Chapter 22

Ji Qingyu’s eyes were already bright and moist. When she looked at Feng Chengze, expressing her surprise with her gaze, he naturally couldn’t ignore it. His hand, resting on his knee under the table, moved slightly, and a barely noticeable relaxed expression appeared on his face.

The three generations were all very calm. After all, this kind of thing has happened many times before.

“Yuan Bao, do you want to play with Grandpa and Grandma?” Zheng Mingyue asked her granddaughter with a smile. On weekends like this, Sister Liu rarely took a break because Yuan Bao had to stay home all day. However, she had something to do at home today, which was uncommon. Given her usual patience and responsibility, the Feng family valued her highly and would even ask if she needed help. Even in wealthy families, nannies who could take such good care of children were in high demand.

“Yes, but—” Feng Jiayuan, being a clever little girl, started to set conditions. “But, tomorrow, Mom and Dad have to either take me to school or pick me up. That’s the deal.”

Feng Chengze didn’t immediately agree to his daughter’s request. Tomorrow was Monday, and he had a meeting in the morning and couldn’t leave work by four in the afternoon. So, he looked at Ji Qingyu.

Ji Qingyu understood. Since Feng Chengze had set such a good example, she naturally had to follow up. “Dad is busy, but Mom can go. Is that okay?”

Seeing her goal achieved, Feng Jiayuan wanted to laugh but held it in, reluctantly saying, “Okay, then.”

Relieved that she didn’t have to take care of the child today, Ji Qingyu let out a long breath. She fully understood why, five years later, they would trick the child into thinking she was Feng Chengze’s secretary.

Chairman Feng wiped his mouth with a napkin and glanced at Feng Chengze. “Come pick up Yuan Bao tonight. I have something to discuss with you.”

“Okay,” Feng Chengze nodded.

After breakfast, Chairman Feng and Zheng Mingyue lovingly held their granddaughter’s hand as they walked toward the parking area. This breakfast place catered to locals, and the parking lot was full of cars, including two Ferraris in contrasting colors, making Chairman Feng’s Rolls-Royce less noticeable.

“Let’s go.” Feng Chengze, standing beside Ji Qingyu, reminded her in a low voice.

Ji Qingyu asked, “Where to?”

Feng Cheng looked at her strangely, “Didn’t I say I have some work at the office?” He thought she didn’t want to accompany him and naturally wouldn’t force her. “You can go home if you want.”

Ji Qingyu hesitated. It was a rare chance to send Yuan Bao off, and going home to play on her phone or sleep sounded nice, but it felt like a waste of precious time. However, accompanying Feng Chengze to his office to work overtime sounded even more boring.

She couldn’t lie down.
She couldn’t sleep.

“How about I wander around near your office, and we’ll meet at mealtime?”

Feng Chengze nodded, “Okay.”

The two got back into the car. Ji Qingyu found herself unable to stay idle and hesitantly asked him, “Do you have any plans for the afternoon?”

Feng Chengze fastened his seatbelt and casually glanced at her profile. Was she asking him to go shopping or watch a movie? Both activities were equally boring to him, but if he had to choose, he would prefer watching a movie; at least he could sit and rest for two hours.

“No.”

Ji Qingyu’s shoulders relaxed, and she asked, “Then can you take me driving in the afternoon?”

Practicing at night was also an option, but it would be quite late by the time they got home. Although she wasn’t nearsighted, driving in the dark wasn’t as good as during the day. She had already thought it through; if she drove well, she might even drive to the Feng residence.

She looked at Feng Cheng expectantly. When she practiced for her driving test, it was no exaggeration to say it felt like she was going to die. But now, driving her own car, she was very interested, especially since he wasn’t as strict as the instructors. His calm expression gradually made her less nervous.

“…”

Feng Chengze was silent for a few seconds, “Okay.”

“Great.” Ji Qingyu’s tone was cheerful, “I’ll treat you to lunch.”

Feng Chengze agreed, started the engine, and drove. On weekends, except for the roads to scenic spots, the other streets in Jing City were not as congested as on weekdays. He dropped her off near the Yisheng Group shopping area, and as she got out of the car, he reminded her, “Call me if you need anything, or come to the office.”

“I got it.”

These three words were spoken in a slightly playful tone as if she was treating him not only as a man but also as a boyfriend.

Ji Qingyu was stunned, and Feng Chengze was also taken aback. A kiss had indeed brought them closer. They both tacitly allowed it, and besides their established marital relationship, it was hard to deny the primal attraction between them as a man and a woman.

“Be safe,” he added in a deep voice.

Ji Qingyu nodded lightly, standing by the roadside. After he drove into the left-turn lane, she walked towards the mall. The mall was large; exploring it all might take half a day. She went to the fifth floor, where there was said to be a bookstore with a great environment. She took out her phone, picked a book from her reading list, ordered a fruit tea at the counter, and sat down. She has tallied the properties currently under her name. Her parents mainly oversee the operations, and she has also hired professionals to manage the business, so she no longer needs to supervise it personally. Just take a day each week to go around, and it will be fine. In recent years, she has also invested in other businesses, such as her roommate Mao Feifei’s adult store. By the time they graduated, while the others were busy job hunting, Mao Feifei had already become a boss. Her online store was doing very well; she even hired a girl as a customer service representative. Mao Feifei quickly recognized the importance of offline operations. Perhaps due to insufficient funds, she invested and became the second-largest shareholder.

Ji Qingyu’s mood was somewhat complicated because she was not only the second largest shareholder but also a customer who had contributed a significant amount of profit.

Look, she still has yesterday’s message from Mao Feifei on her phone: “Dress like this, and your husband will come home early!”

Attached is a picture. Even looking for a second makes me want to wash her eyes.

Ji Qingyu slowly replied at this moment: “No need.”

Mao Feifei replied instantly: [?]If you don’t, who will give me feedback, babe?

Mao Feifei immediately and cautiously retracted the message: “Wait, is this the actual person replying?”

Ji Qingyu: 【……】

She took a selfie and sent it over: “Guaranteed authentic.”

Mao Feifei: “I guessed it. Your Feng doesn’t like things to be too straightforward. That’s how it is with slow cooking.”

Ji Qingyu quickly sipped her iced drink to change the subject: “Are you free these days? How about grabbing a meal and hitting the club?”

Mao Feifei: “As long as you call me, I would crawl over from the male model’s bed to see you.”

Mao Feifei: [Work hard today, eight male models tomorrow.jpg]

Ji Qingyu chuckled, and her fingers honestly saved this emoji. The reason she invited Mao Feifei was mainly to meet senior Chu Ning.

Chu Ning is a single mother. She registered an account while pregnant and initially started by sharing useful pregnancy items. Unexpectedly, she became quite successful in social media within a few years. Ji Qingyu followed her three years ago and became a little fan. A year later, they exchanged contact information at a tea party and hit it off immediately. They spent the next year conducting market research, visiting factories, and selecting suppliers. Finally, they signed a contract and became partners, creating their own mother and baby brand, “Qingyu.” They discussed the brand name several times, and although Ji Qingyu invested more money, Chu Ning’s fan base was also crucial in this era where traffic could be monetized. Chu Ning felt that “Qingyu” was the perfect name.

Newborns are as light as feathers and need careful care, so the name conveys the company’s belief that the product’s texture should be as soft, light, and comfortable as feathers.

Ji Qingyu arranged to meet Chu Ning but was worried about awkward silence since she didn’t know Chu Ning well. Looking through their chat history, she realized the three often met for meals, so inviting Mao Feifei seemed like a good idea.
…

Ji Qingyu spent time in a bookstore, finishing a cup of fruit tea before getting up to pay. She left with a paper bag containing two books. Since it was still early, she decided to browse the first floor. While on the escalator, she took out her phone and sent a message to Feng Chengze: “Let me know when you’re done.”

While waiting for his reply, she noticed a lively scene in the exhibition hall on the first floor. Curious, she walked over and saw several children gathered around staff members dressed in mascot costumes. She couldn’t help but smile. The mascots were adorably clumsy and lively. She found herself watching them for a few moments. If she hadn’t been transported five years into the future and were still her 22-year-old self, she would have definitely taken a photo with one of the mascots. But now, she decided against it. Just as she was about to leave, one of the mascots approached her, extending a chubby paw and handing her a rose.

Looking around, she saw other children and students holding roses and taking photos. She accepted the rose with a smile and said, “Thank you.”
The person in the mascot costume tilted their head slightly, stepped towards her, and raised a foot. Her phone vibrated in her bag. She casually placed the rose in the paper bag with her books, took out her phone, and answered the call, “Hello?”

Feng Chengze’s calm voice came through clearly, “Where are you?”

“Still at the mall. Are you done?”

“Yes. Which floor?”

“…First floor. Should I come to you?”

This place wasn’t far from Yisheng Group, just across two pedestrian crossings.

“No need.”

Ji Qingyu was about to head outside when she looked up and saw the cute mascot still standing in front of her. Before she could show her confusion, a deep male voice came from her phone and behind her, “Come here.”

She turned around, surprised to see Feng Chengze. His call was still connected, and despite having just finished work, he looked composed and not at all tired.

She felt a bit of joy and walked lightly towards him, “Why did you come over?”

“Finished work.” He was concise. This mall was large and divided into several sections, making it hard to find someone. He had driven into the parking lot on a whim and came to the bustling A section. He received her message just as he stepped out of the elevator.

“Are you hungry?” She smiled, “What do you want to eat?”

“Anything.”

They walked side by side towards the elevator hall without a specific destination. Feng Chengze didn’t like noisy environments, and Ji Qingyu unconsciously followed him further away. Until she was out of sight, the mascot, surrounded by children and students, let go and scattered the remaining roses.