Chapter 26: Fate Plays Tricks — Can It Get Any More Coincidental?

The official contract for Wusu had arrived. Zhong Yang sat in Qiguang’s office, fingers trembling slightly around a black carbon pen.

It felt different from the excitement she felt when she got the call—this excitement now came with a steady sense of security.

Along with the contract, she also received the full movie script.

So now, in addition to studying the script every day, Zhong Yang also had to fulfill the director’s “weight gain mission”—forcing herself to eat five meals a day. She ate so much that food no longer sparked joy.

Too much water overflows; too much food makes you nauseous.

Truly, nothing should be taken to excess.

Busy days always fly by quickly, and in the blink of an eye, the filming start date was upon her. But Zhong Yang had one major problem weighing on her—what to do with Baiyi once she joined the crew?

She would be gone for over a month. That was too long. She didn’t feel comfortable leaving Baiyi at a pet shop.

Leave him with someone she knew? Xu Youyou was allergic to cats. Chen Qingyue was with Xu Youyou all the time—also a no-go.

Sister Mingzhu was way too busy.

Hire a nanny just for Baiyi? She hadn’t even started filming yet, much less gotten paid. Where would she get the money?

Besides, could a nanny really be trusted?

Every time she worried, Xu Youyou’s words would echo in her mind—
“Wasn’t that cat a gift from Pei Yunzhe? Just leave it with him. Even if he’s busy, his house is full of staff. I bet Baiyi would live better there than with you, his actual mom.”

Honestly, that did make sense. And if she asked, Pei Yunzhe probably wouldn’t say no.

Zhong Yang had opened their chat window more than once. Their last messages were from the day after she got drunk:

[ . ]: Sorry, I drank too much yesterday. I didn’t offend you, did I?
[zy]: No, you were asleep the whole time. Very quiet.
[ . ]: Good to hear.

After that, it was a one-man show on Pei Yunzhe’s part:

[ . ]: How’s Baiyi?
[ . ]: Busy?
[ . ]: Heard your filming schedule is set?
[ . ]: Did I do something wrong when I was drunk that upset you?

Zhong Yang had deliberately ignored him. She wanted to cool off the growing feelings between them.

Lately, she had thrown herself into work, trying to numb her mind with busyness—perhaps even as a form of avoidance.

With that many unanswered messages, it felt thick-skinned and rude to suddenly ask him for a favor now…

She closed the chat window. Forget it, she thought. Maybe there’s a pet foster home I can find instead.

With no other option, she gave it a shot and posted in her company group chat, asking if anyone could temporarily foster her cat—for pay.

To her surprise, she got a reply almost immediately—someone actually said yes.

Meanwhile, Pei Yunzhe was still racking his brain.

He’d carved out two hours from his ten-hour workday just to figure out why Zhong Yang hadn’t replied.

He didn’t dare ask again—he didn’t want to make things worse.

After much agonizing, he concluded that he must have done something wrong while drunk.

Hesitating, Pei Yunzhe called Chen Qingyue:
“Hey, that night at your shop—we were drinking, I got drunk. Then what happened?”

Chen Qingyue laughed: “Oh man, you’ve got the nerve to bring that up? Your alcohol tolerance is terrible. Three drinks and you were out. Even Zhong Yang handled it better!”

“…Cut the crap. Answer the question.”

“Let me think… You just stared into space, then bam—collapsed on the table and fell asleep. We left early that night. Only Zhong Yang stayed with you to the end.”

“Send me the surveillance footage from that night.”

“Why should I? Not unless you beg me.”

“…”

“Not talking? I’m hanging up then.”

“…Just this once—please.”

Chen Qingyue was stunned for three seconds. “Is that really you, Pei Yunzhe? What the hell? Has AI gotten so good now you’re using it to mess with me?”

From past experience, he knew Pei Yunzhe never compromised—especially not to him.

Pei Yunzhe swallowed his pride. “Sending it now would be good. You’ve got one hour.”

“Wait, wait, hang on! I’ve got something else to tell you. Did you know Zhong Yang’s been stressing about what to do with her cat during filming?”

Hearing the key word, Pei Yunzhe brought the phone back to his ear. “Hmm? No.”

“This is your golden chance, man! You volunteer to take care of Baiyi—Zhong Yang will go off to film, start missing her cat, and when she thinks of the cat, she’ll think of you. Then she’ll text you! That’s how you get the girl, dumbass!”

Pei Yunzhe’s eyes lit up. He hung up decisively.

Indeed—a perfect opportunity. He was now willing to forgive Chen Qingyue.

He pressed his office intercom. “Zhang Lin, come to my office.”

…

Zhong Yang added the woman from the group chat on WeChat and explained her situation.

[FubaoMimiQueen]: I have two cats already, and all the supplies. The space is a bit small, though. Sis, see if Baiyi can handle it? (pic) (pic)

The cats and space looked clean… but it was tiny.

Even smaller than her own apartment—just one bedroom, no living room.

Plus, who knew if Baiyi would get along with the other two cats? What if they bullied Baiyi? Or he bullied them?

Ah, motherhood. Always worrying your kid won’t live well without you.

Zhong Yang considered it and politely declined.

[zy]: Thank you, but I think I’ll pass. I’m worried Baiyi might be a bit too rambunctious for your cats.

[FubaoMimiQueen]: Alright, hope you find another option~

Zhong Yang sighed.

This was tough. Maybe she could ask Wu Ge?

Just as she was about to message Wu Zhirong, her phone rang—it was Assistant Zhang.

“Miss Zhong, if you haven’t found a suitable place yet, you can leave Baiyi with me. I’ve already prepared all his supplies—all imported, the best quality! You can trust me with this!”

“Uh… how do you even know about this?”

Zhong Yang guessed: Xu Youyou told Chen Qingyue, who told Pei Yunzhe, who then sent Assistant Zhang.

“It was President Pei’s arrangement.”

Of course. Called it.

Zhong Yang was speechless at how her girlfriends shared every detail with their boyfriends now. “Thanks, but I don’t want to trouble you.”

Zhang was insistent: “No trouble at all! Baiyi will live like royalty—500 square meters of free space, imported food and litter, 24-hour running water, a dedicated playmate for two hours a day, hundreds of toys to choose from!”

“And I’ll send you daily photos, video calls every three days, full reports every five. You know my capabilities—please entrust him to me!”

“Miss Zhong, don’t hesitate. Make the right choice today and your cat will have a luxurious life tomorrow!”

Talk about the perfect pitch. Zhang’s passionate salesmanship left Zhong Yang holding her breath.

These conditions… they were just too tempting. Luxurious beyond reason.

Better than how most humans live! How could a mother say no?

“Alright, let me ask Baiyi.” She put the phone aside, crouched next to the cat, and said, “Baiyi, there’s a 500 sqm house with loads of food and toys. If you want to go, meow once. If not, meow twice.”

“Meow~”

Zhong Yang smiled gently and stroked her fluffy white furball.

Even if it meant more contact with Pei Yunzhe—grown-up matters shouldn’t affect the child.

If the child lives well, that’s what truly matters.

“Alright, I’ll trouble you then.”

Assistant Zhang: “I’ll come pick up Baiyi tomorrow night. You should come too, to see the place. Sound good?”

“Sure, that’s fine.”

Zhang Lin hung up and pumped his fist. Yes!

Today, President Pei gave him a mission: gain custody of Baiyi. Terms? None. Cost? Whatever it takes.

Success would mean a 20% year-end bonus!

…

Zhong Yang finally felt a burden lifted from her shoulders.

She was in such a good mood, she even had more appetite for her weight-gain meals.

That feeling lasted… right until Assistant Zhang’s car pulled into Xiangming Huafu.

She looked out the window. The familiar landscaping and streets stirred a flood of awkward memories. “Assistant Zhang, you have a house here?”

That startled Zhang: “Huh? No way! This place goes for 300,000 a square meter. That’s like two months of my salary per square!”

“This is one of President Pei’s properties.”

The car stopped in front of a building. Zhang gave her instructions: “Miss Zhong, elevator code is 0901. A butler will greet you inside. Someone will open the door. I have work, so I won’t go up with you.”

“Alright.”

Zhong Yang carried Baiyi’s carrier and pushed open the all-too-familiar revolving door.

Fate really plays tricks. She never thought she’d end up in the same building as Pei Yunzhe…

The butler bowed as she entered. “Miss Zhong, long time no see. Are you moving back in?”

“No, no. Just dropping off my cat for foster care,” she explained. I can’t afford this kind of place anymore…

The butler entered the elevator and asked, “Which unit?”

“0901.”

“Oh, that was your old apartment.”

“Haha, just kidding…” Zhong Yang trailed off, watching the floor numbers rise.

“Arrived. Wishing you a pleasant visit,” the butler said, motioning for her to exit.

Wait… did he buy her old place?

God, could this be any more coincidental?

Zhong Yang, in a daze, rang the doorbell. Three rings, and the door opened.

Pei Yunzhe stepped aside and gestured her in. “Come in.”

Zhong Yang felt a swirl of emotions. “…Alright.”