Chapter 7

The reception room fell silent.

Faced with the question, Yun Yin felt a faint headache return. She took a deep breath.

She desperately wanted to say, “Whoever wants that land in the suburbs can have it. There’s really no need to argue over it here.”

But she couldn’t.

After a long silence, Yun Yin still hadn’t spoken. Yun Yang grew anxious, repeatedly signaling to her with his eyes.

Noticing Yun Yang’s eyes—practically cramping with effort—Yun Yin feigned confusion. “Brother, what’s wrong with your eyes?”

Yun Yang froze, nearly rolling his eyes. He quickly composed himself and gritted his teeth. “Nothing. Just a little discomfort.”

“Oh,” Yun Yin murmured, pressing her lips together. She picked up the teacup from the low table and took a sip before continuing leisurely, “Yun Cheng does have many impressive patented technologies and extensive experience in similar projects. They’re currently thriving.”

As she spoke, both men fixed their gazes on her.

Yun Yang couldn’t hide his delight, eagerly awaiting her next words.

Pei Yu’s expression remained unchanged, but his eyes held a probing curiosity.

“If Yujiang and Yun Cheng were to collaborate, I believe they could create even greater value,” Yun Yin said, meeting Yun Yang’s expectations and voicing exactly what he longed to hear.

Before she had even finished, Yun Yang eagerly interjected, “What does President Pei think?” The implication was clear.

Pei Yu tightened his grip on Yun Yin’s wrist, a faint smile curving his lips. “It’s possible, but how would we divide the shares?”

Business collaborations came in tiers, and Yun Yang naturally wanted the lion’s share. But the Yuncheng Group wasn’t yet capable of securing the project alone, which was why they sought a partnership.

As Yun Yang hesitated, calculating how to maximize his gains, Yun Yin spoke softly, “Yun Cheng has extensive experience in real estate development, and my brother is certain to secure the suburban Beijing project. Pei Yu, why don’t you entrust that project to Yun Cheng? Would that work?”

At that moment, Yun Yin’s voice sounded like heavenly music to Yun Yang’s ears.

Pei Yu stared at her without speaking, his thoughts unreadable.

Yun Yin knew how outrageous her request was. The project promised immeasurable benefits, and everyone was vying for it. Only a fool would abandon such an opportunity.

Yet here she was, asking Pei Yu to be that fool.

When he remained silent, Yun Yin had no choice. She reached out and hooked her pinky finger around his, tilting her head back to ask boldly, “Pei Yu, can you do it?”

His gaze faltered slightly. When she called him by name, it felt like a feather brushed across his heart—soft and ticklish. Her voice was low and gentle, almost coaxing.

If she didn’t want to see Pei Yu later crushed and impoverished by the male lead, would she go to such lengths to remove this ticking time bomb?

If Pei Yu agreed, the project would likely fall into the male lead’s hands. After all, the male lead was destined for greatness. This setback would only pave the way for his future rise.

More importantly, Pei Yu had treated her well—providing food, shelter, and freedom. As long as she didn’t act recklessly, she could live comfortably.

If he fell, who would care for her? What could her frail body—easily blown away by the wind—possibly accomplish?

Just as Yun Yin was pondering how to persuade Pei Yu to give up the project, a large hand suddenly enveloped hers. His dark eyes held hers for two seconds before a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.

“Agreed.”

Yun Yin froze, blinking in disbelief. “You… you agreed?”

So easily? That wasn’t like Pei Yu at all.

She couldn’t believe he truly loved her—loved her enough to abandon reason.

To give up a massive project on a whim?

Truthfully, she hadn’t expected her few words to persuade Pei Yu. Her plan had been to prompt the male lead to intensify his efforts, win the bid, and secure the development rights for the 京郊 district.

Even Yun Yang was shocked that Pei Yu agreed.

Dazzled by this unexpected windfall, he didn’t question Pei Yu’s motives. Afraid Pei Yu might change his mind, he quickly said, “President Pei, you’re serious?”

“Of course,” Pei Yu replied, glancing at Yun Yin beside him. “I trust Little Yun will put in a good word for me with your father.”

Yun Yang immediately understood. “Absolutely. Since President Pei is so sincere, I’d be ungracious to refuse. What about the contract?”

Pei Yu raised his voice. “Lu Lin.”

Lu Lin entered. In front of Yun Yin and Yun Yang, Pei Yu instructed him to prepare the next steps.

After hearing the instructions, Lu Lin couldn’t resist glancing at Yun Yin. President Pei had casually relinquished a multi-billion-dollar project—for her.

Weren’t we just pretending?

Looking at Pei Yu now, Lu Lin saw him as a foolish monarch. A trace of resentment and confusion flickered in his eyes.

Before this meeting, Lu Lin had investigated Yun Yin’s background. He knew she was the eldest daughter of the Yuncheng Group and understood Yun Yang’s true purpose for the visit.

Both men also knew the close ties between the Yuncheng Group and the Zhou Group.

Though Lu Lin had much to say, he swallowed his words, aware of the others present. As he left, his gaze toward Yun Yin was complex.

Yun Yin noticed his expression. Though she couldn’t read his thoughts, she returned a polite smile.

Lu Lin froze, clearly caught off guard. Quickly recovering, he strode out of the reception room.

With that, the negotiation concluded pleasantly. Everyone achieved their objectives, and the atmosphere relaxed.

Pei Yu still had work to attend to, but instead of leaving immediately, he paused beside Yun Yin. Under her stunned gaze, he reached out and gently patted the top of her head.

“I’ll go back to work now. Take good care of Little Yun.”

Yun Yin: “……”

Is he enjoying this act too much?

After Pei Yu left the reception room, Yun Yang gave Yun Yin a teasing look. “I never thought Pei Yu was so shallow.”

Yun Yin found his gaze repulsive. She retorted without hesitation, “Not shallow? Then you’d be the one collaborating with him.”

Yun Yang stroked his chin and nodded. “You have a point. Truly worthy of being my good sister.”

Yun Yin shot him a sidelong glance, unwilling to continue the conversation.

Yun Yang understood his sister’s temperament—beautiful but willful. Since they still needed Pei Yu’s cooperation, they couldn’t afford to offend him. He gently reminded, “A’yin, this is a critical time. Curb your little temper.”

He paused, studying her silent expression, and added, “Regardless, you’re part of the Yun Family. Our fortunes rise and fall together. I shouldn’t need to remind you.” Fearing surveillance in the room, he left his warning unspoken.

“I understand,” Yun Yin said, her heart churning with irritation despite her calm facade. A thought struck her, and she frowned slightly. “Tell Dad he doesn’t need to arrange anything for me anymore.”

Yun Yang immediately understood and agreed without hesitation. With Pei Yu as her backer, there was no need to consider other options.

As lunchtime approached, Yun Yang finally left, radiating cheerfulness.

Yun Yin turned and headed to Pei Yu’s office, knocking on the door.

“Come in,” a deep voice responded.

She pushed open the door and found Pei Yu at his black desk, working.

He looked different when focused—his jacket removed, a white shirt and loosened tie replacing his usual polish. Silver-rimmed glasses perched on his straight nose. As he glanced up, his gaze met hers.

He stopped typing. “What is it?”

Staring at the glasses, she blurted, “Aren’t you supposed to have perfect vision?”

Pei Yu casually adjusted them. “They’re for radiation protection.”

“Oh.”

“Do you like it?”

“Huh?” Yun Yin snapped out of her daze, realizing she’d been staring too long. Flustered, she quickly denied, “No, I don’t.”

I’ve seen plenty of handsome men and beautiful women before transmigrating into this book. Why do I keep getting lost in his gaze?

Still, she couldn’t deny Pei Yu’s face was exactly her type—like he’d stepped straight from her imagination.

Maybe after seeing it enough, his face won’t affect me so much.

“If there’s nothing else, I’ll head back now.” To avoid further embarrassment, she changed the subject.

Pei Yu chuckled softly, as if seeing through her. “No one’s here to take you home.”

So what? she thought. I can grab a taxi. I only came to say hello. If it weren’t impolite, she would’ve left already.

Pei Yu didn’t grant her that wish. “We’ll go home together after work.”

Yun Yin hesitated, but seeing his unyielding expression, she nodded reluctantly. “Alright.”

She settled onto the sofa to wait, growing drowsy as time passed.

Noticing this, Pei Yu glanced at the clock. It was noon. “Let’s get lunch.”

Yun Yin looked up. “I’m not very hungry. Can I skip it?”

Pei Yu remembered what she’d eaten that morning and refused coldly. “No.”

“…” Yun Yin hesitated. Staying alone in the office didn’t seem ideal. She stood. “Then let’s go.”

As they left the president’s office, they ran into Lu Lin, who was coming from the secretary’s office with a file in hand.

He paused and greeted them. “President Pei, heading out?”

“Yes,” Pei Yu nodded. “Leave the file in my office.”

“Understood.”

Only when they reached the underground garage did Yun Yin ask, “Aren’t we eating at the company cafeteria?”

Pei Yu opened the car door and got in. “We’re going out.”

“Okay.” Yun Yin climbed into the passenger seat, fastened her seatbelt, and didn’t ask where they were going.

Seeing her unusually docile demeanor, an unreadable emotion flickered in Pei Yu’s eyes.

She didn’t ask, and he didn’t explain. Soon, the car drove out of the underground garage.