Calix quickly forgot what Davin had relayed to him through the ssages. The information was not beneficial for him at all nor it required any of his attention.
Once again Calix dived into his huge pile of work, intending to finish as much as he possible without compromising the qualities.
Aside from attending to the necessary docunts, Calix was also involved in minor discussions with a few of the directors. Two online conferences from abroad were waiting for him this midnight.
Gossip about CEO Xu started to spread from one departnt to the next as the man himself was holed up inside his office.
"Have you heard? Chairman Xu will co to work next week ah. He’ll replace the CEO for so ti."
"What? Did our CEO do sothing wrong?"
"Hey! Don’t jinx our company ah! Lisa from the secretarial departnt said CEO Xu is just taking a break. He’ll bring his wife abroad to get new treatnt."
"Aww~ That’s so sweet and thoughtful! Aiya, when will we get a handso and good husband like that ah?"
If only the employees learned the truth. All of them would be shocked to hear their newlywed CEO had a five-year-old child.
Before the day ended, Edward ca bearing great news to Calix. The latter was still busy with his work despite his intention to return at the usual hours.
Of course, CEO Xu didn’t want to miss having dinner with his wife.
"Boss Xu, the chairman will enter the office this Thursday. I’ve settled everything including your accommodations."
"W-what?"
Surprised, Calix abruptly lifted his head from the computer screen to Edward’s face. The younger man’s words had yet to sink into his mind, prompting him to ask again.
"What do you an? Have you finished rearranging everything? I can leave on Thursday?"
Did he hear Edward wrong?
"Yes," Edward nodded, his lips curling up into a smirk, "Chairman Xu contacted personally when you’re out for lunch. He instructed Mr. Lin to help speed up the process."
Mr. Lin was Andrian’s right-hand man. The forr was soone Edward looked up to due to his stellar capabilities.
As Andrian was semi-retired following his ascending to the chairman position, Mr. Lin also retreated to the background. The middle-aged man spent most of his days at his huge farm which he opened for visitors.
"Haa... I didn’t expect my father to intervene," said Calix, delightful disbelief lacing his tone, "Seems like I’ll pass the baton sooner than expected."
"That’s good news, isn’t it?" Edward chuckled. He was genuinely happy for his boss, "Just focus on bonding with your child ah. We’ll make sure no strange rumors floating around when you’re away."
Edward was initially surprised when Calix ntioned him taking so ti off work at the nearest ti. But, his shock disappeared once he learned the reason.
CEO Xu and Mrs. Xu wanted to focus on their recently discovered daughter. To avoid the stress of constant traveling between the two cities, Old Madam Xu suggested Chairman Xu oversee the company during the forr’s absence.
’Fortunately, everyone who knows is very supportive ah. I wanna et the little miss soon too. Let’s hope she doesn’t inherit Boss Xu’s nagging habit.’
Calix wouldn’t ever know what was going on in Edward’s mind. Even if he learned of it, the sheer amount of happiness enveloping him right now would be the younger man’s saving grace.
"Send all the details about my trip there," Calix paused montarily, thinking of sothing before asking, "The residence is suitable for my wife, isn’t it?"
Because Leslie was wheelchair-bound, Calix instructed Edward to take in every aspect possible. He wanted her to be as comfortable as she could at the temporary residence.
As for Leslie’s extended care, she herself would notify Mrs. An and Mrs. Su about the possibly long trip away. Neither she nor Calix would force them to follow if the private nurses didn’t want to.
Mrs. An and Mrs. Su had families in Silvercrest City. Their contract also stated clauses about traveling with their clients beyond a certain amount of ti.
If the private nurses disagreed, Calix and Leslie needed to request other caretakers from the agency.
"I found a two-story holiday villa there. It’s twenty minutes away from the orphanage. The villa has five bedrooms, perfect for the madam’s nurses to stay as well."
"Alright. I believe in your choice. You may leave if there’s nothing urgent."
"See you tomorrow, Boss Xu."
With Andrian and Mr. Lin around, Calix didn’t need to worry too much about his absence from the company. He really looked forward to Thursday.
"I can’t wait to tell her about this."
Chuckling, Calix glanced toward his phone. He recalled the photos of Leslie sleeping on the swing chair, stored in the gallery app. He forgot to tell her about them yesterday.
’Harder! I have to work harder!’
All pumped up, Calix resud completing his job. The afterglow of the sunset bead through the glass walls behind him, casting him under the brilliant streaks of amber and ruby.
Monday changed to Tuesday before Wednesday ca. Calix tried to spend ti with Leslie during those days but, his wish was not granted. He continued drowning himself in work, even sleeping less.
But...
All his hard work paid off, following the end of his wait.
Calix returned ho like usual that Wednesday evening. After having dinner together with Leslie, he brought her to a room on the second floor.
An empty room waiting to be colored.
"You need to sleep early ah. We’ll head there at eight."
Calix smiled in helplessness as he looked at Leslie’s bright face. They were sitting in the middle of the empty room.
The place was completely bare. Not even a small carpet decorated the white marble floor. But, happiness blanketed Leslie the more she looked at it.
"I wonder how vibrant this... room will be with... Calliope inside..."
After several minor discussions, Calix and Leslie finally chose which room to be Calliope’s new bedroom. It was the one on the opposite side of the hallway, facing Leslie’s.
The room was one of the guest rooms, used by Calix’s family if they planned to stay the night. The spouses actually decided to fully makeover the room before Calliope’s arrival but, they dropped the idea in the end.
At five years old, Calliope had a mind of her own. Leslie and Calix wanted to involve the little one in the decorating process as much as possible. She could pick any kind of furniture and colors she loved.
"It’ll surely look adorable," Calix fondly smiled at Leslie, also thinking of the sa thing, "I think she’ll love anything pink ah, like you."
"Hehe, I think so..."
Laughing alongside Calix, Leslie didn’t intend to tell him that Calliope also loved her favorite colors – pink, purple and white. They often matched their outfits if there were similar ones in the closet.
"Like mother, like daughter," Calix pointed out, still looking at Leslie with hearts in his eyes.
Leslie chuckled. Sensing heat spread from her cheeks to her entire face, she pulled her gaze away from Calix.
"I think she inherits... your traits too ah... Maybe your cheekiness?"
Baffled by Leslie’s words, Calix quickly denied, "Hey! I’m not that cheeky okay?"
Leslie continued laughing. Her whole heart was at ease now. She didn’t notice more honey dripping from Calix’s eyes as he couldn’t take his gaze off her.
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