Pei Shaoze's face was terrifyingly dark. He had actually considered that Su Banxia might not be able to get a taxi and had grabbed his car keys to go pick her up, only to witness that scene. How could he not be furious!
"Banxia, go back. Take the kids and return to France."
In the coffee shop, they sat facing each other. Lin Tongze suddenly spoke, his expression serious as he looked at her. He no longer wanted her to remain in such a position by Pei Shaoze's side.
Pei Shaoze's unpredictable temper would likely keep putting her in difficult situations like today.
But Su Banxia hesitated. She had indeed thought about leaving Dingsheng before, but because of that huge sum of money, she had no choice but to stay. Now, she wasn't even sure if she wanted to leave.
The two little ones had just registered for school here. Suddenly pulling them away—she didn't know what to do.
"President Pei... and the kids..." she said, somewhat melancholy.
Was she really going to leave with him? Returning to the country had only left her in debt and alienated Fang Shiqing. She felt utterly helpless.
Lin Tongze had already thought of all this. "I'll arrange everything. Trust me."
How could Su Banxia not trust him? She knew all too well how he felt about her, but she never wanted to trouble him.
"Tongze, I know you mean well, but if I leave just because of a little setback, it would make me seem too weak."
It was just a huge sum of money for her. Even if she couldn't pay it off in a year or two, there was still the future. She could eventually settle it.
As for that contract, it was indeed her fault, and she ought to make amends.
"Banxia, I know you're strong-willed, but I don't want to watch Pei Shaoze bully you anymore. Letting you join Dingsheng was my mistake, and now helping you leave is only right."
He could somewhat discern Pei Shaoze's intentions. If Su Banxia stayed by his side any longer, he feared he might end up giving the person he loved to someone else.
"Tongze, Guoguo and Haohao just started school not long ago... I'm really worried..."
She couldn't let go of the children. Now that they were just getting used to things, taking them away would be too hard.
"Banxia."
"Let me think it over some more."
She set down her water glass and stood to leave. She was afraid that if she faced Lin Tongze any longer, she would waver, abandon everything, and take the kids back abroad.
"Alright, take your time thinking."
Lin Tongze nodded. He knew Su Banxia always made her own decisions, and he wouldn't force her.
Seeing her rise, Lin Tongze didn't stay seated either. He got up to see her off.
He skillfully parked the car in front of Fang Shiqing's house. Only after watching Lin Tongze's car drive away did she let her troubled expression show.
Now she and Fang Shiqing had essentially fallen out. Even entering this house felt awkward, but finding a place to stay elsewhere was also a problem.
Besides, Guoguo and Haohao would surely be reluctant. Reluctantly, she had to stay here for now.
When Fang Shiqing came home, the lights in Su Banxia and the kids' room were already off. She had gotten off work early and planned to pick up Guoguo and Haohao, but Zhang Shanshan had warmly invited her to dinner. Unable to refuse, she agreed and only returned at this hour.
There was food left on the table for her by Su Banxia, but once again, she didn't touch it.
The next day.
Early in the morning, Su Banxia dragged Guoguo and Haohao out of bed again. After they washed up, Guoguo asked, "Mommy, what's wrong between you and godmother? You're not talking to each other."
Even a child could sense something was off between them. Su Banxia felt helpless. "Nothing, Mommy and godmother are fine. Don't overthink it, Guoguo."
She could only push the two kids toward the bathroom while explaining.
"Then why won't godmother drive us? Why do we have to take a taxi?"
Guoguo turned back to look at her, big eyes blinking, waiting for Su Banxia's answer.
Su Banxia froze, unsure how to respond. She glanced at Haohao, who wore an expression that said, 'You figure out how to explain this yourself.' She had no choice but to pat Guoguo's head and make up an excuse. "Godmother's been working hard lately, so of course we can't trouble her."
Guoguo nodded as if she understood and started washing up. Su Banxia breathed a sigh of relief.
When she went to the kitchen to prepare breakfast, the food she had left for Fang Shiqing last night was untouched. It seemed she was still angry.
After a quick breakfast, she hurried out with the kids before Fang Shiqing even woke up.
As soon as she arrived at the company, Pei Shaoze was already sitting in his office. Seeing Su Banxia, his face darkened. "Secretary Su, did you rest well?"
His tone carried a hint of mockery. Su Banxia had no idea what she had done to offend him this time.
"Thank you for your concern, President Pei. I rested fine."
She nodded in reply, acting as if nothing had happened, and returned to her seat.
Pei Shaoze looked up at her, anger evident in his eyes. "Well, of course you rested well, with such pleasant company, right?"
The scene he had witnessed yesterday had been replaying in his mind all night. He couldn't figure out any reason for it.
Su Banxia immediately sensed the underlying meaning in his words. "What do you mean, President Pei?"
Seeing her still acting clueless, Pei Shaoze's expression grew even darker. "You don't know what I mean? You leave the company, and the next thing I know, you're off on a date with Lin Tongze. What, in such a hurry to hand him the contract?"
At his words, Su Banxia understood. So Lin Tongze picking her up yesterday had been seen by Pei Shaoze.
This gave her a headache. She and Lin Tongze were just friends, but because he was the president of Lin's Group, any meeting between them invited malicious speculation.
"You're mistaken, President Pei. Lin Tongze and I are just acquaintances. He happened to be nearby and offered me a ride."
She tried to stay calm and explain patiently.
Pei Shaoze clearly didn't believe her. "Oh? Was it on the way or on purpose?"
His face was still full of disdain, showing no trust in her words.
"On the way."
Su Banxia repeated firmly without changing her expression. Lin Tongze had indeed come specifically for her, but if he had come all the way just to pick her up, it would have taken an hour or two. How could he have arrived so quickly? It had to be that he was nearby, just a coincidence.
He thought of the smile on Su Banxia's face when she got into Lin Tongze's car—far happier than her grim expression at the office. If it was just on the way, wouldn't she be terribly disappointed?
"Hmph, you know in your heart whether it was on the way or not."
He opened a file and stopped looking at her.
Su Banxia felt a surge of anger. It wasn't what he thought at all. Besides, spying on her like this was hardly appropriate for a CEO. "Isn't it a bit inappropriate for you to be spying on me like this, President Pei?"
Pei Shaoze laughed. "Spying? Hah, yes, I'm spying on you. Since when does Pei Shaoze need your permission to do anything? Don't forget your place!"
He had meant well, wanting to give her a ride, and had accidentally seen that scene. Now Su Banxia was calling it spying. Her conscience had truly gone missing.