Chapter 54: Benefit Above All
Meng Shuyou had been staying at home for the past two days.
The injury on her hand was not serious; apart from the inconvenience of bathing, it had no other impact.
The servant went shopping and bought her a big bag of blind boxes along the way, afraid she would be bored at home.
Meng Shuyou was surprised, “Didn’t I say just buy a few boxes casually? Why so many?”
“No problem, you can open them slowly.”
“Alright, thank you.”
The servant smiled and shook her head, “You’re too polite.”
Mister Pei dotes on Miss Elara so much, so naturally they have to take good care of her.
The blind boxes filled the entire dining table. Meng Shuyou sat cross-legged in front of the coffee table, using a small knife to open them.
She had never opened so many blind boxes before—bag charms, ornaments, vinyl dolls… every one was very cute.
Opening blind boxes satisfies the surprise of the unknown, making one’s mood better.
The sound of the door opening came from the doorway.
A tall figure walked in.
Meng Shuyou looked up upon hearing the sound, “Mister Pei, you’re back early today.”
Pei Yuzhou walked toward the sofa, looking at the pile of childish dolls on the coffee table, his expression openly showing ‘disdain’.
Meng Shuyou was pinching the face of a vinyl doll, “Not cute?”
The man didn’t understand girls’ aesthetics.
Colorful plush dolls—did they have anything to do with cute?
“Change clothes, we’re going out.”
“Hm?” Meng Shuyou asked: “Where to?”
“Dinner.”
“Oh.”
She didn’t ask more, put down the doll in her hand, got up and went upstairs.
Twenty minutes later, they left the house.
The Maybach drove away from the villa.
Pei Yuzhou leaned against the back seat, with a tablet on his lap as he browsed, “Is your hand better?”
Meng Shuyou spread open her palm, “Mm, it’s already scabbing.”
Pei Yuzhou didn’t speak again, his long fingers lightly tapping on the screen.
Meng Shuyou glanced over and saw stock price trends and data analysis that she couldn’t understand.
She quietly scrolled on her mobile phone for a while to pass the time.
Recently, the Meng Family seemed to have no movements, and Meng Yan hadn’t been jumping around; she didn’t know if they were plotting some threatening methods again.
The car pulled up at the entrance of a high-end hotel.
As soon as they got out, the doorman came up, bowed respectfully and said: “Mister Kerwin, please come inside.”
Meng Shuyou followed beside Pei Yuzhou into the hall.
The elevator went straight to the top floor restaurant.
European-style decor, simple and luxurious, with clean sharp lines and a strong sense of space.
In the private room, the dining table was close to the floor-to-ceiling window, with an open view that took in the bustling Manhattan skyline.
The tableware on the tabletop was arranged exquisitely, crystal glasses refracting a wisp of dim light under the lights.
After they were seated, the waiter helped with ordering.
Meng Shuyou ordered appetizers, main course, and thick soup, and wanted to order a glass of red wine, asking if there were any recommendations.
Before the waiter could answer, Pei Yuzhou interrupted first, “No drinking.”
Her injury wasn’t fully healed, her alcohol tolerance was poor, and she still dared to drink.
Meng Shuyou said softly: “Not even one glass?”
His words allowed no argument, “Change to juice.”
Meng Shuyou had no choice but to give up and ordered a glass of watermelon juice.
The waiter took back the menu, said “Please wait a moment” and left the private room.
Half an hour later, the head chef personally served the dishes, pouring the sauce on site, with meticulous service.
“Wish Mister and Miss a pleasant meal.”
After the head chef left, the private room door was knocked on again.
Mark pushed open the door, “Mister, the person has arrived.”
Meng Shuyou put down her knife and fork, “Did you schedule to talk business with someone else? Should I avoid it?”
“Eat your food.” Pei Yuzhou’s voice was indifferent, “Let him in.”
Meng Shuyou looked toward the doorway.
A middle-aged man wearing glasses with a beer belly walked in, followed by a girl.
Meng Shuyou was quite surprised—it was actually Ivy.
She kept her head down, looking very haggard, completely different from her previously glamorous appearance.
The middle-aged man had an apologetic expression, acting subservient, “Mister Kerwin, I brought my younger sister to apologize to you. She’s young and ignorant, please don’t hold it against her.”
“Young?” Pei Yuzhou leisurely cut the truffle steak on his plate, “My woman is only twenty-one—who’s younger?”
He put down the tableware and pushed the cut steak to the opposite side.
Meng Shuyou’s ears felt as if they had been scalded, her eyelashes lowered as she swapped her uncut steak with his.
“Sorry, it was my slip of the tongue. It’s all because the family spoiled her rotten—it’s our fault. We’re sincerely here to apologize today.” The middle-aged man grabbed Ivy’s hand and signaled with his eyes: “Speak quickly.”
Ivy didn’t dare look up, her voice timid, “Mister Kerwin, sorry, I know I was wrong. Please be merciful.”
Pei Yuzhou sneered coldly, not even lifting his eyelids, “Do I know you? What are you apologizing to me for?”
Ivy’s face turned deathly pale in an instant.
Nothing was more cruel than those words—the man she liked didn’t even know who she was.
She bit her lip hard with red-rimmed eyes, “Miss Elara, sorry, I was too impulsive that day. I really didn’t mean to.”
Meng Shuyou calmly looked at her once, “Isn’t saying that now a bit too hypocritical? You know better than anyone whether it was intentional.”
Ivy had no choice but to admit fault, “I lost my mind, jealousy got the better of me and I did that. Please forgive me this once.”
Meng Shuyou withdrew her gaze, “The incident has already happened—saying this is useless.”
The paintings were all ruined, days of hard work wasted.
Ivy said urgently: “Then what do you hope I do? I’ll do my best to make amends, just please ask Mister Kerwin not to cancel the cooperation.”
“Don’t appear in front of me again.” Meng Shuyou didn’t want to see her, “As for Mister Kerwin’s decision, I can’t influence it.”
The middle-aged man quickly advised: “Mister Kerwin, it’s just a conflict between girls—why let it affect our cooperation?”
The shipping project had just been established; losing the Hels Group as a cooperation partner at this critical juncture would inevitably greatly impact the company’s stock price.
Kerwin held multiple port assets in his hands; offending him would disrupt the supply chain and cause heavy losses.
Pei Yuzhou leaned leisurely against the chair back, “That depends on your sincerity.”
The middle-aged man thought for a moment, “I’m willing to pay you one year’s port maintenance fees.”
Pei Yuzhou showed no interest at all, “Looks like there’s no sincerity. Then please leave.”
“Wait! We can negotiate more, Mister Kerwin.” He hurriedly changed his tune, “An extra three percent stake in this project—how about this sincerity?”
Pei Yuzhou curved his lips, saying casually: “I want six percent.”
The middle-aged man was stunned, “This…”
Opening with six percent left no room for negotiation—who else but Kerwin had such capital.
Pei Yuzhou toyed with the wine glass in his hand, “Not willing? No problem.”
The middle-aged man immediately nodded, “Fine! As long as you don’t hold this against us.”
“Then I’ll give you one more chance.” Pei Yuzhou reminded, “Keep your younger sister in check; if there’s a next time…”
“Rest assured, absolutely no next time!” The middle-aged man guaranteed repeatedly, “Then we won’t disturb your meal.”
He dragged Ivy out of the private room.
Meng Shuyou had now witnessed that Mister Pei truly showed no mercy in the business world, with benefits above all.
