"Mr. Du, I'm very sorry about what happened today. I'll treat you to a meal another day, and I hope you'll grace me with your presence."
The boss stood beside Du Fei's car, his tone as polite as could be.
Du Fei waved his hand, saying it wasn't necessary to be so formal.
Hu Zhipeng, standing nearby, impatiently waved the boss away. Seeing this, the boss had no choice but to turn and leave.
"Mr. Du, this is my business card. The young master instructed that if you have any needs, feel free to call me."
After the boss left, Hu Zhipeng finally took out his personal business card and handed it to Du Fei.
This Hu Zhipeng was actually the private assistant of Shen Wannian, the richest man in Rongcheng.
Though he was just an assistant, he served Shen Wannian, the richest man in Rongcheng, making Hu Zhipeng also a notable figure in Rongcheng.
It was only because Fang Chao was out that Shen Wannian sent his assistant to accompany him.
Shen Wannian hadn't told Hu Zhipeng Fang Chao's identity, only that Fang Chao should be addressed as "young master" and that any request Fang Chao made had to be absolutely fulfilled.
It was precisely because Shen Wannian had given these instructions beforehand that Hu Zhipeng readily agreed when Fang Chao offered to gift Du Fei a villa.
As for why the boss of Pinggao Huafu was so deferential to Hu Zhipeng, it was because Pinggao Huafu was invested in by a company under Shen Wannian's umbrella, and Shen Wannian held the majority stake.
Of course, Du Fei didn't need to know all this.
Holding Hu Zhipeng's business card, Du Fei drove away from the sales office.
...
"Sister Shishi, you wouldn't believe it, but today my brother and I went to look at houses, and we met a man who offered to give my brother a villa on the spot."
After Du Yunyun finished making dinner for Wu Chunmei, Liu Shishi returned. Du Yunyun immediately pulled Liu Shishi aside and chattered away.
"Really? Something like that happened?"
Liu Shishi's expression lacked energy.
After exchanging a few words with Du Yunyun, she said she felt a bit unwell and wanted to go back to her room to rest.
Du Yunyun wanted to ask Liu Shishi what was wrong, but Liu Shishi seemed unwilling to talk, so she didn't press further.
Afterward, Du Yunyun sat restlessly in the living room.
"Little sister, what are you doing? Is there a needle in the sofa poking your bottom?"
When Du Fei returned home, he saw Du Yunyun sitting restlessly on the sofa.
Upon seeing Du Fei, Du Yunyun immediately jumped up and pulled him aside, whispering to him.
"What? Oh, okay, I'll go see now."
After hearing Du Yunyun's words, Du Fei nodded gently.
Then, he walked towards the inner rooms.
*Knock, knock.*
Du Fei gently knocked on Liu Shishi's door.
When he heard Liu Shishi say "come in" from inside, Du Fei turned the doorknob and pushed the door open.
"You're back?"
Liu Shishi was sitting in a chair by the window, looking out. She turned and saw Du Fei enter, forcing a smile.
Du Fei walked up to Liu Shishi and took her hand. "What's wrong? You seem to be in low spirits. Did something happen?"
Liu Shishi opened her mouth, but finally let out a sigh.
"I know there are some things you might not want to talk about, but I want to tell you that since you're my girlfriend, it's my responsibility to make sure you're happy every day. Seeing you frown makes me feel guilty, as if I haven't taken good enough care of you."
Du Fei gently smoothed Liu Shishi's furrowed brow with his hand.
Even with a frown, Liu Shishi was still beautiful.
"It's nothing really. It's just that after I went home to pack my things today, I suddenly felt a bit empty inside, as if something was missing."
When Liu Shishi went home to pack, she had argued with Liu Zhengnan a few more times.
However, since she had made up her mind, she wouldn't easily change it.
Seeing that Liu Shishi refused to listen to him, Liu Zhengnan naturally became furious and told her never to return to the Liu family, and that he no longer had such a granddaughter.
Liu Shishi, suppressing her sadness, resolutely turned and left.
Upon returning here, her emotions had somewhat calmed down. However, she had left the place where she had lived for so long and her once close family members, and now everything felt a bit strange. It was unavoidable for Liu Shishi to feel sad.
"That shouldn't be the case."
Du Fei suddenly wore a puzzled expression.
Liu Shishi instinctively asked, "What shouldn't be the case?"
"We've confirmed our relationship now, and you have me in your heart, so why would you feel empty?"
Seeing Du Fei say this with a serious face, Liu Shishi playfully slapped his shoulder.
"You, Du Fei, you weren't this glib when we first met. Have you finally shown your true colors?"
Liu Shishi's mood had already improved considerably thanks to Du Fei's teasing.
Du Fei had actually just been deliberately trying to lighten her mood. Seeing the smile on her face, he felt relieved.
Then, Du Fei told Liu Shishi about his trip to look at houses with his mother and sister today.
He had originally planned to look first and then tell Liu Shishi, but he happened to run into Fang Chao, who directly offered him a villa.
However, Du Fei only mentioned that a friend had given him a villa, omitting the details of how it happened, to avoid making Liu Shishi feel uncomfortable.
"Oh, so what Yunyun said is true. Your friend is too much! He just gave you a villa? I haven't inquired, but villas in Pinggao Huafu shouldn't be cheap, right?"
When Liu Shishi heard Du Fei mention this, she showed a very surprised expression.
After all, even for the best of friends, giving a villa as a gift was a grand gesture.
"I didn't ask about the specific price, but my friend is the type of person who has no shortage of money. I had helped him with a big favor before, which is why he gave me this villa. Oh, right, this place is rented anyway. Let's return it in a few days and move in together."
Du Fei had actually chosen Villa No. 3 because it was one of the few villas that were well-renovated, and its decor style was simple, which he liked.
That's why he had suddenly brought this up with Liu Shishi, as he planned to move there in a few days.
Since Pinggao Huafu was also quite close to Du Yunyun's school, there was no need to worry about her commute.
"I'm not moving in with you. We're not at that stage yet..."
"What's wrong with us? Are you in such a hurry to marry me? Then I'll have to ask my mother to find a good day and get our marriage certificate."
Liu Shishi had intended to say that her relationship with Du Fei hadn't reached the point where they should live together.
But Du Fei had preempted her, saying they should get their marriage certificate.
This put Liu Shishi in an awkward position, and she playfully hit Du Fei's chest like a rain of punches.
It wasn't until Du Yunyun called loudly from outside for them to come out for dinner that they stood up and walked out together.