Chapter 27: Just A Hug Will Do
Meng Shuyou froze.
A crowd around them watched the drama unfold.
Abroad, kissing cheeks is actually a very common social etiquette, so this punishment isn’t that unusual.
But for Meng Shuyou, it was a dilemma.
Besides Pei Yuzhou, she couldn’t kiss anyone else.
But in front of so many people, she felt too embarrassed.
Even if she could thicken her skin, Mister Pei might not be willing to cooperate.
Zhao Hesong watched the show, “This isn’t hard, right.”
Meng Shuyou gripped her skirt hem tightly, looked at Pei Yuzhou, and softly asked for help, “Mister Pei, I can’t drink alcohol.”
She had two glasses of fruit wine at dinner, drinking more would definitely get her drunk.
She had just wanted to scoot closer to him when she suddenly heard him say: “I’ll drink for you.”
Zhao Hesong tsked, “Now that’s no fun.”
Pei Yuzhou asked: “When did it say no substitutes?”
He reached for the wine glass on the dining table and downed it in one go.
Zhao Hesong said “boring,” he had wanted to see what someone’s reaction would be to being kissed.
In the next few rounds, Meng Shuyou was no longer the regular loser, and the others drank one or two glasses more or less.
They played until midnight, and the card game ended.
Zhao Hesong thought ahead, “It’s too late, anyone inconvenient to go back can stay here tonight. I’ll have the servants prepare rooms.”
Everyone was tired from playing and didn’t stand on ceremony with him.
The housekeeper led them upstairs to assign guest rooms.
“Brother Zhou, the first room on the left on the fourth floor is saved for you.” Zhao Hesong knew he had mysophobia; that guest room was the largest besides the master bedroom and no one else had slept in it.
Pei Yuzhou nodded.
Winnie had drunk a bit too much and was now drowsy and unsteady on her feet, so Meng Shuyou supported her to the elevator.
The servant said the rooms on the third floor were full, so they could only be arranged to sleep on the fourth floor.
As soon as they entered the room, Winnie collapsed on the bed and fell into a deep sleep.
Meng Shuyou took off her shoes for her and rummaged through her bag for makeup remover wet wipes to wipe her face.
After settling her, Meng Shuyou went to wash up and tidy herself.
It was already twelve-thirty when she lay on the bed, but she wasn’t sleepy. She tossed and turned a few times, not wanting to wake Winnie beside her, so she simply went out to the balcony for some fresh air.
The night was deep and dark, utterly silent.
The balcony had lights on, from next door.
She saw Pei Yuzhou smoking there, half his figure shrouded in darkness, smoke veiling the outline of his deep, straight brows and eyes, revealing a touch of loneliness.
The balconies of the two rooms were almost right next to each other.
She walked over in slippers to the railing, “Mister Pei, why haven’t you slept yet?”
Pei Yuzhou held the cigarette between his fingertips, his gaze shifting to her, “You’re not asleep either.”
“Do you have insomnia too?” Meng Shuyou clung to the armrest, tilting her head to look at him, “Are you too tired from work?”
Pei Yuzhou’s gaze darkened slightly.
Since his mother passed away, no one had asked him if he was tired.
But after so many years, he was used to it.
Even working twenty-four hours straight didn’t faze him much.
He gazed at the clean, clear eyes before him, the light reflecting in them like rippling water.
Obedient, sly, bold—all her facets, perhaps even more.
After a long silence with no reply, Meng Shuyou spoke again on her own.
“I thought you wouldn’t come today.”
“You don’t reply much to messages, and I can’t see you.”
“Alright, I know you’re very busy and can’t spare time for me.”
She murmured to herself, continuing, “This semester is almost over, I haven’t found an art gallery internship yet. My dad wants me to go back home, but I don’t want to for now.”
That home was suffocating; it wasn’t her home.
For the past ten years, she had been taught to be obedient and sensible, to follow etiquette and rules, to watch every word and action, to cultivate interests she didn’t like, to make friends she didn’t like.
And now, the Meng Family was forcing her into a marriage alliance for family benefits, sacrificing her second half of life.
After her older sister got into trouble, she had no one to rely on or confide in, facing it all alone.
Pei Yuzhou caught the weariness and sadness in her eyes, a completely vulnerable side, as if it would shatter at a touch.
Meng Shuyou straightened up and met his gaze, “Mister Pei, are you…”
The words reached her lips, but she stopped.
Pei Yuzhou: “What?”
Meng Shuyou shook her head lightly, “Nothing.”
She had wanted to ask if he didn’t like her at all.
Before in the hot spring pool, last time on the cruise ship, and just now in the game punishment, he was unmoved by her initiatives.
Mia had said that if a man has no impulse toward you at all, he definitely doesn’t like you.
Physiological liking and psychological liking—if there’s no former, how dare one hope for the latter.
But if Pei Yuzhou didn’t like her at all, why did he keep helping her time and again?
Men’s thoughts are so hard to guess.
Meng Shuyou lowered her head, resting her cheek on her arm as she leaned on the railing, closing her eyes.
The breeze felt nice, cool and caressing.
Scattered hair fluttered in the air.
All around was silent, her shallow breaths clearly audible.
Pei Yuzhou thought she had fallen asleep and walked closer, reaching out to brush the hair from her face.
Her bare face was flawless, pores invisible, skin smooth and poreless, coldly fair, delicate as congealed cream.
Meng Shuyou smelled the faint tobacco scent on him, opened her eyes, and grabbed his hand.
She realized for the first time how big his hand was.
Veins bulging on the back of his hand, intertwined, very sexy.
Palms pressed together, warmth conducting through.
She gripped tightly; Pei Yuzhou told her to let go.
Meng Shuyou looked at him, her voice very soft, “Can you let me hug you?”
Her eyes pleading, “Just one hug is enough.”
Let her lean on him for a bit.
Pei Yuzhou was silent for a moment, “It’s late, go to sleep.”
Meng Shuyou grumbled in dissatisfaction, “Rejecting me again.”
She let go of his hand, “Then say goodnight to me, okay?”
Pei Yuzhou’s thin lips moved slightly, “Goodnight.”
His voice low, slow, and magnetic, melting into her ears.
Meng Shuyou’s lips curved into a shallow arc, “Goodnight.”
She turned and went back into the room.
Pei Yuzhou lowered his arm, the soft, tender touch seemingly lingering in his palm.
–
The next day.
Meng Shuyou woke up at nine o’clock. She woke Winnie, “Get up, pack up. We should head back to school.”
Winnie rebooted for five minutes, scratched her messy hair, still a bit dazed, “Where is this?”
Meng Shuyou got out of bed and headed to the bathroom, “Mister Zhao’s house. You drank too much last night, so we stayed here.”
Winnie remembered, “That red wine had such a strong aftereffect. I only had two glasses.”
“Does your head still hurt? Go downstairs later and have some honey water to settle your stomach.” Meng Shuyou tied up her hair and turned on the faucet to wash her face.
“Mm.” Winnie lay on the bed, rubbing her temple.
After half an hour of taking turns to get ready, they left the room and went downstairs.
Zhao Hesong was just in the living room.
Meng Shuyou greeted him, “Good morning, Mister Zhao.”
“Morning.” Zhao Hesong headed to the restaurant, “There’s breakfast in the kitchen.”
Winnie said weakly, “Could I trouble you for a glass of honey water or yogurt, thanks.”
The servant nodded, “Sure, Miss.”
Zhao Hesong chuckled lightly, “Can’t hold your liquor?”
Winnie pouted, “Your red wine was too strong.”
Zhao Hesong: “It’s a vintage one. People not used to it get drunk easily.”
The servant brought breakfast to the dining table.
Meng Shuyou pulled out a chair and sat down, about to speak.
Zhao Hesong immediately guessed what she wanted to ask, “Brother Zhou left early this morning. He’s been very busy lately.”
