Amidst a sky filled with warm, golden sunset hues, the Pei family’s motorcade exited the highway tollbooth, leaving behind the plains of Northern Suman and plunging straight into the mountain ranges.
To stay on schedule for the next day’s itinerary, they had to spend over four hours traversing this—the largest mountainous region on the North Island—to reach their next destination.
Having delivered two speeches in a single day, everyone was utterly exhausted. The accompanying staff sat quietly in their seats, resting, while the in-vehicle television played the news at a low volume.
In the rear cabin’s bathroom, Pei Jiangchen turned off the shower. He was about to push open the door when he caught a glimpse of his reflection in the mirror and paused.
Pei Jiangchen was not a vain man, while he paid attention to his appearance, he was hardly the type to constantly admire himself in the mirror.
Yet, at this moment, he found himself wiping away the mist from the glass to study his own reflection.
With a tall, well-proportioned frame and lean, taut muscles, this young man—who had undergone rigorous physical and martial arts training since childhood—possessed a physique as sculpted and magnificent as a statue.
His dark hair, dampened by the water, curled slightly against his forehead, accentuating the sharp, rugged definition of his brows and the bridge of his nose. The bathroom’s dim, amber light and swirling steam created a natural filter, softening the aggressive edge of his features and lending a moist sheen to his eyes, he looked both strikingly handsome and tenderly romantic.
Amanda’s words echoed in his mind: “Young Master Chen is in a league of his own. It’s only natural for people to fall for him.”
Pei Jiangchen had always been aware of his own charisma. Girls had flocked to him since he was a child, and over the years, a few men had joined the ranks of his admirers as well.
Heirs of wealthy families usually possess broad horizons and an open mind; Pei Jiangchen had certainly been approached by men before, though he had never taken it seriously.
Of course, ordinary people wouldn’t dare to harass the eldest grandson and heir of the Pei family anyway. There was only one instance where a ‘second-generation rich kid’—unable to contain his surging, uncontrollable impulses—dared to lay a hand on Pei Jiangchen in the poolside shower room. The result was a broken arm and two fractured ribs, courtesy of Pei Jiangchen.
Pei Jiangchen never worried that Wen Shuyu might lose control of his primal instincts and try to touch him on the sly.
The young man was always so restrained and reserved, strictly adhering to the Pei family’s rules in every word and action to the point of seeming a bit stiff.
Just as Amanda had said, he would simply follow silently behind Pei Jiangchen, attending to every detail with meticulous care, often without Pei Jiangchen even noticing.
When Pei Jiangchen stepped out of the bathroom, the news broadcast was drawing to a close. Wen Shuyu was sitting by the window in the corner, holding a tablet and reviewing documents as he read.
Pei Jiangchen walked toward the front of the vehicle, intending to speak with a pollster.
Just then, the vehicle took a sharp turn along the mountain road, causing the body to lurch violently to one side. Pei Jiangchen was caught off guard and fell backward.
Wen Shuyu, who had been engrossed in his tablet, sprang up instantly, grabbing Pei Jiangchen’s wrist to steady him.
The young man’s reaction was incredibly swift and timely.
Pei Jiangchen realized immediately, either Wen Shuyu had anticipated the jolt, or—while appearing to focus on the tablet—he had actually been keeping a close watch on Pei Jiangchen’s movements out of the corner of his eye.
“Your eyes never left Young Master Chen!” Amanda screamed in Pei Jiangchen’s mind.
“Are you alright, Young Master Chen?” Wen Shuyu asked, his face full of concern.
Pei Jiangchen’s brow relaxed, and he shook his head.
Only then did Wen Shuyu let go and bend down to pick up the tablet that had fallen to the floor.
“What are you looking at?” Pei Jiangchen changed his mind and sat down opposite Wen Shuyu.