Treasure Hunt: Tycoon's Priceless Runaway Wife

Chapter 488 - 487: Raising Not a Pretty Boy

Because of those boxes of cookies, Le Tong called the mansion as soon as she got home, and it was Housekeeper Li who answered the phone."Oh, it’s Miss Le. The old man is enjoying tea on the terrace, please wait a moment."

"Housekeeper Li, there’s no need..." Before Le Tong could finish her sentence, the other side had already put down the phone. Le Tong heard the sound of footsteps and a door opening, and then she heard Housekeeper Li say softly, "Sir, Miss Le is on the phone."

"Hello!" An elderly voice came through.

"Chairman, the cookies taste great, thank you!"

Le Tong was a kind woman and always very polite and courteous to her elders. Once, she had a sharp verbal exchange with Mr. Ji because the old man was too arrogant and looked down on others.

Now, the old man repeatedly showed kindness through his actions. It was not imaginable for her to suddenly be candid and open with the old man without reservations, but she could maintain surface politeness.

"I’m glad you like it. What else do you like to eat? I’ll have Old Li make a note and prepare it to be sent over. The pastry chef’s skills are quite good. Baobao loves the cakes and desserts he makes."

The old man’s tone was calm. It may not have been warm and friendly, but the previously arrogant and domineering attitude towards Le Tong was utterly absent.

"No need, it’s too much trouble for you." Le Tong habitually declined the offer.

To be honest, up till now, Le Tong had no intention to actively get close to, let alone be intimate with, Mr. Ji. She maintained basic courtesy with him only because he was Ji Rui’s father and Baobao’s grandfather.

"It’s not troublesome; people are hired to do work. When someone appreciates his food, it validates his worth, so you don’t need to feel it’s a bother."

Mr. Ji, whether truly not understanding Le Tong’s intention or pretending not to, insisted on interpreting her words literally.

"Chairman, thank you for your kindness. If Baobao wants anything, I’ll have him call back himself!"

Le Tong took the phone into the kitchen and opened the fridge to see what ingredients would be suitable to make dinner for Baobao.

"Baobao is Baobao, and you are you. No need to be so polite." Mr. Ji said again, his tone not sounding particularly bad.

Seeing the other party so insistent, Le Tong had no choice but to perfunctorily agree, "Alright, I understand."

Although she agreed verbally, she understood clearly in her heart that she wouldn’t really take him up on the offer. Whatever she wanted to eat, she could easily buy from any bakery; why owe anyone favors?

Debts can be repaid with money, but favors? It’s not known what can be used to repay them, especially since the person involved is Mr. Ji.

"Baobao mentioned your dumplings are delicious. The little fellow was practically drooling when he brought it up the other day. Do you have time this weekend? Bring Baobao back and make some dumplings. It’s been a long time since I’ve had some."

On one side, Le Tong was cautiously maintaining the distance between them, while on the other side, Mr. Ji was unceremoniously making requests as if for Baobao’s sake, though it was clear his intentions weren’t entirely related to the food itself.

Le Tong evidently hadn’t anticipated he would be so forward in demanding her presence. Caught off guard, she naturally couldn’t directly refuse, so she made an excuse.

"There’s a lot of work at Ji Family lately, and I might not be able to find time this weekend."

"Alright, then I’ll call Ah Ru on the weekend."

Le Tong understood that if she didn’t agree, Mr. Ji intended to find Ji Rui.

Of course, Le Tong thought Mr. Ji was just speaking casually. However, come Friday night when Ji Rui returned, he indeed received a call from Mr. Ji.

When Le Tong brought the soup from the kitchen and placed it on the dining table, Ji Rui served it while asking her.

"The old man said he wants to eat dumplings. Are you accompanying me and Baobao back to the mansion tomorrow?"

Le Tong pulled out a chair and sat down. She didn’t know what Mr. Ji had told Ji Rui, but since the old man kept bringing it up, if she refused again, she would seem petty.

"I have to handle some other things in the morning. Why don’t you and Baobao go first, and I’ll come over after I’m done?"

Le Tong considered it a compromise, thinking that if everything was prepared by the time she arrived at the mansion, she could simply enjoy the meal. If not, she would help out.

"I need to adjust to the time difference. I’ll probably sleep until noon tomorrow. When I wake up, I’ll take Baobao to your office, and we’ll go together."

"Alright..." Knowing that she couldn’t win against Ji Rui, Le Tong could only nod.

After dinner, having not seen daddy for a few days, Baobao clung to Ji Rui like a koala, making him carry him to feed the goldfish.

Ji Rui looked at the fish swimming around in the tank and quickly noticed something unusual. "Why are there two fewer?"

"Hmm... They died..." Baobao had nearly forgotten about this, but now that Ji Rui brought it up, he couldn’t help but feel depressed again.

Seeing Baobao’s pouting and dejected look reflected in the fish tank, Ji Rui couldn’t help but smile and gently pinch the little one’s cheek to console him.

"It’s alright. On Sunday, mommy and daddy will take you to buy some new ones."

"Oh..." Baobao still wasn’t very happy.

"He’s been talking about those two goldfish for days now." Le Tong, bringing out a plate of fruit, leaned over to explain quietly to Ji Rui.

It seems feelings had already developed.

After feeding the fish, Le Tong went to water the flowers on the balcony, while Ji Rui, holding Baobao, sat on the sofa, opened a laptop, and searched for "Complete Guide to Raising Goldfish".

"Baobao, let’s see how to take care of goldfish. We’ll buy a few more, and this time, we’ll make sure they grow chubby."

Baobao lay on his lap, turned his head to point at the fish tank, and laughed. "Daddy, not chubby-whubby, it’s red-chubby and black-chubby..."

Ji Rui laughed as he flicked his nose. "Yes, so that’s how Baobao will become chubby-whubby too!"

Baobao laughed as he pulled on Ji Rui’s face with both hands. "Daddy, you’re getting dark and chubby with mommy around..."

Back inside, Le Tong chuckled, and Ji Rui lifted his eyes to glance at her, touching his face. "Darker?"

Laughing, Le Tong shook her head. "No, your complexion has always been like that. But sitting with Baobao, you do look quite dark."

One arm around Baobao, Ji Rui slightly lifted himself to plant a kiss on Le Tong’s lips.

"Being a bit dark is good, otherwise when we go out together, people will say you’re keeping a pretty boy."

Le Tong blushed, feeling hot in the ears, unsure why her skin was so thin. It’s just a casual tease; what was there to blush about?

"Haha, mommy, you’re not with a pretty boy, but a dark-faced one instead!"

Unknowingly, Baobao found his parents’ playful banter amusing and simple, taking their words at face value.