Chapter 143 — He Looks Familiar

He had planned to work overtime today, but after that irksome episode, he changed his mind. After closing hours, he climbed into his Maybach as his driver took him home.

Just after leaving the company, the driver swerved unsteadily, disturbing Han Leifeng's rest. "I'm sorry Second Young Master."

"What is it?" Even before the driver replied, he heard the sound of a child crying.

Peering out, he saw a little girl in a short flowery gown and an autumn jacket by the side of the road, clutching a brown teddy bear.

She was in obvious distress as she kept bawling. The driver apologized profusely as he started the ignition again, but Han Leifeng ignored him as he opened the door and got out of the car.

Approaching the little girl gently, he asked, "Where's your mummy?"

The girl replied amidst sniffles, "I don't know."

"Did she tell you to wait for her here?" The girl nodded, then shook her head.

"Okay, what's your name?"

"My mummy said I should not talk to strangers."

Han Leifeng fell silent. Both of them stared at each other for a few seconds before the girl said, "Handsome Uncle, I'm hungry."

Han Leifeng turned to look at his driver who stared back blankly. "Is there any cafe here?"

The driver nodded and pointed in a direction.

"Let's go." He said, holding out his hand to the girl, but she shook her head firmly.

"My mummy said I should not follow strangers."

Han Leifeng was amused. "Are you always this obedient?"

She nodded seriously, her twin ponytails dangling.

"Fine. Wait here." As he turned to go, she held his hand, "Handsome Uncle, don't leave me here." Her lips began to quiver again.

"Okay, I won't leave, don't cry." Han Leifeng was at a loss. Even the hand he was using to pat her head felt stiff.

He directed his gaze at his driver, who scrambled out of the car immediately.

It wasn't that Han Leifeng was wicked to the staff, but his eyes and expressionless face were really unnerving. Because they hadn't worked with him for long, they weren't sure what kind of a person he was.

Very soon, the driver came back with a cup of chocolate ice cream and a small bag of doughnuts. The little girl stretched her hand to collect it, but then hesitated.

Han Leifeng smiled knowingly, "Did your mummy say you shouldn't collect anything from strangers too?"

She nodded.

"Don't worry, I'll tell her I gave it to you, okay? Eat up."

While the girl was still looking unconvinced, a young woman in a matching flowery dress came running, panting for breath.

"Baobei, why did you leave the shop? I was looking for you!" She stopped short when she saw Han Leifeng.

Guessing that the mother had finally shown up, he bowed slightly. "She was crying by the roadside, so I stopped to help. I also bought her some snacks."

The lady returned the bow immediately, hastily saying, "Thank you very much sir. I was picking out some groceries and I told her to just wait for me. I didn't know when she ran out. I guess she couldn't recognize the shop again." She babbled in an attempt to explain.

Han Leifeng nodded to show that there was no problem. He bent again and waved to the little girl. As he got up to leave, the lady said hesitantly, "Sir, have we met before?"

The driver, who was watching the event play out, snorted to himself. Why was it that ladies always used this line to pick up handsome guys? Her daughter was still there for crying out loud!

Han Leifeng paused and looked at her properly. He only recently returned to the country after being away for many years, so he thought she was talking about the recent past.

Quickly scanning his memory for her face, nothing came up, so he shook his head, "I don't think so Ma'am."

The lady nodded absentmindedly, looking lost in thought. His face was extremely familiar, but she just couldn't place her finger on it. Taking a look at his car again, it suddenly occured to her that there was no way she could know such a big shot.

Taking a step back, she clasped her daughter's hand and said, "Baobei, say thank you quickly."

The little girl obediently said, "Thank you Handsome Uncle. And I love chocolate ice cream and doughnuts." She added, showing two slightly large front teeth.

Han Leifeng answered with a smile of his own, "You're welcome." His son must have also been this cute at this age.

As the Maybach drove off, the lady kept looking in his direction. Somehow, she couldn't get his face out of her mind.

The driver had refreshed his understanding of the new director. His final evaluation was: although he looked fierce, he was actually kind!

The faint smile on Han Leifeng's face lasted until he walked into the house.

Looking at the harmonious family of three having dinner together, he sneered. After giving his suitcase and suit jacket to one of the workers, he proceeded to sit down at the table, opposite his father.

"You're late." Han Likang stated.

"Traffic." was Han Leifeng's indifferent reply.

It was on the tip of Liu Zhizhen's tongue to shout at him to get lost. What was he, this illegitimate son doing in her house, sitting in her son's seat and occupying his rightful place?

But she held her tongue. She had received the warning he sent loud and clear. She had decided to lie low for the time being, so that he would not be provoked and ruin her good plans.

Dinner at the first house, although not lively, was usually warm. Tonight, the atmosphere was distinctly cold.

Four people, wearing different expressions, ate without speaking, looking like four strangers forced to dine together instead.

*****

Meanwhile the lady — You Baohe— could not get the feeling of familiarity out of her mind.

It was much later, when someone on their class group chat mentioned the fact that it had been a while since they had a class reunion, that it clicked somewhat.

"Exactly! He looks like that handsome senior, Yueran's boyfriend!" She exclaimed at the dining table, holding her phone.

The first time she saw him was during the School Gala, the night Pei Yueran introduced him to her classmates, and over the course of the school year when he visited her frequently.

Her husband, the slightly jealous type, dropped his chopsticks and faced her, "What handsome senior?"

Looking at his face, she pouted, "Honey, that's not the point. Some days ago, Baobei almost got lost and was helped by a man that looked slightly familiar to me. I only remembered who he is just now."

Her husband was still grumpy, "So, is that why you think he is handsome?

You Baohe was amused, "What are you thinking about? If I remember correctly, he already married his sweetheart—my classmate— many years ago.

"That reminds me, I should reconnect with Yueran. I've not heard from her since we graduated and I left City A. I wonder how she's doing? If only I remembered at that time, I would have asked him.

Her husband now understood the general gist of the matter, but he still wanted to seek affirmation from his wife. "So this "handsome senior", is he more handsome than I am?"

You Baohe rolled her eyes, saying against her conscience, "How is that even possible? You're obviously more handsome."

Just as her husband was smiling, finally appeased, her little daughter immediately exposed her mercilessly, "Stop lying Mummy. That Handsome Uncle is obviously more handsome than Daddy!"

You Baohe and her husband: "...."