Chapter Nineteen: Awkwardness

Why was he willing to waste his time waiting in the car for Yu Youchu to finish work? Why did he go to such lengths to deliver Huasheng’s work uniform? Why would he drive an hour to Baoli just to pick her up for dinner?

It all made sense now.

Rubbing his temples and bearing two dark circles under his eyes, he let the housekeeper prepare breakfast while he felt uncertain about how to face Yu Youchu.

When Yu Youchu woke up, the sky was already bright.

There was no time to linger in bed; her heart suddenly raced. She hurriedly checked her phone, only to realize it was almost time to leave.

She lifted the cup but noticed she was still wearing yesterday’s clothes. Had she been that exhausted last night to fall asleep immediately?

Yu Youchu quickly freshened up and opened her bedroom door, intending to explain to Pei Jiayin that she had overslept, but she heard another door open.

She glanced over and saw Pei Jiayin stepping out of his room at the same time.

They exchanged a look.

“Pei...” she started to say, but first her voice came out hoarse, then Pei Jiayin slammed the door shut with a “bang.”

What was going on? Did she kick off the covers last night? And Pei Jiayin—had he not slept yet?

Yu Youchu hurried downstairs to make a simple breakfast.

She had already reviewed last night’s work; though some finishing touches remained, she had saved everything.

Quickening her pace, she dreaded imagining Cui Jing’s expression if she were late.

It would surely torment her beyond measure.

When she reached the dining table, she found breakfast already prepared—an array of dishes unmistakably made by the housekeeper.

Just then, Pei Jiayin descended from upstairs and pulled out a chair.

“Hey, Pei Jiayin, always prepared, huh?”

Yu Youchu forgot her voice was hoarse. After speaking, she realized her words came out as a bubbly whisper.

Pei Jiayin’s face remained cold, unmoved by her hoarse tone, as if he expected it.

He removed the fried dough sticks from in front of Yu Youchu and pushed a bowl of plain congee toward her.

“Eat this.”

“Thanks.”

Yu Youchu quickly finished her breakfast, unaware that Pei Jiayin was acting strangely today.

“Come on, come on, if we don’t leave soon, we’ll be late.”

She put on her mask.

For once, Pei Jiayin didn’t respond and simply left, driving the car up to her.

That’s when Yu Youchu sensed something was off.

Besides his cold demeanor, the panda-like dark circles and unmistakable fatigue on his face showed he had likely suffered insomnia last night.

Could it be that after her sleepwalking episode last night, she did something indescribable to the big boss in his room?

That couldn’t be right...

---

Within just a few minutes, Yu Youchu had already imagined several scenarios.

She glanced at the stoic Pei Jiayin, unsure how to break the silence.

Mainly because she didn’t understand why he was angry—and judging by his expression, it was probably at her.

If only she could figure out the cause, things would be much simpler.

The drive passed without a word; for the first time, Yu Youchu felt the commute to work dragged on endlessly.

At last, they arrived at the underground parking lot. She unfastened her seatbelt.

“See you after work, Pei Jiayin.”

Yu Youchu greeted him as usual and prepared to get out.

Looking up, she caught Pei Jiayin’s strange expression—his eyes full of meaning.

Then, awkwardly, he echoed, “See you after work.”

Each word came out stiffly, as if someone held a knife to his back, forcing him to say it.

Yu Youchu twitched her lips. Boss, if you don’t want to say it, you don’t have to.

Yu Youchu hurried into the design department and managed to clock in two minutes before being late.

Returning to her desk, she found a message from Pei Jiayin.

Really, what couldn’t be said on the way?

For the first time, she found Pei Jiayin quite tsundere.

[I put some throat lozenges in your bag.]

Now Yu Youchu was confused about his attitude—was he angry or not?

[This week I’ll be on a business trip, leaving this afternoon, back Friday. Remember to eat.]

He sent another message.

Did executives have to travel too? She thought those time-consuming tasks were left to the rank and file like her.

[Got it, thanks. Where are you going?]

[Guangdong.]

After typing, Pei Jiayin set his phone aside.

“Make me a cup of Longjing tea.”

Soon, a steaming cup appeared before him.

The one who brewed the tea was his secretary, Tang Qingli.

“The last matter was handled well. I agreed to what you proposed.”

Tang Qingli’s face brightened instantly, as if the weight of accumulated work had lifted.

“Thank you, boss!”

Still, he felt a bit nervous inside.

He had just notified logistics and handed Pei Jiayin the contract; it was really the logistics team who did all the work.

But the result was good!

---

He didn’t understand why the boss suddenly switched work uniforms. He didn’t believe it was out of some sudden concern for the employees.

After all, he was the one being squeezed the hardest.

“By the way, boss, Miss Wen called me today, asking if you had time. She wants to deliver something to you.”

Pei Jiayin pictured Wen Ya’s face and immediately felt a headache coming on.

“No time. Tell her not to come.”

“Understood.”

Tang Qingli replied respectfully.

No one knew when the iron-hearted boss would ever soften.

Miss Wen had waited endlessly, but the boss showed no sign of response.

It was said: The goddess dreams on, while the prince remains indifferent...

---

Meanwhile,

“Youchu, how’s the progress?”

Cui Jing approached with two cups of coffee to “check on” Yu Youchu’s work.

“Don’t worry, Sister Jing. I’ll have everything sent to you for review before ten.”

Cui Jing paused. “Good. Are you sick?”

Yu Youchu tugged her mask. “No, just woke up with a sore throat this morning.”

“Alright, if you’re sick, take a day off. Work isn’t more important than your health. I’ll cover for you.”

Those words warmed Yu Youchu’s heart. She had never thought so highly of Cui Jing before.

“Don’t worry, Sister Jing. I know my body best.”

Cui Jing placed one cup of coffee on Yu Youchu’s desk.

“Looking at those dark circles, you didn’t sleep well last night, huh?”

“Probably not.”

Yu Youchu touched her nose.

“Here, this will help. This project’s almost finished—rest well next weekend.”

“Thanks, Sister Jing.”

She took a sip of the coffee.

Its bitterness stung her taste buds but sharpened her mind considerably.