Chapter 30: Strong

Chen Shuoyin originally didn’t want to argue further with Pei Yu, but the way he questioned her—so sure that she was hiding something—made her lose confidence.

It wasn’t a dream at all. It was just a fabricated excuse to cover up the truth.

“What more do you want?” She crossed her arms and asked, her voice deliberately weak.

The probing sharpness in Pei Yu’s dark eyes softened as he smiled faintly. “Nothing much. Compared to you saving my life, offering you some help is nothing.”

Then, he made a final decision. “I’m treating you to a meal.”

Chen Shuoyin forced a smile and waved her hand in refusal. “No need. If we’re being precise, I didn’t save you—it was just your good luck.”

Pei Yu, as always, found the loophole in her words. “Then that makes you my lucky star.”

“Me?” Chen Shuoyin narrowed one eye, trying to hold back her temper. She then spoke coldly, “Honestly, I kind of wished something had happened to you.”

“Now that you’re all fine and unharmed, I don’t even have the chance to laugh at you.”

She was trying to remind him of the tense, combative relationship between them.

As expected, Pei Yu’s expression darkened, and his hand, gripping the umbrella handle, began to tremble.

Seeing that her words had the intended effect, Chen Shuoyin took the opportunity to slip away. “Assistant Zhou just said you’re busy. I won’t disturb you. Let’s never meet again.”

With that, she turned and bolted, as if afraid he’d catch even the slightest opening.

“Reporter Chen!”

Two voices called out to her simultaneously.

Zhou Qi’s call was cut off mid-sentence, while Zhang Xiang approached. Chen Shuoyin nodded to acknowledge her.

“Brother, should I still give this to her?” Zhou Qi held up a shoebox and a towel he had just retrieved from the trunk, looking at Pei Yu.

Pei Yu sighed impatiently—something rare for him. “From now on, anything related to her, don’t ask me repeatedly. Just do it.”

Zhou Qi nodded repeatedly and stepped forward, only to hear Pei Yu add, “Whether she accepts it or not, make sure she takes it. She’ll need it.”

“I understand.”

“Zhou Qi.”

Zhou Qi quickly stepped back nervously. “Is there anything else?”

Pei Yu shook his head. His tight lips relaxed slightly. “Thanks.”

Zhou Qi, caught off guard by his gratitude, scratched his head in embarrassment. “You don’t have to be so polite.”

—

The rain showed no signs of stopping.

The drainage system in Tanzhu City hadn’t been fully repaired before the rainy season hit, and the water levels by the river were alarming.

As people were being evacuated, Zhang Xiang called Chen Shuoyin over to get into the car. Just as she was about to close the door, a hand pressed against it, stopping it midway. A black umbrella was held high above, diverting the rain away.

Chen Shuoyin stared at the dripping wet hand—its veins prominent against the pale, blood-tinged skin. The strength it used to resist her attempt to close the door made those veins even more visible.

She swallowed and slowly lifted her gaze to meet Pei Yu’s sharp eyes.

A waterproof bag was shoved into her hands. “Put these on.”

With colleagues nearby, she didn’t understand why he was making such a fuss. “N-No need.”

Pei Yu’s response was firm. “Take it.”

As if he would stand there blocking the door until she complied, Chen Shuoyin hurriedly accepted it and responded with distant politeness, “Thank you. It was really nothing.”

Her words drew a clear boundary, making it sound like their actions were just mutual aid during a disaster.

Pei Yu’s expression remained cold as he completed his task and left with his umbrella.

Only Chen Shuoyin caught the faint scoff he let out.

From the crack of the closing car door, Zhang Xiang watched his tall figure disappear into the distance. “That was Pei Yu, wasn’t it? He really is just as impressive as he looks. First a fire, now a flood, and he was the first to deliver supplies in both cases. Even personally overseeing everything. That’s what a true role model in the entertainment industry should be.”

She noticed the shoebox in Chen Shuoyin’s hands but didn’t dwell on Pei Yu’s gesture. Instead, she focused on the towel. “Oh my god, Reporter Chen, you’re still wearing those soaked slippers! If not for Pei Yu, I wouldn’t have even noticed. And you—why are you out here on your day off?”

This time, the fire was under control, so Zhang Xiang hadn’t been called back. That probably meant the injured reporter last time had been her.

A warmth suddenly spread through Chen Shuoyin’s heart. She hesitated before saying, “When one place is in trouble, everyone should help. I couldn’t just sit at home and do nothing.”

Zhang Xiang draped a blanket over her and encouraged, “I heard you were transferred here temporarily? Don’t feel bad about it. Work hard at the grassroots level, and one day, you can aim for CCTV.”

Hearing her old dream spoken out loud, Chen Shuoyin felt her eyes grow hot. “I will. Thank you, Sister Xiang.”

—

After finishing work at the TV station, the staff was granted a three-day leave, except for those required for field reporting.

With the city experiencing severe flooding, some colleagues volunteered to stay and help rescue stranded citizens.

Chen Shuoyin wanted to say something but ultimately backed away from the noise.

Until she was strong enough to protect herself, following orders was the best way to avoid being a burden.

She removed her work badge and stepped outside with the crowd. In the elevator, Liu Yiran caught up with her.

Listening to the heavy rain pounding against the stone eaves, Chen Shuoyin murmured, “I hope the rain stops soon.”

“Hey, your grandma even called me looking for you.” Liu Yiran squeezed out of the elevator and shoved a phone into her hand.

Chen Shuoyin’s lips pressed together in dread.

She was doomed.

Taking a deep breath to prepare herself, she answered, “G-Grandma?”

The voice on the other end erupted instantly, scolding her with urgency and fear, “You little brat! Running off in the middle of a meal and making me worry to death! Your phone was off for hours, and with all this rain and flooding, I almost had to call emergency services to fish out your body!”

“I’m sorry! I was busy with work and forgot.” Her voice was weak, full of guilt. She hurriedly reassured, “I’ll be home in twenty minutes!”

By the time she reached home, the sky had turned completely dark.

Soaking wet, she stepped into the apartment, clutching a pair of waterproof boots in her hand. Her feet, swollen and pale from the water, curled against the floor for warmth.

Grandma Fang’s scolding stopped in her throat, replaced by pure concern. “Hurry, get inside.”

Just as she tried to close the door, the wind forced it back open. A tall, broad-shouldered figure stood at the entrance.

“Xiao Pei?” Fang Youyou squinted at him.

Chen Shuoyin froze in shock.

Pei Yu smiled at her. “Forgot already? We made plans this morning.”

She blocked him from entering, but he raised his voice, deliberately calling out, “Good evening, Grandma!”

“Good, good! Come in. I thought the rain was too heavy, so you wouldn’t come.”

Chen Shuoyin turned to glare at him, but before she could protest, he took off his windbreaker and draped it over her shoulders, pushing her inside.

The scent of cedar and eucalyptus mixed with the cold rain, filling her senses.

The next moment, she sneezed loudly.

Pei Yu—the walking perfume bottle.

She glared at him before tossing his coat onto the floor.

Unbothered, Pei Yu bent down to pick it up. Seeing her wet, bare feet, he couldn’t help but ask, “You’d rather go barefoot than wear my shoes? Do you despise me that much?”