Chapter 062　 Go marry him and have kids, I don't mind.

  *

  As soon as Su Xian and Li Chengshi arrived at the office, they sensed a shift in the atmosphere. Honda was beaming, and when they reached Zhao Nanfeng’s workspace, even his white hair seemed to be glowing with joy. Su Xian placed the pear syrup candy and Takahashi muffins on his desk and asked, "What’s the happy occasion?"

  "A big one, friend!" Zhao Nanfeng threw down the design contract for the "Home for the Elderly" public welfare project.

  "You signed it!" This was indeed a pleasant surprise, but it was only a bit earlier than scheduled—hardly enough to make Zhao Nanfeng this smug. "Stop keeping us in suspense. What else?"

  "Sanyou Group took a liking to our design. They want us to revise the proposal and turn it into a museum."

  Su Xian could hardly believe her ears. A museum for Sanyou Group—that was the kind of project only top-tier designers could land. Am I about to leave my name in the history books?

  "No, I’m going to cry." She rubbed her eyes, but tears escaped anyway. She turned around and hugged Li Chengshi, rubbing his back vigorously in excitement.

  "Congratulations, Chief." Li Chengshi knew how much this meant to her and was genuinely happy for her. He wanted to give her a deep kiss, but since they were in the office, he had to restrain himself.

  Honda stepped in at the perfect moment, pulling a party popper to release colorful confetti, adding to the festive mood.

  *

  In the Meeting Room.

  "Signing the contract next week feels like a dream." Su Xian’s heart couldn't help but race again. This feeling was incredible!

  "I told you I’d take you to higher places."

  Su Xian gave him a thumbs up. "The Boss is the best!"

  "If it weren't for Li Chengshi, you should have rushed over and hugged me just now. This is a shared achievement for the two of us."

  This was once the dream Su Xian had dreamed of, but times had changed. she remarked with a faint sneer, "If there weren't dozens of women standing in the way between us, maybe I would have."

  "Physiological loyalty isn't that important. I know you actually think so too; it’s just that as a woman, you’re more suppressed by society, so you only dare to date one person at a time."

  "Stop talking nonsense! I was finally starting to like you again after seeing you quiet for a few months. Why are you suddenly 'back in bloom' and peacocking for a mate? It’s annoying! Are we talking about work? If not, I’m going back to my desk."

  "Don't be so prickly; let me finish. When we were together, my mom had cancer and pressured me to marry, but I couldn’t. When I was with Mio, my dad said he was dying and pressured me to marry; I did, and then we divorced. Now, I don’t need marriage anymore. If you were with me, we’d have no elders to support and no need for marriage or kids. Just two people moving forward together on the path of professional ideals, climbing higher and higher. Isn't that good?"

  Despite how tempting he made it sound, Su Xian refused immediately. "No. Who said I don't want marriage and children? When you’re with someone who makes you feel secure, you realize you don't actually reject those things."

  "Okay. Go marry him and have kids, I don't mind. I can just be your lover, your soulmate."

  "One more word and I quit." Su Xian couldn't help but roll her eyes.

  "No, you won't. You didn't leave during the hardest times; why would you go now when it’s time to share the rewards? You're not that kind of fool."

  Having her thoughts exposed, Su Xian reached out and directly locked her hand around his throat. "If you dare to harass me again, I’ll get physical."

  Zhao Nanfeng grabbed her arm and pulled, but it didn't budge. He raised both hands in surrender.

  Su Xian let go, but her hand lingered near his throat until he spread out the blueprints. An imperceptible smile flickered in the depths of Zhao Nanfeng’s eyes; this was their most intimate contact in a long time.

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  **

  The new "Home for the Elderly" project was led by Zhao Nanfeng, while the Museum revision was led by Su Xian, though both were joint designs.

  "From now on, Li Chengshi will focus exclusively on helping you with drawings. I’ll hire another person."

  They were short-staffed in other areas as well, so Honda immediately contacted a temp agency. With such prestigious projects in hand, news traveled fast in the industry, and the company inbox was flooded with resumes. Su Xian had Honda print them out and picked five promising ones for Zhao Nanfeng. He interviewed three and finally chose a 27-year-old woman named Yoshida Wakaba, who was fluent in Chinese.

  Among the resumes, Yoshida Wakaba’s qualifications weren't particularly outstanding, but she was stunning. The resume photo only showed her face, but when she came for the interview, Su Xian almost stared blankly—she had a literal "succubus" body.

  Su Xian breathed a secret sigh of relief. The fact that Zhao Nanfeng was picking beautiful women again was a sign that he had fully recovered.

  **

  Mio gave birth to a cute baby boy three days past her due date. Mother and child were both doing well.

  Wakui was moved to tears, his hands trembling too much to hold his own child. Zhao Nanfeng took the baby from the nurse for him, looking down at the little face, though it was still too early to tell who he looked like.

  The nurse took the baby back. Mio’s face was swollen and she looked exhausted. Wakui went over to hold her hand and thank her, the two of them speaking tenderly.

  Zhao Nanfeng watched from a distance until Wakui beckoned him over. Mio thanked him for coming and congratulated him on getting the new projects.

  He nodded. "前回返金してもらった1000万、子供のお年玉として、君のアカウントに送金した。これから毎年上げることしないよ。(I transferred back the 10 million yen you returned to me last time. Consider it a New Year’s gift for the baby. I won't be giving one every year.9"

  Wakui hurriedly stood up and said they couldn't accept it.

  "いいよ。豊和設計はもうあの時から回復だし、それはお前らのお陰だった。そんなに俺のことを恨んでるのに、一番悲惨だった時助けてくれた。(It’s fine. Fenghe Design has recovered since then, and it was thanks to you two. Even though you hated me so much, you still lent a hand when I was at my most miserable.)"

  *

  Back at the company, Honda rushed over to ask if the baby was cute. Zhao Nanfeng said flatly, "赤ちゃんはみんなブサイク。(All babies are ugly.)"

  "そうなこと言わないでよ社長、バチ当たりますよ。(Don't say that, Boss! You'll bring bad luck on yourself!)"

  "バチ？(Bad luck?)" He sneered and walked back to his office area.

  Li Chengshi brought a document for him to sign.

  "Have Su Xian bring it herself. I still need to confirm this part," he said, pointing at the file.

  "Yes, sir." Li Chengshi turned to leave.

  A minute later, Su Xian arrived.

  "There’s no need to avoid me like this, is there?"

  Su Xian remained silent.

  "Fine. I promise no more verbal harassment."

  Su Xian opened the documents for him to confirm.

  "Okay, no problem." He stamped his official seal and handed the folder back to her. She turned and left immediately.

  *

  Li Chengshi was standing around the corner. He met Su Xian and walked back to her station with her. "Why do I feel like you're being extra cold to the Boss? Did something happen between you two?" He sounded tense.

  "Don't overthink it," Su Xian reassured him. "He’s just started being a smart-mouth again, and I can't be bothered with him. If he says anything nonsense to you, just ignore it, okay? Honestly, I wish someone would just give him another stab."

  "I’ll go," he joked.

  Su Xian immediately covered his mouth. "Don't scare me, baby."

  "Don't worry, wifey, I won't. What did he say to you with that 'smart mouth'?"

  "Nothing more than asking me to be with him. But I have you, baby—who would want him? Come here, give me a kiss."

  "This is the office, Leader!"

  "The new person starts next week. It'll be hard to steal a kiss after that. While there aren't many people around, give me one quick. Mmm."

  Li Chengshi looked around and, when no one was watching, gave her a gentle peck on the lips.

  **