Chapter 25.1

Winter had only just begun, and the next spring felt a long way off.

When everything was finally over, Yun Yin returned to her room, lay down on her bed, and fell into a long sleep to the sound of the drizzling rain.

But her sleep was restless. Her mind felt heavy and muddled, drifting between wakefulness and dreams.

She dreamed of lying in a hospital bed, unable to move or get up, while someone stayed by her side, talking to her constantly. She also dreamed of the novel Floating Fortunes in the Business Sea, realizing she hadn’t actually transmigrated into the book. Everything was unfolding according to the plot, and it had all been a figment of her imagination.

Reality and dreams intertwined, repeating endlessly.

With a whoosh, the heavy curtains were drawn open, and sunlight streamed unreservedly onto the bed.

Yun Yin’s eyelashes fluttered, and her brow furrowed slightly, as if unaccustomed to the sudden brightness. But a shadow quickly fell, blocking the light.

She burrowed deeper under the covers and drifted back to sleep.

But fate had other plans. The blanket was yanked away, and when she opened her eyes, she found herself staring into a pair of dark eyes.

“What are you doing?” Yun Yin’s voice was hoarse with sleep.

“Get up and eat breakfast.”

Yun Yin blinked, still groggy. “I’m not hungry.”

“Eat breakfast, then go back to sleep.” Pei Yu pulled back the covers, eyeing the huddled figure. “Aunt Lin told me you never eat breakfast in the morning.”

Yun Yin said nothing, simply lifting her head to gaze at Pei Yu with a resentful look, her eyes brimming with displeasure at being disturbed.

If I get up now, how am I supposed to fall back asleep later?

Pei Yu ignored her silent protest. Leaning down, he scooped her into his arms. “If you won’t get up, I’ll carry you downstairs.”

Defeated, Yun Yin surrendered when she realized he was serious. “Let me go. I’ll get up myself.”

Only then did Pei Yu release her.

Forced awake, Yun Yin reluctantly got out of bed, washed her face, and brushed her teeth, her entire demeanor drooping with displeasure.

Pei Yu dismissed her grumbling with a casual, “Early to bed, early to rise, keeps you healthy.”

Yun Yin was speechless. She shot him a glare, her morning grumpiness making her unwilling to engage in conversation.

How can Pei Yu sleep so late every night and still wake up so early?!

No matter how late he stayed up, he woke at six sharp every morning, without fail—rain or shine. He’d exercise for one to two hours, watch the morning news at eight, eat breakfast, and leave for work promptly at eight-thirty. He wouldn’t return until seven in the evening, and after dinner, he’d retreat to his study to continue working.

This was just his regular routine. He also frequently traveled for business and inspections. Even on weekends, he never rested—working tirelessly.

Work, work, and more work. It seemed he had no free time at all, operating with the relentless precision of a programmed machine.

Truly worthy of being the ultimate villain, Yun Yin thought. Even with this insane schedule, he still remembers to wake me up for breakfast.

This reminded her of that earth-shattering question:

At your age, at this stage of your life, how can you even sleep at night?!

Yun Yin not only slept soundly, but also woke up at ten every morning.

Guess not everyone is cut out to be a villain.

By the time Yun Yin finished washing up and came downstairs, Pei Yu had already changed into a well-tailored charcoal-gray suit and was fastening his wristwatch with one hand.

Hearing her approach, he clicked the clasp shut and slowly raised his gaze to meet hers.

As Yun Yin drew closer, the silver watch face gleamed under the light.

It was the watch she had given him.

The irritation from being woken up earlier miraculously dissipated somewhat, replaced by an inexplicable feeling she couldn’t quite name.

She showed no sign of this, however, maintaining a cold expression and refusing to speak to Pei Yu as she ate her breakfast in silence.

She wanted to make it clear that her anger wouldn’t be easily appeased.

Pei Yu stared at the girl’s soft, raven-black hair, momentarily at a loss.

She was clearly angry—and deeply so.

After finishing his breakfast, Pei Yu lingered, secretly pondering how to coax her out of her mood.

But Yun Yin gave him no chance. Without even glancing at him, she finished her meal and went straight upstairs.

……

After a moment, Pei Yu chuckled softly, his laughter filled with helplessness and a barely perceptible tenderness.

After Pei Yu left, Yun Yin busied herself in her room with her newly acquired equipment until noon, when she finally sauntered downstairs.

As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she saw Aunt Lin holding her phone, apparently in the middle of a call. Aunt Lin responded with several “Okay”s before hanging up.

“Miss Yun.”

“What’s wrong, Aunt Lin?”

Aunt Lin set down the phone, brought a medicinal meal to the dining table, and said, “Mr. Pei called to say his stomach was upset. He asked me to prepare something light and have the driver deliver it.”

An upset stomach?

Yun Yin hesitated. “I’ll deliver it myself.”

Aunt Lin’s eyes widened slightly. “Are you sure that’s alright?”

She had witnessed the couple’s morning tiff and worried about Miss Yun’s mood. How could things have smoothed over so quickly?

The ways of young people are beyond my understanding, she thought.

“Of course,” Yun Yin nodded. “You can pack it up now. I’ll take it to his office after I finish eating.”

“Alright,” Aunt Lin replied, mentally reviewing Mr. Pei’s instructions from the phone call.

The temperature had dropped today, and Pei Yu had specifically instructed her not to let Miss Yun go out. Surely it would be fine for her to deliver Pei Yu’s lunch?

Half an hour later, Yun Yin finished her own lunch, grabbed the insulated lunchbox, and asked the driver to take her to Yujiang.

She sent Pei Yu a message on the way.

Yun Yin’s temper flared quickly but faded just as fast. The annoyance from being woken up early that morning had mostly dissipated. Since she needed to run an errand anyway, she decided to drop off his lunch as a courtesy.

She had completely forgotten her secret resolution that morning to avoid speaking to the villain all day.

Yun Yin: Aunt Lin mentioned your stomach was acting up?

A few seconds later, her phone vibrated.

Pei Yu: It’s an old problem.

Yun Yin frowned. In novels, does every CEO have a stomach ailment—even the villains?

After a moment, she replied: Is it serious?

Pei Yu: Just a bit uncomfortable from drinking a couple of days ago.

Yun Yin: You were drinking?!

Pei Yu: Business obligations.

A moment later, her phone buzzed again.

Pei Yu: Remember to eat properly.

About forty minutes later, the car pulled up in front of the Yujiang Building.

Yun Yin stepped out, carrying the insulated lunchbox. Only after entering the lobby did she belatedly realize she had forgotten to tell Pei Yu she was bringing him lunch.

On her previous two visits, she had taken the elevator directly from the parking garage to the CEO’s office, bypassing the lobby entirely.

But now that she was here…

The lobby had a reception desk staffed by three employees.

One of the receptionists noticed her and proactively asked, “May I help you, Miss?”

Yun Yin approached the desk and inquired, “Where is the elevator to the CEO’s office?”

“Do you have an appointment?” the receptionist kindly informed her. “The elevator to the CEO’s office requires a pass.”

Yun Yin shook her head. “No, I don’t.”

Just as she was about to pull out her phone to call, she looked up and saw Pei Yu striding toward her.

Before Yun Yin could react, Pei Yu reached her and asked, “Why didn’t you call me?”

After a moment of surprise, Yun Yin glanced at her phone and replied, “I was just about to. You arrived right on time.”

The three receptionists also noticed Pei Yu and quickly greeted him, “Good afternoon, CEO Pei.”

Pei Yu gave them a slight nod before taking the insulated lunchbox from Yun Yin’s hand. He then naturally took her hand and led her toward the private elevator to the CEO’s office.

As the elevator doors slowly closed, they shut out the receptionists’ curious gazes and hushed whispers.

“Is that CEO Pei’s girlfriend? She’s so beautiful, and her voice is so lovely.”

“It must be. Did you see how he was holding her hand?”

“Pei Yu really has it all. What a lucky man.”

The elevator went straight to the CEO’s office.

After exiting, Pei Yu led Yun Yin to his office, placed the insulated lunchbox on the desk, and asked, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?”

Yun Yin’s eyes darted around for a moment. She certainly wouldn’t admit she’d forgotten. A smile played on her lips as she met his gaze. “I wanted to surprise you.”

Pei Yu studied her for a moment, his tone flat. “It was certainly a surprise.”

“You sound so perfunctory,” Yun Yin said, clearly dissatisfied with his response.

…

Is she still angry? Pei Yu wondered. She brought me lunch, so she must have calmed down.

He shouldn’t have mentioned it. The reminder of being woken up in a bad mood made Yun Yin’s lips tighten. “I’m still angry.”

Pei Yu paused, amused. “You’re angry, yet you brought me lunch?”

“I felt sorry for you,” Yun Yin replied stiffly, a glint in her eye.

After a moment, Yun Yin suddenly asked, “Do all CEOs have stomach problems?”

Pei Yu looked up at her.

“I don’t know about others, but you can rest assured I don’t have one right now.”

“But weren’t you feeling unwell?” Yun Yin asked, puzzled by his emphasis on “right now.”

Seeing her curious expression, Pei Yu reluctantly explained, “It’s just occasional discomfort.”

Back when he first founded Yujiang, he couldn’t avoid endless business dinners and meetings. He drank so much that he once suffered a stomach hemorrhage. Qi Ye had nursed him back to health. By the time Yujiang stabilized, his stomach problems had mostly subsided.

Now, even at business gatherings, no one dared pressure him to drink. Yesterday, however, overwhelmed by restlessness, he had downed two bottles of wine. This morning, his stomach felt vaguely uneasy.

He didn’t want to tell Yun Yin any of this. He saw no need. Everything was fine as it was.

Yun Yin’s expression clearly disapproved. “Then why are you still drinking?”

“It’s just for social obligations,” Pei Yu replied.

Yun Yin didn’t believe him. “No one dares to stop you. You must want to drink yourself.”

Pei Yu chuckled, his features softening into a warm smile. “Our A-Yin is so clever.”

She’d guessed correctly.

“Pei Yu,” Yun Yin called his name, lifting her chin slightly in a gesture that was both commanding and endearing. “If you forbid me from drinking, you can’t sneak drinks yourself.”

She clearly remembered the last banquet, when he’d prevented her from drinking.

“Alright,” Pei Yu agreed.

His gaze was so focused and earnest that Yun Yin’s ears flushed. She turned her head slightly, her eyes darting away. “Just eat already.”

“Mm.”

Pei Yu placed the insulated lunchbox on the table and opened it. Inside were only a set of chopsticks and a bowl.

The aroma of food wafted out. “Have you eaten?” he asked.

“Yes,” Yun Yin replied. Remembering today’s medicinal meal, she suddenly spoke up. “I’ve been eating these medicinal meals for a week now. Can’t I stop?”

Pei Yu took out the utensils and flatly refused. “No.”

“But they taste so weird!” Yun Yin’s pink lips unconsciously pursed into a pout.

“Weird or not, you have to eat them,” Pei Yu said, glancing at her with amusement in his dark eyes. “Be good.”

“Hmph,” Yun Yin huffed, sitting across from him with a pillow clutched to her chest. “I don’t want to be good.”

Pei Yu chuckled.

Hearing his laughter, Yun Yin’s ears began to burn. A ticklish, tingling sensation fluttered in her chest, like tiny claws gently scratching her heart.