Heart Stealer

On Friday afternoon, sunlight streamed through the windows onto the conference room floor.

With the completion of the last item on the agenda, the routine meeting also came to an end.

Xiao Tuobang gently closed the notebook in his hand, walked out of the meeting room with steady steps, and headed towards his office.

When he stepped into the familiar and warm office, he felt relaxed.

He slowly raised his hand and his eyes fell on the exquisite watch on his wrist. The time showed that there was still a full half hour before the end of get off work.

This short wait seemed to last an exceptionally long time.

Xiao Tuobang leaned leisurely on the soft and comfortable office chair, leaning back slightly to give his tired body a moment's rest.

His thoughts were like a wild horse that had broken free from its reins, drifting away involuntarily... The gentle and lovely figure of his wife Qiu Xue gradually emerged in his mind.

When he thought of that gentle, considerate and understanding lover, Xiao Tuobang couldn't help but raise the corners of his mouth.

A happy smile bloomed on his face, as gorgeous and dazzling as a flower blooming in spring.

Qiu Xue called him in the morning.

Her voice on the other end of the phone was filled with joy and excitement. She couldn't wait to tell Xiao Tuobang, "Husband, I've just learned several new dishes from Sister Zhen. I'm looking forward to cooking these delicious dishes myself so that you can taste my cooking skills!"

Xiao Tuobang's smile grew wider as he listened to Qiu Xue's words. He imagined Qiu Xue busy in the kitchen, and his heart was filled with emotion.

"Wife, you are really great! I can't wait to try the dishes you cook." Xiao Tuobang said gently.

Qiu Xue chuckled and said, "Then you better come back early. I'll wait for you to have dinner together."

Although Qiu Xue cooks occasionally, the dishes she makes may be a little lacking in color and taste.

But Xiao Tuobang would always savor every bite of food with full gratitude, and give her the greatest encouragement and support without hesitation.

After all, for Qiu Xue, who grew up in a privileged environment, being willing to go into the kitchen and prepare a sumptuous meal for him personally was something that made him feel very satisfied and gratified.

Xiao Tuobang had already arranged plans for tomorrow's weekend. He promised to take Qiuxue to the suburbs to climb the mountains and enjoy the fresh air and tranquil beauty of nature.

Xiao Tuobang sorted out the documents on the table and secretly looked forward to tonight's dinner and tomorrow's outing.

No matter how busy I am at work, as long as I get home and see Qiuxue's smiling face, all my fatigue will disappear.

Just as Xiao Tuobang was immersed in his yearning for family life, a crisp cell phone ring broke the silence of the office.

He quickly took out his cell phone from his pocket, and the screen showed an incoming call from his master.

Xiao Tuobang answered the phone immediately, and the old captain's concerned voice came from the other end of the phone.

"Tuobang, Sufang has been in the city for a while. Has she come to look for you?"

Xiao Tuobang heard the worry in his master's tone and replied, "Master, my junior sister didn't contact me directly. Where is she working now?"

The old captain hesitated for a moment and said, "Sufang is currently working at Jing Tianxin's house. I'm not sure what she does specifically. Your master's wife and I are a little worried about her."

Xiao Tuobang sensed his master's uneasiness and consoled him, "Master, don't worry. I'll go find Sufang as soon as possible to find out if she needs any help. Don't worry, I'll take care of everything."

When the old captain heard Xiao Tuobang's words, his worries were slightly relieved.

Xiao Tuobang is steady and reliable in his work. With him around, Sufang shouldn't have any major problems.

The old captain gave a few instructions and then hung up the phone.

Xiao Tuobang put down his phone, he was worried about his junior sister.

He decided to visit Jing Tianxin's home immediately and meet his junior sister in person.

On the way to Jing's house, Xiao Tuobang recalled a night a few months ago when he met Grandpa Jing who was lost on the street.

At that time, Grandpa Jing was unable to find his way home due to his advanced age and vague memory.

Xiao Tuobang brought Grandpa Jing back home without hesitation and took good care of him until the Jing family found him.

Since then, the Jing family has been full of gratitude towards Xiao Tuobang, and he has become a frequent visitor to the Jing family.

Xiao Tuobang drove the car and soon arrived at the gate of the Jing family.

After he got off the car, the servants of the Jing family recognized the distinguished guest at a glance. They immediately and warmly led him into the mansion and announced his arrival to Mrs. Jing and Mr. Jing.

When Mrs. Jing and Mr. Jing learned of Xiao Tuobang's arrival, they immediately went to the living room to greet him in person.

Mrs. Jing asked the servants to serve tea to the guests, while Xiao Tuobang looked around politely, trying to find Zhang Sufang.

Mrs. Jing mistakenly thought that Xiao Tuobang was waiting for their son Jing Tianxin, so she explained, "Tianxin is busy at work today and may not be back until later. Please sit down for a while and have a cup of tea."

Just then, Zhang Sufang walked into the living room with tea.

When she saw Xiao Tuobang sitting on the sofa, both of them showed surprised expressions.

Xiao Tuobang immediately realized that the woman in front of him was the junior sister Zhang Sufang he was looking for.

He quickly explained to Madam Jing and Master Jing, "Madam Jing, Master Jing, I'm really sorry, but I came here today specifically to see my junior sister Zhang Sufang. I wonder if I could borrow her time for a moment. We have something to discuss."

After hearing this, Mrs. Jing and Mr. Jing nodded and agreed to Xiao Tuobang's request.

Zhang Sufang put down the tea tray in her hand and followed Xiao Tuobang to a quiet corner outside the courtyard gate.

Xiao Tuobang and Zhang Sufang grew up together and they used to have feelings for each other, but now Xiao Tuobang is a married man, which makes their relationship a little restrained.

Xiao Tuobang was the first to break the silence. He asked with concern, "Junior sister, you have been here for a while. Why didn't you come to see us?"

Zhang Sufang raised her head, a hint of barely perceptible sadness flashed across her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure.

"Brother, I was actually planning to go see you this weekend, but I didn't expect you to be here first."

Xiao Tuobang noticed that Zhang Sufang seemed very busy at the Jing family. He couldn't help but ask, "Junior sister, you must be very tired from running around like this at the Jing family, right?"

Zhang Sufang shook her head and smiled, saying, "No, what I do in the Jing family is actually the easiest. Mrs. Jing is very kind to me and she even bought me a lot of beautiful clothes."

Xiao Tuobang keenly caught the hint of sadness behind Zhang Sufang's smile.

He was worried that Sufang had been wronged in the Jing family, so he continued to ask, "Junior sister, are you really happy here? If there is anything unpleasant, you must tell me."

Under Xiao Tuobang's questioning, Zhang Sufang finally revealed her true feelings: "Brother, actually... I want to move out. I don't want to continue living in the Jing family."

After hearing this, Xiao Tuobang didn't hesitate at all. He said firmly: "Junior sister, no problem. If you really decide, I will help you arrange a new job and accommodation. Don't worry, everything will be solved."

Zhang Sufang's eyes flashed with gratitude when she heard Xiao Tuobang's words. In this strange city, having someone who cares about her is a great comfort to her.

Xiao Tuobang patted Zhang Sufang's shoulder gently and said, "It's decided then. Go back and pack your things first, and I'll help you find a house."

"Thank you, senior brother." Zhang Sufang's voice was slightly choked.

"There's no need to be so polite between us." Xiao Tuobang said with a smile.