Chapter 157: Schadenfreude

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Seeing Fan Yunting’s expression, a bad feeling gnawed at me even more fiercely. Gritting my teeth, I cautiously said, “President Fan, please go ahead and tell me. Let me see if I can help.” Fan Yunting hesitated for a moment before speaking, “I’ve told you, please don’t misunderstand. I have no choice but to ask for your help.”

Cold sweat was already trickling down my forehead, and I swallowed hard before saying, “As long as I can help, it shouldn’t be a problem.”

“Good, then listen carefully!” Fan Yunting paused, then finally made up her mind and said, “You know my parents live far away in Qinghai. I rarely get to visit them, maybe once every few years. Their greatest hope now is to see me settled with a family. I’ve established my career, but my family...”

I was startled and quickly said, “I’m afraid that’s something I really can’t help with!” Fan Yunting shot me a glare, scolding, “I told you not to jump to conclusions. I haven’t finished yet!” Wiping the sweat from my brow, I said, “Oh? Then go ahead, I’m listening.”

Fan Yunting continued, “I’m so busy with work that I hardly have time to think about personal matters. But my parents keep nagging, calling every now and then to check on me, saying I’m not getting any younger and should give them grandchildren. They even send me photos of various men, praising how excellent they are, their family backgrounds, and urging me to consider them. It’s so annoying that just seeing their calls and letters gives me headaches. So I told them I already have a boyfriend, hoping to ease their worries.” She looked at me shyly, a hint of joy in her eyes, then stopped herself from saying more.

The sweat I’d just wiped away broke out again. Worried, I asked, “You wouldn’t be saying it’s me, would you?”

Fan Yunting laughed, “Look at you, so nervous. I didn’t say it’s you! But my parents are thrilled and insist I send them some photos of my boyfriend. The problem is, I don’t have a boyfriend right now. So...”

Suddenly, I understood. “You want to use my photos to pretend?” Fan Yunting nodded slyly, “Yes! I really have no other choice. If I can get away with it, at least they’ll stop pestering me day and night.” I pondered, “There are plenty of men in the world. You could pick a few photos of guys your parents don’t know. Why insist on using mine?”

Fan Yunting scoffed, “Even you would think of that, but my parents aren’t so easily fooled. Those photos have to be of me and my boyfriend together. Among all the people I know, only you are suitable. If you won’t help me, who will?”

I said, “Oh? But this kind of deception won’t last. What if your parents want to meet me? Won’t the truth come out in the end?”

Fan Yunting’s face lit up, “So you agree? Wonderful! Don’t worry about that part. A boyfriend isn’t a husband. If the time comes, we’ll just say we’ve broken up. I mainly want to stop their nagging for as long as possible. It won’t cause you much trouble. This small favor shouldn’t be too hard, right?”

I scratched my head. “It’s not that it’s hard, but I feel that deceiving your own parents isn’t quite right.”

“That’s none of your concern. You just need to find a time to take a couple of photos with me. I’ll handle the rest and won’t trouble you again. How about it? I’m the company’s general manager. You wouldn’t refuse me, would you?”

I thought for a moment. It wasn’t a difficult favor. President Fan had treated me well before, and it would be awkward to say no. After all, it was just taking some photos. I wouldn’t have to deal with her parents, and it wouldn’t cause future trouble. So I said, “Alright, but let me make it clear: if your parents want to meet me, I won’t get involved. I can’t lie to them in person—that’s beyond me!” (Hypocritical, isn’t it...)

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Fan Yunting was overjoyed. Excitedly, she grabbed my hand and said happily, “No problem! Let’s go now! I’ve booked two rooms at Xianxia Mountain Villa. This afternoon, we’ll have some fun. After working so hard, we deserve to relax. A soak in the hot springs, take some photos, stay the night, and return in the morning.”

I broke out in a sweat.

I hurriedly said, “Today won’t work. Hua Jingjing is back, and tonight I’m going to her place for dinner. Besides, it might not be appropriate for the two of us to go alone to Xianxia Mountain Villa. Why not just take a few photos somewhere else?” Fan Yunting was startled, exclaiming, “Hua Jingjing is back from America?”

I replied, “Yes, so I’m busy. We can take the photos anywhere tomorrow. I need to spend more time with her these days.” Fan Yunting looked disappointed. She opened her mouth to speak but didn’t know what to say. After a long pause, she said irritably, “When is she leaving?”

I glanced at my watch and smiled, “Maybe she’s never leaving. Well, I have to go now. I still need a haircut. Uh, may I take an early leave? Hehe!”

I was delighted, but Fan Yunting looked gloomy and moody. She grumbled, “Go ahead, go ahead. How could I refuse? Your heart’s not here anymore anyway.”

I smiled, turned, and walked away, saying, “Thanks. We’ll talk about the photos tomorrow.” Just as I reached the door, Fan Yunting called out, “Wait!” I opened the door and looked back. She was walking toward me, carrying a bag. Then she tossed it to me with a sour look and said, “Here. When you visit my parents-in-law, dress nicely. Don’t let anyone say the vice president of Ye Jianxiang Company is a bumpkin!”

I quickly caught the bag and said, “But these clothes—I can’t accept them.” Fan Yunting glared and snapped, “If you don’t want them, just throw them away. I have no use for them anyway. Now go! Stop being annoying here!” I was baffled. President Fan was in a bad mood for no apparent reason. I didn’t want to bother her further, so I took the bag and left the office. On the way, I called Secretary Zhou over.

I handed the bag to Secretary Zhou and said, “Xiao Zhou, keep this for me. Later, help me return it to President Fan. Just tell her I forgot it here.” Secretary Zhou covered her mouth and laughed, “President Tang, you really don’t understand subtlety.”

“Is that so?” I was stunned for a moment but didn’t dwell on it. I left the company and found a barbershop to wash and cut my hair. Halfway through drying, my phone rang. I took it out and saw it was Jingjing calling. I quickly answered with joy, “My dear wife, what’s up?”

“Hubby, what are you doing? Are you coming over?”

I laughed, “I’m getting a haircut. The clumsy son-in-law has to make a good impression for his first visit!”

“Hmph, don’t flatter yourself. Who said you’re a son-in-law? It’s just dinner. Why make such a big deal?”

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“Well, I have to look presentable! It’s the least I can do. You wouldn’t want me to meet your grandmother looking like a mess, would you?”

“Hmm, fair enough. Then hurry up. We’re all waiting!”

“Okay, I’ll be there soon!”

“Oh, and don’t you dare bring any gifts! My grandmother hates that!”

“Heh! I was just worrying about what to bring. Now that you say so, I couldn’t be happier!”

“Hmph, you stingy thing. Hurry up, don’t keep my grandmother waiting!”

“Alright, bye!”

I put down the phone and said to the hairdresser, “Please be quick. I have other things to do.” She said, “Almost done. Just rinse off.” As I lay back for the rinse, my phone rang again. I kept my eyes closed and signaled her to wait. I took the phone and put it to my ear. “Hello, who is this?”

“Why, after just one night, have you forgotten my number?”

I recognized the voice and laughed. “It’s you, Xu Shu. I’m getting my hair washed and my eyes are closed. Haven’t you left yet? I’ll come after I’m done.”

“Yeah, Jingjing called earlier to remind me, but...”

“What’s wrong? You’re not coming?”

“No, I have some bad news. You have to brace yourself.”

“What news?”

“My sister arrived today. She just grabbed the phone and chatted briefly with Jingjing. Jingjing invited her to join us at the dinner!”

“What?” I was shocked and immediately sat up, water dripping down to my chest and shoulders. “Xiao Xin is coming too? That’s impossible! Don’t let her come!”

“Hmph, I don’t care! You have to deal with your own romantic debts! I’ve done you a favor by telling you. Besides, Jingjing already invited her. What can I do to stop it?”

I urged, “But if Xiao Xin comes, with her little witch temper, she’ll definitely cause trouble!”

“Heh, I know. Someone’s going to have a headache! I’ll tell you, when my sister arrived today, she already looked angry. After the call, she stormed upstairs in a huff. You’re in for a rough time. Don’t come begging me—I can’t help you!”

“Xu Shu, you’re not doing this on purpose, are you?”

“How could I? Hmph, I was only trying to be kind and inform you! Unappreciated! I’m done with you. Figure it out yourself!”

“Wait, wait, Xu Shu! I know I was wrong to provoke your sister and you’re mad at me. But today is really important to me. Can’t you find a way to help me just this once?”

“Hmph, so difficult! You, the playboy, want to have your cake and eat it too? I’m powerless to help you! Ha ha ha.”

Hearing Xu Shu’s triumphant laughter over the phone, my head ached unbearably. I felt an itch to gnash my teeth in frustration and, at the same time, cried out inwardly, “God! What should I do now?”