The one on the receiving end of the video chat did not have them wait for very long. Boss Zhou picked up the call quickly but even he was caught off guard by the peculiar image that came over the screen â he saw the mother and son duo squeezed into the screen together with the exact same look on both of their faces. Even Zhou Qinhe paused for a little â a reaction that was unusual for him.
As he had hesitated for all two seconds, the opening of the conversation was taken over by those on the other end. Yan Shuyu and Zhang Yuanjia said at the same time, âHi, Uncle Zhou.â
Uncle Zhou, ââ¦â¦â
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There was a very complicated look on Zhou Qinheâs face. Zhang Yuanjia, squeezed together with his mother, also doubted his own hearing. Baffled, he turned and asked, âWhy did mommy call him Uncle Zhou too?â
âBecause it sounded more affectionate that way. Just like the teachers at your school, they call me Mother Yuanbao even!â Yan Shuyu explained with a smile. There was another reason that she didnât want to say out loud in front of the boss â she was just a tad over twenty years old, the prime age of a girl and the boss was already in his thirties. He was robbing the cradle.
He should be happy that she didnât just straight up refer to him as uncle.
Nevermind about Zhou Qinhe, even little kiddo Zhang Yuanbao didnât buy Yan Shuyuâs explanation. He quickly raised another question, âBut, Mom, if thatâs the case, you should be referring to him as Father Xiao Yi.â
Even though the mother and son duo were very focused on their discussion and never once looked over at the screen, Zhou Qinhe still nodded to express his agreement to Yuanbaoâs point. He continued to listen in with strong interest.
Yan Shuyu has thick skin. She didnât feel any shame when she was called out by her son. Instead, she merely waved her hand and said, âMinor details. I just prefer to refer to him this way. Itâs all good as long as Uncle Zhou is okay with that.â
Having said that, both mother and son turned back and looked at Zhou Qinhe intensely with their limpid eyes.
This being the second time, Zhou Qinhe was now experienced and acted very appropriately. With his usual friendly smile, he gave them a very serious look as though he wasnât the one who was just eating melon a minute ago.
Smiling, Zhou Qinhe said to Yan Shuyu, âI am fine with that. Whatever makes you happy.â
Now that Uncle Zhou had said that, little kiddo Zhang Yuanbao had no more objections. He nodded in a very understanding way and Yan Shuyu, who already felt very justified, let it get to her head. She looked at her son as she said to him, âSee? I told you so.â It had never crossed her mind why she was so proud that she had won over a fight with her 5-year-old son.
âSo, are you two ready?â
Hearing the bossâs question, Yan Shuyu refocused back on him and nodded. She was almost done with her makeup and was ready to go anytime.
Zhou Qinhe smiled and said, âOkay, then Iâll head out and go pick the two of you up.â
Truth was, it wasnât even 10 AM yet and it was a bit early to head to lunch right now. But, looking at the bossâs handsome face in her cellphone, Yan Shuyu didnât hesitate at all before she said to him, âSure, câmon over.â
Seeing that his mother and Uncle Zhou were about to bid each other farewell, the little kiddo got anxious and quickly tugged at his motherâs clothes. Yan Shuyu finally remembered the real purpose of the video chat. She continued to focus on the bossâs handsome face and had no intention of handing the phone over to her son. âOh right, Yuanbao asked whether you have decided on where we are going today,â said Yan Shuyu.
Hey, what happened to letting me discuss that with my little buddy? Zhang Yuanbao blinked a couple times and his little face was covered in doubts.