Shura Field
You Jiale has been so busy lately that his feet are practically burning with energy. Ever since that flash of inspiration in the southern suburbs—the idea of "delivery" sounded pretty trendy, and he even managed to convince Zhang Xiande to give his approval—his office looks like it's been swept away by a tornado. There are scribbles and notebooks covered in writing everywhere, and the tea on his desk keeps getting cold and getting cold again and again.
He knew in his heart that this was just a brilliant idea that was ahead of its time. To turn it into reality would require filling in countless details and taking a lot of effort at every step.
He could only barely keep his weary body afloat by imagining the first batch of "Leji Delivery" couriers wearing matching short jackets and riding old-fashioned bicycles through the streets and alleys.
"Boss, I'm going home now." After a long day, You Jiale rubbed her sore neck and planned to go back and continue working.
After finishing the last document, Zhang Xiande looked up at the exhausted You Jiale and said in a gentle tone, "Let's go, I'll take you out to eat."
You Jiale paused for a moment, then a dazzling smile bloomed on his face: "Great, boss, I also have some ideas about partner merchants that I'd like to share with you." He picked up a few documents from the table and followed Zhang Xiande out of the office.
Her steps were light and quick, and her tone was so sincere it was almost honeyed: "You are such a considerate boss! You're so busy, yet you still think about your employees' meals. You're a role model for us working people!"
He thought to himself: Bah, I'm so considerate. Not only am I working myself to the bone, but I also don't forget to flatter the boss. I'm the real role model!
Zhang Xiande glanced at him sideways, his face expressionless, except for a slight upturn at the corner of his mouth, indicating that he was in a good mood.
He walked behind, poking Zhang Xiande's back lightly with his finger, and said, "If I were the boss, and had such a capable, eloquent, and good-looking employee like me, I would have given him a raise three times already!"
Zhang Xiande didn't turn around, but paused very slightly, as if he had gotten used to his nonsensical mouth. His tone remained calm: "You're quite good at patting yourself on the back."
The two got into the car one after the other. The car was so quiet you could hear a pin drop; the comfort level was alright. You Jiale's mind was still racing, planning the several time-honored restaurants she would visit tomorrow, completely unaware of the "surprise" that was about to arrive.
The car slowly drove into Yunyin Hall. The courtyard was lit by soft, warm yellow lights, dispelling the silence of the night. Zhang Xiande got out of the car first, followed closely by You Jiale. The two walked into the house side by side. Just as You Jiale was wondering what good things he would have for dinner, he suddenly saw the person sitting on the sofa in the living room.
Wearing a light camel-colored suit and a meticulously tailored white shirt, his posture was upright, and his face was as gentle as jade. It was none other than Pei Zhiyuan!
You Jiale's smile froze instantly, and her mind went blank.
Damn it! This is a complete disaster! You old fox, you have to pay me for my emotional distress tonight!!!
Is it too late to run now?
This passage isn't in the original book.
He could make up an excuse to slip away, like suddenly remembering he hadn't picked up an important document from the company, or his stomach suddenly starting to hurt. But at this moment, he and Zhang Xiande were already standing in the middle of the living room, and Pei Zhiyuan's gaze was already on him. Trying to run away at the last minute would seem too abrupt and impolite.
Knowing full well there are tigers in the mountains, yet still venturing into the tiger's den. I, You Jiale, admit to this.
"Xiande, you're back." Pei Zhiyuan smiled gently when he saw them. His gaze swept lightly over You Jiale, like a dragonfly skimming the water, yet it made You Jiale feel extremely uncomfortable.
Zhang Xiande's gaze shifted almost imperceptibly between the two men, a flicker of emotion emanating from his deep eyes. He responded calmly, "Mm."
Pei Zhiyuan changed the subject: "Hello, Assistant You."
"Assistant You is so young, yet he is so highly regarded by Xiande. He must have something special about him."
Yu Jiale's inner alarm bells went off: "Not at all, Mr. Pei, you flatter me. I've been extremely busy lately, just a regular worker."
Upon hearing this, a glint of something unfathomable flashed in Pei Zhiyuan's eyes. His smile remained, though it seemed to have lost some of its sincerity: "Oh? Is that so? I wonder what kind of new business could keep Assistant You so engrossed in it?"
Zhang Xiande watched the two go back and forth with an air of nonchalance, his gaze like that of an emperor watching his concubines vying for his favor.
Just looking at it makes me angry!
You Jiale took a deep breath, knowing that now was not his turn to perform.
He forced a professional smile and said casually, "I'm sorry, Mr. Pei, the company's current projects are in the confidential stage. The boss will definitely tell you once it opens."
Xiao Youzi just wanted to have a nice meal, but she never expected to fall into the old fox's trap!
Pei Zhiyuan said, "I apologize for being presumptuous."
There wasn't a trace of apology in your eyes; it was quite presumptuous of you!
Turning her head, she saw Zhang Xiande sitting on the sofa smoking with an air of nonchalance. In her mind, a video she had watched on a short video platform in her past life automatically played on a loop: "Honey, say something, honey."
The three of them were initially speechless, staring at each other, and the atmosphere was quite awkward.
Mrs. Zhang came out from the side hall. "You're all back."
You Jiale inwardly screamed with gratitude; this was truly a lifesaver! His face immediately broke into a honey-sweet smile, his big, smiling eyes curving into crescents: "Good evening, Madam!"
Today she changed into a more refreshing casual outfit, her hair was neatly combed, and although she wasn't wearing any makeup, her complexion looked very rosy.
Upon seeing the three people standing at the door, Madam Zhang smiled gently, "You're finally back. I've been reheating the food several times, just waiting for you!" Her gaze swept over You Jiale, and she beckoned to him first, "Little You, come in and sit down. I just told the cook to make an extra portion of the braised duck you liked last time."
You Jiale blinked, his heart leaping with joy. He thought to himself, "It seems the old lady really likes my adorable little face." He obediently stepped forward, smiling ingratiatingly, "Madam, I've come here to freeload a meal!"
"What are you doing, rubbing against me?" Mother Zhang gave him a reproachful look, but her voice was soft: "I already told Xiande to bring you back for meals more often. I like listening to you talk." As she spoke, she gave Zhang Xiande a meaningful look: "You, don't always have such a long face. Xiao You gets bored being with you."
Upon hearing this, Zhang Xiande's brow twitched almost imperceptibly, but he simply said calmly, "I'm the boss, I have no obligation to smile for him."
You Jiale responded quickly, her eyes crinkling with a smile: "The boss's face has an on/off switch; he only smiles when he sees you." She thought to herself: If I can flatter him well, tonight will be much better.
No wonder she enjoyed listening to You Jiale talk; she laughed as soon as she heard it, slapping the table and saying, "You have such a sweet tongue."
"Just telling the truth. You make me happy just looking at you," You Jiale quickly added, grinning so wide her eyes disappeared, and even the maid next to her secretly twitched the corners of her mouth.
Zhang Xiande glanced at him sideways, and a smile seemed to flash in his eyes for a fleeting moment, too quick for anyone to catch. He thought to himself: This kid, how come he's become so glib now?
Pei Zhiyuan sat silently to one side, but his knuckles tightened slightly as he gripped the chopsticks.
Normally, he wouldn't come to the main area of Yunyin Hall. Yunyin Hall is very large, and Tingyu Pavilion is just a remote and secluded place. It's extremely quiet. Unless someone specifically looks for it, they would never know that someone lives there.
I thought that moving in would allow me to spend every day with Zhang Xiande, but I never expected that Zhang Xiande was so busy that I could hardly see him, and his residence was also very far away from mine.
He happened to overhear the servants mention today that "the young master will be back for dinner tonight."
Having not seen each other for so long, I truly missed them. So, on a whim, I changed into a proper outfit and waited in the main hall, thinking that I could at least exchange a few words and have a meal together.
But he never expected that when Zhang Xiande pushed open the door, he would be accompanied by... You Jiale.
The person he should have only heard the name of was now standing openly beside Zhang Xiande, chatting and laughing with the old lady.
He seemed to be increasingly realizing that Zhang Xiande was no longer someone he could simply reach out and grab.
"Zhiyuan, try this Drunken Rice Cake. It tastes like the one I had outside last time. I had the cook make it exactly the same way." Zhang Xiande suddenly spoke up, as if breaking a subtle silence.
“Okay.” Pei Zhiyuan snapped out of his daze and took over the conversation.
His tone was still gentle, and even his smile remained the same calm and collected one, but deep in his heart, a spark of jealousy had already quietly begun to burn.
His gaze followed the small hand pouring tea on the table—You Jiale was smiling and helping the old lady serve food, looking exactly like a "junior" who grew up in the Zhang family, which was excessively natural.
But he couldn't utter a single unnecessary word.
Why is he always around Zhang Xiande? Isn't it enough that he sticks to the company every day? Why does he even bring Zhang Xiande home for dinner?
I wish Yu Jiale would just disappear someday.
The food was getting cold, but the atmosphere was much livelier than the food itself. You Jiale was all sweet talk, making the old lady beam with joy. As she ate, she kept babbling, "I wish my child was as thoughtful and sensible as you."
Her words weren't harsh, but they carried a genuine sincerity. Even Zhang Xiande, who had been focused on eating, paused almost imperceptibly.
You Jiale's smile faltered, his heart skipped a beat, as if those unintentional words had gently touched a soft spot. He lowered his head and obediently replied, "But you already have one, don't you? It's the kind of child every adult dreams of, the kind that belongs to someone else."
The old lady was taken aback for a moment, then smiled even more gently.
The atmosphere was inexplicably harmonious for a moment. Only Pei Zhiyuan remained seated quietly, his knuckles clenched, yet he maintained a polite smile as he lowered his head to take a sip of soup.
After the meal, the old lady went back to her room to rest.
You Jiale took the opportunity to stand up and say goodbye: "Boss, I won't bother you any longer. I still have some documents to organize when I get back—" and quickly made a getaway.
"I'll take you." Zhang Xiande folded the napkin, his tone calm but leaving no room for refusal.
“…Ah? Okay.” He wanted to refuse, but when he met those indifferent eyes, he dared not disobey and nodded.
The corridor lights were warm and yellow, and footsteps echoed in the eaves and corridors deep within the Yunyin Hall.
“You’re quite eloquent today,” Zhang Xiande suddenly said.
"...I just said a few extra words because I saw the elders were happy." He chuckled dryly, his eyes darting around.
Zhang Xiande slowly stopped and turned to look at him, his eyes revealing no emotion: "If this is acting, I don't mind if you keep acting."
You Jiale: "..." It's over, it's time to cool down!
The atmosphere between the two suddenly became quiet.
"Boss, what are you saying!" He immediately waved his hand. "Can't I even say a few nice words in exchange for a good meal?"
Zhang Xiande stared at him for a while, his voice as calm as ever: "Don't play dumb, I'm not buying it, get in the car."
You Jiale was in turmoil. He didn't know why Zhang Xiande had suddenly said something so unexpected. Although he was prepared, he knew Zhang Xiande would notice something was wrong. But he hadn't expected it to happen so quickly.
As expected, this man doesn't give you any warning; he's playing psychological warfare.
The car door was closed, but the undercurrents had not subsided.
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