Pei Yueran opened her eyes and sat up, "Really?" She looked back and saw a black car with tinted glasses behind them.
"You mean this black car? Did you notice something?"
"Yes. The driver has been trying to follow us subtly since we left the office. I didn't notice it at first, but even after leaving Swallows, it was still following us. It's very suspicious."
"What should we do?"
"Leave it to me ma'am. I'll lose him soon." So Fang Bo took them on a winding ride, going through residential areas and small roads. When they finally emerged at Pei Yueran's apartment, the black car was nowhere to be found.
Pei Yueran thanked him and he left. Since she had eaten, she washed up and went straight to bed.
*****
The next day was a weekend. The Fu family were at the Li family villa bright and early in the morning. The Li couple were seated on the sofa when Butler Nan brought them in.
Fu Mengyao walked in behind her parents, her head bowed low. At a glance, she looked very contrite and repentant, but she was cursing Pei Yueran in her heart.
Fu Yinuo walked forward and went to embrace Zhang Heying, "My good sister, I'm very ashamed. This daughter of mine has caused you a lot of trouble, please forgive us."
Zhang Heying was no longer angry —after all Fu Mengyao did not succeed and everything went well eventually— but she still didn't want to see Fu Mengyao.
"Old sister, I have already spoken to her and we've settled the matter. You didn't have to come all the way."
Fu Minghao bowed to Li Qianye, "Chairman Li, we have come "
Li Qianye waved his words away, "You know I'm no longer the chairman. Let's forget the pleasantries. Welcome."
"Thank you Old Master Li", Fu Minghao changed his address. He then beckoned to Fu Mengyao, "Won't you come and greet your Auntie and Uncle?"
"Hello Uncle, Auntie. I came to apologize for the other day. I'm very sorry."
"Let's all sit down first", Zhang Heying said, ignoring Fu Mengyao. Butler Nan told two servants to serve up refreshments.
After some small talk, Fu Yinuo returned to the main purpose of their visit. Zhang Heying said, "Sister, we are not angry with Mengyao, after all, we aren't the ones she offended."
"What about Chairman Li? Is he here, so that we can apologize."
"Chuanmo is not around. And he was not the only one she offended either."
Fu Mengyao was boiling in anger. Are they saying she had to apologize to that s**t too? She would rather die!
"Sister, what do you suggest?"
"You can go to the company on Monday. Both of them will be at work, so Mengyao can go and apologize."
"Thank you very much sister." Fu Yinuo said gratefully. As angry as she was with Fu Mengyao, that was her daughter after all, what could she do? She had to bring out her old face and plead. She only hoped that this would not destroy her friendship with Zhang Heying totally.
After sitting around for a while, the Fu family said their goodbyes and left.
In the car, Fu Yinuo said, "We have done our best. It's now up to you. Make sure you go and apologize to both of them. Don't do anything to further worsen the situation."
Fu Mengyao nodded, but what she wanted to do remained in her heart.
Apologize? That's easy. As long as that s**t remained alive to receive her apology.
*****
"I'm back. Should we meet at the office? Or do you want us to go somewhere else?"
When Pei Yueran read this message, she smiled. She had missed him quite a bit, and she was glad he had come back safely. She had an idea.
"You know what? Why don't you come to my place?" Pei Yueran sent this message first and continued typing, but Li Chuanmo's message came in quickly.
"Really? Are you sure?"
Pei Yueran paused. What was he thinking?
"Yes, to pick me up. I have a restaurant I want to take you to. It'll be my treat, to welcome you back."
Li Chuanmo took a few seconds to answer this time, "ohhhhh".
Pei Yueran laughed to herself. Li Chuanmo sounded ....disappointed?
"Alright, I'll be there in thirty minutes."
"Why don't you rest a for a while? You just got back right? We can go in the evening."
"I would prefer having lunch with you to resting. And now I'll be there in twenty eight minutes."
"No no no. Okay, give me an hour instead. I have to get dressed and ready."
"Right. See you soon."
Pei Yueran dropped her phone and raced to the bathroom. She was out of the bathroom in record time, but she was stumped by what to wear. Should she look casual or formal? It was their first time meeting outside of work for a "date", so she wanted to look special but not too formal.
She finally decided on the gown Su Qianhua bought for her on her last birthday. It was a straight, light purple dress that stopped just above her knees. She matched it with one-inch black heels and a black purse.
She had just finished spraying her perfume on her pulse points when the door bell rang.
She checked her wristwatch. Only forty-five minutes had passed since she told him to give her an hour. Was he here already?
She looked at the monitor. It was a guy she didn't recognize, wearing a black cap. "Hello, delivery", he said, raising up a delivery box.
Delivery? She didn't order anything and she told him so, "Sorry, but I didn't order anything."
"I have a package for Ms. Pei Yueran who lives on the fourth floor."
"That's me", she said. Something was odd, but she couldn't place a finger on it.
"You have to sign for the package before I hand it over please", he said, looking very professional.
So Pei Yueran opened the door.