Chapter 4: Staging An Accidental Encounter
“Do you have something on your mind, Yaoyao?” Winnie noticed that Meng Shuyou had been lacking enthusiasm in everything she did lately, and couldn’t help but ask with concern.
The dessert shop was empty at this hour, with the staff cleaning tableware at the bar counter, occasionally making crisp sounds.
Meng Shuyou stirred the juice in her cup and shook her head. “No, maybe I’ve just been too tired lately.”
She didn’t want to talk about the messy affairs at home; it had no meaning and would only add negative emotions to her friend.
Winnie joked, “You have been really busy lately. Even to have a meal with you, I have to make an appointment in advance.”
Meng Shuyou made it up to her. “Today, I’m treating you to make amends.”
“Alright.” Winnie didn’t stand on ceremony with her. “By the way, has your ankle swelling gone down? How did you sprain it? This part-time job isn’t worth it at all.”
“It’s already fine.” Meng Shuyou had gotten medicine from the clinic that day, and after applying it for two days, it no longer hurt. Now she was worried about something else. “Tell me, how can I chase a cold man?”
As soon as the words fell, Winnie was greatly shocked. The taro mash she had just eaten almost got stuck in her throat. “Cough… what did you say? Who do you want to chase? Who have you set your sights on?”
She widened her eyes and asked in a rush, “Which man has caught your eye? And one that makes you chase him yourself?”
At school, people chasing Meng Shuyou lined up from the south gate to the north gate, with all types of handsome guys available, yet she hadn’t fancied any of them.
Over time, everyone knew she was hard to pursue, so they stopped trying in vain.
“Not from our school.” Meng Shuyou didn’t know how to explain. “Anyway, he’s very cold.”
She had searched online for information about that mister. Pei Yuzhou, 28 years old, the current president of Hels Group, worth billions, holding the family power— no wonder even Ellen had to be meek in front of him.
He had absolute arrogant capital and didn’t care about anyone.
“Exactly who is this deity that’s indifferent to a great beauty like you?” Winnie found it hard to believe and boldly guessed, “He wouldn’t happen to like men, would he?”
Meng Shuyou hadn’t thought of it that way. “Probably not.”
There wasn’t much information about him online; besides his personal profile, there was nothing extra. With his status, probably no one dared to spread his private matters casually.
“From my limited experience—pester relentlessly.” Winnie gave her advice. “The colder the man, the more repressed he actually is. Wasn’t my ex-boyfriend like that? He pretended to be cold and aloof, but after pestering a few times, he took the bait.”
Meng Shuyou knew that man was different.
He was truly cold, indifferent to everything.
She didn’t know if pestering relentlessly would work on him; what if it backfired and completely offended him, then she was done for.
“Don’t worry, you’re so beautiful and have such a good personality—who wouldn’t like you.” Winnie comforted her. “Whoever doesn’t like you is blind. Worst case, chase someone else; there are so many handsome guys for you to pick from.”
Meng Shuyou thought sadly that she probably couldn’t switch; it could only be him.
She had to find herself a strong enough backstage.
And Pei Yuzhou was the best choice.
“No class the day after tomorrow. Want to go to the bar tomorrow night for a drink to relax?” Winnie asked.
Meng Shuyou sighed softly. “I have something tomorrow night, so I can’t go.”
Meng Zhenhua had someone give her a membership card for a private club, saying Ellen would be doing business there tomorrow.
500,000 US dollars to buy the membership qualification—Meng Zhenhua had really invested heavily to blend into that circle.
Winnie was puzzled. “What else do you have? Haven’t your part-time jobs ended?”
Meng Shuyou was silent for a few seconds. “…Create an accidental encounter.”
Of course, she wasn’t going to see Ellen. That day at the exhibition hall, she had accidentally overheard Mister Pei on a telephone call; tomorrow night, he would also be entertaining at that club.
Winnie winked. “Got it, got it. You go ahead.”
–
King Club was Chicago’s top private club, serving mostly nobles, tycoons, business magnates, and finance elites.
The building occupied the most prime location in the city center, towering into the clouds, standing majestically.
After nightfall, the glass curtain wall flashed with neon, and the street was bustling and brilliant.
Luxury cars frequently came and went; it was already routine.
Meng Shuyou got out of the taxi and showed her membership card at the doorway, entering the club smoothly.
The entire hall was decorated in old money style, with floating light and shadow in the air, luxurious taste— “paper-drunk gold-bewitched” described it perfectly.
But the club was so large, with dozens of private rooms alone and several floors of entertainment venues; the chance of an accidental encounter was too small.
She stopped by the elevator, took out her mobile phone from her bag, wanting to call her friend who worked here—he should know.
Just as she opened her contacts, she heard someone calling her from behind.
“Miss Elara.”
Footsteps approached gradually.
Meng Shuyou turned around upon hearing the voice, not expecting it to be such a coincidence. “Mister Ellen.”
Ellen smiled. “Your father said you’d be coming to the club today to have fun and asked me to take care of you.”
Meng Shuyou’s expression stiffened a bit.
So Meng Zhenhua had greeted him in advance.
Ellen looked at the light blue French dress she was wearing, his eyes curving up. “I have a meeting with someone in a bit to discuss matters. You can go to my private room first and wait; I’ll accompany you after I’m done.”
Meng Shuyou clenched her palm, nodding calmly. “Alright, sorry to trouble you.”
Ellen passed her and pressed the elevator button. “No need to be polite. Whatever you want to eat or play, just tell the waiter.”
The middle elevator door opened.
He gentlemanly let the girl enter first.
Meng Shuyou thanked him and walked into the elevator.
Ellen took her to the private room on the 54th floor, called a waiter to attend to her, and then left first.
Meng Shuyou sat uneasily on the sofa, looking around the environment.
The layout here was like a hotel suite, with dim and ambiguous lighting, and the coffee table filled with alcoholic drinks and snacks.
It was said that Ellen had been very promiscuous when young, surrounded by women, but in recent years he had shifted his focus to his career.
Outsiders all said he had suddenly changed, becoming much more mature and steady.
But Meng Shuyou firmly believed that a man’s nature is hard to change; if Ellen tried to do something to her here, she wouldn’t be able to escape.
After thinking it over, she still couldn’t sit still, picked up her bag, and walked out.
As she opened the door, the waiter was standing at the doorway and asked her, “Miss, where are you going? Mister Ellen said a girl like you shouldn’t wander around casually to avoid trouble.”
Meng Shuyou pretended to be uncomfortable and clutched her lower abdomen. “I want to use the restroom; my stomach doesn’t feel well.”
Seeing her urgency, the waiter didn’t stop her. “The restroom is at the end of the corridor.”
“Alright, thank you.” Meng Shuyou slightly hunched her back and hurried away.
–
At the same time, upstairs private room.
Several middle-aged men in suits sat upright, discussing the recent stock market fluctuations and industry insider news.
In contrast, the young man in the main seat leaned leisurely in the sofa chair, his shirt collar slightly open, collarbone lines clear, shirt hem tucked into his waistband, legs casually placed, noble and casual.
He toyed with a wine glass in his hand, his long fingers bony and distinct, veins on the back of his hand winding to his forearm.
He seemed not to be listening seriously, yet he always hit the nail on the head, never speaking nonsense.
A certain pharmaceutical company boss mentioned, “The medical field still has great benefit potential in the future, Mister Kerwin. Our company’s latest developed painkiller…”
“Not interested.” Pei Yuzhou interrupted directly, casually set down the cup, picked up his coat, and left.
The others exchanged glances.
“This…”
“Kerwin’s temperament has always been like this. Be careful what you say next time; don’t touch his sore spot.”
Assistant Mark waited outside the door, took the suit from Pei Yuzhou’s hand, followed his steps, and reported tomorrow’s schedule.
Ahead, the door to another private room suddenly opened.
A blue figure ran out from inside, panicked and disregarding everything as she crashed into Pei Yuzhou’s arms.
