Now that Pei Fei was abroad, not worrying about her, Bai Tao’s current formidable opponent was still her brother, Pei Shi.

Five years ago, Bai Tao would never have imagined that one day, “how to prevent Pei Shi from sleeping with her” would become a major life issue!

Perhaps her previous “not tonight” attitude had stung Pei Shi, because that night, indeed, he couldn’t perform. However, that didn’t end with self-restraint—this man was petty enough to stay out all night claiming he had to work overtime and attend a video conference!

But this couldn’t go on. Bai Tao stared at the news article in her hand about Pei Shi planting a peach tree for her. After all, she and Pei Shi were an exceptionally loving couple. It was fine if she couldn’t do it for a day or two, but not doing it night after night wasn’t acceptable. If this continued, Pei Shi would start suspecting something!

The next day, after failing to come up with the next episode of her manga despite trying hard, Bai Tao resorted to praying that Pei Shi wouldn’t come home tonight.

Unfortunately, fate didn’t comply. Before dinner time, Pei Shi returned home.

Because he couldn’t perform last night, his complexion was indeed not great. He looked somewhat tired. Based on his behavior patterns, Bai Tao suspected he might have spent the night crying in his office after she had once threatened to break up with him. The faint dark circles under his eyes seemed to confirm this—he had spent a sleepless night.

Bai Tao felt a twinge of pity in her heart, but as they say, every man for himself. Tonight, it was still a no-go.

The housekeeper had already prepared a delicious meal, but Bai Tao felt like she was chewing wax. After dinner, if Pei Shi again suggested exercising, what would she do?

Men, if they didn’t release their energy, something would definitely go wrong…

Pondering this, Bai Tao suddenly remembered the recent news article about Pei Shi planting the peach tree. A plan struck her mind. She delicately ate her steak while cautiously glancing at Pei Shi.

“Honey, didn’t you plant a peach tree for me before? I want to see that tree tonight. You said it symbolized our love’s fruit. With the recent hot weather, is someone watering and fertilizing our love’s fruit and protecting it from bugs?”

According to the news report, Pei Shi had planted the tree in a forest park behind his parents’ villa. The place was more than three hours’ drive from their current villa. If she could persuade Pei Shi to go see the peach tree tonight, there would be little time left for him to do anything else.

Unfortunately, Pei Shi seemed determined to engage in other activities tonight. Almost without thinking, he frowned and rejected Bai Tao: “The peach tree is fine. It’s taken care of by someone. It also needs rest at night. I think we shouldn’t disturb it.”

“…”

So you won’t disturb the peach tree at night, but you’ll disturb me?

That simply wouldn’t do!

In this self-defense counterattack, Bai Tao was not going to surrender easily!

*******

Last night’s video conference with the foreign executive of the opposing company was aggressive and unyielding, dragging what was expected to end around six or seven in the morning all the way to noon. Pei Shi, who had spent the night without sleep due to the high-intensity work, was feeling quite exhausted. Normally, he would not come home and would stay in the company’s personal rest area. However, now that he and Bai Tao were seen as an “affectionate couple,” and with the crucial period approaching for the company’s IPO, Pei Shi didn’t want any complications. Thus, he made the effort to come home.

Then Bai Tao started pestering him to see the peach tree he supposedly planted for her but which didn’t actually exist…

After stalling Bai Tao at the dinner table, Pei Shi promptly called Yuan Mu: “Immediately arrange for someone to plant a peach tree in the forest behind my parents’ villa.”

Though this order seemed utterly random, Yuan Mu, as a mature assistant, didn’t question it and promptly took charge.

After hanging up, Pei Shi felt a bit relieved. Planting the peach tree preemptively meant that if Bai Tao wanted to see it again in the future, he wouldn’t have to go through another day like today, making excuses. It wouldn’t be good if Bai Tao started to suspect something.

However, Pei Shi hadn’t anticipated that Bai Tao would be so fixated on this peach tree. After dinner, she sidled up to him and, pointing to the yard outside their villa, said coyly, “Honey, I’ve been thinking. I’d like you to plant another peach tree in the villa’s yard!”

“… “

*****

Bai Tao applauded herself inwardly for her brilliant idea. Since Pei Shi didn’t respond, she exaggerated her actions and repeated, “Honey, just plant another peach tree in the yard!”

“… ” Still a bit upset from last night, Pei Shi looked visibly strained. “It will ruin the garden’s design. A peach tree doesn’t fit the atmosphere of the yard. It’s unnecessary.”

“Don’t our villa’s yard deserve to have a peach tree? Doesn’t it deserve to have the fruit of our love?”

“… “

Sure enough, bringing up their love made Pei Shi fall silent.

“Just plant one, okay? Pretty please!” Bai Tao put on a look of grievance. “Didn’t you used to say you’d do anything for me, even pick the stars from the sky? Doesn’t our relationship mean…”

Pei Shi, who had just been unmoved moments ago, paused subtly at her words. Then, in front of Bai Tao, he picked up the phone and called Yuan Mu, saying concisely, “Arrange for a peach tree to be delivered to my villa tonight. Make sure it’s smaller.”

Bai Tao added, “And it needs to be here tonight.”

Pei Shi pursed his lips and repeated Bai Tao’s words.

After hanging up, Pei Shi looked at Bai Tao, giving her a look that said, “As you wish.” “Our relationship is fine.”

Indeed, everything was fine!

Bai Tao’s scheme had worked, and she beamed with joy, unconcerned about anything else.

Pei Shi’s assistant was efficient and reliable. When he said tonight, it meant tonight, albeit a bit late—when the peach tree arrived, it was already close to ten o’clock at night.

Pei Shi was naturally a bit displeased, but Bai Tao thought the timing was absolutely perfect!

After dinner, Pei Shi didn’t really engage in any conversation with Bai Tao. He swiftly reviewed approval documents in the company’s OA system, sporting a pair of gold-rimmed, plain glasses that gave him a serious yet somewhat intriguing look.

Meanwhile, Bai Tao, watching this scene, felt anxious. Work always had its limits, and once Pei Shi finished his official duties, wouldn’t it be time for some nighttime activities?

Pei Shi shut down his computer at 9:45 pm, and almost instantly, Yuan, his assistant, had the peach tree delivered via express delivery. Despite Pei Shi’s instructions for a smaller tree, Yuan seemed to have a different concept of “small.” The peach tree was placed in the yard, still quite large, with its roots carefully wrapped in soil.

Pei Shi was quite displeased with this tree that disrupted the garden’s layout, but out of resignation, he decided to ignore it and headed upstairs immediately, saying, “I’ve arranged the peach tree for you. We’ll have workers plant it tomorrow. Let’s go to bed.”

Bed? Sleep again?!

Unfortunately, these words from Pei Shi enraged Bai Tao!

Could Pei Shi think of anything other than sleeping? He was so young; why was his mind filled with such thoughts!

How could he just sleep?

This absolutely wouldn’t do!

Bai Tao immediately grabbed Pei Shi’s hand. “Honey, I want to spend… a romantic evening with you…”

Pei Shi’s hand stiffened in Bai Tao’s grip. He was silent for a moment, then awkwardly looked at Bai Tao, his voice dry as he asked, “By romantic… what do you mean?”

The way Bai Tao was looking at him now, why did it feel like she was about to overwhelm him with sweetness in the next moment?

Pei Shi felt uncertain. Could it be that tonight, she wanted him to fulfill his duties as a husband?

…