Chapter 22 When Pei Shuwen is serious…
"Who's that guy?" Lin Chaoyue returned with two glasses of champagne; Chu Chengjie was already far away.
"Former partner of Juntian Liangmu".
Pei Shuwen's words were concise and to the point.
The two "foreign" words clearly delineate the boundary.
As Lin Chaoyue handed over the wine glass, she couldn't help but click her tongue: "No wonder you seemed so unfriendly just now. So you were the one who got squeezed out by you. Chu Chengjie, right?"
She had seen this name frequently on the Ningcheng Lawyers Forum, where there were two whole pages of gossip about it. He was considered a prominent figure in the Ningcheng legal community.
I heard that because of Pei Shuwen's sudden arrival, he was first relegated to the finance department, and not long after, he was completely squeezed out of Juntian Liangmu.
"You also think he was driven away by me?"
"How could that be? I just saw some rumors on the forum, no, fake news, fake news."
Lin Chaoyue coughed lightly, chuckled, put the untouched champagne aside, and her expression was three parts ingratiating and five parts fawning.
"You're definitely not that kind of person, it's all a misunderstanding."
Pei Shuwen nodded, seemingly satisfied.
Just when Lin Chaoyue thought she had escaped a disaster, he changed the subject and continued, "So how do you think he got away?"
"Huh? I didn't know. I wasn't even here when he left."
Little did she know, she was just a passerby watching the drama unfold.
And she felt that Pei Shuwen's tone was strange.
Pei Shuwen didn't ask any more questions. She picked up the glass of champagne that she had just put down, swirled the wine in the glass, and reminded her, "Stay away from this person in the future. He's a dog that bites and barks."
"Wow, so you can curse so bluntly too." Lin Chaoyue looked at Pei Shuwen with sparkling eyes, as if she had discovered a new continent.
Pei Shuwen glanced at him and said, "Lin Chaoyue, do you have some misunderstanding about me?"
"What?"
Lin Chaoyue certainly didn't know much about Pei Shuwen, but she probably didn't misunderstand him.
Just as she was wondering why Pei Shuwen said that, a group of people who were walking over interrupted Lin Chaoyue's question.
She had just quietly observed that the attendees at tonight's banquet were mainly divided into two categories: one group consisted of elegantly dressed men and women, many of whom were regulars on the big and small screens; the other group consisted of socialites, dressed in well-tailored business suits, some alone and others with several assistants behind them.
The person who arrived at this time was the latter.
Judging from the conversation, the people in front of him should be Pei Shuwen's colleagues, and they immediately congratulated him on winning another lawsuit recently.
The person closest to Pei Shuwen was quite eloquent, praising Pei Shuwen to the skies with just a few words. Lin Chaoyue listened for a while and became somewhat lost in thought.
The banquet was about to begin, and Lin Chaoyue followed closely behind Pei Shuwen.
Pei Shuwen stopped abruptly, and she braked suddenly, almost hitting him.
Everyone laughed heartily and started talking again.
“Attorney Pei, your new assistant is a bit rash. How about I introduce you to someone? She’s a law PhD from Ning University, my distant cousin. She’s very professional and admires you greatly.”
"Qian Jin, your ability to find a way in is as strong as ever. If anyone should be making an introduction, it should be me. Shu Wen and I are alumni. Such a good position as the chief assistant of Juntian Liangmu should definitely be reserved for our own people. After all, we shouldn't let the good stuff go to outsiders!"
"What kind of 'family' are you talking about? My cousin and Shu Wen are both from the north of Ningcheng, those are the real family..."
The two seemed to know Pei Shuwen very well, and they got more and more excited as they talked.
Although Lin Chaoyue didn't want to work and didn't care about being a chief assistant, she was very dissatisfied with this blatant act of 'stealing her job'.
She pouted and muttered, "Unsolicited kindness is either a trick or a theft."
Lin Chaoyue's voice wasn't loud, but it was just loud enough for the people around her to hear.
Everyone was surprised that Lin Chaoyue would talk back, and they finally took a good look at Pei Shuwen's little follower tonight.
A young woman, not very old, dressed in a proper business suit, showed no signs of seasoned professionalism. She didn't seem like a seasoned assistant, but rather like a pampered flower raised in a wealthy family.
Her fair face had eyebrows and eyes that were sculpted by the Creator, making her look exceptionally beautiful. What was most remarkable was her clean and pure aura, like a blank sheet of paper.
Pei Shuwen was very indulgent towards this assistant.
Hearing her words, he was not only not unhappy, but also nodded in agreement: "Then I advise you to always keep this awareness in mind. You will inevitably have to deal with these old foxes in the future, so don't get fooled again."
If Pei Shuwen was merely indulging him just now, then his words now seem rather odd.
The people in front of them were all shrewd; they could tell without guessing that this young girl was being protected by Pei Shuwen.
Some gossipy people have even started probing what kind of relationship Lin Chaoyue has with him.
Pei Shuwen neither admitted nor denied it. Apart from work, he has never liked to talk about his private life, and he always avoided any questions that crossed the line.
Others might not understand Pei Shuwen's implied meaning, but surely Lin Chaoyue could? Wasn't this a blatant dig at her? She wouldn't be fooled again! She was dirt poor; even thieves would run away crying at the sight of her.
Lin Chaoyue grew angrier the more she thought about it. After holding it in for a long time until her face turned red, she finally blurted out, "I won't be fooled."
But this expression, when seen by others, evoked a meaningful look from them.
It wasn't until someone said, "The banquet is about to begin," that everyone changed the subject.
But Lin Chaoyue was still not very happy, and her unhappiness was almost written all over her face.
When Pei Shuwen called her, she didn't really want to talk to him and her tone was fierce: "What?"
"Aren't you curious about who the host of tonight's banquet is?"
"who?"
"Look ahead."
Lin Chaoyue looked in the direction Pei Shuwen pointed. At this moment, the conversation in the banquet hall had almost stopped, and the music was gradually coming to an end. Surrounded by the crowd, a kind-faced elder walked out.
Lin Chaoyue's narrowed eyes opened.
"The owner of the Lu Group?"
"Um."
Lin Chaoyue didn't remember the name, but she recognized the face in the distance immediately, as Li Cong had shown it to her many times.
This is the undisputed leader in Ningcheng's film and television production industry. He owns several entertainment companies and is also the behind-the-scenes investor in many big-budget films and television productions. He has a good relationship with Uncle Li, and everyone calls him "Master Qiao" in private.
No wonder it sounded familiar when Pei Shuwen mentioned it.
but……
This time, Lin Chaoyue took the initiative to wave to Pei Shuwen: "I have a question."
Pei Shuwen crossed her arms and leaned towards Lin Chaoyue, closing the distance between them: "What's the problem?"
"Um, so you're here today to compete for a partnership with the Lu Group?"
Lin Chaoyue felt a little uncomfortable being so close to him.
"I guess so," Pei Shuwen said.
The reason Lin Chaoyue used "you all" instead of "you" was that she noticed that the lawyers who were exchanging pleasantries with Pei Shuwen seemed to be his competitors.
Moreover, it's rather odd that a group of lawyers would be at this event. It couldn't possibly be a gathering of Ningcheng lawyers organized by an entertainment company owner.
She'd seen too many pre-arranged scenarios.
Pei Shuwen, who is in charge of the Pei family, has an absolute advantage.
Lin Chaoyue tacitly acknowledged that Pei Shuwen was just there to make a show of things: "Then your business deal tonight should be settled soon."
"Why?" Pei Shuwen returned to a distance where he could scrutinize her.
"I remember that Mr. Qiao and Uncle Pei were very good friends. Are you very familiar with Mr. Qiao?"
The investment circle in Ningcheng isn't large, especially in the western part of the city, where everyone has intricate connections. Even if she wasn't interested, she had at least heard about it.
The land in Qi'an was developed jointly by the Pei and Lu families, and it has now become a pioneering demonstration zone for venture capital in Ningcheng.
"fine."
Is she alright? Lin Chaoyue was skeptical.
She wanted to ask more, but the words were on the tip of her tongue and she didn't know how to say them.
She knew that after Pei Shuwen's mother passed away, his father remarried. It was said that the two had a very good relationship in public, and later, because the woman could no longer have children, they adopted a child.
But adoption is one thing.
Pei Shuwen is the only bloodline of the Pei family in Ningcheng. Even if he falls out with his family, the Pei family will not really abandon him.
Pei Shuwen drank the last of the wine in his glass in one gulp, then put the glass down and glanced at the time.
"Ask if you have any questions, otherwise you won't have a chance to ask today."
Lin Chaoyue had already shut up.
But unfortunately, his mouth was faster than his brain.
"Ah, I'm just curious, why don't you take a shortcut?"
What do you mean?
Lin Chaoyue said quietly, "Let's just borrow Uncle Pei's connections. There's no harm in using them. They always say that good things shouldn't go to outsiders."
Pei Shuwen remained silent for a long time, his tone even somewhat subdued, just as Lin Chaoyue was about to apologize for her loose tongue.
Pei Shuwen finally spoke.
"Lin Chaoyue, only what you truly gain through your own efforts will ultimately be yours; what you receive from others will eventually have to be returned."
"Having been back in China for so long, don't you understand this principle yet?"
When Pei Shuwen is serious, Lin Chaoyue is a little afraid. In fact, even though Pei Shuwen has never done anything to her since she returned to China, she still subconsciously listens to him and thinks he is right.
Lin Chaoyue bowed her head and accepted the criticism like a primary school student, her tightly clenched fingers turning white.
Pei Shuwen's tone finally softened, with a hint of reassurance: "I'll be going upstairs later. You don't need to follow me, but don't wander off. Keep your phone on, and come upstairs to pick me up when I call you."
Are you going to drink with me tonight to discuss business?
"Um."
Even without Pei Shuwen mentioning it, Lin Chaoyue hadn't noticed that the banquet hall had a second floor.
She looked up and saw a person standing by the ancient, intricately carved railing on the second floor. When their eyes met, the person even made a gesture of raising a glass in a distant toast.
Lin Chaoyue was certain she didn't know this person and had never seen him before. Therefore, he most likely knew Pei Shuwen.
Lin Chaoyue: "Who is that person?"
Pei Shuwen: "Lin Xiao used to be an artist under the management of Laiguang Entertainment, the boss of the company."
Lin Chaoyue's expression was somewhat subtle: "Oh, Lin Xiao's former boss. Didn't Lin Xiao ask you to help her terminate her contract before? Why is her boss being so friendly to you?"
Pei Shuwen raised an eyebrow and glanced at her.
Lin Chaoyue realized after speaking that this matter should be considered a secret, and that she had spoken a little too loudly.
She continued in a low voice, "Did Lin Xiao successfully terminate her contract in the end?"
Pei Shuwen: "You seem to care a lot about Lin Xiao?"
"No, not really. I was just asking." Lin Chaoyue touched her nose guiltily.
She sold the gift box Lin Xiao gave her a while ago, and felt a little guilty.
Lin Chaoyue: "Hey, weren't you going upstairs to discuss business? Aren't you going up? Don't worry about me, your work is important. I definitely won't wander off."
"Okay, let me repeat what I just told you."
"Huh? Now? Do we have to repeat it again?"
Lin Chaoyue almost thought she had misheard, but judging from Pei Shuwen's expression, he seemed to be serious.
Lin Chaoyue: "..."
She's not a kindergarten child...
"Okay, repeat it once."
Lin Chaoyue obediently repeated the story.
"No drinking, no wandering around, keep your phone on, and come upstairs to pick you up immediately if you call..."
"But are you really going to drink? Don't drink too much, I'm not very strong, I definitely can't lift you, and most importantly! Don't drink until you black out, you haven't paid me for today's work yet."
Lin Chaoyue blinked.
Pei Shuwen didn't seem to have listened to her; instead of speaking, he took two steps closer to her.
What are you doing?
Even though she didn't receive any harsh discipline growing up and her school life was generally smooth sailing, why does she inexplicably feel nervous every time she gets close to Pei Shuwen?
Pei Shuwen did nothing, but simply reminded him, "Button up your buttons."
Lin Chaoyue looked down and saw that she had unbuttoned her shirt because she was hot, revealing only a section of her collarbone, which was not unsightly.
"Can we not deduct it?"
Pei Shuwen: "I suggest you button it up."
"Suggestion" doesn't necessarily mean you have to do it. Lin Chaoyue agreed with a forced smile, but she still hadn't buttoned up the button by the time Pei Shuwen went upstairs.
The feeling of outwardly complying while inwardly resisting was really quite nice. Lin Chaoyue hummed a song as she turned to the food area, her back view exuding a sense of joy.
"Are you sure it's her?"
Qi Yuanyuan nodded at the information on her phone: "Yes, she is the only daughter of Lin Tenghui and Zhong Ling. She has been studying abroad for the past few years and only graduated and returned to China this year. She is now working at Juntian Liangmu and I heard that Pei Shuwen is personally mentoring her."
Song Wenhua narrowed his eyes and snorted coldly: "He actually managed to climb up to her. The men of the Pei family are indeed born to be kept men. Pei Zhenye is one, and his son is no less so."
Qi Yuanyuan said pessimistically, "Then what do we do? Pei Shuwen has such a big handle on us, it's bound to be a problem sooner or later. Terminating the contract with Lin Xiao has already cost us a lot of money. If something like this happens again, are we going to have to compromise every time?"
Song Wenhua glanced at the woman beside him and cursed, "Idiot."
Qi Yuanyuan is currently one of the top agents in the Chinese entertainment industry, but even when she is being criticized, she remains meek and submissive.
She was Song Wenhua's lover, someone he had personally brought up. Pei Shuwen held leverage over Song Wenhua, while Song Wenhua secretly held leverage over her. Lin Xiao could leave, but she couldn't.
"Brother Hua, calm down. Tonight is Brother Qiao's gathering, we can't make things too ugly."
"What's wrong, Yuanyuan? I've been teaching you for so long, how come you still can't learn? Have you been out in the public eye for too long and started to think you're superior?"
Song Wenhua's words were pointed, and Qi Yuanyuan felt a chill run down her spine.
She was afraid of Song Wenhua, but she had to force a smile: "Brother Hua, you know I'm wholeheartedly following you."
Song Wenhua did not respond again, because his expression changed instantly after he caught a glimpse of the person who had arrived.
His sinister and calculating expression from just moments ago has been completely concealed, leaving only a seasoned hypocrite.
He strode towards Pei Shuwen.
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