In the afternoon, Xiao Ming signed the transfer contract with Colombo, and the following morning, he went to the business department to complete payment and registration changes.
As they left the hall, their identities were officially established as employer and employee.
Before parting ways, Colombo hesitated before asking, "Mr. Xiao, I'm quite curious, have you... ever been to my hometown?"
"What you really want to ask is how I could know of Mr. Gambino, right?" Xiao Ming said with a light smile, "In fact, I don't know him personally, but I'm quite close to his youngest daughter.
If any of your relatives can get in touch with her, please pass on a reminder for me: when eloping, listen to that postman's advice, and do not hide in a town controlled by a rival family."
Having said this, Xiao Ming didn't wait for Colombo's response and left by car.
The "youngest daughter" he mentioned was Martina Gambino, who would become the head of the Gambino family ten years later, and also the most famous female boss in Italy.
She was a naturally proud and stubborn woman. When young, she chose to elope because her love affair with the postman wasn't blessed by her father.
The postman had suggested fleeing north, but she thought hiding in a territory controlled by a rival family, where her father's men were unlikely to step foot, was the safest.
Unfortunately, at that time she didn't understand that even enemies could have a temporary peace for the sake of mutual benefits.
In the end, the postman died, and she was captured and brought back home.
In his past life, after making his fortune, Xiao Ming purchased an estate in Sicily and made the acquaintance of the female boss.
A middle-aged man and woman, both feeling responsible for the death of their former lovers, swiftly became close friends and even shared a few particularly intense nights together.
In this life, Xiao Ming felt that there was basically no possibility of seeing her again, so he casually offered a reminder. If Martina heard it, it would be a way of bringing closure to their past connection.
Back home, Xiao Ming bought some groceries and stewed a pot of winter melon, shrimp, and pork rib soup, which he took to Maohe Company around noon.
The receptionist beamed at him like a blooming flower, cooing, "Mr. Xiao, you're here again to bring soup for Designer Jiang. Such envy from everyone!"
"Is that so! Remember this, when you look for a boyfriend, find someone like me."
With a laugh, Xiao Ming, carrying the insulated container, walked into the company and made his way to the design department as if on familiar ground.
"Why are you here again?"
Feeling her colleagues' complex glances, Jiang Xue felt both awkward and proud.
"What a thing to say; you're my wife, and it's only natural for me to please you. Why shouldn't I come?"
Xiao Ming, thick-skinned, didn't care about others' opinions, and spoke without any restraint.
Jiang Xue, half smiling, half crying, pulled him into the pantry to sit down.
"I talked to Qing last night; she didn't mind at all. She even said that even if it was your idea, the company's board had approved it, and she had agreed to it at the time, so there was absolutely no need to apologize and make a big deal out of it."
Xiao Ming raised his eyebrows, ladled the soup into a bowl in front of his wife, and wiping his hands, said, "Do you think I'm like those young boys in school?
You women, you might not be angry, but if a man doesn't show some initiative, there will always be some niggle in his heart.
There's one thing in common between business partnerships and relationships: both need to be managed.
A couple accumulating small grievances leads to doubt.
If business partners lose trust, then the business is doomed."
Jiang Xue blinked, then smiled casually, "You seem to value Mr. Yang quite a bit."
"Being married for so long and still playing these little girl traps.
Next time, pay attention to the details. 'Sister Qing' has become 'Mr. Yang'; I'd have to be very foolish not to hear that?"
Fondly scraping his wife's nose, Xiao Ming then spoke seriously, "Rest assured, if I dare to compare a business partner to a 'lover' in front of you, that proves I have nothing to hide.
Yes, I do value Hanqing highly, but just like I value Yu and Siyi, it is for their character and abilities.
My heart is already filled by you, and the only one who could pose a threat to you in the future is our daughter."
Realizing her petty ruse was exposed, Jiang Xue felt a bit embarrassed but also sweet inside.
After a few sips of soup, it suddenly hit her, "I'm not even two months pregnant, and the hospital can't even determine the baby's gender yet. How do you know it's a daughter?"
Xiao Ming shook his head, "I don't know it's a daughter, but I am certain I would adore a daughter. If it's a naughty boy, he doesn't stand a chance in competing for your attention!"
"Then I absolutely must have a son!"
She made a funny face at him and Jiang Xue happily started eating her meal.
Before long, she had drained the insulated container of meat soup, not leaving a single rib or piece of winter melon.
After belching contentedly, she said somewhat sheepishly, "I've been eating so much lately. Don't always feed me such rich food, okay? What if I can't get back in shape after the baby is born?"
"If you can't get back in shape, then you can't. That's the magnificent proof of having nurtured life, and it's another kind of beauty," he said tenderly.
Her husband's considerate words made Jiang Xue even more pleased, and she pouted, "No! I like my body the way it is now. I don't want to become bulky and not be able to wear nice clothes."
The sudden display of girlish charm from his wife caused Xiao Ming's eyes to widen, and he instinctively moved in to give her a kiss.𝗳𝚛𝚎𝚎𝘄𝕖𝕓𝕟𝕠𝚟𝚎𝕝.𝗰𝕠𝐦
"Ah!"
Jiang Xue jumped, "What... what are you doing?"
Xiao Ming chuckled foolishly, "Your blushing face looks exactly like it did the first time I stole a kiss from you."
Jiang Xue froze, her thoughts instantly flying back to their bittersweet school days.
In her somewhat gray life, Xiao Ming was the first ray of light to shine into her world, besides her father.
"You have the nerve to mention that? You stole my first kiss. So many years have passed, and you're still so naughty!"
"Too bad the taste is different. Your lips were sweet back then, now they taste like pork ribs and dried shrimp."
"Stop it!"
Jiang Xue was hugely embarrassed and started to get up to hit him.
Xiao Ming turned his face to run, but as he reached the door, someone came in and he bumped right into them.
"Ah!"
The person he bumped into clutched their nose with a delicate cry, tears welling up immediately.
"Qing? Are... are you okay?"
Jiang Xue hurriedly pushed Xiao Ming aside and helped Yang Hanqing to sit down on a chair.
"No... I'm fine."
Yang Hanqing sniffed her reddened nose, wiped away the tears that had welled up, and glared at Xiao Ming, "What are you doing? Running around like that in the company."
Xiao Ming scratched his head, and Jiang Xue quickly apologized for him, "I'm sorry, Qing. It's my fault; he ran because I was chasing him."
Chased?
Images of the silly chase scenes commonly seen in dramas appeared in Yang Hanqing's mind, and she pursed her lips, feeling the sting in her nose grow stronger.
"Fine! One of you is the capable aide I rely on, and the other is from our head office. Besides accepting my bad luck, what can I do?" she said, sniffing like a little dog, "What's that smell? It's so fragrant!"
"Oh, it's the pork rib soup Xiao Ming made for me," Jiang Xue said.
"Is there any left? I haven't had lunch yet."
"Uh... sorry Qing, I ate it all."
"Really!" Yang Hanqing's face fell with disappointment and sorrow, "I'm so envious of you. You have someone who cares for you and even makes you hot soup. Unlike me, I work myself to death all day and still have to go out to find a restaurant."
"Then... if Qing doesn't mind,"
Jiang Xue bit her lip and looked at Xiao Ming, "Honey, maybe when you make food for me next time, you could make extra so Qing and I can eat together."
"This...," Yang Hanqing hesitated, a doubtful expression on her face, "wouldn't that be too much trouble for Mr. Xiao?"
Xiao Ming almost rolled his eyes to the sky.
What an act! Weren't you just waiting for Xue to say that?