and convenient.
Guoguo's eyes curved into crescents with delight. "Yay! Guoguo wants to see giant pandas!"
Seeing Guoguo so happy, Su Banxia felt relieved. Haohao, standing by the door, was much more composed. "Haven't we been to the zoo enough? If Guoguo likes it, let's go."
His grown-up demeanor left Su Banxia a bit exasperated. She didn't know whether to be happy or sad about how mature he was.
Su Banxia held a child in each hand. As soon as she went downstairs, she saw a familiar figure pacing back and forth, which surprised her. "President Yan, what are you doing here?"
Standing before her was Yan Xin. Seeing Su Banxia come down, he immediately approached her.
"Banxia, since you're not working today, no need to be so formal. Just call me Yan Xin. I haven't seen you at the company these past few days. I had some business nearby today, so I thought I'd drop by and see you."
He smiled warmly, his demeanor comforting.
"Yan Xin, thanks for your concern. I was out negotiating a contract with President Pei for a few days. It's a rare weekend, and you went out of your way to come here."
She hadn't actually been negotiating any contract. If anyone found out she'd sprained her ankle jumping from the bathroom in Pei Shaoze's house and had been recuperating there, she'd never hear the end of the gossip.
Yan Xin didn't mind at all. He had come specifically to see her, but he didn't want her to feel pressured, so he played it off.
"I was passing by anyway. Are you heading out?"
He looked at the three of them, all dressed and ready to go, clearly about to leave. He couldn't help but feel his timing was off.
She nodded. "Yeah, it's a rare weekend. I'm taking the kids to the zoo to spend some time with them. Guoguo, Haohao, say hello to Uncle."
The children were always well-behaved, especially when it came to manners, and they immediately chimed in unison, "Hello, Uncle!"
Yan Xin smiled at them. "Good kids!"
He turned back to Su Banxia. "It must be inconvenient for you to handle two kids alone. I don't have anything to do either—how about I join you?"
He had come specifically to see Su Banxia today. Going back empty-handed would be pointless. If he could spend time with them, that would be perfect.
Su Banxia was taken aback. How could she trouble Yan Xin to help with her kids?
She gave an awkward smile and declined. "That would be too much trouble for you. I can manage on my own."
"It's no trouble. It'll be a break for me too."
Yan Xin ignored her refusal and stepped forward, opening his arms to Guoguo.
"Come here, Guoguo. Let Uncle hold you."
Guoguo wasn't shy around strangers, and since her mommy knew this uncle, she had no reservations and immediately went to him.
Haohao frowned from the side. "Guoguo, you're making things hard for Mommy!"
He had already noticed the awkwardness in Su Banxia's eyes, and now that Guoguo had gone straight into Yan Xin's arms, it would be even harder for Su Banxia to refuse.
Guoguo blinked her innocent eyes at Su Banxia. "Mommy, don't you want Uncle to hold me?"
Su Banxia was amused by her antics. "No, sweetie. Uncle is coming to the zoo with us today. Make sure you hold onto him tight."