Meanwhile, at Pei Corporation.
The Hong Kong Island project had just been successfully completed, and there were still matters at the Beijing headquarters that needed follow-up. New project collaborations were also launching simultaneously.
On top of that, it was the end of the year, and all departments had to begin their annual summary reports.
As a result, from eight in the morning to five in the afternoon, the company held meetings for the entire day.
Originally, it was supposed to be a dense and high-intensity series of meetings, leaving everyone in various departments extremely nervous.
Unexpectedly, President Pei seemed to be in a good mood today. Even when subordinates made minor mistakes in their reports, he did not pursue the matter.
Employees entered the meeting room trembling, and after escaping unscathed, they walked out in disbelief.
“How strange—President Pei isn’t scary today.”
“Exactly. Ever since he came back from Hong Kong Island, it feels like he’s changed a bit.”
While they were discussing, Assistant Xu walked into the meeting room with a phone.
“President Pei, a message from Miss Song.”
“It seems Miss Song ran into a bit of trouble.”
Pei Shangyue had just finished signing documents. His pen paused slightly.
He took the phone and looked at the hundreds of messages Song Fuxue had sent him. His brows immediately furrowed.
“What happened? Has a doctor been called?”
“Yes. It’s probably because Miss Song, being from Hong Kong Island, isn’t used to the northern climate.”
Pei Shangyue’s expression darkened. He had no mind left for work.
He closed the file, said only two words—“Meeting adjourned”—and stood up to leave the room.
None of the employees in the meeting room rushed to leave.
Instead, they exchanged glances, their eyes lighting up with excitement.
“Miss Song?”
“A girl from Hong Kong Island?”
“Oh… I see!”
“President Pei has something going on!”
“Assistant Xu? Spill it!”
Everyone turned to look at Assistant Xu, their faces full of gossiping curiosity.
“What kind of Hong Kong Island girl?”
“Damn it, why wasn’t I the one who went on that business trip with President Pei to Hong Kong Island!”
“Assistant Xu, tell us! Was it love at first sight? Or did he just take her by force?”
Assistant Xu coughed twice and quickly said,
“What nonsense are you all thinking? Miss Song is the younger sister President Pei brought back from Hong Kong Island.”
“Oh… a younger sister, huh…”
“I get it, I get it—the kind of younger sister you can marry, right?”
Assistant Xu: “……”
Assistant Xu: “Let me remind you—don’t talk nonsense about this. If President Pei finds out, be careful or he’ll…”
He made a throat-slitting gesture.
Everyone immediately zipped their mouths shut.
But before long, they couldn’t help looking at Assistant Xu again.
“Actually, Assistant Xu, you’re curious too, aren’t you?”
Assistant Xu: “……”
To be honest, he really was a little curious.
Night fell.
Pei Shangyue arrived at Yunqi Residence.
Aunt Xu came forward to greet him.
“Mr. Pei, the doctor has just left.”
“Miss Song isn’t seriously ill. She doesn’t need any medication—just needs to drink more water, keep moisturized, and avoid frequent contact with water.”
“It seems Miss Song grew up in Hong Kong Island and has never lived in the north, so this is her first winter in Beijing. Her body is showing a clear reaction to the change.”
“In the evening, we adjusted the indoor heating and humidity as you instructed. It’s no longer as dry inside.”
“But it still can’t compare to Hong Kong Island’s year-round climate.”
As she spoke, Aunt Xu felt a bit worried, unsure whether Song Fuxue would be able to adapt.
Pei Shangyue set down his coat and glanced around the house. Song Fuxue was nowhere in sight.
“Where is she?”
“Miss Song is in her room. She doesn’t seem to be in a good mood. She didn’t eat dinner either—perhaps the nosebleed this afternoon scared her.”
“Alright. You can get off work.”
“Yes, Mr. Pei.”
Aunt Xu left Yunqi Residence.
Pei Shangyue went to the second floor and knocked on the bedroom door.
There was no response from inside.
He opened the door and entered. Song Fuxue was wrapped up in the blanket like a bundle, her face hidden, only her seaweed-like curls spread across the pillow.
Pei Shangyue walked over and brushed aside the hair covering her face, revealing her full features.
Her eyes were red.
“Did you cry?” he asked.
“Hmph!”
Song Fuxue sniffed. “Older Brother, I was about to turn into dried fish, and only now did you come?”
As she spoke, she stretched out her arm toward him.
“If you don’t believe me, bite me. I’m so dry I’d crunch—just sprinkle some salt and I’m ready to eat!”
That description…
Pei Shangyue’s lips twitched.
“Older Brother, if you want to laugh, just laugh. I’m the funniest anyway.”
Song Fuxue pulled her arm back and flopped down, giving up entirely.
Pei Shangyue suppressed his smile, poured a glass of warm water, and fed it to her.
Then he pulled back the blanket and grabbed her leg.
“What are you doing?”
“Didn’t you say you got a rash on your legs? Let me see.”
“Hmph.”
Song Fuxue unceremoniously rested her leg on him.
Pei Shangyue rolled up her pant leg. Her originally fair, flawless skin was now covered in red rashes.
He said nothing. He simply picked up the moisturizer from the bedside table and gently, carefully applied it for her.
“Older Brother, I was so scared this afternoon. I just went for a swim and took two hot showers, and then I got rashes and a nosebleed…”
“I thought I had some terminal illness and was going to die young!”
“Luckily, the doctor said it’s just a damaged skin barrier and a burst capillary in my nose. Nothing serious…”
Song Fuxue covered her face. “I cried for a long time because of it…”
“I’m sorry. It was my oversight—I didn’t think of this.”
Pei Shangyue spoke as he reminded her,
“The winter in the north is different from Hong Kong Island. You shouldn’t come into contact with water too often, the bathwater shouldn’t be too hot, and you need to apply moisturizer in time…”
“Alright.”
A mischievous thought suddenly crossed Song Fuxue’s mind. She pretended to be fierce and said,
“But Older Brother, I don’t want to stay in Beijing anymore. I’m going to abandon you and go back to Hong Kong Island!”
“Hurry and buy me a plane ticket—I’m leaving tomorrow!”
As soon as she finished speaking—
Pei Shangyue’s hand froze.
His large palm tightened around her calf.
He looked at her, silent for a long moment, his gaze deep and unreadable…