“Surprise”

At first, Nan Pei thought the male college student had taken a ride-share, but he quickly realized that the car was a luxury vehicle, brand new, and unlikely to be a ride-share.

Nan Pei was silent for a long time, then suddenly asked the system, “Do you think he’s a young master from a wealthy family, or… is he actually a college student being kept by someone?”

The system thought seriously before answering, “It’s hard to say.”

A young, handsome college student, dressed very plainly and poorly, working as a drinking companion in a high-end club, then leaving in a luxury car…

Such a scenario indeed invites all sorts of speculation.

Nan Pei said with a heavy tone, “Such a handsome young man, he can’t be going down the wrong path at such a young age, right?”

He even wanted to sponsor the guy’s education!

“Host, you should be glad he didn’t get in your car just now,” the system said. “Otherwise, people might suspect you’re the one keeping him.”

Nan Pei: “…” That actually makes a lot of sense.

After the male college student left, the system gave Nan Pei a performance score for his role in the entertainment industry novel, and it was still astonishingly high.

Currently, Nan Pei had completed the first round of tasks in all three books, and all were completed perfectly. Even the system marveled at how strong this host’s acting skills were, no wonder he was chosen by the Quick Transmigration Bureau.

Nan Pei opened the system panel, showing progress bars for the three storylines with varying degrees of advancement.

“Congratulations, Host,” the system said at the right time, “You’ve taken the first step towards achieving your goal of resurrection and winning the ten billion bonus.”

Nan Pei curled his lips, “Pleasure working with you, let’s keep it up.”

Just then, Nan Pei received a message from his father, Nan Chengshuo—

[Peipei, you haven’t been home for several days. Take some time to come back for dinner tonight. Mom and Dad miss you.]

Nan Pei was a bit surprised. He had just finished his rounds, and now the Nan family was urging him to come home?

The system said, “None of the three storylines have exclamation marks lit up, so there are no plot tasks coming up. It should just be your family wanting to have dinner with you.”

Nan Pei breathed a sigh of relief.

“But you’d better go back early,” the system thought for a moment and added, “You need to change out of those clothes quickly.”

Although it wasn’t plot time, Nan Pei’s actions outside the plot, especially in front of characters from the book, were still very important.

According to the system, in plot role-playing tasks, every little detail of the performer could trigger a butterfly effect, causing the subsequent plot direction to deviate.

When the deviation becomes too large, making it impossible for the plot to proceed as originally intended, the task will fail.

Then Nan Pei wouldn’t be able to resurrect, let alone win the ten billion bonus.

Nan Pei looked at his flashy clothes and big gold chain, agreeing that the system made a lot of sense.

In the overbearing CEO novel, his character was a love-struck fool, but his fashion sense was still on point, and he was very devoted to Song Jingchen, definitely not someone who would go to a high-end club.

Therefore, Nan Pei had to return before dinner to change his clothes, or else he would break character in front of the Nan family.

After a brief thought, Nan Pei replied “Okay” to Nan Chengshuo and then prepared to head back to the southern part where the overbearing CEO novel was set.

“Did your son reply?” Li Ya asked.

Nan Chengshuo replied, “He did, he agreed.”

“That’s good.” Li Ya nodded, “Next, inform that Song kid, tell him he must be there tonight.”

Meanwhile.

Southern Center of Lujin City.

Song Group Headquarters.

With the help of the Nan family, most of the subsidiaries under the Song Group had weathered the storm, and the headquarters was now showing signs of rejuvenation.

Song Jingchen sat in the CEO’s office, wearing a well-fitted custom suit, handling documents at his desk.

These days, Song Jingchen had been working overtime day and night, with an intensity that left the employees in awe, yet he remained full of energy, completing several seemingly impossible projects.

After skillfully handling a batch of important international emails, Song Jingchen took a sip of coffee from his desk, slightly relaxing his tense shoulders.

A knock on the door sounded, and Song Jingchen lifted his eyelids, “Come in.”

His secretary, Candy, walked in with a document in hand, saying to Song Jingchen, “President Song, the project status for the past few days is all here. Several subsidiaries have performed very well, winning bids one after another, and the funding chain has fully recovered…”

Hearing this, Song Jingchen’s expression remained calm, but there was a slight upward curve at the corners of his lips.

Candy spoke while looking at Song Jingchen with admiration.

A few months ago, the Song Group was almost at the end of its rope, but now it had miraculously recovered.

After Candy finished her report, she looked at Song Jingchen with admiration, praising, “President Song, you’re amazing. At this rate, it won’t be long before we don’t need the Nan family’s help…”

Upon hearing the words “Nan family,” Song Jingchen’s previously good mood after the report instantly soured, and his brows noticeably furrowed.

It had been almost four days since Nan Pei pretended to be sick.

The last incident had left Song Jingchen very angry, and he ordered the company security that if Nan Pei came to the Song Group headquarters, under no circumstances should he be allowed in.

Song Jingchen did this because every time Nan Pei made a mistake in the past, he would personally come to Song Jingchen’s company to apologize.

But this time, Song Jingchen didn’t want to give Nan Pei the chance to apologize.

Song Jingchen thought that by doing this, he would see Nan Pei throwing a tantrum, crying, and holding up banners at the company entrance, but it never happened.

Candy noticed Song Jingchen’s worsening expression and stopped her flattery.

The more Song Jingchen thought about it, the more he felt a blockage in his chest. He frowned at Candy, pursed his lips for a moment, and asked, “Has he come to the company recently?”

Candy didn’t react immediately, pausing for a moment, “Who?”

Song Jingchen seemed very reluctant to say those two words, his expression changing several times before he slowly squeezed out the words from between his teeth:

“Nan Pei.”

A hint of surprise flashed in Candy’s eyes. She didn’t expect President Song to care about Nan Pei…

But she quickly replied, “He hasn’t come.”

Hearing this, Song Jingchen’s expression worsened, “Not even once?”

Candy, feeling uneasy, nodded truthfully.

Song Jingchen’s face darkened, and he took a large sip of coffee, suddenly letting out a cold laugh, “He probably knows I won’t forgive him, so he doesn’t dare to show up in front of me.”

Candy looked confused because she had no idea what Song Jingchen was talking about.

At this moment, she received a phone call.

Candy quickly signaled to Song Jingchen, “It’s a call from the Nan family.”

Song Jingchen was visibly taken aback by this, and then a barely noticeable hint of anticipation appeared in his eyes. He raised an eyebrow and asked, “Nan Pei?”

“No.” After Candy denied it, the anticipation in Song Jingchen’s eyes quickly disappeared, “It’s Nan Chengshuo.”

Song Jingchen was a bit disappointed but still answered the call.

Nan Chengshuo briefly informed Song Jingchen to head to the Nan family villa now.

Although Song Jingchen disliked Nan Pei, he couldn’t refuse Nan Chengshuo’s request and reluctantly agreed.

Every time Nan Chengshuo asked Song Jingchen to go to the Nan family, it was never for anything good.

This time, it must be because Nan Pei didn’t dare to apologize in person, so he had his family pull some tricks.

Song Jingchen thought, since that’s the case, he might as well take this opportunity to make things clear and have Nan Pei apologize for pretending to be sick last time.

With this in mind, Song Jingchen’s expression improved a bit, and he said to Candy, “Have the driver prepare the car.”

Twenty minutes later.

Song Jingchen arrived at the Nan family villa, where Nan Chengshuo and Li Ya personally came out to greet him. Although they didn’t like Song Jingchen, their attitude on the surface was still decent.

After some seemingly familiar small talk, Song Jingchen glanced around, not seeing Nan Pei, and asked, “Where’s Nan Pei?”

“Oh, you actually care about him.” Nan Chengshuo said unexpectedly, “He’s not home these past few days.”

Song Jingchen frowned, “Not home?”

“Yes, Peipei has been out these past few days.” Li Ya looked at Song Jingchen, curling her lips with a hint of pride, “He’s been busy with some investments.”

To avoid arousing suspicion from his family, Nan Pei had told them he was out investing while staying at the club for those days.

Although Nan Chengshuo and Li Ya both believed that Nan Pei would definitely lose money investing, they still supported him.

After all, losing money investing was better than being a doormat and giving money away.

Hearing Li Ya’s words, Song Jingchen was momentarily stunned, then a hint of disdain flashed in his eyes as he curled his lips, “Really, that’s rare.”

In Song Jingchen’s eyes, Nan Pei was uneducated, studied philosophy abroad without touching any business, and was entirely a love-struck fool.

If he could invest, pigs would fly.

“Peipei wants to change, and of course, we support him.” Li Ya said.

Song Jingchen asked, “I’m quite curious, what projects is he investing in?”

Nan Chengshuo quickly answered, “E-sports projects and entertainment industry projects.”

After hearing this, Song Jingchen became even more convinced that Nan Pei was just having a momentary impulse.

So, he hid the disdain in his eyes and said with a smile, “Looking forward to seeing the results of Nan Pei’s investments.”

But in his heart, he thought: Investing in such high-risk industries, just wait for Nan Pei to become Nan Loss, losing the family fortune.

“Thanks for your kind words.”

After saying this, Nan Chengshuo straightened his expression and said to Song Jingchen, “Have your driver take the car away. We have something important to discuss with you today.”

Hearing this, Song Jingchen unthinkingly told the driver to leave, then asked, “What is it?”

Nan Chengshuo: “Let’s talk inside.”

After the three of them went inside, Li Ya got straight to the point, “We’ve prepared a dinner for you and Nan Pei, hoping you can take this opportunity to talk and improve your relationship.”

Nan Chengshuo also said, “We called you early and had the driver leave to give Peipei a surprise.”

Song Jingchen frowned, “Surprise?”

“Yes, we arranged for Peipei to come back at dinner time,” Li Ya said, “so that when he sees you, he’ll be a bit happier.”

Song Jingchen’s fingers involuntarily tightened. Although he didn’t show it on his face, he was already quite annoyed.

Surprise?

Did the Nan family think of him as a gift for Nan Pei?!

“Also,” Nan Chengshuo said, “you should seriously consider dating Nan Pei. You don’t have to answer right away, but don’t refuse either.”

“By the way, I don’t want Peipei to see your sour face when he comes back.” Li Ya elegantly picked up a cup of tea and took a sip, “And about the time you made him dive for flowers, take this opportunity to apologize.”

Song Jingchen used all his strength to control himself from losing his temper.

After a moment, he said hoarsely, “Did Nan Pei ask you to do this?”

“He doesn’t know.” Nan Chengshuo said casually, “Otherwise, how would it be a surprise?”

But Song Jingchen clearly didn’t believe it. He immediately understood that during the time Nan Pei was missing, he must have been thinking of various ways to get him, and in the end, could only come up with such a despicable and nasty trick.

Li Ya saw Song Jingchen’s gloomy expression and frowned, saying, “What’s wrong with our Peipei? Although he’s a bit flamboyant, has a bad temper, isn’t motivated in his studies, and is a bit of a love-struck fool…”

“But he’s always been devoted to you from childhood to adulthood.” Nan Chengshuo interrupted Li Ya, afraid she would list all of Nan Pei’s shortcomings, “Song Jingchen, our Peipei is different from those playboys.”

“That’s right,” Li Ya also said confidently, “He’s only ever liked you from childhood to adulthood, never indulging in debauchery outside, and never going to places he shouldn’t. You know, his friends go to high-end clubs to drink all the time.”

Hearing this, Song Jingchen pressed his thin lips together without speaking.

He had to admit that what Nan Chengshuo and Li Ya said was true.

Nan Pei was indeed very devoted to him, and in a sense, he was a very clean slate.

But he just didn’t like him.

However, after Li Ya and Nan Chengshuo’s words, Song Jingchen’s expression finally softened a bit.

Outside the door.

Nan Pei drove back to the villa.

At this time, it was quiet all around, the servants were resting, and the Nan family parents were probably taking a nap.

Nan Pei decided to quietly enter, change out of his clothes without anyone noticing, to avoid suspicion.

He took a deep breath, took out his key, and quietly opened the door.

“Click.”

The key turned, and the door opened.

The three people in the first-floor living room heard the sound, and their attention was drawn.

“It seems he’s back early,” Nan Chengshuo said softly, “Let’s go surprise him at the entrance.”

Song Jingchen, who was being treated as a “surprise,” pursed his lips, extremely unwillingly got up, and followed the Nan family parents to the entrance.

After entering the entrance, Nan Pei bent down in front of the shoe cabinet, carefully and slowly changing his shoes, moving much slower than usual, afraid of waking his family.

After taking off the flashy, diamond-studded shoes, Nan Pei breathed a sigh of relief and put on white cotton slippers.

“So tiring, going to a club and having to drink so much,” Nan Pei quietly complained, “Found a handsome male college student to drink with, but what’s the use, he can’t drink for me…”

After saying this, Nan Pei put on his slippers, holding a shoe in each hand, preparing to tiptoe into the living room.

However, the moment he turned around, Nan Pei saw the three people standing not far from the entrance.

At this moment, Song Jingchen, Li Ya, and Nan Chengshuo were all staring at Nan Pei, each with their own unique expression.

Nan Pei was stunned.

He felt like he had turned to stone and was about to crack open.

Author’s Note:

Nan Chengshuo & Li Ya: Who’s surprising whom?