Recently, Pei Shaoze had given Su Banxia a few days off to make up for the time Guoguo and Haohao had taken up, ensuring she could properly spend time with them. Ever since Pei Shaoze had spoken to her that day and offered a few reminders, she had come to see the logic in it.
"President Pei, has Banxia... not come to work yet?"
She had visited Pei Shaoze's office countless times, yet never caught sight of Su Banxia. If Yan Xin hadn't told her that Su Banxia hadn't gone abroad, she might have truly believed she had already left. Over the past few days, she had tried calling Su Banxia, but the phone was always off, leaving her heart heavy and unsure how to console herself.
Pei Shaoze glanced up at her, his expression indifferent. "Mm, I let her spend a few days with the kids."
If he didn't give Su Banxia time off soon, Haohao might end up resenting him!
"Alright."
Fang Shiqing nodded. She knew that Guoguo and Haohao rarely saw Su Banxia on a daily basis, so she was glad that Pei Shaoze had finally seen reason and allowed her to be with the children for a few days.
Seeing that work ended early today and the kids weren't out of school yet, Fang Shiqing found herself driving to their school gate. After waiting about twenty minutes, she spotted two figures walking hand in hand toward her.
"Guoguo, Haohao!"
She smiled and waved at them, ready for them to rush into her arms.
Haohao, sharp-eyed, recognized Fang Shiqing immediately and tugged Guoguo along as they ran toward her. "Godmother!"
"Young master, young miss, we need to head back first."
Before they could reach Fang Shiqing, the two children were stopped by someone.
Guoguo turned around and saw it was Aunt Li, who usually picked them up, and immediately pouted. "I want Godmother to come with us!"
These past few days, Godmother hadn't picked them up or visited them. Guoguo had almost thought she didn't want her anymore. Now that they'd finally run into her, she couldn't bear to let her go.
The servant called Aunt Li looked troubled. "That won't do. President Pei instructed us to pick you up, not her. We don't even know her!"
What if she brought some random person home and upset Pei Shaoze? Wouldn't she lose her job just like that?
Fang Shiqing understood her predicament and pulled a business card from her bag, handing it over. "I'm Fang Shiqing, a manager at your company, Dingsheng. You don't need to worry too much."
Aunt Li took the card but remained skeptical. Just then, Haohao spoke up. "Aunt Li, call Mommy! Let Godmother come with us!"
Haohao's quick thinking rivaled that of an adult. Neither of them had thought to call Su Banxia for permission, but he was the first to suggest it.
Aunt Li snapped to attention and quickly pulled out her phone to dial the home landline.
As soon as the call connected, Guoguo snatched the phone. "Mommy, Godmother came to pick us up. Guoguo wants Mommy to come back with us."
This startled Su Banxia. Why would Fang Shiqing suddenly think to pick up the kids?
"Guoguo, be good. Godmother is busy."
She didn't know how to face Fang Shiqing, so she scrambled for an excuse.
Just then, Fang Shiqing overheard her words. She grabbed the phone, her voice urgent. "Banxia, I'm not busy. I'm sorry, there might have been some misunderstanding before."
She was desperate to explain herself to Su Banxia, afraid that if this call ended, they'd grow distant.
"Mommy!"
Guoguo chimed in from the side, eager for Fang Shiqing to come home with them.
Su Banxia wavered. She hadn't really been angry with Fang Shiqing; they just needed a chance to talk. "Guoguo, give the phone to Aunt Li."
"Miss Su!"
Aunt Li took the phone respectfully.
"Aunt Li, bring Miss Fang back with you."
Su Banxia's voice came through, and Aunt Li couldn't refuse. She agreed immediately.
"Yes."
Along the way, Guoguo was overjoyed, snuggling into Fang Shiqing's arms with great affection.
When the Pei family's car pulled into the villa district, Fang Shiqing was surprised. Was Banxia living here?
The car stopped in front of a villa, and Guoguo naturally tugged her inside.
"Haohao, is this your mom's house?"
She was puzzled. Given Su Banxia's means, living here would be a stretch.
Haohao shook his head. "It's Mommy's boss's house."
This stunned Fang Shiqing. Pei Shaoze's generosity toward her had reached this level.
Stepping inside, Fang Shiqing saw Su Banxia sitting in the living room. After so many days apart, neither knew what to say upon meeting.
"Haohao, take Guoguo to your room to do homework."
Su Banxia, seeing them arrive, directly sent the children away. Guoguo wanted to play with Fang Shiqing a bit longer, but Haohao understood Su Banxia's intent and quickly led her off.
Once the kids were gone, Fang Shiqing approached her and spoke softly, "Banxia, are you living with Pei Shaoze?"
"No, I couldn't find a place in time, so he brought me here."
Su Banxia said it lightly, treating Fang Shiqing like a stranger, devoid of their former closeness.
Hearing such a cold tone, Fang Shiqing's heart sank. "Banxia, you're still blaming me."
Su Banxia shook her head, her face expressionless. "It's not about blame. You're overthinking it."
"I really didn't expect it to turn out like this. You know Zhang Shanshan saved my life, but so did you. And I've known you longer than her. It's my fault, Banxia..."
Thinking back to how she had misunderstood her, Fang Shiqing was filled with regret, wanting nothing more than to clear things up and return to how they were.
"Shiqing, thank you for picking up the kids, but don't bother in the future."
Su Banxia's attitude remained cold, not even glancing at her.
Fang Shiqing grew anxious. "Banxia, you know I..."
She wanted to tell her not to be so formal, not to treat her like an outsider, but before she could finish, she was cut off.
"Thank you for before. If you need my help with anything, I'll assist. But I'll say this: be careful of Zhang Shanshan."
Su Banxia kept bringing up Zhang Shanshan, putting Fang Shiqing in a tough spot. Even if the lost contract at home wasn't Su Banxia's doing, she couldn't be sure it was Zhang Shanshan either.
She sighed, her face full of worry. "What grudge do you have with her?"
When it came to grudges, Su Banxia had none with Zhang Shanshan—just a few interactions. She could tell Zhang Shanshan wasn't straightforward.
"My judgment of people is solid. She's not just looking for a simple friendship with you."
Just that day, when the snacks she'd asked her to pass to Yan Xin were thrown in the trash, Su Banxia could guess her intentions.
"Banxia..."
She tried to say more, but Su Banxia cut her off, turning to Aunt Li. "Aunt Li, is dinner ready? Miss Fang is hungry."
Fang Shiqing understood the hint and gave a wry smile. "I'm not hungry. I'll head out now."
Su Banxia nodded. "Then I won't see you off."
With that, her gaze returned to the book in her hands, not sparing her another look. Only after a long moment did she lift her head to glance at the door, where Fang Shiqing's figure had already vanished.