His gaze landed on the two women beside Pei Shaoze. They were decent-looking, with fairly delicate features, but their makeup was too heavy, making them rather unappealing to the eye.
The two women seemed to be trying to sidle up to Pei Shaoze, but before they could get close, he shook them off.
"Get lost!"
Pei Shaoze was in a bad mood, so he was especially inconsiderate. The two beauties, caught off guard by his shove, were too intimidated by his cold aura to approach again.
They left directly.
As soon as the women were gone, Yan Xin walked over to him and teased, "Being so ungentlemanly, aren't you afraid you'll never win over your true love?"
Pei Shaoze raised an eyebrow and glanced at him, leaning back on the sofa. "Was the show good?"
Yan Xin paused for a moment, realizing he was referring to what had just happened. He curled his lips into a smile and said, "Very entertaining. Though I was hoping you'd take them home tonight, so I could go back and catch up on sleep!"
Pei Shaoze snorted coldly.
Out of nowhere, he asked, "Do you like Su Banxia?"
"Cough, cough!"
His train of thought was too fast, and Yan Xin wasn't prepared, choking on his drink.
After a moment, he steadied his breathing, looked at him, and nodded seriously.
"Yeah."
There was no need to hide that anymore.
"What do you like about her?"
It was a rather dull question, but Yan Xin still thought it over seriously. "She's very beautiful and has a lot of presence."
Pei Shaoze frowned. "That's it?"
"Yeah, for now."
Yan Xin nodded. "She's captivating, isn't she?"
Pei Shaoze sneered. Captivating? More like seductive.
Taking a sip of his drink, Pei Shaoze squinted and said, "I can't figure out her purpose at Dingsheng for now. You'd better stay away from her."
It was a warning.
Yan Xin was displeased. "What she's doing at Dingsheng has nothing to do with me liking her!"
Looking at Pei Shaoze, he seemed to suddenly realize something and said, "Shaoze, don't tell me you've taken an interest in her?"
Pei Shaoze gave a dismissive smile. "Is that possible?"
Yan Xin said nothing. If such things could be explained clearly, there wouldn't be so many lovelorn men and women throughout history.
He didn't ask why Pei Shaoze had called him out for a drink in the middle of the night or what had happened. Yan Xin could roughly guess—it was probably related to Su Banxia.
...
The next day.
Su Banxia went to work as usual, just like any other day. On the surface, everything seemed the same.
But Su Banxia knew deep down that many things had changed.
In the office, Pei Shaoze arrived very early. Neither of them spoke, and the atmosphere was so quiet it was almost awkward.
Su Banxia thought she and Pei Shaoze would maintain this state until the end of the workday.
But soon, it was broken by a commotion.
Su Banxia got up and left the office. As soon as she opened the door, she saw Ye Lan crying and demanding to see Pei Shaoze.
Ye Lan was being stopped by two receptionists, but she insisted on forcing her way through. The two receptionists had no choice but to block her as they walked.
Knowing she was the third Miss of the Ye family, they couldn't treat her like an outsider.
That was how Ye Lan managed to reach the door of Pei Shaoze's office.
When she saw Su Banxia, Ye Lan's expression turned even uglier. She glared at Su Banxia and spat, "Bitch, did you go running your mouth to Shaoze again? Did you tattle that I hit you, so he went after the Ye family? Is that it?"
Su Banxia was a bit confused. Pei Shaoze went after the Ye family? Why? Because of her? Impossible.
Looking at Ye Lan, she remained polite. "Miss Ye, I don't understand what you're talking about. I'm just a secretary to President Pei. My words don't influence his actions. Also, Dingsheng has its rules. You barging in here—we didn't call security because we believe you're a well-bred person. So please leave."
"I want to see Shaoze!"
Ye Lan headed for the office, but Su Banxia blocked her.
"Miss Ye, do you have an appointment?"
Su Banxia directed this question at the two receptionists who had followed.
The two girls lowered their heads and admitted, "No."
Su Banxia looked at Ye Lan, smiled politely, and said, "Miss Ye, President Pei is very busy. If you don't have an appointment, please make one and come back later."
"Whore, what right do you have to block me?"
Ye Lan was fuming, and her words grew uglier by the second.
Su Banxia's expression didn't change, showing no sign of anger. She simply stood in front of her and continued, "Miss Ye, this is my job. Please understand."
"Your job?"
Ye Lan sneered. "Shouldn't your job be getting pinned down and played with? Acting like a saint while being a slut—you've got some nerve!"
"Do you think you have any face left, screaming and cursing like this?"
Suddenly, a low male voice came from behind Su Banxia.
Ye Lan had been so angry that she'd lost control. She hadn't expected Pei Shaoze to hear her words from there.
Seeing him suddenly appear, she didn't think twice. Her eyes reddened instantly, and she ran toward him, looking pitiful.
"Shaoze..."
Pei Shaoze didn't let her get close. He said directly, "Are the security guards here just for show? Anyone can come to my office door and yell?"
His words made Ye Lan's forced smile vanish completely.
Seeing the anger on Pei Shaoze's face, Ye Lan tried to defend herself, but he just gave her a cold look and said, "Not everyone can come and act wild on my turf. The Ye family is so arrogant—they must think I'm incompetent. Looks like I've been too lenient lately."
Ye Lan's face turned pale. What did he mean?
"Shaoze, no, I didn't mean it... Let me explain..."
Ye Lan tried to say more.
But the security guards who had arrived had already escorted her out.
Pei Shaoze gave Su Banxia a cold glance and went back into the office with a sour expression.
After sending off the two receptionists, Su Banxia also entered the office.
For a moment, she didn't know what to say.
What was Pei Shaoze thinking? She really couldn't figure him out anymore. One moment, he was watching her like a hawk, and the next, he seemed to be defending her. What was he trying to do?
In the office.
Su Banxia glanced at Pei Shaoze, who was bent over his documents, his face expressionless. She had no idea what was on his mind, so she didn't dare speak.
She walked straight to her seat and sat down to work.
"Get me a coffee."
Pei Shaoze suddenly spoke. Su Banxia hadn't even sat down yet when she heard his voice.
She quickly nodded and obediently went to make coffee.
Placing the coffee in front of him, Su Banxia asked, "President Pei, is there anything else you need?"
"No."
He gave her two words and went back to his documents.
Su Banxia: "..."
Indeed, the term "moody" suited him perfectly.