Chapter 17
Perhaps due to Pei Songji’s late-night summons, Jing Ciying woke up with a headache and a sore throat. He had a cold.
His mother used to say taking medicine during the New Year would lead to a year of illness. Although he knew it was superstition, he decided to tough it out. It was just a cold; plenty of hot water should do the trick.
He had no appetite anyway, so he barely ate, just sipped hot water all day.
By the end of the day, he felt slightly nauseous but much better.
His appetite returned, and he was about to go home and cook when he bumped into Ji Shuhuai, emerging from the next room.
“Mr. Ji?” he said, surprised.
“Xiaoying,” Ji Shuhuai greeted him with a smile.
“Are you leaving?” Jing Ciying glanced at the room Ji Shuhuai had come from, knowing he had been visiting Lu Mi. He felt a pang of sympathy, thinking of the significance of this day, a day for family reunions.
“Yes. What about you?”
“I was just about to leave as well.”
“I’ll give you a ride,” Ji Shuhuai offered.
“No, thank you. I don’t want to trouble you,” Jing Ciying declined.
“It’s no trouble at all. I’m going your way, and I wanted to talk to you anyway.”
Jing Ciying agreed. He wanted to talk to Ji Shuhuai as well.
He knew it was difficult, but one had to move on.
Seeing Ji Shuhuai consumed by grief saddened him.
He wanted to help, even in a small way.
They went to the parking garage. Once in the car, Jing Ciying gave him his address.
Ji Shuhuai wasn’t surprised by the modest location, bringing up his previous offer. “Xiaoying, I asked you before if you were interested in joining my company. Have you given it any thought?”
Jing Ciying hadn’t expected him to bring it up. He fell silent.
He had considered the offer, keeping it as a backup plan, but he hadn’t made a decision.
Although Pei Songji was a demanding boss, this job had helped him through a difficult time.
And he and Ji Shuhuai were just acquaintances, not even close friends.
He knew the offer was likely motivated by kindness.
But he wasn’t sure he could live up to Ji Shuhuai’s expectations.
He feared he wasn’t capable enough.
So, the idea remained just that, an idea. There were too many uncertainties.
Ji Shuhuai, seeing his hesitation, asked, “Do you have any concerns, Xiaoying?”
Jing Ciying, knowing Ji Shuhuai’s sincerity, admitted his worries. “Mr. Ji, your offer is too generous. I’m afraid I wouldn’t be able to meet your expectations.”
Ji Shuhuai smiled, seeing through him. “Xiaoying, do you think I’m pitying you?”
Jing Ciying, unable to lie, nodded.
“No, I’m not pitying you. I genuinely want to help you.”
Ji Shuhuai glanced at a small, golden safety amulet hanging from the rearview mirror.
Lu Mi had placed it there.
He didn’t usually like such trinkets and had intended to remove it, but then the accident happened.
He cherished every reminder of Lu Mi, so the amulet remained.
“Our situations are different, but there are similarities. I understand your struggles, how hard you’ve worked to get where you are. I want to help you. It might be difficult, it might take time, but as long as your sister is still here, it’s worth it.”
Jing Ciying knew he was thinking of Lu Mi, understanding the reason behind his generosity.
Lu Mi was gone, but he wanted to help others’ loved ones survive, perhaps as a way to make amends for his own loss.
A wave of sadness washed over Jing Ciying, rendering him speechless. Words seemed inadequate.
“Of course, I’m also being selfish. I admire your abilities and don’t want to see them wasted at Pei Group. But I’m not pressuring you. I know it takes courage to leave a familiar environment. You don’t have to give me an answer now. Take your time and let me know when you’re ready.”
Jing Ciying was touched by his consideration. He wavered for a moment.
But he quickly regained his composure. “Thank you, Mr. Ji. I’ll think about it.”
“You’re welcome. Huaisi is always open to you.”
Pei Songji was oblivious to this conversation, consumed by his own responsibilities.
The New Year period was always busy with visits from relatives and business associates.
As the current head of the Pei family, he had to personally greet and entertain them.
The constant socializing wasn’t the most challenging part. It was the incessant inquiries about his romantic life, the subtle probing and matchmaking attempts.
He politely declined them all.
This was an annual ritual. In the past, he had refused due to lack of time. Now, it was because he was already in love, albeit secretly.
He thought of Jing Ciying, wondering what he was doing, whether he was visiting relatives or spending time with his family.
He had never felt time move so slowly, never longed for work to resume so intensely. He missed Jing Ciying.
His good mood persisted for several days.
But he rarely showed his emotions, so only Chu Yang noticed.
“You seem cheerful,” Chu Yang commented, swirling his drink.
He had just had a fight with Li Shu Yin and had called Pei Songji for a drink. He hadn’t expected to find him in such high spirits.
“I am,” Pei Songji admitted. There was no need to hide it from his oldest friend.
“Why? Are you in love?” Chu Yang teased.
“Not yet,” Pei Songji replied.
Chu Yang had been joking. He knew Pei Songji was a force to be reckoned with in the business world but a barren wasteland in his personal life. He had never shown interest in anyone.
He wasn’t surprised by the answer. Who would Pei Songji date? His office? The conference room?
But then something clicked.
“Wait a minute,” he said, putting down his glass. “What do you mean ‘not yet’?”
Pei Songji took a sip of his drink. “Not yet means not now, but perhaps in the future.”
Chu Yang: ?
Jing Ciying sneezed.
His cold had been gone for days. Why was he sneezing now?
Was he allergic to the thought of returning to work?
It was possible. Work was inherently unpleasant, and his boss was even more so.
So, a physical reaction to the impending resumption of work was perfectly understandable.
Good times always ended too quickly. Despite his reluctance, the day arrived.
He arrived at the office early, performed his usual ritual for the God of Wealth, and brewed coffee.
As expected, Pei Songji was already there.
He placed the coffee on the desk. “Mr. Pei.”
Pei Songji looked up. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome,” he replied automatically.
Pei Songji wasn’t usually impolite, but perhaps their long association had made him complacent. He rarely expressed such basic courtesies anymore.
The sudden politeness was unsettling.
Jing Ciying assumed it was just a post-New Year’s good mood.
But the good mood persisted.
And it wasn’t just about politeness. Pei Songji seemed less demanding, his workload lighter.
Jing Ciying, always observant, analyzed the recent events, searching for a reason for the change.
He arrived at a somewhat mystical conclusion.
Had the heavens heard his prayer? Had his wish come true? Was his boss finally going to be a decent human being?
Amen.
New Year’s wishes were indeed potent. He had actually made two wishes.
Just in case the heavens had forgotten his second wish, he repeated it silently.
“I hope my sister wakes up soon.”
He wondered when that wish would come true.
His happiness was short-lived. Pei Songji soon returned to his usual demanding self.
As his personal secretary, Jing Ciying’s workload increased accordingly.
The constant busyness took a toll on him, and he felt unwell.
He longed for the weekend, craving a good night’s sleep.
Finally, Friday arrived, but after a phone call, Pei Songji announced a last-minute dinner engagement.
Jing Ciying: “…Just end me now.”
He knew his boss was incapable of being a decent human being.
Despite his resentment, he plastered a smile on his face, agreeing readily and quickly making the necessary arrangements.
That evening, Pei Songji, dressed in the outfit Jing Ciying had prepared, was driven to the restaurant.
Their clients were already waiting.
As Pei Songji stepped out of the car, they rushed forward to greet him.
Jing Ciying, accustomed to such scenes, offered a polite smile, despite feeling unwell, and followed them inside.
Everything was ready in the private room. As Pei Songji sat down, waiters began pouring drinks and serving food.
The first order of business was, of course, drinking. The head of the client company raised his glass.
“This first toast is to thank Mr. Pei for taking time out of his busy schedule to join us. Cheers!”
Everyone raised their glasses, toasting Pei Songji.
Jing Ciying, although just a secretary, couldn’t avoid participating, despite his discomfort.
After a few rounds of drinks, the conversation shifted towards business.
He knew this impromptu dinner had a purpose, something important, but he wasn’t paying attention.
As the lowest-ranking person present, he had to attend to everyone’s needs, pouring drinks, refilling teacups, rotating the lazy Susan, never stopping.
His physical discomfort amplified his resentment.
He wished he were in a fantasy world. His resentment was potent enough to fuel an evil sword spirit.
He would nurture that spirit and then unleash it upon the world.
But despite his inner turmoil, he maintained a pleasant facade, pretending to listen.
The conversation went in one ear and out the other. It was all high-level business talk, irrelevant to him.
“Mr. Pei, you know this is a significant collaboration.”
“Yes, and? Does that mean we have to discuss it on a Friday night? Couldn’t this wait until Monday?” Jing Ciying thought angrily.
“I understand,” Pei Songji said.
“You understand nothing,” Jing Ciying thought.
He had thought he had developed infinite patience, but tonight, he realized that work could drive anyone to the brink of insanity.
He couldn’t express his frustration, only silently fuming, his smile a strained mask.
“I’ll send someone to your company on Monday to discuss the details,” Pei Songji said.
Jing Ciying: “…”
“Then why are we having this damned dinner on a Friday night?!”
“Thank you, Mr. Pei. We’ll prepare a proposal for you by Monday.”
“Oh, so you’re working over the weekend too? Now I feel better,” Jing Ciying thought sarcastically.
The atmosphere in the room grew lively, the conversation flowing, glasses clinking. But Jing Ciying felt only annoyance.
He couldn’t say anything, just silently ate his food.
Time seemed to stretch endlessly.
Pei Songji was saying something, but he wasn’t listening, just wishing for it to end.
“When will this be over?”
“Can’t you show me some love this year, heavens?”
He was lost in thought when the room suddenly fell silent.
He looked up to see Pei Songji staring at him.
Everyone else, noticing Pei Songji’s silence, followed his gaze.
Jing Ciying put down his chopsticks, confused.
“What’s wrong with him? Why is he staring at me?” he wondered.
“Is something wrong, Mr. Pei?” he asked politely.
Pei Songji seemed to snap out of it, shaking his head and rubbing his temples.
“Are you feeling unwell, sir?” Jing Ciying asked, concerned.
Pei Songji waved him away.
Although he sensed something was amiss, he didn’t pry.
But a few moments later, Pei Songji looked at him again, a puzzled expression on his face.
“Mr. Pei?” Jing Ciying asked again.
Pei Songji didn’t answer, turning away.
Jing Ciying: “…”
Maybe he was just ill.
Then, for the third time, Pei Songji turned and stared at him.
Jing Ciying finally snapped, his internal monologue erupting. “What are you looking at me for? Hurry up and eat! I’m so sleepy, and I still have to endure this stupid dinner! Stupid dinner!”
“It’s Friday night! If it weren’t for this stupid dinner, I’d be at home relaxing! Evil capitalist! Capitalist!”
“I want to go home! I hate you, Pei Skinflint!”
Despite his inner rant, he maintained a concerned expression, pouring Pei Songji a cup of tea.
“Would you like some tea, Mr. Pei?”
Pei Songji ignored him, suddenly standing up and walking towards the door.
Everyone stared, surprised. The client company’s leader stood up as well. “Mr. Pei, is something wrong?”
Pei Songji leaned in and whispered something. “Alright, alright, I understand. Please, go ahead,” the leader said.
Jing Ciying was utterly bewildered.
“Let’s go,” Pei Songji said, turning to him.
Jing Ciying: “Huh?”
