Lu Jiayan wore a light gray shirt layered under a black jacket. His posture was upright, and his overall appearance gave a first impression of being crisp and clean.
The hollow spherical pendant embedded with a USB flash drive was hidden inside his clothes along with its lanyard.
Because he almost never wore jewelry, if he did not hide it and Chen Ke discovered the pendant’s existence, the other person’s personality meant he would definitely ask about it.
Hiding it to avoid discovery could reduce the trouble and misunderstanding of unnecessary explanations and lying.
Before leaving the house, Lu Jiayan had thought about taking the pendant off, but considering Pei Zhiwen’s fluctuating personality, which alternated between normal and acting like a mad dog, he always felt he could not fathom the other person’s true intentions.
He simply gave up on the idea of removing the pendant.
Just as he arrived at the company, Lu Jiayan was called into the office to discuss the proposal he had made the previous night.
“These two points need slight revisions,” Li Yizhao said, circling a section of the content with a pen. “I checked the rest, and there are no problems.”
“Send it to me again after you revise it, and I will send it to the manager after my review.”
Lu Jiayan kept his hands lowered in front of him. “Understood, team leader.”
Li Yizhao spoke up, “For those two circled points that need revision, you can approach it from a market perspective.”
Thinking of recent developments regarding Qingyuan, he added, “Qingyuan Group has been acquired, and they currently have a piece of land up for bidding.”
“I heard the boss is a big figure, so try to be as cautious as possible with this project and do not let any mishaps happen.”
Lu Jiayan understood the implications behind Li Yizhao’s words.
Qingyuan was already their client, and now that the other side had been acquired and the boss was a major figure, every step of the cooperation had enough weight to pull Qifeng upward. Being selected by Qingyuan as the project liaison meant that failing to do a good job would likely result in him being fired, which also tied into Qifeng’s survival.
In other words, if he had not been chosen by Qingyuan as the liaison, this project probably would not have fallen to Lu Jiayan.
It was not because his ability was poor, but simply because the seniority of other seniors in the company was right there, and there would be more suitable candidates to follow up on the project.
“I understand, team leader.”
“I am meeting a client this afternoon, so I will finish revising the proposal tomorrow and send it to you.”
Hearing this, Li Yizhao nodded. “Alright, then you go ahead and get busy.”
Holding the document from in front of Li Yizhao’s desk, Lu Jiayan gave a polite nod, then turned and left.
Entering the team leader’s office frequently over the past two days made other colleagues assume Lu Jiayan had been called in by the team leader for a reprimand, prompting them to immediately gather around to offer comfort.
“I saw the team leader’s face looked a bit grim when I came in this morning. Could something have happened over at Qingyuan?”
“Xiao Lu? Did the team leader scold you?”
“Do not take it to heart.”
“Our team leader just has a slightly sharp mouth, but his personality is actually quite good.”
“If you need any help with the project, just speak up. We will all help you, do not stand on ceremony, ha.”
Hearing the caring tone of his colleagues, a wave of warmth washed over Lu Jiayan’s heart.
With a smile blooming on his face, he clutched the documents and spoke up, “I was not scolded. Thank you, everyone.”
The colleagues waved their hands and said, “Think nothing of it. We have been colleagues for so many years, so just bring it up if anything comes up. If the team leader scolded you over work matters, care even less; which of us here has not been scolded?”
Someone began bringing up the time Li Yizhao had reprimanded subordinates over work issues a while ago.
Perhaps because the colleagues’ way of speaking was too amusing, Lu Jiayan could not help but smile as he listened.
The atmosphere in the office lacked backstabbing or any behavior of tripping each other up.
Because they did not share conflicting interests.
Suddenly, Lu Jiayan thought of Pei Zhiwen.
Society had two different perspectives of good and bad, but for Lu Jiayan, at least the present was good; even if he encountered the bad, he had the confidence to handle it with ease.
Because he did not like being a canary.
He did not want to live under the protection of Pei Zhiwen.
The disparity in status and background, alongside Pei Zhiwen’s unstated attitude, gave Lu Jiayan a strange notion in his heart.
He needed to sacrifice himself.
Actually, for Lu Jiayan, who had grown up in the Pei family, sacrificing himself to become Pei Zhiwen’s little sidekick was not a self-esteem-damaging act, because Pei Zhiwen could provide him with a living environment that ordinary people could never attain.
After turning of age, their relationship shifted from playmate to bedmate, and Lu Jiayan had never resisted or repelled it by even half a fraction.
Because he liked Pei Zhiwen.
Through years of companionship, a feeling of reliance on Pei Zhiwen had gradually grown within him.
Affection did not necessarily require a response, a truth Lu Jiayan had always understood.
Later, upon learning that Pei Zhiwen was going to get married and assuming it would all end, the other person instead uttered world-shattering words like “Even if I get married, you still have to be my underground lover,” ultimately locking him away. Even so, this matter was not enough to make the usually emotionally detached Lu Jiayan particularly furious.
The most important reason was the tragic event that could not be undone.
Their relationship was far too pathological for society.
Yet he also possessed untouchable bottom lines.
For instance, Father Lu.
Lu Jiayan liked his current life very much, enriching himself amidst busyness, having things he enjoyed doing, and possessing a relatively good social space.
There was no need to deliberately humble himself to please anyone.
Especially those Pei family members who had bullied him back then.
In truth, ever since Lu Jiayan stayed by Pei Zhiwen’s side, they never harassed him again, and later Pei Zhiwen even helped him teach those bullies a lesson, but it always felt different.
The Pei family and him were as different as heaven and earth.
As the heir of the Pei family, Pei Zhiwen’s future partner could never possibly be a male.
Lu Jiayan had known this long ago.
After meeting clients in the afternoon, he remained busy until seven in the evening before finishing work.
Lu Jiayan unlocked the door with his key. Stepping into the apartment, he found a pretty little white ball rushing over to circle around his feet.
Stunned for two seconds, his gaze finally fell upon the little white ball.
It was a gorgeous Maltese.
Lifting his gaze further, he spotted a cute little orange cat lying on the lazy sofa not far away.
Lu Jiayan’s initial reaction was wondering where on earth these cats and dogs had come from.
A moment later, Pei Zhiwen emerged from the bathroom with his sleeves rolled up, and the Maltese started bouncing on its short little legs to circle around him.
Seeing Lu Jiayan standing at the doorway, Pei Zhiwen casually dropped, “You’re back.”
Everything felt exceptionally illusory, as if trapped in a fantasy that left Lu Jiayan unable to distinguish reality from dream.
Pei Zhiwen bent down and scooped the Maltese into his arms. “Change your shoes and come over to help.”
Staring at the Maltese in Pei Zhiwen’s arms, Lu Jiayan was momentarily at a loss for words, watching the other man’s expression remain serene without a trace of the aversion and annoyance he usually displayed toward pets.
What on earth was going on?
Could it be that the way he opened his door upon coming home was wrong?
Why would Pei Zhiwen, who used to be allergic to cats and dogs, be sitting in the apartment holding a Maltese?
Especially given the loose sweater the other man wore, which gave off the distinct vibe of a husband holding two kids at home while waiting for his other half to return.