Perhaps all insecure women are like this—when faced with someone's kindness, no matter the situation, their first thought is always: What's his motive?
Su Banxia couldn't figure out Pei Shaoze, so she didn't ask further. She just let him dry her hair.
Once her hair was dry, Su Banxia lay down on the bed, feeling quite drowsy. Pei Shaoze put the hairdryer away, got into bed, and pulled her into his arms. Holding her close, his voice returned to normal. "What are you thinking about?"
Su Banxia opened her eyes, her gaze landing on his lips. She paused slightly. "President Pei..."
"Su Banxia!"
"Hmm?"
He looked at her, breathing in her faint fragrance, and said, "Let's stay in Thailand for a week and try getting along as different people."
Su Banxia was taken aback. "What kind of people?"
"People in love."
Su Banxia: "..."
"Change how you address me. Even if it's my full name, don't call me President Pei, okay?"
Su Banxia didn't understand him or what he was trying to do, but she nodded anyway.
In this world, some people are strange. They crave love but fear it, so they habitually passively accept others' affection. They prepare to receive this love, but also prepare to turn away without a second thought once it's withdrawn.
Su Banxia was that kind of person. Toward Pei Shaoze, she was uncertain, distrustful, and confused. So she would obey him, defy him, and keep her distance, but she would never stay by his side. She was too protective of herself, too afraid of getting hurt.
Pei Shaoze saw this, so he changed his approach. Bringing her to Thailand might be worth a try, no matter the outcome. In this era, too few people truly love each other, too few encounter someone who stirs their heart and lingers in their thoughts. We all live too numbly.
Su Banxia leaned against him, nodding slightly, a strange feeling stirring inside her. She didn't know what to do next. The future was too uncertain; she could only follow her instincts.
Neither of them had fully laid their cards on the table. Maybe that was for the best. Time stretches long; there's no rush.
After a night of turmoil, Su Banxia was exhausted and fell asleep early.
When she woke up in the morning, it dawned on her belatedly that she hadn't called home last night. She wondered how the two kids were doing. Instinctively, she reached for her phone, but as soon as she moved, she felt a sharp ache in her lower back.
Her waist was suddenly pulled. She looked up instinctively and saw Pei Shaoze. The man seemed just as groggy from sleep, his brow carrying a warm, dazed expression.
She paused slightly. "You're awake."
"Yeah."
Maybe because he'd just woken up, his voice was hoarse and low, pleasant to hear.
Su Banxia got out of bed, but he grabbed her. The man looked at her and asked, "Where are you going?"
"To find my phone."
Su Banxia spoke, then climbed out of bed.
Pei Shaoze followed her up, watching her. "What are you looking for?"
"My phone."
She paused. "I was in too much of a rush yesterday morning to tell my family I was on a business trip, and I didn't call last night. They're probably worried."
Pei Shaoze lowered his gaze. "Those two kids of yours."
Su Banxia nodded, found her phone, and called Fang Shiqing.
When the call connected, Fang Shiqing said, "Hey," and teased her. "Another night out."
Su Banxia apologized. "Shiqing, I might have to stay in Thailand for a few days. Could you take care of Guoguo and Xiaohao for me?"
"With President Pei?"
Fang Shiqing's tone carried a hint of innuendo.
Su Banxia didn't confirm or deny it. She just said, "It was too late last night to call. Are Guoguo and Xiaohao okay?"
Fang Shiqing nodded. "Yeah, the kids are fine, doing great! But you—what are you thinking? Have you figured it out?"
The question was vague, and Su Banxia couldn't answer right away. "I'll leave Guoguo and Xiaohao to you," she said, then chatted about other things before hanging up.
Pei Shaoze had been watching her the whole time. When Su Banxia finished the call, she turned back to see him leaning against the bed, smoking. Without a word, she went straight into the bathroom to shower.
When she came out, Pei Shaoze beckoned her. "Come here."
Su Banxia walked over and sat beside him. He took the towel from her hand and started drying her hair. After the first time, the second wasn't awkward anymore.
She asked him, "Do I have to go to the company with you today?"
"Yeah," he replied. "You can come take a look."
This was a branch office; they were just going to check things out. Su Banxia didn't say more.
...
Yanshi.
Ye's office building.
In the president's office, a knock came at Ye Hengtian's door. He was reviewing documents and looked up. "Come in."
The door opened to reveal his secretary. After entering, she said, "President, there's a Mr. Ren here to see you."
Ye Hengtian frowned. "Mr. Ren?" He didn't recall knowing anyone by that surname.
He furrowed his brow. "Did he have an appointment?"
The secretary shook her head. "No, he said he has something to discuss with you about Dingsheng."
Ye Hengtian couldn't place it, but at the mention of Dingsheng, he set down his documents and looked at the secretary. "Let him in."
The secretary nodded and left. Soon after, the office door was knocked again.
"Come in," he responded.
In walked Ren Yuan. Seeing Ye Hengtian at his desk, Ren Yuan said, "President Ye, long time no see."
Ye Hengtian couldn't recall where he'd seen this man before, but he smiled faintly and gestured for him to sit down and chat.
Ren Yuan sat, and Ye Hengtian didn't rush to ask anything. Instead, he had the secretary bring him a coffee.
Ren Yuan thanked him several times before looking at Ye Hengtian. "President Ye, I'm sorry to bother you at this hour."
"It's fine," Ye Hengtian said, motioning for him to continue. "It's no bother."
He didn't ask, seemingly in no hurry. Ren Yuan had expected at least a question, but since none came, he had to steer the conversation himself. Looking at Ye Hengtian, he said, "President Ye, I heard Ye's and Dingsheng have been canceling contracts."
"Yeah," Ye Hengtian nodded, looking at him. "My secretary mentioned you had something about Dingsheng to tell me."
Ren Yuan smiled and nodded. "Yes, there is something I need to discuss with you."
Ye Hengtian gestured for him to go ahead.
But Ren Yuan hesitated slightly.
Having navigated the business world for years, Ye Hengtian could read people's intentions from their actions almost instantly. Seeing Ren Yuan's hesitation, he didn't press further. Instead, he asked, "Is there something you need, Mr. Ren?"
Ren Yuan gave an awkward smile. "I don't know if President Ye has ever considered partnering with Gu's."
"Gu's?" Ye Hengtian raised an eyebrow, showing interest. "The Gu's that ranked 78th in Yanshi sales last year?"
Ren Yuan nodded eagerly and handed him a business card. "I'm the general manager of Gu's. We've always focused on sales but haven't found a supplier for production lines. So, we'd like to discuss a partnership with Ye's."
Ye Hengtian nodded. "That's doable."
Mutual benefit was a reason enough to cooperate.