Chapter 209: Blind Date Arrangement (1)
Xia Zhetao’s mind was blown upon receiving the news from Zhao Youlin. By the time he recovered his senses, he cast a condemning gaze at Mu Tingfeng.
Never judge a book by its cover. Who would have thought his president, who was close to perfection, a heart-throb who practiced sexual abstinence to a fault, was not just an insensible and dull-witted gump, had also cheated on his wife! He was a scum who abandoned his wife for the sake of a mistress! If this were to spread in the company, he wondered how many people would be heartbroken by this.
In other words, the reason why the president and former Mrs. President had divorced was all because the former Mrs. President had found out that the president had cheated on her. She was so sad that she decided to divorce him and take his child along with her, right?
No wonder… No wonder the former Mrs. President gave him a cold shoulder no matter how hard the president had humbled himself to save their relationship. So, this was the truth!
The more Xia Zhetao thought about it, the more he felt that he had guessed it right. He felt incredibly complicated.
Just then, Zhao Youlin turned back in a fit rage. She stared at the roses in Xia Zhetao’s hand with killing intent, “What sort of horrible flowers are these? They simply lack taste! Don’t send them to me anymore. They are huge and can’t even fit the company’s trash bin. Handling stuff like this is troublesome!”
After Zhao Youlin finished speaking, she ignored the two dumbstruck men. She carried Joy and left in style in her heels. When she left, she even bumped Xia Zhetao ruthlessly.
Xia Zhetao nearly stumbled. He hastily held the flowers properly.
It took him some time before he regained balance. He wiped away the cold sweat on his head. When he looked up, he was greeted by the sight of his superior’s stoic face. A chill immediately crept down his spine. A bad feeling sprouted from his heart.
Indeed. Mu Tingfeng was silently staring at Xia Zhetao. To be precise, he was actually staring at the flowers in his arms. Then, he blurted out cruelly, “The pay raise is canceled and… the money for the flowers will be deducted from your pay this month.”
A loud bang rang out in Xia Zhetao’s head. He felt like he had just been struck by thunder and had died in an unnamed grave, having collapsed into nothing.
‘Don’t… Don’t do this…!’ A long-drawn cry echoed in the quiet alleyway for a very long time. Yet, the culprit behind this tragedy did not show the slightest bit of compassion for him.
Mu Tingfeng ignored a certain one lying on the ground while holding a huge bouquet of flowers. Instead, he looked in the direction where Zhao Youlin had left expressionlessly. It was only after some time did he silently stroke his face and looked like he was deep in thought.
Zhao Youlin did not expect so much had happened after she went out. She was tired by the time she arrived home. The moment she was greeted by the sight of the former master’s mocking expression, her entire body was boiling in rage.
However, since Duan Yarong and other family members were around, Zhao Youlin had to hold back and swallow her anger.
“Youlin, you’re home just in time, we’re about to have our meal. Hurry up and bring Joy over,” As soon as Duan Yarong saw Zhao Youlin returned home, she immediately greeted her with a smile. She led the two toward the dining table while asking Aunt Wang to bring up the rest of the meal.
“How was everything after the visitation today?” After they took their seat, Duan Yarong smiled faintly and asked about Zhao Youlin’s day.
Zhao Youlin placed Joy at a specially padded place beside her and replied, “I went over and found that the environment is quite good. The people seemed nice too.”
Duan Yarong smiled as she nodded, “The kindergarten is quite reputable in the neighborhood. The only thing is there are some countryside children…”
“Mother, there’s nothing wrong with having countryside children. Although they might not be as knowledgeable as the city children, they are equally honest and adorable. In fact, I’m more concerned about children from rich families. It’s fine if the rich family educates their children. What worries me the most is the uncouth rich person who just flung money everywhere and spoiled their children, ending up being someone who fears the strong but bullies the weak.”
Duan Yarong froze. She seemed to have thought of something. She heaved a sigh and nodded, “This makes sense. Youlin, you’ve planned everything well. Since you’ve made up your mind, I’ll ask someone to handle the procedures within these days.”
“Okay.”
The topic was over just like that. Duan Yarong looked at Zhao Youlin and smiled, she asked, “How was business there when you check on your outlet just now?”
After Zhao Youlin came out of the kindergarten, Duan Yarong had called her. Zhao Youlin had told her that she would bring Joy along since they were on the way and so they would be back home later.
Upon hearing Duan Yarong ask about the outlet, for a moment, Zhao Youlin had an unnatural expression on her face. She faked a cough and said, “Mhm… The business is quite good.”
“Great. You have to juggle between the two now. This would inevitably burden you. You could pass down the work to your subordinate and let them handle the job. Didn’t you say the ladies in the outlet are quite capable? If so, you don’t have to worry about it so much. It’s not good for you if you overwork.”
“Got it, Mother. I know what to do,” Knowing that Duan Yarong was just worried that she would be exhausted due to overwork, Zhao Youlin smiled faintly and replied to her.
After getting familiar with Duan Yarong, Zhao Youlin found that although she looked gentle and dignified on the surface, she nagged non-stop when she showed her concern for her, just like any ordinary parent.
For this, Zhao Youlin did not resent it. Instead, she enjoyed it.
People always cherished the things they rarely had and ignored the things they had always had, or even abandoned them. This was human nature, after all.
“Ahem…” Zhao Shunrong faked a cough and interrupted the conversation between the mother-daughter pair. He reminded them, “It’s not too late to continue after the meal.”
Only then did the two return to their senses. They immediately stopped when they saw the table filled with dishes as well as the grief-stricken former master who had been ignored. They quietly took their lunch.
The Zhao family’s dining habits were similar to many other families. They did not speak while eating. However, ever since the arrival of Zhao Youlin and Joy, the unwritten rule at the dining table had naturally been broken.
Zhao Youlin searched through the delicious food on the table and picked them for Joy, while Duan Yarong piled food on Zhao Youlin’s plate.
Zhao Shunrong had been adoring his wife and so, he naturally did not fall behind when he saw this. He discreetly piled the delicious food on Duan Yarong’s bowl.
The former master was the only one left sitting alone, watching the younger generation of family flaunting affection before him. He cursed them for being unfilial sons and grandsons in his heart. At the same time, he desperately winked at Uncle Zhao.
Uncle Zhao let out a bark of laughter and helped to pile the food for the former master. Looking at the former master’s puffed-up look, Uncle Zhao felt that he was behaving more childishly.
As they were halfway through the meal, Duan Yarong seemed to have thought of something. She put down her chopsticks and whispered to Zhao Youlin, “Youlin, I’ve asked Uncle Zhao to search the photos of some talented young men from big companies, and have even dug out their backgrounds. After the meal, come with me and take a look at them. See if you could spot anyone to your liking…”
“Pfff…”