Lieutenant Tong was laughing at Captain Ming Yunwei, holding his stomach. He pointed at the empty road and said, “Not only did he take the promotion from you but also won the only girl you ever liked.”

Captain Yunwei didn’t say anything else but he didn’t know what he should say. If Han Zixin was not better than him, the promotion would not have been given to him and as for the girl..it didn’t look like they were a couple or were they?

Even if they were, what was wrong in asking her out once?

“Next time if she comes to see that man, inform me, “Ming Yunwei said before leaving the arena.

An Xiulan returned to office with Zhang Yiming. It couldn’t be said that they had reached a truce but they looked better than before. At least, he was not shooting glares at her without any rhyme or reason. Someone knocked on the door and she looked straight to see her father standing there.

Lu Zhaolin knew that if he came late, there were chances that the punk would take her daughter away. So, he had to up his game.

“Meet me in the office after office hours, ” Lu Zhaolin said.

“You came here to say this?” An Xiulan questioned. “Daddy, you should have just texted. Am I such a horrible texter?”

Lu Zhaolin gave her a look and she zipped her mouth. She nodded her head and agreed. After that, he returned to his office. When she saw Zhang Yiming staring at her, she winked and said, “Maybe, my dad is passing the company to me. Me Zhang, beware, I might end up becoming your boss.”

Ming Jun, who heard her, burst into laughter.historical

An Xiulan looked offended for a moment. “Mr Zhang, isn’t it unfair to me that you only criticised me because of my background but not Mr Ming?”

Ming Jun gaped at her. “What did I do? And why am I getting dragged into office drama?”

“If I can be criticised for having a shareholder father then Mr Ming should be criticised for being the CEO’s boyfriend, ” An Xiulan said as a matter of fact.

Zhang Yiming glanced at Ming Jun in disbelief.

Ming Jun only sighed. See, he just made an enemy out of nothing.

“You are the CEO’s boyfriend?” Zhang Yiming questioned. “She is so much older than you.”

“Are you looking down on an older lady and young lad romances?” An Xiulan narrowed her eyes. “I have to inform you that it’s one of the best romance tropes out there. Moreover, older ladies are sexy and more romantic.”

“I agree, “Ming Jun chimed.

“What have I done to have you both gang up against me?” Zhang Yiming questioned. “I committed one mistake. You can’t keep punishing me for that.”

“Zhang Yiming, I know it hurts when someone pinches you, ” Ming Jun said, sympathising with him. “However, you have to recall that everyone feels the same hurt when you pinch them. An Xiulan just gave you a taste of your medicine and you are already crying. You tormented her for so many days but she just took your hate without any question. It’s a good thing that she paid you back what you owe her. Knowingly or unknowingly, you bullied her.”

“I sincerely apologise to you, ” Zhang Yiming said to An Xiulan.

“I will forgive you this time but never repeat this behaviour, ” An Xiulan said. She smiled at the two of them, “Now comrades, let’s get to work.”

Later that day, when the office ended she emptied her desk to find her father in his office but instead she found him outside his office. Coincidentally, Han Zixin had informed her that he couldn’t pick her up as he had to leave for important work. When she tried asking him about his important work, he used the phrase ‘classified’ again much to her frustration but she understood his line of work.

“Daddy, were you waiting for long?” An Xiulan questioned.

“No, I just reached, ” Lu Zhaolin said. “Your Auntie has been wanting to meet you. I promised her that I will take you home. I informed your mother that I am bringing you with me home today.”

“Oh, ” An Xiulan responded. “What about grandma? Where is she?”

“At home, ” Lu Zhaolin said. “You know she has been sick these days, she doesn’t leave the house much.”

“Alright, ” An Xiulan agreed to leave with him. He began asking her how she felt about working in the office. If someone bullied her or if she was facing any difficulties in other things.

“I had a talk with Amanda today, “Lu Zhaolin said as he was driving home. ” She is insistent on bringing you to another team.”

“Am I not a good criminal lawyer?” An Xiulan questioned.

“You are, ” Lu Zhaolin said. “But you have to agree that your track record in civil cases is impressive and you are limiting yourself by only practising one kind of law. Your potential is unlimited. Don’t restrict yourself.”

“Dad, let’s not twist words and come straight to the point, ” An Xiulan sighed.

“I think you shouldn’t limit yourself to one field, ” Lu Zhaolin said. “You are in the early phase of your career. Take new cases. Experiment with your future. Do what you love but don’t stop doing what you are good at.”

An Xiulan heaved out a sigh. “Dad, isn’t it weird that there are some things we are so good at that no one else can compare? And then there are some things we would love to do but we are just okay at them not good.”

Lu Zhaolin smiled at her. “You are right. When I was young, I had a classmate who was gifted in painting. He used to win so many competitions. My parents put me in painting classes hoping I will pick a thing or two. But I didn’t. I loved painting but I was not good at it. That classmate of mine was gifted but he was lazy. He used to slack off, run from contests or not pick up paintbrushes for days. I was envious of him. I used to think that if I had his talent, I would work so hard that I would make a name for myself in this field. But you know..that’s not how life works.”

Taking a pause he went on, “All I want you to do is not give up on what you love and what you give up. Not everyone gets the chance to do both at the same time. You are lucky, Xiulan and you shouldn’t let this opportunity slip from your hands.”

An Xiulan nodded her head. “I will think about this.”

Soon, the car entered the gates of Lu house. They descended the car and she found Song Yifei standing at the door as if waiting for someone. When she saw An Xiulan, she came running to hug her.

“Xiulan!” Song Yifei hugged her.

“Auntie, why are you crying?” An Xiulan hugging the woman.

“Silly girl, I missed you a lot, ” Song Yifei said with tears in her eyes.

“But Auntie, you just saw me at my graduation. It’s like one month ago?” An Xiulan asked. When she got her master’s degree, her family had come to the USA to celebrate.

Song Yifei pouted. “I still missed you.”

“Aiyo, Auntie I missed you a lot too. More than I missed dad, ” An Xiulan said, making her father uncomfortable.

“I’m listening to you girls, ” Lu Zhaolin said, clearing his throat.

“Good, ” An Xiulan reacted and Song Yifei laughed.

Song Yifei looked at the girl from head to toe and nodded her head in satisfaction. “Why do you look more beautiful each time I see you?”

“Auntie, keep complimenting me like this and you will be my favourite person on the planet, ” An Xiulan giggled. Oh God, compliments were her weakness. Who did not like to be called pretty? She loved it more than anyone else after all she spend more than an hour each morning doing her makeup and selecting her outfit. If there was one thing that she adored ut was glamming up.

“I’m not complimenting you just asking you a genuine question, “Song Yifei said.

An Xiulan smiled at her. “Auntie, you are so cute.”

“Let’s go inside, ” Lu Zhaolin said. Those two looked as if they were long-lost friends who had united after decades when they just met each other a month ago.

p-a- n-d-a-n-0-v-e-l、 Song Yifei and An Xiulan were friends. Their relationship was not easier for anyone to understand. They didn’t know how to explain it to anyone but they felt that it worked out well for the two of them. Sometimes, he felt bad that his daughter was closer to his wife than him but he understood that some scars needed time to heal.

“Dad, I don’t mind you kissing and hugging your wife good evening, ” An Xiulan said, winking at her father. “Just don’t do it in front of your innocent daughter.”

“Where is your filter, Xiulan?” Lu Zhaolin questioned.

“It went to buy soy sauce, ” Both the ladies giggled at her reply.