Pei Yanzhou didn’t reply directly. He just straightened the sleeve of his suit that she had wrinkled with her push: “Don’t rush to leave after work. Wait for me.”
“Ah?”
“On the way,” he said, a simple explanation, then turned and opened the pantry door, walking out without another word.
Shu Hua leaned against the counter, covering her still-thumping heart, taking a long moment to calm herself.
This bad man!
Always liked teasing her like this!
…
Work hours ended, and colleagues gradually left.
Shu Hua received a message from Pei Yanzhou: 【There’s an impromptu international video conference, about thirty minutes. Wait for me.】
She replied with a single 【Okay】, then opened her unfinished work and continued focusing.
Yao Zhiyao packed up her things and leaned over: “Shu Hua, you’re not leaving yet? Working overtime?”
Shu Hua looked up from her screen and smiled: “Yes, a little later. I’m waiting for my husband to pick me up.”
“Wow! Your husband is so nice, coming to pick you up!” Yao Zhiyao’s eyes sparkled with envy. “Shu Hua, what does your husband look like? What does he do? He must be really outstanding to marry a beauty like you!”
Shu Hua thought for a moment and chose her words carefully: “Just… ordinary. Does some small business, runs a little company. Pretty normal.”
Yao Zhiyao nodded, believing her: “Running your own business is good—freedom. Still, he must be very capable.”
She trusted the judgment of a beauty!
“And your relationship must be great. When you talk about him, your eyes light up! You must be well spoiled.”
Shu Hua felt a bit embarrassed, touching her face: “Really?”
“Yes, really!” Yao Zhiyao confirmed. “That kind of natural, unhidden sweetness—you just can’t hide it! Alright, I won’t disturb your two-person world. I’ll go first. See you tomorrow!”
“Mm, see you tomorrow.”
After Yao Zhiyao left, the office became even quieter. Shu Hua rubbed her tired eyes and gazed out the window.
She had just finalized the color scheme for the project, saved the document, and stretched. The computer clock read 6:30 p.m.
Her phone lit up with a message from Pei Yanzhou: 【Finished. Where are you?】
Shu Hua quickly typed: 【Still at my desk. Wait for me at the parking lot; I’ll come down immediately.】
She hesitated, then added: 【Fewer people by your parking spot.】
He replied instantly: 【Mm.】
Shu Hua closed her computer, packed her bag, checked her desk, and made sure nothing was left behind.
She walked briskly toward the elevator, her high heels tapping on the marble floor in the empty office.
The elevator descended to B2.
The VIP area was deep in the parking lot. Shu Hua spotted the familiar black Rolls-Royce quietly parked in its reserved spot.
She jogged over, glanced around to ensure no one was watching, then opened the rear door and slid in.
The rich scent of roses immediately enveloped her.
Shu Hua froze for a moment, noticing a large bouquet of deep purple roses on the center console. The petals layered perfectly, their edges velvety, each bloom in flawless shape. The bouquet was wrapped in soft gray matte paper and tied with a black satin ribbon—high-end yet romantic.
It was from Roseonly’s collection.
Her eyes lit up instantly. She turned to the man beside her: “Is this for me?”
Pei Yanzhou tilted his head to look at her.
“Or what else?” His voice carried a faint, lazy weariness.
Shu Hua, too happy to maintain any composure, leaned in and hugged him, pressing her cheek against the collar of his suit. “Thank you, President Pei!”
“President Pei is generous!”
Flattery came out naturally.
Pei Yanzhou was momentarily stunned by her sudden initiative. The body in his arms was soft and warm, carrying her unique, sweet scent mixed with the roses—unexpectedly alluring.
His arm paused for a moment, then gently wrapped around her waist.
The hug was short; Shu Hua quickly released it and carefully cradled the bouquet of roses, bending to inhale their fragrance. “So fragrant… Why did you suddenly think of sending me flowers?”
“Passed by a flower shop this afternoon,” Pei Yanzhou said simply, though his gaze never left her face.
Their driver, Wang Shu, discreetly raised the partition between the front and back seats, and the car smoothly drove out of the parking lot.
All the way, Shu Hua held onto the roses without letting go, a constant smile on her lips. She even pulled out her phone and took several selfies with herself and the bouquet.
“Pei Yanzhou, look!” She held the phone toward him. In the photos, her eyes curved with her smile, and the deep purple roses made her complexion even more radiant. “Am I pretty?”
Pei Yanzhou glanced at the screen. “Mm.”
“Just ‘mm’?” She frowned at his perfunctory reply, then turned the phone over to him, her eyes sparkling. “Take a few for me—make sure both I and the flowers look amazing!”
He looked at the phone, frowning slightly. “I don’t know how to take pictures.”
“It’s okay!” Shu Hua adjusted her posture, holding the flowers in a more flattering way, and blinked at him. “I’m naturally beautiful, 360 degrees, no bad angles. Any photo will look good. Just press the button!”
Her words carried a hint of pride and playful vanity, yet were so natural and charming it was impossible to dislike her.
Pei Yanzhou’s Adam’s apple rolled as he watched her. He raised the phone. On the screen, the woman tilted her head slightly, long hair cascading over her shoulder, hugging the deep purple roses, playfully flashing a “yay” gesture, and deliberately pouting her pink lips.
She looked perfect. Any angle, any shot—beautiful.
He pressed the shutter, taking three or four pictures in a row.
“Let me see, let me see!” Shu Hua reached for the phone.
But Pei Yanzhou didn’t give it back. He tucked the phone away and, with his other hand, gently cupped the back of her neck, lowering his head to kiss her.
“Mm…” Shu Hua was caught off guard, eyes wide.
The kiss wasn’t deep; he was careful of her tongue, simply pressing his lips gently against hers, letting his tongue trace the shape of her lips, sending shivers through her.
Shu Hua felt dizzy from the kiss, almost dropping the roses. Luckily, he released her soon after, breathing slightly uneven.
“The photos… I haven’t seen them yet…” Shu Hua murmured, cheeks flushed.
“See them at home,” Pei Yanzhou’s voice was husky.
Since Aunt Chen was off that day, they grabbed a simple meal outside before heading home.
As soon as they entered, Pei Yanzhou loosened his tie. “I’ll go handle some work in the study. You rest first.”
“Okay.” Shu Hua nodded, still cradling the roses.
Once he went upstairs, she carefully unpacked the bouquet, found a plain white ceramic vase, filled it with water, and took out scissors to trim the stems, carrying everything upstairs with her.
She changed into a dress—a long camisole with a water-ink painting print.
The gown was a soft, grayish ink tone on silk, flowing and gentle. The camisole cut revealed her delicate collarbones and slender shoulders. The back was modestly open, showing just the right amount of her pale, smooth spine. The waist was well-fitted, and the hem layered with ruffles.
It combined the elegance of Jiangnan water towns with a subtle, tasteful allure.
Her long hair was loosely pinned up with a white hair clip, a few strands falling at her neck. She sat cross-legged on the soft shag rug, focusing on trimming the flowers.
Pei Yanzhou came out of the study and saw this scene.
His little wife bowed her head slightly, her profile soft and delicate. Her long, fair fingers held the stems gently, the other hand guiding the scissors with light, careful movements. The ink-patterned dress spread on the carpet, the exposed shoulders and back smooth and luminous.
He approached quietly, steps soft: “What are you doing?”