Chapter 64 - Father Has Returned
“QingPing, come and open the door; I’ve forgotten my key again.”
In the early hours of the morning, Zheng PingQing was awakened by the incessant ringing of his phone. He got out of his bed all bleary-eyed and opened the door for Zheng BuLu. When he did so, Zheng BuLu immediately gave him a big hug. “Ah, my son has grown so tall.”
“Dad.” Zheng PingQing let out a huge yawn while looking somewhat dumbfounded. “How come you’re back so early?”
It was near the end of the lunar calendar, so most people would start making their way back home for the new year. But the very busy Zheng BuLu wasn’t like most people. His schedule usually meant that he was only allowed to go back home on new year’s eve. So seeing him come back days early made Zheng PingQing worry that something might’ve happened.
“Your mother called and urged your father to come back and accompany you a little earlier,” YuJin said as she stepped out of the car that was parked in the yard. She wasn’t the most beautiful woman, but her features were decent, and she had the elegance of a good wife and mother. Right now, she was wearing a simple wool dress and a down jacket. It made one feel peaceful.
At this point in time, she had been dating Zheng BuLu for around a year. They wouldn’t marry for several more years, but because the Zheng family had very few members, she would follow Zheng BuLu home during the Chinese New Year and celebrate with the father and son pair. She planned to go to her mother’s house on the second day of the new year’s celebrations. Naturally, to outsiders, her actions show an att.i.tude of an acknowledged mistress.
He YiJun walked over with a smile. “A few days ago, your mother called Old Zheng and talked about spending more time with you since you’re already in your senior year and will be going to university next year. And you know how Old Zheng is. No matter how busy he is, he would never neglect you. As a matter of fact, after that phone call, Old Zheng immediately pushed back all his plans and came back today.”
He YiJun had said similar words many times in the past. Everyone had always felt that she was very dedicated to maintaining the harmonious relationship between father and son, and Zheng BuLu was not ignorant of this. Zheng PingQing had a fiery temper, and because of Zheng BuLu’s hectic work schedule, it was hard for the father to accompany his son. It was thanks to He YiJun’s care that they managed to reconcile and maintain such a harmonious relationship, helping ease a lot of Zheng BuLu’s worries.
Of course, in his past life, He YiJun’s words would also unwittingly deepen Zheng PingQing’s dissatisfaction towards Chen ShiYi. In this life, Zheng PingQing made sure not to disappoint her. With a cold snort, he said: “That woman isn’t even coming; what right does she have to pester other people?”
At this time, the young Zheng PingQing’s att.i.tude towards Chen ShiYi was like this. Zheng BuLu helplessly scolded his son: “Why are you talking about your mother in this way?”
Zheng PingQing simply rolled his eyes, making Zheng BuLu speechless.
He YiJun’s expression didn’t change much as she tried to smooth things over. “I think PingQing just hasn’t seen his mother in a while. They’ve just become somewhat unaccustomed to each other, that’s all.”
Zheng BuLu sighed. “There’s nothing to be done. Shi Yi is just too busy.”
He himself was often too busy to spend time with his child, so naturally, it would be awkward if he were to criticize his ex-wife for her absence.
He YiJun slightly pursed her lips, then smiled once more. “I think I’ll take a break from the company after the holidays and spend some time with PingQing. He’s going to be taking the college entrance exams soon, so how about I just stay at home and take care of him during his last semster? Otherwise, he’ll be all alone at home since he doesn’t let you hire a full-time nanny. I’m worried about him.”
Zheng BuLu thought about it, then agreed. Anyway, He YiJun ceased to be his secretary when they started dating. Her previous duties were now done by her brother, He Fei.
Zheng PingQing watched indifferently as He YiJun neatly rearranged his life. After he and Lin Qian were punished for their fight in their last life, He YiJun had done a similar thing. He YiJun took the initiative and asked Zheng BuLu for some time off so that she could take care of Zheng PingQing. She pointed out that as a child, Zheng PingQing had never caused trouble with her. It was because of this event that Zheng BuLu eventually married her.
As they all entered the living room and sat on the sofa, Zheng BuLu asked for his son’s thoughts. “PingQing, next semster, is it alright if He YiJun stays here and looks after you?”
Zheng PingQing didn’t care. “Whatever.”
He YiJun gave him a gentle smile and said: “Is it really alright with you? If you don’t want to, just say it; your opinion matters the most.”
He YiJun had taken care of Zheng PingQing ever since he was a child. She knew Zheng PingQing’s personality and the fact that he had never wronged her. So she understood that since Zheng PingQing didn’t immediately refuse, he was willing to have her stay in the house. He YiJun simply asked this question to appear more magnanimous.
What’s more, if Zheng PingQing could agree to this in front of Zheng BuLu, it’ll greatly increase her importance in Zheng BuLu’s heart.
Sure enough, when Zheng BuLu heard her words, he said: “What are you talking about, ah. Of course PingQing willk2026;”
But as he spoke, Zheng PingQing said: “Oh, then forget it.”
Zheng BuLu choked the rest of his sentence down.
He YiJun’s gentle smile froze. A large number of question marks appeared in her mind and started circling her head.
But, well, she was the one that asked. He YiJun could only grit her teeth in response. But she managed to react quickly and followed with: “I guess it must be uncomfortable for you, right?”
“Not really. You’re about my mother’s age, and actually quite amiable.” Zheng PingQing said.
He YiJun: !!!!!! I’m clearly ten years younger than Chen ShiYi, okay!
Let it be known that He YiJun was a skilled woman. Her expression didn’t move an inch at Zheng PingQing’s words. Instead, she giggled and joked: “PingQing added ten years to my age, ah. But since you find me so amicable, I must just be that mature.”
Zheng PingQing made a startled expression. “How come you’re so much younger than my mom?”
He turned to Zheng BuLi with a face full of disapproval and scolded: “Dad, auntie is your girlfriend now. You can’t overwork her, ah. Look what happens when you torture your subordinates. Capitalism really is evil, ah.”
He YiJun: ??!!!!
Zheng BuLu was confused. “I didn’t overwork her. He Fei is doing all her duties.”
He YiJun: “….” Isn’t the standard response ‘oh, you’re not old’?!!!
Zheng PingQing was stupefied at Zheng BuLu’s words, then hastened to apologize to He YuJin: “I’m really sorry, Auntie He. I didn’t know; I hope you don’t mind.”
Zheng BuLu, this very straight man,patted Zheng PingQing on the shoulder. “Don’t mind it. YiJun wouldn’t get angry for such a small thing.”
He YiJun felt like she was going to die of anger.
Zheng PingQing looked away, his expression seemingly indifferent as usual, but He YiJun saw that he would check her expression from the corner of his eyes, as if gauging her reaction. Because of this, He YiJun’s irritated heart eased up a bit.
As soon as He YiJun enters this family, she’ll break Chen ShiYi’s image so thoroughly that no one would dare compare her to Chen ShiYi.
Zheng BuLu felt that his son’s att.i.tude towards He YiJun was pretty good, so he asked: “Since you find He YiJun to be so kind, why don’t you let her stay at home and take care of you?”
With some slight embarra.s.sment, Zheng PingQing replied: “I prefer to eat takeout.”
He YiJun: !!!! So you’re saying my cooking skills are so bad that you’re better off getting takeout?
He YiJun wanted to loudly defend herself, but such an action would destroy her image. She forced her simmering anger down and took a deep breath. She had to endure.
Fortunately, Zheng BuLu doesn’t care about a person’s culinary skills. Instead, he thought that Zheng PingQing was simply in a bad mood. After all, his son had a dog temper and doesn’t really sugar-coat his words.
Zheng BuLu only meets with his son a few times a year, so he obviously wanted to take this opportunity to chat with him for a while. But thinking that Zheng PingQing was currently in a bad mood, Zheng BuLu found it hard to start a conversation.
Thankfully, He YiJun managed to adjust her mindset and was able to help Zheng BuLu ask Zheng PingQing some questions. In the end, Zheng BuLu was satisfied.
As they talked, a young man in a suit came into the room carrying some things. “Brother Zheng, Sister, where should I put these?”
The man was He YiJun’s younger brother and Zheng BuLu’s current a.s.sistant: He Fei. He lived in a neighboring city only two hours away, so he acted as the temporary driver for Zheng BuLu’s impromptu trip back home. Of course, he also ended up helping his boss buy some new year’s gifts.
He YiJun stood up and pointed towards an empty s.p.a.ce. “Put it there for now. I’ll deal with it later.”
He Fei placed the items down, then picked up one of the smaller bags to give to her. “This is the thing you wanted.”
He YiJun accepted the bag, and He Fei continued: “There’s still some stuff in the car; I’ll get them.”
He YiJun nodded, and as He Fei walked away, she walked towards Zheng PingQing and gave him the small bag. She smiled and said: “PingQing, this is a new year’s gift I specially bought for you. I hope you like it.”
Zheng BuLu nodded with a smile. “You give PingQing a present every year. I hope it isn’t too much trouble.”
He YiJun chuckled. “Well, if you think about it, I watched PingQing grow up, ah. It isn’t troublesome at all.”
“Thank you.” Zheng PingQing politely accepted the bag and opened it. His eyes lit up as he took out its contents.
What a nostalgic thing! This gift triggered a lot of social discussion during this time. Ah, what fond memories.
Zheng PingQing wickedly cackled in his heart.
When He YiJun saw Zheng PingQing’s eyes light up, she knew that her gift was well-received. However, her expression wasn’t smug as she lightly explained: “The fourth-generation Apple phone isn’t easy to find. Domestic dealers are out of stock, and I only managed to get this by hiring someone in Hong Kong. He had to queue for an entire night just to be able to buy it.”
The price of an Apple 4 was nothing to the Zheng family, but this G.o.dly machine came into the market only recently, so there was a ma.s.sive supply shortage. For He YiJun to have bought Zheng PingQing, such a scarce phone showed just how much she thought of him.
Zheng PingQing opened the phone box, picked up the phone, and turned it over and over again. He was visibly pleased as he said: “I really like this. I’ve troubled you.”
He YiJun sighed in relief. “As long as you like it, it isn’t troublesome at all.”
Zheng BuLu didn’t understand why his son liked the gadget so much, but he was happy for him. He patted the back of He YiJun’s hand and said: “It must’ve been tough finding someone to line up in Hong Kong.”
He YiJun was still displeased with him and replied perfunctorily: “It’s nothing.”
Zheng PingQing turned the phone on, and as he fiddled with it, he said: “I’m glad you gave it to me. I actually wanted one, but I didn’t dare buy it.”
Zheng BuLu was confused. It’s one thing for Zheng PingQing to be unable to find one, but why didn’t he dare buy it?
Zheng BuLu asked his son to explain.
Zheng PingQing continued to stare at the phone screen as he said without much thought: “Oh, there was this student who bought an Apple phone whose grades tanked after just one month. His grades kept getting worse and worse, and eventually, their teacher investigated and found that it was all because of the student’s Apple phone. Nowadays, all the teachers confiscate any Apple phone they find. That’s why I didn’t dare buy one.”
He YiJun: “…..”
Zheng BuLu’s face darkened after he heard Zheng PingQing’s casual explanation.
Zheng PingQing finally raised his head and looked towards He YiJun with a smile. “I think that teacher was just making a fuss. It’s a phone, how can it have such a huge impact on someone’s life? Your mindset is right, Auntie He.”
He YiJun: “…..”
She felt a little uneasy. Although Zheng PingQing looked like he really enjoyed the gift, she could feel that he was trying to subtly imply something.
As expected, Zheng BuLu coughed and said: “PingQing, you have your college entrance exams coming up. I think you should listen to the teacher. I better hold on to that phone first and give it to you after the exams.”
Zheng PingQing disregarded his words and put the phone in his pocket. “This is a gift from Auntie He. Why should I give it to you?”
Zheng BuLu turned his gaze towards He YiJun, his intent obvious.
He YiJun: “…..” Ah, so uncomfortable.
Zheng BuLu was asking her to open her mouth and ask for her gift back. Wouldn’t that offend Zheng PingQing?
But if she doesn’t get it back, Zheng BuLu would be unhappy.
For the first time in her life, He YiJun had painted herself into a corner because of a gift.