Chapter 10: News About Pei Qingsong  

After being discharged from the hospital, Yu Heng immediately took over Yu Corporation. His decisive and efficient leadership style allowed him to secure several major projects within just a few days, and Yu Zhi frequently saw him featured in financial news.  

Of course, the most delightful part was the steady stream of income flowing into her account.  

Living the life of a wealthy woman without lifting a finger was simply bliss.  

Naturally, Yu Zhi made sure to show some care for her dear older brother, who was essentially a gold-spitting machine for her, just to maintain their sibling bond.  

But usually, Yu Zhi would just go through the motions—bringing home-cooked meals prepared by the family chef—before finding a cozy corner in Yu Heng’s office to laze around.  

Leaving Yu Heng alone at his desk, buried in work.  

To be fair, Yu Heng usually seemed unreliable, but when it came to work, his entire demeanor changed.  

After signing the last document and handing it to his assistant, Yu Heng looked up to see Yu Zhi lounging on the sofa, munching on an apple while binge-watching dramas—utterly relaxed.  

He couldn’t help but grumble, “You’re really living the good life, huh?”  

She claimed to be visiting him, but all she did was laze around. Sometimes, she didn’t even bother pretending and just brought takeout.  

Yu Zhi shrugged. “What can I say? I’ve got a wealthy husband and a brother who makes bank. It’s hard *not* to take it easy.”  

Yu Heng: “I’m finishing work early today. Want to grab a bite?”  

“No.”  

Yu Heng almost laughed in exasperation. He didn’t even need her to come up with an excuse—she just outright rejected him. “Right, right, you’re going home to have dinner with Pei Yuezhou again, aren’t you? I mean, he’s not a three-year-old. Can’t he eat by himself?”  

“Aw, if you’re feeling lonely, just find yourself a wife already. Or if women aren’t your thing, a man works too. We’re very open-minded.”  

Yu Heng felt his hair stand on end. Wonderful—his sister really knew how to get under his skin.  

Through gritted teeth, he said, “I *really* appreciate that.”  

“Alright, I’m heading out now. Keep up the good work.”  

Yu Heng’s hands, folded over his stomach, clenched and unclenched. Just as Yu Zhi was about to leave the office, he called out to her.  

“Zhi Zhi, I can guess.”  

He didn’t spell it out, but they both knew what he meant.  

Yu Zhi paused mid-step but didn’t turn around.  

Of course—Yu Heng wasn’t stupid. It’d be weirder if he *hadn’t* figured it out.  

“Brother, what do you want to say?”  

Yu Heng slowly stood up.  

“If I could think of it, so could Pei Yuezhou. Yet he hasn’t said a word. I can’t figure out what he’s thinking. But I want to say something from the heart…”  

He walked over to Yu Zhi and gently patted her head. “You’ve had it rough while I was gone.”  

A bittersweet ache welled up in Yu Zhi’s chest, but she stubbornly shook her head with a smile.  

“Go on. I’ll have Zhou Qiyin drive you.”  

Yu Zhi nodded.  

But the moment she stepped into the elevator, a series of beeps echoed in her mind. Xiao Shui, who had been silent for a while, suddenly reconnected with her.  

**[Got it. Pei Qingsong isn’t dead. He’s currently in a psychiatric hospital in M-country, within territory controlled by the Pei family.]**  

Yu Zhi pressed her lips together. She needed to find a way to meet Pei Qingsong.  

**[Are you planning to go abroad? But Pei Qingsong has been in that psychiatric hospital for so long, acting erratic every day. Even if you meet him, you might not get any useful information.]**  

“Who knows if he’s really crazy or just pretending?”  

That was indeed a possibility. After all, the data she had was only for reference.

“Pei Yuezhou has people watching you 24/7. It won’t be easy to avoid his surveillance to meet Pei Qingsong.”

“First, find an excuse to go to Country M. We’ll figure out the rest later.”

As if answering her prayers, Yu Zhi received perfect timing the moment she returned home—she learned Pei Yuezhou was returning to his family’s estate in Country M for at least half a month.

Naturally, she proposed going along.

Pei Yuezhou said nothing more, simply instructing someone to pack her belongings.

Having made prior arrangements, they traveled by private jet, avoiding many inconveniences.

But what Yu Zhi never expected was that despite never suffering from airsickness on commercial flights, she became nauseous on the private plane.

Noticing this, Pei Yuezhou immediately summoned the onboard physician.

While the doctor applied anti-nausea patches, Pei Yuezhou took Yu Zhi’s hand, massaging the inner side of her wrist while observing her condition.

“Still feeling unwell?”

“I’ll try sleeping,” Yu Zhi murmured, burrowing into Pei Yuezhou’s embrace and wrapping her arms tightly around his waist.

His body stiffened momentarily before relaxing, gently patting her head.

Enveloped in his comforting pinewood scent, Yu Zhi gradually drifted to sleep.

When she awoke, the plane had already landed on the tarmac.

Pei Yuezhou carried her in his arms through the serene, antique surroundings of the Pei family ancestral home.

Though uninhabited for years, the estate was meticulously maintained. The head chef had timed their arrival perfectly, preparing a light meal of congee and side dishes upon hearing of Yu Zhi’s discomfort.

Pei Yuezhou settled her into a chair and ladled out millet-and-red-date congee. Blowing gently on the steaming spoonful, he brought it to her lips.

For a fleeting moment, Yu Zhi remembered their early dating days—when he’d skipped classes to nurse her through a high fever, feeding her congee just like this on another quiet evening.

Noticing her hesitation, Pei Yuezhou lifted his gaze. “What’s wrong?”

Yu Zhi quickly accepted the bite.

After half a bowl, her stomach finally settled.

Though the simple dishes looked appetizing, her lack of appetite made her want to retire immediately. But as she stood, Pei Yuezhou swept her up in his arms.

“You should eat. I can return to my room alone.”

His tone remained even but brooked no argument: “The bedroom’s on the third floor. There’s no elevator here.”

Yu Zhi acquiesced as he carried her up the grand, winding staircase illuminated by soft sconce light that gentled his features.

In the hush, she could hear his measured breathing—and her own traitorous heartbeat that still quickened for this version of Pei Yuezhou after all this time.

He stayed until she slept before extinguishing the lights.

Emerging into the hallway, he found Lin Zhi waiting. “Sir, the gift for Song Chuhe has been delivered.”

Dark currents swirled in Pei Yuezhou’s ink-black eyes. “Maintain surveillance.”

“Yes.”

Returning to dine, his every movement exuded an unconscious nobility that commanded deference.

At that moment, a distinctly Western-looking elderly butler with blond hair approached nervously, speaking fluent American English: “Sir, we were unaware earlier that you and your wife slept separately. Currently, only the master bedroom’s bedding has been freshly changed… We’ll have the staff prepare another set immediately—”

Pei Yuezhou raised his hand to stop him.

“No need. The master bedroom will do.”

“Very well.”