Belated Romance (Mu Tongrui)

The next afternoon before getting off work, Mu Tongrui received a call from Fu Lingye.

Mu Tongrui hesitated.

We haven't talked for a whole month. So, Fu Lingye wouldn't call me up over nothing. It must be about

Sweetheart.

As soon as she picked up, Fu Lingye said, “I have an important meeting after work. Therefore, I need

you to fetch Sweetheart and send her home.”

As usual, Fu Lingye sounded emotionless as if he was giving a task to his employee.

Mu Tongrui couldn't explain why his tone saddened her. At the moment, she only knew to mirror his

attitude, “Got it. Will do.”

Fu Lingye impatiently hung up right after Mu Tongrui's brief response.

She vacantly stared at the dark phone screen while her mind wandered.

He must be occupied with Xia Xueqing and her baby. So much so that I haven't been on this mind this

whole time...

Mu Tongrui quickly pulled herself out of the rabbit hole and got ready to pick up Sweetheart.

Sweetheart exited the kindergarten with a backpack on. Her face lit up when she saw Mu Tongrui.

Sweetheart charged toward Mu Tongrui and hugged her tightly, “Mu'mu. You have no idea how much I

missed you!”

Mu Tongrui kissed Sweetheart's forehead, “Mom... I missed you too!”

Mu Tongrui almost let the word “Mommy” slip.

It's better that I keep it from her. It doesn't do us any good if she gets too attached to me.

Mu Tongrui held her hand with a delighted beam on her face, “Your dad's not free to take you home, so

he called me. What do you say if we go home late today?”

“Yay! I get to spend more time with you.” Sweetheart cheered.

“Let's go home after dinner then?” Mu Tongrui suggested.

“Yup!”

“KFC?”

Sweetheart yelled gleefully, “Mm. Mashed potatoes, fried chicken, and coke, here I come!”

Judging by that reaction, it was safe to say that Sweetheart hadn't been back to KFC after Mu Tongrui

had last taken her. Fu family had certain prestige and tradition to uphold. Hence, they would never

reduce themselves to consume junk food at a fast-food chain.

Mu Tongrui didn't take it that seriously as long as it didn't become a habit. In all actuality, every time she

brings Sweetheart there, she thought about the happy memories she had shared with Mu Guangqing.

Mu Tongrui ordered Sweetheart's favorite food. When Sweetheart was busy with her fries, Mu Tongrui

took out her phone to shoot a video in fear of not being able to see Sweetheart anytime soon.

Sweetheart inquisitively asked, “Mu'mu. What are you doing?”

“I'm taking a video of you so that I can look at it whenever I miss you.”

Hearing that, Sweetheart's shoulders dropped, “Mu'mu, why can't you stay with my dad? He's finding

me a new mom now. What if she's mean to me?”

Sweetheart propped her head on her palms, acting upset.

It took Mu Tongrui a second to process that news, “He's looking for a new mom already?”

Sweetheart nodded her head yes, then protested, “That's why he couldn't take me home today! He's on

a blind date with some pretty lady.”

Mu Tongrui's face dropped.

The important meeting he mentioned was a date! A date is more important than his own daughter?

Besides, what about Xia Xueqing? Xia Xueqing is still carrying his baby, yet he dumped her?

That's the true color of all men.

Thank god he's not my problem anymore!

After taking a sip of her coke, Sweetheart innocently implored, “Mu'mu, can we go take a look at that

lady? I'm scared my dad will bring home an evil step-mom like in the fairytales.”

“Well...” That request threw Mu Tongrui off, “We don't even know where it's taking place.”

“I do! Grandpa mentioned a Repulse Bay Restaurant.” Sweetheart was quick to provide that

information.

Mu Tongrui was still unsure, “Well... I'm sure it's not appropriate for us to go.”

If we get caught, Fu Lingye would think I'm there to crash his date. Besides, we aren't together

anymore.

“We just have to pretend to be spies and do it secretly. Mu'mu, you don't want me to have an evil step-

mom. Right?”

Seeing Sweetheart's sorrowful face, Mu Tongrui finally gave in.

It's not a bad call. At least I get to know who Sweetheart will be living with. Mean step-mothers are

everywhere. Heck, I had to deal with one myself. I would hate for my daughter to go through the same

thing. I wouldn't allow her to live with someone like Shen Qiu.

When they arrived at the restaurant, Mu Tongrui asked a restaurant host, “Which table is Mr. Fu Lingye

at?”

The host hastily inspected Mu Tongrui and gave a diplomatic answer, “Ma'am. Our distinguished guests

highly value their privacy. I'm afraid I cannot answer that.”

Sweetheart tensed up and raised her head, “I'm here for my dad, Fu Lingye. If you don't tell me, I'll

make him fire you!”

Mu Tongrui did not know what to say.

This little girl is way fiercer than I am.

With a dry smile, the host warmed up immediately, “Ms. Fu! I should've known. Of course, I'll take you

to your daddy. He's at table 32. Shall we go?”

To avoid getting noticed, Mu Tongrui declined, “No, thanks. We can find him ourselves. Let's go,

Sweetheart.”

Mu Tongrui and Sweetheart seated themselves at table 31, which back attached to table 32's. Blessed

by the high back of the sofas, they were able to hear the other table well without being seen.

At table 32, Fu Lingye and Yun Yuwei were facing each other.

Yun Yuwei bashfully flattered, “I have heard a lot about you. I can finally testify that your reputation as a

heartthrob wasn't exaggerated.”

Her voice was so high-pitched and soft that it gave Mu Tongrui goosebumps.

Dang! Does she have to talk that way?

It didn't take long for Fu Lingye to get straight to the point, “Ms. Yun. I must let you know that I have a

three-year-old girl. Would you be willing to take care of her?”

Sweetheart got flustered, “Mu'mu! He wants her to be my-”

Mu Tongrui covered Sweetheart's mouth, “Shh. Keep it down.”

Stupid Fu Lingye, asking a random woman to be Sweetheart's mom on a first date.

Mu Tongrui's curiosity grew stronger. She wanted to take a good look at the woman whom Fu Lingye

considered Sweetheart's potential mother.

How pretty is she, to make him fall for her so quickly?

Mu Tongrui recalled trying to charm Fu Lingye at the banquet. Not only did he turn her down, but he

also embarrassed her.

Mu Tongrui gingerly stuck her head up for a peek. To her surprise, Fu Lingye's eyes met hers!