Shen Yuqing raised an eyebrow and asked, “When they don’t come to pick you up, you just walk in like this?”
Pei Yiyan gave a slight nod. After a moment of thought, Shen Yuqing decided, “We’ll walk in later too.”
Just as Pei Yiyan was about to stand up, Shen Yuqing pulled him back. “What’s the hurry? Wait a little longer,” he said.
Pei Yiyan didn’t understand what Shen Yuqing was up to but allowed himself to be pulled back down.
It had to be said, the scenery of the Pei family estate was truly magnificent. Spring was in full bloom, with unnamed flowers scattered about.
Shen Yuqing took a deep breath, the air here seemed fresher than outside. Despite being in the heart of the bustling city center, the estate was as quiet as the suburbs.
The two sat in silence, but as Pei Yiyan had predicted, a car soon arrived to pick them up. The driver, visibly nervous, apologized profusely. Shen Yuqing waved it off understandingly. “The car broke down, it’s not your fault. You can head back first. The scenery is so nice, I think we’ll walk.”
The driver hesitated, not daring to move until Pei Yiyan spoke up. “Go back.”
Only then did the driver hastily drive off to report.
Shen Yuqing stretched his arms and leaned back in the chair, closing his eyes to rest.
They had arrived in the evening, and after sitting for a while, the sky had already begun to darken.
The estate’s lights turned on precisely on time, illuminating the path once more.
Shen Yuqing asked, “Did you grow up here?”
“No,” Pei Yiyan replied. “I stayed here more often after I got injured.”
Back then, Old Master Pei was still alive, and his uncles lived with him. Pei Yiyan’s father held an executive position in the company, and Pei Yiyan had followed him to learn management. For convenience, their family had lived in a villa closer to the company.
Now, that house was probably long abandoned.
Shen Yuqing noticed a flicker of emotion on Pei Yiyan’s face and said, “Next time, let’s visit the place you used to live.”
Pei Yiyan didn’t respond.
After another ten minutes or so, the golf cart returned this time with a man seated in it. Shen Yuqing quietly asked the system who he was.
[Pei Yiyan’s uncle,] the system replied.
Pei Yiyan’s uncle looked remarkably young, his gray suit accentuating his refined demeanor. If Shen Yuqing remembered correctly, this uncle was a notorious playboy who never settled down.
Shen Yuqing turned to Pei Yiyan and whispered, “Is your uncle good to you?”
Pei Yiyan replied indifferently, “Average.”
Which meant not good.
Shen Yuqing raised an eyebrow.
Uncle Pei approached with a smile. “Yuqing, Yiyan, why are you sitting out here?”
Shen Yuqing answered, “The scenery is lovely. I asked Yiyan to sit with me for a while and enjoy the fresh air.”
Uncle Pei chuckled. “If you like it, you and Yiyan should come back and stay as long as you’d like. Dinner is about to be served. Let’s head to the dining room. Everyone’s eager to see you.”
Eager to see them, yet all five cars conveniently broke down at once.
Shen Yuqing didn’t expect the Pei family to be overly welcoming, but basic courtesy wasn’t too much to ask, was it?
He understood their intentions perfectly they just wanted to see if he’d be easy to manipulate.
Pei Yiyan used to be a tough nut to crack, but that was in the past. Now, disabled and useless, no one gave him a second glance.
But the Shen family was different.
When Shen Yuqing arrived, Xiao Zhao had already informed him about their previous attempt to collaborate with Shen Zhen, who had politely declined. Shen Yuqing had kept that in mind.
He never expected their warning to be so sneaky and low-class.
Shen Yuqing said, “That won’t be necessary. It’s too far from the academy, and staying here would be inconvenient.”
Uncle Pei replied, “Alright, then you can come back with Yiyan on the weekend no rush. Let’s go now, everyone else is already walking ahead.”
Shen Yuqing nodded. “Sure.”
He reached out to steady Pei Yiyan, their closeness unmistakable.
Shen Yuqing added, “Since we’re here, Yiyan, let’s take our time walking over.”
Earlier, Shen Yuqing had insisted on walking but hadn’t let Pei Yiyan move. Now that Uncle Pei had arrived, he was suddenly willing to go.
Pei Yiyan couldn’t quite grasp Shen Yuqing’s intentions.
But Shen Yuqing didn’t need him to understand. He took Pei Yiyan’s wrist, adjusting his pace to match his.
“The doctor said you need more exercise, so take it slow,” he said.
Through the fabric of his sleeve, Pei Yiyan could feel the warmth of Shen Yuqing’s palm.
He simply gave a quiet “Mm,” and Shen Yuqing guided him forward, softly warning him to step around obstacles.
This might have been the first time they’d been this close. Even when sharing a bed, they’d felt worlds apart.
Watching them actually start walking, Uncle Pei cursed under his breath. If they were going to walk, why hadn’t they done so earlier?
Everyone was already waiting in the dining hall!
If it were just Pei Yiyan, it wouldn’t matter whether he showed up or not. But today, Shen Yuqing was here.
Uncle Pei hurried after them. “Yuqing, everyone’s waiting. You can take a leisurely stroll after dinner. The evening scenery is lovely too.”
Shen Yuqing smiled. “Night and day can’t compare. Don’t worry, Uncle, you go ahead. We’ll be there soon.”
How could Uncle Pei possibly leave first? Seeing Shen Yuqing’s determination, he had no choice but to turn to the servant driving the golf cart. “Go back and let them know we’ll be there shortly.”
The servant nodded and drove off.
Shen Yuqing feigned innocence. “Oh? Are you walking with us, Uncle? We might be a bit slow.”
Uncle Pei maintained his gracious smile. “It’s been a while since I’ve taken a relaxed walk. Let’s go together.”
Shen Yuqing chuckled. “Sure.”
Listening to their exchange, Pei Yiyan suddenly realized why Shen Yuqing had earlier asked if Uncle Pei treated him well.
Dinner time it might be, but before leaving, they’d already snacked on Xiao Zhao’s fresh pastries and weren’t hungry. Uncle Pei and the others, however, were.
Was this… Shen Yuqing getting back at them for him?
The novelty of the situation made Pei Yiyan curious to see Shen Yuqing’s expression right now.
Still supporting Pei Yiyan, Shen Yuqing continued chatting with Uncle Pei. “Uncle, are you working at the company now?”
Uncle Pei held a cushy position in the company, one that kept him far from the core leadership or important projects, a constant source of frustration for him.
His older brothers had been locked in such fierce competition that he, having grown accustomed to a carefree life of indulgence, found it nearly impossible to enter the battlefield now. His only option was to pick a side.
Yet, who would want to spend their entire life beneath someone else’s shadow? Though everyone knew the Pei family was currently in a state of “outward strength but inner weakness,” a starved camel was still bigger than a horse. If the Pei family fell into his hands, who knows he might even elevate it further!
The only problem was, the infighting had grown too intense. Even if Uncle Pei wanted to step into the fray now, it would be far too difficult for him.
