Chapter 524 - 78: The Boss and the Secretary
Chapter 524 - 78: The Boss and the Secretary
When Qu Fulan was still in middle school, there was a girl from the same village, they were the same age but in different classes, yet every weekend when they went home they would chat about various things.One time the girl told her that she had a crush on their class leader, saying that whenever she saw him, her heart would race, and she’d blush, unable to speak properly, feeling extremely embarrassed.
Because in front of someone you like, everyone wants to show their best side.
Once while the two of them were planting rice in the field, Qu Fulan suddenly asked, "What would you do if your class leader showed up here right now?"
The girl said she would immediately smear mud on her face, no matter what, to avoid being recognized.
At the time, Qu Fulan found it unbelievable, but now she could relate to that feeling.
Others dressed smartly in suits, looking handsome, while she was wearing a comical floral cotton jacket, still had a piece of cloth wrapped around her head, from head to toe bloated and rustic, looking completely different from her bright and beautiful city self.
Qu Fulan was so embarrassed she wished she could find a hole to hide in!
Not to mention Qu Fulan’s awkwardness, even Pei Ji’an barely recognized her at first, if it weren’t for her height advantage, he wouldn’t have spotted her at first glance, and when he did see her, he was taken aback.
It was this look from him that triggered Qu Fulan, diminishing her sense of shame, as she politely greeted everyone, then turned to him with a forced smile, "Why did you come?"
Last night’s phone call didn’t mention it, if she had known he was coming back, she wouldn’t have gone out today, and would have stayed at home dressed glamorously waiting!
How could she have ended up like now, dirty-faced as one thing, bloated all over, still carrying a basket of firewood on her back...
Pei Ji’an was considerate, he didn’t laugh, instead sensibly took the basket from her back with one hand, Qu Fulan instantly felt relieved, but with others around, she had to make a token refusal before they left.
The matchmaker watching from behind was wide-eyed.
"Who is that person of Little Qu’s, a relative?"
Being a matchmaker, you inevitably offend someone.
The villagers couldn’t help but joke, "Isn’t it obvious what their relationship is, still calling it a relative, your matchmaking won’t succeed."
The matchmaker’s face was stiff, and a bit unwilling, "Whether it will succeed or not is still uncertain."
No one paid the matchmaker any mind, everyone pointed at the luxury car in front, even though they didn’t know about cars, they could tell it was not a normal one and wondered how expensive it must be.
Some kids wanted to touch it but were pulled back by adults, joking that the person looked very distinguished, damaging the car would be unaffordable.
Qu Fulan took the person home, asked once they were out of sight, "Why didn’t you say anything before coming?"
Pei Ji’an carrying the basket with ease, replied in an even tone, "Just happened to pass by on some business, came over on a whim."
Qu Fulan realized he had a respected teacher returning, he came to visit, and decided on the spot to come see her.
The gifts in the car were bought locally, if it were planned, it wouldn’t have been like this.
Although it was an impromptu visit to her house, Qu Fulan was happy after the awkwardness, asked a village kid to call her mom back, when guests arrive you have to slaughter chickens and ducks to entertain them properly.
Pei Ji’an said he had to leave tomorrow and not to bother too much, Qu Fulan pretended not to hear, at this point it was not up to him to be considerate, if her family didn’t entertain guests properly, they would be talked about by the villagers.
Sure enough, when Mrs. Qu came back, she immediately planned to kill chickens and ducks, but they didn’t raise them at home, so she went to buy from people in the village, going to the market at this time wasn’t realistic.
Including vegetables and mushrooms, they were all bought from fellow villagers.
Neighbors even came to help out.
"Sorry to trouble everyone, thank you." Pei Ji’an tried to lend a hand but was not successful, so he thanked them cordially.
Qu Fulan who had changed clothes wanted to help too, but was shooed away, neighbors even winked at her, "How can you leave him sitting alone, go keep him company."
Another woman said, "Don’t just stay home, take him out for a look, go on."
Qu Fulan had no choice but to take him out for a walk.
"The treatment for big shots is indeed good." Qu Fulan couldn’t help but sigh.
Pei Ji’an smiled, "The people in your village are really friendly."
"Really friendly, whenever someone has any trouble at home, everyone comes to help." Qu Fulan said while walking, idly swatting the grass around with a thin wooden stick.
"Are you sure you’re staying the night?" Qu Fulan asked.
It’s not that she didn’t want him to stay, but the conditions at home were average, she and her mother were often away, the house was half-new half-old, there was no much homely warmth, although she cleaned up after coming back, things were just as they were, the places that were moldy still had marks after being wiped.
These weren’t the main issues, the issue was the cups in the cabinet, even though they were washed, now taking them out, she didn’t mind, but for Mr. Pei it was uncertain, he was, after all, born with a silver spoon.
"If it’s inconvenient, I can drive back at night." Pei Ji’an said.
That meant he originally planned to stay, being a boyfriend, having met the parents, staying a night shouldn’t be overstepping, at least that’s how he saw it, but if she’s uncomfortable, he could also leave.
Of course, Qu Fulan wouldn’t let him drive at night, what if there was an accident?
Although awkward, safety comes first.
At dinner, Pei Ji’an even drank with the villagers, showing no airs, very agreeable.
The elders drinking were particularly pleased, downing one glass after another.
Someone also asked where Pei Ji’an worked, he remembered what Qu Fulan said during their walk, and suggested not to reveal his identity, not because it was disgraceful, but being too showy wasn’t good.
So Pei Ji’an just said he did a little business, and indeed no one paid too much attention.
In the end, he drank a bit too much, by the time the banquet broke up, Pei Ji’an was reeking of alcohol, he could still walk, but Qu Fulan supported him to his room to rest, just in case.
"Can you still wash? If not, just lightly freshen up and sleep?"
Qu Fulan was worried he might pass out in the bathroom.
Pei Ji’an leaning against the bedhead, his cheeks a slight red, modestly so.
In fact, he never needed to drink like this at work, in business socializing, no one dared to push drinks on him, so he rarely got drunk, just coming here, he followed local customs, and drank a bit much.
"Wash." he said just one word.
Qu Fulan wasn’t at ease, "Then I’ll wait outside, call me if anything happens."
In the end, he managed alone, came out after bathing, wearing casual clothes he brought himself.
Qu Fulan took out a blanket from the cupboard for him, the man rubbing his temple asked, "What’s that smell in the room?"
Qu Fulan got a bit embarrassed, "It’s the smell of cups stored too long, they’ve been washed and aren’t dirty, if I knew you were coming, I would’ve bought new ones beforehand."
Pei Ji’an hugged her from behind, his voice a bit murmuring, "I was just asking casually."
"...I know, you lie down first, I’ll make you some hangover soup."
Once she went out, her mom had cooked it, even asked, "Now that he’s visited, should your marriage be settled?"
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