He raised his hand and patted Haohao on the shoulder. "Uncle won't take your mommy away. Your mommy and I are very good friends."
For now, this was the only explanation he could give without making Su Banxia feel awkward or distant from him.
Pei Shaoze kept insisting that he didn't care about Su Banxia, but Haohao's words made him realize that he had long been deeply attached to her. Even a child could see it, so how could he not?
Just as he was lost in thought, Su Banxia came out carrying Guoguo. "Looks like you two are getting along pretty well."
She had initially worried that Haohao might feel uncomfortable around Yan Xin, given that one was aloof and the other gentle and refined. But now, seeing no signs of tension between them, she felt relieved.
"Heh heh, Haohao is very sensible. You must be tired from carrying her. Let me take over, and we'll head to the next pavilion."
Smiling, he took Guoguo from Su Banxia's arms and walked ahead.
Guoguo had never minded being held by Yan Xin, and now she was even more accustomed to it.
Su Banxia didn't refuse either. After this interaction, she had come to accept Yan Xin's help. Having him around made things much easier; otherwise, with no one to look after Guoguo, even though she and Haohao could manage, it would still be a bit exhausting.
"Shanshan, try this one!"
In the mall, Fang Shiqing kept picking out clothes for Shanshan. Whenever she found something nice and fitting, she swiped her card without a second thought, regardless of the price. Looking at the bags in their hands, it was clear that women's shopping abilities were not to be underestimated.
"Shiqing, you've already bought me so many clothes. Please stop. I don't want you to spend any more."
Zhang Shanshan looked embarrassed. She hadn't expected Fang Shiqing to be so generous with her.
Fang Shiqing waved it off dismissively, holding up a dress to compare against her before swiping her card again. After all, as the manager of Dingsheng, she had to have some financial standing.
"It's fine. As long as it suits you, that's what matters. Every woman deserves a few nice outfits."
She handed the clothes to her and linked arms with her as they walked out.
Zhang Shanshan was momentarily speechless, unsure how to respond. But since Fang Shiqing was the manager of Dingsheng, this small amount of money meant nothing to her.
"Shiqing, wait for me here. I need to use the restroom."
Smiling, she removed her hand from Fang Shiqing's arm and placed the bags on a nearby chair.
Fang Shiqing immediately stood up. "I'll go with you."
"No need. I know where it is. I'll be right back."
She declined with a smile, knowing that Fang Shiqing was worried she might get lost. But she didn't just want to use the restroom.
Seeing her insistence, Fang Shiqing didn't push further. "Alright, go ahead. I'll wait here."
Zhang Shanshan nodded and walked away.
When she returned, she was holding an extra box. Fang Shiqing looked at her, puzzled. How did she end up with a box after just going to the restroom?
"Shiqing, you've bought me so many clothes, and I'm really grateful. I knew that if you came with me, you wouldn't let me buy this little gift. It's a pair of sister bracelets—one for each of us. They're not expensive, but they were designed by the famous designer Daner."
She beamed as she opened the box.
Fang Shiqing was pleasantly surprised. Seeing the delicate bracelet, she was delighted. "It's beautiful! Shanshan, thank you for being so thoughtful."
Although Zhang Shanshan said the bracelet wasn't expensive, Fang Shiqing knew that this single bracelet was worth more than all the clothes she had bought for her. It showed how unreserved Zhang Shanshan was with her, which made her even more appreciative.
She extended her hand, and Zhang Shanshan personally put the bracelet on her. Seeing the matching bracelets on their left wrists made their bond seem incredibly close.
"Shanshan, let's go back to my place first. After we drop off the stuff, I'll take you home."
She put their shopping bags in the trunk and said to Zhang Shanshan.
"Shiqing, no need to trouble yourself. I can just take a taxi home."
She smiled and was about to leave, but Fang Shiqing quickly stopped her.
Her expression turned serious. "How can I let you take a taxi? You've spent the whole day shopping with me. I should properly thank you! Letting you take a taxi home would make me a terrible friend."
She never treated her friends this way, especially not Zhang Shanshan.
Seeing Fang Shiqing's insistence, Zhang Shanshan didn't argue further. She opened the car door and got in. "Alright, thank you."
"Don't be so polite with me."
Fang Shiqing didn't realize that her attitude toward Zhang Shanshan had already become like that of a longtime friend.
At home, Fang Shiqing invited Zhang Shanshan to sit down while she carried the bags into the bedroom.
Just then, the door made a sound. Zhang Shanshan turned around and met a pair of puzzled eyes.
"Banxia... you're back... President Yan... how are you..."
She was surprised that Su Banxia had returned so early. She had thought Yan Xin had already left, but it turned out he had even escorted her home.
Jealousy burned fiercely in her heart, but her expression remained composed.
Seeing Zhang Shanshan's questioning look, Yan Xin didn't want to put Su Banxia in an awkward position, so he quickly explained, "Oh, I ran into Banxia on the way and came over for a bit."
Su Banxia's sharp gaze didn't waver. She looked at her. "Why are you here?"
Behind Su Banxia, Guoguo poked her head out, looking confused. "Mommy, who is this aunt?"
Instead of answering Guoguo, she said to Haohao, "Haohao, take your sister to the room."
Haohao rarely saw Su Banxia being so rude to someone and immediately understood the seriousness of the situation. He quickly led Guoguo back to the room.
Zhang Shanshan looked at Su Banxia with an innocent expression, making Su Banxia seem somewhat heartless.
Although Zhang Shanshan had saved Fang Shiqing's life, Su Banxia's hostility toward her hadn't diminished. She knew that Zhang Shanshan wasn't as simple as she appeared.
Yan Xin watched the scene unfold, confused. Zhang Shanshan had always been his assistant, so how had she offended Su Banxia?
Just as the atmosphere was growing awkward, Fang Shiqing's voice rang out. "Banxia! Shanshan is my guest! President Yan, you're here too!"
As Fang Shiqing spoke, she appeared before them, still smiling, unaware of what had happened.
"Shiqing... you... I told you..."
Su Banxia pulled Fang Shiqing aside and started to speak hesitantly.
Fang Shiqing knew exactly what she meant and immediately exclaimed, "Banxia, Shanshan really isn't what you think!"
Hearing this, Zhang Shanshan looked at her with a pitiful expression, on the verge of tears.
"Banxia, have you misunderstood something about me?"
Su Banxia didn't want to say anything more. It seemed like Fang Shiqing had been brainwashed by Zhang Shanshan. She didn't want to see Zhang Shanshan anymore and turned to Yan Xin. "No, President Yan. Thank you for today. Could you please do me a favor and drop Zhang Shanshan off on your way?"
Yan Xin didn't mind and agreed immediately. "Sure, no problem."
Fang Shiqing wasn't happy about this. "Banxia, I said I'd take Shanshan home. If you do this... I..."
"Shiqing, it's fine. I'll make you soup another time."
Zhang Shanshan took Fang Shiqing's hand, deliberately showing off the matching sister bracelet on their wrists in front of Su Banxia.
Su Banxia noticed it immediately and felt a chill in her heart. When had they become so close?
Seeing that Zhang Shanshan agreed, Fang Shiqing didn't insist further. "Alright then. President Yan, sorry for the trouble. Let me know when Shanshan gets home."
Watching her sister care so much about someone else, Su Banxia felt a bitter taste in her heart. If it were anyone else, it might be fine, but it had to be Zhang Shanshan, who she found so suspicious.
Fang Shiqing wanted to say more, but Su Banxia had already turned around and taken the groceries she had bought on the way home into the kitchen. Helpless, Fang Shiqing went back to her room. She knew Su Banxia had a prejudice against Zhang Shanshan, and since both were her friends, she was caught in a difficult position.
In the kitchen, Su Banxia stared at the untouched breakfast on the table, frozen.
Thinking back to the thermos Zhang Shanshan had been carrying and her promise to make soup again, Su Banxia understood. No wonder she hadn't eaten the breakfast she had prepared—someone else had been bringing her soup.
She let out a bitter laugh and dumped the cold breakfast into the trash.