Chapter 17 Covered in Sweat

It wasn't far from here to Yunlu Bay, so Pei Wu navigated to the nearest supermarket and bought some fresh vegetables and meat.

They said it would take forty minutes, and we arrived just in time.

Pei Wu entered the password to open the door, and Lu Xiwen was standing at the door.

Not in his company's bespoke suit, Lu Xiwen was dressed casually at home, with a light brown open-necked sweater draped over his shoulders. He leaned against the vertical screen in the entryway with his arms crossed, his chin slightly raised, like a big cat whose demands had not been met and was about to overturn the table.

Any color looks good on him. Pei Wu glanced at him and quickly looked away.

Lu Xiwen frowned slightly. "Were you home when I called you?"

"No, I'm outside."

Lu Xiwen raised his hand: "You went out dressed like this?"

Pei Wu lowered his head. His sweater was really thin. He didn't make up any more excuses. Instead, he simply said, "I went back to my parents' place. My second son liked the coat, so I took it."

Is there anything Lu Xiwen doesn't understand?

Although Pei Wu had previously explained that what she said about her family was a lie to Tao Yi, Lu Xiwen wasn't stupid. He knew that the sob story was fake, but the story itself was true. The weariness in Pei Wu's eyes hadn't faded, showing that she was suffering both physically and mentally there.

Seeing the vegetables in Pei Wu's hand, Lu Xiwen's expression softened. He reached out to take them, but touched Pei Wu's cold skin.

"Your house is outdoors?"

Pei Wu: "..."

Lu Xiwen didn't ask any more questions, and Pei Wu breathed a sigh of relief. Just as she was about to go to the kitchen, a warm cardigan was placed on her shoulder.

Lu Xiwen looked calm and even stared at Pei Wu with a slightly arrogant gaze, which made Pei Wu swallow back the refusal that was about to come out.

The temperature was even more pronounced through the fabric, enveloping Pei Wu's own aura, making his face feel hot as he walked the short distance from the entrance to the kitchen.

Lu Xiwen seemed oblivious. Pei Wu was busy, so he stood at the door complaining, "Don't even mention me, even Lan Zhe barely ate a few bites of the lunch this afternoon. The lion's head meatballs tasted rotten. How can a restaurant like this be rated five stars? I really suspect that many people have a problem with their sense of taste."

"Lan Zhu doesn't like eating out either," Pei Wu added while preparing the ingredients. "Would you like the fish tofu for your casserole?"

"want."

"Add some ginger; it'll help ward off the cold."

"Alright."

Pei Wu suppressed her slight embarrassment, put on her sweater, and then put on her apron.

It was a very casual action; the apron clung tightly to her body, and Pei Wu was only shown as a busy figure from behind. But the lights were bright, and it was pitch black outside. At a certain point, the atmosphere suddenly changed.

The TV in the living room happened to say, "All the wandering has found its home; this is what home feels like."

Lu Xiwen's voice abruptly stopped.

Pei Wu seemed to be scalded by the air and suddenly turned around.

Lu Xiwen's eyes were deep and unfathomable: "What?"

"without……"

"It's just an illusion," Pei Wu comforted herself. "President Lu would never care about these things. If he were to fall into this trap, it would make him seem very unprofessional."

Pei Wu's deliberate disregard gave Lu Xiwen a reason to act recklessly.

His gaze traveled from the strands of hair at Pei Wu's neck down her shoulders. Pei Wu had a very slender waist; even though she hadn't exercised, she still appeared perfectly proportioned. Her long legs, which couldn't be hidden by her apron, were no wonder that the company's employees had been fantasizing about her so much.

Pei Wu was covered in sweat from making the meal.

But it still performed consistently well, with perfect color, aroma and taste. Lu Xiwen originally disliked the pungent smell of onions and garlic, but under Pei Wu's hands, it became more fragrant without being unpleasant.

Steaming hot rice, served in a clay pot, filled the entire living room with its aroma.

Lu Xiwen ate quietly, giving Pei Wu the illusion that he was earnestly enjoying the meal.

The broth was rich and flavorful, and Lu Xi even soaked rice in it at the end.

In comparison, Pei Wu's bowl was smaller, but influenced by Lu Xiwen, she finished it all.

Lu Xiwen wiped her mouth elegantly, glanced at the clock on the wall, and said, "It's already this late, you can stay here."

Pei Wu paused, not daring to show any surprise, and after a moment replied, "Then I'll have to trouble President Lu."

Lu Xiwen has a strong sense of territory, but he is willing to accept his own people. Lan Zhe was kept by Lu Xiwen several times because he worked here until late at night. Pei Wu thought to himself, "I'm not an Omega, so there is no pheromone interference for me."

The two went to the study to work for a while. Once Lu Xiwen started working, it was hard for him to get away from it. Pei Wu stayed with him until ten o'clock before asking permission to return to the guest room.

The bathtub in the guest room was great, and there were plenty of toiletries on the side. Pei Wu didn't stand on ceremony and took a comfortable bath.

There were two windows separating him from the study, so he shouldn't have been able to hear clearly. But Lu Xiwen could always faintly hear the sound of water. As the fog in his mind dissipated, he saw water droplets condensing on his shoulders and neck, making his skin look particularly white under the light.

Before he could even see the owner's face, Lu Xiwen was startled and pushed the desk with one hand, snapping himself back to reality.

After a while, a disdainful "Hmph!" echoed from the study.

Pei Wu was completely unaware of this. After showering, he changed into a clean bathrobe, dried his hair, and went straight to bed.

The guest room was cleaned by the housekeeper every other day, and there was no unpleasant smell.

Pei Wu closed her eyes and fell asleep soon after.

The next morning, Pei Wu got up to prepare breakfast: white porridge with toasted bread slices, and she also stir-fried two of her signature dishes.

When Lu Xi came down to smell the aroma, he maintained a dignified posture, his eyelids always lowered slightly.

Normally, people who see someone like him either admire him or want to punch him. Pei Wu is a neutral party. If he had Lu Xiwen's conditions, he could also become arrogant.

“I remember you drove here last night.”

"right."

Lu Xiwen said, "Then I'll ride in your car."

“But my car…” Pei Wu hesitated: “A regular used car.”

"Pei Wu".

"exist."

Lu Xiwen looked at him and said, "I don't have sensitive skin."

"..."

As they were leaving, the aunt came in. Pei Wu greeted her politely and then stepped into the cold air with Lu Xiwen.

After arriving at the company, Pei Wu quickly got busy. After reviewing a few documents, she went to the project department. When she returned, she saw Lan Zhe sitting at the opposite workstation, rubbing his temples.

"Have you caught a cold?" Pei Wu asked with concern.

I didn't sleep all night.

"Insomnia?"

“Boss Lu couldn’t sleep and kept me up to finish the work.” Lan Zhe rubbed his forehead, and Pei Wu saw a fleeting look of frustration in his eyes through his fingers. “It’s okay, I’ll rest tomorrow.”

"Okay, leave the unfinished work to me. I'll work overtime tomorrow," Pei Wu said, placing a large rice ball on Lan Zhe's desk.

It was made quickly in the morning, so it should taste pretty good.

Lan Zhe first looked at Pei Wu, then reached out and wrapped the rice ball in his hand. It was still warm, and his stomach immediately started rumbling.

"It would be even better with a cup of hot tea."

Lan Zhe seemed eager to become sworn brothers with Pei Wu on the spot.

Lu Xiwen came out midway: "Lan Zhe hasn't arrived yet?"

Pei Wu covered for him, saying, "We're here. Go to the accounting department and get a report."

"Okay." Lu Xi said, "Announce that the meeting will start in twenty minutes."

"OK."