Sheng Mumu found that ever since Qi Shaobai learned they were going on a vacation, he had been going out less and less, and had spent nearly every day at home recently.
One afternoon, she noticed Qi Shaobai lazily basking in the sun on the balcony, and on a whim asked him, "Little Qi, do you want to watch cartoons?"
A new theatrical release of a hot-blooded basketball anime was coming out soon, and Sheng Mumu wanted to review the previous episodes before it premiered.
Since Qi Shaobai usually loved playing basketball, she extended a friendly invitation.
Qi Shaobai lazily raised his eyebrows, with his usual aloof expression, and spoke disdainfully, "Do I look like someone who watches cartoons? Do you think I'm in elementary school?"
Without thinking, Sheng Mumu said, "Yes, you're free anyway, come watch with me."
Qi Shaobai: "..."
Six hours later.
In the home theater.
"Damn, how could he pass to the wrong person on that last shot? That makes no sense!"
Qi Shaobai watched the main character on screen crying bitterly, and was still lamenting:
"What a shame, just two points away. If it were me, I'd commit seppuku to apologize."
Sheng Mumu, chewing on some potato chips, spoiled, "The main character feels really guilty about it too, he's about to shave his head soon."
"Don't tell me!" Qi Shaobai dramatically covered his ears. "No spoilers."
Sheng Mumu was surprised. "No way, is this your first time watching this anime?"
Qi Shaobai neither confirmed nor denied, glancing at Sheng Mumu out of the corner of his eye, before looking back at the screen again and changing the subject:
"Play the next episode."
Seeing the hidden disappointment in the boy's eyes instantly made Sheng Mumu understand something.
The novel mentioned that Qi Shaobai had lived with his great-grandmother since childhood, only moving in with his father when he was in 5th grade.
He thought that when he finally left his great-grandmother's place, he would be able to receive his parents' love and care like other children.
But it was not what he wished for. On the very day he moved in with his father, he learned that his mother had passed away years ago.
After that, his personality gradually became gloomy and independent.
The things that other children loved to play with and watch didn't interest him at all, and he lived like a little adult.
A large part of Qi Shaobai's childhood was probably missing.
Thinking of this, Sheng Mumu's heart softened, and she comforted him imperceptibly in a joking way:
"Little Qi, I'm so envious that you get to watch this anime with fresh eyes. Lend me your eyeballs, let me dig them out!"
Qi Shaobai turned his head and looked at her as if she were crazy. "Huh?"
Sheng Mumu acted oblivious and continued,
"Never mind, your eyes aren't as big as mine, not worth it."
"After we finish this series, I'll recommend you another anime about ninjas, it's also super good."
"I'm craving a popsicle now, go grab me one from the fridge."
Seeing her matter-of-fact attitude, Qi Shaobai raised his eyebrows, "Why don't you go get it yourself?"
Sheng Mumu cleared her throat dramatically, "Ahem...I'm about to start spoiling things again. The main character, he—"
Qi Shaobai bounced up from the sofa, "I'm going, shut up!"
Sheng Mumu smiled smugly, having gotten her way, and ordered, "Peach flavor, and bring some beef jerky too."
The boy obediently went to the kitchen.
Just as he was holding two popsicles in one hand and beef jerky in the other, passing through the foyer, steady footsteps sounded from the front door.
The man of the house, his father, had returned.
Qi Shaobai's footsteps faltered as he slowly turned his head and met his father's somewhat curious gaze.
"Dad."
Qi Mo's eyes lowered, falling on the snacks in Qi Shaobai's hands that were clearly more than a single portion, and his brow twitched.
Not knowing how to explain how he had become his stepmother's errand boy, Qi Shaobai said somewhat awkwardly, "I'm watching cartoons with her, just getting some snacks."
Qi Mo: "Mm."
Qi Shaobai felt this didn't sound like something he would say, and awkwardly added after a pause, "...Dad, do you want to watch too?"
Qi Mo: "..."
The two men looked at each other in brief silence.
One was internally processing the fact that his grown-up son actually watched cartoons.
The other regretted asking such a foolish question.
After a few seconds, the corners of Qi Mo's mouth softened slightly as he walked towards the stairs and said lightly,
"You kids watch, I won't join, I still have work to do."
"Okay."
Qi Shaobai was not surprised at all, and was secretly relieved instead.
It would be freaky if his dad had actually accepted the invitation.
He quickened his pace and escaped into the home theater, as if having dodged a bullet.
The man who had just said he had work to do did not go to his study. Instead, he went to the rooftop balcony on the third floor.
Tonight was calm and windless, the night sky pitch black and full of stars.
The handsome man looked up at the sky, as if reminiscing.
He murmured softly,
"If you could see him now, you'd be very happy."
...
*
When Sheng Mumu received a call from Sister Chen at the headhunting firm, she had just left Yueji Flower Shop.
"Ms. Sheng, we've found a candidate that meets your requirements."
Sheng Mumu: "That was fast, is it a man or woman?"
"A man."
Sheng Mumu couldn't believe her ears: "..."
A man?
With her high requirements, they managed to find someone?
Sister Chen eagerly touted him over the phone:
"The candidate's name is Cheng Zhuo, 27 years old this year. He studied abroad for 4 years and just returned to the country recently. During his postgrad studies he was a management trainee at a well-known company and handled quite a few projects, very experienced despite his young age."
Sheng Mumu clicked open the resume Sister Chen had sent over.
The energetic, crisp look of the handsome photo on the resume caught her attention.
He looked fresh and vibrant, with bright eyes full of drive, matching well with his name.
Sister Chen: "The interview time is set for 9am the day after tomorrow, is that convenient for you Ms. Sheng?"
Sheng Mumu: "Yes, thanks for arranging it."
Sister Chen: "My pleasure."
That Monday, Sheng Mumu met with Cheng Zhuo who had come for the interview as scheduled.
He was even more outstanding than she had imagined - tall and good-looking, refined speech and manners.
As usual, Sheng Mumu introduced the current state of the flower shop and asked him a few questions.
After gaining a basic understanding of him, she smiled and asked the question she was wondering about:
"With your experience and credentials, why are you willing to come work with us?"
It seemed Cheng Zhuo had anticipated this question. He smiled and said:
"Because I see potential in your company, and I'm very satisfied with the salary you offered."
He had seen the promotional webpage Sister Chen sent him for Yueji Flower Shop. He was very optimistic about the flower delivery service, and also very interested in the plans to build the brand.
He paused, then continued:
"From my understanding, there are no high-end flower delivery services tailored for elites in China yet. Your company has huge potential for future growth. I think this is a great platform, a good opportunity for me."
Apart from that, there was another reason that made him unable to refuse this position.
Cheng Zhuo thought to himself, not voicing the second half of his words.
Sheng Mumu nodded, seeming very satisfied with his answer.
"This position is a general management role, equivalent to being groomed for store manager. Once you become familiar with the work, I'll hand over the daily operations of this store entirely to you. I'll be responsible for developing other business areas. There will be a lot of trivial matters initially as we're just starting out. Does a 1-month probation work for you?"
"No problem. I can start working tomorrow." Cheng Zhuo's tone was firm.
Sheng Mumu stood up and smiled, extending her hand. "Welcome aboard."
Cheng Zhuo shook her hand. "It's my honor."
