21: Hiding money in secret? What else could it be for? Perhaps hiding it from someone?
Shang Zhi returned to her room, put the pearl into her jewelry box, and silently made plans.
She drafted a rough plan in her mind: besides jewelry, she would also buy watches and bags, buying a few at a time and storing them in her new house whenever she had time. This way, she wouldn't easily attract Pei Yanxiu's attention, and she could easily realize her next plan later.
[XiXi, I've sent you the safe manufacturer you asked me to find.] Lu Xingqi's message popped up. Shang Zhi saw Pei Yanxiu return to his room after taking a shower and guiltily put down her phone.
She plans to convert the basement of her new house into a private room that is not visible from the outside, and fill it with safes to hide a sum of money that she can use to escape in the future.
It's best to plan some things as early as possible.
During this period, Shang Zhi thrived at the company. Tian Cui, in accordance with her wishes, worked with the design department to finalize the plan, adhering to the initial high standards and specifications. Shang Can was dissatisfied but didn't say anything more.
However, as standards rise, so do costs, and she has to be more precise in controlling every detail.
In addition to the technical aspects, she also needs to understand the budget and cost details.
To make up for her shortcomings, Shang Zhi really went through a tough period. Learning new knowledge is not easy, and she not only had to learn it, but also had to do it well. Even if she was anxious at the company, she couldn't show it. During the day, she had to deal with a group of old foxes and watch a bunch of despicable people argue and shirk responsibility. When she got home at night, she would go to her study whenever she had free time and ask Pei Yanxiu to help her catch up on some relevant knowledge that would be used in the project.
She started out only able to read dimension markings, meticulously working on every little detail. She would flip through drawings she couldn't understand, keeping them by her pillow. Eventually, she knew the approximate prices of various materials better than the designer herself.
He stayed with her all the time, no matter how late it was; whenever she wanted to learn, he would teach her.
[Mr. Pei, I've sent you Ms. Shang's schedule for today. I've taken care of everything you asked me to do, so please rest assured.]
Pei Yanxiu glanced at the message Zero had sent him, then at Shang Zhi. How naive she was, actually thinking it was so easy to turn him against her.
He knew all her little tricks. If she wanted to play, he would play along. He wanted to see how long she could keep up this game.
He was just worried about her safety.
It was his fault, really; he hadn't taught her to be obedient.
Next time, he would teach her himself.
Tell her to stop hiding her true intentions and to know what she should and shouldn't do.
As he was thinking this, the book in his hand suddenly fell to the ground, piercing the deep blue of the night.
"What is President Pei thinking about? Why are you so focused?" Shang Zhi looked up at him, picked up the book and placed it in his hand.
"I was wondering if you have any little secrets you're hiding from me?" He pulled her into his arms and placed his large hand on her back.
"No."
"real?"
"If I find out I have it, I won't be able to sit here anymore."
Pei Yanxiu looked at her leisurely, his lazy voice carrying a hint of coldness. He pressed his hand on her hip and his gaze lingered on her cheek for a long time.
His warm breath brushed against her ear, and Shang Zhi felt a mixture of shame and desire stirred by the pressure in his eyes and the heat in his palm. Her heart pounded.
I'm itching to try it.
"Really, no, don't scare me like that!" She tried to escape, but he held her tightly around the waist.
"It's okay if they do, we'll punish them until they dare not."
His well-defined fingers lifted her chin and kissed her for a long time before letting go.
Shang Zhi didn't want to argue with her. She needed more time. Once she was ready, she would leave on her own and wouldn't have to care what he thought anymore.
She finally saw through it all. The marriage agreement and the project investment were all a smokescreen. He was after her, and he wanted to keep her by his side and control everything about her.
It's not that she's unmoved by him, nor that she can't accept him at all. If she really didn't like him at all, she wouldn't have chosen to be with him four years ago.
But he cannot control everything.
In a marriage, it's always one way or the other; she can't always be the one being dominated!
On her day off, Shang Zhi was bored at home, so she went to Lu Xingqi's house to play with her. Shi Yuchuan opened the door for her.
"Xixi, come here quickly." Lu Xingqi had actually been awake for a while, but she liked to stay in bed. Shi Yuchuan had to work, so he said goodbye to the two of them briefly and left first.
"What are your plans regarding Pei Wang?"
“My older brother came back last night. I was hoping he would speak up for me, but I didn’t expect him to side with my parents.” Lu Xingqi sighed softly, her tone helpless.
"They also told me that he's just a bit wild right now, and that men are different once they get married, so I shouldn't worry!"
"I feel like I'm going crazy, really." This is no exaggeration; who wouldn't go crazy in this situation?
"What did the doctor say then?"
"What can he say? He has no power to go against my parents, nor against the Pei family, and he doesn't have any good solutions."
"He said he would listen to me and support whatever choice I made."
"I'll listen to you?" Shang Zhi frowned. For Shi Yuchuan to say such a thing at a time like this was really suspicious of shirking responsibility.
"Or, shall we go find Pei Wang? And see what he thinks?"
"I've called him several times, but he hasn't answered a single one." Lu Xingqi said helplessly. Pei Wang was very cold to her, and she couldn't reach him even if she wanted to.
"I'll give it a try." Shang Zhi picked up her phone and dialed Pei Wang's number. The call was answered after one ring.
"Xixi, did you miss me?" It was that familiar, annoying voice again.
"Xingqi and I need to talk to you about something."
"Come to the club."
Pei Wang loves racing and often practices alone at the club. When Lu Xingqi and Shang Zhi arrived, he had just finished a small race, which he must have won, as he seemed to be in a good mood.
"You're still in the mood for this competition? What are you thinking about getting married?" Lu Xingqi asked anxiously, grabbing Pei Wang's arm.
"What good does it do for me to think this way?" Pei Wang toyed with an unlit cigarette in his hand, his posture nonchalant. He took off his studded leather jacket and threw it directly in front of Shang Zhi. She frowned in disgust and glared at him.
What does that mean?
"It's meaningless. I have no objection to the marriage, and even if I did, it wouldn't matter. You should go to your parents, not me."
“I contacted them, and they told me to prioritize the bigger picture.”
"Then let's settle it."
"What?"
"Relax, relax. After all, it's just getting a marriage certificate, isn't it?"
"We can each do our own thing. Isn't open marriage quite popular these days?"
"Pei Wang, do you know what you're saying? Is marriage just a game to you?" Shang Zhi, who was standing to the side, couldn't stand it anymore and interrupted him.
Do you know why the Lu family and our Pei family insist on a marriage alliance?
"Old Master Lu discovered a new mine in Southeast Asia, which is of great value. However, he encountered some tricky issues that were difficult to handle, so he sought help from Pei Qing'an. That old man, Pei Qing'an, then remembered his adopted son."
"You think you can find a way to stop this by talking to me? You're giving me too much credit."
"And Xixi, how dare you say that to me? Wasn't your marriage to my brother also forced upon you by your family? What right do families like ours have to rebel against those old folks?"
"If that's what you're saying, then I might as well be dead!" Upon hearing Pei Wang's words, Lu Xingqi felt dizzy and her vision blurred. If even someone like Pei Wang couldn't help her, then there was truly no hope for the situation.
"Stop talking nonsense, what do you mean by 'die'?" Pei Wang glanced at her, then hesitated.
Seeing that all other options were blocked, marriage seemed to be the only choice. Lu Xingqi was depressed after leaving the club. Shang Zhi suggested that she go to her new house to relax.
"Come on, let's go see how my secret base is going."
"What secret base?"
You'll see when you get there.
Lu Xingqi was speechless with surprise when she followed Shang Zhi into the room. Shang Zhi hadn't touched much of the original upstairs decor, but she had done a major renovation to the basement.
The original basement was turned into a secret room. When the two people entered, the workers were working hard on the construction.
"What, what are you doing?" Lu Xingqi's eyes widened.
"Hiding money away, what else could it be for? To hide it from someone?"
"Why hide money?" Lu Xingqi really didn't understand. Did Shang Zhi have any need to hide money?
"Once I've saved enough money to run away, I'll divorce that old man! Let's see what he can do to me then!"
"What did he do to you? Lately, you always look like you're itching to get your teeth up whenever you mention him."
It's a long story.
Aren't you afraid he'll find out?
"Don't worry, he won't find out. I'm sure of it."
At this moment, in the CEO's office on the top floor of Wanjia, Pei Yanxiu was staring at the email he had just received.
At 13:32, Mr. Shang and Ms. Lu went to the new house to check on the renovation of the basement secret room and safe.
He leaned back, a hint of a smile flashing in his eyes, and tapped his fingers lightly on the table.
Now that they're older, they know they need their own space, so they've started playing in escape rooms. Who are they trying to keep an eye on?
Pei Yanxiu sent Shang Zhi a video call, but as expected, she hung up.
[XiXi, why aren't you answering the phone?]
I'm on the street, it's inconvenient for me.
Which street should I pick you up on?
"No need, don't bother, I'm playing outside with Xingxing."
He actually quite enjoys teasing children, watching her panic, watching her unease, watching her finally lose control and tremble before cautiously looking at him.
That gaze almost suffocated him.
And, under his guidance, she became increasingly adept and confident in those unfamiliar territories, radiating brilliance.
The dazzling light made his heart ache.
He didn't understand why she always ran away. It was the same before, and it's the same now. If she were just more obedient, things would be much simpler.
He didn't ask for much; he just wanted her to be a good girl.
Be home by 9 PM, don't be late.
He got up, sat on the sofa, crossed his long legs, and guessed that she would be furious when she received this message.
really.
[Old man, leave me alone! Who comes home at 9 pm these days?! You're old, but I'm not! I'm not talking to you anymore, I'm going to find my nightlife!]
Pei Yanxiu's expression changed slightly, a half-smile playing on his lips.
It's okay if your wife is disobedient; you can teach her slowly.
He doesn't mind the trouble.
"What's wrong?" Lu Xingqi noticed Shang Zhi frowning at her phone and leaned forward.
"9 o'clock? Mr. Pei really treats you like a daughter, with a primary school student's curfew! Are you going home?"
"Go back to what? Does he think he's the emperor, ordering this and that all day long? I know a newly opened spa with a nice atmosphere. How about we go there tonight?"
"Great, this is a good opportunity to relax. My head has been hurting these past few days."
Shang Zhi drove straight to the spa. She didn't believe Pei Yanxiu could possibly sneak into the women-only spa to catch her!
She simply couldn't understand why he had to keep an eye on her all the time. Couldn't he be a little more independent? A mature husband should know when to appear and when to disappear.
Her family never disciplined her this strictly when she was a child!
Pei Yanxiu looked at her movements on his phone and called her, but she hung up.
Busy.
He was so angry at those two words that he laughed.
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