Chengcheng said he only needed Mommy.
But he was still a child after all—in his heart, he wanted a father.
When Zhou Songyan held him, his eyes were full of light, with a hint of shyness.
That was the look a child should have.
In front of her, Chengcheng acted like a little adult.
Li Mai felt a pang of sadness.
Forty minutes later, the car stopped.
Li Mai picked up her car.
This repair shop was very large.
Li Mai didn’t know if there were any additional fees, so she walked up to Zhou Songyan and asked: “Do I need to pay any other fees?”
Zhou Songyan: “No fees needed, but…”
“But what?”
“You should treat me to a meal.”
Li Mai: “…”
Zhou Songyan: “I helped you. Is it too much to ask you to buy me a meal?”
Li Mai: “…Not too much.”
Li Mai couldn’t think of a reason to refuse.
“Can we do it today?”
Since she had to treat him anyway, she wanted to get it over with today and try to avoid seeing Zhou Songyan in the future.
Zhou Songyan agreed.
“Fine.”
Li Mai: “It’s lunchtime anyway. We can find a restaurant in a bit.”
“Okay, it’s up to you.”
Li Mai: “…”
This conversation felt so familiar.
Years ago, when they went out to eat together, the phrase Zhou Songyan said most often was “it’s up to you.”
She’d say, “Let’s have hot pot.”
Zhou Songyan: “It’s up to you.”
She’d say, “Let’s have Cantonese food.”
Zhou Songyan: “It’s up to you.”
It was the same when ordering dishes.
“Zhou Songyan, let’s order mapo tofu.”
“Okay, it’s up to you.”
“Zhou Songyan, let’s order a small dessert. I want apple cake.”
“Sure, it’s up to you. Order it.”
…
Li Mai was pulled into memories.
Until Chengcheng called her: “Auntie, there’s a safety seat!”
Chengcheng had already opened the back door and was calling her in surprise.
Li Mai walked over and saw the brand-new child safety seat in the back. She turned to look at Zhou Songyan.
Zhou Songyan had been stopped by someone and was chatting about something.
Chengcheng whispered: “Mommy, Uncle bought it.”
Li Mai knew.
She hadn’t expected Zhou Songyan to be so thoughtful.
He had already bought and installed a safety seat.
His Bentley also had one installed.
Did Zhou Songyan specifically install it for Chengcheng?
What did he mean by this?
Why would he do this?
“What are you thinking about?”
Zhou Songyan had walked over at some point, interrupting her thoughts.
Li Mai looked up at him.
The man was tall and imposing, standing against the light. The sunshine cast a halo around him.
Just like the first time she saw him all those years ago.
Downstairs at the company.
Her documents had fallen to the ground.
Zhou Songyan helped her pick them up.
She looked up to see Zhou Songyan’s tall figure standing against the light, handing her the documents.
“Here you go.”
His voice was low, deep, husky, and magnetic—incredibly pleasant to hear.
…
Li Mai spoke: “Zhou Songyan, how much was the child safety seat? I’ll transfer the money to you.”
Zhou Songyan’s brow furrowed slightly, displeased that Li Mai was talking to him about money.
He ignored Li Mai, fastened Chengcheng’s seatbelt properly, and got in the passenger seat.
Li Mai got in the car and didn’t bring up the child safety seat for now.
“Mr. Zhou, aren’t you driving your car?”
Zhou Songyan’s lie came easily: “My car needs to stay here for maintenance. You don’t mind if I ride in your car, do you?”
Li Mai: “…”
Would it matter if she did mind?
Zhou Songyan curved his lips slightly: “Drive. I’m hungry.”
Li Mai wasn’t familiar with Beijing yet.
“Mr. Zhou, what should we eat for lunch? Do you have any recommendations? I’m not familiar with the restaurants around here.”
Zhou Songyan: “I’m not familiar either, but I can ask my friend. Wait a moment.”
Zhou Songyan called Peng Zixu.
This guy loved eating the most—he had eaten at all the small restaurants in Beijing.
He even created a video account and filmed videos every time he went out to eat. People really loved watching them, and he had over ten million followers now, making him quite a big internet celebrity.
But as the second young master of the Peng family, Peng Zixu didn’t need to be an internet celebrity at all…
…to make money.
This was his hobby.
He loved eating and loved sharing.
Peng Zixu recommended a restaurant to him.
Zhou Songyan turned on the navigation—it was five kilometers away, not far.
Li Mai drove following the navigation.
Zhou Songyan: “Your driving skills have improved.”
Li Mai: “Yeah, I’ve been driving for Manager Ji a lot these past two years, so I’ve gotten better.”
“The first time I drove, Manager Ji had a bit to drink and told me to drive. I was scared, but he just pushed me into the driver’s seat.”
“I had no choice but to drive with my heart in my throat. I was terrified. Manager Ji was really bold too—he actually dared to ride in a car driven by a beginner. Wasn’t he afraid of an accident?”
Although she had her license, she had never driven after getting it.
Ji Wangyu really trusted her.
After forcing her to drive a few times, her courage grew and her driving skills improved.
Li Mai had rambled on and on before realizing Zhou Songyan hadn’t said anything.
She turned her head to glance at him quickly.
Good grief!
His face was so long… longer than a rubber band.
“Mr. Zhou, did I say something wrong? Why are you angry?”
Zhou Songyan didn’t speak.
Thinking about how another man had experienced these things with her…
Zhou Songyan was jealous.
Madly jealous!
Li Mai pursed her lips.
Fine, if Zhou Songyan didn’t want to talk.
She didn’t care. Let him be angry—he’d be the one getting breast hyperplasia anyway.
Chengcheng couldn’t stand it anymore.
“Uncle, you’re being very unlikable right now. If you have something to say, just say it. Don’t keep pulling that face.”
Zhou Songyan: “…”
A kid was criticizing him.
But he was too embarrassed to say it.
Should he say he was jealous of Ji Wangyu?
What would Li Mai think?
Li Mai would think he still thought about her, couldn’t forget her, couldn’t let her go.
Although… he did still like Li Mai a bit right now, but this woman had a track record. He needed to wait and see.
Regarding Chengcheng’s lecture, Zhou Songyan said: “Kids shouldn’t meddle in adults’ business.”
Chengcheng scoffed: “Stubborn as a mule!”
Zhou Songyan: “…”
“What does a little brat know!”
Chengcheng: “Uncle, with your personality, I doubt you’ll ever find a wife.”
Zhou Songyan: “…”
Li Mai: “…”
Zhou Songyan felt that buying a safety seat for this bratty kid was a waste.
He was as infuriating as his aunt when he talked.
Twenty minutes later, the car stopped in front of the restaurant Peng Zixu had recommended.
It was a Cantonese restaurant.
When Li Mai got out of the car, Chengcheng had already been lifted down by Zhou Songyan—she didn’t need to worry about it.
Zhou Songyan didn’t put Chengcheng down and carried him directly into the restaurant.
Chengcheng was a bit excited, his little face flushed.
A server led them to their seats.
Li Mai scanned the code to order.
She knew both Chengcheng’s and Zhou Songyan’s tastes, so she ordered on her own.
Zhou Songyan glanced at her, a flash of light in his eyes.
The food at this Cantonese restaurant was good.
Chengcheng loved it too.
After a harmonious lunch…
The three of them walked out of the restaurant. Li Mai politely asked: “Mr. Zhou, do you need me to drive you back?”
Zhou Songyan: “Sure, thanks.”
Li Mai: “…”
Couldn’t he tell it was just a polite question?