Chapter 57 Lin Chaoyue's pupils contracted...
Lin Chaoyue had never participated in a meeting so seriously before.
I've never seen a 20-minute meeting feel so incredibly long.
When the meeting ended, she was still a little dazed and stared blankly at the computer screen.
She pondered Old Lin's words, "Don't mix work and personal feelings at inappropriate times," wondering if they were actually directed at her.
Her intuition told her—yes.
But Pei Shuwen was far too calm.
At least she was caught entering his room.
Even after the meeting ended, he was still in the mood to invite her out for dinner.
Lin Chaoyue tilted her head, looking half-dead, with half her body hanging on the table, still thinking about her husband's last meaningful words.
"What do you think Old Lin meant by what he said?"
"Which sentence?" Pei Shuwen was untying his tie and didn't even look at her.
Lin Chaoyue sprang up from her chair and walked over to Pei Shuwen in a few steps.
"Which sentence did you say?!" the man began to brush her off again.
"I have no idea."
A surge of anger rose within him.
Without a word, Lin Chaoyue ripped off Pei Shuwen's tie: "You don't know? Pei Shuwen, you're playing dumb with me again."
The tie was slapped aside with a loud 'smack,' the force so great that it shook the empty room.
"Ouch, that hurts!"
Pei Shuwen frowned and stepped forward, gently lifting her hand. Lin Chaoyue had originally intended to remain stiff and not let him see.
But her wrist was gripped tightly, and a warm palm moved down to the back of her fingers. The instant her fingers were pried open, she was also put on hold.
Pei Shuwen frowned even more deeply: "Instead of worrying about this, you should think about what to have for dinner."
"You have quite an appetite."
After what just happened, she lost her appetite. She was afraid that all her efforts to appease Pei Shuwen during this time would be wasted because of a moment of carelessness.
Given the rumors circulating abroad, Lao Lin already felt that her love life was anything but peaceful.
What if people think she's hooking up with Pei Shuwen to escape...
Although she did have some impure thoughts.
But we can't get caught before we even take any action.
She's so unlucky...
But then I thought about all the bad luck I'd had lately, and realized that this little bit didn't really matter.
Lin Chaoyue suddenly shivered.
My temper is getting worse.
"Hurry up, have you finished looking yet... Ouch... Pei Shuwen, what are you doing!"
"It's torn, wait for me here."
The conversation abruptly ended.
Lin Chaoyue thought to herself, "I just slapped the table, how could my hand be cut? This person is just trying to change the subject and tricking me."
When I raised my hand, it really did get cut.
But this scratch... it looks like she just scratched it out out of guilt...
Lin Chaoyue's momentum weakened, and she became listless again, her stomach rumbling twice.
never mind.
Eating is the most important thing.
Even though it was a wound that could be easily treated with a band-aid, Pei Shuwen went downstairs to get a roll of gauze.
Lin Chaoyue let him wrap it slowly.
He started looking at the restaurant on the cloud platform.
Inviting someone to dinner is a skill.
Lin Chaoyue's suggestion was simple, but when it came to actually choosing a location, she found it rather difficult.
She had eaten at several restaurants in Yuntai before, but they were all too expensive per person and required reservations in advance. Even if she could get a reservation, the private kitchens were all far away.
She hadn't made up her mind even after going downstairs.
The car was called at the last minute, and the driver was getting impatient as she didn't give him her location for a while.
"Madam, are you leaving or not?"
"Come on, driver, are there any Yuntai specialty restaurants nearby? We'd like to go out for dinner."
"Dinner at this hour? I know a few good restaurants in the west of the city that are open at this hour."
The driver gave several directions.
Lin Chaoyue searched on her phone map and found that each place was farther and farther away than the last. She didn't know if the food would be good or not, but she was sure that the drivers would take detours and rip her off.
But when asked to look for a suitable place, she couldn't find one right away.
Just as she was about to agree, she heard Pei Shuwen say, "Go to Yunshan River, at the intersection of Muyun Road."
The driver glanced in the rearview mirror and asked, "Dude, are you a local?"
"No, I did stay here for a few years."
Those who come to Yuntai and know to go to the intersection of Muyun Road are either not locals, or at least half locals.
The driver sheepishly looked away, abandoned his plan to take a detour, and sped off.
Lin Chaoyue almost forgot that Pei Shuwen was more familiar with Yuntai: "What place are you talking about? Is it still possible to eat at this time? What kind of food do you eat?"
"Yes, you'll know when you get there."
The driver drove the car to the riverbank in Yuntai. It was the first time Lin Chaoyue had come here so late, and the first time she had discovered that the place was so lively.
It was nothing like the deserted atmosphere of the daytime.
As midnight approached, the small shops along the roadside were brightly lit, and many people were sitting on small chairs in the makeshift restaurants set up with plastic sheeting.
"This is a street food stall? You actually eat this?"
"You don't like it?"
"like!"
Fearing that Pei Shuwen might change his mind, Lin Chaoyue immediately found the busiest stall and sat down.
"Come sit down, I don't know how long it's been since I've had this kind of roadside stall, and the weather is nice today, so it's perfect to sit outside."
The boss was still tossing the wok when he heard Lin Chaoyue's words and couldn't help but chime in.
“You’ve come at the perfect time. Today is the best day for weather. I heard the Ferris wheel across the river is open all night and offers half-price tickets after midnight. Quite a few couples have come here for dinner today and walk along the Yunshan River Trail to ride the Ferris wheel. You can go check it out after you finish eating.”
The boss winked at the two of them as he spoke.
It's obvious they're treating her and Pei Shuwen like a couple.
Lin Chaoyue saw the Ferris wheel as soon as she got off the bus.
She used to think that such entertainment activities were too mundane and childish, and not as relaxing as downhill skiing, but ever since she developed feelings for Pei Shuwen, she has always subconsciously paid attention to them.
However, the two of them had absolutely no connection in their birth charts.
The Ferris wheel is definitely out of the question.
But taking a walk along the river is not an unreasonable request.
She planned to make the suggestion later, under the pretext of aiding digestion.
Lin Chaoyue handed a menu to Pei Shuwen: "What would you like to eat? Order whatever you like tonight, it's on me."
"Let me see." Pei Shuwen didn't stand on ceremony and started looking at the menu seriously. Both of them were dressed casually today; Pei Shuwen had changed out of his suit and was just wearing a simple sweatshirt.
Lin Chaoyue glanced at him and couldn't help but think, no wonder the boss suggested they ride the Ferris wheel.
Pei Shuwen didn't put on that serious and solemn demeanor; she would believe him if he said he was a student from a nearby school.
Pei Shuwen ordered a few home-style dishes, and the owner served them quickly, soon filling the small square table. However, Lin Chaoyue seemed lost in thought, her mind wandering.
They're either checking their phones or looking outside, seemingly observing something.
She only snapped out of her daze after her phone vibrated three times.
Upon seeing the message pop up on the screen, she didn't read it immediately; instead, she turned off the screen as if to cover it up.
Seeing Pei Shuwen's gaze, she blinked awkwardly, "Aren't you hungry? Why haven't you eaten yet?"
The bowls, plates, and chopsticks were all with Pei Shuwen.
Upon hearing her say that, Pei Shuwen casually unpacked the package and handed her a portion: "Mu Fenglin is the type who won't give up until she gets what she wants. She's been urging you so urgently. If you don't reply, she'll call you soon."
"You saw it?" Lin Chaoyue fiddled with her phone. No matter how she looked at it, she felt that Pei Shuwen shouldn't have been able to see it from that angle.
Actually, the message just flashed by.
Even she herself didn't see it clearly.
Seeing Lin Chaoyue's puzzled expression, Pei Shuwen readily showed her chat history with Mu Fenglin.
It was another screen full of Mu Fenglin's one-sided 'output'.
"Brother Pei, you're my savior! How come I never thought of that!"
"That stupid woman, Mu Fengyue, actually came to catch her cheating! It's hilarious! But I still have to thank you for the explosive scoop you brought last time, otherwise she wouldn't have been driven crazy with anger!"
"You and Lin Chaoyue have been back for so long, she should have already told you. Since you've already helped me, I might as well go all the way and help you out a little more!"
There's a whole string of nonsense that follows.
Lin Chaoyue silently slid to the bottom. Her face was somewhat dark.
This woman really has a sharp tongue.
What was supposed to be a comfortable late-night snack turned into something unsettling for Lin Chaoyue.
She put down her phone, silently poured herself a glass of water, touched her lips to the rim of the glass, but put it down again before drinking: "Anyway, that's what you see. She doesn't want to cooperate with Zhao Huai'an, she wants to cooperate directly with you, but the contract has already been signed, and there's no other way, so she wants to come to me to persuade you."
"You knew the contract was signed? When did you find out?"
"When we were ordering food..." Lin Chaoyue started to say, but then realized she had let something slip again.
But having already said it, I could only grit my teeth and continue: "I just happened to be passing by and heard it."
"Hmm, then why should I let you convince me?" Pei Shuwen looked at her leisurely.
Those bright eyes fell on Lin Chaoyue.
To be honest, she felt a chill run down her spine.
Lin Chaoyue couldn't very well say that Mu Fenglin was certain that she was Pei Shuwen's type, that the two of them were close, and that they were living under the same roof recently, and that he would be influenced by her.
Lin Chaoyue pursed her lips and remained silent.
Pei Shuwen glanced at her twice, then said quietly, "A honey trap?"
He chuckled again, seemingly not pointing at Lin Chaoyue in response, and while picking up some food, he asked the owner to add another sweet soup.
Lin Chaoyue's other palm was scratched red by fingertips again. Her heart was in her throat with tension, and she didn't care about the pain.
No, it's not.
Pei Shuwen didn't expose her, but simply asked her to pour him a glass of water, and said with a smile, "So many years have passed, and she still likes this method."
Pei Shuwen gave a cryptic answer.
But if she couldn't even guess this, she'd be incredibly foolish. She knew Mu Fenglin had once pursued Pei Shuwen passionately. Had she used her charms back then? How? Didn't Mu Fenglin say Pei Shuwen didn't like her type?
Even though I know it's all old news.
Pei Shuwen and Mu Fenglin currently have a purely platonic working relationship, but she inexplicably feels a sense of crisis.
This tightness in my chest is exactly the same as before, like a subconscious possessiveness acting up, wanting to know everything about Pei Shuwen.
Taking advantage of the moment when Pei Shuwen was on the phone.
She silently replied to Mu Fenglin, "I've already told you everything. Where's the exclusive inside information?"
Mu Fenglin readily agreed, forwarding a document with a single click. The interface was outdated, at least a screenshot from a forum ten years ago. But Pei Shuwen was pinned to the top.
Although it was just a blurry photo, she recognized the person at a glance.
Forum gossip, private chat logs, and those old-fashioned question-and-answer text interviews.
Is it exclusive enough?
Lin Chaoyue gave a thumbs-up, but didn't say anything more. She just kept searching, trying to find some clues related to Mu Fenglin's "beauty trap".
Pei Shuwen answered the phone very quickly.
She had just finished reading the first page when he returned, so she could only silently switch to another screen. She even pretended to ask, "Work call? Finished so quickly? Was it the company in Nancheng where I'm going on a business trip tomorrow?"
"No, they're unimportant people. Eat up, and then go pay the bill."
"Oh." Pei Shuwen's tone and expression didn't change, but Lin Chaoyue had a gut feeling that this phone call wasn't good news.
She silently lowered her head and ate her rice. When she finished and asked the owner for the bill, she was still struggling with how to invite Pei Shuwen to take a walk along the river with her.
But this time she didn't need to think about it for too long.
Pei Shuwen suggested, "Are you full? How about we take a walk along the roadside to digest?"
"Oh, okay! We'll take a walk."
--
A gentle evening breeze swept by, slowing the entire Yunshanjiang Trail down in time.
Lin Chaoyue and Pei Shuwen walked side by side.
At first, neither of them spoke. Lin Chaoyue thought that this wasn't the first time they had walked together like this. Last night in the rainy mountains, the two of them were even closer together than they were now.
But at that time, she didn't feel the presence of those around her so strongly, nor did she understand her own heart.
During the day, Li Cong asked himself whether he wanted to pursue him or sleep with him.
Lin Chaoyue now feels that none of those are true; she simply likes him, enjoys eating together, enjoys taking walks together, and wants to know about his past.
But if she really said that, everyone would definitely laugh at her for playing the innocent love card.
In their circle, exchanging benefits is human nature. As for simply liking someone... she thought about it and decided to keep those feelings to herself.
"Who called you just now? I saw you hang up once before answering."
Pei Shuwen's eyes flickered, and after a moment she said, "At home."
"Your father?"
"Um."
Lin Chaoyue thought of the rumors she had heard, and the aquamarine bracelet that had forced Pei Shuwen to submit. She wisely refrained from asking any further questions.
But she didn't ask.
Not everyone is so understanding.
Pei Shuwen's phone rang abruptly again.
This time, she was close to Pei Shuwen's location, so she could see the incoming call screen clearly.
There were no notes, just a cold string of numbers, and the caller ID was from Ningcheng.
At this time, it's most likely still at home, and it's a private matter.
She thought it wasn't very polite to listen to other people's phone calls so openly.
Seeing that he was about to answer the call, she took a step and tried to walk a little to the side of the road.
Just then, a sports car with its high beams on sped past on the side of the road.
A cloud of dust rose up, accompanied by an urgent cry of "Yueyue, be careful!"
Pei Shuwen, who caught a glimpse of all this out of the corner of her eye, visibly narrowed her pupils.
The phone, which had been connected, fell solidly to the ground, and both hands reached out to catch Lin Chaoyue.
Lin Chaoyue actually saw the car coming from behind. She just took a small step outwards. The difference in elevation between the walkway and the road was high enough that she wouldn't fall off and the car wouldn't hit her.
But when he was called by his nickname, he froze, letting Pei Shuwen pull him over.
After regaining his balance, he stammered, "No, I'm fine."
Pei Shuwen's face was extremely ugly. The two stood there frozen for three seconds before Pei Shuwen remembered the phone that had fallen to the ground.
He bent down to pick it up.
Lin Chaoyue picked it up for him first.
Visibly, a small piece of the upper right corner of the screen was chipped, but the screen itself was not damaged and the call interface was still displayed.
"The call hasn't ended, are you still going to answer it?"
"Who are you with?" Lin Chaoyue accidentally pressed the speakerphone button, and the middle-aged man's displeased voice, accompanied by static, startled her.
Pei Shuwen's attitude was undisguised indifference: "Who I'm with is none of your business."
"You're not at the law firm? Are you doing this on purpose? My people have been waiting for you for two days."
Pei Shuwen: "So?"
“Pei Shuwen, don’t think you’re all that just because you got the Jin Cong Bay project; I’ll make you realize sooner or later that your father is still your father no matter what…” A fierce voice came from the phone.
The phone vibrated so much that Lin Chaoyue's hand trembled.
Her original intention was to return the phone to Pei Shuwen, but now it was neither a good idea to give it back nor to take it back.
She hesitated, then silently raised one hand and placed it in front of Pei Shuwen.
Pei Shuwen finally took the call and then hung up the phone expressionlessly.
"Walk a little further ahead?"
"Okay, let's go."
The air was quiet. The two continued walking side by side.
There were very few people on the road at this time. Walking along the path, the Ferris wheel ticket office was just ahead.
The neon lights are especially vibrant at night. They weren't standing very close, but they were still enveloped in the colorful glow that seemed to fall from the sky.
The atmosphere gradually softened from being cold.
Lin Chaoyue remained silent the whole way, but finally couldn't hold back any longer: "You have a very bad relationship with your family?"
Pei Shuwen leaned against the railing outside the ticket window, looking at her indifferently.
Lin Chaoyue thought Pei Shuwen didn't want to talk about it and was about to take her words back.
But Pei Shuwen said with a self-deprecating laugh, "Didn't you hear it too? When it comes to interests, both son and father can be rivals."
“But you, but he…don’t you only have one child? And I heard that he and his current partner haven’t had any more children.”
"There are many ways to have satisfactory offspring."
"but……"
“Superior genes, beautiful appearance, and compliant temperament are all options. If you only want offspring, the margin for error is much lower than with direct marriage.”
That's what they say.
but……
Lin Chaoyue wanted to retort.
But Pei Shuwen's casually played voice message completely silenced her.
"Brother Pei, I really owe you a huge debt of gratitude this time. You've been so helpful. I'm so proud of myself, how come I never thought of this way? But speaking of which, among all the people around me, Brother Pei, you're the one with the best genes. How about you lend me a hand? Don't be so quick to refuse, Brother Pei. Think it over. We can discuss the terms, and I promise you won't lose out!"
Lin Chaoyue initially just frowned.
After fully realizing what Mu Fenglin was saying, her eyes widened in disbelief.
"What do you mean? Is it what I understand it to mean?"
"When did China become so open-minded? And Mu Fenglin... would you agree to that?"
Although she knew that Pei Shuwen would most likely not agree, alarm bells rang in Lin Chaoyue's mind.
This woman kept saying to her that she and Pei Shuwen were a perfect match, and even used Pei Shuwen as 'bait' to get her help, while secretly doing all this.
"Poaching"—this should be considered poaching!
What do you think?
"No, you definitely won't agree."
Seeing that Pei Shuwen did not deny it immediately, Lin Chaoyue was already a little anxious: "Mu Fenglin is a woman who will stop at nothing to achieve her goals. If she gets pregnant with your child tomorrow, she can release the news that you will marry into the Mu family the day after tomorrow."
"Your relationship has soured again? You're not going to be her mediator anymore?"
Pei Shuwen was somewhat surprised by Lin Chaoyue's sudden "betrayal".
"It wasn't that great to begin with. She only got close to me because she knew who my parents were."
She just likes to take breaks and be lazy, but she's not stupid.
If Mu Fenglin hadn't also been pursuing her own agenda, it would have been difficult for her to be easily swayed.
"Since you know this, why are you still so willing to act as her advocate? How much did she give you in return? Or did she agree to some conditions?"
"It's nothing... Anyway, it definitely doesn't include persuading you to do this kind of thing..."
Lin Chaoyue felt guilty and kept silent.
Pei Shuwen glanced at her clenched hand, guessed what was going on, and looked at her with a probing gaze, but did not reveal it.
He simply uttered her name again, albeit slowly.
"Lin Chaoyue".
"ah."
"General Manager Lin said that work and personal feelings should not be mixed up at inappropriate times."
Lin Chaoyue's pupils contracted, and her hand clenched even tighter.
He indeed understood the hidden meaning in Lao Lin's words.
Pei Shuwen did not give her the chance to continue 'torturing' her palm.
He handed her the Ferris wheel tickets he had bought sometime earlier and casually said, "But I can make an exception for you."
"What's the meaning?"
"If there's another business opportunity like this where someone wants to sell me out, come to me anytime and name your price. I'll always try to sell myself for a good price."
"..."
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