“It’s the schedule for tomorrow,” Wen Shuyu said. “There’s only one speech, so the itinerary is relatively relaxed. However, after the speech, the local team has organized a small fair to let us interact with local voters. I’m just looking over the activities planned for it.”
“Is something amiss?” Pei Jiangchen asked.
“Nothing so far,” Wen Shuyu replied. “I wanted to study the games beforehand to see if there are any tricks to them. How to win, how to lose, how to secure a narrow victory, or how to lose gracefully. Since some local dignitaries and their families will be attending tomorrow, it’s best if you’re prepared.”
Pei Jiangchen couldn’t help but remark, “You really are thoughtful.”
“It’s my job.” Wen Shuyu remained calm in the face of the compliment.
He set down his tablet, walked over to Pei Jiangchen’s designated seat diagonally across from him, and brought over a small tray that had been sitting on the table.
On it was a small serving of fruit and a bowl of room temperature yogurt topped with a generous spoonful of rose petal jam. A snack Pei Jiangchen usually enjoyed after his evening bath.
He stirred it a few times with a small spoon. The purplish red rose jam swirled into the milky white yogurt, creating a red and white spiral pattern, while the enticing aroma of roses and tangy yogurt wafted up.
“You brought the rose jam along? We’re only away for two days.”
“There are refrigerators in both the car and the hotel, after all.” Wen Shuyu picked up his tablet again. “The schedule is packed for the next two days and you’ll be busy socializing all day long. Having a favorite snack during your downtime might help relieve some of the fatigue…”
Wen Shuyu’s voice trailed off as his attention clearly shifted back to work.
Pei Jiangchen ate his yogurt at a leisurely pace, his gaze wandering idly around the car interior before finally settling back on Wen Shuyu’s face.
Wen Shuyu didn’t possess striking, extraordinary looks, his face could best be described as neat and refined.
Yet, his profile was captivating; from this angle, the bridge of his nose appeared high and straight, and the curve flowing from his lips to his jawline and down to his Adam’s apple was smooth and elegant. When he lowered his gaze to focus on a task, his long, slender eyelashes cast a shadow, giving him an air of quiet refinement.
This was precisely what Pei Jiangchen appreciated about Wen Shuyu. He could remain so unobtrusive that he seemed almost non-existent, yet he managed every affair with impeccable efficiency.
Although Wen Shuyu had been training diligently with a coach and had gained some muscle, by Pei Jiangchen’s standards, his physique remained too pale and frail.
The girls in Suman’s circle preferred tall, sturdy young men with golden, sun-kissed skin. A boy like Wen Shuyu never caught their eye.
Add to that his background—born to a janitor father and a maid mother—and it is likely that, had he not been lucky enough to become Pei Jiangchen’s trusted aide, no one would have given this young man a second glance.
And so, he simply went about his work in silence, quietly harboring feelings for someone he could never hope to be worthy of…
“I noticed you and Amanda seem to get along quite well.” The words slipped out before Pei Jiangchen realized what he had said.
Wen Shuyu looked up, appearing momentarily bewildered before murmuring, “I coordinate with her on PR matters. She’s very outgoing and takes her work seriously.”
Pei Jiangchen toyed with his spoon and asked, “Have you ever had a girlfriend?”
Wen Shuyu’s reaction now was far slower than when he had held Pei Jiangchen back earlier. His lips parted, and he spoke haltingly: “No. I was a scholarship student. My grades were too important, so I didn’t dare divert my energy elsewhere.”
“What about now?” Pei Jiangchen asked. “You aren’t short on money anymore. There are plenty of beautiful women at school. What type do you like? Someone like Amanda?”
Wen Shuyu hurriedly shook his head. In the warm, golden light, a faint flush seemed to rise on his cheeks.