Su Banxia felt her heart skip a beat, a flush of red rising to her cheeks. For a steel-straight man like Pei Shaoze to say something so heartwarming was no small feat.
"Shaoze..."
Su Banxia smiled.
"Hmm?"
Hearing her pleasant voice, Pei Shaoze's longing reignited. If he remembered correctly, this was the first time she had voluntarily called him "Shaoze."
"I... mm..."
Before Su Banxia could finish her words, they were cut off.
Watching the handsome face loom closer before her, Su Banxia's heart nearly leaped to her throat. After a pause, she slowly closed her eyes and gently wrapped her arms around his neck.
Pei Shaoze deftly unbuttoned his shirt, revealing a chest with defined abs that made one's ears and heart race at the sight.
"I'll be gentle."
Pei Shaoze curled the corner of his mouth.
A night of passionate intimacy left Su Banxia drenched in sweat, and she fell into a deep sleep nestled in his arms.
The next morning, Su Banxia slowly opened her eyes and, seeing the person lying beside her, instinctively leaned closer.
Feeling her stir, Pei Shaoze pulled her tightly into his embrace with a sweep of his arm, then lowered his head to press his lips to hers. The morning's lovemaking was even more intense than the night's, leaving Su Banxia so exhausted she could barely straighten her back.
Thinking about how these consecutive times had been initiated by her, Su Banxia was so embarrassed she wished she could find a crack in the ground to crawl into.
The nurse conducted the routine morning check-up, running through all of Su Banxia's test reports. Once everything was confirmed fine, Pei Shaoze handled her discharge paperwork.
Sitting in the car, watching the scenery outside, Su Banxia felt as if she were floating on air. For the first time, she realized how wonderful the outside world was.
"What do you want to eat for lunch?"
Pei Shaoze asked seriously, hands on the steering wheel.
"Some stir-fried dishes."
Su Banxia suggested.
Having just been discharged, she couldn't eat anything too greasy, so stir-fried dishes were her favorite.
Pei Shaoze followed her suggestion, immediately turning the car toward a nearby restaurant with a decent reputation.
They chose a corner spot and casually ordered a few signature dishes. As the waiter left, Su Banxia propped her chin on her hand and looked at the person across from her: "Not busy at the company today?"
"You're more important."
Pei Shaoze said frankly.
"..."
Su Banxia was momentarily speechless, clearly not expecting those words to come from Pei Shaoze's mouth. But before she could fully enjoy the moment, his next words sent her crashing down.
"If you don't get your health back, there'll be no one to help with the pile of documents on my desk."
Hearing this, Su Banxia's mouth twitched. She had indeed overestimated Pei Shaoze.
The food came quickly, the dishes were good, and the nutrition was well-balanced.
"Banxia?"
Amid their meal, a familiar voice suddenly reached her ears.
Following the sound, Su Banxia saw Su Sinian approaching with a smile, dressed in a water-blue long dress. Behind her was a young man.
"What a coincidence."
Su Sinian smiled, her gaze occasionally drifting toward Pei Shaoze.
"Yeah, quite a coincidence."
Su Banxia gave an awkward smile.
This woman's appearance was nothing short of a disruption to their pleasant atmosphere.
"No wonder I didn't see President Pei at the company today—turns out he's here on a date with Banxia."
Su Sinian turned to look at Pei Shaoze, a faint smile on her face.
"Miss Su seems to lead a rather colorful life."
Pei Shaoze glanced sideways at the man behind her.
Su Sinian's expression shifted instantly, and she quickly explained, "This is my—"
"Since Miss Su knows we're on a date, do you intend to keep watching here?"
Pei Shaoze had no interest in her explanation and cut her off bluntly, a trace of coldness flashing in his dark eyes.
"Sorry."
Su Sinian's smile turned awkward as she quickly stepped back, turning away in frustration.
Their table wasn't far from Su Banxia's, and she could clearly see every move they made. Especially Pei Shaoze's affectionate gaze, which cut into her heart like a knife.
"Miss Su?"
The man across from her frowned slightly in displeasure.
"Sorry, Mr. Song."
Su Sinian straightened up, a hint of apology on her face.
Song Wei followed her earlier gaze and was taken aback. He thought Su Sinian was already quite attractive, but Su Banxia completely redefined his expectations.
The woman across the way sat gracefully in her seat, exuding an aura that suggested she was to be admired from afar, not approached. Even with minimal makeup, she couldn't hide her ethereal charm.
"That's my sister."
Noticing the interest in Song Wei's eyes, Su Sinian said with a faint smile.
"The Su family really produces beauties."
Song Wei complimented without hesitation.
Su Sinian's lips curled slightly, but her hand gripped the cup in front of her tightly. No matter the occasion, whenever she and Su Banxia were together, it seemed all the attention went to that woman!
She was the eldest Miss Su, so why did that woman always end up with the benefits?
The more Su Sinian thought about it, the more unbalanced she felt, and anger simmered within her.
Sensing something off about the person across from him, Song Wei gave her another look: "What's wrong, Miss Su? Not feeling well?"
Su Sinian shook her head indifferently, a faint smile curving her lips into a beautiful arc: "I was just wondering when the cooperation between the Su and Song families can truly begin."
Hearing this, Song Wei's smile faltered for a moment before he laughed heartily: "Don't worry, you won't miss out on the benefits."
"With your word, Mr. Song, I can rest easy."
Su Sinian smiled politely.
Song Wei nodded, paused, and then asked, "Miss Su, do you admire President Pei?"
"Hmm?"
Su Sinian's heart sank as she looked at him, puzzled.
"Maybe I'm overthinking it, but just now, when you looked at President Pei, there was a hint of resentment and admiration in your eyes."
Song Wei chuckled.
Su Sinian gave a slight smile: "My only sister has been taken by him—shouldn't I feel resentful?"
"If we hadn't run into each other at lunch today, I wouldn't have known Miss Su had such a stunning sister."
Song Wei's words carried a hidden meaning.
The Su family had always publicly acknowledged only one daughter, so the sudden appearance of another made Song Wei suspect there was more to it.
Su Sinian just laughed off his comment without explanation.
Meanwhile, the other pair not far away ate in harmony, free of such complications.
"This restaurant's signature dishes are great."
Su Banxia, full and satisfied, sincerely gave a thumbs-up.