Chapter 13: When Can I See You Next Time
The waiter came in to brew tea.
The embossed tea cup was luxurious and exquisite, with tea aroma overflowing from it.
Arthur took a sip of hot tea and asked, “Is your maternal grandfather doing well lately?”
“Everything is fine.” Pei Yuzhou fiddled with the cup handle, “I shouldn’t be disturbing you, but there’s something I think it’s necessary to let you know.”
“What is it?” Arthur had a bad premonition.
Pei Yuzhou gave a look to Mark.
The latter understood and had the bodyguard bring the person in.
The man’s hands were tied with hemp rope, he knelt wretchedly in front of the coffee table, his face haggard, full of stubble, and hair disheveled.
Meng Shuyou suddenly remembered, wasn’t this the man who was captured at the bar that night?
Arthur frowned in confusion, “What does this mean? I don’t know him.”
Pei Yuzhou sneered lightly, “He, overreaching, stole confidential information from my company and worked for others.”
Arthur expressed sympathy, “How could this happen? It’s too disheartening.”
Pei Yuzhou’s smile was superficial, “Don’t you want to know whose man he is?”
Arthur became alert; since he asked this way, it meant it was related to him.
Mark looked at the person kneeling on the ground, “Tell him yourself, whose man are you?”
He was stubborn, “I’m not anyone’s man; it was my own mistake.”
“Is that so.” Pei Yuzhou uttered the two words lightly, then casually picked up the fruit knife from the coffee table, removed the sheath, and the light reflected on the sharp blade, “If you don’t talk, I’ll cut off one finger. I’ll give you ten chances to see how tough your mouth is.”
His tone was indifferently casual, as if chatting about today’s weather.
Meng Shuyou’s mind formed a vivid picture; it was too bloody, making her hair stand on end.
Could she leave now? Scenes like this would give her nightmares.
The bodyguard grabbed the man’s hand and pressed it on the table.
Pei Yuzhou gripped the knife handle, smiling faintly, “In the casino, cutting off a few fingers is perfectly normal.”
The cold blade pressed against the fingertip.
The man turned pale with fright, breathing rapidly, shrinking back desperately, “No, I’ll talk!”
Fear dominated his brain; he couldn’t care about anything and spilled everything, “It was Mister Asi who told me to do it! I have recording evidence! Sorry, Boss, I know I was wrong…”
Arthur was shocked, “How is that possible?”
Pei Yuzhou put away the fruit knife, “Your precious son has set his sights on me. For the sake of the relationship between my maternal grandfather and you, I came specially to inform you.”
Arthur had seen his methods in the business world, never giving anyone a chance to turn things around, doing things thoroughly, making everyone wary. That disobedient son had to provoke him of all people, “Don’t worry, I’ll handle this matter.”
“Good, I hope you’ll give me a satisfactory response.” Pei Yuzhou leaned back on the sofa, resuming his usual laziness, “Mark, see the guest out.”
“Yes, Mister.” Mark complied and escorted the person out.
Meng Shuyou hadn’t recovered yet; her little heart was pounding.
Only she and Pei Yuzhou remained in the private room.
“Scared?” His tone rose at the end, “If you’re scared, stay away. Go back and study obediently at your university; this isn’t a place for you.”
Meng Shuyou instantly understood why he had her stay to watch; he wanted her to back off knowing the difficulty.
Little did he know, she had no way out at all.
“I’m not scared.” She pretended to be calm, “That person betrayed Mister; he deserves it.”
Pei Yuzhou’s gaze turned to her, silently scrutinizing.
Meng Shuyou changed the subject, “I’m hungry. Can we eat together?”
Pei Yuzhou looked down at his mobile phone, “Have Mark take you.”
Meng Shuyou was unhappy, “Can’t I eat with you?”
“Miss Meng, I have business to attend to.”
“No matter how busy, you still need to eat. Health is more important than work.”
Pei Yuzhou’s fingertip paused slightly.
Once, his mother had nagged him the same way.
‘Azhou, no matter how busy, remember to eat on time. Health is more important than anything.’
In an instant, he turned off his mobile phone and walked out.
Meng Shuyou was still standing there.
Pei Yuzhou stopped, “Not coming?”
“Oh oh, coming.” Meng Shuyou curved her lips and followed with small steps.
This private room had a dedicated elevator to the upstairs restaurant, no need to go through the outside hall.
Pei Yuzhou reached out and pressed the floor.
Meng Shuyou stood in the corner, proactively asking, “Mister Pei, do you usually prefer Chinese food or Western food?”
“Either.”
A very perfunctory answer.
She asked again, “So what are we eating later?”
Pei Yuzhou threw the question back, “What do you want to eat?”
Meng Shuyou thought for a moment, “I don’t know if the Chinese food here is authentic.”
The elevator reached the floor, and the doors opened automatically.
Pei Yuzhou stepped out of the elevator.
Meng Shuyou followed closely behind him.
The man’s legs were really long; her foot injury hadn’t fully healed, so it was a bit strenuous. She muttered to herself, “Can’t he walk slower? Not everyone has legs that long.”
Pei Yuzhou turned his head, “What did you say?”
Meng Shuyou instantly cowered, “Nothing.”
They went straight into the restaurant.
She wasn’t sure if it was her imagination, but the man’s pace seemed a bit slower.
The waiter arranged the private room and waited nearby for ordering.
Meng Shuyou looked at the menu while asking, “Mister Pei, do you have any food allergies?”
He only said, “Order whatever you like.”
“Alright.” Meng Shuyou ordered cream shrimp, seafood tofu, and stir-fried broccoli.
Pei Yuzhou added steamed grouper and a bowl of soup.
“Please wait a moment.” The waiter exited the private room.
The atmosphere was quiet.
He was replying to messages; Meng Shuyou didn’t disturb him and turned to look outside the window.
From here, one could overlook the bustling city night view, with neon lights flowing between high-rise buildings.
Some people are born at the top of the pyramid, accustomed to splendor, living in a world intertwined with money and power, like Pei Yuzhou.
People like them probably have no worries.
And her? She couldn’t even control her own future.
Pei Yuzhou looked up and caught the trace of melancholy and sadness in the girl’s eyes that didn’t belong to her age; it vanished when she turned back.
Meng Shuyou met his gaze and smiled, curving her lips, “Chicago’s night view is so beautiful.”
“Does Mister Pei stay here often?” she asked.
“Not often.” Pei Yuzhou said.
Meng Shuyou held her water cup, muttering softly, “Then when can I see you next time.”
Later, the dishes were served one after another.
She was really hungry and focused on eating.
Surprisingly, the Chinese food here tasted authentic.
In three years in Chicago, the Chinese restaurants she’d tried weren’t genuine.
She ate quietly, occasionally glancing at him from the corner of her eye.
Some people even made eating pleasing to the eye, with impeccable etiquette, every move elegant.
The man took in her sneaky glances but pretended not to notice.
After the meal, Pei Yuzhou instructed Mark to send her back to school.
It wasn’t early, and she had class tomorrow; Meng Shuyou said goodbye to him and left the club.
The business car dropped her off at the school gate.
Before getting out, she remembered she didn’t have Mister Pei’s telephone; how would she find him later, so she could only ask Mark, “Can I add your contact?”
Mark hesitated, unsure of Mister’s intention.
Meng Shuyou assured, “Don’t worry, I won’t bother you unless it’s something.”
Mark gave in and took out his mobile phone.
Successfully added the contact; Meng Shuyou returned to the dormitory satisfied.
