Chapter 46 Playful
Pei Ci decided to test whether Jing Lin liked her.
In her view, liking someone is reflected in the relinquishment of one's own power; when someone likes another, the person being liked gains the right to control themselves. Like her relationship with Lu Ran, because Lu Ran likes her, she can ask him to do anything without any reason.
Therefore, if Jinglin likes her, she can control him.
With this in mind, she called Jing Lin. The call was quickly answered, and a noisy sound came from the other end. This was Pei Ci's first time calling Jing Lin, and considering that Jing Lin didn't know her, she was about to explain her identity when she heard Jing Lin's surprised voice:
"Young Miss?"
Hearing his question, Pei Ci nodded, "It's me, Pei Ci."
The music on the other end of the phone had subsided considerably; Jinglin must have moved to a quieter place.
"Why did you suddenly decide to call me, Miss?"
“I want to know what you’re doing,” Pei Ci said, making her request.
"Huh?" Jinglin's voice rose slightly. "Of course it's a date. Otherwise, how can Xiaoyu and I study when we're out together?"
Pei Ci: "..."
She realized that Jinglin was different from Lu Ran. He wouldn't answer other people's questions honestly. He spoke in a roundabout way, leaving people confused and wondering what he was thinking.
So Pei Ci decided to change the subject. For the sake of her mission, she had read books on dating and knew the typical process of a date.
Did you guys try your luck at the claw machine?
At arcades, people usually go to play claw machines on dates. While reading the book, Pei Ci was puzzled: why spend money to play claw machines when you could just buy a bigger and prettier plush toy?
Pei Ci's question caused Jing Lin to fall into a suspicious silence. After two minutes, he said, "Of course."
"I won a lot of dolls for Xiaoyu."
"I've emptied the claw machine of all the plush toys."
Pei Ci thought of Jing Lin's personality, "Are you sure you didn't buy the claw machine?"
"It seems Miss has a lot of prejudice against me." Jing Lin sighed, his voice rising slightly at the end. "How could I do such a thing? I'm very serious about relationships, okay?"
"A girlfriend from a football team?"
"..."
"Who told you that?" Jinglin asked warily.
"I overheard it by chance." Pei Ci asked, "Did you really win a lot of plush toys?"
"Yes," Jinglin asked with a smile, "You want it?"
Finally, we've gotten down to business. Pei Ci gave a faint "hmm," and said, "Give me one and have it delivered to my house."
"Huh???" Jing Lin was stunned for a moment, then quickly grasped the key point of the question, "Now??"
“Yes.” Pei Ci stated her request precisely, “Jinglin, I want the plush toy you’ve won.”
Pei Ci's request was inexplicable and extremely unreasonable. But if Jing Lin truly liked her, he would grant her wish even without any explanation.
If not, then it just means you're overthinking it.
"Ah, no, Miss, you..." The person on the other end seemed to be struggling with something, but Pei Ci didn't care and hung up the phone directly.
*
Of course, Pei Ci didn't place all her hopes on Jing Lin. If Jing Lin didn't come, she would activate plan B.
Jinglin and Ye Qingyu, this young couple, must be broken up, but it's difficult to get rid of Ye Qingyu, so the only option is to target Jinglin. If Jinglin doesn't cooperate, then other methods will have to be used.
She got out of bed and found Butler Zhao, who was dressed in a suit and had an ordinary face.
Butler Zhao wore black gloves that were attached to his sleeves, obscuring any skin. He was highly capable, taciturn, and practically invisible at the Pei residence except when he was working.
He was directly under Pei Chi, worked for Pei Chi, and secretly managed everything in the Pei residence.
Although she is her brother's person, she can still use her.
"Butler Zhao, could you please find me a few strong and capable bodyguards?" Pei Ci said.
This wasn't the first time she had given orders. When she was very young, Jinglin had brought her before Uncle Zhao. Pei Chi told her to tell Uncle Zhao if she needed anything. This was, of course, a test, a test to teach her how to be the mistress of the Pei family.
Pei Ci did a very good job.
She realized that cold, rigid instructions could provide greater efficiency.
“Yes, Miss.” The man in his thirties bowed to Pei Ci. After bowing, the butler, holding his hand, asked, “Miss, please tell me the follow-up arrangements so that I can better cooperate.”
Pei Ci glanced at the clock; it was just past three. She shook her head. "Not for now."
Time passed slowly, the clock hands gradually sliding from three to four. If he couldn't come by four o'clock, it could only mean he didn't want to. Pei Ci could accept this outcome. After all, even she herself found her inexplicable idea absurd.
We have no choice but to implement Plan B.
This was her plan B: if Jinglin didn't come, she would force him to come. Even if he didn't like her, he had to like her.
In short, regardless of whether Jinglin has any genuine feelings for Ye Qingyu, he's definitely going to be a scumbag.
Pei Ci knew perfectly well that her actions were extremely cold-blooded, but she had to do it in order to complete the mission.
At this moment, Butler Zhao had already brought the bodyguards responsible for the Pei family's security to Pei Ci. There were five bodyguards in total; they had probably been screened, each over 185cm tall, dressed in suits, and exuding a very imposing aura.
Pei Ci was very satisfied with the five people. She found a photo of Jing Lin online and showed it to them. "This is the eldest young master of the Jing family. He is currently at the arcade in Lanster District. You need to bring him back safely."
"Don't let the people traveling with him find out," Pei Ci added specifically.
After handing over their tasks, the five bodyguards left the Pei residence. Pei Ci then asked the housekeeper about the location of the security cameras in her home.
"Surveillance cameras?!" The butler's expression changed drastically. "Why do you think there are surveillance cameras?!"
Pei Ci was taken aback by the housekeeper's sudden reaction. After regaining her senses, she asked uncertainly, "The Pei family is so big, don't they have any surveillance cameras?"
Aren't there usually some kind of security measures in place?
"Ah...yes, yes, there are indeed some." The butler's expression returned to calm, his face extremely indifferent, the kind that you could spot in a crowd.
"Why is Miss Pei asking this?"
“I need a covert surveillance system that can record audio and video,” Pei Ci said.
After she kidnapped Jinglin, her intention was to make him say that he didn't like Ye Qingyu, thus causing the two to break up.
Of course, Pei Ci's words were very general, and it's normal for people to be confused by just one sentence.
However, the butler did not raise any questions. After pointing out the locations of several surveillance cameras to Pei Ci, he said, "Miss Pei, just tell me if you want the surveillance footage."
The butler left politely.
Pei Ci sat on the sofa, which was visible to the surveillance cameras.
Now we just have to wait for the bodyguards to bring Jinglin back.
Half an hour passed. Pei Ci wasn't a patient person, and just as she was getting a little impatient, the phone rang.
As soon as Pei Ci answered the call, she heard Jing Lin's voice—
"Miss, please open the door."
Jinglin?
What's Jinglin doing here?
Pei Ci was genuinely surprised. She looked at the phone number again; it was the same number she had called Jing Lin more than half an hour ago.
So this is indeed Jinglin.
What about her bodyguards? They were sent to kidnap people, but instead, the people they kidnapped delivered themselves to their doorstep.
This was indeed good news, and she quickly asked the security guard to let her through. After five or six minutes, the lobby door was pushed open, and Pei Ci saw Jing Lin slowly walking in.
He held a beautifully crafted gift bag in his hand, which was bulging with contents. His face wore his usual nonchalant smile.
Sitting on the sofa, Pei Ci looked him over, genuinely curious about how Jing Lin had managed to shake off those bodyguards unscathed.
Then she couldn't help but wonder: Is Jinglin coming here now because he discovered what she did?
Are you here to demand an explanation?
Thinking of this possibility, Pei Ci sat back in her original seat and asked a relatively safe question, "Why did you come?"
"Of course I'm coming." Jing Lin was as unreliable as ever. He walked up to Pei Ci, waved the gift ribbon in his hand, and showed a rather helpless expression. "If I don't come and don't serve you well, wouldn't Brother Lu skin me alive?"
"Young lady, you've really ruined my life! My date is ruined because of you."
Jinglin handed the gift bag to Pei Ci.
It was a very ordinary action, but Pei Ci noticed Jing Lin's taut, white knuckles, and that strange feeling welled up in her heart again.
She took it.
The bag was quite heavy, and Pei Ci's hand was momentarily crushed by its weight, but fortunately Jing Lin caught her just in time to support the bottom of the paper bag. Finally, Jing Lin placed the bag on the coffee table and sat down beside it.
"Open it and take a look," Jinglin said.
His eyes were already slightly wide open, like a video that had already pressed the start button.
Pei Ci was taken aback. Under Jing Lin's gaze, she reached into the bag and took out a cotton doll.
The doll is exquisitely made, with light-colored eyes and a slightly open mouth, as if it's daydreaming. I don't know what kind of fabric it is, but it feels very comfortable to the touch. The stuffing inside is plentiful, showing that they used a generous amount of material.
Even Pei Ci was amazed by the doll the moment she opened it.
"Do they have cotton dolls in the claw machine?" Pei Ci asked, moving the doll's face.
"Yes, there is." Jing Lin could barely suppress his smile. "If I go, there will definitely be some."
It seems they used special privileges.
Pei Ci placed the doll on her lap and then went to get another one. This one was also a girl, with the same light-colored eyes, a mouth simplified to two lines and pursed, just as delicate as the previous doll.
Pei Ci persevered and took out the last doll. This time, the doll had a smiling expression.
Three children, all with light-colored eyes.
“You can choose your favorite doll from the three,” Jinglin said. “If you don’t really like any of them, then keep them all.”
"Leave them all?"
"Yeah, since even the young lady doesn't like it, I can only make up for it by sheer quantity." Jing Lin blinked innocently. "The young lady should forgive me, right? I don't want to get beaten up by Brother Lu."
It's Lu Ran again.
I came here because of Lu Ran, and I gave the doll to him because of Lu Ran.
Pei Ci lowered her eyes, poking the cotton doll's eyes with her finger, "You respect Lu Ran a lot?"
"Of course, my good brother."
Pei Ci refrained from mentioning the incident where he hit Lu Ran on the head.
Just then, Pei Ci's phone rang.
The call came from her bodyguard, who had been sent out. He was able to add her contact information mainly to facilitate communication and adjust their plans.
Jinglin is currently at the Pei family's residence, so the bodyguards definitely won't be able to find him.
Could a young nobleman really be so astute as to evade five professional bodyguards?
Pei Ci found it all unbelievable; there must be something else going on. She didn't avoid Jing Lin and answered the phone directly.
The bodyguard's voice rang out: "Miss Pei... we found Ye Qingyu who was with Young Master Jing, but we didn't see Young Master Jing himself. We suspect that Young Master Jing is not at the arcade."
"I wonder if Miss Pei has any clues about Young Master Jing? If so, we can bring him to your side as soon as possible."
Pei Ci's phone volume was neither too loud nor too soft, and it sounded exceptionally clear in the quiet atmosphere.
"Okay, thank you." Pei Ci said to the bodyguards, "Please come back as soon as possible."
After hanging up the phone, Pei Ci noticed that Jing Lin's eyes narrowed. He had a naturally smiling mouth with upturned corners, which made him seem good-natured no matter what he did.
"Miss Pei, what's going on?" Jing Lin asked, his tone drawn out. "You've had me kidnapped?"
Pei Ci remained expressionless. "I'm just sending someone to pick you up."
She tried to mimic Jinglin's slow blinking, making an innocent expression. Unfortunately, she wasn't very skilled, and it had little effect. So she gave up and returned to her usual calm demeanor.
Jinglin: "..."
Looking at this vibrant young lady, he momentarily forgot what he was angry about. In the end, Jinglin still deliberately feigned anger, "Do you think I would believe that?"
Pei Ci fell silent. To be honest, Jing Lin wasn't as angry as she had imagined.
Are you really not angry?
strangeness.
"Of course." Pei Ci shamelessly admitted, and even went so far as to accuse Jing Lin, "I specially sent someone to pick you up, but I couldn't find anyone. Where did you go during that time?"
Jinglin: "..."
To be honest, he was quite excited when he found out that the young lady had someone kidnap him. His world had its own set of strict rules, and these rules were even more detailed when dealing with Pei Ci, constraining every aspect of his life.
Among these rules, if the young lady takes the initiative to approach him, or if she uses or betrays him, he may allow himself to get close to her.
However, when Pei Ci asked him if he knew how to play the claw machine, he didn't know what to do.
After all, he hadn't even tried to win a prize. But since Pei Ci asked, he naturally wanted to try, though the plush toys in the claw machine were all cheap and ugly, and even glancing at them was a waste.
He simply couldn't bring himself to pick out the barely acceptable pieces from a pile of junk and hand them to Pei Ci.
There was no other way but to go home and get it.
He enjoys doing handicrafts, and sometimes when he's under a lot of pressure or misses his wife terribly, he'll do some handicrafts. He often dreams, daydreams, and in his dreams, he needs to learn more in order to take care of his sick wife—cooking, needlework, cleaning—whatever he needs, he'll learn it.
He sought to forget his own wretchedness and despair through this almost morbid busyness and hypnosis, becoming a pebble at the feet of the goddess.
He had forgotten when he learned to make dolls, but it must have been during one of those times when he missed her terribly. Over time, he accumulated a whole cabinet full of dolls of all kinds.
He thought his life was over, like a parasite living on Lu Ran, this idiot, trying to become one with her by numbing himself, forgetting his own despicable nature, and gaining the right to love her.
As for Jinglin's affection, it was destined to remain unspoken.
As a result of Ye Qingyu, this new gain came about.
Perhaps Jinglin's affection could also be secretly conveyed to her.
That way I won't have to worry about disgusting her.
So Jinglin carefully selected three dolls, pretending they were from the claw machine, and brought them to see her.
Pei Ci seems to have realized something now.
He really didn't want her to know where the doll came from.
“I…” Jing Lin blinked, “What’s wrong with me changing locations?”
Pei Ci picked up the pursed-lip doll and handed it to him. "Don't you think this looks like me?"
As she spoke, Pei Ci also made a pursed-lip expression. Of course, there is a difference between a real person and a doll, but their expressions are almost identical. Not to mention her standard light-colored eyes.
“This is me,” Pei Ci said. “I’m curious, which claw machine has a doll that looks so much like me?”
"Oh, you actually guessed it." Jing Lin clicked his tongue. "The plush toys in the claw machine are so cheap, I specially bought these from the store. The quality is pretty good, isn't it?"
Pei Ci looked at Jing Lin's trembling, delicate eyelashes, her face full of smiles, yet at that moment they seemed as thin as a sheet of paper, as if a slight poke could pierce them. Surprisingly, she sensed a touch of innocence in him…
Pure-hearted?
Are you kidding me? This guy is a real hardcore gamer.
But his strangely abnormal behavior at this moment suddenly emboldened Pei Ci.
"Hey, Jinglin."
Pei Ci grasped Jing Lin's hand, her cold and beautiful face drawing closer little by little. Meanwhile, having learned from Lu Ran, Pei Ci was rapidly maturing. At least for now, their positions were reversed; Pei Ci was the one who seemed more like the playboy.
"I just want to ask you one thing," she said, her face radiating a cool, ethereal beauty. "Do you like me?"
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The author says: Jing is actually quite insecure, feeling unworthy of Mei Bao. He believes that anyone who can become Mei Bao's husband must be outstanding in every way.
And the only one who meets this condition... is Lu himself [doge emoji]
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