"Where does Miss Zhang live? I'll drive you back before I return to the company to report in," Secretary Qi asked Zhang Ling.
"Just drop me off on Shihuan 5th Road," she replied.
Her shoe store was located on that street. It was currently under renovation and not yet open for business, but Tang Shiyu’s coffee shop was open, and Zhang Ling intended to visit her friend. Her main reason was to keep Secretary Qi from knowing where she lived, lest he report back to her father. Having long given up on the hope of paternal love, Zhang Ling had no desire to be in frequent contact with him.
Secretary Qi gave a faint nod. After driving Zhang Ling to the street on Shihuan 5th Road, she pulled up in front of the coffee shop at Zhang Ling’s request.
"Sorry for the trouble, Secretary Qi."
"Don't mention it. I'm just carrying out President Zhang’s orders."
Zhang Ling took her spoils, got out of the car, and walked away. Secretary Qi waited until she saw her enter the coffee shop before driving off to return to the office and report to the President.
When Tang Shiyu saw Zhang Ling enter, she asked, "Who was that who just dropped you off? That car didn't look like a rideshare."
Zhang Ling set her bags on the table, plopped down into a chair, and replied, "My father's secretary. He wants me to follow him to the Ning family’s banquet tomorrow night to celebrate the old lady’s birthday. My mother-in-law, whom I've never met, wants to see me."
Her mother-in-law wanted to see her, yet instead of notifying her husband to take her home, she had gone through her father to have him bring her to the banquet. Even before meeting, Zhang Ling could already sense her mother-in-law’s dissatisfaction. She hoped that after they met, her mother-in-law wouldn't demand that she move into the Mu family home and play the part of a dutiful daughter-in-law. Keeping things as they were now was best.
After a pause, Zhang Ling added, "He just had his secretary take me to buy two evening gowns and two sets of jewelry. Since it's free, I might as well take it. If he wants to buy me things, I'll let him."
Her father was worth billions, yet she hadn't received a single thing from him since she was four years old. Even now, if she hadn't married into the Mu family in place of Zhang Qing, he wouldn't be spending a cent on her. Every piece of clothing Zhang Qing wore was haute couture, her jewelry was expensive, and she carried nothing but Hermès bags—she was undoubtedly their most loyal fan.
"That's right. If he wants to buy you clothes, pick the most expensive ones. You married into the Mu family as the eldest son's wife in Zhang Qing's stead, and the benefits the Zhang family has gained from being in-laws with the Mu family are uncountable. Zhang Ling, don't feel like you're taking advantage of anyone; that’s all rightfully yours." Tang Shiyu asked, "Do you want some coffee? I'll brew you a cup."
"I'd love one. I'm a bit sleepy."
Just as Tang Shiyu went to brew the coffee, Tang Xiaoxu walked in with Mu Lingfeng.
"Brother Xu!" Seeing the two handsome men enter, Zhang Ling smiled and waved.
Tang Xiaoxu smiled back. "Lingling, you're here too? We left home too early, and I started feeling sleepy at this hour, so I detoured here to grab a coffee." He hadn't dropped his boss home yet, so he had naturally brought him along.
"Shiyu just went to make me some coffee. I'll tell her to brew two more cups." Zhang Ling stood up to head over, nodding at Mu Lingfeng as she passed.
Mu Lingfeng remained expressionless, acting as if he didn't know her. Zhang Ling blinked. Just a moment ago at the clothing store, when she had greeted him, he had been quite warm. How could so much time have passed? Now, seeing him again, he treated her like a total stranger. Ah, well—they *were* strangers.
"Boss, Lingling is who we just bumped into earlier—my neighbor's little sister," Tang Xiaoxu said, noticing the dynamic and quickly explaining to Mu Lingfeng.
Mu Lingfeng realized who she was and gave Zhang Ling a nod.
Zhang Ling: "..." Did Brother Xu's boss have the memory of a goldfish? She walked away with a head full of questions.
The other customers in the shop were looking at Tang Xiaoxu and Mu Lingfeng. It was mainly because Mu Lingfeng was so striking; even though his clothing looked ordinary, the noble air he exuded could not be hidden.
Tang Xiaoxu led his boss to the table where Zhang Ling was sitting. "Boss, would you like some snacks? This shop is owned by my younger sister. Lingling also has a shop on this street—a shoe store. She had some trouble a while ago, so it’s currently being renovated." After seating his boss, Tang Xiaoxu went inside to fetch some freshly made snacks without waiting for an answer, bringing out several varieties and placing four pieces of each on the table.
Mu Lingfeng didn't refuse; he quite liked sweets.
A moment later, Tang Shiyu and Zhang Ling came out, each carrying two cups of coffee.
"Brother, when did you get back?" Tang Shiyu placed the two cups of coffee in front of her brother and Mu Lingfeng, then smiled and greeted Mu Lingfeng. It was her first time meeting her brother's boss. She had heard her brother say he was an exceptionally handsome man, and seeing him now, he truly was.
Mu Lingfeng nodded in acknowledgment. Zhang Ling handed a cup to her friend, then sat down, finding herself face-to-face with Mu Lingfeng. As his gaze swept over her, she smiled at him. He curved the corners of his lips in a subtle smile. Zhang Ling, who had been full of questions, now thought that Brother Xu’s boss actually had quite a refined manner.
"Brother, have you been home yet?" Tang Shiyu also appreciated handsome men, but she knew from her brother that Mu Lingfeng was slow in matters of romance and had many admirers. After glancing at him a few times, her gaze returned to her brother; she clearly had no interest in Mu Lingfeng.
Tang Xiaoxu watched his two sisters' reactions to Mu Lingfeng. Thankfully, when facing such a super-handsome man, their eyes only held appreciation, like looking at a vibrant flower, with no ulterior motives. They were nothing like the women who were usually infatuated with his boss.
"After I drop my boss off, I’ll stop by to see Mom, have a meal, and then head back to the farm."
Tang Shiyu pulled out her phone. "I'll text Mom to add a few dishes."
"I already called Mom earlier." Hearing this, Tang Shiyu put her phone away.
The siblings chatted about daily life, and Zhang Ling joined in occasionally. Mu Lingfeng was the only one who couldn't chime in, so he sat in silence, savoring his coffee and snacks. Zhang Ling noticed that this handsome man really did enjoy his snacks.
Mu Lingfeng’s quiet moment was interrupted by a call from his mother.
"Boss, is the Madam urging you? I'll take you home right now." Tang Xiaoxu felt a bit guilty. If he hadn't complained about being sleepy and insisted on coming to his sister's shop for coffee, his boss would almost be home by now.
"It’s alright, Xiaoxu. You two keep chatting. I’ll go out and hail a taxi." Tang Xiaoxu spent most of his time at the farm and only returned home occasionally, usually in such a rush that he rarely had time to eat. Mu Lingfeng felt bad for his friend and right-hand man. He decided to take a taxi back to the Mu Family Old Residence himself, giving Tang Xiaoxu time to chat with his sister and share a meal with his family.
Not giving Tang Xiaoxu a chance to protest, Mu Lingfeng nodded at the two women and stood up to leave. Tang Xiaoxu followed him out anyway, retrieved the new clothes Mu Lingfeng had bought from the car, handed them to him, and helped hail a cab before returning to the coffee shop.