There was no need to go to the company on the weekend, but that didn’t mean he didn’t have to work. Pei Xi remained in the study all morning, dealing with the documents in his mailbox.

He Chuzhou sat opposite him for a while with a digital notebook in his hands. It was unknown if he was working or doing something else, but he was typing on the keyboard, sounding busy but looking idle.

But he was sensitive enough to keep quiet and not disturb him.

Pei Xi was alone in the study during the afternoon. He could hear the occasional sounds of a man and a dog playing in the living room. However, after encountering a decision-making problem, he fell into a long period of contemplation and simply didn’t hear anything.

He was naturally unaware that He Chuzhou had entered the study, standing behind him and staring at his computer screen.

In the end, He Chuzhou took the initiative to speak: “Honey, if you’re still hesitating over whether or not to purchase that small company, my advice is to not go through with it.”

Pei Xi realized He Chuzhou was behind him, and in the face of this dilemma, he asked casually: “Why is that?”

“Because this company clearly no longer has value.”

He Chuzhou leaned over the back of Pei Xi’s chair. With his gaze fixed on the document on the screen, he said slowly and clearly: 

“The company isn’t small in scale, but it’s been stagnant for a long time with no expansion. They’ve even closed branches in major cities one after another, which shows that the issue is not with management, but that their technology has reached a bottleneck that they’ve been unable to break through.”

“As for external aspects, their product isn’t very unique, and many substitutes can be easily found on the market. They have poor innovation ability and think they can survive forever by sticking with the old system, but in fact, they were abandoned by the market long ago. If they had a glimmer of hope, they wouldn’t have ended up being acquired today.”

“If you acquire it and don’t change the direction of its operations, you’ll have to take over the old-fashioned management team. It’ll take a lot of manpower and material resources to drain it out before injecting fresh blood. The cost is too high and the loss too great.”

Pei Xi could admit that he didn’t have much hope for He Chuzhou at first, but the more he listened, the more he felt like something wasn’t right.

It wasn’t that He Chuzhou’s words were wrong. On the contrary, he was exactly right. This caused him to almost instantly give up his acquisition plan, which really added to the feeling of wrongness.

He quickly replied to the email, and couldn’t help but turn to look at He Chuzhou: “You…..”

He Chuzhou raised an eyebrow: “Me?”

Pei Xi attempted to organize some polite and euphemistic words: “Have you also considered acquiring this company, and your assistant told you about this in advance?”

“No, ah. Isn’t this something not worth considering at a glance?”

He Chuzhou was puzzled: “And why would my assistant tell me in advance?”

He said: “Yun Ji’s brain isn’t able to consider such things yet. When it comes to acquisitions or investments, he always uses my wealth as an excuse to persuade me to spend money and cast a wide net. After all, if you cast a wide net, you’ll eventually catch a big fish.”

This was different from what Pei Xi knew.

No, it should be said that this was different from the rumors Pei Xi had heard in the past.

But the questionable point was also obvious: “Your assistant gives you such casual advice?”

He Chuzhou stroked his chin thoughtfully: “He certainly doesn’t make a good assistant.”

Pei Xi didn’t understand: “What kind of identity does he have?”

He Chuzhou: “He’s my cousin, ah. He said this when he came to my house to play mahjong during the New Year.”

Cousin…..??

Pei Xi was truly astounded this time. He sat up a little straighter and looked at He Chuzhou in surprise: “Your assistant is your cousin?”

“Yeah, his major is suitable, and his ability is just enough. There should be no problem at all after a couple years of training. But, Honey,” He Chuzhou hissed, “shouldn’t you know all this? It was Yun Ji who brought us the rings with He Xingxing at our wedding. Have you forgotten?”

…..It would be strange if he remembered, right?

So out of all the rumors he’d heard about this person, only those about his face were true?

He was stunned speechless. 

Seeing that he was silent, He Chuzhou’s expression dimmed and he said: “Right, you must have been really reluctant to marry me, so you didn’t even notice such an obvious thing.”

Pei Xi: “……”

Pei Xi closed his eyes: “He Chuzhou, are you a part-time publicity copywriter for the company in addition to being the CEO?”

He Chuzhou: “No, ah, I don’t know how to copywrite. Why do you ask?”

Pei Xi was uncomprehending: “Isn’t that why you can make up such a detailed story?”

He Chuzhou: “Huh? What story?”

It was pointless to discuss this issue with him. Pei Xi couldn’t be bothered to talk nonsense, but after a short silence, he still wanted to ask clearly: “Do you know that people outside spread rumors about you?”

He Chuzhou: “I know a little bit about it.”

Pei Xi: “How much is a little bit?”

He Chuzhou: “That I’m uneducated, lazy, and a lustful playboy?”

Pei Xi: “Since you know, why don’t you make things clear?”

“Who should I make things clear to? And why should I give an explanation at all?”

He Chuzhou said in a relaxed tone: “They’re just rumors. They won’t actually affect my life. Not only does this make competitors less vigilant toward me, but it also lets me play the pig to eat the tiger when negotiating with partners. Isn’t it great?”

Pei Xi: “…..”

Pei Xi: “………”

It turned out that for so long, he had been controlled by such a trick.

He Cuzhou didn’t forget his original purpose: “Oh, right. Mom called and asked if we want to go home for dinner today.”

“No.” Pei Xi was still depressed.

“Okay then.” He Chuzhou didn’t force it.

Pei Xi sensed the figure hanging over the back of his chair disappear, but he didn’t hear anyone exit.

He didn’t know what He Chuzhou was doing behind his back. When he turned around, he heard He Chuzhou calmly explain to someone on the other end of the phone: “Mom, my wife and I are busy tonight, so we won’t be coming over. We’ll come to visit next week.”

Pei Xi’s mind went instantly blank.

The person on the other end of the phone was likely in a similar state, and didn’t say anything for a long time.

When Pei Xi realized that something might be wrong, a roar like a gust of wind howled out of the phone, clearly audible despite not being on speakerphone: 

“Wife? You brat, when did you get a wife?!”

“You got married and didn’t tell your mother? Or did you secretly learn some shady things outside and want to dangle it in my face?”

“Who is your wife? Do you have the guts to show me? Forget, I’ll come and see for myself!”

“I’m warning you, if you try to run away with that person and leave me empty-handed, I’ll send your head flying!”

When the call ended, Pei Xi was in a state of chaos.

He looked at He Chuzhou, who was shaking his head and thinking he’d made a misstep, and it took him a while to find his voice: “Aren’t you afraid your mother will leave empty-handed and send your head flying?”

He Chuzhou raised the phone toward him: “No, I’ve already sent her the address here.”

Pei Xi: “………”

Pei Xi: “ ? ? ? ? ? ”

This situation was truly unbearable. Pei Xi raised his voice by a degree: “What should I do when your mother comes over? Are you really going to inform her…..He Chuzhou, is there something wrong with your brain?!”

There was indeed something wrong with He Chuzhou’s brain. Even at this moment, he could still use his imagined narrative to comfort Pei Xi: “Honey, it’s okay. My mom would have found out sooner or later. She’s a really nice person, she’ll like you.”

He sighed and said: “Actually, I wanted to tell my parents when we got married, but I kept it a secret because I was afraid you would be uncomfortable and nervous. I figured the truth would eventually be exposed, but I didn’t expect it to be this soon.”

He didn’t expect this?

Didn’t he just openly say ‘my wife’ to his mother? And the key point was: “How could you hide a big event like marriage from your parents?”

He Chuzhou: “Honey, I’m an adult now. Isn’t it normal to hide important things?”

Okay, okay, okay. Never mind.

Pei Xi comforted himself. The problem wasn’t that big, and the matter wasn’t that complicated. Everything could be explained.

Besides, he should have explained his situation to his parents a long while ago, and he’d been confused these past two days. But wait, he suddenly recalled: “Didn’t you say your parents are abroad and won’t be back anytime soon?”

He Chuzhou touched his nose, his gaze drifting silently away.

Pei Xi ground his back molars and said: “He Chuzhou.”

He Chuzhou: “Oh, Xinxing’s water is out. Wait a minute, Honey, I’ll go get Xingxing some water. Son, are you thirsty? Come to your dad!”

He quickly slipped away.

At this point, Pei Xi couldn’t be bothered to care.

The most important thing right now was to figure out how to get rid of He Chuzhou when his mother came over, so that he could explain things to her alone.

But he didn’t foresee that He Chuzhou’s mother would arrive so quickly. Pei Xi didn’t hear the doorbell in time, which gave He Chuzhou the opportunity to open the door.

When he heard the noise and came out, He Chuzhou was blocking the door as he gave a stern warning to the person outside: “Let me make this clear first – you can meet Xixi, but you can’t be mean to him or criticize him, and you can’t persuade us to get a divorce.”

“Although I forced him to marry me, we’re together now, and what was supposed to happen has already happened. He’s the only one I like. No matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to break us up.”

Pei Xi really wanted to pinch himself to see if he was dreaming.

He bit the bullet and walked toward the door, but within a few steps, he heard the same roar that had come over the phone that morning: “You even learned how to coerce a lover?!”

“You forced someone to marry you?! Are you a bandit leader or a member of royalty?!”

“You’d better explain clearly what wicked things you’ve done behind my back!”

A heavy silence filled the area near the door.

Suddenly, a gloating, curious head popped up behind He Chuzhou’s mother.

The young girl’s big eyes darted around. After walking around her mother, she caught sight of Pei Xi, who was standing petrified in the back, and her eyes immediately widened.

*

*

Pei Xi: “The tea is out. Go out and buy some.”

He Chuzhou: “That’s okay. My mom and sister don’t drink tea, just give them boiled water.”

Pei Xi: “I want to drink it.”

He Chuzhou: “Ah? But if I leave, you’ll be alone with my mom and sister…..”

Pei Xi: “Don’t worry about me. I’ll explain everything to your mother, so you don’t need to stay here and add fuel to the fire.”

He Chuzhou: “What I mean is, you won’t be persuaded by them to divorce me again, right?”

Pei Xi: “…..”

He Chuzhou: “When I get back from buying tea, will you still be my wife?”

Pei Xi’s expression was blank: “If you don’t leave, I’ll stop being your wife now.”

He Chuzhou held his breath and quickly went to purchase tea.

Pei Xi returned to the living room. Facing the two pairs of eyes staring at him, he hesitated before simply taking a seat on the single sofa next to him. Looking toward the mother and daughter, he said in neither a humble nor arrogant manner: “Mrs. He, there’s been a misunderstanding. He Chuzhou and I aren’t married, nor are we in a relationship.”

“He only moved in here because of an accident, and he said those things purely because there is something wrong with his brain.”

. . . . .

He Chuzhou was very worried that his wife and his sister and mother, who had never met before, would end up in an uncontrollable situation, so he bought a bag of tea nearby and hurried back.

Unexpectedly, when he got home, Mrs. Chu and He Aiyue were already saying goodbye to Pei Xi.

“You’re leaving?” He was deeply surprised. When had his mom become so easy to get rid of?

“If we don’t leave, should we stay here? You’re crazy.”

Mrs. Chu had regained her noble, elegant demeanor. Holding her handbag, she looked her son up and down, then rolled her eyes and said: “I knew you couldn’t have successfully gotten yourself a wife. Tsk.”

That lackey He Aiyue hid behind her mother and nodded vigorously: “Oh, oh, oh, exactly, exactly.”

He Chuzhou didn’t understand: “That’s my wife, ah, what are you talking about?”

Ms. Chu had no need to reply to him. She said goodbye to Pei Xi with a smile, but when she turned toward He Chuzhou, her smile faded again. With a cold scoff, she walked out.

He Chuzhou glanced at Pei Xi, who was reclining on the sofa and calmly looking at his phone. After some thought, he followed his mother to the door, and after making sure he was in Pei Xi’s blind spot, he whispered to Mrs. Chu: “Mom, you didn’t say any nonsense to Xixi, did you?”

Mrs. Chu glared at him: “What nonsense would I say?”

He Chuzhou: “You didn’t persuade him to divorce me, did you?”

Mrs. Chu was momentarily speechless, then rolled her eyes even harder: “You really should marry him at some point.”

He Chuzhou: “Huh?”

Mrs. Chu: “Nothing. I’m leaving.”

He Aiyue happily followed her high-heeled steps down the hallway.

When passing by He Chuzhou, she tugged at his clothes and gave him a thumbs up, whispering: “Boss He, this is an opportunity from heaven, ah. Whether you can really turn over a new leaf depends on your own power of understanding!”

“I’m very satisfied with this sister-in-law. So is Mom! Go for it and win him over, I’ll give you half my New Year’s money in the future!”

The brain-addled He Chuzhou naturally didn’t understand what the mother and daughter were talking about, but it didn’t matter. He would understand everything once he got a good sleep and woke up. 

He was a forgetful person when drunk, but this experience seemed to let him remember things when he was out of his mind.

First he recalled the stupid things he’d done so enthusiastically., and then he called Mrs. Chu and got a scolding. Once he felt better, he finally went to Pei Xi and apologized for his missing brains.

The sober He Chuzhou was so tactful, polite, and sincere that Pei Xi was unable to vent his anger. It also caused him to reflect on whether he had treated the brain-addled He Chuzhou too harshly.

Was it possible to be more tolerant?

But the brain-addled He Chuzhou was so foolish that two out of three sentences that came from his mouth were a minefield, and the remaining sentence repeatedly challenged his bottom line.

However, He Chuzhou was aware of the trouble he had caused him, so he not only gave up competing with him for Mr. Zhang’s land, but also handed him several other decent projects…..

Pei Xi naturally didn’t want his things, but that didn’t stop him from reflecting on his own deception abilities in comparison to He Chuzhou’s frankness.

Ultimately, he couldn’t bear the pressure he put on himself and accepted his fate with an apology: “You don’t have to feel so guilty. I was actually at fault first. I’m sorry for misunderstanding you before.”

He Chuzhou: “Misunderstanding me? How did you misunderstand me?”

Pei Xi averted his gaze: “I believed all of those outside rumors before…..which is why I treated you so badly. I apologize.”

He Chuzhou was rather puzzled at first, but seeing Pei Xi’s rare awkward expression and recalling the questions he’d asked him in the study the other day, he instantly understood and even felt a little amused.

He was “famous” on the outside. Everyone in the circle was familiar with him, but because of so-called inclusivity and like-mindedness, they stuffed people into his bed. Perhaps they thought it was harmless, or even understood and respected it.

He’d never thought someone would dislike him because of this.

How could he describe this feeling?

It was as if everyone’s ideologies and morality assimilated after entering society, to the point that they could turn a blind eye to behaviors that fell below the standard. Pei Xi, however, was firmly upright and correct, and was unable to tolerate any moral corruption.

He couldn’t say the former were in the wrong for adapting to their social environment, but the latter was certainly worthy of praise. And because the person was Pei Xi, there also seemed to be an element of indescribable…..cuteness?

That might not be the right word to describe a grown man.

But at the thought of Pei Xi, who was haughty and condescending in front of him thinking “This person’s moral standards are too low, I can’t associate with him,” he couldn’t hold it in.

Pei Xi was already feeling uncomfortable, and frowned when he saw his expression: “What are you smiling about?”

“I’m not.” He Chuzhou tried hard to hold himself back. “I’m not smiling, I’m thinking.”

Pei Xi didn’t believe him: “What are you thinking about?”

He Chuzhou: “I’m thinking that, if you disliked me so much, why did you agree to let me stay here in the first place? Why didn’t you just toss out my luggage and kick me out?”

However, regarding this issue, Pei Xi’s answer was also very earnest: “Because you act really kind and upright when you’re brain-addled, which is very different from…..from how I thought you were.”

“Pfft!” This time, He Chuzhou couldn’t hold it in.

Pei Xi stared blankly, very much uncomprehending: “What are you laughing at?”

He Chuzhou: “Pei Xi, have you always been so innocent and soft-hearted?”

Pei Xi: “What?”

He Chuzhou: “Nothing.”

The corners of He Chuzhou’s mouth curved up. His eyes seemed to be soaked in laughter, softened into a pool of water overflowing with peach blossoms: “What I mean is, you’re really cute.

---

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