Pei Shi hung up on Bai Tao, thinking he might finally get some precious peace today. After being exposed in public, she shouldn’t bother him with scheduled insincere messages anymore.

If Bai Tao could behave herself daily, that was all Pei Shi hoped for from her now.

Contrary to his expectations, though, barely half an hour later, he received a message from Bai Tao—

“Urgent, come back quickly!!!”

Pei Shi pursed his lips, turned off the screen, unsure of what new trick Bai Tao was up to. But after last night’s incident, he decided to keep his distance from her.

Two minutes later, it was Pei Shi’s turn to give a speech. Amidst applause, he walked onto the stage.

After his speech and answering a few questions, half an hour had passed. Only then did Pei Shi notice his phone was filled with missed calls and messages from Bai Tao, each more urgent than the last—

“Honey, help, come home quickly!”

“Ahhhh!! Help!!”

“Hurry up!! Our baby can’t be saved!!!”

“There’s an intruder in the garden!! Help!!!”

…

What nonsense. Pei Shi frowned as he read. What baby? Even if Bai Tao were pregnant now, the timing wouldn’t match up, and the child wouldn’t be his.

This was likely another one of Bai Tao’s tricks, and Pei Shi felt no need to respond.

Sure enough, after about ten minutes, Bai Tao stopped sending messages.

However, rather than feeling relieved, Pei Shi found himself slightly concerned by Bai Tao’s sudden silence.

Although the villa area had good security, there was always a chance of unforeseen events…

At the forum, it was another company’s turn to speak. It was a competitor in the big data industry, and Pei Shi should have been listening closely to their future expansion plans and key business areas. But he glanced at his phone again, feeling distracted.

This distraction peaked when his message to Bai Tao went unanswered.

Eventually, Pei Shi put on his coat and decided to head home.

When he arrived home, he realized he had been tricked once again.

There was no intruder; Bai Tao was standing in the garden. From Pei Shi’s vantage point, he could see her back, waving something around as if talking to someone, completely unaware of his return.

Pei Shi walked closer to her and finally saw what she was doing and heard what she was saying.

This woman had found a stick from somewhere and was waving it around grandly. In front of her was a small dog.

A tiny corgi, looking like it was just born, fluffy and chubby, with uncoordinated movements and four short legs. It didn’t seem very dangerous, which was probably why Bai Tao hadn’t run away immediately despite making such a fuss.

So this was the “invading thug” she mentioned?

And then Bai Tao began to speak grandly to the dog, “You! Don’t come any closer! I, Bai Tao, command you! Don’t come near me! Don’t touch my peach tree baby! Don’t harm my child!”

So their “child” was this peach tree.

Pei Shi was speechless. He was just about to step forward to pick up the dog when he heard Bai Tao continue to shout, “You dog, take one more step, and I’ll have my enforcer, Pei Shi, deal with you!”

“….”

Being named as the “enforcer,” Pei Shi suddenly felt awkward about whether to step forward or not.

The little corgi, unaware of Bai Tao’s words, wagged its small tail unsteadily and moved a bit closer. It seemed interested in the stick Bai Tao was holding, and as it bit the end of the stick, the previously fierce Bai Tao immediately dropped it and turned to run.

At that moment, she finally noticed Pei Shi standing not far behind her.

“Honey!”

Almost instantly, Bai Tao’s expression changed. The fear in her eyes vanished as she ran towards Pei Shi, almost instinctively, and crashed into his chest like a panicked fawn. Her hands wrapped around his waist like a koala.

“Honey! I’m so glad you’re here!”

With her arms around Pei Shi, Bai Tao’s voice sounded muffled. This time, there were no exaggerated sweet words, but the simple few words were filled with genuine trust and happiness.

Feeling like she had found her support, Bai Tao’s confidence returned. She hid behind Pei Shi, peeking out at the corgi, and said arrogantly, “Dog, you’d better leave quickly, or Pei Shi will deal with you!”

The little corgi barked softly and inched forward. Bai Tao immediately shrank back in fear, hiding her head entirely behind Pei Shi and pushing him forward to fight the battle: “Honey, go! Charge! Defeat it!”

“…”

*****

Humanity still has true feelings, as Bai Tao, scared by a dog, was rescued by Pei Shi, who descended like a savior, allowing Bai Tao to regain her confidence.

Under her urging, Pei Shi finally pursed his lips, stepped forward, picked up the little corgi, and then turned to Bai Tao: “It’s just a small dog; you don’t need to be afraid.”

Pei Shi’s expression seemed a bit helpless. Although he was still wearing an expensive suit that created a sense of distance, holding the dog made him appear inexplicably gentle. Almost instinctively, he stroked the corgi’s fur, and even his sharp features seemed to soften.

His voice was gentle, and he patiently explained, “It should be the neighbor’s dog. The family on the east side has several corgis. I chatted with them a few days ago while they were walking the dogs, and they mentioned a new litter of puppies. Judging by the time, they should be about this size.”

After speaking, Pei Shi petted the corgi’s head again. The corgi, enjoying the rub, whimpered contentedly and stayed still, quietly lying in Pei Shi’s arms.

Pei Shi genuinely liked dogs.

He carried the dog to the neighbor’s house to confirm it was their runaway puppy.

Although Bai Tao stayed far away out of fear of dogs, she clearly saw Pei Shi’s expression when the corgi was taken back. He looked somewhat reluctant, although it was brief, and he quickly regained his composure, Bai Tao was sure she hadn’t misread it.

Despite his love for dogs, Pei Shi had suppressed his interest out of love for her…

Clearly, he loved dogs so much…

Pei Shi had left the event halfway to come back for her, and now, since it was still early, he needed to return. As Pei Shi left and the dog was gone, the house returned to peace, but Bai Tao’s mind was restless.

She suddenly felt very guilty towards Pei Shi.

From the news reports to the current details, it seemed like Pei Shi was always accommodating Bai Tao’s preferences. But when Bai Tao thought about it, it seemed she had never done anything for Pei Shi.

Even when the timed messages incident backfired or when rumors of infidelity surfaced, Pei Shi had never questioned her, never lost his temper, and never showed any negative emotions in front of her…

This man had swallowed his tears…

Bai Tao was deeply moved. What made a man who loved her so passionately still remain calm in the face of such unequal affection and turbulent rumors?

It was love.

It was love as deep as the ocean.

It was a broad-mindedness in a man.

It was a steadfastness to come running to her even when hurt!

Damn, Pei Shi had suffered enough in the name of love!

Bai Tao was so immersed in her thoughts that she was moved to tears. She realized things couldn’t continue like this. To help Pei Shi become a man who loves and respects himself, she needed to support him. First, she had to make him feel her meticulous love, provide a sense of security, and teach him to love himself before loving others!

That afternoon, prompted by the little corgi’s intrusion, Bai Tao made a bold decision.

After careful consideration, she called a counseling center.

*****