Chapter 23 (2/2): Down-and-out young master

Zhong Sheng quickly said, “No rush. You drank a lot tonight. It’s not safe to wait here alone. Everyone drank a lot; the entrance is chilly, let’s stand here a bit and sober up.”

Joking aside, no one dared to leave the Taiziye alone here.

With Zhong Sheng’s words, everyone stayed and waited by the entrance.

Lan Hui arrived at Jiangnan Hao and was stunned by the scene, her mouth forming an ‘O’.

But having seen big events before, she remained calm.

The car parked steadily. Without waiting for the bodyguard to open the door, she stepped out smiling and ran towards Peng Kai.

“Brother Kai, have you been waiting long?”

The girl’s waist-length hair, white long coat, matching white snow boots, clear features with light makeup, and sparkling eyes made her look pure and radiant.

The men present couldn’t take their eyes off her.

She looked exactly like a man’s first love.

“Not long. We just got down,” Peng Kai said with affection, reaching out his hand.

Lan Hui naturally linked her arm with his, showing intimacy.

He then introduced her formally, “This is my girlfriend, Yue Fu.”

Lan Hui waved to everyone, smiling warmly. “Hello!”

Everyone responded with smiles and friendly greetings.

One man teased, “Peng Kai, you said you don’t care about looks when picking a girlfriend. I almost believed you!”

“Haha, me too. But after seeing your girlfriend, if she’s not beautiful, then there’s no beauty in the world.”

Peng Kai accepted the compliments with a smile and handed out cigarettes to everyone.

Lan Hui chatted casually for a moment, then held Peng Kai’s hand and got into the car.

The bodyguard personally opened the door.

As they got in, another bodyguard quickly followed.

The black G-Class sped away from Jiangnan Hao.

Everyone was shocked. “What’s Peng Kai’s real identity? Driving such a fancy car and with bodyguards?”

“I thought he was just a rich second generation, but clearly he’s more than that.”

“I saw him drive a black Volkswagen to work this morning, looked so normal.”

“Better not offend him easily.”

Gu Shinan felt a whirlwind of emotions but forced a smile.

The person who should be standing next to Peng Kai was her!

But then again, that girl was so beautiful, she must have been found after Peng Kai recognized his lineage. With his previous poor image, how could any girl want to be with him, especially such a delicate one?

If the girl was only with Peng Kai for money, how much could he really love her?

She refused to believe that seven years of love with Peng Kai couldn’t compete with this girl.

As long as Peng Kai wasn’t married, she still had the right and chance to compete.

She wouldn’t give up easily.

On the way home, Lan Hui wrinkled her nose at Peng Kai’s lingering alcohol scent.

“Brother Kai, how much did you drink tonight?”

Peng Kai rolled down the window to let the air out.

“It was a celebration for me joining the Project Department. Everyone kept toasting me; I couldn’t refuse, so I drank more than usual.”

“I’ll buy you some hangover medicine later. Don’t suffer later.”

“Okay.” Peng Kai’s voice was gentle. He wanted to hug her, but thinking of her dislike for his smell, he gave up.

***

The next day, Peng Kai had to go on a business trip with Gu Shinan. He was helpless.

Since they were in the same team, working or traveling together was inevitable. He couldn’t refuse.

He resolved to endure it for a while and then ask Zhong Sheng for a transfer in a month.

He asked Gu Shinan, “How long will this trip take?”

Gu Shinan took a sip of water, “If all goes well, about two days.”

Peng Kai nodded, “Got it.”

He immediately messaged Lan Hui about the trip.

Lan Hui asked, “When do you leave?”

Peng Kai replied, “6 p.m. flight. I’ll be home by 4 to pack, so I can’t pick you up after work. I’ll have the driver do it.”

“Okay.”

Lan Hui reminded him of some daily precautions.

Peng Kai said, “I wish you could come with me. I really miss you.”

Lan Hui laughed, “Everyone has their own work. We focus on work when we’re working, love passionately during free time, and when you come back from the trip, I’ll personally pick you up at the airport, okay?”

Lan Hui felt that since Peng Kai started working, he was even clingier than before.

He seemed very insecure.

She didn’t understand why!

She felt she hadn’t changed.

Instead, he was juggling work and the repair shop, and they barely saw each other for more than two hours a day.

“Alright, I’ll listen to the Little Housekeeper,” Peng Kai had no objections.

But his heart felt empty.

Fu Fu was too good, too understanding—making him feel like she cared less.

She understood him working with his ex-girlfriend.

Now she understood him going on a trip with his ex too.

Did she really not mind?

Many online say not minding means not caring, and not caring means not loving.

But Fu Fu was clearly very good to him, always close and affectionate—they had a good relationship.

Lan Hui returned home from work and looked at the large room, feeling a little uncomfortable.

Though she rarely slept with Peng Kai since he often came home late, just knowing he always returned made her heart warm.

Now that he was away for two days, the house felt cold and empty.

Lan Hui decided to video call Peng Kai after her shower.

In H City, Peng Kai had just finished showering and was about to look over some documents when there was a knock at the door.

Peng Kai frowned. Could it be room service?

He hurried to open it.

“It’s you?” 

Gu Shinan stood there, apparently showered too. Her hair was damp, and she smelled nice.

Gu Shinan smiled, “We have a contract signing tomorrow. I want to review the documents with you tonight so we don’t run out of time.”

Peng Kai frowned, “So late, isn’t this inappropriate?”

Gu Shinan boldly replied, “What’s inappropriate? We’re talking about work, not doing anything shady. Besides, don’t you want to go back early? If tomorrow goes well, we can leave half a day early.”

Peng Kai’s heart stirred. “How about the lobby? I remember there’s a small lounge area where we can work.”

Gu Shinan was helpless. “I thought of that first, but it’s already occupied, or I wouldn’t have come up.”

Peng Kai had no choice and stepped aside. “Come in.”

To avoid misunderstandings, he didn’t close the door.

Gu Shinan went straight to a small table and sat, focusing on the documents.

Ten minutes later, room service brought in four or five small dishes.

Gu Shinan smiled, “Let’s eat something before staying up late. Otherwise, I won’t have energy.”

Peng Kai said, “You eat. I’m not hungry.”

Gu Shinan invited, “Eat with me.”

“No, thanks.”

Peng Kai returned to his documents.

Lan Hui lay on the bed with a face mask, video calling Peng Kai.

Peng Kai almost dropped his phone when he saw the call request.

Gu Shinan, eating nearby, asked in surprise, “What’s wrong?”

Peng Kai nervously said, “My girlfriend’s calling me on video!” He looked at Gu Shinan. “Maybe you should leave. She’d wonder if she saw you here.”

Gu Shinan didn’t want to leave, pointing to the dishes. “There are four or five dishes, two sets of chopsticks and bowls, and a big box.”

“Won’t your girlfriend be suspicious? You might as well show her openly—we’re working, not doing anything wrong.”

Peng Kai hesitated.

Gu Shinan continued, “Why aren’t you answering? If you don’t, she’ll really get suspicious.”

Peng Kai thought she was right. He’d done nothing wrong, so no need to hide.

He answered the call. “Fu Fu, not asleep yet?”

Lan Hui smiled, “No, just finished showering, was going to video you before bed.”

Peng Kai nodded.

Lan Hui said, “Show me your hotel room? I heard Chen Group’s benefits are great—employees stay in five-star hotels on business trips.”

Peng Kai’s expression stiffened.

Lan Hui noticed, “What’s wrong? Is it inconvenient?”

Peng Kai shook his head, “No, not inconvenient.”

He turned the camera to Gu Shinan. “Fu Fu, my colleague and I are working overtime. We’re not doing anything else. The door is open, so don’t overthink.”

Gu Shinan waved at Lan Hui on camera. “Hello, beauty.”

Lan Hui smiled and greeted back.

Peng Kai then showed the open door before turning the camera to himself. “Fu Fu, you’re not mad, right?”

Lan Hui laughed, “Not mad. What’s there to be mad about? I understand you. Show me your room.”

“Okay.” Peng Kai smiled and panned over the room and bathroom.

Lan Hui sighed, “No wonder it’s five-star. Looks nice. The treatment’s great.”

Peng Kai said, “Next trip, I’ll bring you.”

Lan Hui looked at the time—it was nearly 10:30. “Brother Kai, I’m going to sleep now. So tired. You should rest early too.”

Peng Kai smiled and nodded, “Good night, Fu Fu.”

As the call ended, Peng Kai’s expression darkened. “You should go. I need to rest.”

Gu Shinan was reluctant. “We haven’t finished the documents. Let’s work another hour; maybe we can leave early the day after tomorrow.”

“I said, I need to rest.”

Peng Kai’s voice was cold as ice.

Sensing his mood, Gu Shinan didn’t say more. “Alright, I’m going.”

It didn’t matter—there was no rush. She still had chances.