Zhong Ruanxing and Song JinXing went from exchanging text messages at first, to making voice calls later, and finally progressed to video calls tonight after chatting for a long time.
Zhong Ruanxing looked at herself on the phone screen and felt it was no different from a horror movie. "Song JinXing, why don't we just do a voice call? Looking at each other like this feels kind of creepy."
Song JinXing was leaning against the bed. As she requested, he had a face mask on. "You'll get used to it if you look more."
He made a vivid annoyed expression, squeezing his eyebrows inwards and pouting unhappily.
Song JinXing: "............"
It was quite creepy indeed, he almost dropped his phone in shock.
Maybe they should just do a voice call after all.
Fortunately, Zhong Ruanxing was just teasing him. She laughed out loud twice, and stopped making expressions that damaged the handsome image of the boss. "Aling's cooking has improved so much. She's been making different dishes for me these two days, no repeats at all. Don't you think there's a possibility that her dream is actually to become a chef?"
Song JinXing saw right through it in one sentence: "Her dream should be just to cook for you, it's unrelated to being a chef."
After chatting for a while, Song JinXing told her about Zhong Dad's intention to invite his daughter's boyfriend home for a meal. Zhong Ruanxing was not surprised at all upon hearing this. Her dad was just that kind of very nice person.
Going back to her own home for a meal, there was of course nothing to hesitate about. What made Zhong Ruanxing hesitate was another matter: "Do you think I should also bring you back to the ancestral home to meet Grandpa and Grandma? Do they know about our relationship? Do Grandpa and Grandma have any requirements on family background and career for their grandson's wife?"
Generally speaking, prestigious families like theirs would care a lot about their partner being an entertainer, right? You could tell from the contrast with Bai Yinyue's grandparents' criteria for choosing a grandson's wife. She truly respected those elders, and would be very upset if they nitpicked and disapproved of her.
Song JinXing noticed her concerns. He brought the phone closer and softly reassured her: "They won't interfere with my choice. And you're outstanding, no one will dislike you."
Zhong Ruanxing worried for just two seconds before bouncing back to full confidence: "You're right."
Song JinXing covered his eyes and laughed. His star had always been very proud.
Song JinXing didn't have many days of vacation. This was the time to capitalize on his popularity and develop his career, so he couldn't rest for too long either.
So they decided to meet each other's family in the next few days. The two agreed to go buy gifts for their elders tomorrow after Zhong Ruanxing got off work, then Zhong Ruanxing would go to his home for a meal the day after, and finally go with Song JinXing back to the ancestral home the day after that.
After getting up the next day, Song JinXing told Zhong Dad: "I told her we'll welcome her for a visit tomorrow afternoon."
Zhong Dad was elated. "Then I'll take time off work tomorrow. Right, did you ask what little Zhong likes to eat?"
Song JinXing smiled. "Just make your signature dishes, she likes everything."
Zhong Dad nodded repeatedly. When Dai Zhuhe came, he told her: "Xingxing's boyfriend is coming home for a meal tomorrow. Please thoroughly clean up the house today. Let me know if we need anything else and I'll buy it."
Dai Zhuhe's eyes lit up. "Xingxing is dating? Is it JinXing?"
Zhong Dad was a bit surprised. "You knew too?"
Dai Zhuhe happily clapped her hands. "I saw the signals between them long ago! This is great, JinXing is a kid I watched grow up. His character and personality are absolutely impeccable! Zhong, don't you worry one bit."
There was another sentence she didn't say out loud. Deep down, she leaned more towards Song JinXing. The warm and happy family environment of the Zhongs was perfect for Song JinXing, who had been alone for over twenty years after losing his parents at a young age. This kind of loving family must be able to heal the sadness of his childhood!
If she hadn't noticed the existing feelings between the two kids, and didn't need to meddle, she even wanted to play matchmaker! Now that she knew they had finally confirmed their relationship, Dai Zhuhe was even happier than Zhong Dad.
Before Chinese New Year, Song JinXing let go of the previous nanny when Zhong You was home for winter break and didn't need shuttling around. Now it was just Dai Zhuhe alone at home. Zhong You would start school again soon. After the winter break ended, he planned to hire someone to specifically take care of Zhong's mother.
He didn't feel assured hiring an outsider. Making use of this chance to visit Grandpa and Grandma, after introducing Zhong Ruanxing to the elders, he could ask Grandma to help select a reliable person from the ancestral home to assist.
Unconsciously, he had started treating himself as part of the Zhong family, no longer an outsider intruding upon this warm family.
...
Zhong Ruanxing was already adept at playing the role of boss lady.
Song JinXing's exclusive luxury car was parked outside. When Zhong Ruanxing walked over, Fu Ling stood ramrod straight and respectfully opened the car door. "Boss."
After switching back, Zhong Ruanxing hadn't seen this versatile little assistant and missed him quite a bit.
Fu Ling didn't understand what his boss's gaze meant, but he could feel his boss missed him!
The boss didn't bring him abroad this time, leaving him to oversee company operations domestically instead. Fu Ling felt quite dejected at first, thinking his work capabilities weren't recognized. Later Tong Ling pointed out in one sentence that rather than distrusting him, the boss keeping him at headquarters was actually a sign of great trust!
In ancient times emperors went on expeditions while crown princes ruled the country. Now the boss went abroad while the assistant stayed to defend the home base - it was the exact same logic!
Fu Ling felt he had redeemed himself. In the past twenty-odd days he practically lived at the company, steadily guarding the boss's rear!
As expected, after getting in the car, the boss glanced over the information he had sent and praised him: "You did well, thanks for your hard work this period. I'll give you a bonus at the end of the month."
Fu Ling was so emotional his ears turned red. He stood up straight. "Just doing my job!"
On this trip out, the boss seemed to have regained the amiable aura from the past few months. The wildly discussed Hidden Star Island owner online recently - he knew the inside story since he had handled the island purchase procedures personally.
Later when the livestream blew up, only after watching the variety show did he realize the boss had spent a fortune to buy an island and go abroad, all to accompany his boss lady!
Unfortunately he couldn't disclose this matter. He was the only one on the entire Internet shipping the boss/boss lady couple, such a blissful loneliness! In the afternoon when he saw Miss Zhong drive over to pick up the boss, his happiness peaked!
In the private garage, after Zhong Ruanxing buckled her seatbelt, she rolled down the window and said to the little assistant still standing outside: "You can go back, I won't return to the company today."
Fu Ling suppressed his excitement. "Yes boss!" But he really couldn't resist greeting the boss lady in the driver's seat: "Miss Zhong, see you later."
Just as he was about to leave, the boss suddenly called him back: "Wait."
Fu Ling turned around to see the boss taking a red envelope from Miss Zhong, smiling as he handed it over: "Your boss lady said beneficiaries get a share, this is for you."
Fu Ling abruptly widened his eyes, then was overjoyed.
Boss lady! The boss acknowledged it directly!
His shipped couple became real!