Pei Shaoze had always been proud and aloof. Even when lowering himself to please a woman, he couldn’t hide the arrogance ingrained in his bones. He cast a sidelong glance at Su Banxia without saying much, and the two strolled silently along the ancient town’s streets.
There were plenty of snacks along the way. To repay Pei Shaoze for his invitation, Su Banxia bought him several little trinkets, though she knew he wasn’t lacking in such things.
“What’s this?” Pei Shaoze frowned, sniffing the strange-smelling item in his hand with undisguised disgust.
“It’s called stinky tofu. Who visits an ancient town without trying this? Don’t let the smell fool you—it’s actually pretty tasty. Give it a try,” Su Banxia said, picking up a skewer, stabbing a piece of stinky tofu, and holding it to his lips.
Their posture was intimate, but Su Banxia didn’t notice. Pei Shaoze, smelling the oddity before him and feeling her closeness, curled his lips into a handsome smile. He bit into the tofu, his lips deliberately brushing against her hand. Su Banxia jerked back as if shocked, pulling her hand away naturally. Seeing him act as if nothing happened, she felt she was overreacting again.
“So? It tastes good, doesn’t it?” she asked with a smile.
“Do you people always enjoy torturing yourselves like this when you eat? You could make the flavor more pleasant, so it’s easier to swallow,” Pei Shaoze grumbled, though he had to admit it was quite fragrant in his mouth.
Watching his fussy demeanor, Su Banxia chuckled softly. “That’s just how it is. If you changed it, it wouldn’t be good anymore.”
“Unique taste. I really should reassess you,” Pei Shaoze said haughtily, walking ahead. He looked around, occasionally asking Su Banxia to feed him more stinky tofu, but really, he was using the excuse to enjoy her company.
By the time they finished exploring the ancient town and headed back, Su Banxia had set aside her earlier worries, feeling a sense of contentment. When the car stopped at the company’s main gate, Pei Shaoze reached over to unbuckle her seatbelt and said casually, “You go back to the office first. I have some things to take care of.”
Su Banxia nodded, told him to be careful, and got out of the car. Back at the company, she noticed people looking at her strangely. She figured it was because Pei Shaoze had pulled her out earlier, so she didn’t dwell on it and went straight to her office, ready to focus on her work.
But just a few files in, Fang Shiqing’s arrival shattered her concentration.
“Banxia, something’s happened.” Fang Shiqing’s expression was grave.
Su Banxia paused. “What’s wrong?” She instinctively feared Zhang Shanshan had done something harmful.
“This morning, the whole company received an anonymous email with photos of you, Guoguo, and Haohao together. The secret about you having two kids is out now,” Fang Shiqing said, troubled. She had no idea who leaked it.
“What?” Su Banxia’s face darkened, a flicker of unease crossing it. She could ignore anything but matters involving her children. She had hidden them so well to shield them from gossip, and now a single anonymous email had shattered all her protective efforts.
“Don’t panic. There might still be a way out. You can say the kids are mine, not yours,” Fang Shiqing suggested earnestly.
“The whole company is buzzing. If I pin this on you, what happens to your position here?” Su Banxia refused outright. Even if Fang Shiqing weren’t her best friend, she couldn’t agree to such a selfish act.
“Banxia, everyone’s targeting you now. Your position makes many jealous. I’m just a manager—people will gossip for a few days and move on. But you’re different,” Fang Shiqing urged, knowing her friend’s concerns.
“Shiqing, I’ve already burdened you enough. I can’t drag you into this. You’re young and unmarried. I can’t be that selfish.” Su Banxia rejected the idea without hesitation. Rumors were vicious, and she wouldn’t let Fang Shiqing suffer.
“This is no time for that! Even if you don’t think of yourself, think of the kids. Now that your photos are out, with everyone so jealous of you, don’t you think Guoguo and Haohao will be affected?” Fang Shiqing was frantic.
“This is my problem. I’ll handle it. I can’t use you to escape the gossip.”
“Banxia! It’s not using—it’s minimizing the harm! I’ve already told everyone Guoguo and Haohao are mine. If you just agree, this storm will pass.”
Su Banxia cut her off. “I appreciate your kindness, but I won’t do it.”
“Banxia…”
“Enough, Shiqing. End of the month is always busy. I don’t have time to chat. I’ve got plenty of files to process.” Su Banxia lowered her head, flipping through documents, signaling dismissal.
With a helpless sigh, Fang Shiqing said, “Think it over for Guoguo and Haohao’s sake.” The office fell silent as the door clicked shut. Su Banxia sat quietly, eyes downcast, lost in thought.
The company gossip grew louder. Even when Fang Shiqing claimed the kids were hers, it couldn’t stop the rumors. Watching Su Banxia do nothing, Fang Shiqing grew anxious. Pei Shaoze parked downstairs and was heading to the elevator when Fang Shiqing called out.
“President Pei.” Her face showed some hesitation.
“Manager Fang, shouldn’t you be conducting interviews right now?” Pei Shaoze’s voice was cold.
“Can we talk privately?” She met his gaze for the first time, gathering courage.
Pei Shaoze looked down at her, silent.
“It’s about Banxia.” She unconsciously gripped her clothes, speaking calmly.
“You have five minutes.” Pei Shaoze glanced at his watch, his tone icy.