"Mom will..."
"Uncle and I will make time to join you."
Before Su Banxia could finish her sentence, Pei Shaoze interrupted her calmly, his expression unruffled.
Su Banxia was momentarily stunned, turning her head involuntarily to glance at him.
Hearing the answer, the two children were naturally overjoyed.
When they got home, perhaps exhausted from the day, the kids curled up on the sofa and fell fast asleep. Su Banxia gently carried them to the bedroom, and as she looked at their peaceful sleeping faces, she couldn't help but let out a quiet sigh.
Not long ago, these little ones would keep asking her, "Where did Daddy go?" Now, though they no longer asked, the longing for a father's love in their eyes still deeply pierced her heart.
Coming out of the room, Su Banxia accidentally bumped into a solid chest. The impact made her gasp in pain.
"President Pei?"
Su Banxia was taken aback.
"Back in France, did Lin Tongze never join you for the kids' activities?"
Pei Shaoze cast a sidelong glance at the closed door, his tone seemingly casual.
Su Banxia's heart sank with tension at his words. "Why would President Pei suddenly ask that?"
"Lin Tongze treated you so well—would he really let you handle the kids' activities alone?"
Pei Shaoze's words clearly carried a hidden meaning.
"Tongze was busy with work back then, so..."
"So busy he didn't even want the kids?"
Pei Shaoze cut her off bluntly. "Can I take that to mean that's why you two eventually went your separate ways?"
"I..."
Su Banxia was at a loss for words. She felt she couldn't keep up with Pei Shaoze's train of thought at all—communicating with someone so sharp was pure torture!
A faint smile flickered across Pei Shaoze's face. He leaned in close to Su Banxia's ear and said softly, "It's fine. We'll be family soon enough anyway."
"Pei..."
"I'll join you for every one of the kids' activities from now on. Even if I'm just a stepfather, I'll give it my all."
Pei Shaoze rolled up his sleeves and walked past her calmly.
His last words left Su Banxia dazed. She stood frozen in place, unsure how to react.
Fang Shiqing came home late from work. By the time she arrived, Su Banxia had already tidied up the house and was sitting in the living room with a face mask on.
"How was your date today? Fun?"
Fang Shiqing hung her bag aside, spun around, and plopped down next to Su Banxia. Her raised eyebrows showed she was in a great mood.
"I'm exhausted. What fun?"
Su Banxia replied weakly.
After a whole day of intense activity on the playground, she had no idea where Pei Shaoze got the energy to still be so lively.
"Love fuels people. From the looks of you, did you overdo it with the romance?"
Fang Shiqing teased.
Su Banxia shot her a dirty look, then suddenly sat up straight, her expression turning serious. "Tell me honestly—how are things going between you and Yan Xin now?"
"What else?"
Fang Shiqing's face scrunched up. "Yan Xin treats me like I'm a thief now. He runs the moment he sees me."
Hearing this, Su Banxia's mind naturally conjured up that image, and she couldn't help but chuckle.
"What are you laughing at? Help me think of something! I can't even give him gifts anymore, and talking to him is a luxury!"
If this kept up, she'd never win him over—even the Yangtze and Yellow Rivers would have to flow backward.
Seeing Fang Shiqing's genuine frustration, Su Banxia smiled slightly. "If he's avoiding you, then create opportunities to meet him."
"How?"
Fang Shiqing perked up instantly, sitting straight and staring at Su Banxia intently, as if she were about to take notes.
"What's your job? HR manager! Don't you hold the power over most people in the company?"
Su Banxia raised an eyebrow.
Fang Shiqing shook her head. "No, that would cause a backlash."
"You're so dense."
Su Banxia felt a pang of disappointment. Fang Shiqing was usually sharp and clever—why did she turn into a fool when it came to love?
"What's wrong?"
Fang Shiqing asked nervously.
"Who said you have to move the whole company? Yan Xin's department only has a few key people. With them busy and short-staffed, can't you use your brain a little?"
Su Banxia guided her step by step.
Fang Shiqing's eyes lit up with sudden understanding. She could transfer some people from other departments to help! That way, whether out of politeness or otherwise, she'd have a reason to talk to Yan Xin.
"Banxia, what's in that little head of yours?"
Fang Shiqing was thrilled, already plotting her next moves.
Su Banxia just shook her head helplessly at the scene.
The next day, everything went on as usual.
Su Banxia looked at the contracts she'd prepared, mustered her courage, and headed to the Song Group to negotiate a deal. She felt uncertain about this partnership. She'd heard a bit about the Song family—the current young CEO had a notoriously unpredictable temper, and she had no idea what he liked. Still, to lighten her debt burden, she steeled herself and went.
Sitting in the Song Group's meeting room, Su Banxia's anxiety grew.
After a wait, someone finally arrived.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, Miss Su."
Song Wei walked in gracefully, a gentle smile on his face.
"Hello, President Song."
Su Banxia quickly stood up, extending her hand politely with a faint smile. Deep down, she felt a strange familiarity with this man, but she couldn't place where she'd seen him.
Song Wei sat across from her, looking at Su Banxia with a slight curl of his lips. "I didn't expect we'd meet again so soon."
Su Banxia was momentarily confused. "Have we met before?"
"Oh?"
Song Wei paused, then laughed heartily. "It's fine if Miss Su doesn't remember. I do."
"Sorry, President Song."
Su Banxia felt a bit awkward.
"The day you were discharged from the hospital, we saw each other at the restaurant."
Song Wei smiled calmly. "I didn't speak to you, so it's normal that you don't recall."