Chapter 21 "Tonight, now..."
God knows how long it's been since she went on a shopping spree.
One cannot give up money for the sake of dignity.
It's just changing clothes.
We'll replace it!
She was curious to see what kind of mischief Pei Shuwen, who was usually so serious, could pull off in private.
Moreover, she had already planned to record the entire process before she entered the guest room. Once she caught Pei Shuwen as a 'beast in human clothing,' she could have as much pocket money as she wanted!
Lin Chaoyue had already started having uncontrollable sweet dreams.
The day is coming to a close!
With this in mind, Lin Chaoyue was even more eager to enter the guest room than if she were opening a blind box.
"Let me see what Pei Shuwen is up to."
Open the door.
Lin Chaoyue was once again struck by this cold and austere style. The guest room's decor was almost identical to Pei Shuwen's bedroom.
He's really a boring person.
After calming herself down for three seconds in front of the door, Lin Chaoyue went inside.
The wardrobe was empty; there were no clothes Pei Shuwen had mentioned. However, there were two boxes on the bed.
Even without looking at the logo, Lin Chaoyue knew it was a top luxury brand from Europe. She held up her phone and turned on the video recording mode.
"A bag?" And it's quite expensive.
She looks familiar.
The last time Li Cong pursued a female politician of German and Italian descent, this was the gift he gave her; it was both expensive and sufficiently dignified and serious.
The main problem is that they are hard to buy.
Only top-tier Vic members of this brand are eligible to make a reservation.
You think you can buy yourself off with this?
Lin Chaoyue snorted coldly and casually tossed the bag back. Although she did buy some bags, she wasn't really interested in such things.
If I gifted her a bottle of fine wine, she might consider it. A handbag, however, is definitely out of the question.
While Lin Chaoyue was lost in thought, her hand was already on another box.
The box looked quite heavy, and it clearly wrinkled the sheets. She simply flipped it open.
The phone screen froze on the lake-blue box, and Lin Chaoyue's eyes followed suit.
ha?
These are the clothes Pei Shuwen made her change into.
She glanced at the time on her phone.
Eight o'clock at night... wearing this? No... Dude! Are you sure you're not mistaken?
...
9 PM.
Qingshan South Road, Ligong. The manor, hidden in the suburbs of the city, is still brightly lit, with a constant stream of vehicles coming and going.
Even though Lin Chaoyue was used to seeing luxury cars, she was still somewhat taken aback when she occasionally caught a glimpse of a car logo while driving. Undoubtedly, this was yet another social extravaganza for the wealthy and powerful.
Of course, it was also the occasion that Lin Chaoyue disliked the most from childhood to adulthood.
Even if she didn't like something before, she always had Li Cong and Yao Yao by her side. But today, she was accompanied by a menacing figure.
Lin Chaoyue sighed silently in her heart.
Pei Shuwen had been silent the whole way since they drove off. There was a parking line ahead, and Lin Chaoyue was getting restless, so she started making small talk.
"You need to come to a place like this to conduct business?"
“I thought only my parents would go to such lengths to attend this kind of banquet. Are you going to discuss cases with other people in this kind of setting?”
"Who are you with? Do I know them? I heard that Juntian Liangmu has achieved the same business volume as last year in just six months. How can you still work so hard? Do you work 365 days a year?"
Were you sleeping during onboarding training?
"ah?"
Pei Shuwen said without much emotion: "Employee Handbook 2-6-17 states that during fieldwork, junior lawyers must strictly follow the work assigned by senior lawyers and should not inquire about the firm's business secrets unless absolutely necessary."
Lin Chaoyue awkwardly touched her nose: "I was just asking casually, how did it involve trade secrets?"
She didn't sleep during the onboarding training, but she also didn't listen to anything.
Pei Shuwen: "When you go to work tomorrow, ask HR for a copy of Juntian Liangmu's development history. You shouldn't have so many questions next time you come out."
"Oh." She was just asking out of boredom, why did she get so angry?
It's a shame she would have stayed up all night reading comics to be his driver; good deeds never get rewarded.
Lin Chaoyue was indignant, but when she thought about why she had come along today, she decisively suppressed her emotions and looked at Pei Shuwen with a fawning gaze.
Who told this person in front of me to suddenly become my provider?
Be fierce if you want, otherwise she won't feel secure taking the money.
One hour ago.
Guest room at Pei Shuwen's home.
The moment Lin Chaoyue opened the box of clothes, she was already prepared for the fabric to be so scantily clad that it would make her titanium alloy dog eyes cry.
But the moment she lifted the lid, Lin Chaoyue was completely stunned.
It even completely refreshed my understanding on the spot.
There was another piece of clothing that was so conservative...
From the cut to the fabric, from the design to the pattern, everything screams 'conservative'.
Aside from the gray and white color scheme, there isn't even a single extra color; the lower half of the women's suit isn't even a skirt but trousers.
In all her life, except for participating in the school choir in elementary school, she had never covered herself up so tightly before.
There were a few moments when Lin Chaoyue even wondered if Pei Shuwen had a unique taste and simply liked this kind of extremely conservative uniform play.
But when she came out, the man sitting on the sofa didn't even look up.
Pei Shuwen was replying to the message without saying a word.
Zhao Huai'an hadn't been able to catch Pei Shuwen all day, and when he finally got a reply, he frantically spammed messages into the chat box.
Pei Shuwen: I've called you three times today, is there something you need?
Zhao Huai'an: Yes, yes, yes. Is it convenient to call? I have something important to tell you.
Zhao Huai'an: It's very urgent. Haven't you left yet? Don't go out yet. Answer my call before you go out.
Zhao Huai'an: I'll call now, you can answer later.
Pei Shuwen: Hmm.
Pei Shuwen heard Lin Chaoyue come out, and while waiting for the phone call, he finally looked up at her.
Lin Chaoyue's demeanor was much more subdued after simply changing his clothes. The clothes were picked out by his secretary at the last minute and were much more suitable than he had expected.
He glanced at it and then looked away.
Lin Chaoyue: "???"
No, what do you mean? She still had a lot to say, and he just glanced at her and then looked down. What does that mean?
Is she really that ugly? I don't even want to look at her.
Lin Chaoyue slowly moved out, but quickly slipped into the guest bedroom's bathroom.
She's not ugly at all. In fact, she has a strong, career-woman vibe.
The collar of her suit and shirt was tied all the way up to her throat, and it felt a little tight.
"Ahem, as expected, the success of fashion still depends on one's face."
"How come I see a hint of sexiness in such conservative clothes?"
"I wonder what that old fox Pei Shuwen is planning to make me do."
Although it wasn't some kind of workplace shady practice, her keen sixth sense was still making her feel uneasy...
It's definitely not a good thing.
Pei Shuwen didn't hear her muttering to herself in the mirror. He answered the phone, and his hearing was taken over by Zhao Huai'an.
"Brother! I'll acknowledge you as my own brother, okay? Please stop hanging up on me all the time. Every time I hear that busy tone, my heart breaks. I've never been this upset when a girl I was pursuing rejected me."
At certain moments, there would occasionally be a few sobs from the other side.
Pei Shuwen interrupted expressionlessly: "Ten seconds. If you haven't gotten to the point by then, your number will be blacklisted in the next ten seconds."
"No, no, no..."
"Ten, nine, eight, seven..."
Before Zhao Huai'an could react, the countdown had already started on the other end of the phone.
Pei Shuwen is a man of his word.
Zhao Huai'an spoke so fast that his mouth was slurred: "Wait, wait, wait... I'll talk, I'll talk. Don't shout so fast. Fanyin Technology has partnered with Ansong. Tonight, the CEO of Fanyin Technology will be at the banquet at Ligong. I bet Ansong will definitely send Chu Chengjie to make things difficult for you. I'm calling to remind you to bring someone with you."
Pei Shuwen: "There's someone."
Zhao Huai'an: "I forgot you were going out tonight. Your driver went to the client's to pick up some documents for me. Or should I have my secretary or Qin Wen go find you..."
"There's someone there."
"ha?"
Zhao Huai'an didn't hear Pei Shuwen's first sentence, "Someone is here," but he heard this sentence clearly.
Zhao Huai'an asked instinctively, "Someone? Who? Qin Wen hasn't finalized your assistant lawyer position for this year yet?"
"Then you don't need to worry about it."
"No, wait... I still need to keep an eye on this... Although you're known as a workaholic, there are still quite a few fearless people who want to compete for this position; I've heard that quite a few people are eager to try this year, and they're all pretty girls."
"Although office romances are prohibited in law firms, you're a partner and therefore not subject to these restrictions. In my opinion..."
"Hang up." Pei Shuwen coldly and ruthlessly slammed down the phone.
He glanced at the time and got up.
"Lin Chaoyue".
"Ah, here it comes."
Just talk, why call her by her full name? It's kind of scary.
After Lin Chaoyue came out, she pouted somewhat unhappily: "Why did you make me change my clothes? Dressed like this at night, are you cosplaying as a high-class working cow at home?"
Pei Shuwen ignored her little tantrum and looked her over.
"Let your hair down, and the bag in the guest room is for you too. I have work tonight, so you'll be my temporary assistant and part-time driver."
"Huh? Tonight? Now?"
"Yes, tonight, now."
Lin Chaoyue asked awkwardly, "Can I say no?"
Pei Shuwen just stood there looking at her, his expression clearly leaving no room for negotiation.
It seems unlikely.
Lin Chaoyue was good at assessing the situation: "You just said we can talk, how do you mean we can talk? I'm accompanying you to work at this time, so you should at least pay me some overtime pay."
"Five thousand."
"ah?"
Pei Shuwen: "Fieldwork outside of working hours, five thousand per trip."
Lin Chaoyue's math skills were average, but that didn't stop her mind from working rapidly at this moment.
Five thousand at a time isn't a lot, but she's broke right now. She received compensation from Pei Shuwen a while ago and sold the gift box Lin Xiao gave her, which earned her some pocket money, but that little bit of money was quickly gone.
The meager salary she receives from the law firm isn't even enough to cover a few takeout orders.
We need to find some new ways to make money.
Lin Chaoyue weakly tried to bargain: "My appearance fee is very expensive, do you want to raise it a bit?"
"Five thousand, if you're not willing, then I'll..."
"I do! I do! Deal!"
Having already heard Pei Shuwen's words, and fearing that he might really change his mind, Lin Chaoyue went over and took Pei Shuwen's hand to stamp it.
"Once we pinky swear, there's no going back, it's a deal!"
Pei Shuwen's fingertip was forcibly hooked and then quickly released. He didn't resist at all. Anyone who saw this would say that Pei Lu has been cultivating his good temper lately.
Pei Shuwen himself clearly noticed that he was more patient than usual.
He watched as Lin Chaoyue went in and out of the guest room, and halfway through picking up her bag, she tossed his car keys into her own bag as well. The action was completely without hesitation.
"Why are you staring at me like that? Aren't you leaving?" Lin Chaoyue was already dressed and standing at the door, but Pei Shuwen was still standing there motionless.
"Is there something dirty on my face?" She touched her face from head to toe but found nothing.
I accidentally touched my own hair that was hanging down.
"Oh, hair, is it?"
Pei Shuwen had just told her to let her hair down, and she had almost forgotten.
Lin Chaoyue casually pulled off the hair tie and shook it lightly: "Is this alright now?"
...
"Hello ma'am, please show me your invitation."
"We need invitations too?"
"Madam, tonight is a private banquet. We cannot allow entry without an invitation. We appreciate your understanding."
"I understand."
Ignoring the disdainful looks from those around her, Lin Chaoyue sullenly hopped down the steps one by one.
Pei Shuwen said that dinner would be provided for fieldwork. She had spent so much time at Pei Shuwen's house and had driven for an hour to get here, so she was already starving.
Unfortunately, Pei Shuwen hadn't walked far after getting off the car when she ran into an acquaintance. They stood there chatting non-stop, showing no intention of leaving.
She tried to go in first, but was turned away.
"What's wrong?" Lin Chaoyue asked Pei Shuwen as he finished exchanging pleasantries.
Lin Chaoyue thought to herself, "Isn't this just a rhetorical question?"
She was so hungry that her voice was low: "Face recognition failed. They said I need an invitation to attend the banquet."
"I see." Pei Shuwen looked as if she herself didn't know either.
Still pretending, still pretending.
She refused to believe he didn't know about it.
Lin Chaoyue asked with a long face, "I'm hungry. When are we going in?"
Pei Shuwen: "Go in now. If nothing unexpected happens, you'll be working a little longer tonight. Once you're inside, don't wander around, don't drink alcohol, and don't turn off your phone. It'll be on when I need to reach you."
Lin Chaoyue thought that she should just bring a walkie-talkie from now on. If she had to be available at any time in such a big banquet hall, she would have to follow him around all night.
But Pei Shuwen's tone became increasingly serious.
His well-dressed suit and his calm, aloof gaze immediately silenced Lin Chaoyue's argumentative impulse.
Lin Chaoyue nodded obediently: "I know, I know. I've seen how an assistant works. I've always followed you around."
Despite saying that, Lin Chaoyue took advantage of Pei Shuwen's inattention and directly opened Xu Zhu's chat box.
[Xu Zhu, quickly send me a temporary assistant guide, SOS!]
...
A red carpet stretched along the entire path leading to the banquet hall, and even from outside, one could faintly hear the Steinway and Guarneri collaboration. No wonder Pei Shuwen even brought her own bag.
Tonight is destined to be no ordinary gathering.
Even with this expectation, Lin Chaoyue was still taken aback by the luxurious decorations of the evening after the staff let them through and the banquet butler guided them into the main hall.
The indoor fountain adorned with openwork carvings of white marble, the intricate lighting fixtures cascading from the ceiling, and the dark green vines climbing the stone pillars, all combined with the classical music played at the moment, create a truly immersive experience for both the eyes and ears.
Lin Chaoyue: "I heard tonight is a private banquet? Which big boss has such good taste?"
Pei Shuwen: "Lu Jiangqiao".
Lin Chaoyue found the name somewhat familiar, but she had been away from the country for a long time and couldn't quite place it at first.
Lin Chaoyue shook her head: "I don't know."
Pei Shuwen hummed in agreement: "You'll see when you meet him."
Lin Chaoyue wanted to ask more questions, but she didn't have the chance.
Pei Shuwen was stopped again, and this time the person who stopped him didn't look too good. His eyes were sinister.
Lin Chaoyue glanced over casually and saw that while he was talking to Pei Shuwen, he also kept a close eye on her.
The gaze wasn't that of someone looking at a person, but rather like that of someone staring at prey, with an unrestrained aggressiveness.
Today, Chu Chengjie was wearing a burgundy suit, and everything from his tie to his cufflinks and even his watch was carefully chosen; the aura he deliberately exuded was clearly intended to overshadow Pei Shuwen.
But Pei Shuwen didn't care.
"Assistant Lin, go get two glasses of wine."
Lin Chaoyue couldn't wait to hide to the side, and she quickly slipped away.
“Yes, Pei Lu.”
The burning gaze behind Lin Chaoyue didn't disappear until she turned a corner. When Chu Chengjie looked away, he saw Pei Shuwen looking at him with a half-smile.
"What? Did Attorney Chu specifically stop me because he's interested in my assistant?"
Chu Chengjie: "I didn't expect Pei Lu's taste to have changed. He likes this type of woman now. I wonder if Qin Wen will be heartbroken when she finds out, after all, she didn't even want money for you."
"How do you know Qin Wen did it for money and not for anything else?"
Chu Chengjie's eyes were gloomy: "Then it seems that not only is Pei Lu's professional ability outstanding, but his talent in a certain area is also unmatched."
Pei Shuwen rarely looks at people with the feeling that they are trash.
The person in front of me is one of them.
Pei Shuwen was unusually sarcastic: "I didn't expect Attorney Chu to still have the mood for gossip. I heard that Ansong's performance has declined again this year, and you even lost a big case. Are Ansong's partners regretting poaching you? I'll definitely ask Attorney Chu next time I see him what it feels like to pick up trash. He'll definitely have a lot to say about it."
Pei Shuwen's words were too blunt.
Chu Chengjie's expression instantly crumbled.
But he was maintaining a composed demeanor from head to toe all night; no matter how hard he clenched his teeth, he could only hold it in in this situation.
They didn't even dare to speak too loudly.
Chu Chengjie: "What kind of good person are you, Pei Shuwen? You've had your fill of Qin Wen, and now you've found another young one to play with. I'll make sure people know your true colors sooner or later."
"It seems that Lawyer Chu has been very busy lately, and his voice has become hoarse. Your voice is so soft that I'm afraid not many people can hear my true face."
"Pei Shuwen! You just wait, don't think you're all set just because you're holding onto Jun Tianliang. Fortune's wheel turns, and I'll see how long you can be so smug!"
Pei Shuwen watched Lin Chaoyue in the distance, who had finally picked up two glasses of champagne after much deliberation, and smiled. Then, he casually replied, "Alright, let's wait and see."
He's been struggling in a pile of rotten, stinking mud for so long.
They are least afraid of threats.
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