Chapter 11

In the study, Yun Cheng sat at the tea table, while Yun Yin occupied a sofa nearby.

“I haven’t decided yet,” Yun Yin said casually, lifting her steaming teacup.

Yun Cheng’s expression flickered, but he maintained a patient demeanor. “Your elder brother mentioned that Pei Yu intends to transfer the suburban Beijing project to Yun Cheng.”

“Mm,” Yun Yin replied, fully aware of Yun Cheng’s ulterior motives. “I suggested it.”

Yun Cheng’s face lit up, his gaze toward Yun Yin growing subtly fervent.

Ever since learning of Pei Yu’s affection for Yun Yin, Yun Cheng had been plotting to maximize his gains.

He never imagined Pei Yu would go so far as to hand over a project worth tens or even hundreds of billions to Yun Cheng, all for Yun Yin’s sake.

Truly my good daughter.

Yun Cheng was still basking in his secret triumph when Yun Yin’s next words shattered his plans.

“But I don’t intend to be with Pei Yu.”

“Why not?” Yun Cheng’s joy vanished instantly, his brow furrowing in disapproval.

As if anticipating his reaction, Yun Yin declared defiantly, “I simply don’t like him.”

Hearing this explanation, Yun Cheng’s deep-seated doubts eased slightly. “Do you still have feelings for that Zhou Family boy?”

Before Yun Yin could answer, Yun Cheng continued, “Let’s set that aside for now. You need to understand that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Yujiang will almost certainly secure the 京郊 project. If Yun Cheng wants to collaborate with Yujiang, his only leverage is Pei Yu.”

Yun Yin knew this, of course, but she wanted more than just collaboration.

She rubbed the rim of her cup, pondered for a few seconds, then looked directly at Yun Cheng and proposed another possibility: “What if we put Yun Cheng in charge of the project?”

Yun Cheng remained silent for a moment, seemingly considering the idea.

If Yun Cheng partnered with Yujiang and became the project manager for the 京郊 project, it would technically be Yujiang’s project, but Yun Cheng would wield the real power. How he secretly manipulated things afterward would depend entirely on his skill.

To put it bluntly, wasn’t this just another way to pull off a deal with nothing but air?

After over a decade of navigating the business world, Yun Cheng had seen it all. He didn’t believe Pei Yu would be foolish enough to agree to such a proposal.

Pei Yu’s willingness to collaborate with Yun Cheng was already a favor to Yun Yin.

Yun Cheng had always known his daughter was extraordinary, but what if…?

“Are you certain Pei Yu will agree?”

“How can we know it’s impossible without trying? Besides…” Yun Yin took a sip of her tea, paused, and added pointedly, “Yujiang isn’t the only potential partner.”

The moment she finished speaking, Yun Cheng thought of the Zhou Group.

Yun Yin was right.

The suburban Beijing project wasn’t just coveted by Yujiang; their rival, the Zhou Group, was also eyeing it hungrily.

The final outcome remained uncertain.

“Hahaha!” Yun Cheng burst into laughter. “Truly worthy of being my daughter!”

Yun Yin’s lips curved slightly, but her eyes remained devoid of amusement.

Just then, a knock sounded at the door.

“Come in,” Yun Cheng called.

The Yun Family’s housekeeper entered. “Sir, a guest has arrived.”

Hearing this, Yun Cheng said no more and rose from his desk to leave the study.

Yun Yin followed him downstairs. As she reached the foot of the staircase, Yun Yang blocked her path.

She stared at him, silent for a moment.

Yun Yang knew his younger sister had always been arrogant, looking down on him. Unbothered by her cold attitude, he crossed his arms and leaned against the escalator, his tone lazy and flippant. “Everyone in Jing City knows you’re with Pei Yu now.”

That naturally included Zhou Wenze.

“So?”

“Zhou Wenze asked me to give you this,” Yun Yang said, pulling a small USB drive from his pocket.

The mention of Zhou Wenze only deepened Yun Yin’s already frayed mood.

She stared at the USB drive, hesitating to take it.

Seeing her hesitation, Yun Yang continued, “Zhou Wenze said you’d understand his intentions once you had it.”

Having read the novel, Yun Yin knew this wasn’t an ordinary USB drive. Once plugged into a computer, it could extract all the data stored on it. In the original story, the original owner had used this very drive to steal confidential information from Pei Yu’s company.

After a moment’s pause, Yun Yin reached out and took the USB drive. “I understand.”

As she accepted it, Yun Yang suddenly chuckled derisively. “Never thought Pei Yu would end up like this.”

Yun Yin was about to retort when she heard a commotion behind her.

“Xiao Pei, please have a seat. I’ll go get A Yin.”

It was Yun Cheng’s voice.

Yun Yin quickly put away the USB drive and turned to see Pei Yu standing nearby.

The two had been facing away from the living room entrance, completely unaware of the commotion in the foyer.

Yun Yang’s expression changed. He hadn’t expected Pei Yu to arrive at this moment. If he had overheard their conversation…

It was common knowledge that the Yujiang Group and the Zhou Clan were fierce competitors. Mentioning Zhou Wenze now, given Pei Yu’s suspicious nature, would inevitably lead to speculation.

Looking back, Yun Yang saw Yun Cheng and Zhao Yuqin following behind Pei Yu.

“What brings you here?” Yun Yin asked, her surprise barely concealed as she walked toward Pei Yu.

“Are you feeling better today?” Pei Yu didn’t answer her question. His deep gaze fell on Yun Yang as he greeted him calmly, “Young Master Yun, good to see you.”

Yun Yang quickly composed himself, abandoning his earlier thoughts. He stepped forward to welcome Pei Yu. “President Pei, what a surprise! If we had known you were coming, we would have made preparations.”

After Yun Yang finished speaking, he subtly glanced at Yun Yin beside him. Pei Yu’s sudden arrival didn’t fluster her in the slightest; she merely showed mild surprise, as if she didn’t care whether he had overheard their earlier conversation.

In truth, Yun Yin genuinely didn’t mind Pei Yu hearing. She had never intended to steal any company secrets; in fact, she had planned to give him the USB drive directly.

Hearing Yun Yang’s words, Yun Cheng chimed in, “Xiao Pei, since you’re already here, why not stay for a meal?”

“Thank you for your kind offer, President Yun,” Pei Yu replied, casually wrapping his arm around Yun Yin’s waist. He lowered his head to whisper in her ear, “I came to take A Yin home.”

His tone was intimate, his deep voice carrying an indescribable undercurrent, as if he were genuinely smitten with her.

Yun Yin’s back stiffened at the unexpected embrace. After a few seconds, she spoke with a hint of displeasure, “I can go home myself.”

Her behavior was the epitome of spoiled indulgence.

Pei Yu’s expression remained unchanged. Still speaking in a doting tone, he murmured, “I missed you.”

Yun Cheng watched their interaction, a glint of shrewdness in his eyes. He turned to Yun Yin and said, “A Yin, what do you think? Your mother and I haven’t seen you in ages, and she misses you terribly.”

Having failed to persuade Pei Yu, he switched tactics, trying to tug at Yun Yin’s heartstrings.

Yun Cheng was a master of reading the situation.

Unfortunately for him, this approach wouldn’t work on her.

“Pei Yu might not have time,” Yun Yin said without a shred of guilt, using him as her excuse. “He’s still busy with work.”

As soon as she spoke, she felt the arm around her waist tighten. Yun Yin looked up into Pei Yu’s deep, dark eyes and muttered inwardly, So petty.

Yun Cheng frowned at her words, glancing at Pei Yu with a troubled expression. “This…”

He was determined to keep Pei Yu here today. Until the contract for the suburban Beijing project was finalized, he couldn’t shake his unease.

But Pei Yu, a thousand-year-old fox himself, was well aware of Yun Cheng’s intentions.

Sensing the slight struggle in his arms, Pei Yu’s hand around her waist paused imperceptibly. Then, he saw the corner of Pei Yu’s mouth curl into a faint smile. “A Yin is right,” he said. “I do have work to attend to.”

Pei Yu paused, glanced at Yun Yin, and continued at a leisurely pace, “The contract for the suburban project is drafted. I’ll have someone from my team contact your company shortly.”

As expected, Yun Cheng and Yun Yang couldn’t hide their delight after Pei Yu finished speaking, though they still feigned reluctance. “Well, work comes first,” they said.

After a few more pleasantries, the meeting concluded. It seemed Yun Cheng’s earlier efforts had all been aimed at hearing Pei Yu’s confirmation.

Once outside the villa, Yun Yin nudged Pei Yu’s arm and raised her eyebrows, signaling, “We’re out now. Can you let go of me?”

Instead of releasing her, Pei Yu tightened his embrace and murmured meaningfully, “Yun Yang is right behind us.”

The distance between them shrank abruptly. Unaccustomed to such closeness, Yun Yin instinctively froze when she heard his words, suppressing her urge to pull away.

Pei Yu kept his arm around her until they reached the car.

Only when they were about to get in did he finally release her.

As usual, Pei Yu drove himself, leaving just the two of them in the car.

When they arrived at Cloud Lake, Yun Yin prepared to get out of the car. She reached for the handle only to find that Pei Yu had locked the door.

She turned to him, her eyes questioning what was happening.

“Did you have fun today?” Pei Yu’s deep voice echoed in the enclosed space.

Yun Yin paused for a moment. After a few seconds, her eyebrows arched, and a hint of amusement sparkled in her peach blossom eyes.

“It was alright,” she replied, her tone nonchalant, as if their earlier encounter had been nothing more than a game.

“Is there more?” Pei Yu leaned closer, his dark eyes reflecting only her image. Under Yun Yin’s intense gaze, he slowly reached out and brushed a strand of hair behind her ear.

A different kind of tension filled the air between them. Yun Yin forgot what she had been about to say, mesmerized by his presence.

At that moment, she could clearly feel her heart racing.

This was not a good sign for her.

After smoothing her hair, Pei Yu didn’t move away. His dark eyes remained locked on hers.

Finally, Yun Yin snapped out of her trance. She tilted her head, her gaze flickering, and hastily retreated against the seat.

She wanted to say something, anything, to calm her pounding heart.

Suddenly, Yun Yin remembered the USB drive in her pocket.

A moment later, she pulled it out.

“Yun Yang said Zhou Wenze gave this to me. I’m giving it to you now.”

Logically, she could have chosen not to give it to him. After all, Pei Yu had no idea what it was. But…

Pei Yu’s eyelids fluttered slightly as he gazed at the familiar USB drive, his expression unreadable. After a few seconds, he spoke in a low voice, a faint rasp barely detectable: “Why are you giving this to me?”

He didn’t believe she was unaware of the implications of this gesture.

Yun Yin looked up at him. “Don’t you want it?”

“I do.”

Pei Yu’s eyes darkened as he reached out and took the USB drive from her hand.

In his previous life, he had also obtained this USB drive.

In this life, it was once again in his possession, though the circumstances were different.

“Why are you doing this?” Pei Yu rephrased his question, his voice insistent.

He seemed desperate for a clear answer, eager to understand her motives.

Yun Yin’s delicate brows furrowed as if she had just remembered something. After a moment, she offered a childish explanation:

“They’re annoying.”

Yun Yin was more than happy to trip up the male lead and the Yun Family.

That way, they wouldn’t have time to bother her anymore.