Chapter Twenty-Nine: The Crossroads of Destiny

Their task for today was to bring the little girl back to the restaurant.

“How are we supposed to take her back?” Zhao Funing glanced at the girl, noticing she was secretly squinting her eyes, observing the two of them.

“What’s your name, little one?” Pei Xue asked.

The girl looked at Pei Xue, hesitated, and then spoke.

“Sister, I’m asleep right now, so I can’t talk.”

“But aren’t you awake now?” Pei Xue sat down beside her.

The little girl was quite pretty, her features delicate and refined.

“My name is Guo Guo,” she said shyly. “Director Uncle said I’m supposed to be asleep, and Brother and Sister are to take me to the restaurant.”

One of their tasks was to bring this little girl back, but without being seen by anyone else.

Zhao Funing, curious, surveyed the house. On the wall, a patch of plaster appeared newer than its surroundings, forming a square shape—it seemed a painting or a photo frame once hung there.

The shoe cabinet bore a similar mark; several small ornaments were placed on top, but an empty area remained, as if something had been purposely removed.

On the balcony stood a lidded bamboo basket, large enough to hide the little girl. Covering her up would prevent anyone from seeing her.

Yet, seeing this, Zhao Funing hesitated. “Did the director say why we’re supposed to take you away?”

“He did!” Guo Guo nodded. “Because my mom hits me, so I’ve been staying with my uncle these past few days. But my mom found out and wants to take me back…”

“So I have to ask Brother and Sister to look after me for these couple of days…”

Guo Guo was very polite, and hearing this, the two immediately agreed.

The bamboo basket would be put to use.

Zhao Funing hoisted the little girl inside the basket onto his back, struggling a bit under the weight. The basket’s straps pressed painfully into his shoulders.

“Here, just put two towels under the straps, that’ll help,” Pei Xue suggested, steadying the basket and setting it down.

“Guo Guo, can I find a towel?” Pei Xue asked.

The owner wasn’t home, but Guo Guo was half-host herself.

Guo Guo peeked her eyes out from the basket. “You can.”

Pei Xue went into the bathroom, opened the cabinet, and found two old towels.

Beneath the towels lay a small photo frame. Inside, a man and a woman, both wearing jeans and denim jackets.

Was this Guo Guo’s uncle?

Pei Xue took a longer look, then placed the photo back.

...

“Ha ha ha, what a coincidence! Our chairman shares the same name as your father—fate really has brought us together,” Fang Jing exclaimed, startled at first but relaxed after Su Zitan’s explanation.

So it was just a matter of names.

“How about we have lunch at the All-Bamboo Banquet here in the park? Let’s try some food like the pandas eat.”

“It’s too expensive in the park,” Lin Ze shook his head. “Besides, we still have other places to go.”

The park was vast, but only a few spots had pandas.

As noon approached, Lin Ze and Su Zitan decided to leave the park.

Fang Jing hadn’t finished expressing himself, but seeing the two about to leave, he forced down his disappointment.

“Where are you heading? I drove here, and since we get along so well, let me give you a lift.”

“No need, really.” Lin Ze smiled politely. “You’re a good guy, brother.”

“It’s nothing, really…” Fang Jing scratched his head.

The shuttle hadn’t arrived yet. Lin Ze suddenly felt the urge to use the restroom. “I’ll be back, going to the bathroom. Wait for me.”

“Hurry up! If the shuttle comes, we don’t want to make them wait,” Su Zitan said, taking Lin Ze’s bag.

“Alright, alright.” Lin Ze jogged off toward the restroom.

【Ah, Lin, how could you?】

【How can you leave the wolf and the sheep together like this?】

【That’s how I lost my ex! I went to the bathroom, and she handed her ‘V’ to the athlete whose college dreams were ruined by a rainstorm!】

“Looks like your schedule is tight this time,” Fang Jing sighed, feigning disappointment.

“How about this—let’s add each other on WeChat. Next time you come to Doucheng, contact me, and I’ll show you around.”

【Lin, hurry back! They’re stealing home!】

【Stop shouting, it’s live. You really think she’s naive?】

“Oh, this phone is for work, I don’t have WeChat,” Su Zitan replied politely.

A hint of disappointment flashed in Fang Jing’s eyes; he knew well enough this was a gentle refusal.

Just as he pondered, Su Zitan added, “How about I give you my phone number, and you can add me with that?”

“Sure, sure!”

Seeing Fang Jing had his phone ready, Su Zitan glanced at the camera, then took his phone and entered her number skillfully.

Just as the phone was handed back, Lin Ze returned from the restroom, and the shuttle had arrived.

“Hurry!” Su Zitan called to Lin Ze.

Lin Ze rushed over, took the backpack, and boarded the shuttle with Su Zitan.

There were only three seats, so Xiao Qian sat at their side, lacking a good camera angle.

Fang Jing stood cheerfully beneath the shuttle, waving as the three departed.

“So, I heard you gave him your WeChat?” Lin Ze whispered in Su Zitan’s ear.

Su Zitan’s ear tingled from Lin Ze’s warm breath, and she shot him a reproachful glance.

“I merely gave him an opportunity to change his fate at the crossroads of destiny.”

【…Huh?】

【That took a philosophical turn.】

Watching the three leave, Fang Jing turned his gaze to his phone.

On the screen was a phone number. He tapped search.

The profile picture was of a pretty girl, but she looked about thirteen or fourteen, her eyes strikingly similar to Su Zitan’s.

“Aboveboard?”

What girl would use such a name for her nickname?

Still, Fang Jing sent a friend request.

The request was instantly accepted, and the other party began typing.

She typed for quite a while; a smile crept onto Fang Jing’s lips.

Silly girl, even the opening line takes her so long to compose?

He recalled a social media account he followed.

Don’t ask “Are you there?”—those six words can warm her all day.

“Hello, little fairy~”

Send!

The moment he sent it, a long message arrived.

“Fang Jing, twenty-six, Doucheng…”

“Your abilities are quite impressive and you deserve a promotion. Next week, head to Xixia Province to take charge there and develop the market.”

“Huh?”

Fang Jing was stunned. A call came in—it was his immediate supervisor.

“Congratulations, Xiao Fang! You’ve reached my level so quickly.”

“I…”