Chapter 2 Pei Muye's Authority Is Unquestionable

Zhou Yusu has never gained the upper hand against her cold and domineering stepson.

She didn't dare to confront him directly, so she resorted to underhanded tactics behind his back, knowing that he had just overheard her talking about Lin Xiyin, which was why he was targeting her.

It wasn't that the two had a particularly good relationship, but rather that Pei Muye's authority was beyond question.

Pei Muye only married Lin Xiyin because of pressure from the old man. The two could barely be described as respectful to each other. It is said that Pei Muye still has someone in his heart. Zhou Yusu has been waiting to see him make a fool of himself.

Zhou Yusu didn't dare to refute, and laughed awkwardly: "I was just joking with Xiyin. Xiyin is a scientist, and I'm still waiting for her to win glory for the country and bring honor to the Pei family. How could I let her go into the kitchen?"

These words were sarcastic and full of sarcasm.

How many scientists have brought glory to the country since the founding of the nation?

Pei Muye took off his suit jacket and tossed it aside casually: "I'd like to know how much glory you've brought to the country and how much face you've earned for this family?"

Zhou Yusu could barely keep her smile going.

Ming Qingwan happened to enter the room and called softly from behind him, "Brother Muye, what's wrong?"

Pei Muye's irritability and violence subsided considerably. He glanced back at Ming Qingwan and replied, "It's nothing."

After saying that, he unbuttoned his cuffs and walked inside. As he passed Lin Xiyin, he said, "Still standing there? Go back to your room."

Then they went upstairs first.

Lin Xiyin went to see Ming Qingwan, who gave her a provocative smile.

Pei Muye had just come to her rescue because Lin Xiyin knew that Pei Muye didn't like this stepmother.

When he gets angry, nobody dares to mess with him.

But when Ming Qingwan called him "Brother Muye," all his anger vanished.

Lin Xiyin stared at Ming Qingwan as if in self-torture, then looked away and turned to go upstairs.

Zhou Yusu smiled just the right amount of her smile and took two steps forward to greet Qingwan: "Qingwan, come in quickly, it's cold at the door."

Ming Qingwan obediently said, "Thank you, Auntie."

"Why are you still calling me 'Auntie'?" Zhou Yusu smoothed her hair. "After a while, you should start calling me that."

After turning the corner and no longer hearing the conversation below, Lin Xiyin took a deep breath and returned to her and Pei Muye's room.

The sound of running water came from the bathroom; Pei Muye was taking a shower.

Lin Xiyin sat down in a chair by the window, looking down at the lights of thousands of homes.

Her phone rang, and she answered, "Yunxi."

Li Yunxi hummed in agreement and asked, "Have you finished calculating those data points from this afternoon?"

Lin Xiyin rubbed her temples with her index finger: "It's all settled."

"I've sent the other data to your email, so you can relax a bit tomorrow."

"You're done?" Lin Xiyin asked in surprise. "Isn't it busy over there?"

Li Yunxi said, "It's alright. You're not familiar with this data, and it's not your forte, so it was quite difficult for you to calculate. I just did it quickly."

Sometimes it takes two hours to process a single data point.

Thinking of her new partner who wasn't good with data, Lin Xiyin felt grateful: "Thank you, please call me anytime if you need anything."

That's all for now, goodbye.

Pei Muye came out and happened to hear this.

Lin Xiyin heard the noise and looked up.

The man dried his hair with one hand. The warm bath water did not soften his features; even his slightly damp eyelashes appeared somewhat sharp.

The bath towel was loosely tied around her waist, revealing her well-defined abs; her abdominal muscles were clearly defined and eye-catching.

She got up and walked out. Just as she was about to brush past Pei Muye, her wrist was grabbed.

"What are you doing?" Lin Xiyin's voice was cold. "It's time to go down for dinner."

From the moment she saw Ming Qingwan, her emotions and her heart were on edge.

She tried to break free from him after she finished speaking, but Pei Muye pulled her into his arms and lowered his head to kiss her.

Lin Xiyin felt a wave of nausea wash over her as she thought of his smile at Ming Qingwan and the gift he gave her.

She placed her hands on his chest and pushed him away.

Pei Muye frowned, showing some impatience.

A few seconds later, he asked, "What's wrong? Are you feeling unwell?"

Lin Xiyin knew that Pei Muye had absolute control over their intimate contact.

Once he says he wants it, Lin Xiyin has no right to refuse.

Thinking of this, Lin Xiyin felt even more heartbroken.

Pei Muye... did he use her as a tool for sexual gratification?

Lin Xiyin firmly pushed his hand away: "From now on, don't touch me without my permission."

She mustered her courage, finished speaking, and went downstairs without looking at Pei Muye's reaction.

As she went downstairs, she saw Pei Yaohai.

Pei Yaohai is a... very lucky man.

When he was young, his father supported the family business.

Even before the old man passed away, or rather, while the old man was still alive, Pei Muyi had already laid the foundation for his successor with decisive and swift methods.

Pei Yaohai has a good father and a good son. He doesn't need to know anything to enjoy a fortune of trillions.

So, although he was in his fifties, he looked like he was in his early forties, mature and refined, with a kind gaze.

He saw Lin Xiyin and waved to her, "Xiaoyin, come down for dinner. Where's Muye?"

This marriage was arranged by the old man. Pei Yaohai has always been filial, so even though the old man is no longer here, he has no objections to Lin Xiyin.

Lin Xiyin replied, "He'll be down right away."

Ming Qingwan warmly stepped forward and took her arm, saying, "Sister Xiyin, please sit here."

Lin Xiyin shook her head and pulled her arm away: "I should know this place better than you do."

Ming Qingwan immediately burst into tears, her face filled with innocence and helplessness: "I, I didn't mean anything by it..."

Zhou Yusu frowned and said, "Qingwan meant well, but why are you so arrogant? Do you really think you're the mistress of this house? Where do you put me? How can you have no manners at all?"

After she finished speaking, she looked at Pei Yaohai and said, "If we keep getting along like this, won't Qingwan be bullied to death by her in the future?"

Ming Qingwan let out two perfectly timed sobs.

Pei Yaohai was at his wits' end: "What happened? Why did you bully her? Sit down, everyone. Qingwan, don't cry... Oh dear, Xiaoyin, quickly apologize to her, don't let Muye and Yunqing misunderstand."

Lin Xiyin went to see Ming Qingwan.

Ming Qingwan turned to the side, so others couldn't see her expression, but Lin Xiyin could see that her eyes held the arrogance of someone who had succeeded.

She was quite pleased that Lin Xiyin had been reprimanded on her first day at the Pei family.

The only regret is that Pei Muye didn't see this scene.

How could Lin Xiyin possibly apologize?

Zhou Yusu persisted: "Your father told you to apologize, didn't you hear him?"

Footsteps approached, and everyone looked up.

Pei Muye rolled up his sleeves and walked downstairs.

Even in his dark gray loungewear, he still exuded an air of nobility and aloofness.

His gaze landed precisely on Lin Xiyin, indifferent and dignified.

Lin Xiyin saw the anger and dissatisfaction in his eyes.

Yes, on the very first day, she made his "white moonlight" cry.

I just don't know who he was thinking of when he was about to kiss me.

Thinking about it this way, Lin Xiyin felt as if her heart had been squeezed, and it ached terribly.

But I also felt disgusted.

Pei Muyi's deep gaze was like an ancient pool or a deep well; he did not speak up for Lin Xiyin.

Pei Yaohai has always lacked his own opinions and listens to his son Pei Muye without question.

He had originally intended to act as a peacemaker, but upon seeing Pei Muye's expression, he dared not say anything.

Although Zhou Yusu disliked Pei Muye, she disliked Lin Xiyin even more.

Why is it that she's a woman? She went through so much hardship to marry Pei Yaohai, and even after entering the Pei family, she still has to be mindful of Pei Muye's attitude.

Lin Xiyin, from an ordinary family, easily married Pei Muye and became a young mistress upon entering the family.

Moreover, the worse the relationship between Pei Muye and Lin Xiyin becomes, the happier she is to see it.

Lin Xiyin was fearless about everything else.

Only Pei Muyi's questioning gaze made her heart slowly grow cold.

Her fingertips trembled slightly, and a self-deprecating smile curled at the corner of her lips.

She had known all along that Pei Muye didn't love her, so she should have gotten used to it.

But...it still hurts, it still makes me sad...

My heart was already ice-cold, and I didn't know where the pain was starting to throb.

She glanced at Pei Yaohai, whose smile seemed somewhat awkward.

Pei Yaohai spoke up at the right moment: "Alright, alright, we're all family, sit down and eat."

Lin Xiyin sat up straight and didn't say another word during the meal.

She shouldn't apologize; she did nothing wrong. Why should she apologize?

Ming Qingwan obediently used serving chopsticks to serve food to everyone, including Lin Xiyin.

She served Pei Muye the last piece, and Pei Muye said, "Eat yours."

Ming Qingwan replied softly, "Brother Muye, I'll eat now. Don't worry, I'll eat a lot."

Lin Xiyin's eyelids trembled.

Why hasn't Pei Yunqing arrived yet?

Do you want to make the green hat on your head even brighter?

Pei Yunqing arrived late at the very end of the meal.

Pei Yunqing and her supervisor worked on a project and have been very busy these past few days.

He resembled Zhou Yusu in appearance, but was shorter than Pei Muye. He exuded a certain charm, and his eyes were full of scheming and calculation.

From the time he started elementary school, Zhou Yusu had been constantly reminding him to regard Pei Muye as a competitor and to keep the Pei family's business firmly in his grasp.

Pei Yunqing knew that he was not yet fully capable, so he always bowed and called Pei Muye "elder brother".

He sat down next to Ming Qingwan, his arm draped over the back of her chair, and spoke smugly about the project's profits and prospects.

Zhou Yusu was overjoyed: "My son is amazing! He hasn't even graduated from university yet, and he's already earned his first pot of gold!"

Lin Xiyin scoffed.

Is that what you call impressive?

She and Pei Yunqing are the same age; she has already completed her master's degree and is already working.

Pei Yunqing didn't even graduate with a bachelor's degree.

Those so-called projects were all funded by the Pei family; anyone could profit from them.

When it comes to making his first fortune, Pei Muye is truly remarkable...

Lin Xiyin suddenly looked up, only to meet Pei Muye's dark gaze.

Today's meal was originally intended to be Pei Yunqing bringing Ming Qingwan home to discuss their engagement.

Just as Pei Yaohai was talking about arranging for the two families' elders to meet, he heard a click.

Pei Muye put down his chopsticks.

Lin Xiyin saw that his face was ashen, his eyes were dark, like dark clouds pressing down, and a storm was about to break.

Pei Muye... can't hold back any longer, can he? His beloved is about to get engaged to his younger brother.