Bai Xi watched the police car disappear before she dared to stand up from behind the tall grass. Her legs were numb, and a chill clung to her as she cautiously made her way away along a different route, twisting and turning through the shadows.
After a series of detours to stay hidden, she finally arrived home. She pushed the door open to find Pei Gong lounging on the sofa, playing a game on his phone. Bai Xi's ruthless expression instantly shifted into a look of grievance. she sat on the sofa, looking pitiful as she began to wipe away tears.
"What's wrong? Tell me who bullied you, and I'll deal with them immediately," Pei Gong said with his usual arrogance, though his eyes never left his screen.
Recalling today's encounter, a flicker of coldness returned to Bai Xi's eyes. However, since she had to maintain her act, she suppressed her real emotions and played the part of a misunderstood, pure white lotus.
"I was planning to catch up with my cousin today, but I never expected her to use her position at the Pei Family Laboratory to completely disregard our sisterly bond. Not only that, she even used their latest research results on me, making me look like a fool who's completely at someone else's beck and call."
Mentioning the chip in Jing Meng's possession, a flash of greed crossed her eyes, though it vanished in an instant.
Hearing the phrase "at someone else's beck and call," Pei Gong finally looked up from his phone.
A technology that could control people? Human body control?!
"I remember... doesn't the Pei family have no such technology currently in development?" Pei Gong searched through his memory but found no information regarding such a project.
If Bai Xi wasn't lying, then this project must be something the Pei family was secretly funding with a massive investment. Once successful, it would represent a technological leap, propelling the Pei family to even greater heights!
At this thought, Pei Gong displayed the same greed.
Bai Xi had long known what he was thinking, which was why she could easily push him to the front line. To ensure he would help her seize the results, she said with certainty, "I don't know what Jing Meng did to me, but I suddenly froze in place. I completely lost control of my limbs, and I couldn't resist saying whatever she told me to say."
Bai Xi explained the functions of the chip in detail, her eyes fixed on Pei Gong as she analyzed every shift in his expression.
Pei Gong was determined to get his hands on the project before the patent was officially filed so he could impress Old Master Pei. Bai Xi, on the other hand, just wanted to make a fortune from the chip.
The two were in perfect agreement. They sat together, whispering back and forth as they plotted how to steal the results.
While they were planning, Pei Shiyi took Jing Meng to a private apartment. The surroundings were quiet and peaceful, seemingly perfect for recovery.
Reclining on the sofa, Jing Meng felt somewhat fortunate that the two blows she received had come from that madwoman Bai Xi. If it had been anyone else, she would have been stuck in the hospital for weeks.
"Are you sure you don't want to go to the hospital?" Pei Shiyi asked with concern, noticing the fine beads of sweat on Jing Meng's forehead.
Jing Meng shook her head, taking small breaths and sitting up straighter. Once the piercing pain subsided slightly, she replied with a shaky voice, "It's just some bruising. I'll be fine after resting for a couple of days."
Despite his worry, Pei Shiyi had no other choice since she was so stubborn. He let out a helpless sigh and poured a glass of warm water for her, placing it within reach.
"Gurgle..."
In the ensuing silence, Jing Meng's stomach suddenly growled.
Pei Shiyi watched as Jing Meng's face turned as red as an apple and couldn't help but chuckle. "Hungry?"
Jing Meng wanted to say she wasn't, but after that sound... it was far too embarrassing!
She could only nod with a flushed face. "Um, a little."
"Should I have my assistant deliver some food?" Pei Shiyi reached for his phone, but Jing Meng instinctively stopped him.
"Don't go through the trouble. We're..." in the suburbs, it's not convenient.
The rest of her words died in her throat when she saw Pei Shiyi's meaningful look. How could she have forgotten? This man was the president of the prestigious Pei Group!
"Hm? What is it?" Seeing her sudden silence, Pei Shiyi raised an eyebrow, sounding a bit confused.
Jing Meng shook her head with a smile. "Nothing. You don't need to worry about me, President Pei."
Pei Shiyi quirked an eyebrow and gave an enigmatic smile. Just as Jing Meng thought he would continue calling his assistant, he turned off his phone and stood up, walking toward the kitchen.
Seeing him leave, Jing Meng finally breathed a sigh of relief and secretly scolded herself.
"What do you want to eat?" His deep voice echoed through the empty house, sounding almost like a lover's murmur.
"You can cook?"
The kitchen was semi-open. Jing Meng leaned against the wall, one hand supporting her aching stomach, while her eyes fixed on Pei Shiyi standing before the refrigerator.
She was slightly shocked. But before she could finish being impressed, Pei Shiyi closed the fridge door and replied indifferently, "No!"
Jing Meng: "..."
So, asking her what she wanted to eat was just for show? In the end, she had to do it herself?
Seeing Jing Meng's stiff expression, Pei Shiyi looked unusually awkward. "What?"
Jing Meng let out a helpless sigh and resignedly opened the refrigerator again. "I'd better do it, Young Master Pei!"
With that, she took the ingredients and slowly entered the kitchen.
Pei Shiyi felt a rare moment of embarrassment; after all, making a patient cook was quite...
However, Jing Meng's movements were far more efficient than he expected. In less than fifteen minutes, two bowls of steaming noodles were ready.
This time, without Jing Meng having to say a word, Pei Shiyi took the initiative to carry the two bowls out.
Looking at the excellent presentation of the noodles, Pei Shiyi smiled. "It's been a long time since I've smelled noodles this fragrant at home."
Jing Meng's hand against the wall stiffened. She couldn't help but recall her past life. Back then, noodles were her most frequent meal. Over time, she had learned her mother's techniques, yet she always felt her noodles were missing something.
Though they were good, they lacked the flavor of her childhood.
Jing Meng brushed aside her melancholy and sat down with an expressionless face, picking up the noodles and eating in silence.
Pei Shiyi noticed the shift in her mood and quietly focused on his own food.
The meal ended in silence. After cleaning up, Pei Shiyi sat on the sofa with no intention of leaving. Watching him, Jing Meng's heart began to race uncontrollably.
"It's getting late. How is Pei Cheng doing?" A father is always concerned for his son. Jing Meng intentionally brought up Pei Cheng, hoping he would take the hint and leave.
🚨 Note: Consider supporting this story on Patreon.com/kleinmoretti to access 100+ advance chapters and 2 new chapters daily! (Full story bundles also available without a subscription).