Sitting in front of the TV, Zhang Zongxiang was overjoyed. He thought to himself with delight: Maybe it was because of my daughter that they got divorced. Perhaps in not too long, Xiaoruo will become the chairman’s wife. He would then be the father-in-law, and having a son-in-law on TV would be so prestigious. He brought out a pot of tea and sat in the courtyard, leisurely sipping it. He noticed a bodyguard patrolling around the perimeter and waved him over. Due to Zhou Yushang’s divorce, Nanling Villa had beefed up security to prevent Ruolai from being exposed. Security personnel were brought in from various places for round-the-clock surveillance to prevent those reporters who could fly through the air or burrow into the ground from digging up unreportable news. The security personnel knew Zhang Zongxiang and, aware that he was Ruolai’s father, treated him with extra respect. Seeing him wave, the bodyguard called over another person to take over his patrol and walked up to the table, respectfully calling out, “Mr. Zhang!” His respect made Zhang Zongxiang feel pleased to the bone, but his daughter’s warning rang in his ears just in time. He didn’t dare to put on airs and said cheerfully, “Please, sit down!” The bodyguard sat down as instructed. Zhang Zongxiang took out some high-quality Chinese cigarettes he found in the house, offered one to the bodyguard, and lit it for him, saying, “Oh, it’s so hot out here, you guys must be having a tough time!” Having lived here for half a month, his Mandarin had improved quite a bit. The bodyguard understood and still respectfully said, “This is my job, you don’t need to be polite.” Seeing the bodyguard’s respectful yet distant demeanor, Zhang Zongxiang was annoyed but couldn’t show it. He continued to smile and said, “Does Boss Zhou treat you well?” The bodyguard just answered with a “Yes.” Zhang Zongxiang poured him a cup of tea and said, “Have some tea! Ah, speaking of which, our Xiaoruo is pretty, always did better in school than others, just not so lucky. Her mother has been sick for years, and I’m not much use anymore. Fortunately, we met Boss Zhou!” The bodyguard didn’t know that Ruolai’s parents were divorced long ago. Hearing Zhang Zongxiang speak like this, he thought of his own parents back home. He worked hard to earn money hoping his parents could live a better life, but he never told them about his work due to their worries. He felt that Mr. Zhang’s concern was understandable and sympathized, casually comforting him, “Don’t worry, Boss Zhou treats Miss Ruolai very well. All these years, there hasn’t been another woman!” Upon hearing this, Zhang Zongxiang’s eyes lit up, and he was delighted, thinking that this matter was almost certain. He was going to be the father-in-law for sure.
Chapter 22 Zhou Yushang hadn’t returned to Nanling Villa for a month, not only because he had to accompany his parents but also because the media frenzy hadn’t subsided, and the matter of Nanling’s hidden beauty couldn’t be exposed. Therefore, he honestly stayed in the city’s mansion with his parents. Meanwhile, the “would-be father-in-law” Zhang Zongxiang didn’t even get a chance to have an open conversation with his “would-be son-in-law” before being tossed into a hotel kitchen by Ruolai. This was the first time in four years that Ruolai had asked for someone’s help, simply because she had the urge to murder for the first time. Zhang Zongxiang couldn’t be chased away; every time Ruolai suggested he go back home, he came up with countless excuses. Ruolai couldn’t really throw him out, fearing that if he returned to their hometown and spread rumors, it wouldn’t just be her reputation at stake, but also her mother’s. Yet, even if you gave him a hard time, he wouldn’t take it. Usually, if you were in a good mood and willing to talk, he would climb the conversational ladder, excitedly discussing with you for hours, always hinting or probing about her relationship with Zhou Yushang. Whenever Ruolai heard phrases like “Boss Zhou is a good man,” she felt as nauseated as if she had killed a mosquito and then swallowed its blood. Ruolai feared that if this continued, she might commit the sin of patricide against the natural order. Thus, before any tragedy occurred, she sought out Cheng Lan, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time.
The design of the small villa’s living room was typically Scandinavian: simple, bright, and elegant. The off-white European-style sofa faced the floor-to-ceiling windows, with the sky above a vibrant blue and the lake below a vivid green, as clean as the tidy living room without a speck of dirt. Ruolai loved this little villa, where Cheng Lan had made it feel like a home. She often told Ruolai, “I planted every plant here myself.” Ruolai knew she was exaggerating but was smart enough not to point it out. Whenever Cheng Lan spoke like a hostess, Ruolai would always laugh and compliment her, adding words of envy, feeling like she had done a good deed. Here is the
“Two days ago, I got a mango sapling from Ouyang’s friend and planted it in the backyard. When the mangoes ripen, I can just pick a few!” Cheng Lan, dressed in a light blue silk loungewear and wearing slippers, handed over the coffee she had personally brewed to Lai Hui. “You really know how to enjoy life; Ouyang is so lucky!” Lai Hui laughed, though she wondered how many years it would take for the sapling to bear fruit. “Speaking of which, I have to complain to you. Ouyang has so many chain restaurants, and customers still have to wait in line. Can’t he eat anywhere he wants? He insists that I cook, which I hate because it makes my hands and face all greasy…” Cheng Lan “complained” with a radiant smile, and Lai Hui, seizing the moment, turned her face away with the coffee in hand, pretending to inspect the room’s decor. She hadn’t realized when Cheng Lan had learned to speak in such a coquettish tone typical of young girls. “…So, you want to find a job for your dad?” Cheng Lan finally got to the point. Only then did Lai Hui put the coffee back on the table, lowering her eyelashes, resting her elbow on her knee, leaning forward, and adopting the perfect posture of someone making a request before she spoke: “Does Ouyang need any staff?” Cheng Lan patted her shoulder, in a sisterly manner, and replied, “I don’t know if they need staff, but I can work a vacancy for him!” Hearing this, Lai Hui felt relieved and smiled. Since Cheng Lan had agreed, it was time to reciprocate, and what Cheng Lan needed most was: “I want to hear more about you and Ouyang! It’s so enviable!” Cheng Lan, ever accommodating, kept Lai Hui entertained with stories for two hours before she left. As Lai Hui drove away from the garden gate, she glanced through the rearview mirror at Cheng Lan waving goodbye, feeling a pang of pity. She thought Cheng Lan had been talking for so long, eager to speak, perhaps because the house, decorated like a home, had been lonely for too long!
After Ouyang returned, Cheng Lan told him about this, expecting some negotiation, but to her surprise, Ouyang agreed immediately. The next day, he sent a reply to Lai Hui – an assistant chef position with room and board, a monthly salary of 3,500, and a double salary at the end of the year. Cheng Lan thought she had helped Lai Hui, and Lai Hui believed the same. Neither knew that Ouyang, upon hearing it was Lai Hui’s father, casually extended a favor to Zhou Yuqian. Whether Lai Hui intended it or not, Zhou Yuqian was now in debt for this small favor.
Zhang Zongxiang’s job was quickly secured, and Lai Hui promptly packed his luggage and sent it to his dormitory. Ouyang specifically instructed his subordinates to give him a single room. Everyone was much more courteous to Zhang Zongxiang due to the chairman’s care, except for the occasional sharp rebuke from the head chef. Zhang Zongxiang spent his days eating, drinking, and loafing around, quite content.
