The Xings clothing brand.
Feng Jiu sat on the CEOs chair. Her smile so bright like she had seen the future.
"What is wrong? You are frowning so hard at me. Are you crazy or something? Is it my fault brother didn't come home last night? Is it?"
The person didn't reply, merely clenching her lips trying hard not to fall into Jiu's trap.
"Shiya, you look so scared. Hehe. Have I suddenly become a ghost? You don't like the sight of me? I would be sure to let you know if brother has gotten himself a woman. You know he doesn't love you, so stop trying to please him so much. You didn't give Zhihao a hard time I suppose, if the other one doesn't like you, you have to be in good terms with the other, right? Should I..." She paused on purpose seeing how eager Shiya was to hear what she had to say. "Tell you where my brother was? My baby brother spent the night with... OK I'm not telling. He made me promise not to tell." She said, the smile on her face broadening.
Shiya was seething but tried hard not to believe what Jiu was saying. Without trying so hard, she knew what Jiu was playing at.
"You done?" Shiya finally said.
Jiu nodded still smiling, "Yes dear. I'm done."
Shiya's hands clutched to her dress. "Then leave, I have some work to do."
"Oh oh. Are you that busy? What if brother suddenly asks for a divorce? You have to be up on your toes. Don't be too relaxed, besides..." She broke the sentence to smirk and sneer at her, "No one knows brother more than I. The things he loves... And cherishes. What If he finds himself a woman? Can you take it?" Jiuwen tried her best to annoy the young woman. if I mention her name... She would die from fright. She thought and laughed out loud.
She stood up, dressed her rumpled suit and strode to the door. "Let me keep the name to myself for suspense. I will love to shock you beyond words. And believe me, you won't be able to take it!" She slammed the door shut. Through the glass door, Shiya could see Xueyan's departing figure. She came here on purpose. Wait, how did she know he didn't return for the night? Is it true according to her... No no. It's impossible. No woman except that woman can make him bat an eye. She's no longer here, so how is it possible for him to fall for any random woman? Jiu is lying! F*ck! I fell for her tricks. That annoying sister of my husband... Getting married isn't such an easy job.
*
Jiu left happily. I will be her biggest nightmare! Well, it will be more fun if I find her besties. Haha. I would love to watch them seethe and pretend they are OK. Fools.
*****
Jingyao was in his home when he received the abrupt call from Xiangyang.
"No way, you must be mistaken. It might be a far away relative."
"Are you mad?" Xiangyang had questioned. "How can you say I'm mistaken? Wait I will send you the picture so you can see for yourself."
After Jingyao saw the picture, he felt like the girl was familiar but he had no idea on how to trace the figure. He couldn't trace it to anyone he knew. So he gave up trying.
"Why don't we spend some time together, we can find out from him."
"Okay. Let's do that."
Xiangyang hung up and left Jingyao wondering.
After the call ended, he received another. He thought it was Xiangyang and opened his mouth to speak...
"Hello brother Jingyao," the familiar voice came through. It sounded so excited.
He took the phone out of his ear then looked at the caller. He frowned. "Cui Yao." His voice displeasing to the ear.
She didn't mind, "Yes, brother Jingyao. How are you?"
Calling to know how I am. Is she Alright?
"Good, good. Please I'm busy now let's..."
"Hold on brother Jingyao. I want to invite you to lunch."
"I'm very busy."
"OK. How about tomorrow? Tomorrow?"
He regretted not looking at the caller, "OK." Before she could say anything again, he hung up.
*****
Zhaolin told Riuwen not to return to the hotel again and he agreed.
She wants to be far from me. So far. All I can do is give her the space she wants. I will respect her choice, at least I can do it.
He took up her resume and started studying it, again. He reread it again. He had read it before and here he is doing it again.
Qingran. Bai Qingran. Seven years old.
He smiled subconsciously. The little girl I had met that day. She must be Qingran.
He picked up his phone and dialed his father's number. When the call connected, he greeted the man and went straight to the point. "The employee Bai Xueyan, what did you do about her child?"
"Oh, I heard she was your classmate and Jiu's schoolmate. Her daughter, she's in the same school as Zhihao. Any problem?"
"No. Nothing."
"Exactly what Jiu said a day ago and the Xueyan didn't come to work today. Don't tell me that after asking today too she won't come tomorrow."
"No dad. You got it wrong. Anyways bye."
"OK. Son?"
"Yes?"
"When last have you visited your mom? Have you forgotten you have a mother?"
"I will do so soon." He didn't bother replying to his question.
"Good."
After bading goodbye properly to his father, he hung up.
Thinking about his mom, he would rather give her a surprise than make her anticipate his coming. He would be delighted to see the surprise in her eyes, glowing with happiness.
He put the resume back into his safe and locked it.
Jiang Zhiyang came in, carrying the documents that needed his boss's signature.
There was a lot of them. He submitted it and started reading out some that needed urgent approval.