The Daily Struggle of a Corporate Slave 19

Chapter 19

11:00 pm. Jing Ciying was about to sleep on the cot in his sister’s hospital room.

He habitually checked his phone and saw a new WeChat message from Pei Songji.

His heart sank. Lately, every interaction with Pei Songji seemed to bring trouble.

He opened the message.

[Pei Skinflint: Pack your bags. We’re leaving tomorrow.]

Jing Ciying: “…”

Couldn’t he have told him in the morning?

He replied:

[Certainly, Mr. Pei. Where are we going?]

[Colorado.]

“Colorado?” he wondered.

Pei Group’s business was primarily domestic, so overseas trips were rare, usually for leisure. Pei Songji loved skiing and went to Aspen, Colorado, every year, staying in a luxurious log cabin he owned near the slopes.

Although a log cabin, it was a masterpiece of craftsmanship, built from fir and cedar, over a thousand square meters, with every imaginable amenity, offering stunning views of the Rocky Mountains.

Jing Ciying had accompanied him there a few times, always in winter.

Why was he going now? And it seemed like a business trip. What business did Pei Group have in Colorado?

He couldn’t understand, but he couldn’t ask either. He resignedly got out of bed, rushed home from the hospital, and started packing.

At least Pei Songji’s luggage was already prepared.

He finished packing late at night, catching a few hours of sleep before dawn.

Since Pei Songji was leaving the country, he didn’t go to the office but went directly to Shanhe Manor with his luggage.

Pei Songji was already awake and having breakfast.

“Have you eaten?” he asked.

“Yes, sir,” Jing Ciying replied.

The Pei family had strict table manners, so despite his numerous questions, he waited until Pei Songji finished eating.

Pei Songji went upstairs to change. Jing Ciying gave their luggage to the driver and waited in the living room.

Pei Songji came downstairs.

“Mr. Pei, how long will we be gone?” Jing Ciying asked, needing to book return flights.

“About a week,” Pei Songji replied.

“Okay.” He made a note and contacted the housekeeper at the Colorado cabin, informing her of their arrival.

Even by plane, the journey was long.

He didn’t mind. He hadn’t slept well and could catch up on the plane.

But they were flying first class, in a double suite, so they would be close. He doubted he would get any rest. Pei Songji was always demanding.

But Pei Songji was unusually quiet on the plane, not asking for anything.

Jing Ciying, after waiting a while, finally relaxed and fell asleep.

Exhausted, he slept soundly, unaware that Pei Songji hadn’t slept at all, just watched him throughout the long flight.

Pei Songji was replaying Chu Yang’s advice. He had said pursuing someone involved catering to their interests and creating intimacy.

He had asked Pei Songji about Jing Ciying’s hobbies and preferences.

It had seemed like a simple question, but Pei Songji couldn’t answer.

He realized he didn’t know Jing Ciying as well as he thought he did.

Jing Ciying, on the other hand, would have had no trouble answering such a question about him.

Chu Yang, noticing his hesitation, had patted his shoulder. “Then focus on the second part: creating intimacy.”

“Intimacy?”

“Yes. Proximity is key. Create opportunities to be alone. Choose a romantic setting. Blur the lines between boss and employee. Create some… ambiguity. Let him get the hint. Spend enough time together like that, and he’ll…”

“But he likes women.”

“So? Is he dating? Married?”

“No.”

“Then you still have a chance. Maybe he just hasn’t considered it. You can… open that door for him.”

Chu Yang’s advice seemed dubious, but it wasn’t entirely unreasonable.

Pei Songji, a man of action, decided to try.

He chose the most romantic property he owned and concocted a business trip as an excuse to take Jing Ciying there.

The excuse was flimsy, so he kept the details vague, just mentioning a business trip. Fortunately, Jing Ciying didn’t question it.

After a long flight, Jing Ciying woke up refreshed.

Their driver was waiting at the airport.

They got into the car and headed towards the cabin.

It was snowing.

The indigo sky was heavy with clouds, and large snowflakes fell softly.

The roads and buildings were covered in snow, so the driver drove slowly, allowing Jing Ciying to admire the scenery.

The streets were brightly lit, the lights reflecting off the snow, creating a magical atmosphere. He was mesmerized.

Then the scenery changed, the buildings disappearing, replaced by vast expanses of aspen trees.

The remnants of winter clung to the branches, not leaves, but a delicate layer of snow.

They drove along winding mountain roads. After a while, a large log cabin appeared, nestled among the trees.

The roof and driveway were heated, so there was no snow as they arrived.

The housekeeper and her staff were waiting, taking their luggage and opening the double glass doors.

Jing Ciying followed Pei Songji inside.

A nine-meter-high foyer created a sense of spaciousness. The interior, entirely clad in fir and cedar, was warm and inviting, the large granite fireplace in the living room crackling merrily.

The sound of the burning wood was soothing, and despite having slept on the plane, Jing Ciying felt a wave of drowsiness.

But Pei Songji was still awake, so he couldn’t sleep yet.

He had the staff take their luggage upstairs and then began unpacking and organizing Pei Songji’s clothes.

He prepared a bath, laid out fresh clothes and toiletries, and was about to leave when he turned to see Pei Songji standing in the doorway, watching him.

Startled, he quickly composed himself. “Everything is ready, Mr. Pei. You can freshen up now.”

“Good,” Pei Songji replied.

“I’ll leave you to it then.” He turned to go.

“Wait.”

“Is there anything else?”

“Join me for skiing tomorrow.”

“Skiing?” Jing Ciying was confused. Wasn’t this a business trip?

Pei Songji didn’t explain. “Yes.”

“Am I supposed to ski too?”

“Yes.”

“But I don’t have any ski gear.”

Pei Songji had already anticipated this. “Don’t worry, I brought an extra set.”

He said goodnight and entered the bathroom.

Jing Ciying, slightly stunned, replied, “Goodnight, Mr. Pei.”

Pei Songji wasn’t joking. The next morning, the housekeeper brought him a brand new ski suit.

Although still puzzled by Pei Songji’s intentions, he couldn’t complain about a day of fun. He happily accompanied him to the slopes.

He chose skis instead of a snowboard, lacking experience. He assumed it would be easy, but he kept falling.

Pei Songji, accustomed to seeing Jing Ciying’s impeccable competence, was amused by his struggles.

Jing Ciying had seen Pei Songji ski; he was very good.

He had expected some assistance, but Pei Songji just stood there, laughing.

Jing Ciying was annoyed, but he endured it.

He was the boss, after all.

He was about to get up when a hand reached out.

“Get up. I’ll teach you.”

He looked up to see Pei Songji standing over him.

He couldn’t see his expression behind the ski goggles, but he sensed a strange gentleness.

“Thank you, boss,” he said, taking Pei Songji’s hand and getting up, brushing the snow off his clothes.

Pei Songji started instructing him.

Jing Ciying, a quick learner, soon grasped the basics and started skiing slowly.

Pei Songji stayed with him, patiently guiding him.

As he became more confident, he picked up speed.

He enjoyed himself immensely, the day flying by.

It was dark by the time they returned.

He prepared Pei Songji’s bath and then took one himself, collapsing onto the bed, exhausted.

He woke up the next morning.

The snow had stopped. The sun was about to rise, the red glow of dawn blending with the snow-covered landscape.

He thought of his sister. He would bring her here one day, when she woke up.

He wanted her to see this beauty.

He had assumed the business trip was just a pretext, a cover for a ski vacation.

But Pei Songji did have business to attend to. Shortly after breakfast, several men in suits arrived, and they all went to the study.

Jing Ciying served them tea and then excused himself, waiting nearby in case Pei Songji needed anything.

The meeting lasted for hours, continuing into the evening.

Dinner was served shortly after the men left.

Jing Ciying was about to eat in his room when Pei Songji asked him to join him.

This wasn’t unusual, so he agreed.

After dinner, Pei Songji usually relaxed for a while.

The cabin had various entertainment options: a bar, a game room, a pool table, even an indoor golf course and a home theater.

Tonight, he wanted to watch a movie. He asked the housekeeper to prepare some drinks and went downstairs to the home theater.

Jing Ciying brought the drinks.

He was about to leave when Pei Songji stopped him. “Secretary Jing.”

“Mr. Pei?”

Pei Songji patted the seat beside him. “Join me.”

Jing Ciying hesitated, then sat down. Was it a horror movie? Why did he need company?

The lights dimmed, and the movie began.

Farewell My Concubine.

It was a classic film, and Jing Ciying had seen it many times.

The first time was in high school. Teenagers were often pretentious, seeking things that made them seem unique and different. The film’s homosexual themes had intrigued him.

He had initially watched it for that reason, but he quickly realized how shallow his perspective had been. He hadn’t understood the deeper meaning.

Then, in college, he had rediscovered the film during a film appreciation class he had audited.

The class was small, and the professor had chosen this film.

Having only seen it once before, he paid close attention this time, finally appreciating its brilliance.

At the end of the movie, as Leslie Cheung’s character, Cheng Dieyi, bid farewell to his “Overlord,” he heard the sound of rain.

He realized it was raining outside.

Since then, Farewell My Concubine had become his favorite film.

He hadn’t expected Pei Songji to like it as well.

Unaware of Jing Ciying’s thoughts, Pei Songji kept glancing at him, trying to gauge his reaction.

He had chosen this film as a subtle hint about his own inclinations.

But Jing Ciying seemed completely absorbed in the movie, oblivious to the subtext.

After the movie ended, Pei Songji wondered if his hint had been too subtle.

Perhaps he needed a more direct approach.

The next day, they went skiing again.

Jing Ciying was more confident now, enjoying himself immensely.

Although he had witnessed many wealthy people engaging in such activities, he had rarely participated himself and hadn’t understood the appeal.

Now he did, feeling almost reluctant to leave.

They skied until nightfall.

Back at the cabin, as he was changing, he checked his phone and saw several missed calls from Aunt Liu.

His heart sank. He immediately called her back, his mind filled with worry about his sister.

“Hello, Xiaoying,” Aunt Liu answered, her voice strained despite her efforts to remain calm.

“Aunt Liu, what’s wrong?” he asked quickly. “Calm down and tell me.”

“Your sister… she’s not well. The doctor said she has an irregular heartbeat, her blood pressure and blood sugar are dropping. They’re trying to stabilize her, but… I don’t know. I know you’re away, but I thought you should know. When are you coming back? Should you come back? I…”

Her voice choked with emotion. She covered her mouth, but he still heard a muffled sob.

“Okay, okay,” he said, trying to reassure her, and himself. “I understand. Don’t worry. I’m not in the country, but I can ask someone to help you. I’ll be back, I’ll be back soon. Don’t worry. Tell the doctor… tell the doctor to do everything they can, no matter the cost. Don’t worry, Aunt. I’m coming back.”

“Okay, I’ll be waiting. Be careful, Xiaoying.”

“Yes, I will.”

He hung up, staring at his phone for a moment, then remembered what he had to do.

Call Ji Shuhuai.

Although it felt intrusive to ask him for such a favor, he didn’t know who else to turn to.

He opened his phone, but a wave of dizziness washed over him. He realized he had been holding his breath.

He gasped, taking deep breaths, trying to calm down.

He fumbled for his phone, his hands shaking.

He sat down on a bench, his hands still trembling, and finally managed to find Ji Shuhuai’s contact information.

He used his left hand to steady his right hand and pressed the call button.

“Xiaoying?” Ji Shuhuai’s voice answered.

“Yes, it’s me, Mr. Ji.”

“What’s up? Did you change your mind about my offer?”

“No…”

“Secretary Jing?” Pei Songji’s voice called out from outside.

He realized he was still in the changing room. Pei Songji must have finished changing and was waiting for him.

“Coming!” he called out, but his voice was weak.

Pei Songji didn’t seem to hear him. “Secretary Jing?”

Frustrated, Jing Ciying grabbed his phone and walked towards the door.

“Xiaoying, are you alright?” Ji Shuhuai asked, concerned.

“I’m fine. Mr. Ji, can I ask you a favor? My sister… she’s not well. I’m out of the country, so could you please go to the hospital and check on her? Aunt Liu is alone there, and she’s panicking.”

“Of course,” Ji Shuhuai said without hesitation. “I’ll go right now.”

“Thank you, Mr. Ji. Thank you so much.”

He stepped out of the changing room to find Pei Songji waiting.

Pei Songji was about to speak when he saw Jing Ciying on the phone. He stopped.

He hadn’t expected to hear Jing Ciying say, “Thank you, Mr. Ji.”

“Mr. Ji?”

A name he disliked surfaced in his mind.

Ji Shuhuai.

Why were they still in contact?

He felt a surge of annoyance.

“Who was that?” he asked as soon as Jing Ciying hung up.

“Mr. Ji.”

“Ji Shuhuai?”

“Yes.”

“Why did he call you?”

Jing Ciying’s mind was elsewhere. He didn’t have time for irrelevant questions.

“Mr. Pei, I need to request a leave of absence.”

“A leave of absence?”

The sudden request surprised Pei Songji. He connected it to the phone call.

“Why?”

“It doesn’t matter. I have to leave. I can’t stay here with you. Could you please have your driver take me to the airport?”

He didn’t understand the urgency, the connection to Ji Shuhuai.

Had something happened to Ji Shuhuai?

His heart sank. “Tell me what’s going on,” he said firmly. “Otherwise, the answer is no.”

He had plans for the next few days. If it was about Ji Shuhuai, he wouldn’t agree.

He had just wanted an explanation, but Jing Ciying, instead of answering, turned and walked away.

Jing Ciying had always been quiet, obedient, respectful, never defying him or disagreeing with him. He was accustomed to his compliance. This unexpected defiance startled him, then angered him.

“Secretary Jing!” he called out.

Jing Ciying didn’t turn back.

“Jing Ciying!”