Peninsula diplomat: My second life with a top celebrity

After renting a wheelchair, Zheng Daoxun picked out a small stool for the bathroom and a larger non-slip mat at the supermarket. He then drove around a nearby furniture store, hoping to buy a bath tub on the way.

But the bath tubs in the furniture store are either too big or too small.

Zheng Daoxun didn't hesitate and simply ordered a medium-sized one using his mobile phone.

For the next couple of days, let Ya Xian make do. Anyway, there's a non-slip mat and a small stool, so it's not too much trouble for her to wash herself while sitting in the bathroom.

It was already past 10 a.m. when he came out of the furniture store. Zheng Daoxun parked his car on the side of the road and checked the to-do list on his phone—he had taken the day off, so he decided to take care of some things during this free time.

He sent Bae Suzy a message: "I'm driving out today, so if it's convenient, I'll return the umbrella to you."

Bae Suzy replied shortly after the message was sent.

I have plans today, so just leave the umbrella at the door.

Jung Do-hoon replied with an "okay," placed his phone on the passenger seat, and started the car.

When Suzy drove him home last time, she casually mentioned in the car that she lived just two blocks away.

But Zheng Daoxun had never actually traveled this route until he drove here today and found that what she said was true; it only took five or six minutes to get there.

The car drove into a quiet residential area. Rows of ginkgo trees lined both sides of the road, their leaves still a touch of tender green in early summer. Several imported cars were parked under the shade of the trees, and occasionally people in sportswear could be seen jogging along the path.

The villas in this area all have independent courtyards with low walls, through which you can vaguely see the carefully trimmed greenery and a few hydrangeas in full bloom.

It's said that property prices here have almost doubled in the past few years. Bae Suzy certainly has a good eye for investment.

Zheng Daoxun parked the car on the side of the road, took the umbrella, and got out of the car.

Bae Suzy's villa is exquisite. The lawn in the courtyard is neatly manicured, and the red Ferrari is still parked in its parking space.

Zheng Daoxun bent down and gently placed the umbrella next to the shoe rack. His gaze inadvertently swept over a pair of old men's leather shoes, which didn't seem like the kind that were displayed outside to pretend there was a man at home.

Bae Suzy is a grown woman, so it's perfectly normal for her to have men's leather shoes at home.

This has nothing to do with him; he just came to return an umbrella.

He turned around and was about to walk out.

The door behind me suddenly opened.

Zheng Daoxun stopped and turned around.

An elderly man with gray hair stood at the door. He was not tall and wore a neatly ironed but somewhat old-fashioned plaid shirt. His gaze behind his glasses was scrutinizing and questioning as he looked Zheng Daoxun up and down.

"Who are you?"

Jung Do-hoon gave a slight bow: "Hello, Soo-ji borrowed an umbrella from me before, and I came to return it to her today. She already told me to just leave it at the door."

"Oh—Sooji's friend, this girl is so impolite. Since you're here, come in and have a cup of tea," the old man drawled, nodded, and then turned and called into the house, "Sooji, your friend is here!"

Footsteps approached from inside the house, followed by a familiar voice: "Hey, Father—"

Zheng Daoxun frowned slightly.

Bae Suzy peeked halfway out of the kitchen, saw him standing in the doorway, quickly went over, bent down to get a pair of slippers, placed them beside Jung Do-hoon's feet, and then smiled faintly as she stood up:

"What? Are you surprised to see me?"

"Didn't you have plans today?"

"Having a schedule doesn't mean I wasn't home this morning." Bae Suzy stepped aside, gesturing for him to come in.

Zheng Daoxun had no choice but to go inside and change his shoes.

Bae Suzy led him to sit on the sofa, made a cup of tea for each of them, then placed her hand on the stair railing and said in a relaxed tone, "You two sit here for a while, I'll go upstairs and change my clothes, it'll be quick."

She was wearing a beige loungewear set, the soft fabric accentuating her slender waist.

Although she was without makeup, her skin was flawless, and her eyes and brows exuded a clean and delicate charm. Her jet-black hair was casually pinned up at the back of her head with a silver hair clip, and a few wisps of hair fell around her ears, adding a touch of gentle femininity.

Zheng Daoxun picked up his teacup, his gaze shifting from the stairwell back to meet Pei's father's scrutinizing eyes.

"Young man, what do you do for a living? Are you also in the entertainment industry?"

I work at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"Ah, being a civil servant is good. You just passed the exam not long ago, right?" Mr. Pei took a leisurely sip of tea.

"I passed the exam three years ago, but I first went to serve in the military. After I was discharged, I was sent to New York for two years. Now I work as a clerk in the Cultural Exchange Department."

Clerk, a fourth-level civil servant, is a position that many people may not be able to attain even by the time they reach forty.

Pei's father's eyes lit up, and then he asked about Zheng Daoxun's age.

This is no different from checking out potential blind dates for their daughter.

Twenty-five years old...that's good, it's just a pity that she's four years younger than Suzy.

Pei's father sighed with some regret and then casually changed the subject.

The two talked about new energy, the lithium battery industry, lithium mines, and Zheng Daoxun's experience in New York.

The two chatted for about ten minutes when soft footsteps came from the stairs.

Bae Suzy changed into a floral dress and let her hair down, its smooth, black strands cascading over her shoulders.

She wore light makeup, with a touch of nude lip gloss on her lips, making her look more refined than before, but without appearing overly deliberate.

Suzy held a small handbag in her hand and stood at the corner of the stairs, watching the old man and the young man chatting happily in the living room, without rushing to speak.

Pei's father was engrossed in his conversation, while Zheng Daoxun didn't say much, but he subtly flattered Pei's father. Once he started talking, the old gentleman didn't stop, even offering Zheng Daoxun a cigarette between conversations.

Bae Suzy leaned gently against the wall, remaining silent.

Jung Do-hoon immediately declined, making up an excuse that he didn't smoke.

This was, after all, Soo-ji's house. Even if Bae's father offered him cigarettes, Jung Do-hoon still had to consider Soo-ji's feelings.

"Oh, Dad, why are you smoking at home again?"

Bae Suzy finally spoke, gracefully sitting down next to Jung Do-hoon in her high heels. She slightly furrowed her brow, put away the ashtray, and continued:

"If you need to draw it out, draw it out."

"I understand..." Pei's father reluctantly lowered his eyes. He was so engrossed in the conversation that he couldn't look away, which was really uncomfortable. However, his eyes were full of appreciation when he looked at Zheng Daoxun. "This young man is not bad. You two can communicate more in the future. What's that saying again? Young people should learn from each other and make up for each other's shortcomings."

Well, this old man is quite obedient to his daughter.

"Alright, alright, I think you just want to chat with Do-hoon more. I'll ask him to come over more often and chat with you." Soo-ji picked up her small handbag. "I'm heading out to work anyway, so no smoking at home!"

Jung Do-hoon also stood up, knowing that Soo-ji was trying to get him out of a tight spot; otherwise, Bae's father would have kept nagging him for ages.

"In that case, I'll be going now. I'll come to see you again next time I have the chance."

Suzy and Jung Do-hoon went outside, but instead of getting into her Ferrari, she glanced down at her high heels and said, "Well, perfect timing. You drove here, right? Could you give me a ride?"