In just half a morning, Wen Sui finished getting all her documents, legally coming back from the dead and restoring her identity as a human being.
She sat grandly in the CEO’s chair in Pei Yuli’s office, cosplaying a domineering CEO, while using his computer to search for the latest changes at her school.
The commercial street had been renovated, the cafeteria had been expanded with a new wing, the library had been upgraded, and even the dormitory buildings had taken on a whole new look.
Wen Sui marveled at it all, when a large hand reached over and placed a glass of juice in front of her.
Pei Yuli’s gaze swept over the information she was browsing. His eyes paused for a moment, and then he heard a crisp little “thank you.”
“Want to go back to school?”
Pei Yuli asked, though he already knew the answer.
His childhood sweetheart nodded. “I’m used to going to school. If I don’t go, I don’t really know what I’d do with myself.”
“Though the new dormitories at school are pretty nice. They even have double rooms!”
Wen Sui remarked casually, and the dark, heavy shadow in Pei Yuli’s eyes grew even more oppressive.
Like a demon whose innards had been hollowed out—the heart that had been returned to him hadn’t even had time to warm before it was about to be ripped away again.
An uncontrollable irritation and anxiety rose in Pei Yuli’s chest. The approaching sense of loss clung to him like a shadow—even his tie seemed tighter than usual today.
Pei Yuli loosened his tie, faced the mirror at his side, adjusted his expression, and suppressed that nearly ferocious possessiveness. His tone was as gentle as ever:
“Suisui has only just come back. Living in a dorm with unfamiliar classmates might cause some small difficulties in daily life.”
The girl at the computer nodded and turned around, quite agreeing:
“Exactly! Yesterday I left a comment online, and someone said my word choice sounded like I’d just been dug out of the ground after being buried for a few years.”
“So rude! I’ve already blocked him!”
The tall, handsome man looked at her, one arm braced beside her as he leaned down slightly, offering his advice with great consideration:
“I’ve thought about this too, Suisui.”
“Seven years is not a short time. You’re a bit out of touch with the world now. So I was thinking—why don’t we take some time to adjust first? We could have professors come teach you at home.”
Wen Sui made a small “ah” sound and thought it over. “That works.”
Her childhood friend Pei Yuli had made it big, going from merely rich to enormously wealthy. He’d even built his estate like a castle—she could easily get lost in it by accident.
And she, in turn, had risen along with him, living the good life.
Indulging in luxury for a while wasn’t such a bad thing.
Seeing her agree, the man’s lips curved slightly.
“By the way, a new Italian restaurant just opened in the south of the city. I think you’d like it. I’ve already reserved a table—would you like to go try it together tonight?”
The girl gave a soft “ah”:
“Tonight? But I already made plans to have dinner with Mumu tonight. Yuli, can we go another day?”
Ms. Mumu was Suisui’s high school deskmate, her closest female friend, who now ran her own law firm.
Word traveled fast.
He hadn’t even released any news yet, and she had already come sniffing around.
Pei Yuli’s lips twitched, his voice gentle:
“Of course. Any time works for me. You and Mumu haven’t seen each other in years—you must have so much to talk about.”
“So tonight, you two go ahead and eat. No need to waste the reservation—it’s a window seat with an unobstructed view of the river. It should be beautiful.”
As he spoke, Pei Yuli pushed a black card across and slipped it into her hand.
“There’s no password, Suisui.”
Wen Sui was touched, and habitually wrapped her arms around Pei Yuli’s waist:
“Little Pei, you’re still so thoughtful. You’re simply the kindest person in the world to me…”
The man chuckled lowly and patted her head.
“Little flatterer.”
Just then, a knock at the door interrupted the warmth between them.
Pei Yuli had a meeting to attend, so he settled her in and left.
The corridor on the top floor of the corporation was immaculately kept, greenery refracting the sunlight.
As the secretary reported beside him, Pei Yuli took out his phone and tapped into a black app with an all-English interface.
His movements were smooth as he entered the password.
His sharp knuckles swiped across the screen, and a chat window popped up.
Someone with the username “MU” had sent a message over ten minutes ago, inviting her out for a drink that evening.
At the time, he had been washing oranges for Suisui, squeezing orange juice.
In just those few minutes, someone had seized the opening and stolen Suisui’s attention.
Pei Yuli’s thin lips pressed tightly together, and he shut off his phone.
Outside the office, the feigned gentleness was gone from his face. His sharp features carried a chill, his eyelids lifting with a condescending indifference:
“You heard her. She’s having dinner with someone else.”
His hoarse voice drifted through the air, thick with resentment.
It was clearly just a meal with a same-sex friend she hadn’t seen in years, but with Mr. Pei speaking in that tone, anyone who didn’t know better would think his wife was off to meet a lover.
The assistant didn’t dare breathe too loudly, gauging his thoughts:
“Bodyguards will follow her—Ah Chang and Ah Chao, the most reliable ones. They’re both careful and won’t disturb Miss Wen’s enjoyment.”
Pei Yuli gave an “mm.”
Thinking of something on the schedule, the assistant chose his words carefully:
“Mr. Pei, tomorrow is the appointed time to see the doctor again. Shall we schedule it for the evening as usual?”
The man’s footsteps halted.
After a moment, his expression relaxed:
“Tomorrow night I’m having dinner with Suisui.”
The assistant flipped through the schedule:
“The only daytime slot left is 2:00 to 3:10 PM. It’s a bit rushed, but Alistair recommended setting aside ample time for this treatment session. It would be best—”
“My illness is already cured.”
Mr. Pei, dignified and mature, cut him off.
The man stared straight at him, deep-set eyes beneath prominent brow bones, narrow double eyelids, sharp phoenix eyes.
When he looked directly at someone, it was easy to feel an oppressive sense of being scrutinized.
And now, Mr. Pei was staring straight at him, unblinking, his tone calm, the dense black spreading outward from the edges of the whites of his eyes, giving off an inorganic coldness:
“I feel very happy right now. Not the slightest bit unwell.”
The tone was almost bone-chilling, and the assistant felt a shiver run through him.
He couldn’t help but recall the times when Mr. Pei’s illness flared up, when his fingers had been so stiff they trembled.
The assistant lowered his head, avoiding his gaze.
Sunlight shifted across the floor, falling on the man’s spotless custom leather shoes.
Those long, narrow phoenix eyes swept over the closed office door. Thinking of the girl’s smiling face, the ice in his eyes—like ice at the bottom of a winter lake—cracked inch by inch, shards of broken ice floating up and melting in the sunlight.
A moment later, the sinister-looking man regained his gentle courtesy.
“Sorry, my attitude was a bit harsh just now.”
The man’s slender palm patted the young man’s shoulder.
“I heard you’re getting married soon—haven’t had the chance to congratulate you yet. Stop by Liam’s office after work to sign the papers. The Bulgari Resort in Bali, all-inclusive VIP, on the house. Enjoy your vacation.”
Mr. Pei, ever decisive and efficient, was always generous with rewards and clear on punishments—a dangerous man with immense personal charm.
Even an assistant walking a tightrope like Qi couldn’t help but feel flattered by the favor, thanking him repeatedly.
The handsome man standing in the light and shadow smiled, his voice low and pleasant:
“Xiao Qi, you have someone you love now too. Surely you can put yourself in my shoes and understand how I feel.”
Assistant Qi looked up.
Mr. Pei’s lips curved into a perfectly appropriate smile as he patted his shoulder again:
“My beloved has just come back. She’s very young, innocent and adorable—she needs me by her side.”
“My illness is cured now. There’s no need to make her worry.”
“Xiao Qi, you’ll help me keep this secret, won’t you?”