Extreme Pampering
Chapter 123: Just Fond of the Mischievous Pei Yu.

Chapter 123: Chapter 123: Just Fond of the Mischievous Pei Yu.

When Shen Zhiyi arrived, she only intended to speak a few words to Pei Yu and leave, so Xiaodong was still waiting in the car. After she said these things, she shifted uncomfortably and realized belatedly that she felt embarrassed. She whispered, "I’m going to leave now."

Her hand was still clenched by Pei Yu, who had not let go, lost in thought because of her words. When he finally grasped her meaning, his eyes gradually brightened with a smile.

When he had seen her in the hall, he was still caught in that panicky unease, so he hadn’t reacted immediately. However, on the way to bring her to this place, he had slowly come to his senses, realizing that her willingness to come find him was already vastly different from what he had imagined. He had feared she might despise him, or even hate him; but only when he heard her say it in person did he completely relax. He suddenly realized that the situation was much better than he had anticipated, a pleasant surprise indeed.

With emotions swelling and becoming uncontrollable, he tenderly kissed the tips of her fingers, "So we——"

Shen Zhiyi quickly said, "No."

"Why?" he pressed.

Shen Zhiyi saw through his intentions at a glance. As a businessman, he was particularly good at taking an inch and going a mile, seizing opportunities.

She wasn’t about to fall for his tricks, "I’m not ready yet."

That was the honest truth; recognizing one’s feelings was one thing, deciding to be with him was another.

After gazing at her for a while, making sure there was really no room for negotiation, Pei Yu gave up, but he wasn’t willing to let go of this favorable moment, "So, will I still be rejected?"

He massaged Shen Zhiyi’s fingertips, his tone slightly lower, somewhat dejected, "When I want to see you, will you still reject me?"

As she finally showed signs of softening her stance, he always wanted to gain a little sweetness for himself.

Sure enough, Shen Zhiyi softened and said awkwardly, "Wouldn’t I still come even if I rejected you?"

"That’s different," he said seriously, his eyes earnest, "If you rejected me, I would always take it somewhat seriously, and on the way to see you, I would constantly think about whether you would shut me out."

Shen Zhiyi was somewhat convinced and reluctantly gave a definitive answer, "I won’t."

She said with annoyance, "Is that okay now?"

That was exactly what he wanted to hear.

"Hmm," Pei Yu’s lips curved into a smile, not daring to tease her any further, he left it at that, "I’ll take you back."

"Didn’t the banquet just start?" Shen Zhiyi guessed he had his own reasons for being here, it wasn’t just a simple social interaction, "Just tend to your own matters."

"There’s someone I need to meet," Pei Yu did not hide it from her, "Meeting them another time works too."

Attending the dinner was obviously not just about networking; there were matters to discuss, and to keep himself from thinking about her, he had filled his schedule to the brim in recent days, effectively shooting himself in the foot.

"No," Shen Zhiyi pushed him away, not wanting to delay his important matters, "I will go back by myself. Xiaodong is still waiting for me."

Despite her repeated refusals, Pei Yu had no choice but to give up the idea. After making sure her ankle was really okay, he escorted her all the way to the car.

In the parking lot.

Leaning on the car door, he seemed to just remember something, although in fact, he had been pondering it all along, contemplating how to broach the subject. Finally settling on a casual tone, he offhandedly asked, "About Meng Qiming..."

He was indeed very concerned about Meng Qiming.

Although the incident that day couldn’t entirely be blamed on Meng Qiming, it was clear that Pei Yu was not rational enough about this matter, intensely bothered by it, even to the point of misplaced anger. After all, the person who had troubled Shen Zhiyi was his friend, and he would definitely have to take responsibility; it was hard to guarantee that the same thing wouldn’t happen a second time.

Pei Yu couldn’t help but feel hostility toward Meng Qiming.

Previously, as competitors and out of respect for Shen Zhiyi, Pei Yu wouldn’t touch him, but now, the two were no longer on the same level. He had Shen Zhiyi’s personal promise, after all, so he could afford to be a bit "willful."

"I made things clear to him," Shen Zhiyi stressed, "From now on, we can only have a business relationship."

They couldn’t even be friends.

Pei Yu smiled, completely relaxed, his smile lazy, "Hmm, I was thinking if you couldn’t speak up, I would speak to him myself."

If he had gone to speak, it would have been like a blatant declaration of his authority.

After asking, he showed no sign of leaving. He hooked Shen Zhiyi’s fingertips resting on the seat and lowered his voice. In the night, there was an indescribable ambiguity, "Can I come to see you after I finish?"

He hadn’t touched a drop of alcohol that night, his eyes clearer than ever, yet there was a layer of haze over them as if falling into an invisible vortex.

Xiaodong, in the driver’s seat, looked straight ahead. Hearing this, she tried hard to control her expression, opening the car’s stereo system as if to cover her ears, fearing to hear something inappropriate, but she overlooked the fact that Shen Zhiyi was also in the car.

Music suddenly filled the car, breaking the unseen connection between the two. Shen Zhiyi came to her senses and quickly withdrew her fingertips, "No."

She looked at him, her eyes moist and lacking deterrent, warning him, "Don’t be too greedy."

It was already so late today. If he came to see her, he would surely find every way to stay the night, and she wasn’t as firm as she imagined, which she had already known, so the final result would certainly fulfill his wishes.

Indeed, if she showed even the slightest weakness, he would take advantage of it and do as he pleased.

"Okay," Pei Yu agreed reluctantly. Although he didn’t get what he wanted this time, there would be other opportunities in the future, no need to rush this moment, "See you tomorrow."

He closed the car door and stepped back two steps. Xiaodong wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but she felt like he glanced over at her, his look cold.

She swore, she really didn’t do it on purpose. She just wasn’t thinking clearly.

"Sister Zhiyi," Xiaodong, while praying Pei Yu would forget her silly mistake soon, curiously inquired, "You guys..."

It didn’t seem like they were back together since Chairman Pei’s further requests were turned down, which looked rather pitiful.

Shen Zhiyi rolled down the car window to dissipate the lingering warmth on her face, remaining silent for a moment before answering cryptically.

"I want to give us a chance."

Xiaodong hesitated, realizing Shen Zhiyi was serious, "Sister Zhiyi, do you think Chairman Pei is better than President Meng?"

She said, "It seems like Meng Qiming is a bit better, he seems gentler, and his temper is better."

If comparing just their temperaments, she felt Meng Qiming was obviously more suited as a partner.

"I know," Shen Zhiyi said, facing the wind, her voice breaking up, murmuring softly, "I know."

Pei Yu was bad-tempered, domineering, and arrogant. If anyone displeased him, he wouldn’t give them any face, and dealing with such a person day in and day out required constantly watching his mood.

But what could she do? Shen Zhiyi said softly, "I just happen to like this bad side of Pei Yu."

At some point, she felt she had gained a bit of confidence, believing she could be the exception.