Volume One, Chapter 14: I Will Wait, Waiting for You to Give Me a Chance

Xu Qingning hesitated to think further. Of course, she wouldn’t foolishly assume that Pei Xi liked her, yet she felt there was nothing particularly valuable about herself either.

“Surely Pei Xi isn’t actually a scoundrel who enjoys toying with feelings?”

“That doesn’t feel right either! Or could he be a psychopathic killer who finishes with someone and then gets rid of them?”

Her mind raced through countless terrifying scenarios. Perhaps sensing her deep misunderstanding, Pei Xi’s call came through.

The sudden ring startled Xu Qingning, almost causing her to drop her phone.

After answering, Pei Xi’s voice came through: “Qingqing, I’m back. Just wanted to let you know.”

“Ah? Oh, okay.”

“I drank a bit too much tonight. I’m going to finish my sobering soup and then take a shower. What are you up to?”

“Nothing much. I was just chatting with Mom, listening to her talk about the past.”

As she spoke, Xu Qingning began humming, completely forgetting she had just labeled him as someone with ill intentions.

Pei Xi didn’t interrupt; he quietly played the call on speaker, listening to her hum.

When she finished, he applauded softly. “That was beautiful. Next time, Qingqing, sing for me again—I want to be your only audience.”

“That’s nothing. I’ll even let you choose the song.”

“Great, I’ll look forward to it.”

They exchanged words casually, neither mentioning the earlier incident downstairs.

When it came to feelings, Xu Qingning had a tendency to bury her head in the sand. Faced with difficulties, she wanted to escape and shield herself, only to appear carefree once the moment passed.

At that moment, she thought: maybe it’s best to maintain the status quo and pretend nothing happened.

If the truth only brought pain to both of them, it was better to set it aside for a while, to cover her ears and deceive herself for a time.

But Pei Xi clearly thought differently. He had waited until now to have a chance to be with Xu Qingning.

If not for the past, his Qingqing would have been passionate and free, someone who dared to express herself, not forever trapped in the shadows of yesterday.

If a bird was caged, he would be the one to free her.

“Qingqing, I like you.”

The sudden confession left Xu Qingning stunned. Before she could ask anything, Pei Xi spoke again.

“Qingqing, love is freedom and light. So if my feelings make you sad, I am willing to restrain myself for now.”

“But that doesn’t mean my feelings for you will lessen. On the contrary, I will keep them in my heart, waiting for the day you choose to embrace them.”

Pei Xi paused, as if adjusting something, and soft music began to play faintly.

His words mingled with the melody, making Xu Qingning’s heart skip a beat. “Qingqing, I will wait—for you to give me a chance, a chance to accept me.”

“So Qingqing, don’t feel pressured. You are free to be yourself, to do as you wish.”

Xu Qingning didn’t respond directly. After a few seconds of silence, she uttered a few English words.

“Kiss The Rain.”

“Hmm, you like it, Qingqing?”

She walked into the room, climbed onto the windowsill, and looked up at the bright moonlight. “Yes, I do.”

“Pei Xi, thank you. Tomorrow, I want to eat your sweet and sour pork.”

The man opposite her laughed. “Alright, I’ll pick you up after work tomorrow.”

After hanging up, Xu Qingning glanced at the call log on her phone and restored her carefree smile.

She decided to give it a try, just like every time before.

Perhaps touched by her mood, even the moonlight seemed a little brighter than before.

Pei Xi, preparing to leave early again, was stopped at the door by Pei Lin’s assistant.

“Young Master Pei, Second Master wants to see you.”

“...Got it. I’ll be there soon.”

“The Second Master says I should come along with you.”

Tch, that old man was stirring up trouble again.

Pei Xi glanced at the time. “Fine, the sooner the better. I need to pick my lady up.”

Upon arriving at Pei Lin’s office, he was stopped once more.

“Young Master Pei, the Second Master is in a meeting. Please wait.”

Leaning against the wall, Pei Xi suggested, “How about I go pick her up first, and after dinner with my lady, I’ll come see Second Uncle?”

The secretary lowered their head, disdainful: What’s with the attitude? Just a lovesick fool!

But considering the Second Master’s instructions, they bowed again. “The Second Master says it will be over soon. Please wait a little longer.”

“At most two minutes. Secretary Zhao might not know, but I just got married, and I can’t bear to be apart from my wife even for a second!”

Before Secretary Zhao could say more, the intercom buzzed, calling Pei Xi in.

“Young Master Pei, please.”

Inside the office were several shareholders backing Pei Lin. As soon as Pei Xi entered, they launched verbal attacks.

“Oh, who did I think it was? This Young Master Pei usually never worries about anything, but lately, he’s been leaving early all the time.”

“You have no idea how expensive daily life is! Leaving everything to the Second Master to handle.”

“Exactly. When I was Young Master Pei’s age, I worked day and night to support my family, barely sleeping or eating. Not as relaxed as this!”

They all chimed in, while Pei Lin sat silently at his desk. When they finished, he finally spoke calmly.

“Everyone, we make money to ensure our families live well.”

“Now that Young Master Pei is living well, my hard work hasn’t been in vain. There’s no need to be so harsh with the young man.”

After more compliments, he looked at Pei Xi.

“But Xiaoxi, I know you’re with the girl you like now, so it’s understandable you’re so inseparable.”

“However, as the company’s heir, leading by example is important. Leaving early invites criticism.”

“You’ve got a wedding and honeymoon coming up. Though I can cover for you, I’m not the head of the Pei family. Some things will be difficult…”

Someone quickly responded, “This is nothing. We’re family. Let Young Master Pei hand over the leadership to Second Master first. After having children and settling down, he can take over again.”

This earned immediate agreement.

Pei Xi smiled faintly, watching them lay their cards out plainly before him.

“Strangers would think you all are the Pei family, and I’m the outsider.”

“The family head position was passed down to me by my father, and I’ve passed the heir’s assessment.”

“So, I shouldn’t have to remind you who the head of the family is.”

Pei Xi put his hands in his pockets. “If Second Uncle is too busy, you can take your vacation days early. That way, no one can say I don’t consider my elders.”

“I’ve got to pick up my wife now. Everyone, I’m off.”