The Daily Struggle of a Corporate Slave 13

Chapter 13

Jing Ciying turned to see Pei Songji standing behind them, his expression cold, his gaze fixed on Ji Shuhuai.

He didn’t know how much Pei Songji had overheard. Although they hadn’t discussed anything inappropriate, he felt a pang of guilt.

He quickly extinguished his half-smoked cigarette, crushing it in his hand.

“Mr. Pei,” he said, but Pei Songji ignored him, walking towards Ji Shuhuai, positioning himself between them.

“Mr. Ji seems quite interested in my secretary,” Pei Songji said with a thin smile.

Ji Shuhuai, sensing his displeasure, extinguished his own cigarette and tossed it into a nearby trash can.

“Don’t misunderstand, Mr. Pei. I simply find Xiaoying to be a kindred spirit. I believe his talents are wasted as a secretary,” Ji Shuhuai explained.

“Is that so? But I’m accustomed to Secretary Jing’s assistance. If Mr. Ji is looking for talent, I suggest you look elsewhere.”

“Mr. Pei…” Ji Shuhuai started to say.

Pei Songji cut him off. “Mr. Ji, something has come up. Let’s continue this discussion another time.”

He turned and walked away without waiting for a response.

Jing Ciying offered Ji Shuhuai an apologetic smile and followed Pei Songji.

Pei Songji walked quickly, his silence radiating anger.

Jing Ciying couldn’t understand his reaction. Was he angry about Ji Shuhuai’s job offer?

He was just a secretary, not essential to the company’s core operations. Besides, he hadn’t even accepted the offer.

Unsure of what had triggered Pei Songji’s anger, he didn’t know how to explain himself.

Once in the car, Pei Songji finally spoke. “Care to explain, Secretary Jing?”

Jing Ciying understood his displeasure at having his employee poached. “I’m sorry, Mr. Pei. I didn’t expect Mr. Ji to offer me a job.”

“Have you known each other long?” Pei Songji asked.

Jing Ciying considered the question. It had been a while. He nodded.

“How did you meet?”

“We met by chance.”

They had indeed met by chance, although he omitted the location.

Pei Songji wasn’t satisfied with the vague answer. “Is that all you’re going to tell me?”

Jing Ciying wanted to say he wasn’t trying to deceive him, just keeping some things private. He was entitled to his privacy, even as an employee.

But Pei Songji was unusually persistent.

“And… what about your sister?”

Jing Ciying realized Pei Songji had overheard their conversation. He couldn’t avoid the topic now, but he still didn’t want to discuss it. He remained silent.

Pei Songji’s expression hardened. “My company is currently collaborating with Huaisi, and Mr. Ji is trying to poach my personal secretary. Don’t you think I have a right to know?”

Jing Ciying understood the implication. “Mr. Ji and I are acquainted, but our interactions have never involved company matters.”

“Then how did you meet?” Pei Songji asked again.

The conversation had circled back to the same question. Jing Ciying was getting frustrated. “Mr. Pei, this is a personal matter.”

“If it concerns the company, it’s not just a personal matter.”

Jing Ciying had never seen Pei Songji so aggressive. He felt a surge of anger but suppressed it.

“We met at the hospital. We’ve never discussed work,” he said simply, looking at Pei Songji.

Pei Songji, seeing his reluctance to elaborate, dropped the subject, turning away.

The car ride was tense and silent.

Back at the hotel, Jing Ciying prepared Pei Songji’s bath, laid out his pajamas, gave his clothes to the hotel staff for laundry, and prepared his outfit for the next day.

Pei Songji hadn’t spoken since their return, heading straight to the bathroom.

Jing Ciying thought he was finally free to leave, but shortly after returning to his room, he received a WeChat message.

[Pei Skinflint: Bring me a bottle of wine.]

Jing Ciying stared at the message, puzzled.

Pei Songji rarely drank outside of business functions. Why the sudden craving for alcohol?

Despite his confusion, he went to the hotel’s wine cellar, selected a suitable red wine, and brought it to Pei Songji’s room.

Pei Songji, freshly showered and in his pajamas, sat on the bed, silently accepting the wine.

Jing Ciying was tired but couldn’t leave until dismissed. He stood there, refilling Pei Songji’s glass as needed.

After several glasses, a hint of intoxication appeared in Pei Songji’s eyes. He stopped drinking.

Jing Ciying was about to suggest he get some rest when Pei Songji’s phone rang.

He looked at the caller ID, hesitated, then answered. “Grandpa.”

Jing Ciying couldn’t hear the conversation, but he sensed Pei Songji’s displeasure, although he masked it well.

Elder Pei said something, and Pei Songji remained silent, then, just before hanging up, he glanced at Jing Ciying. “Alright, I’ll meet her.”

He ended the call.

Jing Ciying, seeing the call was over, said, “It’s getting late, Mr. Pei. You should rest.”

“Yes.” Pei Songji fidgeted with his phone, seeming distracted.

“I’ll take the rest of the wine…” Jing Ciying started to say, intending to give it to the hotel staff.

“Tell the chief assistant to clear my schedule for next Wednesday,” Pei Songji interrupted.

“Certainly, Mr. Pei. What is it for?”

Pei Songji hesitated.

“…A blind date.”

“Alright,” Jing Ciying replied, his expression neutral, his mind reeling.

He knew Pei Songji would eventually get married, but he had hoped it wouldn’t be so soon. He didn’t want to serve two masters.

But it wasn’t his place to interfere. He forced himself to accept it.

“I’ll inform the chief assistant and make the necessary arrangements.”

“Yes.”

Pei Songji, seeing Jing Ciying’s professional demeanor, felt a pang of guilt. He suddenly felt childish and petty, agreeing to the blind date out of jealousy, hoping to upset Jing Ciying.

This wasn’t like him. Why was he behaving so foolishly?

But it was too late to back out now.

He felt frustrated and confused.

He had been trying to distance himself from Jing Ciying, to prepare for a life without him, to sever the connection before it deepened.

But now, he couldn’t bear the thought of it.

Seeing him with Ji Shuhuai had triggered a surge of possessiveness, leading him to resort to such childish tactics.

He was the boss.

Why did he feel so powerless in front of Jing Ciying?

“Do you think I should go?” he blurted out, the words escaping before he could stop them.

He knew he shouldn’t sound so vulnerable.

But he hoped for a negative response.

He felt torn, wanting to pull away yet drawn closer.

Jing Ciying was baffled. Pei Songji had never sought his advice before, especially on personal matters. He usually just issued commands.

He must be drunk. But he couldn’t be dismissive. He offered a safe, neutral response. “The chairman only wants what’s best for you.”

Pei Songji didn’t seem satisfied with the answer. He remained silent.

After a long pause, he said wearily, “Leave.”

“Yes, sir.” Jing Ciying picked up the wine bottle.

“Leave the wine,” Pei Songji said.

“Do you want more?”

“Yes.”

Pei Songji looked like he could barely handle another drop. Jing Ciying was worried.

But he couldn’t disobey a direct order. He placed the wine back on the table.

He would deal with the consequences tomorrow. He would prepare some hangover remedies.

He left the room.

The next morning, the wine bottle was empty.

Jing Ciying was surprised. Pei Songji must be feeling terrible.

As expected, Pei Songji looked pale and unwell when he woke up. The hangover remedies and tea helped somewhat.

Despite the hangover, Pei Songji, the workaholic, went straight to the office, refusing to rest.

But the after-effects lingered. He had to cancel several business dinners due to headaches.

Time seemed to accelerate, and Wednesday arrived quickly.

Jing Ciying meticulously prepared Pei Songji’s outfits, both for work and the blind date.

He poured all his effort and accumulated fashion sense into making Pei Songji look his best, hoping for a successful outcome.

Looking at the reflection in the mirror, even Jing Ciying had to admit, Pei Songji was undeniably handsome.

That evening, he accompanied Pei Songji to the restaurant, finding a discreet spot to observe.

The couple looked good together, the man handsome, the woman elegant.

He was optimistic about this date. Objectively, apart from his demanding nature, Pei Songji was a perfect catch: good-looking, wealthy, and capable.

He had witnessed countless women vying for the position of Mrs. Pei.

But Pei Songji seemed to have only work on his mind, delaying his personal life.

Now that he was finally ready, the chances of success seemed high.

He was surprised when the date ended even more quickly than the last one.

He hadn’t even finished his appetizer when Pei Songji stood up to leave.

“Mr. Pei?”

He looked at his barely touched food with regret.

But Pei Songji was in no mood to linger. “Let’s go,” he said curtly.

“Yes, sir,” Jing Ciying said, reluctantly following him out of the restaurant.

Back in the car, he asked, “Are we going home, Mr. Pei?”

Pei Songji seemed lost in thought, not responding until he had asked three times.

“Yes.”

Jing Ciying was already annoyed about the wasted meal. Pei Songji’s distraction fueled his frustration, but he couldn’t express it. He suppressed his emotions and gave the driver the address.

“Shanhe Manor.”

“Yes, sir.”

He turned to Pei Songji, who was still lost in thought, his brow furrowed.

How bad could the date have been to elicit such a reaction?

“Mr. Pei?” he asked hesitantly. “Was she not suitable either?”

Pei Songji shook his head. “It was my fault.”

Jing Ciying was incredulous. That was usually his line.

He had never heard Pei Songji admit fault.

It was just a blind date. What could he have possibly done wrong?

Unless… the woman had liked him, but he couldn’t reciprocate for some unknown reason.

The more he thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

But what could the reason be? Infertility?

It wasn’t impossible. Pei Songji was successful and attractive, yet he had remained single, his blind dates always ending in failure. Perhaps there was a hidden reason.

Infertility seemed like a logical explanation.

Pei Songji was unaware of Jing Ciying’s speculation about his reproductive health.

He was replaying the events of the evening in his mind.

The waiter had poured them red wine. The wine swirling in the glass had reminded him of cherry-red lips.

It had triggered a memory of the night he had gotten drunk in the hotel room.

He had consumed too much alcohol, his mind hazy and disoriented.

In that drunken haze, he had seen Jing Ciying.

In the dream, Jing Ciying had been warm and inviting, his eyes filled with affection.

Pei Songji had been drawn to him, seeing his own reflection in Jing Ciying’s eyes.

The memory had made him flee the restaurant, abruptly ending the date.

He knew Jing Ciying was puzzled by his sudden departure.

But he couldn’t explain.

He couldn’t tell anyone that he couldn’t bear to stay in that restaurant a moment longer.

The dim lighting and the red wine had reminded him of the dream.

He couldn’t relive that scene in front of another person. It would be unfair to both of them.

He also realized his efforts to distance himself from Jing Ciying were futile. He couldn’t stay away from him, nor could he imagine life without him.

He finally acknowledged his feelings, confronting the truth he had been avoiding.

He knew he could never have a normal marriage, a family, children.

Because at the end of that dream…

He had kissed Jing Ciying.