Guoguo nodded vigorously, his small arms tightening around Yan Xin. Yan Xin’s face was flushed, his mood excellent. The four of them walked down the street, and aside from the children not resembling Yan Xin, they looked just like a family of four.
Not far away, Zhang Shanshan was carrying the soup she had made. She had taken a knife for Fang Shiqing, and Fang Shiqing now treated her almost like a sister. If she pushed a little harder, she might even surpass Su Banxia in Fang Shiqing’s heart.
Just as she reached the road near Fang Shiqing’s house, she spotted a familiar pair in the distance, along with Su Banxia’s children. Watching Yan Xin hold Guoguo and chat cheerfully with Su Banxia, Zhang Shanshan’s hands trembled as she held the soup. She didn’t understand what was so great about Su Banxia—Pei Shaoze protected her, and even Yan Xin was so affectionate toward her!
Jealousy surged within her. Seeing them gradually approach, she quickly ducked into a narrow alley.
Why could Su Banxia have everything she wanted? Even though she was a mother of two, there were still plenty of people who were kind to her and protected her!
Thinking back to the smile on Su Banxia’s face just now, Zhang Shanshan grew more and more resentful. They were both secretaries, and Su Banxia wasn’t even Yan Xin’s secretary, yet she had caught his attention from the start!
Why?!
Looking at the soup in her thermos, Zhang Shanshan’s eyes flickered with an idea. In Fang Shiqing’s eyes, Zhang Shanshan was now her savior and friend. She didn’t believe that if Su Banxia lost Fang Shiqing as a friend, she could still be so happy!
Given Su Banxia’s suspicious nature, if she grew closer to Fang Shiqing, Su Banxia would likely clash with her over it.
At Fang Shiqing’s house.
When Zhang Shanshan arrived with the soup, Fang Shiqing was already awake. Seeing Zhang Shanshan, she was both surprised and delighted.
“Shanshan, why are you here! It’s the weekend—you should be resting at home!”
She quickly welcomed Zhang Shanshan inside and urged her to sit down. Though it had been a while since Zhang Shanshan was injured saving her, Fang Shiqing still worried about her health and wouldn’t let her exert herself.
At the company, because of this bond, Fang Shiqing had even begged Yan Xin to give Zhang Shanshan fewer tasks. Zhang Shanshan noticed all of this, outwardly expressing endless gratitude but inwardly feeling smug.
“Shiqing, I’m not that fragile. I’ve recovered long ago. I was bored at home, so I made you some soup. Try it.”
She placed the thermos on the table and carefully poured the soup for Fang Shiqing.
Seeing how thoughtful Zhang Shanshan was, Fang Shiqing was even more moved. She had just freshened up and hadn’t had breakfast yet. The soup Zhang Shanshan brought was perfect—warming her stomach and serving as a nutritious meal.
She took the soup, her face full of gratitude. “Shanshan, I’m so embarrassed! You saved me and now you’re making me soup. You’re the one who should be recovering!”
Zhang Shanshan just smiled. “Shiqing, I’m already fully recovered. You’re the one who’s lost so much weight. Don’t be so polite with me.”
“I don’t know how to thank you enough!”
She smiled at Zhang Shanshan, almost wanting to hug her.
“We’re friends!”
Zhang Shanshan’s eyes curved, her smile clear.
Fang Shiqing nodded firmly. After that incident, she had long considered Zhang Shanshan a sister!
“Mm! This soup is really good!”
The soup suited Fang Shiqing’s taste perfectly.
Zhang Shanshan nodded. She had made soup often and was confident in her skills. “Yeah, I used to make it for my mom a lot, so I got good at it.”
When she mentioned her mother, a flicker of sadness crossed her face, which Fang Shiqing noticed, feeling a pang of sympathy. “You’ve been through a lot.”
She shook her head, indicating it was nothing, then glanced around the room, feigning ignorance. “Did Banxia go out?”
“Mm, she went out to play with the two little ones.”
Fang Shiqing had still been asleep when Su Banxia got up, but she felt too exhausted to join them.
“Oh, what a coincidence. As soon as she left, I came. Now you won’t be lonely.”
She took Fang Shiqing’s hand, smiling warmly, which only made Fang Shiqing happier.
Since that incident, Fang Shiqing had completely changed her view of Zhang Shanshan, treating her as a friend. But they were still superior and subordinate, and today’s visit deepened their bond.
Even though Su Banxia had warned Fang Shiqing that Zhang Shanshan was trouble, in Fang Shiqing’s eyes, Zhang Shanshan had saved her life!
She set down the bowl, beaming. “Yeah! With you here, of course I’m not lonely!”
If Zhang Shanshan hadn’t come today, she probably would have eaten alone and stayed home all day.
“Let’s go out for a walk later,” Zhang Shanshan suggested.
Fang Shiqing agreed immediately, standing up. “Sure, I’ll go change.”
She turned and went into her room. Zhang Shanshan watched as, in the room next to Fang Shiqing’s, the door wasn’t fully closed. The clothes on the bed were ones Su Banxia often wore—clearly her room.
Seeing Fang Shiqing go in to change, which would take a while, Zhang Shanshan tiptoed into Su Banxia’s room.
On the desk lay a contract document that Dingsheng was currently handling. Zhang Shanshan knew this was one Su Banxia was working on. A smirk curled at her lips as she picked up the file and tossed it under the bed, pressing it down.
This contract was urgent. Zhang Shanshan was sure Su Banxia wouldn’t find it! Even if she did, it would likely cause a scene in Fang Shiqing’s house.
Satisfied with her handiwork, Zhang Shanshan smiled and tiptoed back out, returning to the sofa. Luckily, Fang Shiqing hadn’t come out yet.
Soon, the door opened. Fang Shiqing had changed into a plain-colored dress. Though simple, it made her look much more energetic.
“Let’s go, Shanshan!”
She linked arms with Zhang Shanshan familiarly, treating her like family. The two walked out together, looking like old friends.
At the zoo, Guoguo was thrilled. With Yan Xin there, Su Banxia found things much easier.
“Yan Xin, I’ll take Guoguo to the restroom. Keep an eye on Haohao.”
Su Banxia picked up Guoguo and called out to Yan Xin.
Yan Xin smiled. “Go ahead, don’t worry. I’ve got this.”
How could Su Banxia not trust him? Even if she left Haohao alone here, she’d be fine.
When Yan Xin looked at Haohao, the boy was staring back at him with a complicated expression.
“Haohao, what’s wrong?”
Feeling a bit unnerved by the stare, Yan Xin asked.
“Do you like my mom too?”
Haohao’s face was serious, his demeanor as mature as an adult’s.
Maybe because his thoughts were seen through by a child, Yan Xin blushed a little. “Who else likes your mom?”
He caught the word “too” and knew he wasn’t the only one who liked Su Banxia.
“Uncle Lin, and another uncle who looks a lot like Uncle Lin.”
Haohao’s tone remained cold, his personality much like Pei Shaoze’s.
Yan Xin gave a bitter smile. “So, do you think I have a chance?”
The uncle who looked like Uncle Lin could only be Pei Shaoze, and Uncle Lin was Lin Tongze.
“It depends on your performance. Guoguo and I don’t want anyone taking our mom away, so…”
Haohao didn’t finish, his mature demeanor leaving Yan Xin at a loss for words.