The year end was approaching and festivals were increasing.
Ever since the exclusive interview of Sheng Mumu by Finance Magazine came out, orders for "A Bouquet for Life" surged.
For a time, everyone was a bit busy to handle them all.
Before the new year was the worst time to recruit people.
Most migrant workers would choose to jump ship only after getting their year-end bonuses from their old companies.
So everyone in the company, including bosses Sheng Mumu and Qin Jiaqiu, visibly became busy.
With this busyness, Sheng Mumu had to postpone again and again her promise to watch a movie with Qi Mo.
On the other hand, Qi Group also entered its busiest time of the year.
Qi Mo had a small meeting almost every three days and a big one every two days.
Every weekend, all kinds of socializing dinners and banquets only increased instead of decreasing.
But no matter how busy, he would always find time to send messages to Sheng Mumu.
Mundane ones like: "Lunch [picture]"
Detailed ones like: "I'm going to talk with xx, xxx, xxx at the tea house."
Boring ones like: "?"
Sheng Mumu felt this was both funny and helpless.
Usually taciturn, Qi Mo wouldn't use long sentences if he could answer with a few words.
But with her it was like he had become a different person.
Carefully flipping through their WeChat conversation, Sheng Mumu found that this man's messaging frequency was almost catching up to hers with effort.
Once Sheng Mumu jokingly asked: "President Qi, I didn't notice you were so lively before?"
After a while, a reply came from the other side: "Do I annoy you?"
Sheng Mumu's eyes curved as she typed on the screen without thinking: "I quite like it~"
After the message was sent, the "other side is typing..." on the chat screen kept displaying, but Sheng Mumu didn't get a reply for a long time.
She didn't know that on the other end of the phone, the man who was listening to his subordinates give a report at the conference table slowly lowered his eyes.
His heart suddenly tightened, and a bright smile appeared between his handsome brows.
He stared at the screen for a good while.
*
That noon, Qi Mo was invited to a private dinner party.
Long-time business partner Old Yang hosted.
Everyone in Jing City's rich circle knew that Old Yang and his wife were the model couple of the circle.
During the dinner, someone joked:
"Old Yang, I admire you the most, even more than Old Qi."
Hearing this, Old Yang's eyes lit up. The wine he was drinking halfway didn't make it down his throat as he hurriedly put down the glass.
"Admire me for what? Tell me about it."
In terms of group scale and profitability, Qi Group's earnings had been far ahead for several consecutive years.
In terms of image and physique, several people at the table also admitted inferiority to Qi Mo.
So he was very curious what part of him was better than Old Qi.
"You and Sister-in-law have been married for so many years but are still as affectionate as newlyweds. Not every man can do that."
Someone chimed in: "I've been to their company a few times. It's full of beauties. Old Yang looks decent and is rich. I don't believe after so many years no women have had ideas about you. Have you never wavered?"
Someone else exaggeratedly agreed: "I've stayed out all night drinking with Old Yang several times. Sister-in-law didn't call once to check up on him. Don't you think that's weird?"
"Anyone else in his place, with such opportunity and circumstance, would have been gone long ago."
The one who started teasing brought the topic back: "So that's why I admire Old Yang the most. He truly loves his wife from the bottom of his heart. He's a role model for us."
"You flatter me, flatter me." Old Yang was very smug upon hearing this.
He leaned back in his chair to sell his secret:
"There have indeed been many women trying to throw themselves at me over the years. Your sister-in-law has always trusted me very much. Why do you think so?"
Others asked: "Why?"
Old Yang put on a meaningful expression:
"Because I know to prevent problems before they happen. I convey in every possible way to those women outside: I'm a married man, don't get any crooked ideas."
As he spoke, he took out his phone and pointed at the screen for everyone to see.
"Look, this, this, this, they're all the solid marriage fortress I built. Learn from it."
"Awesome, awesome."
"You flatter me."
"..."
The people at the table chatted spiritedly.
No one noticed Qi Mo next to them casually drinking tea and glancing over indifferently.
The usually tranquil eyes flashed a hint of inquisitiveness.
*
Jing City No.1 Middle School, lunch break.
In the hallway outside the grades for first and second year high school students, sounds of laughter and frolicking rose and fell.
In contrast, the upstairs floors for third year students were quiet.
There weren't many people coming and going in the hallway. Students were collapsed in the classrooms.
The soon-to-be high school graduates were cherishing every second of break time to rest up and preserve energy for review in the afternoon.
Qi Shaobai didn't get a lunch break.
Leaning on one arm on the desk, he lazily propped up his chin in a daze.
Just thinking about the three rare Lego sets Sheng Mumu sent him last night made him unable to stop feeling happy.
The Spring Festival was coming up soon. He could sneak open one box early to satisfy himself, that wouldn't count as breaking the flag he set before, right?
Just as he was thinking about which box to open first, his phone in his pocket buzzed continuously.
Reaching in lazily for the phone, he was startled.
Seeing the two big words "Dad" bouncing on the screen, he immediately sat up straight.
In the dozen or so seconds from the classroom to the hallway, all kinds of pessimistic thoughts popped up in his head.
His dad rarely called him.
If there was something, he would almost always just tell Qi Shaobai in person in a few words when they met.
Did something happen?
Why was Dad calling in the middle of the day?
He subconsciously worried.
Conditioned reflex made him start reflecting on his own recent behavior.
Did he do something wrong that his teacher ratted out to his dad?
He thought about it, then felt it was unlikely.
The previous times the school invited parents, his stepmother went instead of his dad. There was no reason the teacher would go to his dad this time.
Besides, his behavior had been decent recently.
Leaning against the railing, Qi Shaobai hesitantly picked up.
His dad's low voice came from the earpiece:
"On lunch break?"
The tone was flat with only three words.
But Qi Shaobai somehow felt his dad seemed to be in a good mood.
Qi Shaobai spoke cautiously: "Yeah, I just finished lunch and I'm reading."
Regardless, he instantly buffed his diligent studying image.
The gene to cower before his dad seemed ingrained in his bones. Even though their relationship was much more harmonious than before, he still cowered instinctively.
Just then, Wei Zhaonan happened to come out of the bathroom and, without reading the air, loudly refuted while passing Qi Shaobai:
"Qi Shaobai, what book are you reading? In your dreams?"
Qi Shaobai hurriedly covered the earpiece, throwing a glare at Wei Zhaonan that frightened him into shuddering.
Qi Shaobai kicked Wei Zhaonan and used his eyes to curse him away before uncovering the earpiece and bringing the phone to his ear again.
He was anxious, not knowing if his dad heard Wei Zhaonan's words.
"Dad, did you call because you have something for me?"
Qi Shaobai softened his tone and tentatively asked.
Nervously awaiting the reply.
"Yes, I have something—"
His dad's voice slowly came through.
Qi Shaobai's expression changed from worry to relief.
Until he fully understood the purpose of this call from his dad.
His clear eyes widened in surprise.
