09: Be a good, obedient child, okay?

"Uncle Pei, so you're here! I've been looking for you outside for ages." Startled by his call, Shang Zhi felt awkward and stood frozen in place, unsure of what to do with her hands.

"Is that so?" He smiled and pulled her into his arms.

"I've been here the whole time, how come I didn't see you?" He said gently, and even took out a tissue to wipe her slightly wet hair. Shang Zhi pretended to be nonchalant, afraid that he would see through her.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, she didn't plan to tell him about her recent meeting with Yu Qing. Meeting up with old friends for a meal was perfectly normal; she shouldn't have felt guilty about it. But Pei Yanxiu was abnormal.

"Maybe we missed each other. I just went outside to look for you." Pei Yanxiu looked at her lying without batting an eye and wanted to laugh, but he didn't call her out on it. However, the hand on her buttocks seemed to be a little stronger than before.

As if sensing something, Shang Zhi changed her position and wrapped her arms around his neck: "Uncle Pei, it's so cold outside."

"President Pei, this is the data on the return on investment for last year's renovation project that you requested." Xu Shuo came out of his office and was somewhat surprised when he saw Shang Zhi.

"Xixi, you're here too? Long time no see. I heard about your wedding." Xu Shuo, Shang Zhi, and Pei Yanxiu had known each other since childhood, so even though Pei Yanxiu was critical of him out of responsibility to the company, he still trusted him.

"Brother Shuo, you look so different now." In Shang Zhi's memory, Xu Shuo was still the boy who rode his motorcycle and took her to the top of the mountain for drinks, not the boy standing here with his back bent over, looking like a student.

People change as they grow up, whether you want to or not.

Shang Zhi and Xu Shuo met when they were in school. Back then, he was a "delinquent" who often stole his family's motorcycle to ride. When he carried Shang Zhi on his back, she was also captivated by the feeling of speeding along.

I feel like I've transformed into a gust of wind that no one can catch.

Free and fearless.

However, people are most prone to accidents when they are complacent. As expected, the two fell off a mountain one day. They were covered in injuries but dared not tell anyone. However, Pei Yanxiu found out and forbade her from riding with him again.

Shang Zhi was unconvinced, but Pei Yanxiu was not only good at reasoning with her, but also adept at threatening her with a ruler.

It must be admitted that the wings of freedom were thus cut short.

Xu Shuo also suffered a setback at Pei Yanxiu's hands, who forced him to write a three-thousand-word self-criticism, threatening to tell his family about his theft of the bicycle if he didn't.

It's truly astonishing. Shang Zhi and Xu Shuo, the two victims, feel speechless every time they think about that past.

"Last year, the restaurant's renovation cost 30 million, but the turnover only increased by 2%. Do you think it's reasonable for you to give me a report like this?" Pei Yanxiu's cold and ruthless voice pulled the two of them back to reality.

"Moreover, the gross profit margin of the buffet restaurant is only 30%, while as far as I know, hotels of the same level generally have a gross profit margin of over 50%. Is it a problem with the marketing strategy, or is it that the cost has not been well controlled?"

Who recommended the restaurant's suppliers?

As a barrage of questions rained down on him, Xu Shuo's heart sank deeper and deeper. When working, Pei Yanxiu never showed any mercy, no matter who he was dealing with.

"Here's the thing, Mr. Pei. Last year was a rather unusual year. We lost several experienced chefs, which affected the restaurant's business. This year, we've hired several very experienced chefs, and we believe our revenue will soon return to normal."

"As for suppliers, we have found long-established suppliers for star-rated hotels in Guangzhou. We have been cooperating with them for a long time. Their prices are not the lowest compared to other suppliers of the same level, but their quality is reliable and their costs are reasonable."

"Show me your reports again next quarter."

"OK."

"Have the two presidents finished their work discussion? How about we go get some dessert and tea and catch up?" Shang Zhi tilted her head and peeked out, subtly helping Xu Shuo out of the way. Her cheerful smile instantly eased the atmosphere considerably.

"Xixi, you guys go to the restaurant and sit down first. Don't you like mango pomelo sago and peanut paste? I'll go get them for you."

"Thank you, Brother Shuo!"

"It's cool, don't eat too much ice." After sitting down, Pei Yanxiu glanced at Shang Zhi indifferently.

Shang Zhi was somewhat unconvinced: "Do you know why you get wrinkles?"

"You're the one who made me angry." Pei Yanxiu said without changing his expression.

"You're worrying too much about things you shouldn't be worrying about! Mind your own business and stop interfering with me!" Knowing that she was only being defiant because she was out in the world and he couldn't do anything to her, he glanced at her but didn't say anything.

It's okay, he can wait.

"Xixi, I know you like these desserts, so I also packed two milk teas for you to drink when you get back to your room."

"Brother Shuo, you're so kind, understanding, gentle and considerate, unlike someone who's like the King of Hell all day long." Pei Yanxiu listened to Shang Zhi's accusations without arguing.

He never cared what she said, as long as she behaved well and didn't do anything out of line.

But she doesn't seem willing to do even that.

Lack of education.

"Don't you know our Brother Pei? He's always been like that, such a good person. He wants to help others when they make mistakes, and he's made a huge contribution to Hong Kong's education." Xu Shuo's words were a veiled criticism, subtly mocking his elder brother. Shang Zhi struggled to suppress her laughter.

When they weren't talking about work, the group got along quite well. Shang Zhi and Xu Shuo could even form a "victims' alliance" for President Pei, as they had a lot to talk about.

As night deepened, the people in the restaurant gradually left. Pei Yanxiu wanted to pull Shang Zhi back to her room, but Shang Zhi stubbornly refused. Going back with him would inevitably lead to another lecture, so she didn't want to go. Her eyes darted around, and Pei Yanxiu knew what she was thinking, but he didn't point it out.

Let's see how long she can hold out.

Even Xu Shuo was yawning repeatedly by the end, so she had no choice but to follow him back to his room. As soon as she entered, she said she was sleepy and wanted to go to bed. Pei Yanxiu, however, ignored her completely, pulled her to his side, and questioned her about where she had been that afternoon.

"Didn't I already tell you?"

"You don't believe me, do you?"

Do I look like a liar?

Pei Yanxiu held her with one hand while stroking her back with the other. Then, without any warning, he slapped her on the buttocks with considerable force, causing Shang Zhi to cry out in pain.

"Now do you know how to answer?" He raised an eyebrow at her. She tried to break free from his grasp, but couldn't move at all.

"I'm so tired today, Uncle Pei. I can't remember what you said." Since she had already been hit, there was no way she could admit it. Shang Zhi changed her strategy, leaning softly against him, breathing on his ear, and holding him tightly with both hands.

"Don't hold it against me." She gently bit his shoulder and softly loosened his belt. This trick worked almost too well, and his ears turned red instantly.

"I'm talking to you about something serious..." Pei Yanxiu wanted to say something more, but Shang Zhi sealed his lips with a kiss.

She started it, but ironically, she was also the one who couldn't resist and started begging for mercy.

He kissed her, from her neck down to her lower abdomen, his kisses strong and somewhat aggressive, eliciting soft gasps from her.

The two were much more in sync than the first time, and he could feel it; at this moment, she liked him a little more.

"Be a good, obedient child, okay? If I find out again next time, it won't be so easy to get away with it, hee hee."

"Mmm." When his fingers brushed against her earlobe, Shang Zhi felt something inside her being drawn away by him.