Volume One, Chapter 46: Exposed

Song Qingyu fell silent. Terrifying! This man was simply terrifying! “Heh… President Gu, what are you saying? How could I possibly do anything to wrong you?” Song Qingyu was terrible at lying; her face always flushed red when she tried.

“I just took over the company and wanted to get to know the employees better, but it seems everyone’s avoiding me.” Song Qingyu’s heart tightened—so her suspicions were correct. But was it just her imagination, or did President Gu actually sound a little aggrieved?

“President Gu, you misunderstand. It’s not that everyone refuses to share the elevator with you because they don’t want to be close to you. It’s just that they’re afraid of bumping into you—they want to give you space. In fact, everyone really likes you.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes! If you don’t believe me, you can ask Secretary He or Manager Xie to come up and confirm it.”

Pei Jingmo was speechless. She really knew how to deflect.

“And what about you, Miss Song?”

“Me?” Song Qingyu answered earnestly, “Naturally, I respect you as well.”

Sensing the moment was right, Song Qingyu walked over and set an exquisite box on his desk. “President Gu, thank you again for letting me have my mother’s painting last time. Please accept this as a token of my appreciation.”

Pei Jingmo picked up the box and opened it. Inside was a fountain pen. He recognized the handmade craftsmanship of a master—it cost over three thousand. Whereas the pair of shoes had cost over five thousand. So, in the end, the husband was more important.

“Miss Song, you are too kind.”

With the gift delivered, Song Qingyu was about to find an excuse to leave when Pei Jingmo stopped her. “Miss Song, have you eaten yet?”

“Not yet, I’m just about to go.”

“I haven’t eaten either.”

“Ah?” Song Qingyu hesitated. “Should I go get lunch for you, President Gu?”

“No need, someone will bring food up shortly. Eating alone is rather dull. Since you’ve given me a thank-you gift, why don’t you join me for lunch?” he suggested.

Song Qingyu was a little surprised. Was it really appropriate to eat with President Gu in his office? But it wasn’t an excessive request, and refusing seemed unreasonable.

After a moment’s hesitation, Song Qingyu nodded. “Alright.”

Soon, Secretary He Shubai brought in the food. Song Qingyu glanced over the dishes—most of them were light and plain. She hadn’t expected President Gu to have such a mild palate; Pei Jingmo, in contrast, loved strong flavors and couldn’t live without spice.

It was Song Qingyu’s first time dining with a superior in such a setting, and she felt somewhat ill at ease. President Gu truly lived up to his noble upbringing; unlike Pei Jingmo’s wolfish appetite, Gu Yuandong ate slowly and elegantly, with impeccable manners.

Indeed, they were two entirely different men.

“What’s wrong?” Pei Jingmo’s gaze landed on Song Qingyu, cool and steady.

Realizing she had been staring impolitely, Song Qingyu quickly lowered her head. “It’s nothing…”

Pei Jingmo’s eyes flickered, but he didn’t expose her. Last night, he had overheard her call with Xie Liuzheng, who suspected they were the same person. Of course, he had to put on a convincing show. That should dispel any remaining doubts.

The meal was excruciatingly awkward for Song Qingyu, as if she were sitting on pins and needles, every bite stuck in her throat. She finished quickly and left the office as soon as she could.

Back on the twelfth floor, Song Qingyu’s phone buzzed—Pei Jingmo had messaged her on WeChat.

“Don’t forget to take your medicine.”

Even at work, Pei Jingmo hadn’t forgotten to remind her. Song Qingyu smiled. “I know.”

Seeing Song Qingyu return with a smile, Xie Changhe thought he’d escaped disaster—until He Shubai called.

“Manager Xie, President Gu wants to see you.”

Xie Changhe’s heart sank. The ordeal wasn’t over yet.

The moment he stepped in, before Pei Jingmo could speak, Xie Changhe declared his loyalty. “President Gu, as you know, I’m already married. I have no improper intentions toward Miss Song. I just want to make good games and devote my life to the Tianqi Group.”

Pei Jingmo gave him a faint glance. He doubted Xie Changhe would dare.

“I only called you here to discuss The Interpreter. Why are you going on about all that?”

So it really was just business? Seeing that President Gu wasn’t angry, Xie Changhe breathed a sigh of relief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. “You’re right, President Gu. Only business in the office.”

It seemed Song Qingyu had already soothed President Gu at lunch. That’s the power of pillow talk—otherwise, with President Gu’s vengeful nature, how could he possibly let him off so easily?

—

Early Saturday morning.

Pei Jingmo received a call from Fu Linhan, warning him not to stand him up again or their friendship was over.

Pei Jingmo went to Song Qingyu. “Qingqing, I have to go on a business trip with the boss today. I probably won’t be back until late tonight.”

Song Qingyu smiled. “I was just about to tell you—Zhengzheng asked me to visit her on set today. I’ll probably spend the night with her.”

Song Qingyu was busy, but Xie Liuzheng was even busier. Back when the two best friends rarely got to see each other but missed one another dearly, Xie Liuzheng would always invite Song Qingyu to visit her on set.

“Xie Liuzheng’s a wild sleeper—aren’t you afraid she’ll kick you again?”

“Don’t worry, it’s a twin room—each of us has her own bed. At least Zhengzheng doesn’t sleepwalk, or else—” Suddenly recalling what Pei Jingmo did while sleepwalking, Song Qingyu coughed lightly. “We’ll each stick to our own bed. It’ll be fine.”

Lately, Song Qingyu had clearly been holding something back, acting evasive. It looked like it was time to turn up the heat.

Xiaotan Hill.

It was the birthday of the crown prince, Gu Yuandong—a golden opportunity for all the city’s elite young men and women to present their gifts. Chu Xingzhi and Meng Yucheng were both in attendance.

Before entering, Chu Xingzhi glanced at Meng Yucheng.

Meng Yucheng patted him on the shoulder. “Relax, everything’s been arranged.”

When they entered the private room, the crown prince had yet to arrive, but Fu Linhan was already there.

“Hey, it’s my brother’s birthday today. Later, all of you keep your eyes sharp. Our only job is to make him happy—no business talk tonight.”

Pei Jingmo had a notorious temper, and Fu Linhan was worried someone would come and ruin the mood.

Seeing Chu Xingzhi, Fu Linhan was actually curious. Chu Xingzhi had been begging for a meeting for ages, and Pei Jingmo had always refused. This time, he’d actually told Fu Linhan to invite him. What was that guy up to?

“Master Fu, I heard you secured the Kechuang Park plot. Congratulations,” said Chu Xingzhi sincerely, though a trace of envy lingered in his tone. It was well known that Fu Linhan had only landed that deal thanks to Gu Yuandong.

See? As long as you had a connection to the crown prince, you never had to worry about projects or resources. That was exactly why so many people scrambled to curry favor with him.

“Hey, hey, hey, I just said—no business talk. What are you, a goldfish? Three-second memory?” Fu Linhan wasn't truly angry. “When Yuandong arrives, you’d better not do that.”

Before Chu Xingzhi could reply—

“He’s here.”

Someone called out, and everyone turned. Pei Jingmo entered wearing a mask, accompanied by Bai Yinian. His powerful presence filled the room the moment he stepped in, oppressive and commanding.

Everyone stood at once, as if trained for the moment, and greeted in unison, “Good evening, Crown Prince.”

Pei Jingmo frowned slightly, clearly displeased by the formality.

Fu Linhan immediately ushered Pei Jingmo to the main seat on the sofa. “Come, come, take a seat. Everyone’s been waiting for the birthday star. Tonight, we’re going to have a blast.”

Fu Linhan was a master at livening up a crowd—his presence guaranteed no awkwardness.

Soon, everyone began presenting their gifts. Gu Yuandong lacked for nothing; no one present was wealthier. Expensive gifts were meaningless, so everyone racked their brains to find something unique.

Meng Yucheng, noticing the originality of the other gifts, asked Chu Xingzhi, “What did you bring?”

Chu Xingzhi didn’t answer. Instead, he walked up to Gu Yuandong and handed over a finely crafted box. “President Gu, happy birthday.”

Pei Jingmo didn’t refuse, and Fu Linhan took the box with a smile. “May we open it?”

“If President Gu says so,” Chu Xingzhi replied.

Fu Linhan glanced at Pei Jingmo, who still offered no opinion. Deciding on his own, Fu Linhan opened the box.

Inside lay a fountain pen—coincidentally, from the same master as the one Song Qingyu had gifted him.