After the music show, Pei Yan disappeared for over a week. Qi Feng later found out that he had been hospitalized that week, though he never told him what for.
It was after that week that Pei Yan suddenly moved in next door to him. He acted softly and clung to Qi Feng while also using public opinion to make it known that he was pursuing him – including Uncle Pei. He was nothing like the reckless yet enduring young general from their past lives, nor the overbearing and possessive Pei Yan he first met in this life. Instead, he seemed to have cast aside all restraint in his desperation and stubbornness.
Could it be that Pei Yan had remembered their past life?
Fang Cheng was confused. “Xiao Feng, what exactly is going on between you and Mr. Pei?”
Qi Feng: “Don’t ask. Go unfollow Pei Yan and don’t interact with him anymore. Also, find me a more private residential community to move to. I’m preparing to move again and cut all ties with Pei Yan.”
Fang Cheng: !! “Xiao Feng, why?”
“No reason. Just don’t ask.”
—
Qi Feng wanted to avoid Pei Yan, but he could only put some distance between them – some things he just couldn’t escape completely.
He was still the spokesperson for Donghai Group, so he couldn’t avoid going to the company frequently to discuss endorsement matters. Today, he was notified to go and negotiate how to adjust his endorsement image and other related matters for the next season.
Fang Cheng drove him there, glancing worriedly at Qi Feng several times in the rearview mirror. “Xiao Feng, don’t worry about running into Mr. Pei at the company. I asked around this morning – I heard that Mr. Pei has already been kicked out of the company by his father.”
Qi Feng was surprised. “When did this happen? Who did you hear it from?”
Fang Cheng: “Mr. Tang has contacts in Donghai Group’s PR department. He’s the one who heard these rumors.”
Qi Feng sighed. “It’s all because of me. If Pei Yan hadn’t been so high-profile… he wouldn’t have angered Chairman Pei.”
Fang Cheng: “There are now some online posts saying Mr. Pei was stripped of his position and kicked out of the Pei family by his father because of you.”
“Mr. Tang advised that if you and Pei Yan have no chance of reconciliation, you should disentangle yourself from him as soon as possible. In case public opinion turns sour, it would only be Pei Yan’s one-sided obsession with you that led to his father kicking him out – it has nothing to do with you.”
“It seems having me unfollow him the other day was the right thing to do.”
Qi Feng’s heart sank – so Pei Yan was telling the truth when he said that his father had cut him off financially, not just him trying to gain sympathy.
And Qi Feng unfollowing Pei Yan wasn’t to abandon him just to protect himself either.
—
At the company, Qi Feng did not see Pei Yan as expected.
Among the people waiting downstairs to receive him was another familiar face – Cheng Yu.
Cheng Yu was still as refined and gentlemanly as before, with impeccable manners as he came up to Qi Feng and said, “Qi Feng, long time no see. I’m very glad to see you again.”
Qi Feng instinctively glanced around and said, “Director Cheng, hello.”
Someone next to him reminded him, “Mr. Qi, Director Cheng is no longer the director of the advertisement department. He’s now the vice president of our company.”
“President Pei hasn’t been to the company for almost a month now. All major affairs are being handled by Vice President Cheng.”
Cheng Yu had taken over Pei Yan’s role.
Qi Feng felt another pang in his heart, though his expression remained calm as he smiled and said, “Vice President Cheng, you must be very busy, yet you still came to receive me personally. Thank you for the trouble.”
“I’m a fan of yours too. Meeting you is an honor for me.”
Cheng Yu elegantly extended his hand to usher Qi Feng into the elevator first. The staff around them exchanged surprised looks at this gesture.
Cheng Yu’s father was on the Board of Directors, and Cheng Yu himself went from director straight to vice president, clearly rising in favor. How could someone of such status, almost equivalent to Pei Yan’s, be a fan of Qi Feng?
Witnessing his superior’s attitude, the others didn’t dare to be neglectful towards Qi Feng. They greeted him warmly and invited him to express his opinions at the meeting to decide on the style for the next endorsement.
It was as if they had invited Qi Feng to be their spokesperson not to match the company image but to specially design the style and image according to Qi Feng’s preferences.
Qi Feng calmly faced their unusual enthusiasm, watching Cheng Yu seated in the center spot where Pei Yan used to sit. His doubts and unease towards Cheng Yu only grew.
He did not think Cheng Yu was treating him this way for Pei Yan’s sake. On the contrary, Cheng Yu had declared himself a fan much earlier. Later, Su Qiao appeared, Pei Yan’s so-called White Moonlight, whom Cheng Yu had invited.
Qi Feng and Pei Yan’s breakup wasn’t because of Su Qiao, but Su Qiao was brought in by Cheng Yu.
Halfway through the meeting, a designer suddenly apologized profusely, “Vice President Cheng, Mr. Qi, I’m so sorry but I forgot to bring the clothing and backdrop design proposals I prepared. I’ll have someone from the studio send them over immediately, but it may take some time.”
Cheng Yu: “How long?”
Designer: “About an hour if traffic is smooth.”
Cheng Yu checked his watch and asked Qi Feng’s opinion, “To save everyone time, it’d be best to finalize the proposals today. Qi Feng, do you mind waiting an hour for the designer to bring them over?”
Usually, such discussions would take a full day of back-and-forth deliberation, so waiting an hour would still be more efficient than rescheduling to the next day.
Qi Feng said, “I don’t mind.”
Cheng Yu still apologized, “Why don’t I treat you to lunch then? It’s about time for everyone to take their lunch break anyway.”
In the meeting room were several of the company’s executives and invited external designers. If Qi Feng publicly rejected Cheng Yu, it would be denying him face. Furthermore, he wanted to know what Cheng Yu’s intentions towards him were.
Qi Feng gave a light smile. “Then thank you, Vice President Cheng.”
There was a private restaurant downstairs in the company building. Cheng Yu had booked a room and brought Qi Feng over.
Qi Feng saw that Cheng Yu had come alone with just him and Fang Cheng, without even his secretary or assistant. It seemed casual, like having lunch with friends. Aside from Cheng Yu claiming to be his fan, his current behavior was hardly different from Pei Yan’s.
Qi Feng silently followed Cheng Yu, warily glancing around now and then.
He had been in the spotlight lately, topping the trending charts every day. More and more people were getting to know who ‘Qi Feng’ was. Even with a mask, hat, and wrapped in a thick coat, some still recognized him when they left the company.
“It’s Qi Feng! Wow, that’s Qi Feng!” A passing girl suddenly shrieked excitedly at the sight of him.
Her voice was loud enough to make people within meters turn and stare curiously. It was lunch time, and there were many young passersby. They quickly swarmed over.
“Oh my god, it really is Qi Feng!”
“Can’t believe I’d run into a celebrity here!”
“Qi Feng, can I get a picture with you?”
“Can you sign this for me?”
…..
Some crowded up to Qi Feng, grabbing him for autographs. Their actions drew the attention of others, who also rushed over until the not-very-wide sidewalk was jam-packed within seconds, trapping Qi Feng in the center, unable to move an inch.
Fang Cheng panicked. In all his time as an assistant, this was his first run-in with a fan mob. They were on a main street – anything could happen with the unpredictable crowd. If some accident occurred, Qi Feng, as a public figure, would have to take responsibility.
He tried his best to shield Qi Feng, attempting to push through a path. “Excuse me, please make way!”
Cheng Yu: “My apologies, everyone.”
Cheng Yu’s composure immediately captured people’s notice.
“Who’s he? Why’s he with Qi Feng?”
“Seeing his back, I thought he was Pei Yan. I thought they were together!”
“They’re holding hands! Quick, take pics!”
When the crowd momentarily slackened, Cheng Yu grabbed Qi Feng’s hand and rushed out.
Qi Feng wanted to head back to the company where it’d be safe. But with the dense crowd and blocked road, he couldn’t find the way back. By the time he got his bearings, he realized Cheng Yu had pulled him into a shopping mall.
The mall was spacious and bright with many shoppers, instantly drawing everyone’s attention as the two entered. Hearing them call out Qi Feng’s name, the crowd grew even more frenzied. With the enclosed mall, there was nowhere to hide. Faced with this for the first time, Qi Feng was at a momentary loss.
Cheng Yu suddenly grabbed his hand and reassured, “Qi Feng, don’t be afraid. I know there’s an internal passageway here that connects to Donghai Group Tower. Follow me.”
As he spoke, he parted the crowd and pulled Qi Feng into a run. Things were too chaotic for Qi Feng to do anything but follow.
Cheng Yu did seem very familiar with the route. He quickly led them into a warehouse-like area. There was a locked door inside, which Cheng Yu opened by swiftly inputting a code, shutting the people chasing them outside.
Beyond the door was a very long corridor. The fluorescent lights overhead were somewhat dim, quietly illuminating the endless path ahead with no telling what lay beyond.
“Phew, we’re safe now.” Cheng Yu breathed a sigh of relief and laughed while pulling Qi Feng along. “Come on, if we keep going down this passage, we’ll reach Donghai Tower.”
Qi Feng remained standing by the door, unmoving. His hand was on the door handle – with a slight push, he could exit from here. Sometimes being in plain sight was the safest option.
He coolly asked Cheng Yu, “Vice President Cheng, did you plan this intentionally?”
Cheng Yu was taken aback. “What do you mean?”
Qi Feng’s clear eyes were calm as he stated, “From the designer to going out for lunch to what happened just now – you arranged it all, didn’t you? What exactly are you trying to do?”
Cheng Yu gave an awkward laugh. “No, Qi Feng, you’ve misunderstood. I really didn’t anticipate this would happen. But it was wrong of me to put you in this situation – I’ll sincerely apologize when we get back.”
Qi Feng still didn’t budge. The path ahead was desolate and endless. The man before him had unclear motives – if anything happened, he was no match for Cheng Yu.
Cheng Yu held out his hands helplessly, smiling. “Qi Feng, don’t you trust me? So many people saw us run off together. What could I possibly do to you?”
His words reminded Qi Feng – Cheng Yu’s intentions were the same as Pei Yan’s recently, using public opinion to make it seem like they were together.
Cheng Yu was competing with Pei Yan.
Qi Feng pressed his lips in silence, cold eyes fixed on Cheng Yu.
Cheng Yu shrugged helplessly. “Qi Feng, believe me, this passage really leads to Donghai Tower. Once we get through, we’ll be able to safely return.”
Qi Feng still didn’t move, tightening his grip on his phone.
Cheng Yu: “You can’t mean to go back out there? With so many people, it’s too dangerous.”
Suddenly, footsteps echoed from the other end of the corridor – heavy, forceful steps resounding off the empty passage tiles.
Cheng Yu was startled, gazing down the corridor. A tall figure appeared in his view, the man’s expression cold and oppressive, his dark brooding eyes staring icily at Cheng Yu before softening as they landed on Qi Feng.
Pei Yan?
Pei Yan was here!
Qi Feng’s grip on the door handle relaxed in an instant, the tension that had gripped him all this while finally easing.
Pei Yan approached step by step until he reached Qi Feng’s side. He pulled the boy towards him, increasing the distance between Qi Feng and Cheng Yu.
With a cold smile, he said to Cheng Yu, “I’m here now, Cheng Yu. Time for you to get lost.”
Cheng Yu merely smiled indifferently. Instead, he said to Qi Feng, “See, I told you this passage leads to the Donghai Group. Now you believe me, right?”
Pei Yan spoke slowly and arrogantly, “Shut up. Get going before I kick you out.”
Cheng Yu: “Mr. Pei, you wouldn’t make me face all those people alone, would you? Aren’t you worried they’ll ask me where Qi Feng went?”
Qi Feng reminded Pei Yan, “No, there are too many people outside. We can’t exit this way.”
Pei Yan took the chance to grasp Qi Feng’s hand, though his eyes remained fixed on Cheng Yu as he slowly said, “Then stand here and wait. Stand here and watch Qi Feng and I leave – don’t you dare follow.”
His tone was commanding and threatening. Cheng Yu’s eyes danced with mirth, but he neither agreed nor resisted.
Pei Yan scoffed and patted his shoulder condescendingly. “Be obedient if you want to live a few days longer.”
With that, he pulled Qi Feng along as they turned to leave.
Qi Feng glanced back at Cheng Yu. The man was watching them, his eyes devoid of the humiliation of being threatened by Pei Yan. Instead, he smiled at Qi Feng meaningfully.
True to Pei Yan’s words, Cheng Yu remained standing by the door, watching them leave without moving a single step.
Qi Feng’s suspicions only grew. “Pei Yan, what exactly is going on? What is Cheng Yu trying to do? Did something happen between you two?”
Pei Yan: “Don’t worry about it. Just keep your distance from Cheng Yu from now on.”
Qi Feng: “Then what about you? Why aren’t you going to work?”
“Didn’t I say my father kicked me out.”
“So, you’ll just let someone else take over your position in the company?”
Pei Yan paused and glanced at Qi Feng. “Alright, I’ll go back to work since you’re worried about me.”
“You…”
Pei Yan was like this again. In front of him, he was like a hedgehog shedding all thorns before him to reveal only his softest side. All of Qi Feng’s frustration was gently dissipated.
Everything was back at square one, with no clue how to separate. What’s more, if Pei Yan had truly remembered their past life…
Qi Feng steadied his breathing and said coldly, “Pei Yan, I already said we won’t be together…”
“I know, I know.” Pei Yan squeezed his hand. “No matter how many times you say it, it won’t affect how much I like you.”
As they reached the other end of the passage, Pei Yan pushed open the door and said, “Qi Feng, I’ll keep pursuing you this lifetime until you like me back.”
The blinding light from outside suddenly flooded the dim corridor. The spacious lobby and all the people seated in it entered Qi Feng’s vision, entirely unexpected.
Qi Feng froze, his tense body recoiling back a couple of steps on instinct.
“Oh, Dad.” Pei Yan held onto Qi Feng’s hand and happily asked, “A press conference, Dad? Let me do the introductions…”
He smiled down at Qi Feng. “This is the man I plan to marry in the future. I just haven’t succeeded in pursuing him yet.”
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