Chapter 30

Unsure if Yun Yin was prone to motion sickness, Pei Yu pulled her close to rest against him as soon as she got into the car.

Yun Yin hadn’t eaten dinner, but the car was stocked with motion sickness medication and snacks. She glanced down at them but decided against eating, slumping bonelessly against Pei Yu.

Seeing this, Pei Yu picked up a small biscuit and offered it to her. Yun Yin shook her head. “No, thanks.”

The biscuit was made of whole grains and didn’t look particularly appetizing.

Pei Yu raised an eyebrow, popped the biscuit into his mouth, and after a few seconds, remarked thoughtfully, “It’s not bad.”

Yun Yin eyed him skeptically, still unconvinced. “Really?”

Pei Yu nodded slightly. “Want to try it?”

After a moment’s hesitation, Yun Yin nodded.

Before she could reach for it herself, Pei Yu had already picked up another biscuit and held it to her lips.

Staring at the whole-grain biscuit in front of her, Yun Yin opened her mouth.

The first bite revealed a strong vegetable flavor—undeniably healthy, but utterly bland.

Yun Yin frowned as she swallowed, then turned to glare at the man beside her. “It’s not good at all,” she said, displeasure evident in her voice.

Unfazed by her accusation, Pei Yu remained calm. “I think it’s alright.”

Yun Yin let out a soft hmph and fell silent, clearly disbelieving.

At that moment, Pei Yu produced a piece of jelly and offered it to her. “How about this jelly?”

Yun Yin eyed the transparent jelly, a flicker of hope still lingering. Even if it’s bad, it can’t be that bad, she reasoned, and took it from his hand.

Seconds later, she realized her optimism had been misplaced.

No wonder the jelly was clear—it had absolutely no flavor whatsoever.

Swallowing the tasteless jelly with a blank expression, Yun Yin gazed at Pei Yu with a look that said everything without uttering a word.

She would never trust this big liar again.

A hint of amusement flickered in Pei Yu’s dark eyes as his arm around her waist tightened.

“There’s more. Want to try something else?”

Yun Yin refused without hesitation. “No!”

She wouldn’t fall for it again.

She couldn’t imagine where he’d found such awful snacks.

Pei Yu’s lips curled into a smile, and he couldn’t help but chuckle.

He leaned closer, his voice low and husky as he whispered near her ear, “Still feeling carsick?”

When he laughed, Yun Yin could feel the vibration in his chest. Her earlobes unconsciously began to burn.

She pressed her lips together and shook her head. “No.”

“Good.”

As soon as he finished speaking, a weight settled on Yun Yin’s shoulder. Pei Yu’s chin rested there as he lazily closed his eyes.

Yun Yin: “……”

Remembering the faint dark circles under his eyes and his weary expression, she fell silent.

He had been exceptionally busy lately, returning home so late she was already asleep.

She recalled one night when she’d vaguely seen a tall, blurry figure standing by the bed. She hadn’t been afraid—she knew it was Pei Yu.

She was utterly exhausted, on the verge of sleep, when she felt him lean down and gently touch her face.

In her drowsy state, she faintly heard a soft, quiet voice before drifting off again.

It had said, “Good night.”

Yun Yin gathered her thoughts, preparing to close her eyes and rest. But something caught her eye, and she couldn’t help but look again.

Pei Yu’s eyelashes were remarkably long.

As she stared, she unconsciously raised her hand. Just before her fingers touched his face, she snapped back to reality and tried to withdraw her hand—only for it to be firmly grasped.

The man who had been feigning sleep had opened his eyes at some point.

“What’s wrong?”

Nothing had happened, yet Yun Yin felt inexplicably guilty. “Your eyelashes are so long.”

“Is that so?” Pei Yu leaned closer, casually concluding, “Yours are even longer.”

Her eyelashes were long and curled, softly resting on her eyelids. They fluttered gently with her movements, like a delicate brush.

“Okay.”

Yun Yin blinked. They both had quite long eyelashes.

Pei Yu lowered his gaze to her, kneading the back of her neck. “It’s still early. Rest a bit more.”

Otherwise, she’d start complaining about being tired before the auction even ended.

Yun Yin hummed in acknowledgment, closed her eyes, and leaned against him—quiet and docile.

The delicate, pleasant scent of her perfume lingered in the air. Feeling her soft touch, Pei Yu’s lips curved slightly as he closed his eyes too.

He shouldn’t have called her disobedient this morning.

She was perfectly well-behaved.

---

The auction was packed, the grand hotel ballroom bustling with impeccably dressed attendees.Though the auction hadn’t officially begun, many guests had arrived early.

At a corner of the banquet hall:

“Congratulations, President Zhou, on securing the development rights for the Jingjiao project.”

“Thank you, President Wang,” Zhou Wenze replied with a smile. “It was just a stroke of luck.”

President Wang frowned. “To outbid Yujiang and win the tender? That’s hardly luck. You’re being too modest, President Zhou.”

Hearing Yujiang mentioned, Zhou Wenze smiled noncommittally.

“But…” President Wang hesitated. “Now that you’ve secured this project, you’re bound to attract envy.”

Zhou Wenze’s brow furrowed. “What do you mean?”

President Wang stammered, “I heard Ruihai is considering withdrawing from their Jingjiao project. President Cheng has been in contact with Yujiang recently.”

President Cheng referred to Cheng Zheng, CEO of Ruihai Group and Cheng Wenwen’s brother.

Given Zhou Group’s current resources, they couldn’t develop such a massive project independently. A strategic partnership was their best option.

And Ruihai Group, with its formidable strength and capital, was the ideal partner.

When news broke of the Zhou Group’s impending alliance with Ruihai, their stock price surged that very day.

If Ruihai were to withdraw, the impact on Zhou Group would be unimaginable.

Zhou Wenze was clearly unaware of this. His eyes widened in astonishment. “Who said that?”

President Wang didn’t answer directly. He whispered conspiratorially, “I just heard it from someone else. But if Ruihai really is considering this, you’d be wise to prepare in advance.”

As the saying goes, Where there’s smoke, there’s fire.

Zhou Wenze paused. “Thank you for the heads-up, President Wang.”

“No need to thank me.” President Wang raised his champagne glass in a mock toast. “I’ll head over now.”

“Mm.”

Uncertain whether the rumor was true, Zhou Wenze reached for his phone—only to look up and see two striking figures appear at the ballroom entrance: Pei Yu and Yun Yin.

President Wang’s words echoed in his mind.

He knew Pei Yu was currently developing the new port project in the eastern district.

His suspicions about Ruihai’s withdrawal solidified.

Pei Yu became the center of attention the moment he entered.

Many people came to greet him, and Yun Yin stood beside him, appearing somewhat aloof. Although she didn’t recognize anyone, she responded politely.

Pei Yu was engaged in a conversation when Yun Yin felt thirsty. The nearby tables were filled with alcohol, while the fruit juice was placed in a distant corner.

She didn’t want alcohol—her tolerance was too low, and she didn’t want to get drunk in public again. Feeling bored, she whispered to Pei Yu that she wanted to fetch some juice.

Pei Yu glanced down and said simply, “Don’t wander off,” before releasing her hand.

Being told off like a child in front of so many people made Yun Yin feel embarrassed. She nodded and hurried toward the corner.

Perhaps due to the male lead’s overwhelming aura, Yun Yin ran into Zhou Wenze again.

After all, the social circles in Capital City weren’t that large—such encounters were inevitable.

Yun Yin had no desire to engage with him and turned to leave.

But Zhou Wenze called out to her.

“Are you still with Pei Yu?” he asked.

“What’s it to you?” Yun Yin frowned, her tone sharp.

Zhou Wenze paused, surprised by her bluntness.

“I just wanted to show you I care,” he said helplessly.

“But I don’t need your concern,” Yun Yin replied earnestly. “Your concern is unnecessary for me.”

Zhou Wenze: “……”

“I heard Pei Yu is currently negotiating a partnership with Ruihai Group?”

Yun Yin slowly raised her head. “Are you asking me?”

Is he alright?

After a moment, Zhou Wenze said, “I just bought a sapphire necklace that would look stunning on you. I’d like to give it to you.”

“No need. I don’t accept gifts without deserving them,” Yun Yin said. “You should give it to someone who can answer your questions.”

Her tone was sincere, but in this context, it sounded more like passive-aggressive sarcasm.

Zhou Wenze froze. He’d thought a few small favors would be enough to win Yun Yin over, just like before.

“Do we really have to be like this?”

Now it was Yun Yin’s turn to be speechless.

What kind of melodramatic act is the male lead putting on?

• He just wants to use me again to get information.

Irritated, Yun Yin snapped, “Have you said enough? If you’re done, move aside.”

Zhou Wenze’s composure crumbled.

In just a few minutes, he had been rebuffed twice. Even with his normally mild temper, he couldn’t maintain his calm.

After a long silence, he finally asked, “Do you really have to be like this?”

Yun Yin blinked. “Like what?”

She had simply spoken the truth. It seemed the male lead’s resilience still needed work.

Yun Yin sighed. Suddenly, an arm wrapped around her waist. She turned to see who it was.

At that moment, a familiar voice murmured in her ear, “Why were you gone so long?”

Pei Yu had appeared beside her unnoticed. Yun Yin blinked and tilted her head up. “How did you get here?”

Pei Yu glanced at Zhou Wenze before turning to Yun Yin, his voice gentle. “I came to check if you were sneaking drinks.”

Yun Yin wrinkled her nose. “I wasn’t.”

After her last drinking incident, she’d nearly developed a phobia of alcohol.

“Why would you sneak drinks, especially at a social gathering?” Pei Yu asked calmly. “Is something the matter?”

Yun Yin glanced at Zhou Wenze and replied, “President Zhou said he wants to give me the sapphire necklace he won at the auction.”

Pei Yu’s grip on her arm tightened ever so slightly. “Do you like that necklace?” he asked.

Yun Yin shook her head. “No, I don’t.” She’d never been particularly interested in jewelry.

“Then thank President Zhou for his kind offer,” Pei Yu said after a pause, his voice slow and deliberate. “But I’ve already bid on another blue diamond.”

Unlike Zhou Wenze’s necklace, Pei Yu’s was the “Heart of the Ocean,” a 50-carat antique blue diamond—the centerpiece of the auction.

Compared to it, Zhou Wenze’s necklace seemed utterly ordinary.

Zhou Wenze’s expression stiffened under Pei Yu’s amused gaze.

Then Pei Yu added, “It’s not much, but it’s good enough for you to play with.”

Yun Yin looped her arm through Pei Yu’s and smiled. “I’ll love anything you give me.”

Pei Yu looked down at her, indulgent. “As long as you’re happy.”

Zhou Wenze took a deep breath. Her smiling eyes curved into crescents.

In that moment, he realized Yun Yin truly no longer cared for him.

He remembered how she used to do anything for him, and a bitter laugh rose in his chest.

“Pei Yu,” he snapped, “do you really think Yun Yin is with you because she wants to be?”

Yun Yin frowned. What now?

The atmosphere froze.

Before she could respond, Pei Yu stepped forward, blocking her. His voice was calm and steady. “So what if she isn’t?”

He enunciated each word: “I don’t care.”

Zhou Wenze’s face twisted through several ugly expressions.

Pei Yu’s words shocked both him and Yun Yin.

“She doesn’t even like you!” Zhou Wenze finally blurted.

Pei Yu’s gaze lifted, locking onto his.

Zhou Wenze felt a chill crawl down his spine—like he was being hunted.

After several seconds, the pressure eased.

“I told you,” Pei Yu said, looking down at Yun Yin, voice gentle. “I don’t care.”

Yun Yin froze, startled by his intensity.

Zhou Wenze: “???”

Wasn’t Pei Yu supposed to be cold and ruthless? How did he suddenly become…

A lovesick fool?

This shattered Zhou Wenze’s perception of him.

He desperately wanted to reveal the truth about Yun Yin’s initial approach to Pei Yu.

But he swallowed the words. A small impatience can ruin a grand scheme.

Yun Yin, however, couldn’t bear for Pei Yu to misunderstand.

She said sincerely, “Don’t believe him. I mean it.”

She didn’t finish the sentence—but Pei Yu understood.

He gently ruffled her hair. “Just stay by my side.”

Watching the oblivious couple, Zhou Wenze wanted to ask Yun Yin: What kind of love potion did you give Pei Yu?

“Let’s go somewhere else,” Yun Yin said, not sparing Zhou Wenze another glance.

Even though he knew she didn’t like him—and he had never liked her—being so thoroughly ignored left an unexpected emptiness in his heart.

Pei Yu hummed in agreement, wrapping his arm around her as they walked away.