Bai Tao was taken aback.

“Indeed, I’ve met her a few times. We acquired a new company that produces tech-related merchandise targeting young women. We wanted a popular female star to endorse the product. Our business department conducted research and recommended her because her team is professional, cooperative, and the price is reasonable. After appointing her as the chief spokesperson for a product, we also discussed making her the brand ambassador. We just finalized the contract last week. Every meeting we had was in the presence of her manager; we’ve never met privately.”

Pei Shi’s expression was indifferent, but his explanation was thorough. After speaking, he glanced at Bai Tao. “If you mind, we can replace her.”

Bai Tao stopped crying but still had a stern look on her face, her tone unhappy. “But isn’t the contract already signed?”

Pei Shi calmly replied, “We’ll pay the penalty for breach of contract.”

“Wouldn’t that make you look like a bad businessman? Just signed an endorsement and then pay a penalty for breach? How embarrassing!”

“Marrying a wife like you comes with a financial cost.”

Bai Tao couldn’t help but raise her voice. “What do you mean? Are you saying I’m unreasonable?”

Pei Shi glanced at her, showing no unusual expression, but Bai Tao inexplicably felt that this man was already somewhat resigned. “Alright, I understand. I made an unreasonable demand and misunderstood you.” Pei Shi chose his words carefully. “You don’t need to be reasonable. As long as you’re happy. If you’re unhappy, I’m unhappy. If spending money brings peace, the penalty is worth it.”

Bai Tao felt she had regained some ground, but she was still a bit unhappy. Pointing at Huang Yueran on the TV, she confirmed again, “Am I really prettier than her?”

“Yes, you’re prettier.”

“And where exactly am I prettier?” Bai Tao blinked, no longer crying. “If you can tell me where I’m prettier, you don’t have to change the spokesperson, and this will be over.”

Pei Shi pressed his lips together. “You’re pretty everywhere.”

“No! You’re just trying to fool me! You have to tell me specifically where I’m prettier than her!”

Pei Shi thought for a moment and then sincerely said, “I’d rather pay the penalty.”

“……”

Bai Tao stared at Pei Shi for a while and decided to believe him. “Given your proper attitude, I’ll let this go this time. But Pei Shi, I warn you, if you get dirty, I don’t want you anymore.”

Pei Shi was puzzled. “What do you mean by getting dirty? Where am I dirty?” He looked at his clothes. “I’m not dirty.”

Bai Tao explained kindly, “Dirty doesn’t mean literally. If you cheat with Huang Yueran, then you’re dirty.”

“Sleeping with someone means dirty?”

“Something like that. Basically, a man who gets dirty loses value and no one wants him.” Bai Tao glared at Pei Shi. “So be honest now, have you gotten dirty?”

Pei Shi thought for a moment. “Yes.”

What the hell?! Bai Tao nearly choked. After all that clarifying, did he mean he cheated with someone else?

Just as Bai Tao was about to explode in anger, she heard Pei Shi continue—

“According to your theory, I’ve already been dirtied by you.”

Pei Shi looked at Bai Tao, earnestly applying what he had learned, and calmly concluded, “But I haven’t been dirtied by Huang Yueran.”

He thought for a moment and added, “And no one else has dirtied me. So, is this answer satisfactory?”

This man was quite studious. After saying this, he even followed up by asking, “So being dirtied means being defiled?”

Bai Tao couldn’t think of anything else. She hadn’t expected Pei Shi’s answer to be like this, and her face turned red. Her voice stammered, “What defiled or not defiled? Your mind is full of filth! Shameless! Lewd! I didn’t defile you! You defiled me!”

Pei Shi seemed slightly uncomfortable but maintained his calm tone, refuting, “I am certified, it’s legal.”

Bai Tao’s face was red, her heart pounding. Not wanting to discuss this topic further, she changed the subject by pulling out her phone. “Huang Yueran’s fans are insulting me, and you do nothing about it!”

“I’m mad! I’m going to bed!”

With that, Bai Tao quickly covered her wildly beating heart and, trying to appear calm, headed upstairs.

But after taking just a few steps, she remembered something. She turned and glared at Pei Shi. “One last question, do you prefer yellow or white?”

Pei Shi, not realizing the gravity of the question, casually replied, “Yellow, I guess.”

On the internet, people were saying it was a battle between yellow (Huang Yueran) and white (Bai Tao). And Pei Shi liked yellow?!

Bai Tao was furious. “Is your mind filled with nothing but filth? Yellow, yellow, yellow! What’s so good about yellow? Men who like yellow are perverts! From now on, you’re not allowed to like yellow! You must like white! Only white! White is pure and noble!”

“……” Pei Shi explained, “White gets dirty easily.”

Bai Tao stomped her slippers loudly and angrily ran upstairs, making sure Pei Shi didn’t notice the unusual blush on her face.

It was all Pei Shi’s fault, talking about getting dirty. Now Bai Tao couldn’t face the word without feeling embarrassed.

She used to think Pei Shi was a decent person. But now? Now he was so provocative! She couldn’t even look him in the eye without thinking of inappropriate things.

Even if he didn’t cheat with Huang Yueran this time, with Pei Shi’s charm and good looks, Bai Tao felt he was always at the edge of danger every day. With his appearance, physique, and family background, how could there be a shortage of women throwing themselves at him?

Although her manga didn’t need immediate submissions, Bai Tao felt that for long-term considerations and the stability of her marriage, she should keep a closer eye on Pei Shi. Starting tomorrow, she decided to continue going to work with Pei Shi, using it as both material gathering and surveillance. Killing two birds with one stone! Perfect!

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