“You know so much about my private life? What—were you hiding under my bed last night?”
Zhang Qianqian looked up, not expecting Shu Yi to be standing right behind her.
Even though Shu Yi had overheard everything, Zhang Qianqian showed no guilt.
“Assistant Shu, you say you’re married, but we’ve never seen your husband. Is it that your husband can’t be seen—or that you can’t be seen?”
Her sharp voice practically spelled out that Shu Yi was a mistress.
The office fell into dead silence. The other colleagues held their breath, their eyes darting between the two.
At those words, the faint smile on Shu Yi’s face completely disappeared, replaced by a cold frost in her eyes.
Her voice wasn’t loud, but it cut clearly through the silence. “According to Article 1024 of the Criminal Law, spreading false information and defaming others can result in up to three years of imprisonment…”
“Zhang Qianqian, would you like to apologize to me right now, or would you prefer that I hand over the recording I just made…” Shu Yi paused meaningfully, as if such a recording really existed, “…to the police?”
“Y-you… you actually recorded it? You…” Zhang Qianqian’s voice finally showed panic, her face turning pale.
She could feel the shift in her colleagues’ gazes. The atmosphere of “exposing a scandal” had completely vanished, leaving only her own embarrassment and baseless provocation.
“Sorry. Occupational habit.”
Zhang Qianqian clenched her fists. One day, she would find something on Shu Yi and drive her out.
But now wasn’t the time.
“Assistant Shu, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have made that kind of joke.”
Shu Yi glanced at her. “Last time.”
As soon as Shu Yi left, the secretarial department finally relaxed.
“Did you notice? After spending so much time with the CEO, Assistant Shu even talks like him now. That just now gave me chills.”
“They say never offend someone who studied law—they have all kinds of ways to deal with you.”
“…By the way, how could Assistant Shu not have a husband? I once saw a man in her phone—just his back, but he looked really handsome. Must be her husband.”
“She also has a daughter—looks just like a mini version of her. Super cute. She even called me ‘uncle’ once.”
“This Zhang Qianqian has been holding a grudge ever since she didn’t get selected. She used to bully newcomers just because she’d been here longer. This time, she finally kicked a steel plate.”
Zhang Qianqian gripped the documents in her hands, furious.
She wouldn’t let Shu Yi off.
That afternoon, Pei Yanli was still unreachable. Shu Yi was swamped, but thankfully, she managed to sort everything out before the end of the workday.
Chen Yu called her to go out for dinner just as Shu Yi came downstairs, ready to head home.
Chen Yu had joined the company at the same time as her, and they were close. Even after Shu Yi was assigned to work under Pei Yanli, they still spent time together.
“Assistant Shu, perfect timing—this is for President Pei.” The receptionist Xiao Chen quickly handed over a bouquet of flowers.
Chen Yu looked at the bouquet—fresh, vibrant roses. “These are blue enchantress roses—they’re expensive! Who sent them?”
“Miss Qin just had someone deliver them. She said she’s very grateful for President Pei’s hospitality last night. I didn’t dare throw them away—what should we do?”
“Miss Qin? Which Miss Qin?” Shu Yi had just returned to the country and had no idea who she was referring to.
“You don’t know Miss Qin? Surely you know the Qin family?” Chen Yu looked at her in surprise.
Shu Yi shook her head. She wasn’t familiar with the wealthy families here.
“Girl, how did you even become the CEO’s secretary?” Chen Yu launched into an explanation. “The Qin family is a renowned medical family. Miss Qin’s grandfather is a giant in the medical field—basically, if you go to him, no illness is incurable. People call him a living Bodhisattva. The Qin and Pei families are a perfect match in status. So that ‘love at first sight’ blind date Miss Qin posted about online—could it be our President Pei?”
…A blind date.
So he went on another one after that?
Ever since returning to his side, Shu Yi had told herself not to pay too much attention to Pei Yanli’s personal life.
Three years had passed.
He had long forgotten their past—and her.
With his status, he would eventually marry someone of equal standing and have children.
She just hadn’t expected it to happen so soon.
“Miss Qin is pretty proactive. Looks like President Pei, that untouchable man, will be taken soon. I always thought he was too reserved—he probably likes women who take the initiative…”
“Miss Qin is gentle and kind. She’s a perfect match for him.”
Hearing this, Shu Yi tightened her grip on her phone.
Pei Yanli did like that type.
Three years ago… she had approached him in much the same way.
If he had a marriage arrangement now, then what was she?
A mistress?
A lump formed in her chest, but she said nothing.
“Assistant Shu, should we throw away these flowers?”
“I’ll ask President Pei how to handle them.” She suppressed her emotions and returned to her usual calm.
After all, they were from his blind date—different from the others. She had no right to decide.
She dialed his number.
That long-unheard voice came from the other end.
“Mm?”
Shu Yi took a deep breath. “President Pei, Miss Qin sent you a bouquet. Should I have it delivered to your home?”
There was no hesitation. “Throw it away.”
Shu Yi was surprised. “But isn’t Miss Qin your arranged match? If she finds out, she might—”
“When did I ever have an arranged match? How come I don’t know about it?”
His voice sounded hoarse—different from usual.
“Anything else?”
Before hanging up, Shu Yi asked instinctively, “President Pei… are you sick?”
Three years ago, whenever he got sick, he liked to hide away and avoid people.
Back then, whenever she called him, he would sound just like this—cold enough to push people miles away.
“President Pei?”
There was no response.
Half an hour later, Shu Yi arrived at his apartment. She felt a bit annoyed with herself—why had she come?
She wasn’t his caretaker. Why should she worry about whether he lived or died?
But thinking of how he sounded just now…
He couldn’t afford anything to happen to him. Niannian was still waiting for him to save her…
Taking a deep breath, she pressed the doorbell.
The door opened automatically. A golden retriever rushed out from inside, nearly knocking her over.
The dog came up, sniffed her, and seeing she didn’t back away, started licking her hand. The cool, wet sensation startled her.
Looking down, she met a pair of moist brown eyes.