Chapter 33
Happy’s arrival had changed Jing Ciying’s life.
Since his sister’s death, his life had felt empty, like a puzzle with a missing piece.
He had buried himself in work, practically living at the office, his apartment becoming a mere place to sleep.
But with Happy, he started spending more time at home, his schedule becoming more regular.
He even worried about leaving Happy alone when he worked late.
His apartment finally felt like a home again, not just an empty space.
Pei Songji visited occasionally, always bringing gifts for Happy: toys, food, treats.
Since Happy was his gift, Jing Ciying couldn’t refuse him as firmly as before.
But his visits weren’t too frequent, so he tolerated them.
The kitten grew quickly, gaining weight.
Pei Songji, unable to visit every day, often asked for photos of Happy.
Jing Ciying found himself instinctively wanting to share those photos with him.
One night, as he was getting ready for bed, he saw Happy sleeping on his pillow, its belly exposed. It didn’t even wake up when he entered, just opened one eye, glanced at him, and then went back to sleep.
He tiptoed around the room, not wanting to disturb it, then quickly took a photo.
He instinctively wanted to send it to Pei Songji, but he hesitated.
His finger hovered over the send button, then he changed his mind.
“Never mind,” he muttered, about to exit their chat window when he noticed the date of their last conversation. A week ago.
Pei Songji’s last visit had also been a week ago.
“Has it been that long?”
Since Happy’s arrival, Pei Songji had been visiting several times a week, using the kitten as an excuse.
This was the first time he had been silent for so long.
Perhaps he was busy. Pei Group was a large company; Pei Songji was always busy.
He quickly exited the chat window and put his phone away, walking towards Happy.
Why was he even thinking about Pei Songji?
He didn’t care if he visited or not. He preferred the peace and quiet.
Life continued as usual, uneventful, except for Pei Songji’s absence.
But they still exchanged occasional messages, mostly about Happy.
He finally sent Pei Songji the photo of Happy sleeping.
Pei Songji replied with a loving emoji.
Jing Ciying smiled, typing a message: Are you busy lately?
But it seemed too personal, too concerned, so he deleted it.
Pei Songji must have seen the “typing…” indicator.
After waiting a while, he sent a message.
[Pei Skinflint: Is something wrong?]
[.: No.]
[Pei Skinflint: Are you sure?]
[.: Yes.]
[Pei Skinflint: Are you missing me, then?]
[Pei Skinflint: Rose.jpg]
Jing Ciying turned his phone face down.
He shouldn’t have shown any concern.
He got back to work, not checking his phone again until it was almost time to leave.
He opened WeChat and saw numerous unread messages from Pei Songji.
Several missed voice calls. He had his phone on silent.
He stared at the screen, scrolling up to find the end of their previous conversation.
[Pei Skinflint: Are you mad at me?]
[Pei Skinflint: I was joking. You wouldn’t miss me.]
[Pei Skinflint: Just a momentary lapse in judgment.]
[Pei Skinflint: Will you still send me photos of Happy?]
[Pei Skinflint: You don’t have to, as long as I can still visit him.]
[Pei Skinflint: Is that okay?]
[Pei Skinflint: Not even visits?]
[Pei Skinflint: Then can I at least bring him food?]
[Pei Skinflint: What about litter?]
[Pei Skinflint: Can I at least be there when he gets neutered?]
…
[Message withdrawn.]
[Message withdrawn.]
…
He didn’t know how Pei Songji had managed to generate so many messages in such a short time.
He decided to call him back. Knowing Pei Songji, he would probably show up at Huaisi if he didn’t.
He was leaving anyway, so he called him while walking towards the elevator.
The call was answered immediately.
“Hello,” Pei Songji’s voice said.
“Mr. Pei.” He pressed the elevator button.
It was rush hour; the elevator would be crowded.
Although few people at Huaisi knew him, and even fewer knew who he was talking to, he still felt a strange urge to avoid being overheard.
He hesitated, then used the private elevator key card Ji Shuhuai had given him.
He hadn’t wanted any special treatment and had intended to return the card, but Ji Shuhuai had insisted he keep it for emergencies.
He had never used it before. This was the first time.
“I was busy. I didn’t see your messages,” he explained, stepping into the elevator.
“Oh,” Pei Songji said, his voice relaxing. “I thought you were mad at me.”
“Do I seem like someone who gets angry easily?”
He expected Pei Songji to say no, the usual polite response.
But he said, “I don’t know.”
“What do you mean?”
Pei Songji seemed to be thinking. “You never got angry at me before, so I can’t tell.”
Jing Ciying remembered his past behavior.
He had always been accommodating, always maintaining a pleasant facade, motivated by his salary.
“You were my boss. Who gets angry at their boss?”
Silence.
Then, a chuckle. “That’s good.”
“Good? Good what?”
“Good that I’m not your boss anymore, so…”
“So what?”
“You can yell at me now.”
His words were soft, like a gentle breeze, sending a shiver down Jing Ciying’s spine.
He didn’t know how to respond.
The elevator dinged.
He was about to step out when he saw Ji Shuhuai standing there.
“Come in,” Ji Shuhuai said, holding the door open.
He stepped inside, flustered.
Pei Songji must have heard Ji Shuhuai’s voice. He seemed about to ask something, then stopped himself.
Jing Ciying had taken the private elevator to avoid being overheard, and now, ironically, he was trapped with Ji Shuhuai. He wanted to end the call.
“I have to go. I’ll talk to you later.”
Pei Songji sounded reluctant. “Okay. Call me back when you’re free.”
“Yes,” Jing Ciying mumbled, hanging up.
“Mr. Ji,” he greeted him.
“Xiaoying, going down?”
“Yes.”
He quickly tried to come up with an explanation for using the private elevator.
It wasn’t a big deal; Ji Shuhuai wouldn’t mind. But he had been so adamant about returning the key card, wanting to avoid special treatment. Now, here he was, using the private elevator. It was awkward.
But it seemed too trivial to mention, so he remained silent.
Ji Shuhuai broke the silence. “Were you talking to Mr. Pei?”
Jing Ciying was surprised, then realized it was a small, enclosed space; Ji Shuhuai must have overheard him.
“Yes.”
He expected Ji Shuhuai to question his contact with Pei Songji, but instead, he said, “You managed to reach him?”
“What do you mean, Mr. Ji?”
“I heard he’s been hospitalized, hasn’t been to the office in weeks. Seems quite serious. Elder Pei has returned to run the company.”
“What?” Jing Ciying was shocked. Pei Songji had sounded fine on the phone.
But…
His recent absence seemed to confirm Ji Shuhuai’s words.
“You didn’t know?” Ji Shuhuai asked, seeing his reaction.
“No.”
“Perhaps he didn’t want to worry you.”
Jing Ciying felt a strange unease. “No, we’re not that close,” he said quickly.
“Not close?” Ji Shuhuai chuckled. “Then it seems Mr. Pei has a one-sided crush.”
“What?”
“He asked me about you, about your relationship. If he wasn’t interested, why would he ask? I thought you two were… involved. But it seems he’s the only one with feelings.”
Jing Ciying wanted to deny it, but he didn’t know how. “When did he ask you?”
“Before you went home for your leave. But you seemed to dislike him so much, I assumed…”
He didn’t finish the sentence, but Jing Ciying understood.
He was about to say, “Of course I dislike him,” when the elevator reached the first floor.
Ji Shuhuai was heading to the parking garage, so Jing Ciying said goodbye and stepped out of the elevator.
He immediately pulled out his phone, hesitating, then dialed Pei Songji’s number.
His concern had overridden his reluctance.
The call was answered quickly. “Finished chatting with Mr. Ji?” Pei Songji’s voice was laced with a hint of jealousy.
Jing Ciying ignored the question. “Are you in the hospital?”
A pause, then a sigh. “Ji Shuhuai told you?”
“It doesn’t matter who told me. Are you in the hospital?”
Pei Songji knew he couldn’t deny it. “Yes.”
“What’s wrong? Is it serious?”
Pei Songji didn’t answer directly. “Are you concerned about me?”
“Tell me or I’ll hang up.”
“Wait! I’ll tell you,” Pei Songji said quickly.
“Then tell me.”
“I’m not ill.”
“Then why are you in the hospital?”
“Because… I came out to my family.”
