Chapter 22: Can You Kiss Me One More Time
Pei Yuzhou keenly noticed, “You’ve been drinking?”
“Just had two glasses, not drunk.”
“Where?”
Meng Shuyou brushed the hair blowing messily across her face, “I’m blowing in the wind on the top floor, do you want to come with me?”
Pei Yuzhou said indifferently, “I’ll have Mark bring you down.”
Meng Shuyou’s brows furrowed slightly, murmuring softly, “I don’t want him, I want you.”
The phone went quiet for a moment, then the call ended.
She looked at the screen dejectedly.
Mister Pei couldn’t be bothered with her anymore.
Her high heels had rubbed her heels sore after wearing them too long, so she simply took them off, stepping barefoot on the ground, the soles of her feet ice-cold.
The sea breeze carried a salty, damp scent into her nostrils.
She hugged her knees sitting by the railing, head resting on her knees, curling up.
She dozed off in a daze for a bit, then heard steady footsteps approaching from afar.
Meng Shuyou lifted her eyelids, her vision blurry, a noble black figure walking over.
Backlit, his facial outline was somewhat indistinct.
But she could still recognize him.
The man stopped in front of her, his voice slightly deep, “Get up.”
Meng Shuyou’s long lashes fluttered, slowly standing up from the ground, hand on the railing, “I thought you weren’t coming.”
Her voice carried a hint of grievance.
Pei Yuzhou lifted his chin lightly, looking toward the distant sea surface, “Out here alone late at night, not afraid of falling off.”
“I am.” Meng Shuyou didn’t even dare look back, staring straight at him, “I’m not afraid if you’re here.”
She reached out to grab the man’s sleeve cuff.
Pei Yuzhou glanced at her hazy eyes, parting his lips: “Let’s go.”
“Leave later.” Meng Shuyou wanted to stay a bit longer.
Pei Yuzhou grabbed her wrist in turn and pressed it against the railing, threatening, “If you don’t go, I’ll throw you off.”
Meng Shuyou’s back pressed against the glass, the chill making her shiver, her fingers subconsciously clutching his shirt, “Don’t.”
Pei Yuzhou released her, “If you’re scared, go back to the room.”
Meng Shuyou stood still, tilting her head up, gaze falling on his chin, suddenly mumbling, “You’re too tall.”
Without shoes, her bare height was nearly 170 cm, her head only reaching his shoulder.
Her tiptoes touched his leather shoes, straining to stand on her toes, leaning toward his lips.
Pei Yuzhou was momentarily dazed.
In his pupils, the girl’s features gradually enlarged.
A few strands of hair messily brushed across her cheek.
Faint jasmine fragrance, mixed with alcohol, surged into his nose together.
Her red lips brushed his mouth corner.
Soft, carrying a coolness.
Touch and part instantly.
Meng Shuyou’s heels settled, a trace of intoxication lingering in her eyes.
Pei Yuzhou locked onto her gaze, his throat rolling lightly, “Do you know what you’re doing?”
Meng Shuyou blinked her lashes lightly, “I know.”
She didn’t know where her boldness came from, pushing further, “Can I kiss you again?”
Pei Yuzhou’s temple vein twitched, about to speak when she suddenly covered his mouth with her hand.
Meng Shuyou’s palm was hot, “If you don’t speak, I’ll take it as agreement.”
She stood on her tiptoes again, left hand grabbing his arm shirt for leverage.
Pei Yuzhou watched her lean in.
Inches away, breaths mingling.
His eyes were too deep and bewitching, as if they could draw a person in; Meng Shuyou stared mesmerized, forgetting to release her hand, kissing only her own hand back.
Their eyes met, breaths ambiguously entwined.
“Mister…”
The atmosphere was suddenly broken.
Mark stood at the escalator entrance, clearly seeing the two on the deck, quickly averting his gaze, “Sorry.”
Pei Yuzhou stepped back, Meng Shuyou thought he was leaving and hurriedly hugged his waist, face buried in his chest.
Under the shirt, his chest muscles were clearly defined and taut.
“Stand properly.” Pei Yuzhou steadied her shoulders.
Meng Shuyou clung to him, “Don’t.”
Pei Yuzhou did want to toss her into the sea.
After a while, he bent down to pick her up, leaving the deck.
Meng Shuyou naturally wrapped her arms around his neck, bare feet dangling in the air, then remembered, “My shoes…”
Pei Yuzhou paused, lowering his gaze to look at her.
Meng Shuyou read the expression on his face—two words: trouble.
She suspected if she said one more word, he’d throw her away.
Pei Yuzhou turned back with his remaining patience, bending to pick up the high heels from the ground, fingertips hooking the straps.
Holding her with one arm, effortlessly.
Meng Shuyou felt sleepy, yawned, closed her eyes leaning in his embrace, enveloped in a sense of security, and fell asleep just like that.
Pei Yuzhou didn’t know how bold her heart was, sleeping so defenselessly, not afraid of being sold off.
–
The next morning.
Meng Shuyou woke in an unfamiliar environment.
Terrace light squeezed into the room through gaps in the curtains.
She sat on the bed surveying the surroundings, last night’s fragmented memories gradually piecing together in her mind.
Her ears grew hot involuntarily.
She’d actually kissed Pei Yuzhou.
Alcohol really emboldens.
It was already late morning; she washed up and got ready in the room before going out, running into Mark in the corridor.
“Where’s Mister Pei?” she asked.
Mark: “He took the helicopter back to Manhattan last night for work.”
A large sum of funds had an issue; he had to go back personally to check.
“So urgent.” Meng Shuyou was puzzled, “Then why didn’t you go with him?”
Mark explained, “Mister said to send you back to school.”
Meng Shuyou asked uneasily, “Mister Pei wasn’t angry when he left, right?”
Mark shook his head, “I’m not too sure about that.”
Mister’s emotions were always hard to fathom.
At ten o’clock, the cruise ship docked.
On the way back to school, Meng Shuyou sent Pei Yuzhou a message: ‘Mister Pei, did I delay your important business last night?’
After a long wait, he replied: ‘Drink less in the future.’
Meng Shuyou gripped her mobile phone, bit her lip, typed: ‘You’re not mad at me, right?’
Pei Yuzhou: ‘Next time, throw you in the sea.’
Threatening again, but Meng Shuyou wasn’t afraid, ‘You won’t.’
She followed up fawningly: ‘Mister Pei is the best.’
Pei Yuzhou didn’t respond further.
Meng Shuyou didn’t dare disturb him anymore.
It was already noon by the time she reached school.
This was dismissal time, people coming and going, many drawn to the Cullinan stopped at the school gate.
Luxury cars weren’t rare, but this custom limited-edition Cullinan was one-of-a-kind.
Meng Shuyou got out of the car, feeling like countless eyes were on her, uncomfortable all over, quickly quickening her steps into school.
Mark hurried back to Manhattan to report.
In the top floor office of the CBD building, the man sat at the desk reviewing documents, floor-to-ceiling windows behind him overlooking the bustling city skyline.
“Mister, Miss Meng has been safely sent back to school.”
“Mm.”
Mark knew Mister Pei cared about Miss Meng.
Several projects had recently launched, group affairs were numerous, he could’ve skipped the auction entirely, but he still made time to go.
Pei Yuzhou set down his pen, instructing gravely, “Freeze that unexplained bank fund first, investigate thoroughly before proceeding.”
Mark nodded, “Got it.”
Pei Yuzhou closed the folder, “How’s the birthday banquet preparation?”
Next month was Old Master’s seventieth birthday; he didn’t want a big event, just invite family friends.
“Everything’s arranged except the guest list,” Mark asked, “Should we invite the Arthur family this year?”
Pei Yuzhou’s tone was flat, “Let Grandfather decide.”
He didn’t meddle in the older generation’s favors, but if it touched family benefits, he wouldn’t hold back.
