Chapter 33: Did It Hurt?

The sound of horse hooves echoed from afar, accompanied by Gu Jinling’s loud wailing.

“Yaoyao, won’t you take care of this old man?”

Pei Heng glanced into the distance, the corner of his lips curling slightly in an almost imperceptible smile.

He didn’t spare even half a glance at Wei Changze.

His voice was cold, cutting, and completely unforgiving.

“Wei Changze, Yaoyao is a living, breathing person. She has her own independent thoughts and personality.”

“She will choose who she likes and who she dislikes. No one can dictate her choices.”

“The idea of me ‘returning’ her to you is utterly ridiculous.”

Wei Changze’s face darkened at the rejection.

Instead of looking at the approaching rider, he stared at his young uncle and enunciated each word clearly:

“What if she doesn’t like you either?”

“Pei Heng, if Yaoyao doesn’t like you, will you also respect her choice?”

A cold, emotionless gaze met his.

As their eyes locked, Wei Changze’s forced smile turned even more strained.

“Pei Heng, you’re such a hypocrite.”

“You talk a good game, but if she ever stops liking you and wants to leave, who knows what you’d do to her.”

The handsome young man’s smile widened. He lifted a hand and gestured toward the approaching figure in the distance.

The sound of hooves grew clearer.

Taking advantage of the brief pause, Pei Heng finally turned his face fully toward Wei Changze, his sharp gaze sweeping over him with a half-smile.

“I wouldn’t kneel and beg a love rival for mercy. Why do you care what I’d do?”

As Wei Changze’s anger flared, a crisp, melodious voice rang out, like silver bells chiming in the spring breeze.

“Mr. Pei!”

The previously cold and detached man strode forward and extended his hand toward the radiant young woman, his voice warm.

“Yaoyao, you’ve improved a lot.”

Jiang Yaoyao’s face was flushed from exertion. She habitually pressed her lips together before placing her palm in his, using his strength to leap off the horse.

Gu Jinling arrived a moment later.

As he dismounted, he howled, “Yaoyao, do you care nothing for the feelings of an old man?”

“Do you realize you’ve deeply wounded my heart?”

Seeing Pei Heng, Gu Jinling immediately dropped any pretense of seniority and launched into a torrent of complaints.

“You don’t know what just happened! We were racing, the whole film crew was watching, and those little brats were all cheering against me—”

“I was only a tiny bit behind her, just a few meters! But at the last moment, she spurred her horse forward and easily left me in the dust!”

“Pei Xiao Heng, are you not going to do anything about Jiang Yaoyao? I’m truly heartbroken because of your—friend!”

The amusement in Pei Heng’s eyes deepened. He raised a hand and smoothly removed the black helmet from Jiang Yaoyao’s head.

His obsidian-like eyes brimmed with fondness as he gently tousled her soft hair.

With careful movements, he also helped her remove her protective gloves.

After finishing, the tall man finally lifted his gaze toward Gu Jinling and spoke slowly,

“It’s because Yaoyao had the better horse.”

“Uncle Gu, your heroic form remains as impressive as ever—it was the horse that held you back.”

Hearing this, Gu Jinling finally raised an eyebrow in satisfaction.

“Alright, as compensation, I’ll have the kitchen prepare your favorite dishes. Consider it my apology. How about that?”

Gu Jinling nodded eagerly.

After running around all morning, he was starving.

At Pei Heng’s offer, he wasted no time in accepting. He removed his helmet, shoved it into someone’s hands, and declared,

“Wait for me! I’m going to the restroom, then I’ll meet you at the restaurant!”

With that, he dashed off.

Pei Heng held Jiang Yaoyao’s helmet and gloves in one hand.

He lifted his other hand and tucked a stray strand of her hair behind her ear, his deep voice gentle, as if coaxing a child.

“I lied to him just now.”

“Yaoyao, you’re amazing. The best I’ve ever seen.”

The fair-skinned young woman tilted her head slightly, her clear, dark eyes reflecting the sunlight in a warm, tea-like hue.

Her rosy lips were like a fully bloomed rose, lush and vibrant.

Her cheerful voice, tinged with slight breathlessness from exertion, rang out crisply.

“Really?”

The man’s gaze lingered on her lips for a moment before he chuckled.

“Really.”

The lights in the women’s changing room were malfunctioning, flickering on and off. The maintenance workers were rushing to fix them.

Jiang Yaoyao stood at the entrance, peeking inside.

It didn’t seem like it would be repaired anytime soon.

Which meant she had nowhere to change.

She pressed her red lips together, troubled.

A large hand gently patted her head. “The other side is empty. I’ll keep watch for you.”

Jiang Yaoyao nodded obediently, hugging her clothes as she followed Pei Heng into the men’s changing room.

Both changing rooms had the same layout.

Showers, lockers, and small fitting rooms for changing.

Jiang Yaoyao quickly darted into one of the outer rooms.

The tall man stood just outside, guarding the entrance.

However, barely a minute after she entered, hurried footsteps and chatter approached.

“Really? Today’s lunch is that extravagant? Boss Pei is really going all out! Even high-end buffets outside aren’t this fancy!”

“Hurry up! Let’s change quickly so we can get there in time! Maybe we’ll even run into him!”

“No chance!” another voice interjected.

“As if Boss Pei would eat with us. The guys at the stables said he’s treating the director and Jiang Yaoyao to a feast today.”

“Damn it! Jiang Yaoyao’s so lucky. I wish I were a woman—”

A wooden door creaked open.

The two young men abruptly locked eyes with the ‘boss’ they had just been talking about.

His cold gaze lingered on them for a second.

They exchanged glances, their souls practically leaving their bodies in embarrassment.

“Mr. Pei.”

“Good morning, Mr. Pei.”

The one who had just lamented not being a woman was so mortified that he bowed deeply.

The rumored cold and aloof boss showed no expression, but he clearly had no interest in making things difficult for them.

Pei Heng gave a small nod, indicating they could proceed.

The two men wanted nothing more than to flee. Moving almost in sync, they grabbed their clothes and rushed into the farthest stalls.

Inside, Jiang Yaoyao was wrestling with her clothes, nervous about the sudden influx of people.

As midday approached, the temperature was rising, and more people would likely come in.

She hurriedly removed her top and replaced it with her own clothes.

Just then, another set of footsteps approached.

A familiar voice rang out—it was the director.

“Pei Heng, what are you doing here?”

Before Pei Heng could answer, the director continued,

“Oh! You knew I’d come here after the restroom, so you reserved a changing stall for your Uncle Gu in advance. Such a filial nephew!”

“Ay, since you’re so thoughtful, when you and Yaoyao get married, I’ll give you a big red envelope!”

Gu Jinling prattled on as he strode toward the nearest stall.

But before he could enter, a hand grabbed the back of his shirt.

Gu Jinling turned around to see his nephew’s half-smiling face.

“Thank you, Uncle Gu,” Pei Heng said coolly.

Pei Heng spoke while subtly exerting force, guiding Gu Jinling to turn and pushing him toward the only vacant changing room.

Gu Jinling shrugged indifferently and pushed the door open to enter.

Hearing the sounds of people coming and going outside, Jiang Yaoyao’s small face flushed slightly.

She was wearing a cotton-linen traditional skirt today, which was easier to change than her top.

After finally adjusting her clothes, she noticed that the other rooms were quiet. Holding her own clothes in her arms, she quietly pushed open the door, planning to slip out while she had the chance.

However, just as she opened a small gap, she heard approaching footsteps.

Jiang Yaoyao’s pupils widened in shock.

She instantly shut the door.

At that moment, Wei Changze entered the changing room.

It seemed that Pei Heng was always lingering like a ghost.

The more he didn’t want to see him, the more omnipresent Pei Heng became.

Since Jiang Yaoyao wasn’t around, Wei Changze couldn’t be bothered to pretend civility with his cousin-in-law.

At the first sight of Pei Heng, he simply nodded, then pushed down the sunglasses perched on his forehead, covering his eyes.

The innermost changing room door was slightly ajar, and the person inside probably assumed that since it was all men here, they could be careless.

The other two rooms occasionally made some noise as well.

Wei Changze, wearing sunglasses, swept his gaze over each door. Holding his clothes in one hand, he strode toward the outermost room.

But before his fingers could touch the handle, a strong force yanked him back.

Wei Changze turned and saw Pei Heng’s cold, handsome face.

He curved his lips into a polite smile. “Uncle, what’s the meaning of this?”

“You won’t go in, but you won’t let others in either?”

The man with a sharp, imposing face glanced at the door, his eyelids lazily half-drooped, and he spoke in an indifferent tone:

“Who said I’m not going in?”

The next second, he pulled Wei Changze aside.

Gripping the doorknob, he swiftly pushed open the door and slipped inside.

The movements were fluid, executed so quickly that no one had time to react.

Inside the cramped fitting room, a tall figure suddenly appeared. The space was already tight, and the domineering scent of wood and cool musk wrapped around Jiang Yaoyao from all directions, invading her senses.

She blinked slowly, lifting her dazed and delicate face to look at the suddenly intruding Pei Heng.

The aristocratic-looking man was dressed in a crisp white shirt, his sleeves rolled up to reveal his refined wrists. His slender fingers casually toyed with the door before a soft “click” echoed—the lock was engaged.

After finishing this, he finally turned his face toward her, offering a reassuring smile.

It was just a simple curve of his lips.

But when Pei Heng did it, it felt like an intoxicating spell, making hearts race.

His hairstyle today was more relaxed, not the usual polished business look. A few strands of jet-black hair fell over his forehead, making his fair skin appear even more smooth, like a piece of cold, exquisite jade—both aloof and noble.

That slight smirk was mature yet lazy, like a lion returning from the hunt, exuding an overpowering aura that made one instinctively submit.

The space was narrow.

Pei Heng braced one hand against the wall, his long, fair fingers held up to his lips in a gesture for silence.

The blue veins on the back of his hand stood out, filled with strength, making Jiang Yaoyao’s face flush slightly.

She took a step back, but her back unexpectedly pressed against the wooden panel with a dull thud.

The next second, a large palm cushioned the back of her head.

A low voice dropped down, so quiet that only the two of them could hear:

“Did that hurt?”

They were too close. His deep, cool breaths brushed against her nose like feathers. At this distance, Jiang Yaoyao didn’t even dare to lift her head.

She kept her gaze straight ahead, and all she could see was his white shirt with two buttons undone.

Pei Heng was leaning slightly, one hand propped against the wall, the other supporting her head.

From her angle, she could clearly see the firm chest muscles and toned abdomen beneath his shirt.

The muscle lines were perfect, as if sculpted by a meticulous god, radiating raw masculinity—an overwhelming explosion of pheromones right before her eyes.

Jiang Yaoyao swallowed quietly.

She didn’t dare look any longer—nor did she dare to keep staring and taking advantage of this dangerous man.

Just yesterday, she had indulged in wild thoughts, which led to two consecutive dreams about Pei Heng.

If she looked at him too much today, she might end up dreaming of something even more scandalous.

She quickly retracted her gaze, lowering her eyes to avoid him.

But in the next second, her eyes fell from Pei Heng’s shirt to his trousers.

Because of his slight lean, a particular area became… accentuated.

Jiang Yaoyao’s face instantly turned red, her entire body heating up.

Like she had been burned, she swiftly averted her gaze, dodging toward the door. Her words came out stammering,

“N-No.”

As soon as she spoke, a loud bang came from the adjacent changing room. Realizing her mistake, Jiang Yaoyao quickly covered her mouth.

Outside, Gu Jinling adjusted his belt and raised his voice,

“Pei Heng, did you hear someone talking?”

Pei Heng glanced down at the petite beauty trapped in his embrace and couldn’t help but curve his lips slightly, his voice deep and calm:

“No.”

Outside, Wei Changze’s voice suddenly rang out. He sounded like he was restraining anger as he knocked on the door Pei Heng had locked.

“Uncle, why do I hear a woman’s voice in there?”

The knocking passed through the thin wooden door, sending vibrations inside.

Terrified of being caught, Jiang Yaoyao clutched her mouth tighter, shrinking further into Pei Heng’s arms.

No way.

If she got dragged out now, the embarrassment would be unbearable…

The man’s large hand gently patted her back, a gesture full of reassurance.

She was too caught up in her embarrassment to realize that she had instinctively nestled into Pei Heng’s embrace—

In a posture seeking protection.

His deep voice rang out again, carrying a hint of mocking amusement:

“Thinking about women to the point of hallucinations, Wei Changze?”

“How about you come in and check for yourself?”