Chapter 13

Is this a family business?

Although Ji Qingyu didn’t consider herself to have a talent for business, she knew that in the business world, it’s often better to use outsiders than insiders. She curiously asked, “Mom, can I take a look at the employee salary list?”

Wang Yunlian finally took her eyes off the computer screen and looked at her, “Why do you want to see that?”

“Just curious.”

Ji Qingyu wasn’t worried about being exposed while interacting with her parents. It was only a five-year gap; she was indeed their child, having lived with them for over twenty years. So, she felt very relaxed and comfortable in front of her mother.

“Alright, wait a moment.”

Wang Yunlian used to be the type to get to the bottom of things. In many people’s eyes, she was a strong wife and a strong mother. However, Ji Qingyu knew that most of the credit for their family’s well-being went to her mother. Her aunt had a similar personality to her mother, and her father and uncle, being brothers, both had good tempers. They never raised their voices at their wives and children or ignored household chores. They didn’t earn much, but they also didn’t spend extravagantly.

The current Wang Yunlian surprised Ji Qingyu. Firstly, she didn’t expect her mother to be so proficient at typing on a computer. She knew her mother had taken a class to learn typing for a promotion, but in her memory, her mother rarely used a computer. Secondly, her mother, who always wanted to be in control of everything, didn’t question her curiosity and quickly agreed to show her the employee salary list.

Ji Qingyu took it and sat on the sofa to read it carefully. She couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief but also found her own cautiousness amusing.
With her mother in charge, she didn’t need to worry about trivial matters. On the employee list, besides her parents, there were only three familiar relatives.

Her aunt managed the buffet restaurant, her uncle was on the kitchen’s procurement staff, and her cousin was in the finance department. Both her aunt and cousin were efficient and capable, and they valued their reputations. Her uncle was also suitable for procurement, a role that required trustworthy people. Her mother must have made these decisions after careful consideration.

Ji Qingyu’s mood lightened as she eagerly explored the hot spring, which was divided into several areas, each offering a variety of activities. No wonder guests could spend an entire day here and even pay extra to stay overnight. As she walked around, she saw many guests with children, their laughter filling the air.

Now a newly wealthy woman, she was delighted. She took the opportunity to relax with a massage and a foot spa, reluctantly leaving at four in the afternoon. Seeing that it was still early, she called Sister Liu to have the driver pick her up, and then she went to the kindergarten to pick up Yuan Bao.

Feng Jiayuan was very happy when she came out of kindergarten, though not as excited as the previous day. She looked around the car, a bit disappointed not to see her father.

Ji Qingyu teased her, “Didn’t you say you were mad at Daddy yesterday?”

“Well…” Feng Jiayuan pursed her lips, “I forgave him.” She looked up, “Mom, can I ask if Daddy is free?”

Ji Qingyu naturally didn’t stop her. She wanted to be close to Yuan Bao, and Feng Chengze probably felt the same way. Otherwise, why would he ask for headphones to listen to Yuanbao’s voice once or twice?

Feng Jiayuan raised her hand, showing the purple video call watch on her wrist. She didn’t know many words, but she skillfully navigated it, quickly finding Feng Chengze’s icon and pressing it to speak, “Daddy, Mommy came to pick me up. Do you have any plans this afternoon?”

Feng Chengze quickly replied with a voice message, his deep voice tinged with a smile, “Daddy will be home from work at six.”

Ji Qingyu: …

Was this gentle tone really Feng Chengze himself?

Feng Jiayuan was already in the car. She turned to Ji Qingyu and eagerly asked, “Mom, should we go pick up Dad?”

“You never said you wanted to pick up Mom,” Ji Qingyu teased, poking her short arm with a playful yet affectionate tone.

“I did!” Feng Jiayuan got anxious. “Last time, Dad and I picked you up together! We really did!”

Seeing her daughter genuinely upset, Ji Qingyu quickly apologized, “I’m sorry, I’m sorry, Mommy was wrong.”

She didn’t mention that she was just joking. She suddenly realized that many people, when they grow up, do things they hated as children. Back then, she didn’t like it when people said they were just joking… The phrase “just joking” seemed like a magic wand that made it impossible to take things seriously or get angry.

Feng Jiayuan, being a very forgiving child, could forgive her dad for scolding her, so of course, she would forgive her most beloved mom.
With a stern little face that soon broke into a smile, she said to Ji Qingyu, “Alright, I forgive you.”

“So, today, Mommy will listen to you,” Ji Qingyu said. “If you want to pick up Daddy, we’ll go, but you must tell him first. He might be busy.”

Feng Jiayuan nodded vigorously and continued talking to Feng Chengze, “Daddy, can Mommy and I pick you up from school?”

Her short fingers had already released the button. Suddenly, her eyes widened, “Ah, I said it wrong! Daddy is at work. Daddy graduated!”

Then she corrected herself, clearing her throat like an adult, “Daddy, can we pick you up from work?”

Two minutes later, Feng Chengze replied, “Yeah.”

Ji Qingyu chuckled quietly. It was the first time she had heard the serious Mr. Feng use the exclamation “ah” with a slightly rising tone, revealing the joy of a father talking to his daughter.

Feng Jiayuan took a deep breath and excitedly shouted, “Then, let’s go!”

The driver, familiar with the location of Yisheng Group, started the engine and merged into traffic.

Meanwhile, Feng Chengze called his assistant. Assistant Zhang had already been promoted and no longer handled reception duties.

Assistant Li knocked and entered the office, standing in front of the desk, waiting for instructions.

Half a minute passed…
A minute passed…

Assistant Li glanced up, seeing Feng Chengze deep in thought, and quickly looked down again.

Was there an important task for him?

Feng Chengze looked at the two photo frames on his large desk. One was of Feng Jiayuan wearing children’s sunglasses and a one-piece swimsuit, standing proudly on the beach, looking very cute. The other was a photo of him and Ji Qingyu on a foreign street, her hair tousled by the wind as she leaned on his shoulder, his arm around her waist, both smiling casually at the camera.

He finally spoke in a deep voice, “Xiao Li, in about twenty minutes, please go to the parking lot. My wife and child are coming. Bring them directly to my office.”

Assistant Li breathed a sigh of relief.
Phew, that was close!
It was almost five o’clock, and he really wanted to leave on time.
If there were important work, he would definitely have to work overtime today…

He immediately nodded, “Yes, Mr. Feng.”

After Assistant Li left the office, Feng Chengze returned to his work. Since they were coming to see him, it was better to finish early.

Ji Qingyu was also familiar with the Yisheng Group. As she exited the car, she couldn’t help but slow her pace, pausing for a few seconds by an empty parking spot with its lock open. Feng Yu, being the second son of the Feng family, naturally had certain “privileges” within the group, and this was his exclusive parking spot. Back then, she didn’t understand and once foolishly asked him why he always parked in that spot. He laughed, ruffled her hair, and said it was so she would always remember him whenever she passed by.

“Mommy~”
Feng Jiayuan shook her hand.

Ji Qingyu snapped out of her thoughts, looking down at her daughter’s round head and cute double buns, and smiled, “Let’s go.”

Hand in hand, the mother and daughter walked towards the elevator hall in the parking garage. Assistant Li had been waiting for a while. Hearing the sound of high heels, he came forward and politely greeted them, “Madam, Miss.”

Ji Qingyu didn’t recognize or know how to address him, so she looked at Feng Jiayuan.

Feng Jiayuan waved her hand and cheerfully said, “Uncle Li, long time no see!”

So, his surname was Li.

Ji Qingyu smiled.

Assistant Li smiled back, “Indeed, it’s been a long time. Miss, you’ve grown taller.”

He held the elevator door open for them. It was Ji Qingyu’s first time using the private elevator, and Assistant Li followed them in, swiping his card to close the door.

“Uncle Li looks very handsome today!” Feng Jiayuan’s sweet words made him laugh. Indeed, the assistants around Feng Chengze were all quite good-looking. Assistant Zhang was already certified by Ji Qingyu as a treasure, and this Assistant Li was also very presentable, about 1.8 meters tall, dressed in a shirt and trousers, looking clean and fresh.

Assistant Li laughed, “Is that true?”
Feng Jiayuan replied, “We kids don’t lie.”

Ji Qingyu smiled.

Chatting and laughing, they soon arrived. Ji Qingyu had never had the chance to come to this floor during her internship at Yisheng Group. This floor housed the offices of several senior executives, so she was unfamiliar with the layout. However, Feng Jiayuan had been here many times and led her mother by the hand, running towards Feng Chengze’s office.

When they passed the secretary’s office, Feng Jiayuan stopped and cheerfully greeted them, mimicking Teacher Zhou’s tone, “Hang in there, just a little longer, and you can go home soon.”

The secretaries were delighted and amused by her words.

Feng Jiayuan looked at her mother as if to say, “See, kids don’t like school, and no adults like work either.”

Ji Qingyu stifled a laugh. But she didn’t disturb the secretaries, who were busy with phone calls and typing sounds, as it was almost the end of the workday. She shushed Feng Jiayuan.

Feng Jiayuan understood and continued to lead her forward. They soon reached Feng Chengze’s office. As they knocked and entered, Feng Chengze, who was receiving an email, frowned.

A new report email had arrived in his inbox. The tone was distant and cold. The sender was Lance Feng. His brother, Feng Yu.