Chapter Twenty-One: The Gift

“Alright, you’re always so serious, not a bit approachable.”

She naturally took the documents off Pei Jiayin’s desk and set them aside, then placed the lunch box in front of both of them.

“I’m just worried that once you get busy, you’ll forget to eat again. Others might not know, but I do—you don’t eat takeout.”

Pei Jiayin remained unmoved, only raising a hand to stop Wen Ya from opening the lunch box.

“I’ve already eaten.”

“Is that so?”

A slight crack appeared on Wen Ya’s flawless face, but only for a moment before she restored her gentle and gracious expression.

Pei Jiayin pursed his lips, a flicker of impatience surfacing deep in his eyes.

“Well, that’s good. Where are you heading for your business trip? Could you bring back some local specialties for me?”

Wen Ya gently set the lunch box aside again.

“You shouldn’t be overworking yourself, staying up late and constantly drinking tea.”

She casually glanced at the dark circles under Pei Jiayin’s eyes. Though the shadows did not diminish his bearing in the slightest, they lent him a more broken, weary look.

A trace of obsession flickered in Wen Ya’s eyes.

This man would soon be her husband.

Pei Jiayin remained cold.

“Miss Wen, you needn’t wait for me to bring anything back if there’s something you want to eat or have.”

Wen Ya maintained a polite smile and changed the subject.

“Jiayin, Grandfather Pei’s birthday is coming up. Aunt asked me to ask you—when... will you be home?”

At the mention of his mother, Pei Jiayin’s expression darkened instantly, like a gathering storm.

“I have my own plans, Miss Wen. Is there anything else? If not, I still have work to do. I won’t keep you.”

He gave her the signal to leave.

They locked eyes deeply.

Everyone knew why he had moved out of the old Pei family mansion; there was no need to flaunt it before him again.

“Jiayin...”

Wen Ya could no longer keep up the perfect facade. Her nails dug deeply into her flesh, anger surging between her brows.

She was also the cherished daughter of the Wen family, how could she endure repeated neglect?

Her pride remained intact to the core.

Pei Jiayin’s face was impassive, completely indifferent to her emotions.

After a moment, Wen Ya spoke with bitter irony.

“Uncle has already agreed to Pei Jiaxu’s request.”

Wen Ya stood and lifted the lunch box, once again assuming the gentle, refined demeanor of a young lady.

“Until next time, Jiayin.”

Throughout, Pei Jiayin’s expression shifted only when he heard Wen Ya’s last words.

Trying to use Pei Jiaxu against him?

He reached for the tea beside him, took it up, and sipped lightly.

Did she even consider whether Pei Jiaxu had the ability?

Pei Jiayin called Tang Qingli.

“Prepare a gift for Pei Jiaxu.”

Tang Qingli was caught off guard by the sudden call, feeling uneasy. He had indirectly allowed Wen Ya to enter without hindrance and was worried whether Pei Jiayin would retract the condition he had agreed to earlier that morning.

“What kind of gift?”

Tang Qingli breathed a sigh of relief.

“Congratulations... on his company’s establishment.”

A faint smile appeared on Pei Jiayin’s face.

Wasn’t his father eager to see him rush to suppress Pei Jiaxu, hoping he’d stumble and leave himself vulnerable? Well, he wouldn’t let that happen.

“Keep an eye on that company and find opportunities to collaborate with them.”

He knew Pei Jiaxu posed no real threat; instead, he planned to pull him closer so Pei Jiaxu would realize how much he depended on his support.

“The arrangement we agreed on this morning...”

Before Pei Jiayin could finish, Tang Qingli’s anguished cries interrupted him.

“Boss, I’ve already made the arrangements... canceling now would be the death of me!”

Pei Jiayin remained unmoved, “Then why did you let Wen Ya in directly?”

Tang Qingli protested, “I was eating in the cafeteria at the time...”

“Finding excuses already?”

“Boss...”

Pei Jiayin could only laugh and shake his head; such petty cleverness was hardly impressive.

“Fine, don’t let it happen again. Once the tickets are confirmed, you’ll come on this trip with me.”

Tang Qingli felt immense relief. “Got it.”

Passersby noticed Tang Qingli’s expressive reaction over such a brief call and glanced sideways.

Is their boss really that harsh?

Their looks were laden with gravity.

No wonder this wasn’t a job for just anyone—Secretary Tang truly worked hard!

After work, Yu Youchu habitually went down to the underground parking.

When the elevator doors opened, she suddenly remembered Pei Jiayin had already left on his business trip.

She pressed the elevator button for the first floor again and sent Pei Jiayin a message.

“Have you arrived in Guangdong?”

“No personal driver anymore, my heart aches!”

Yu Youchu scanned a shared bike, preparing to loosen up her body, which felt as old as an elderly person.

She had no desire to squeeze into the subway at this hour; the distance wasn’t far, so she’d just bike home, even if it took longer. Without Pei Jiayin, she’d settle for simple food.

By the time Yu Youchu arrived home, drenched in sweat, she checked her phone and saw Pei Jiayin’s cold reply:

“Arrived.”

Yu Youchu pouted, reflecting on everything since yesterday, unable to figure out what she had done to offend him.

But she was never one to keep silent. She immediately texted him again.

“Pei Jiayin, why are you mad at me?”

“If I’ve done something wrong, just say it. I’ll fix it if I can; if not, I’ll leave. What’s the point of sulking?”

Yu Youchu thought that if Pei Jiayin were really in front of her, she might not even dare to unleash her full fire.

Just his mere presence would have her stammering for a long time.

Thank goodness for the internet.

After sending the messages, she entered her home, turned on the dining room light, and immediately caught the scent of food.

She walked over to the insulated food container—sure enough, the maid had prepared a meal.

She checked her phone again; Pei Jiayin hadn’t replied to her previous messages, likely because he was busy with work.

But enough time had passed that she could no longer retract those messages.

She rubbed her head frustratedly.

Eventually, she sent an emoji.

“Thanks for the delivery, boss.”

Even she couldn’t bear to look at her own groveling.

Yu Youchu pounded her chest and prepared the tableware, scolding herself silently: “Yu Youchu, you’re really pathetic! Can’t you be a bit more dignified? You’re in a cold war with the man on the other side of the line!”

The next moment, she thought: the food really tastes good.

Damn it, after such a long bike ride, realizing you don’t have to cook is truly the happiest moment in life.

Yu Youchu vowed silently.

From now on, she would become wealthy and enjoy all the luxuries she deserved!

After finishing her meal, a reply finally came through.