Despite her coquettishness, Xia Zhi was nearly twenty years old and had already grown up.
Having lived alone in S City for several years and now studying abroad, she spent money freely but was genuinely independent.
It was impossible for her to cling to her parents all the time—what kind of impression would that give?
Her father’s company was in Hangzhou, and he only returned to S City once every month or two. Since he was back today, he had to visit Grandfather’s home.
Moreover, it was already late August, and school would start in just a week.
Helping Xia Zhi with her enrollment at Fudan University couldn’t wait either.
After giving a few instructions and transferring several million more into Xia Zhi’s account, her father left with his young wife.
Xia Zhi wasn’t actually unwell—she had just had a nightmare and felt a bit feverish.
It was Pei Yuexuan who had been overly worried, sending her to the hospital. The doctor hadn’t even prescribed any medication and informed them she could be discharged directly.
After changing her clothes, Xia Zhi stepped out, and Pei Yuhuan immediately approached her.
“Rere, can you come to my birthday dinner tonight?”
It was Pei Yuhuan’s birthday today. Last night had been a pre-party, but today was the formal dinner.
The two had originally been studying together in the UK and had returned to the country precisely for this occasion.
Xia Zhi nodded, “Of course I’ll go.”
The young man immediately beamed, “Then let’s go straight to my place now. After lunch, I’ll accompany you to try on your dress?”
“No,” Xia Zhi shook her head petulantly, “It’s too crowded and noisy.”
Pei Yuhuan thought about it and agreed. His home would surely be filled with guests today.
His mother loved lively gatherings and had been hosting parties at home since three days ago.
Just then, Pei Yuexuan entered from the outer room, glancing at the two of them.
“Let’s go. My driver is downstairs to take you.”
“Wow! I actually get to be driven by my big brother one day?” Pei Yuhuan looked incredulous. “Big brother, aren’t you busy today?”
Pei Yuexuan responded indifferently, “Hmm.”
He took a silk shawl from the shopping bag his assistant had brought and casually handed it to Xia Zhi.
As Xia Zhi reached out to take it, her fingers accidentally brushed against the man’s hand.
Her fingertips were delicate and soft, while his fingers were slender and well-defined, with distinct knuckles.
The brief touch separated instantly, as if a faint electric current had passed between them, leaving a slight tingling sensation.
In the underground parking garage, the same white Continental from last night was waiting.
The driver stood beside the car—still Assistant Wang from the previous night.
Assistant Wang spotted the three of them approaching from a distance and opened the car door to wait.
Xia Zhi narrowed her eyes slightly, feeling as though his head… was bowed even lower than it had been the night before.
Pei Yuhuan held the rear door open for Xia Zhi to get in first.
When he prepared to walk around to the other side, he found his older brother had already taken the other seat in the back.
Well, this was his brother’s car, and he was Pei Yuexuan after all…
Pei Yuhuan didn’t dare object and obediently took the front passenger seat.
The car set off smoothly, with Assistant Wang playing soft violin music at a low volume, creating a relaxed and tranquil atmosphere.
Although seated in the front, Pei Yuhuan kept turning sideways to chat with Xia Zhi.
Xia Zhi leaned softly against an orange cushion, wrapped in her shawl, responding to him intermittently.
The car was spacious and elegant, with ample room in the back seat.
Pei Yuexuan sat relaxed beside her, eyes closed as if dozing, and didn’t speak.
There was originally enough space between the man and Xia Zhi for another person, not even their clothes touching.
But within minutes, the pampered young lady found the leather seat too hard and uncomfortable.
She simply adjusted her sitting position, leaning her entire upper body sideways against a large cushion.
A pair of long, fair legs were curled up, precariously resting on the middle of the back seat.
As the car unavoidably turned and braked…
The high heels slowly slid on the leather, and before she knew it, they had crossed the midline and reached Pei Yuexuan’s side.
The shoes Xia Zhi was wearing were brand new, just bought by Assistant Wang from the store.
Having only taken a few steps, the soles were still perfectly clean.
Now, they occasionally brushed against the seam of the man’s trousers, or perhaps not.
Like a feather, it tickled and teased.
Pei Yuexuan tilted his chin slightly, resting against the neck pillow. When the tip of the shoe brushed against his thigh, his eyelashes trembled.
The man opened his eyes just a sliver, glancing at the pair of high heels beside his leg.
He remained expressionless.
When Assistant Wang bought things for his boss, he only bought the most expensive.
These exquisite high heels were a limited edition from this summer’s runway.
The toe was made of black silk fabric, with a subtle shimmer, adorned with a dangling black satin bow.
It made the skin inside appear exceptionally pink and fair, even the ankles looked delicate.
Pei Yuexuan, the young master of the Pei family whom everyone in S City looked up to, hid behind his eyelashes, his gaze fixed on Xia Zhi’s shoes.
He allowed her audacity without saying a word, closing his eyes again.
What the man thought to himself was:
Assistant Wang’s taste in shopping… isn’t bad.
“What a familiar fragrance~”
In the front seat, Pei Yuhuan leaned halfway back, picked up a strand of Xia Zhi’s long hair, and brought it to her nose to smell.
“Rere, did you manage to buy that perfume?”
Xia Zhi always used the best things. There was a globally limited-edition fragrance with a light fruity scent that she loved.
Costing five hundred thousand per bottle, others bought it for collection, but she used it daily to spray on her hair.
She had forgotten to bring it back when returning to the country this time, and it wasn’t readily available domestically, which had troubled her a bit.
But last night, this pampered young lady found a bottle in Pei Yuexuan’s bathroom, and it was still unopened.
As if it had been prepared just for her.
Xia Zhi didn’t hesitate and opened it to use.
She nodded, taking her hair back from Pei Yuhuan’s hand and twirling it between her fingers.
“Yes, I found it.”
If it were her old self, she might have thought it was all a coincidence.
But now, Xia Zhi knew that those things were specially prepared by Pei Yuexuan.
This man appeared polite and distant on the surface, but secretly cared about her deeply, investigating all her preferences.
He even prepared everything related to her at home, as if anticipating her arrival.
A bit of a closet romantic…
Xia Zhi glanced up, sweeping her eyes over the reserved and indifferent Pei Yuexuan beside her.
Suddenly feeling mischievous, she called out to the assistant driving the car.
“Assistant Wang, no need to take me home. I’ll go to Brother Yuexuan’s place.”
The assistant quickly glanced in the rearview mirror, not daring to respond.
Pei Yuhuan in the passenger seat asked curiously,
“Rere, what are you going to my brother’s place for?”
Xia Zhi replied slowly,
“I left my phone at Brother Yuexuan’s house.”
…
Phone?
Pei Yuexuan, who had been feigning sleep beside her, opened his eyes and looked down at her.
His gaze subtly shifted to the side of Xia Zhi’s hand. If he wasn’t mistaken, she had just… tucked her phone under her shawl.
He raised an eyebrow, looking at her with a faint, teasing smile.
“You left your phone at my place?”
“Yes~”
The girl’s eyes were clear as she smiled sweetly at him.
Pei Yuexuan turned his face away, a subtle smile curling at the corner of his lips.
Gazing out the car window, he calmly instructed the assistant.
“Then let’s head back to my place first.”
Assistant Wang was a shrewd individual, possessing a keen and perceptive mind.
From his boss’s actions last night and the few words just spoken, Assistant Wang felt… as if he had glimpsed some hidden truth.
With such a high salary, he ought to help his boss with some practical matters.
So, Assistant Wang turned the steering wheel and veered into the tunnel on the right.
This road led toward the Pei family mansion.
Only when it was impossible to turn around did Assistant Wang ‘suddenly realize’ his mistake.
“Oh no, what should I do? I’ve already started heading toward the mansion… It’s hard to turn around here; we’ll have to go through the tunnel first…”
Beside him, Pei Yuhuan glanced at his watch.
“Then just take me home first. At this hour, the traffic is terrible. If we go around in circles, I’ll be late and get scolded…”
Assistant Wang ‘gratefully’ agreed.
“Thank you for your understanding, Young Master. You truly have a kind nature.”
In the rearview mirror, his boss shot him a glance, his expression unreadable.
Assistant Wang suppressed a smile and focused on driving.
What could he do? It felt like a raise was just around the corner~