75: You don't just know you're wrong, you know you're finished.
Back in Hong Kong, Shang Zhi was entangled with Pei Yanxiu for several days, barely getting out of bed. All she did was sleep and make love. Pei Yanxiu poured all the desire he had managed to suppress recently onto her; now, every time Shang Zhi closed her eyes, all she could see was the man's strong, lean waist.
During this time, Shang Zhi was called home by her mother once, who reminded her not to let her guard down when she returned to the company. The mother said that the people at the company were actually always up to no good and waiting for an opportunity, and that she should be careful in her actions.
"It's okay, I'm experienced, don't worry, Mom." Taking a rare break, Shang Zhi didn't take her mother's words to heart. Besides, nothing major had happened at the company while she was at school. She felt that her mother was worrying unnecessarily. Everything was on track now, and Tiancui had been fully established, so there was no need to worry too much.
"It's a holiday, so don't overthink it."
Pei Yanxiu witnessed Shang Zhi's conversation with her mother.
“Wan Jia took on a lighting project last month. Didn’t you want to expand into new businesses? I’m thinking either Wan Jia and Rui Kang should work on it together, or we could invest in a new company together. What are your thoughts?” That night, on the way home, Shang Zhi didn’t listen to his nagging and stared blankly at his hand.
His hands were beautiful; half of his white shirt peeked out from the cuff of his black suit, giving him an air of aloof, asceticism.
"Are you listening to me?" Pei Yanxiu's voice was tinged with impatience. Shang Zhi had been like this for the past few days; while he was talking, her mind would wander off somewhere else.
"Oh, I'm listening. What lighting? I've never done that before, so I don't know."
"The Hong Kong government has a generous budget for the city lighting system project this time. Working together with them will be beneficial for our continued cooperation with the Hong Kong government in the future. In fact, Wan Jia also prepared a proposal in the early stage, but it was too old-fashioned and uninteresting, and the Hong Kong government was not very satisfied with it."
"Ruikang has never done lighting projects before, so I think we should forget about it. Besides, I have a lot of things to do right now."
"What's wrong?" Pei Yanxiu closed the car window, and the flickering neon lights reflected the panic on Shang Zhi's face. He parked the car on the side of the road and turned to look at her.
"What are you doing? I didn't do anything." Shang Zhi's body tensed up involuntarily. Every time he spoke to her with a stern face, she would reflexively become nervous.
Shang Zhi took the initiative, reaching out to hook her arm around his neck, causing Pei Yanxiu's Adam's apple to bob. Before he could even speak, a bright kiss sealed his lips.
"Xixi, I'm talking to you about something serious." After a kiss, Pei Yanxiu reached out and loosened his tie, his eyes regaining their previous calmness. Shang Zhi cursed him inwardly for being a hypocrite.
"Bring your people to Wanjia tomorrow to discuss the specifics of our cooperation. Be there at 10 a.m., don't be late, understand?"
"Understood, Mr. Pei."
-
The conversation on the second day was not very pleasant. The two companies had different opinions. Pei Yanxiu's team suggested a conservative approach, while Shang Zhi's team preferred a more dreamlike urban space, but the budget would have to be increased significantly. Several industry leaders argued heatedly but could not reach a conclusion.
"If you ask me, I'd better forget it. This is too troublesome, and you won't make much money from it. I don't want to get involved," Shang Zhi whispered in Pei Yanxiu's office after the meeting.
"Although you won't make much money, it will leave a good impression on the Hong Kong government, which will benefit Ruikang's future. Besides, you studied art, so this is a good fit for your major."
"Xingxing is going to have a baby, did you know? I'm worried I won't have time?"
"Do you know what you're saying? It's not like you're the one giving birth to the baby. Why don't you have time? I think President Shang has gotten carried away and lost herself. Do you need my help?" Pei Yanxiu turned around, took out a ruler from the cabinet, and gently tapped it on Shang Zhi's back.
"Are you crazy? Why would you keep something like this in your office!" Shang Zhi was a little defensive and took two steps back.
"Of course it's for you. President Shang seems a bit out of sorts lately, so I can help you get back into the swing of things." Before Shang Zhi could react, he pulled her to his side and held her by the arm. The moment the ruler landed on her hip, Shang Zhi hugged him tightly and let out a soft sob.
Even through her pants, she could feel the red marks that instantly spread, making her heart ache.
"Are you awake now?"
"You're doing this on purpose! You just don't like me! You find fault with everything I do! You're deliberately picking a fight!" Shang Zhi said indignantly.
“I’m doing this for your own good, you know that. I’ve always been doing this for your own good. You should thank me instead of scolding me,” Pei Yanxiu said to himself, ignoring Shang Zhi’s emotions.
"Here are the project documents. Take them back and study them carefully. The core data is all in there. I don't want you to make any mistakes when negotiating with the client."
Shang Zhi took the document, not wanting to talk to him, and turned to find Lu Xingqi. The two chatted until very late before returning. When she came in and kicked off her high heels, Pei Yanxiu was still working in the study. As she passed by the study door, she heard his deep, gentle voice: "Come here."
"Have you read what I gave you?" Pei Yanxiu asked her while replying to the email, without even looking up.
"Of course, I wouldn't dare disobey President Pei's request." Shang Zhi's gaze was somewhat evasive, and Pei Yanxiu immediately knew what was going on.
"What are your thoughts on the clause regarding cost overruns?" Pei Yanxiu asked quietly, without revealing her true intentions.
"Well, I don't really have any ideas..." Shang Zhi stammered.
Did you actually watch it?
"Think carefully before you speak. Lying will be punished more severely." Pei Yanxiu's voice turned colder, and the moment he stood up, Shang Zhi's mind went blank.
"Take a look at this." He pulled her to the bookshelf, and Shang Zhi's eyes widened when she saw what was inside. The books that were originally in the bookshelf were gone, replaced by almost an entire cabinet of tools. All kinds of tools, rulers, leather straps, everything, some of which Shang Zhi had never seen before. They were all of very good quality and had a great design.
"I prepared this for you, do you like it?" His voice came from behind, and Shang Zhi stiffened.
"Honey, I don't really like it. Besides, I'm such a good girl, I don't need these things." Pei Yanxiu reached out and held Shang Zhi's waist. Shang Zhi twisted her waist to try to get away, but the difference in strength was too great. He could easily hold her down with one hand.
"Where are you being obedient? You just lied to me." His gaze was filled with naked scrutiny and desire. When he was with her, he was completely honest with her, never hiding anything.
"I'm sorry, I was afraid you'd be angry."
“Honey, I’m really angry right now. I put a lot of effort into securing this lighting project, and it’s something I think is very important for Ruikang’s future transformation, but you don’t seem to care much about it.” His hand moved from her waist down to behind her ear, and Shang Zhi trembled slightly as his cold fingers touched her. The atmosphere in the room was tense, as if it were about to ignite at any moment.
Shang Zhi surrendered first: "Honey, don't be angry. I know I was wrong and I won't lie to you next time."
"You don't just know you were wrong, you know you're finished, right?"
“Turn around.” She watched as he took a black ruler from a cabinet to the side. He waved it in the air, and the sound of it cutting through the air sent a chill down her spine.
"Uncle Pei..."
"Turn around!" His voice suddenly rose several octaves. Enveloped by his burning chest, Shang Zhi had nowhere to escape and could only grit her teeth and endure it, tears welling up in her eyes. The few feet instantly dispelled Shang Zhi's drowsiness, and her consciousness suddenly cleared.
"Bring me what I want you to see, and look at it here. You won't be sleeping tonight if you don't finish." His voice was still cold, but Shang Zhi felt burning hot.
"I know," she replied, her voice trembling with tears. She felt like the most pitiful rich wife in all of Hong Kong Island. Her girlfriends only had to worry about beauty treatments and the latest handbags every day, unlike her, who had to go to class at home—classes for the rest of her life.
“The lighting project has a lot of contact with the Hong Kong government. On the one hand, we can build a good relationship with them. On the other hand, this is your uncle Shang Can’s weakness, so he can’t get involved. Do you understand?” Pei Yanxiu stayed up late with her to look at the documents. After they finished, he helped Shang Zhi apply medicine. While gently rubbing the ointment on her skin from behind, he said earnestly.
“The existing business company has a complex and intricate network of relationships that are difficult to sever ties with. But it’s different in a new field where you can do whatever you want without being controlled by it.”
"I know, just tell me next time, I can understand. It hurts so much." Shang Zhi leaned softly against Pei Yanxiu's leg, sighing dramatically.
"It will hurt a little, so you'll remember it clearly."
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