Volume One, Chapter 102: Kiss Me

When Xie Liuzheng said everything was fine, it truly was. She got out of bed, dressed up, and returned to her role as the vibrant superstar everyone knew. Song Qingyu watched her closely, and when she saw her in such high spirits, singing away, she finally broke into a smile.

“Hey, whose shoes are you wearing?” Song Qingyu glanced down and only then realized she was wearing Pei Jingmo’s shoes. She remembered leaving the house in slippers the previous night—when had she changed into Pei Jingmo’s shoes? She vaguely recalled him helping her switch them. He must have been worried she’d catch a cold.

Her heart began to beat uncontrollably in her chest.

Xie Liuzheng grinned, bumping her shoulder playfully. “Your husband really knows how to pamper you.”

At that moment, there was a knock at the door. Xie Liuzheng raised her eyebrows. “It must be your husband.”

“Can you see everyone now?” Song Qingyu asked.

“I didn’t do anything unforgivable—why shouldn’t I?” Xie Liuzheng laughed.

Song Qingyu smiled. “Alright.”

She went to open the door, but the person outside wasn’t Pei Jingmo—it was Chu Xingzhi.

The smile that had just lit up Song Qingyu’s face slowly faded.

“Qingyu, how’s Zhengzheng?” Chu Xingzhi asked.

Xie Liuzheng stepped to the doorway when she heard his voice. “Thank you for your concern, Young Master Chu. I’m perfectly fine.”

“Oh, so full of energy! I thought you’d be on the verge of despair,” Sheng Yurou remarked as she stepped out from behind Chu Xingzhi.

Xie Liuzheng could tell immediately that Sheng Yurou was here to stir trouble. She rolled her eyes in exasperation. “Sorry you didn’t get to witness a dramatic breakdown.”

Chu Xingzhi’s brows furrowed tightly. “Why are you here?”

“What, you can visit her but I can’t? Or are you using this as an excuse to check on someone else?” Sheng Yurou’s furious gaze landed on Song Qingyu.

Song Qingyu’s expression, already pale, grew worse. She knew Sheng Yurou was venting her anger on Zhengzheng because of her. Coldly, she replied, “Miss Sheng, do you want another slap?”

Recalling the humiliation of the previous night, Sheng Yurou was so angry she nearly choked. “Song Qingyu, you’ve really found yourself a great husband—he hits women! Aren’t you afraid he’ll abuse you one day?”

“You’re mistaken. Last night, he didn’t hit a person—he hit a beast who couldn’t stop spewing nonsense.”

“What did you say?” Sheng Yurou’s eyes were filled with rage.

“If you’re not convinced, we can ask President Gu to come down and judge whether you’re truly human,” Song Qingyu retorted.

As soon as the words left her lips, a deep voice sounded, “What’s going on?”

The four of them turned to see Fu Linhan and Gu Yuandong approaching. At the sight of Gu Yuandong, Sheng Yurou immediately burst into tears. “Second cousin, Song Qingyu called you an animal!”

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Song Qingyu said, “...I did not—”

Pei Jingmo’s gaze fell lightly on Song Qingyu’s face. Seeing how pale she was, he frowned. He was right—she hadn’t slept at all last night.

“Is that so? Why did Miss Song insult me?” Gu Yuandong asked.

“President Gu, I didn’t insult you.”

“You did! You said I was an animal, and since my second cousin and I are family, you were insulting him too.”

Song Qingyu never imagined she’d be caught in Sheng Yurou’s bizarre logic, roasted over the fire. Surely President Gu wouldn’t believe she’d actually insult him?

A slap landed squarely on Sheng Yurou’s face.

Not only Song Qingyu, but everyone else was stunned.

Sheng Yurou clutched her cheek in disbelief, staring at Gu Yuandong. “Second cousin, why did you hit me?”

Gu Yuandong looked at her coldly. “Look at yourself. What part of you resembles a proper lady? Stirring up trouble, spewing profanity—has your aunt always taught you this way?”

The oppressive aura he exuded made everyone present uneasy.

Sheng Yurou dared not utter a word. It was clear that Fu Linhan must have told him about last night’s events, and that’s why he was so furious.

Pei Jingmo’s sharp gaze fell on Chu Xingzhi. “I thought after you started seeing Young Master Chu, you might improve, but you’ve only gotten worse. Clearly, Young Master Chu isn’t a suitable partner!”

Chu Xingzhi subconsciously didn’t want Song Qingyu to think he’d fallen for Sheng Yurou, but things had spiraled beyond his control.

In front of Gu Yuandong, he had no choice but to admit it. “I’m sorry, President Gu. It’s my fault.”

Sheng Yurou immediately shielded Chu Xingzhi. “Cousin, this has nothing to do with Xingzhi. I know I was wrong. In the future, I’ll be strict with myself and never bring shame to our families.”

“Get out! If I catch you bullying others again, causing trouble, we won’t be family anymore.”

Sheng Yurou’s face changed dramatically. Gu Yuandong was threatening to cut ties with the Sheng family?

If it were anyone else, they might not dare to be so ruthless. But it was Gu Yuandong, and Sheng Yurou was genuinely afraid.

“Second cousin, I know I was wrong. I’ll leave right now!”

With that, Sheng Yurou dragged Chu Xingzhi away. Chu Xingzhi lingered, looking back at Song Qingyu, but she didn’t spare him a glance.

Fu Linhan could tell Pei Jingmo was venting for Song Qingyu and almost laughed, but quickly held back when Pei Jingmo shot him a warning look.

“Zhengzheng, are you alright?” Fu Linhan asked.

“Thank you for your concern, President Fu. I’m fine.”

“Don’t worry, I’ll find the person responsible and make him kneel before you for your judgment.”

“No need, President Fu,” Xie Liuzheng replied with a smile. “The person wasn’t the one who drugged me—he was my savior. He left in a hurry and didn’t leave any information, clearly not wanting anyone to know who he was. Let’s pretend nothing happened.”

Fu Linhan glanced at Song Qingyu, who nodded. “Let’s do as Zhengzheng says. The fewer people who know, the better.”

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“Alright.”

Fu Linhan knew Pei Jingmo had something to say to Song Qingyu and waited for him to speak.

“Miss Song, you look pale. Are you feeling unwell?”

“Thank you for your concern, President Gu. I just didn’t sleep well. It’s nothing.”

“Good. Get some rest so you’re ready for work tomorrow.”

Fu Linhan: “...”

Song Qingyu: “Understood, President Gu. Have a good day, President Gu. Goodbye, Young Master Fu.”

After they left, Xie Liuzheng let out a heavy sigh. “Your President Gu is terrifying. Thank goodness I’m not his lost love.”

Song Qingyu explained for her boss, “President Gu just looks strict, but he’s actually very kind.”

“Kind, huh? Didn’t you see him slap Sheng Yurou? My goodness, that was scary. Do you think he’d ever hit his wife?”

“He won’t. Pei Jingmo slapped Sheng Yurou last night too, but he’s never hit me.”

“Oh, I get it—you and your husband are so loving. Stop showing off in front of me. By the way, I won’t go with you to find your darling husband. Sister Wan messaged me, asking me to come to the office. I have to go.”

“Are you... sure you’re okay?”

After what happened last night, Song Qingyu was still worried, despite Xie Liuzheng’s nonchalant demeanor.

“Don’t worry. I’m full of energy!”

After seeing Xie Liuzheng off, Song Qingyu was about to look for Pei Jingmo, but he arrived first. He was carrying a bowl of bird’s nest millet porridge and her favorite mushroom bun.

Song Qingyu took a sip of the porridge, looking at Pei Jingmo in disbelief. “Did you make this yourself?”

Pei Jingmo gently stroked her face. “You look so pale—you didn’t sleep last night, did you?”

“I did sleep...”

“Hmm?”

Meeting Pei Jingmo’s deep, dark eyes, Song Qingyu decided to be honest. “Alright, I didn’t sleep. I couldn’t.”

Whenever Song Qingyu didn’t sleep well, her appetite worsened. After seeing her pale face that morning, Pei Jingmo and Fu Linhan had left, and Pei Jingmo went to the kitchen himself to prepare porridge and buns for her.

The familiar taste made Song Qingyu’s nose sting. Pei Jingmo treated her so well—so well that it made her a little afraid. She didn’t know how to repay him.

“Are you wondering how to thank me?”

He saw right through her thoughts, and Song Qingyu choked, coughing a few times in surprise.

The next second, she heard his voice, gentle beyond words.

“Kiss me once—that’ll be thanks enough.”

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