Refusing Huo Yao’s Invitation

Duan Heng turned the doorknob and saw Nan Pei standing still, frowning, “What’s wrong?”

Nan Pei swallowed, his fingers gripping the phone so tightly they turned white.

Stepping out of the private room led to a corridor, and at the end was Song Jingchen’s seat.

Nan Pei needed to find a way to leave the restaurant without being seen by Song Jingchen.

At this moment, his heart was pounding like never before.

“Ah,” Nan Pei said, suppressing the dryness in his throat, “I got a call.”

He then put the phone to his ear, pretending to answer, “Hello, President Wang… Sure, sure, go ahead, I won’t interrupt… Mm, mm…”

As he spoke, he lowered his head and followed Duan Heng out of the private room.

Duan Heng watched Nan Pei’s busy demeanor, noticing the tension in his eyes, but assumed it was an important client on the other end.

Once out of the private room, Nan Pei turned half his face to the wall, using his phone to cover the other half, keeping his head as low as possible.

Duan Heng frowned—what kind of shady business was this?

After exiting the corridor, Nan Pei didn’t dare glance towards Song Jingchen, his heartbeat like a drum.

He was less than three meters from Song Jingchen’s seat.

Only when he reached the cashier, with a large potted plant blocking him from Song Jingchen, did he finally breathe a little easier.

Then, swallowing nervously, Nan Pei took out the bill to pay.

The server stared at Nan Pei, confused, but said, “Hello, sir, here we…”

“Ahem.” Nan Pei lowered his voice, “I know, there’s a discount.”

He handed the stamped discount coupon to the cashier.

The server, who had doubted his own eyes, now confirmed this was indeed the nouveau riche customer from earlier, his jaw nearly dropping.

The cashier wasn’t much better, glancing at Nan Pei in shock, then at the coupon, hesitating before stamping it a second time and returning it, “This time it’s 30% off, next time 50%…”

Duan Heng, unaware of the discount coupon, didn’t ask further.

Nan Pei quickly pocketed the coupon and slipped out of the “Ren Tai Duo” restaurant.

The system, voice trembling, said, “Thank heavens, you made it out, Host, you did it!”

Nan Pei didn’t relax. He took the elevator to the first floor with Duan Heng, telling him he needed to shop a bit more and to go ahead without him.

Since Duan Heng’s teammates were almost done eating, he nodded and left.

Before leaving, Duan Heng stared at Nan Pei for a while.

He felt like Nan Pei was hiding something today.

But it must be his imagination.

After all, Nan Pei had always been sincere with him.

Once Duan Heng left, Nan Pei leaned against the wall by the elevator, feeling a sense of relief as if he’d narrowly escaped death.

Breathing heavily, he checked his phone, unsurprised to see several messages from Song Jingchen.

[Come over soon.]

[I won’t wait long.]

[Don’t dawdle.]

At that moment, Song Jingchen sat at his seat, staring at his phone, brows furrowed.

Nan Pei hadn’t replied for ten minutes.

And he’d been staring at his phone for the entire ten minutes, oblivious to the bustling surroundings.

Given how much Nan Pei liked and cared about him, he must have set him as a “special concern,” yet he hadn’t replied in ten minutes?

Though Song Jingchen was concerned, he pretended not to care, sending a few messages to show he wouldn’t wait long.

“This guy…” Song Jingchen muttered, a hint of frustration in his eyes, “What’s he up to?”

Nan Pei composed himself, tidied his appearance, and returned to the seventh floor.

This time, as soon as he entered the restaurant, the cashier spotted him, looking both surprised and doubtful—

Was this customer trying to use up all the discount coupons in one day?!

Surely not just for a discount?!

Nan Pei walked past the cashier nonchalantly.

Song Jingchen, irritated by Nan Pei’s lack of response, suddenly saw a figure sit across from him.

“Jingchen Gege,” Nan Pei, now in his lovestruck persona from the CEO novel, looked at Song Jingchen with delight, “You actually agreed to meet me, I’m so happy.”

Song Jingchen, surprised by Nan Pei’s sudden appearance, straightened up:

“So soon?”

Nan Pei, a bit shy, said, “Jingchen Gege, I rushed over as soon as I got your message. I was so excited I didn’t have time to reply.”

Song Jingchen had thought Nan Pei’s silence meant he didn’t want to come, but it turned out he was on his way.

Staring at Nan Pei for a moment, Song Jingchen noticed his shirt today was simple and clean, different from before.

“I asked you here to discuss the cooperation project,” Song Jingchen said coldly, “Don’t overthink it.”

A hint of disappointment flashed in Nan Pei’s eyes, but he quickly perked up, “Jingchen Gege, I’ll do my best to secure benefits for you in the Nan-Song cooperation project. I have a say in the Nan Family company…”

“With my abilities, do I need you to secure benefits?” Song Jingchen raised an eyebrow, “I just wanted to remind you of a few things.”

Nan Pei knew this project marked the beginning of Song Jingchen’s group’s rise from the low point, laying the foundation for the Song Group’s future expansion.

Without the Nan Family’s help, Song Jingchen’s later business empire wouldn’t exist.

“Jingchen Gege, I know you’re amazing.” Nan Pei continued to flatter, “Your company will only get better.”

As expected, Song Jingchen said, “The Song Group is expanding its business scope, planning to establish a new company, so the cooperation project can diversify, not just finance, but also internet, entertainment…”

After saying a lot, Song Jingchen pursed his lips, glanced at Nan Pei, and said, “I know you don’t understand, just relay this to Nan Chengshuo and Li Ya. In any case, your family won’t lose out.”

Nan Pei thought, as if he was taking advantage, the Nan Family invested so much, even a coin tossed into a turtle pond would make a sound.

After discussing the project, the system panel showed Song Jingchen’s career line advancing to 15.6%, highlighting the project’s importance.

“Jingchen Gege, you’re amazing…” Nan Pei feigned admiration, eyes sparkling at Song Jingchen.

Seeing Nan Pei, Song Jingchen inexplicably felt much happier, his recent frustrations dissipating.

But he didn’t realize his change, attributing it to the satisfaction of a successful project.

“Let’s order.” Song Jingchen called the server over.

Nan Pei quickly said, “Jingchen Gege, I’ve already eaten.”

Song Jingchen glanced at him, casually saying, “Then eat a little.”

The server this time was the same one from before.

He and Nan Pei had met multiple times now.

The server’s eyes widened, nearly dropping the menu, but his professionalism kept him steady.

Song Jingchen ordered a bunch of dishes, ending with, “Add a tom yum soup and shrimp cakes.”

Nan Pei: “…”

Song Jingchen looked at Nan Pei, “If you can’t eat much, have some soup.”

Nan Pei’s expression faltered, but he forced a smile and nodded.

The server, collecting the menu, seemed to understand something, looking at Nan Pei with a hint of sympathy.

The server thought, drinking so much soup in one day, was this the price of being a playboy?

Once the dishes were served.

This was Nan Pei’s third time drinking tom yum soup, and after a few sips, his expression turned unnatural.

Song Jingchen, noticing Nan Pei seemed unhappy, frowned—what was up with him?

For some reason, Song Jingchen suddenly recalled the scene of Nan Pei saving him…

He abruptly thought, could Nan Pei be upset because he hadn’t thanked him for saving his life?

So, he pursed his lips, looked at Nan Pei, and slowly said, “About last time… thank you.”

It was the first time Song Jingchen had said “thank you” to Nan Pei.

After speaking, Song Jingchen stiffened, averting his gaze, looking unnatural.

He’d always looked down on Nan Pei, never initiating conversation, today was unprecedented.

“Last time? What last time?” Nan Pei, not in the mood for soup, put down the spoon, “Jingchen Gege, what are you talking about?”

Song Jingchen was stunned for a few seconds, then frowned, incredulous, “You forgot?”

Such a significant event, and Nan Pei forgot?

After saving him, Nan Pei had even lain on his chest for a while, one of their rare physical contacts.

Shouldn’t Nan Pei remember this vividly?

Facing Song Jingchen’s shock, Nan Pei looked blank, only recalling with the system’s prompt.

“Oh, I remember now.” Nan Pei scratched his head awkwardly, “Sorry, Jingchen Gege, I’ve been really busy lately…”

Song Jingchen sneered, “Busy with what? Investing in entertainment or e-sports?” His tone was full of sarcasm.

Nan Pei: “…”

Nan Pei: “Actually, both.”

Since Nan Pei forgot about saving Song Jingchen, his expression turned from sunny to stormy.

These past days, Song Jingchen had been pondering whether to repay Nan Pei’s favor.

Who would’ve thought, Nan Pei hadn’t even given it a thought!

Song Jingchen felt his concern for Nan Pei was a joke, losing the mood to continue eating.

Hearing Song Jingchen say he was done, Nan Pei was overjoyed, quickly saying, “I’ll pay, thank you, Jingchen Gege, for dining with me…”

After speaking, Nan Pei hurried to the counter to settle the bill.

The cashier, seeing Nan Pei for the third time, taking out the twice-stamped coupon, fell silent.

After a while, she said, “Hello, sir, this time it’s 50% off, next time 70%…”

Nan Pei took the coupon, looking at the three stamps, feeling complicated.

Song Jingchen, in a bad mood, seeing Nan Pei not comforting him, turned and left the restaurant.

After a few steps, he slowed down, waiting for Nan Pei to catch up.

However, minutes passed, and he was almost at the elevator, yet Nan Pei hadn’t come.

“…Nan Pei.” Song Jingchen clenched his fingers, grinding his teeth, “I must be crazy to meet him alone!”

After speaking, he angrily pressed the elevator button, silently vowing never to deal with Nan Pei again.

At this moment, Nan Pei had no time for Song Jingchen.

In fact, he had no idea why Song Jingchen was upset, assuming it was his usual mood swing.

On his phone, Huo Yao sent a message:

[Dinner tonight?]

Nan Pei touched his stomach, having eaten three meals, feeling he wouldn’t be hungry by evening.

But… he still needed to find a way to get the house from Huo Yao.

Such a good opportunity, should he give it up?

What if Huo Yao didn’t want to meet next time?

As Nan Pei hesitated, Huo Yao sent another message:

[How about Thai food?]

Nan Pei: […]

Nan Pei: [I don’t like Thai food.]

A few seconds later, Huo Yao replied: [What do you like to eat?]

Nan Pei: [I don’t like eating.]

Nan Pei had developed a psychological aversion to Thai food, tearing up the discount coupon after leaving the restaurant.

He didn’t want to drink tom yum soup again anytime soon.

But he felt this reply wasn’t great, so he added: [Sorry, President Huo, I’m not feeling well today, maybe another time.]

The chat box showed “typing,” but no message came for a while.

Nan Pei wondered if Huo Yao was upset.

Meanwhile.

Huo Yao sat in his office, frowning at his phone, suddenly asking his assistant:

“Cheng Man, what does it mean when someone replies ‘I don’t like eating’ when invited for a meal?”

Cheng Man was momentarily stunned.

Not liking eating?

She thought for a moment, quickly understanding, and replied, “President Huo, is it another clueless person inviting you to dinner?”

Before Huo Yao could explain, Cheng Man seriously continued:

“If you reply ‘I don’t like eating,’ it means the person is uninteresting and unimportant to you, indicating you don’t want to meet them. Once you send this, they’ll get the message.”

Huo Yao: …Is that what Nan Pei meant?

Author’s Note:

Nan Pei: I’m just really full.