Afterwards, Chen Fei closed the small notebook that she brought after jotting down Iris’ instructions.
”I’ll work on the team’s endorsement as soon as possible,” she said.
Iris nodded.
Long Jinjing sighed. “I wish I could help. This endorsement project sounds fun.”
”Sis Jing, don’t be too impatient!” Dom told her. “Little Misha and Little Dima are still so small. Wait until they’re a bit bigger and you can slowly return to work like what Boss is doing right now.”
She nodded. “I know. Thanks, Dom.”
While the girl squad members enjoyed the rest of the evening together, an exhausted Jin Chonglin headed to one of his secret apartments to avoid the paparazzi surrounding his known residences. He had been extremely busy earlier today.
Although he already expected that things would get crazy once he announced his “relationship” with Chen Fei, he still felt slightly underprepared at the onslaught of paparazzi, reporters and interview requests. His social media accounts had blown up with his fans’ comments and messages.
His assistant left after cleaning up the takeout boxes that he ate for dinner. Then he took a quick shower and got ready for bed. He was about to fall asleep when his phone rang.
He tried ignoring it at first but it was persistent.
”Dammit.”
Then he checked the caller display and all the irritation he felt disappeared.
”Hello, Mom?”
”Son, is it true that Chen Fei is now your girlfriend?” Huang Yuyan immediately asked without even greeting him back.
Jin Chonglin sighed and sat up in bed. His brain made a quick analysis about the pros and cons of admitting the truth to his mother.
In the end, he said, “Yes, it’s true.”
”Oh.” She paused. “I only heard about the news this evening because I spent the entire day at your grandma’s mountain villa.”
”I see. How’s Grandma?”
”She’s fine but not as energetic as before. She’s getting old now. You and your brother should visit her more often. I’m sure that she’ll be delighted.”
”Okay, Mom.”
”Good. But don’t change the subject! We’re talking about your relationship with Chen Fei. When did the two of you get together?”
”Not long. Just a few days ago before the gala.” This was what he and Chen Fei agreed upon.
”Oh.” His mother paused again. “I’m happy that you have a girlfriend again. I thought that you’re still traumatized after what happened with—never mind. Chen Fei is a good girl.”
He had to stop himself from snorting at his mother’s claim. Chen Fei was a good girl? Really? Why didn’t he know it?
Huang Yuyan continued, “Her way of speaking might be, er, unrestrained…but she’s still a nice, pretty, young woman who has a bright future especially as the COO of your sister-in-law’s company. I like her.”
Jin Chonglin pursed his lips. He didn’t know how to reply to his mother.
”I’m glad that you got together with her, son. Don’t play around and hurt her, you hear me? And stop always fighting with her.”
His heart skipped a bit. He felt a bit guilty. However, he and Chen Fei already made this decision so they had to go through it until the end.
He could only reassure his mother. “Alright, Mom. I understand. Don’t worry too much.”
”You must bring Chen Fei and have dinner here at the old house with me, okay? Or maybe we can go to your grandma’s mountain villa and eat together with her.”
He felt even guiltier but still said, “Okay, Mom.”
His mother left him a few additional reminders before hanging up. Finally, the call ended.
Jin Chonglin stared at the phone. He no longer felt sleepy.
”Three months. Just three months and this play will be over. That rude, bossy woman and I will ‘break up’ amicably and go on our own lives just like before. No hard feelings. I’ll just tell my fans that the two of us made the mutual decision to separate after realizing our incompatibility. Yes, that’s the plan.”
He knew based on experience that three months would fly by quickly. Right now, however, it felt like it would be a long time.
###
Jin Corporation.
Today was another extremely busy day for the company. There were a lot of projects that needed constant supervision. This week was just the start. It was expected that this kind of hectic schedule would continue for at least a month.
It wasn’t possible to do everything remotely from home so Jin Liwei could only oversee everything in person. He was reluctant to spend so much time away from his family but his schedule was really tight.
Even if it would be more convenient to sleep in his office bedroom, he still insisted on going home to his family every night. His wife and children might be all asleep but at least he could still hug and kiss them.
If it wasn’t for his understanding wife, he might have already abandoned his work and left it to his subordinates in order to spend more time with his family.
At the moment, Jin Liwei was in the conference room and having a meeting. His expression wasn’t too good. He found the plan for this particular project to be unsatisfactory.
”Redo it!”
The person-in-charge of the project quailed but still obeyed. “Understood, President. My team and I will redo it immediately and present you with a better one!”
”Don’t just present me with a better one. I want the best one!”
”Yes, President. Understood!”
Continuing this meeting for this project was now pointless. They could only reschedule it until the revised plan was finished.
Jin Liwei felt annoyed because this meant a waste of time and resources.
The current team left and the next team entered the conference room. This time, they were more competent. The plan that they presented for another project was well-thought-out.
Jin Liwei only made a few adjustments to the original plan. This meeting felt a lot more productive than the one before it.
”Dismissed,” he finally announced.
”Thanks for the guidance, President!”
”Have a good lunch, President!”
”En, thanks.” He nodded.
His assistant, Xu Tian, read a message from his phone. Then he whispered something to Jin Liwei’s ear.
The others in the room watched as their President Jin’s expression light up. Then he ran out as quick as the wind with Assistant Xu following in his heels.
”The lady boss must be visiting today.”
”I think so, too. Only Boss Iris can make President Jin have a cheesy expression like that.”
”How dare you use the word ‘cheesy’ in the same sentence as President Jin?”
”Well, it’s true, isn’t it?”
”That’s…true. Yeah.”
Pause.
”Hey, guys. Do you think that the Young Madam brought us lunch today as well like she always do whenever she visits?”
”I hope so but don’t expect it every time. That’s not a good mentality!”
”I know. I’m just so hungry….”
Then one by one, each of them received messages from their respective department’s group chat.
”Yay! Boss Iris is so great! She really ordered a buffet lunch for everyone at the company today.”
”Come on, everyone. Let’s hurry! Lunch is only so long. We can’t waste even a second!”
Outside the company building, a large executive van parked in front of the main entrance. It was sandwiched between a rather intimidating line-up of black cars. Several bodyguards in sharp suits climbed out of the black cars and made a protective circle around the executive van.
The van’s sliding door opened. Dom stepped out first but he continued to reach inside. Then he carried out a baby wearing a hat with a thin yet opaque cloth covering the face.
Next to step out was Iris who also carried another baby wearing a similar hat. After her were two nannies each carrying a large baby bag filled with supplies.
The company’s front security guards were already standing outside to welcome their lady boss’ arrival. The other employees who were in the lobby also went to welcome Iris and her entourage.
When they saw Iris and Dom carrying the babies, everyone became excited. The company forum and group chats blew up.
”Oh, my gosh! Our lady boss just arrived. And guess what? She brought our two little princes with her!”
”Kyaaaaaah! The two little princes are so cuuuuuuuuuute! Their faces are covered and I can’t see what they look like but their little hands and socked feet are so adorbs!!!!!”
”I heard one of the twins laugh! Ah, my heart just melted from the cuteness!”
The receptionists and the employees in the lobby all greeted Iris’ group. There were also some visitors waiting for their appointments who noticed and recognized her.
Iris smiled and greeted everyone. “Did that food arrive yet?”
”Yes, Young Madam. The caterers are now starting to serve lunch.”
”Excellent. All of you should eat, too.”
”Thank you, Young Madam. We will.”
Iris looked at those who had visitor badges. “Give these people lunch, too. The caterers should have prepared a lot of food.”
”Understood, Young Madam.”
The visitors heard her instructions.
”Thank you, Iris Long!”
”Bless you and your beautiful twins!”
She smiled at them. Then she noticed the arrival of Xu Tian. Her husband must have sent his assistant to welcome them at the lobby.
”Young Madam, Little Master Haoyu, Little Master Lingyu, Dominic,” Xu Tian greeted. “President is eagerly waiting for you in his office. Please follow me.”
She gave the people in the lobby a wave before her group headed to the elevator.
”Is my husband surprised at our visit today?”
Xu Tian nodded. “Yes, Young Madam. But he’s also very happy.”
