CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 180: Unattainable

Chapter 180: Chapter 180: Unattainable

Qiao Xiang’s heart raced, her face turning slightly red before she hurriedly lowered her gaze, avoiding Pei Liyan’s direct look.

Pei Liyan spoke with a light tone, "Qiao Xiang, order whatever you’d like to eat."

"Okay," Qiao Xiang quickly nodded in response.

He Zheng also spoke up, "Order whatever you want; I’ll pick up the tab."

Qiao Xiang immediately said, "No, let me treat instead."

"Xiangxiang, how can we let a girl like you pay!"

"You’re not being all chauvinistic, are you?" Qiao Xiang looked at He Zheng. "I have my reasons for treating you."

"Oh, what reasons? Let’s hear them," He Zheng said with a smile.

Qiao Xiang wasn’t shy; instead, she spoke openly, "Since I joined the Pei Family company, I’ve felt I have a lot to learn. Recently, I’ve learned quite a bit and I’m really happy about it."

"Xiangxiang, you’re really modest," He Zheng praised.

But Pei Liyan spoke up with a serious tone, "Let’s hear it, what did you learn?"

Qiao Xiang was taken aback, seemingly not expecting Liyan to ask for specifics.

Nonetheless, she didn’t falter and said, "I’ve learned a lot of advanced experience from my colleagues in the secretary department, got to know the company’s basic processes, and I’ve also memorized the company handbook. Now I’m feeling very fulfilled."

Pei Liyan looked at her with a faint expression, "No specifics?"

Qiao Xiang was startled, then awkwardly laughed, "There’s a lot, actually. I’ll tell you the details when we’re at the company!"

Pei Liyan didn’t speak, and his thoughts were inscrutable based on the look in his eyes.

Qiao Xiang felt a bit uneasy, realizing she might have said something wrong.

She sneaked a peek at Pei Liyan but was caught by the man’s profound gaze.

At this moment, He Zheng smoothed things over, "Let’s eat, no more talk of work for now."

Pei Liyan then said, "What’s to order, haven’t decided yet?"

"I’m easy," Qiao Xiang said swiftly, "I’ll have the same as you."

She signaled the waiter to come and ordered, choosing the same breakfast as Pei Liyan.

The three had breakfast together and to lighten the mood, He Zheng said, "By the way, Xiangxiang, I remember you have an aunt at home, why would you go out for breakfast?"

"Oh, I wanted to try the local delicacies, so I came out to eat," Qiao Xiang said, then turned to Pei Liyan, "By the way, Grandma Pei is getting better now, don’t worry too much, she just needs a bit of cheering up."

"Thank you," said Pei Liyan curtly.

"Don’t be so formal with me," Qiao Xiang said, "public or private, it’s something I should do."

"What happened to Grandma Pei?" He Zheng was unaware that Elder Madam Pei had been hospitalized.

"It’s nothing serious, just in the hospital for some adjustments," Pei Liyan replied indifferently.

Qiao Xiang also smiled and said to He Zheng, "It’s nothing major, just a bit of emotional strain that led to myocarditis. The doctor said the elder’s mood wasn’t very good recently, which is likely the cause."

As they talked about the senior’s less-than-cheerful state, He Zheng naturally recalled the scene from that night.

He’d also heard about Qiao Rui being locked in the Pei Family’s secret room for three days without food, until she managed to get out on her own.

He was very curious about how exactly she did it.

"Elderly people have their set ways; it’s hard to change some of their thoughts. Of course, it’s also because they don’t see the beauty in some things and thus stubbornly believe them to be negative."

He Zheng spoke artfully, not naming names, but Qiao Xiang understood that he was speaking in defense of Qiao Rui.

What kind of charm did that stubborn girl have that even He Zheng would speak up for her?

"I’m full," Pei Liyan suddenly put down his chopsticks and said to them, "You can eat at your own pace, I’m leaving now."

Qiao Xiang’s breakfast hadn’t even arrived yet, and they were already finished.

He Zheng was also startled, noticing Qiao Xiang’s embarrassed look, he asked Pei Liyan, "Are you headed to the company?"

"Going home first, then to the company.

"Oh," He Zheng said, waving his hand, "then you go ahead, I’ll stay with Xiangxiang until she’s done eating."

Pei Liyan walked away without looking back.

Qiao Xiang watched his retreating figure, unable to snap out of her reverie, her gaze lingering on his back.

The waiter brought the breakfast, but she remained lost in thought.

He Zheng reminded her, "Xiangxiang, let’s eat."

Qiao Xiang came back to her senses, glanced at He Zheng with his piercing eyes, and lowered her head.

She gave a wry smile, "Do I look like a clown?"

He Zheng was taken aback, then shook his head. "Not at all."

"You don’t have to comfort me. I know I must look pretty foolish," Qiao Xiang said with a bitter smile, picking up her chopsticks, "Let’s eat, I’m fine."

He Zheng sighed, "Do you really have to work at the Pei family company?"

Qiao Xiang stiffened, her face tensing, and she instinctively asked, "Did Liyan say he wants me to leave the Pei Family?"

He Zheng counter-asked instead, "Xiangxiang, if you can’t truly separate personal from professional matters, it will be very difficult to get a full-time position under him."

Hearing that, Qiao Xiang became rigid, her lips pressed tightly as if in disbelief, "I will work seriously and hard."

"You know what I mean; I’m not talking about that. I just hope you don’t overexert yourself, after all, we’re good friends," He Zheng replied sincerely.

Qiao Xiang frowned and looked out the window.

Pei Liyan had already left; his tall figure, accentuated by the morning light, appeared even more statuesque.

But such a grand figure, beautiful as a deity, seemed so far out of reach.

No matter how hard she tried to draw closer, she couldn’t keep up with his proud stride.

Only then did she realize what she had missed.

Tears welled up in Qiao Xiang’s eyes, and with a drop, they fell onto the table.

He Zheng saw it, was momentarily startled, then picked up his phone, pretending not to have seen.

At this moment, any reaction or words might make Qiao Xiang feel worse.

At the Pei Family residence.

When Pei Liyan walked in, he saw Qiao Rui sitting at the table eating, looking quite delighted and enjoying her meal.

Pei Liyan furrowed his brow slightly, wondering if her mood was so good because he wasn’t home for breakfast, that she could enjoy her meal to such an extent.

Qiao Rui was savoring her food with half-closed eyes, swaying her head to relish the taste when suddenly, as she sensed something, she turned around and saw Pei Liyan’s handsome face.

He was standing at the doorway watching her, his gaze enigmatic.

Startled, she said, "Good morning, Mr. Pei."

Pei Liyan walked over with a serene and casual demeanor, a faint smile on his lips, "Not as good as yours."

Qiao Rui was taken aback by his retort, "Have you had breakfast?"

Pei Liyan nodded, "I had a bit, but I’m not full."

"Well, there’s nothing I can do then; you’ll have to ask Mrs. Feng to make you some more," Qiao Rui glanced at the food on the table, "I’ve already sampled everything here; you’d probably find it distasteful."

Pei Liyan looked down at the spoon in her hand, which held a shrimp ball. Bending down, he grabbed her wrist, bringing the spoon to his mouth, and the shrimp ball entered his mouth.

Qiao Rui was astonished.

Her spoon, why did he directly eat off it like that?

He just ate her saliva!