When Shen Yuqing and Xiao Zhao returned home, Pei Yiyan had already changed into a new suit.
The living room had now been transformed into a temporary “dressing room.” While neither of them would be applying makeup, basic styling was still necessary.
Accustomed to seeing Pei Yiyan in casual or loungewear, Shen Yuqing’s eyes lit up slightly at the sight of him in a suit today.
Naturally handsome with broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his long legs were accentuated by the emerald-green suit that wrapped around his frame, adding a touch of maturity. His forehead was exposed as his hair was slicked back with gel, revealing his well-defined features, sharp eyebrows and bright eyes. The emerald suit made Pei Yiyan look exceptionally distinguished and spirited.
Without realizing it, Shen Yuqing found himself stepping toward him. But after just two steps, Xiao Zhao called out, “Young Master, it’s your turn to try on your suit.”
Snapping out of his daze, Shen Yuqing coughed lightly, embarrassed by his own thoughts.
What’s wrong with me? How could I be so easily swayed by his looks?
He rubbed the tip of his nose and walked over to Xiao Zhao.
His suit was also emerald green, though the style differed from Pei Yiyan’s. “I’ll take a shower first,” Shen Yuqing said.
Xiao Zhao nodded. “Of course. I’ll go check the gifts.”
Though today’s gathering was technically a family dinner, it was also Shen Yuqing’s first time dining at the Pei residence. Shen Zhen had repeatedly emphasized the importance of proper etiquette, so after Shen Yuqing agreed to attend, he had arranged for gifts to be prepared in advance.
Shen Yuqing nodded, his gaze drifting back to Pei Yiyan.
Pei Yiyan is just so handsome. This outfit hits every single one of my aesthetic preferences, I can hardly look away.
The system suddenly chimed in: [Host, so this is your type, huh?]
Shen Yuqing snapped back to reality and retorted, [What do you know? I just appreciate good-looking people in formal wear.]
Unconvinced, the system conjured a flurry of pink hearts, determined to flood Shen Yuqing’s mind with them.
Shen Yuqing sighed, finally giving up on admiring Pei Yiyan.
Meanwhile, Pei Yiyan’s styling session was nearing its end. He lifted his gaze to the mirror before him.
Though his vision remained blurry, recent rehabilitation training had improved it compared to days prior. It wouldn’t be long before his sight fully recovered.
This was the happiest news he’d received in years.
Being able to see meant he could do so much more.
“Mr. Pei, your styling is complete,” the stylist softly reminded him.
Pei Yiyan acknowledged with a hum and rose from the chair, gripping his white cane.
Truthfully, he was already familiar with every corner of the house, and sharp edges had been padded with special materials to prevent injury upon collision. But today, the living room was cluttered with various items. Though he could now vaguely discern shapes, he still used the cane to avoid raising suspicion.
He made his way to the sofa and sat down. Lucky, the bold cat, had been napping soundly on the couch all afternoon, undisturbed by the commotion in the living room. Now, spotting Pei Yiyan, it gracefully sauntered over and curled up in his lap.
Xiao Zhao, watching nearby, suggested, “Young Master Pei, should I take Lucky away?”
Cat hair on the suit would certainly detract from its elegance.
Pei Yiyan, however, stroked Haoyunlai’s back and said, “It’s fine.”
Xiao Zhao had no choice but to drop the idea.
Not long after, Shen Yuqing also came out dressed. Only after putting it on did he realize that his outfit was slightly different from Pei Yiyan’s.
His was a shade lighter, but it still looked great.
Xiao Zhao immediately snapped a few photos of him with the camera. “President Shen said he wanted to see you in this suit. I’ll send these to him now.”
Shen Yuqing smiled and cooperated. “Sure, take a few more so he can get a good look at once.”
Xiao Zhao clicked several shots before asking, “Young Master, would you like to take one with Young Master Pei?”
Shen Yuqing glanced at Pei Yiyan. “We’ll do that later.”
Taking photos wasn’t an issue, but this was the first time Shen Yuqing had worn such high-quality fabric, and he was thrilled. Still, he couldn’t help feeling a bit competitive.
If Pei Yiyan had his styling done, then he needed his done too!
Otherwise, he’d be overshadowed!
Shen Yuqing plopped down in front of the mirror, and the stylist immediately got to work.
He thought it would only take a few minutes, but it ended up taking over twenty.
When he finally looked in the mirror, he couldn’t help raising his eyebrows in approval.
Those twenty minutes were definitely worth it. Even though nothing had been applied to his face, he looked noticeably different from usual.
Satisfied, Shen Yuqing admired himself for a few more moments before taking a seat on the sofa.
He and Pei Yiyan sat side by side. After glancing around, Shen Yuqing stretched out his “claws” and snatched Haoyunlai away.
Pei Yiyan felt his arms suddenly empty as Shen Yuqing pulled the dog into his own lap, grinning. “Alright, let’s take the photo now.”
Xiao Zhao agreed and adjusted angles until he finally captured a decent shot.
Once the photos were done, it was time to leave.
Xiao Zhao once again acted as their chauffeur, dropping them off at the Pei family estate before waiting outside for the event to conclude.
Neither the original owner nor Shen Yuqing had ever visited the Pei family’s ancestral home before.
Located in the heart of Silino, the Pei family had claimed a vast plot of land early on and built a grand mansion.
Shen Yuqing had seen many astonishing things since arriving, but the sight of this mansion still drew an awed gasp from him.
Pei Yiyan, standing beside him, frowned slightly at the sound.
Unnoticed, Shen Yuqing continued looking around in amazement. If Pei Yiyan hadn’t been there, he might have squealed in excitement.
So luxurious. Unbelievably luxurious.
He couldn’t even imagine how happy he’d be if he lived in this estate-like home.
But they were here for a family banquet.
Having grown up here, Pei Yiyan was very familiar with the surroundings. He tapped his cane twice on the ground, pulling Shen Yuqing’s attention back. “Let’s go.”
For some reason, no one came to greet them whether intentionally or because they didn’t know they’d arrived.
But it didn’t matter. Pei Yiyan led the way.
Shen Yuqing followed and asked, “Do you always have to walk in by yourself when you come back?”
“Occasionally, a car picks me up,” Pei Yiyan replied.
Shen Yuqing blinked. “Right, didn’t the butler say there’d be a shuttle to take us? Where is it?”
He grabbed Pei Yiyan’s arm, stopping him.
Pei Yiyan asked, “What’s wrong?”
Shen Yuqing said, “How long will it take to walk there?”
The place was simply enormous.
Pei Yiyan replied, “It might only take you about ten minutes, but it would take me longer around thirty-five minutes.” Thirty-five minutes.
Who knew how many times he’d walked that path to know it so precisely.
“How many shuttle vehicles do you have?” Shen Yuqing asked again.
Pei Yiyan thought for a moment. “There are five in the garage.”
Five cars, yet not a single one was in sight now.
Shen Yuqing clicked his tongue. “If they’re not even going to show basic courtesy, why bother inviting us?”
Even someone as thick-skinned as Shen Yuqing could tell this was clearly an attempt to intimidate them.
Not only had they not seen any cars, but there wasn’t even a single person in sight.
Shen Yuqing slipped back into his usual over-the-top persona and called Xiao Zhao, ordering him to return to their meeting spot immediately.
In less than three minutes, Xiao Zhao drove back.
Confused, he asked, “Young Master, what’s wrong?”
Behind him was a butler on a hoverboard. Shen Yuqing raised his voice. “I’m not used to walking so much, it tires me out. After some thought, I’ve decided to skip the meal.”
He made a show of preparing to get into the car, prompting the butler to hastily intervene. “Master Shen, we would never make you walk! Let me check what’s going on with the cars!”
Shen Yuqing watched coldly as the butler pulled out a walkie-talkie and deliberately asked, “What’s the situation? Master Shen is already here, why haven’t the cars arrived yet?”
A voice on the other end replied, “There’s a minor issue with the vehicles. They’re being repaired and will be here soon.”
The butler gave Shen Yuqing an apologetic look before asking, “How long will the repairs take?”
“Probably about half an hour.”
Half an hour, just enough time for Pei Yiyan to reach the restaurant at his pace.
Xiao Zhao offered, “Young Master, I can drive you both there.”
But Shen Yuqing waved him off. “No need. You and the butler can go about your business.”
With a dismissive gesture, Xiao Zhao pressed his lips together and reluctantly drove off with the butler.
Pei Yiyan finally spoke. “Let’s go.”
But Shen Yuqing asked, “Are you hungry?”
“No,” Pei Yiyan answered.
Good, he wasn’t hungry.
Shen Yuqing casually grabbed Pei Yiyan’s wrist. The latter stiffened slightly but ultimately allowed it.
After leading him for a minute or two, Shen Yuqing plopped down on a bench by the roadside.
Leaning back, he said, “Pei Yiyan, want to make a bet?”
Pei Yiyan stayed silent, but Shen Yuqing didn’t mind. He continued, “Let’s bet on how long it’ll take for them to send a car for us.”
Pei Yiyan replied, “Soon.”
Once they realized their intimidation tactic had failed, they’d act immediately.
By now, they had probably already spotted him and Shen Yuqing sitting down on the surveillance feed.
