When Pei Yan returned home, he was actually quite nervous. Without seeing Qi Feng for a whole night, he wondered if Qi Feng would still say things like “I don’t like you.”
He wanted to make a fresh start, just as Song Zhe had said – even if Qi Feng didn’t like him now, he should pursue him until Qi Feng came to like him.
He had his secretary prepare flowers while he personally cooked some dishes that he could make. He had also carefully picked out an outfit that would show off his good figure.
While cooking, afraid of dirtying these clothes, so he found an apron to put on in the kitchen cabinet.
The apron was used by the cook before, like a cloak. It was floral, knee-length, and sleeved, wrapping around the entire body. So, his well-made outfit and good figure were all covered by this rustic floral apron.
Pei Yan saw Qi Feng coming back and, anxious not to be disliked, started hastily taking off the apron, speaking incoherently, “You’re back, I… I finished work early today and made some food. Shall we eat together?”
That apron seemed to have it out for him – the harder he pulled, the tighter it got. The sleeves clung to his arms while the straps looped around his neck, refusing to come off no matter how he tugged.
Pei Yan’s face flushed red from the effort, cursing the piece of cloth in his heart and wishing he could just rip it to shreds. If only he had known, he would never have worn this apron even if it meant dirtying his clothes!!
“Don’t move,” Qi Feng walked over silently and walked around behind him. “Let me help you take it off.”
Pei Yan instantly froze in place, still posed in the act of removing the apron.
Qi Feng worked on the straps behind him, his hands occasionally brushing Pei Yan’s tense lower back, tickling him.
During their time together, Qi Feng never took the initiative. Even the slightest inviting look from him could send Pei Yan pouncing forward. Let alone a touch like this on his lower back…
Right now… Pei Yan didn’t even dare to breathe. Qi Feng didn’t like him and thus never took the initiative, yet he also didn’t know how to refuse – it had always been Pei Yan forcing things on others.
“Done,” the boy said lightly. The tension left the apron as it loosened and Pei Yan stiffly freed himself from the wretched thing, hanging it up on a nearby rack.
He gave a light cough. “I, uh, just finished making dinner and it’s still hot…” Determined to maintain his usual aloof demeanor, he said, “Go wash your hands, and let’s eat together.”
Seeing Pei Wenwen waving at him from the side, Qi Feng asked, “Want to join us?”
Pei Yan: “Ignore her. She already ate.”
Pei Wenwen clicked her tongue and left carrying the takeout back to her own room.
Qi Feng calmly washed his hands and took a seat at the dining table.
The soft glow of a tall candle flickered gently against white roses blooming vibrantly in the center. It was a romantic setup, yet an oppressive silence hung between the two men at the table who didn’t exchange a word.
Pei Yan fiddled with his utensils, cutting into a steak. Breaking the silence first, he asked, “Did you…sleep well last night?”
“It was alright,” Qi Feng replied.
“I didn’t go anywhere else last night. I slept over at Song Zhe’s place and went to the company during the day.”
He didn’t know why he offered this information, perhaps wanting to assure Qi Feng he hadn’t gone to any messy places.
Qi Feng gave a small “mm” of acknowledgment.
“I watched your livestream. You played very well. I… I wanted to send gifts…”
Pei Yan cut his steak and saw that Qi Feng’s plate remained untouched. He hesitated and then handed Qi Feng the plate he cut, “You can have this plate.”
Qi Feng lowered his eyes, took a piece with his fork, and ate it.
Pei Yan continued, “I wanted to send you gifts, but you said before not to. So, I thought, why not get you something else instead.”
Hearing this, Qi Feng’s fork paused. He looked up at Pei Yan.
Mustering a strained smile, Pei Yan said, “The gift is on the dining table. See if you can find it.”
Aside from the meal Pei Yan had prepared, the only thing on the table that could be considered a gift was the large bouquet of white roses in the center.
Qi Feng asked, “The flowers?”
Pei Yan’s eyes were full of anticipation and nervousness. He gave a slight nod towards the bouquet. “Keep looking.”
The white roses were bound with blue ribbons. Looking closely at the blooming flowers, one could vaguely make out a gift box as pure white as the rose petals hidden within.
Qi Feng’s heart sank as he reached out and took the box from the flowers, holding it in his hand. “This?”
Seeing no delight on the boy’s face for receiving a gift, the expectation in Pei Yan’s eyes gradually faded. In a hoarse voice, he said, “…Take a look inside?”
Nestled inside was an expensive watch. Fine diamonds embedded around the sleek black dial glittered brightly in the candlelight, the shadows accentuating the increasing heaviness on the boy’s face.
Qi Feng wasn’t one to pretend – when he was happy, it showed, and when he wasn’t, that also showed plainly. He especially wouldn’t feign delight and gratitude just because he’d received an extravagant gift.
Clutching his aching chest, Pei Yan lowered his head and resumed eating. “I didn’t know what kind of gift to get you. Seeing you usually don’t wear a watch, I thought you might need one…so I bought this. If you like it, wear it. If not…just leave it be.”
Sensing his low mood, Qi Feng slowly closed the gift box. After a long pause he finally said, “Pei Yan, I…”
“Stop,” Pei Yan hurriedly interrupted, afraid to hear anything that would upset him further. In a hoarse voice, he said, “I know you don’t like me, but that doesn’t stop me from liking you.”
“I was wrong to leave you alone at home last night. Even if we quarrel in the future, I will never leave you alone again. From now on, I will be at home every day, have breakfast with you, have dinner with you, give you gifts, and talk to you. You…sleep with you. Until you like me.”
Qi Feng’s brow furrowed. “Pei Yan, I…”
“Alright, let’s just eat for now.” Pei Yan buried himself in cutting the steak. “I dreamt of you last night. You were wearing ancient robes, playing the guqin in some strange place. So many people below liked you and wanted you…”
He gave a sullen huff. “In my dream, you smiled at everyone except me…”
Startled, Qi Feng suddenly looked over at Pei Yan.
Head still bowed, Pei Yan’s voice was stubborn. “I’m going to pursue you until you like me back.”
Despite his words, when it came time to shower and sleep that night, Pei Yan stood by the bed and said, “You sleep here. I’ll take the study.” Adding quietly, “If you…want me to accompany you, come find me.”
With that, he took his pillow and left for the adjoining study.
After he’d gone, Qi Feng sat on the bed and called Fang Cheng. “Fang Cheng, help me clean up my place tomorrow. I’m…moving back.”
—
Donghai Investment’s advertising department sent notice for Qi Feng to go to the studio for endorsement photo shoots. Fang Cheng was still helping tidy up his place, so Qi Feng drove over alone.
Unlike his previous shoots for Yipin Men’s Wear, Donghai Investment had rented out a photography studio with a hired photographer.
This way, the shoot could be fully delegated to the studio while Donghai only needed to select a suitable photo from the proofs for promotional use without needing staff onsite to supervise.
However, many people from Donghai showed up today, including the advertising head – Cheng Yu himself. Clearly, the client took this shoot very seriously.
Usually easygoing, the professional photographer was tense and focused on setting up while staff bustled around busily.
Cheng Yu sat in the rest area and raised his wrist to look at the time in boredom. A perceptive assistant asked, “Mr. Cheng, should I call Qi Feng to hurry over?”
Cheng Yu smiled. “He must be on the way. No need to rush him. Besides, there are still ten minutes left.”
“You’re awfully considerate of him, but it’s a pity,” Su Qiao mocked softly, handing him coffee. “Don’t forget, he’s coming from Pei Yan’s place.”
Cheng Yu smiled: “What’s the matter? You’re anxious.”
Su Qiao: “Why should I be anxious? It’s been so many years, it doesn’t matter anymore.”
Cheng Yu raised his eyebrows: “Then why are you here today?”
Su Qiao gave a derisive laugh. “Because someone deliberately tipped me off about Qi Feng’s schedule. I know what you’re up to, Cheng Yu.”
“I haven’t agreed to cooperate with you. I merely wanted to see for myself how I lost out to a substitute.”
Cheng Yu just chuckled silently.
Someone announced, “Qi Feng’s here! Makeup and stylists get ready!”
Cheng Yu and Su Qiao immediately looked toward the studio entrance.
The deepening autumn chill permeated the air. Qi Feng wore a long dark coat with an upturned collar revealing a turtleneck sweater underneath. There were only two shades, dark and light, with no other decoration besides the buttons, giving off a clean and restrained elegance.
The moment he stepped in, his tall figure and elegant face made people unable to forget him at first glance.
It was as if a refreshing breeze had blown through the stuffy studio. All eyes turned to admire the tall, striking youth, his elegant bearing imprinting itself into their minds.
Cheng Yu watched him appreciatively. “Now you understand how you lost out, don’t you?”
Su Qiao clenched his fists. “It’s just a pretty face and a good figure. There are many people like him in the modeling industry.”
But there was only one Qi Feng.
Still gazing at the boy, Cheng Yu smiled slyly. “Su Qiao, I trust you know Chairman Pei is against Pei Yan seeing other men? What do you suppose might happen if he found out Pei Yan is now living with Qi Feng?”
Su Qiao: “With your close ties, shouldn’t you be the one to kindly enlighten Chairman Pei?”
Cheng Yu: “You know, I’m a coward and don’t dare to offend Pei Yan. But you don’t need to tell Chairman Pei personally about this kind of thing. Qi Feng is a public figure. Isn’t it normal to be seen and photographed with whomever he is with??”
Su Qiao: “Don’t forget, the last one who tried that is now behind bars.”
Glancing back, Cheng Yu said meaningfully, “You’re pretty cowardly, too.”
Without a word, Su Qiao dug his fingers into his palm. He knew if Cheng Yu provided the information, his chances of capturing Pei Yan and Qi Feng together were high. But he didn’t have the courage to let Pei Yan catch him because, with Pei Yan’s character and ability, his end might not be as good as Ning Yufei’s.
Cheng Yu had merely hinted subtly. Rising to his feet, he signaled his assistant and schooled his expression into an amiable smile as he approached Qi Feng, saying softly, “Qi Feng, I’ve been waiting for you.”
Qi Feng was surprised to see Cheng Yu, then noticed another person in the lounge, Su Qiao.
He thought about what happened at Donghai Investment, it was these two people.
One was polite and courteous to him.
The other was full of hostility.
Cheng Yu took a freshly brewed coffee from his assistant and handed it to Qi Feng considerately. “It’s cold out. Here, warm yourself up first.”
Unsure of his motive, Qi Feng politely accepted it. “Thank you, Mr. Cheng. What brings you here today?”
“Checking up on you!” Cheng Yu chuckled. Noticing the subtle change in the boy’s demeanor, he quickly amended, “I am the new head of the advertising department. I wanted to observe how things are done. I also stopped by to see how the spokesperson was doing during the shooting. Can you produce a good endorsement work for Donghai Investment?”
Qi Feng said calmly, “I’ll do my best.”
After instructing the staff, Cheng Yu added, “Qi Feng is handpicked by our Chairman. Be sure to take good care of him and take good photos of him!” Turning to the group, he announced, “I’m treating everyone to lunch later!”
“Thank you, Mr. Cheng! Don’t worry, we will take the picture well.”
“Yes, Mr. Cheng, leave it to us!”
“Mr. Qi Feng, please come this way.”
…
The studio staff kept on complimenting Qi Feng. Unsure why the executive was present, they had been anxious. But seeing his doting attitude towards the model and offer of a free meal, they were amazed and tripled their attentiveness towards Qi Feng.
Observing coldly from afar, Su Qiao’s eyes narrowed resentfully before he too followed Qi Feng toward the dressing room.
I hope you enjoyed it as much as I did. If you want to show your support, you can buy me a coffee. It would make my day! For every five coffees I get, I will release a bonus chapter. You can also follow me on Ko-fi to get the latest updates on my translation progress and new projects. I appreciate your love and feedback.
