Chapter 36: Pretending to be poor, rich second generation (5)

“Mr. Pei? Mr. Pei?” The private doctor noticed Pei Qing’s gaze fixed on the direction where the woman had left, seemingly lost in thought. A hint of amusement flashed in his eyes as he said, “I think it’s time for you to try engaging in a romantic relationship. Constantly keeping yourself confined and stagnant isn’t beneficial for your health.”

Pei Qing’s personal physician was named He Cheng, an old acquaintance of Pei Qing. Over the years, He Cheng had witnessed Pei Qing’s rise step by step. Due to his dedication to the growth of the Pei Group, Pei Qing had accumulated numerous health issues. He Cheng always hoped that Pei Qing would relax and return to a more balanced life. Unfortunately, Pei Qing, being a workaholic, never took his advice. However, today seemed to mark a significant change.

At first sight of Pei Qing holding a woman, He Cheng was taken aback. In the past, Pei Qing maintained a distant attitude towards women; when did he ever become so intimate with one?

Despite his leg disability, Pei Qing’s status as the head of the Pei Group attracted countless admirers. His wealth and appearance were exceptional, standing out among thousands. He Cheng believed that if not for Pei Qing’s overly reclusive nature, he wouldn’t still be single at this point.

In the past, Pei Qing would have dismissed such comments without a second thought. However, today he found himself momentarily lost in contemplation, “A romance… Can someone like me truly experience romance?”

This question had never crossed Pei Qing’s mind before. Firstly, he had no interest in matters of love, and secondly, despite ongoing treatments, his legs showed no signs of improvement. He believed it was better not to burden a woman’s future with his condition.

“Why couldn’t you?” Harton asked, surprised. “Don’t you realize how popular you are among women?”

Pei Qing frowned, unconvinced by Harton’s exaggerated words.

“Have you forgotten how many women were eager to throw themselves at you?” Harton chuckled. “Too bad you always avoided them. Eventually, finding it bothersome, you even hired bodyguards to keep people away. Later on, as you stopped going out much, you barely interacted with anyone, let alone women.”

With Harton’s reminder, Pei Qing did recall that period. “So… I do hold some appeal for women?”

When had He Cheng ever seen Pei Qing like this? The usually decisive and ruthless businessman in the corporate world seemed unexpectedly at a loss when it came to matters of the heart—a truly novel sight.

“Mr. Pei, why not give it a try?” He Cheng urged, “Sometimes, once you miss someone, it becomes difficult to encounter them again.”

Pei Qing couldn’t be unaware of this truth; he was merely uncertain if he had genuinely fallen for that woman… Moreover, she hadn’t even left her name, so what reason did he have to seek her out?

Pei Qing’s thoughts were tangled. Just as he was about to pick up the bouquet from the ground, a silver necklace suddenly fell from his pocket.

Quickly catching the necklace, Pei Qing gazed at its shimmering brilliance under the sunlight, and instantly, all his complex emotions dissipated.

A smile graced his lips as he made his decision.

“That is…” Seeing the feminine necklace and Pei Qing’s expression, a hint of teasing crept into He Cheng’s voice. “It seems Mr. Pei’s destiny with that lady has yet to conclude.”

“Enough chatter.” Pei Qing ignored the gossipy private doctor and placed the floral bouquet at his parents’ gravestones before gently clasping the necklace in his palm.

For the first time, he felt compelled to make an effort for himself.

Upon returning to her company, Tong Ling shared the news of her parents’ passing and then resumed work as usual. Her occasional expressions of deep sorrow affected the entire workplace atmosphere; many employees feared Ms. Qu might shut down the company. Consequently, their dedication during performances significantly increased, attracting additional investments for the company’s projects.

m577: [?!]

It couldn’t help but feel that there was something seriously off with this company!

Finding someone wasn’t difficult for Pei Qing, and swiftly, he obtained information about Miss Qu.

Much like his past self, Miss Qu single-handedly managed a company, which had flourished considerably under her leadership.

What surprised Pei Qing was that one of Miss Qu’s company projects coincided with the very project the Pei Group had recently invested a staggering one billion yuan in.

He hadn’t forgotten who requested such a massive investment.

Pei Jing, his sister’s child and his only remaining relative, had never shown interest in company affairs before. Why would he suddenly want to invest in a specific project?

At the time, Pei Qing dismissed it as Pei Jing’s playful whim, approving the funds without much thought. However, if his nephew had any connection with Miss Qu…

Just considering this possibility made Pei Qing’s brow furrow involuntarily.

To avoid letting his suspicions cloud his judgment, Pei Qing asked for further inquiries about Miss Qu’s romantic situation.

Fortunately, the information obtained wasn’t alarming. Miss Qu did not have a serious boyfriend; she merely maintained a lover.

Rumors suggested that Miss Qu covered all her lover’s expenses, while he was essentially a kept man, contributing little otherwise.

Relieved, Pei Qing took a deep breath. After some reflection, he realized he truly couldn’t forget about Miss Qu.

Determined to pursue her, he knew that if Miss Qu indeed had a boyfriend, or worse, if that boyfriend were his own nephew, he would undoubtedly hesitate over these budding feelings…

However, now he learned that Miss Qu had only one lover, and moreover, it was someone she financially supported—a useless parasite, which Pei Qing dismissed entirely.

Pei Qing understood that having lovers within high society circles wasn’t uncommon. With Miss Qu being alone and isolated, keeping a lover for emotional attachment made perfect sense to him.

She must simply be too lonely.

As this thought crossed his mind, Pei Qing’s desire to see Miss Qu grew more urgent. He took out the necklace from his pocket and carefully placed it into a jewelry box.

With preparations complete, Pei Qing set off towards Miss Qu’s company.

Tong Ling’s company had transformed significantly, gaining a respectable reputation as its fame rose. More individuals began approaching Tong Ling for collaborations, but none could match the shock of receiving a personal visit from the president of the Pei Group.

Pei Qing knew how to leverage his advantages effectively; since wealth and power were his strengths, he didn’t hesitate to display them before others. His only fear was if the object of his interest valued a healthy and whole physical form instead, leaving little hope for him.

Despite appearing composed on the surface, Pei Qing harbored some trepidation and unease within. As a shareholder of Tong Ling’s company, he was escorted by one of Miss Qu’s staff to her office.

“Is there anything Miss Qu might be sensitive about? I hope my sudden visit won’t disturb her,” Pei Qing couldn’t resist asking for information from the employee at Qu Ling’s company.

The staff member, upon realizing the identity of the man before him, became incredibly nervous. The CEO of the Pei Group! He was a legendary figure, someone whose mere mention could shake the entire business world. Countless individuals would give anything just to meet him, yet now, this titan not only stood before him but also addressed him directly!

Overwhelmed with excitement, the staff member hastily responded, “Rest assured, Ms. Qu is known for valuing partnerships. If you continue investing in our projects, you can expect significant returns. Such low-risk, high-reward opportunities are unparalleled elsewhere; it’s one of our company’s key strengths.”

Pei Qing looked puzzled. He had intended to inquire about Qu Ling’s well-being, but what was her employee talking about?

Seeming eager to emphasize their advantages, the staff member patted his chest confidently and said, “Our CEO loves engaging in collaborations. If you invest, she’ll definitely be pleased.”

Upon hearing this, Pei Qing felt reassured. “I understand. I’ll have someone discuss the investment contract.”

Even Qu Ling’s staff knew she sought investors; it seemed he should indeed consider allocating more funds.

The employee, delighted at securing another investment for the company, believed his promotion and salary increase were not far off. He wondered if Ms. Qu had noticed his efforts and whether it might lead to a larger year-end bonus.

As soon as Pei Qing arrived at the company, m577 informed Tong Ling. Strangely, instead of personally greeting Pei Qing, Tong Ling dispatched her top project promoter to meet with him, leaving m577 perplexed.

[“Your employees are solely focused on pitching projects. Are you comfortable letting them interact with Pei Qing?”]

Tong Ling, seated at her desk, gazed out the window with a distant look in her eyes. She replied, “If I directly asked him for investment, it would diminish my standing. My employees are well-trained; there’s no harm in allowing them to engage with him. Anyone visiting my company without investing simply wouldn’t make sense.”

m577 was momentarily speechless.

Wow, it all comes down to securing investments again! How did m577 not realize earlier that its host’s ambition was so strong?!

As Pei Qing approached Tong Ling’s office, he instructed his accompanying secretary to halt behind him. Checking his attire and ensuring it was appropriate, he then gave a meaningful glance to a nearby staff member.

The employee, understanding the cue, waited for Pei Qing’s signal before knocking on the door. “Ms. Qu, Mr. Pei from the Pei Group is here.”

“Come in.”

The woman’s voice inside sounded distinctly cool, with no discernible emotion. Hearing this, Pei Qing felt his nerves tense up instantly.

Leaving the staff member and secretary outside, Pei Qing wheeled himself into the office alone.

At first sight, Pei Qing noticed Qu Ling. Unlike her appearance at the funeral, she now bore none of the pale and weary demeanor from that day. Instead, her expression was icy, resembling a beautifully carved statue of ice, which only heightened Pei Qing’s concern.

Pei Qing would have preferred if Qu Ling showed vulnerability or weakness rather than this emotional detachment, as if she had shut herself within a cold, hard shell, forfeiting any right to happiness…

m577’s eye twitched: [What kind of look is that from Pei Qing? What’s he imagining? The way he’s looking at you is becoming unsettling!]

That same gaze, m577 had witnessed in the previous world’s male lead, Ye Huan. At that time, Ye Huan believed the host was hurt and treated her as if she were made of glass, eventually becoming a subservient, desperate lapdog.

How could it see such an expression in Pei Qing’s eyes?! That look conveyed overwhelming sympathy, desperately wanting to comfort and assist her, effectively shattering his icy, stoic persona completely!

Tong Ling scoffed at the system, “This is what ‘empathizing’ truly means! In his view, our experiences are remarkably similar. The more pain he endured, the more he assumes I must have suffered too. When he lost his loved ones and struggled alone to run the company, didn’t he ever wish for someone to help him? He has never forgotten those agonizing memories; I am essentially his past self. How could he not care about my feelings?”

“Come to think of it, if he can heal me, it would be akin to healing himself,” Tong Ling said. “So really, I’m doing something good here!”

m577 had long grown accustomed to Tong Ling’s flawed reasoning. All it could do, driven by a sense of humanitarianism, was caution her: [Be careful. Considering Pei Qing’s disability, aim for a simpler, cleaner storyline.]

When has Tong Ling ever listened to the system’s advice? She always acted according to her own interests.

Currently, she was deeply intrigued by Pei Qing and wanted to test his abilities.

“It’s you?” Tong Ling formally engaged with Pei Qing as if just discovering his identity, a hint of surprise showing on her face. “Pei Qing… Are you the CEO of the Pei Group?”

Pei Qing chuckled softly, “During our last encounter, I couldn’t properly introduce myself. I hope Miss Qu won’t mind my background.”

Tong Ling adopted a professional demeanor. “Of course not, the Pei Group has been immensely helpful to our company. Personally, it is a great honor to collaborate with the Pei Group.”

Seeing Tong Ling’s attitude, Pei Qing realized that his status held no decisive influence over her. This left him somewhat disheartened, unsure how he could capture her attention.

“CEO Pei, your visit today is…” Tong Ling prompted.

Pei Qing handed her the jewelry box from his arms. “Miss Qu’s necklace, accidentally dropped during our last meeting.”

“My necklace was with you?” Tong Ling quickly stood up, took the jewelry box from Pei Qing, opened it, and finally, a faint smile appeared on her icy face.

“Excellent.” As Tong Ling caressed the necklace, her eyes softened when looking at Pei Qing again. “Thank you so much, Mr. Pei. This necklace holds great significance to me; I truly appreciate you bringing it back!”

Seeing Tong Ling’s smile, Pei Qing felt his heart warm, wishing this happiness could last just a little longer…

“I should have returned it earlier,” Pei Qing murmured softly. “That way, I could have seen your smile sooner.”

Tong Ling was slightly taken aback. “Mr. Pei…”

“If it’s okay with you, please call me Pei Qing instead.” In front of Tong Ling, Pei Qing’s expression remained consistently gentle. “We’re not discussing business matters now, right?”

As a mature and composed man, despite his lack of experience in romantic relationships, Pei Qing was adept at navigating social interactions.

He decided to take things step by step, gradually breaking down her guard. He believed he had enough patience to wait for her to accept his kindness.

“Then… Mr. Pei - I mean, Pei Qing, you can call me Qu Ling.” Appearing somewhat flustered under Pei Qing’s gaze, Tong Ling quickly lowered her head and looked at the necklace in her hands. “This necklace was left to me by my mother. She…”

Tong Ling blinked back her tears, “In any case, thank you…”

Unable to resist, Pei Qing gently placed his hand over Tong Ling’s, “I know the pain of losing a loved one cannot be easily comforted with just a few words. But if you’re willing, I would like…to accompany you through this difficult time, whether as a friend or as a collaborator.”

Pei Qing’s overt display struck precisely what Tong Ling desired. With teary eyes, she looked at him and said, “We’ve only met once… how can you…”

Pei Qing withdrew his hand, maintaining courtesy, “Perhaps you might not believe me, but I have…a strong fondness for you.”

This was the first time Pei Qing had expressed such sentiments. Striving to appear composed, he elegantly continued, “If at any point my actions upset you, feel free to make me disappear. From now on, I will formally begin pursuing you.”

Pei Qing dared not say more suggestive phrases, fearing that his assertiveness might scare her away.

On the contrary, Tong Ling wished Pei Qing would take even more initiative. However, before winning him over completely, she decided to maintain her facade, even if it meant pretending longer. After all, being pursued by a mature and sophisticated man itself was a delightful experience.

Their conversation concluded amidst an ambiguous atmosphere. In the following weeks, Pei Qing frequently visited Tong Ling’s company, not only investing substantial funds into its projects but also occasionally creating various surprises for her. With his gentle and measured approach, their relationship naturally grew closer over time.

Moved by this development, m577 exclaimed: “This is…this is how it should unfold normally! Pursue each other first, then start dating, gradually growing closer—purely holding hands, sharing hugs…” It almost sounded teary, “Wahh, if only you could always be like this, Host!”

“Can’t your interactions with Pei Jing follow this pattern instead?!” Recalling the nightly scenes unfolding at the rental apartment, m577’s virtual eyes seemed to glaze over, “How do you manage to have innocent romance with someone’s uncle during the day and play games with his nephew at night? Does your conscience never bother you?”

“Not only does it not bother me, I find it quite delightful,” Tong Ling replied. To avoid any premature encounters between Pei Qing and Pei Jing before the appropriate plot point, she ensured Pei Jing was too exhausted to even think about sleep every night.

After enduring restless nights with Pei Jing, Tong Ling had no energy to rise early during the day. Over time, her daily routine shifted, affecting even her personal ambitions.

One evening, after parting from Pei Qing’s kiss, Tong Ling returned to their rental unit and found Pei Jing seated at the dining table, surrounded by a spread of cooked meals. He glared at her with a resentful expression.

“You’ve been coming home later and later lately,” Pei Jing suppressed his frustration, but his voice clearly conveyed his sense of grievance. “If I don’t remind you, would you not return at all? Every day, I prepare meals for you, yet you barely touch them. What’s the point of my efforts if you won’t eat?”

m577 rubbed its eyes with its paw pads: [Who is this man acting like a bitter spouse?]

A sense of impending plot collapse gripped m577 again: [Host, why do I feel something isn’t quite right…]

Ignoring m577’s trembling voice, Tong Ling turned to Pei Jing with a stern expression. “I go out for work-related engagements; why can’t you understand me instead of hindering my efforts?”

“Hindering your efforts? When have I ever done that?” Pei Jing’s eyes widened incredulously. He had silently supported his girlfriend’s career behind the scenes, so how could she now imply he was completely useless?

“I cook and wash clothes for you, manage household chores, and every day… I strive to fulfill your needs, working diligently at home. What am I doing wrong?”

Only after becoming a stay-at-home partner did Pei Jing realize how exhausting household tasks truly were. Fortunately, their rented apartment was small, limiting the cleaning required. However, just buying groceries and preparing meals each day drained his energy significantly. To make matters worse, Pei Jing couldn’t even rest properly at night. He felt utterly worn out, too tired to muster the strength to leave the house.

Yet, his girlfriend blatantly disregarded his contributions and spoke such hurtful words!

In that moment, the thin thread of patience within Pei Jing’s mind snapped audibly.