“Good? What’s good about him?”
Chi Yuchu caught Shu Hua’s instinctive defense and swapped to a mock-serious expression. “Alright, then let’s do a soul interrogation. Shu Hua, forget Pei Yanzhou’s devastatingly handsome face for a moment—the one that makes your legs go weak—and objectively, fairly, evaluate him as a person. What’s he really like?”
Shu Hua’s long lashes fluttered, her soft pink lips pursed slightly. Almost without hesitation, she blurted out in a soft, mushy voice:
“Can’t forget him.”
Chi Yuchu: “…?”
Shu Hua wore an innocent expression, as if saying, How could this possibly be my fault? and explained matter-of-factly, “His face, his body, his voice… how am I supposed to forget? Every time I see him, I… just lose it.”
Even thinking back to him last night—sweat dripping down his tense jaw, his low, urgent calls in her ear—made her heart race and her knees go weak.
“Totally doomed!” Chi Yuchu theatrically held her forehead, mock-exasperated. “I see right through you! You’re a hopeless, top-tier face-lover! Pei Yanzhou doesn’t even have to do anything but look good—he’s got you wrapped around his finger already!”
“OK, OK,” Shu Hua murmured.
Chi Yuchu continued, “Now, putting aside his looks and… uh, skills… how does it feel to be with him? That atmosphere… the vibe?”
“I… don’t know…” Shu Hua murmured softly.
“It’s… very safe.” She lowered her voice, “I can’t exactly explain it, but being with him feels reassuring. Like, if the sky fell, he’d be the first to hold it up for me.”
Chi Yuchu couldn’t help laughing at her completely captivated friend. “Fine, fine. Security is definitely a top-tier emotional value. But…” Her curiosity flared again. “Tell me… the kissing part—how’s that?”
Shu Hua’s face flamed all over again, even redder than before.
She fiddled with her cup, hesitated, but finally gave in to curiosity and a little confusion. “Chu-Chu… can I ask you a question? Do… do guys always stick their tongues out when kissing?”
“Pft—”
Chi Yuchu almost sprayed the coffee she’d just sipped. She coughed violently, eyes wide as she stared at Shu Hua. “What?!”
“You mean… you two just went straight to French kissing?! That’s… intense!”
“Hey! Keep your voice down!” Shu Hua wanted to crawl under the table in embarrassment, quickly reaching to stop her. “I-I’m just… curious…”
Chi Yuchu finally calmed down a bit and looked at the innocent-yet-alluring little beauty before her, someone who even had to ask about tongue kissing. She sighed, half amused, half affectionate. “Baby… you really are… a treasure.”
She leaned in, with a self-mocking smile. “You know my little puppy-boy brother—he’s shy, even for kisses I have to take the initiative. He wouldn’t dare stick out his tongue! But your Pei Yanzhou? That type… born talented, self-taught, level way too high!”
When women go shopping, nothing can stop them.
Shu Hua linked arms with Chi Yuchu and stepped into the store. The manager bowed deeply. “Miss Shu, Miss Chi, the space has been cleared as requested. Please follow me.”
Inside, a rare Birkin in pristine white was presented with utmost ceremony. Shu Hua glanced at it and pulled out Pei Yanzhou’s black card, handing it over without a blink. “Wrap it up.”
Today, she could complete her collection of colors.
Buying jewelry, her eyes didn’t even blink; she bought complete sets at once.
“Also, get a matching tie and belt.”
Chi Yuchu raised her brow. “Oh? The sun must be rising from the west—deciding to get a gift for your Pei now?”
Shu Hua’s face tinted pink, speaking matter-of-factly. “It’s his card. He gave it to me, so I can use it. I buy things to make myself happy, and use his card to buy small gifts for him… as thanks for working hard to earn money for the family.”
After shopping, the bodyguards carefully loaded dozens of shopping boxes into the Rolls-Royce.
Before leaving, Chi Yuchu pressed a small, beautifully wrapped box into Shu Hua’s hand, leaning close and whispering mischievously: “Open it at home. Exclusive ‘training materials’—so your Pei… can combine theory with practice, and you can improve together!” Shu Hua instantly understood what it was, her ears burning as she clutched the little box tightly, like holding a hot potato.
“Yuchu! You… you really…”
“What? I’m just laying bricks for your happy life!” Chi Yuchu winked at her. “Go home now, don’t keep your Pei Yanzhou waiting.”
Sitting in the car, Shu Hua still felt her face warm. She touched her flushed cheeks, feeling a mix of embarrassment, shyness… and a pinch of curiosity.
Should she… really look at it?
Her relationship with Pei Yanzhou didn’t quite seem to have reached the stage of “researching” that kind of thing together, right?
The Rolls-Royce glided smoothly into the mansion, grand and stately like a private estate.
Aunt Chen came out to greet them, taking the lightweight shopping bags from Shu Hua.
“Welcome home, madam. Did you enjoy your shopping?”
“It was nice, Aunt Chen.” Shu Hua slipped into her soft house slippers. “Has sir returned yet?”
“Not yet, madam. He just called, said he has a business engagement and will be back later.”
Shu Hua felt a quiet relief.
She was used to going to bed early; her skincare routine and beauty sleep were non-negotiable. Except… last night.
Thinking of the chaos and intimacy from last night, her cheeks flushed again.
No more thinking!
She hurried upstairs and immersed herself in her familiar skincare routine. The warm water washed away fatigue, and seemed to sweep away those lingering, tantalizing thoughts.
After finishing her shower, applying body lotion and skincare meticulously, she slipped into the soft bed.
The lavender-scented sleep aroma filled the room, and only a small warm night lamp glowed beside her bed.
Perhaps she was truly exhausted from last night, or maybe the shopping had worn her out—but as soon as her head touched the pillow, she fell into a deep sleep almost instantly.
After an indeterminate amount of time, the low hum of a car engine came from downstairs.
Pei Yanzhou strode into the mansion, his long legs carrying him with quiet authority, still carrying the faint coolness of the night.
Aunt Chen came forward to take his expensive suit jacket.
“Sir, you’re home.”
“Hm.” Pei Yanzhou loosened his tie, his gaze habitually sweeping the living room. “Where’s madam? Has she eaten?”
“Madam is already asleep,” Aunt Chen replied respectfully. “She said she had eaten outside and didn’t have dinner.”
“I see.” He suppressed any emotion in his eyes. “Aunt Chen, you may go rest now.”
“Yes, sir.”