Even though Jin Fuxiao hadn’t actually hit Peng Hu, the Turritopsis dohrnii covered her face, her eyes filled with sorrow: “Fufu, you’re so fierce.”
[I’m sorry, but I kind of wanted to hit her too.]
[This woman is so beautiful, but her personality is so…]
[I get you, Jin Fuxiao! On the topic of my drama-queen partner!]
Zhou Qi was following Yu Yan, feeling very worried about her mothers.
She tapped her kids’ smartwatch and sent a voice message to Dai Buyu: “Auntie Cutlassfish, when can you get here?”
The working area of the show crew was noisy. Yu Yan had accompanied Jin Fuxiao during show recordings before, but participating in one that lasted over twenty days was a first for her. Although she was acting as a nanny, the boss’s daughter was practically an angel baby, so she felt quite at ease.
However, although the little kid wasn’t shy around strangers, she clearly wasn’t familiar with Yu Yan and remained quite polite.
Yu Yan looked down at Zhou Qi’s kids’ smartwatch, where a video call popped up shortly after. The general manager of the Zhoulie Hotel was shown with the hotel’s conference room in the background. Dai Buyu’s voice sounded lazy as she spoke: “Xiao Qi, you’ll have to wait a few more days for me. I still have work on my end.”
The little kid uttered an “oh,” her voice sounding quite listless.
Dai Buyu held up her tablet and waved it before her eyes again: “I’m watching it too. Xiao Qi, don’t worry, your mothers will make up.”
“You can have a great time over there as well. Didn’t you really want to try authentic rice noodles before?”
She was quite patient with the child, though wearing sunglasses indoors still made her look rather pretentious. “I see the livestream has off-duty hours too. If your mothers work overtime, you can just ask Auntie Wu Tou to give them time off.”
Zhou Qi had never been separated from Peng Hu since the moment she came into existence.
Although she had been very well-behaved while following Jin Fuxiao over the past few days, Yu Yan could still sense her restlessness.
An average child would probably throw a tantrum and scream wildly, but this little kid simply played with her kids’ smartwatch. Unsure if she had watched too many cartoons, she really enjoyed raising her watch, holding the dial at a ninety-degree angle to the watch body like a sniper’s sight aimed right at Ju Cixin.
Yu Yan burst out laughing several times, only to say it was nothing whenever the Vice President turned around.
Zhou Qi was so cute; she couldn’t possibly be a big kid turned into a small child like the main character in a cartoon, right?
Even though the current development was already quite mysterious, Yu Yan still felt she was an NPC in a normal society, whose only job was to care for the child and collect a normal monthly salary.
“Is that really okay?” Zhou Qi had to catch her breath for a moment after saying so many words in one go. “Auntie Wu Tou is very busy too. She has to announce the rules, hand out the money, and collect everyone’s cell phones.”
Back then, it was Dai Buyu who suggested that Peng Hu seek out the Stygiomedusa.
She had also witnessed the birth of this child, a process so agonizing that even a bystander’s heart would break.
At that time, the electric eel present was so anxious that it almost shocked a passing salmon unconscious, which might have been the reason why Zhou Qi later loved eating grilled fish.
“It’s fine. She just looks fierce. Just call her ‘Auntie’ or ‘Auntie-ie’ a few more times.”
“Hug her leg, follow her every step she takes, and treat yourself as a pendant. You’ll definitely succeed.”
“Alright then.”
What kind of advice is she teaching her?
Yu Yan couldn’t help coughing softly.
Dai Buyu had seen her earlier; she didn’t say anything and simply winked at the secretary.
Yu Yan thought to herself: How does Chairman Peng have such a flippant relative?
It is hard to imagine what kind of family this is.
When the video call ended, a ghost-like shriek erupted up ahead.
Chao Bai had drawn a twin room just like Lou Zimiao’s. Lu Yan was laughing and envious at the same time: “I really envy you, being able to share a room with my idol.”
They were of similar age. Unlike Lou Zimiao who started out as a child star, although the age difference between Lou Zimiao and the guests was smaller than that with her ex-wife, her career seniority was the longest.
Many netizens were even surprised upon seeing her resume. They had clearly grown up watching her TV dramas, yet she was actually younger than them.
Lou Zimiao smiled, maintaining her composure effortlessly: “Is that so? It is my honor.”
[I searched for the name of this inn, and it is full of ‘-passion’. We already know ‘Severed Passion’ and ‘Parting Passion’. Where is ‘Infatuation’?]
[It’s not great for two unfamiliar guests to sleep in a king-size bed room, is it?]
[They can just split it based on their traits. It’s fine, the rooms probably have cameras anyway.]
Chao Bai pushed the box in front of Lu Yan: “Hurry up.”
Lu Yan saw Peng Hu staring blankly at the table. Combining that with Jin Fuxiao’s words earlier, she felt these two were much more interesting to watch.
She pushed the drawing box toward Peng Hu: “Chairman Peng goes first.”
Peng Hu raised her eyes: “Can I?”
“Since she offered it to you, stop dawdling.”
Jin Fuxiao could still maintain her entrepreneur facade on other variety shows, but she easily lost her composure in front of Peng Hu. Anyone with discerning eyes could tell she held a massive grudge against Peng Hu, making them even more curious about what had actually happened between them.
[So fierce.]
[How does she look so good even when scolding people? I really want to know her beauty routine. Although the dark complexion was nice back then, she looks even healthier now.]
[It’s probably because success nourishes a person. Can the head of a conglomerate be the same as an ordinary person?]
[According to Jin Fuxiao’s interview, Peng Hu left after leaving behind a divorce agreement. Why does Peng Hu look so pitiable? Is she faking it?]
[If she is faking it, then she deserves to win Best Actress even more than Lou Zimiao.]
[To be honest, I really fall for this trope. Unfamiliar people couldn’t possibly reach this stage, right? Right now, they are in a half-cooked, reboiled state, which is extremely subtle.]
Peng Hu didn’t get angry because of Jin Fuxiao’s short temper either. She reached out to draw a card number.
Compared to the other guests who had dressed up meticulously, she didn’t wear a single accessory. Her long hair was gorgeous, and her T-shirt was pure white, making her pale complexion stand out even more, looking very much like a mixed-race person.
Jin Fuxiao was quick-tempered and couldn’t stand Peng Hu’s slowness, so she snatched it away in one swift motion.
Lu Yan leaned over to look as well, and the audience also saw the two words printed on top.
Shifted Passion.
[Did the show crew come up with this name or did the inn originally have it? It’s way too humorous.]
[Who is it hinting has shifted their passion! Who is severed in passion! Who is heartless!]
[As expected of a divorce show, this is way too funny. Will the next city stop be this fun too?]
[Starting to search for this homestay. It turns out to be a real room number! Did the show crew inspect it in advance?]
“A new twin room.”
Lu Yan sat down in disappointment: “Then that leaves only me. Let’s see which chairman I’ll be sleeping with.”
She spoke in a very ambiguous manner. Having collaborated with countless beauties during her career as a photographer, she and Chao Bai had quarreled over each other’s work before.
Mutual trust, mutual suspicion, quarreling, making up, continuing to suspect.
Until they could no longer tolerate each other and got completely divorced, only to continue the above cycle after the divorce.
After all, they had grown up together, their parents were friends, and they spent every New Year together.
Even if they broke up, their parents wouldn’t cut off contact.
Being divorced didn’t seem to make much of a difference; they still had to sit together for dinner during New Year.
Even if they couldn’t be a married couple, they used to be peers and could be considered sisters, just without blood relation.
“Mine is…”
Lu Yan opened the paper ball and took a glance at Peng Hu first, causing Chao Bai’s heart to leap into her throat.
She didn’t possess Lou Zimiao’s strong management abilities, and during her idol days, she was often criticized for speaking without thinking.
Many fans could still feel her care for Lu Yan, secretly guessing whether the director was referring to Chao Bai.
“Regrettably, I can’t stay in the same room with Chairman Peng Hu.”
She reached out her hand toward Jin Fuxiao, displaying a squeezed-out coy demeanor: “It’s been a long time since I slept in the same bed with a beauty.”
“Sister~”
Chao Bai pulled a speechlessly exasperated expression.
Peng Hu stared at her hand clasped with Jin Fuxiao’s, and suddenly reached out her own as well: “I want to swap with you.”
Before she could finish her sentence, the show crew announced the arrangements.
Peng Hu was automatically paired in a room with Shu Huaidie, leaving no chance for an exchange.
[Not even one pair gets to stay in the same room?]
[So ruthless!]
[But it was still divided according to traits. Not bad, not bad.]
Jin Fuxiao left together with Lu Yan. Chao Bai was chatting with Lou Zimiao. Peng Hu picked up her luggage, the room card in her hand printed with the words Shifted Passion. She stared at it for a long time, recalling what Dai Buyu had said about staying together for twenty days.
Yet she didn’t even have the chance to sleep in the same room as Fufu.
A immense sense of loss enveloped her, which even Zhou Qi, who had been detached from her body, felt.
As if summoned, Zhou Qi walked over to Peng Hu’s side.
The show crew had many camera setups, relying entirely on the director team to move them around on site.
Even though the camera angles switched very quickly at this moment, many people still saw a little mushroom-cut head slide up to Peng Hu’s side and grab her hand.
[Why won’t you let us see! She really has a daughter!]
[Just looking at her back view is so cute! Her hair sways with every step when she walks~]
[Is the little kid following them the whole time? Where is she staying?]
“Mommy, don’t be sad.”
Peng Hu’s face was concealed by her long hair, and Zhou Qi had to walk right up in front of her to meet her gaze.
“I’m not sad.”
Peng Hu reached out and pinched her daughter’s cheek.
“You’re lying.”
Zhou Qi tugged at Peng Hu’s clothes, her eyes as pure as the ocean: “I can feel it.”
“Is that so?” Peng Hu thought for a moment. “I almost forgot you are my polyp.”
Her voice was ethereal; in a quiet space, it would almost carry its own echo.
It was somewhat noisy here, and in the eyes of onlookers, it was simply an adult picking up a child. Their similar facial features and identical eyes drew repeated backward glances from people.
Non-celebrity variety shows had achieved good viewership ratings in recent years, and this show came with its own built-in traffic. Yu Yan also had acquaintances watching it, who didn’t forget to inquire about some real or fake gossip.
About the child, and about the ownership of Chenhun Group that had been heatedly discussed earlier.
Ever since she joined Chenhun, she had been working by Jin Fuxiao’s side. Back when she was an intern, Peng Hu was already barely participating in the company’s internal decision-making.
Although the two chairwomen went to work together every day, Peng Hu going to work was more like taking a break. Occasionally listening in on meetings, she was just decorative.
When a company grew large, there would always be factions. Even a couple who got together out of love, entering a marriage that could protect their assets, seemed unable to escape the shackles that a cage imposed on emotion.
There was too much background noise around them. As the company grew larger and larger, it was no longer a matter that Jin Fuxiao and Peng Hu could decide simply by making a choice between themselves.
Some wanted to transform, while others felt that maintaining a single industrial chain was also very secure.
Later, over the question of whether to go public, the executives argued so fiercely in the conference room that passing employees had the illusion that the company was about to go bankrupt.
Afterward, Peng Hu stopped coming to the company altogether. Rumors said she was ill, while others said Chairman Jin’s faction had stripped her of her power.
They even pulled out photos of Jin Fuxiao conversing with a rising entrepreneur at a business banquet.
Occasionally, when Yu Yan passed by Peng Hu’s office, the giant fish tank was empty. Although it had been cleaned, mottled marks could still be seen on the glass.
Then later, word came that Chairman Peng had gone missing. Jin Fuxiao didn’t come to work for half a week either, and news of their marital breakdown intensified.
Until that office was locked, with all the furnishings inside covered by dust cloths.
Peng Hu’s solo photo in the company lobby was taken down, and joint photos of Jin Fuxiao and Peng Hu disappeared as well.
Certain rumors grew more and more exaggerated among new employees, until Ju Cixin had the secretary’s office issue an internal notice prohibiting rumor-mongering under penalty of termination, which finally quieted things down.
The number of times Yu Yan had interacted with the old Peng Hu could be counted on one hand.
The Peng Hu in her memory was steady, unarticulate, and always stood beside Jin Fuxiao, watching Jin Fuxiao speak with admiring eyes.
That was the first time she felt the power of a gaze; love left traceable tracks.
Could two people who loved each other so deeply fail to withstand the changes brought by time and circumstance?
Or was there another hidden story?
Yet they didn’t face parental opposition, and having built a business together, their values were aligned from the start.
Compared to Vice President Ju and Vice President Lu, these two also shared the bond of mutual support, an external force that could not break them. Thus, there could only be internal problems.
Even if Yu Yan had a good relationship with Jin Fuxiao, she could not answer the questions that others were curious about.
If even love like this was not resounding enough, then what kind of love could enable these two people to start a new life after parting ways?
“I’m your daughter.”
Zhou Qi didn’t like the title of polyp: “I am the child of you and Fufu.”
She placed Peng Hu’s hand against her chest, where a heart was beating, unlike Peng Hu’s kind of jellyfish or other sponges or echinoderms that had no heart.
It was far too difficult for a jellyfish without a heart to turn into a human.
To this day, the Stygiomedusa could only act as a witch on the seabed. Even if she possessed intelligence, she was still lacking something.
Now that Peng Hu was acting as a human, going for a physical checkup revealed nothing abnormal.
The medical report would show a very healthy heart, which was an illusion of the sea race turning human, at least capable of transforming in this aspect.
The heart beneath her palm beat forcefully, unlike Peng Hu’s virtual heart.
The Turritopsis dohrnii revealed a subtle expression. The child in her arms wore an aggrieved look, appearing very unhappy: “Mommy, kiss me.”
Peng Hu kissed her.
Zhou Qi smiled again; in certain aspects, how easily coaxed she was matched Jin Fuxiao’s exact style.
“Then Mommy, go kiss Mamma-chan too.”
“Wu Tou won’t let me stay in the same room with her.”
Peng Hu’s gloom was obvious.
Her headache grew more pronounced as her deadline approached; in truth, she only had one month on land.
Dai Buyu hurriedly entrusted Wu Tou with this task for the exact same reason.
Peng Hu’s fate led straight toward turning into sea foam and disappearing, and Jin Fuxiao was the only anomaly.
She still couldn’t tell her.
Her decision not to follow them was also to summon intelligent creatures in the sea to think of a solution, such as the merfolk who rarely inhabited this sea region.
“You can let Mamma-chan come to my room.”
Zhou Qi stuffed her room card into Peng Hu’s hand and leaned her lips against her Mommy’s ear. In the eyes of onlookers, it was hard to imagine them as mother and daughter; Peng Hu looked far too young, looking more like an older sister.
Peng Hu looked down, and printed on Zhou Qi’s room card was—
Infatuation.