Previously, Jennifer and Boris only found Leo to be easygoing and open-minded, but after the recent incident, they realized that beneath his affable exterior was an absolute show of strength. Thus, their gazes held a touch of reverence.
Having finished their meal, the group headed to the parking lot. Leo instructed Alvin, “Mr. Simpson, I leave them in your hands. Arrange their work, as well as their accommodation and meals.”
“Mr. Bloomer, don’t worry, I’ll make sure to handle it properly,” Alvin assured. Then, as if recalling something, he lowered his voice, “Mr. Bloomer, can I talk to you for a moment?”
The two moved aside, and Leo asked curiously, “What’s the matter?”
“Mr. Bloomer, it’s about Sarah. Her expertise is in traditional Chinese medicine, and it doesn’t match any of the positions we have at the company. How should we arrange her?” Alvin had noticed Leo lingered a bit longer on Sarah’s resume during the recruitment process, so he had kept it in mind.
Leo thought for a moment and replied, “For now, assign her some temporary tasks. I have other plans for her.”
“Understood.” Alvin didn’t ask further and agreed to the plan.
Leo got into his car and left the parking lot, leaving behind a group of reluctant gazes from the others.
During dinner, Sophia had sent a WhatsApp message saying she would finish work at 5:30 PM sharp, asking Leo to pick her up.
As they neared the Golden Leaf Shopping Plaza and it was still more than 30 minutes until 5:30 PM, Leo parked on the side of a street and walked over to a small shop named “Sunshine Convenience Store.”
Over the four years he’d been part of the Henley family, Leo had often secretly come to this convenience store to buy cigarettes. This led to him becoming acquainted with the shopkeeper over time.
As Leo approached the counter, the shopkeeper habitually took out a pack of Purple Cloud cigarettes and handed them to him.
Leo shook his head and said, “No cigarettes today. Give me a bottle of Coke.”
The shopkeeper produced a bottle of Coca-Cola with a smile and handed it to him.
Leo twisted off the cap, took a sip, and then turned down the offered cigarette. “No smoking for me. My wife wouldn’t like the smell.”
The shopkeeper had to light the cigarette himself and said, “Normally, you’re just responsible of driving her to work but no picking up. Why the visit today?”
Leo shrugged, “My wife has given orders. Can’t disobey.”
The shopkeeper chuckled, taking a drag from the cigarette and exhaling slowly. “You don’t strike me as the type content with the ‘useless son-in-law’ label for the rest of your life. Can you tell me why you’re really here?”
Leo glanced at him, a faint smile on his lips. “You don’t seem like the type to spend your whole life running a convenience store. How about you tell me your story?”
The shopkeeper grinned. “All for a woman.”
Leo finished his Coke in one gulp, burped, and placed the empty bottle on the counter. After paying the money, he turned and left.
“You still haven’t told me!” the shopkeeper called after him.
Leo didn’t look back. “Your answer is my answer.”
At 5:40 PM, Leo picked up Sophia from the underground garage, and they headed home together.
Dinner was prepared by Leo’s hand once again. Thanks to his medicinal cooking background, even Jessica had to admit that his culinary skills had improved, praising him at the dinner table.
After dinner, Martin had plans with his antique enthusiast friends, and Jessica was called out by the neighborhood aunties. The villa was now only occupied by Leo and Sophia.
Leo started cleaning the dishes in the kitchen after dinner. Sophia rolled up her sleeves and entered, saying, “Let me help you wash.”
Seeing Sophia’s fair hands, Leo quickly stopped her. “Washing dishes can be tough on the hands. Just go watch TV.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to help?”
Leo nodded seriously.
“Alright, I’ll watch you then.”
Leo sensed that Sophia seemed a bit off today.
As Leo began to wash the dishes, Sophia stood there watching, which he found somewhat unusual.
In fact, Sophia had wanted to buy a dishwasher, hoping to free Leo from this chore. But Jessica disagreed. She believed manual washing was the best, and having a son-in-law like Leo shouldn’t be squandered.
“Sophia, is something bothering you?” Leo couldn’t help but ask.
“Leo, can you play the piano?”
Influenced by Karen, the image of that TikTok-famous piano-playing guy had been stuck in Sophia’s mind. Due to the uncanny resemblance between that image and Leo’s back, driven by her perfectionism, she felt the need to clarify.
Leo took his hands out of the sink and extended them in front of Sophia. His ten fingers moved awkwardly. He chuckled, “I think I’m better at playing video games.”
“Wasn’t that you playing the piano on the first floor of the mall yesterday?” Sophia remained skeptical.
Leo shrugged. “I wish it was me. I haven’t experienced the fame of an internet celebrity yet.”
Sophia couldn’t discern any clues from Leo’s expression and felt a twinge of disappointment deep inside. Somehow, in the depths of her heart, she had truly wished that the piano player she saw was Leo.
She walked out of the kitchen, took out her phone, and dialed Karen’s number. She needed to ask her best friend if she had escaped the quagmire of her fantasies.
Meanwhile, as Leo washed the dishes, he was thinking about something else: the 19th was just around the corner, a day worthy of celebration. He wondered what kind of event to plan.
After a night of contemplation, Leo finally had an idea.
The next morning, after dropping Sophia off at work, Leo went to the convenience store and chatted with the owner, Bob, for a while. Then he drove to the location he had decided on the previous night.
The place was called Wyndham Grand Palace Hotel, and Leo had been there once before, four years ago. It was where he and Sophia had their wedding.
After parking the car, Leo entered the hotel. He explained his intention to the front desk and was soon led to the hotel manager.
The manager, in his forties, looked gentlemanly and sophisticated, exuding a certain charm beyond his age. He took a quick glance at Leo and courteously inquired, “Sir, I am the hotel manager. How can I assist you today?”
The more upscale the place, the higher the caliber of people working there. Even if they might secretly look down on you, it would never show on their faces, nor in their language or tone.
Leo got straight to the point, “I’d like to book the entire hotel for the 19th of this month.”
“Book the entire hotel?” The manager thought he had heard wrong.
Booking the entire hotel had only happened once since the Wyndham Grand Palace Hotel had opened.