Volume One, Chapter Nine: Aren’t We Working Together Now?

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Xu Qingning said she had never seen Pei Xi like this before, and that was no exaggeration. After all, previously Pei Xi had only “married” her home; outside of their occasional “dates,” she had never witnessed how he handled matters.

“So, Qingqing likes me like this?”

Xu Qingning swallowed and replied, “Very handsome! President Pei, remember to show off your charm more often!”

After saying this, Xu Qingning hummed a little tune as she got out of the car.

Watching her back, Pei Xi smiled and shook his head. It seemed that relying on beauty to tempt others was indeed a good strategy.

After preparing breakfast, Pei Xi went to the company.

Just as he entered the office, Pei Lin came in.

“Xiao Xi, why are you here so early today? You just got married; you should spend more time with your little lady, don’t let her feel neglected.”

“I heard you didn’t go home last night? Did you stay at a hotel or…”

Staying at a hotel not only cost money but also meant Pei Xi’s movements wouldn’t be monitored by him. To avoid any unexpected events, he had to ensure every move Pei Xi made was under his watch.

Hearing this, Pei Xi took a piece of paper from his pocket. “The home was too simple, and I worried Qingqing wouldn’t like it, so I went to the Pei family hotel.”

“Second uncle knows the price of our family hotel well enough, so just put it on your account. See…”

Since it was the Pei family’s hotel, Pei Lin felt more at ease and waved his hand. “Hey, we’re family, no need for formalities. It’s my fault; I was strict about your expenses before because I was afraid you’d pick up bad habits.”

“So, I’ll cancel your spending limit when I go back. From now on, you two live your little life well.”

Pei Xi couldn’t hide his joy hearing this. “Thanks in advance, second uncle!”

As he reached the door, he turned back and posed in an elder’s manner.

“But, Xiao Xi, as someone who’s been through it, I still have to remind you: this Pei family fortune didn’t come from the wind. Many people want to latch onto the Pei family now. You’re still young; it’s not a bad thing to be cautious.”

This statement almost publicly implied that Xu Qingning was someone after the Pei family wealth.

Pei Xi twitched his mouth. “Second uncle, I understand. But Qingqing and I have a good relationship.”

Ungrateful brat! Pei Lin snorted and left.

Meanwhile, Xu Qingning, just stepping out to buy some things, felt several people tailing her.

Tsk, not a moment’s peace all day.

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According to the original plot, she should have been knocked unconscious and taken away while trying on clothes.

Then, those people would use her safety to test how important she was in Pei Xi’s heart.

The whole act was to make the other side firmly believe that Pei Xi couldn’t do without her—he even handed out the family seal.

But this time, Xu Qingning didn’t want to follow the script.

The importance of the family seal needed no explanation. In the original plot’s end, even though Pei Xi had grown strong, lacking that seal meant others stubbornly refused to acknowledge him.

She chose the snack section with many people, browsing casually while calling Pei Xi on her phone.

The system notification popped up again:

[Hidden point triggered, do you want to activate it?]

Xu Qingning confirmed and heard Pei Xi’s voice on the other end.

“Qingqing, what’s up?”

“Missed you! Saw some little rats, got a bit itchy.”

“Hmm, it’s a pity you can’t watch the show in person. Be careful; I’ll cook something good for you tonight.”

“And abs! Abs!” She clenched her tiny fists. This time, she wouldn’t let the two of them be as awkward as last time!

Ending the call, she headed toward the mall’s exit.

If she remembered correctly, there was an alley behind the mall without surveillance.

Pretending to be lost, she successfully lured the three tailing men out.

As they gradually approached and recognized her, their ill intent surfaced. “Guys, this little lady’s quite pretty. Besides what we were ordered, maybe do something else too!”

Their disgusting laughter made Xu Qingning nauseous, almost vomiting last night’s meal. Not wanting to waste time, she slipped off her high heels and pulled the thin chain tied around her waist.

“Oh, so eager? I like it, I’ll go first, I’ll go first!”

Before they could get close, the chain snapped fiercely across one’s face, leaving a bloody mark. Seeing their companion struck, the others rushed in. Xu Qingning quickly wrapped the chain around her hand and recalled close combat techniques from her special training, dealing with them swiftly.

Feeling the wind behind her, Xu Qingning instinctively turned and stepped back just in time to dodge a knife thrust. She dropped low to the side and threw a punch; the attacker’s knife fell to the ground as he clutched his injured companion, wailing in pain.

Xu Qingning flicked her hand disdainfully, thinking she’d need to wash her hands three times when she got home. After confirming none of them could fight back, she took out her phone and called the police.

Once she tidied herself up, she crouched down and patted one of their faces.

“Really, why do bad things when you could do better?”

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“If you get out, remember to tell your employer that using us rookies was your bad luck!”

Uncle Hat arrived quickly at the scene, but Xu Qingning had just left.

Pei Xi’s call came just then. “Finished?”

Xu Qingning nodded, then, thinking Pei Xi couldn’t see, said, “Just ran into some dirty things, needed someone’s handsomeness to cure it.”

“Then, Qingqing, come back?”

Hearing this, Xu Qingning hurriedly turned around but saw no sign of Pei Xi. “Pei Xixi, are you playing me?”

A light laugh came. “Qingqing, look up.”

The mall’s big screen displayed a Pei Corporation advertisement. Pei Xi’s face took up half the screen—roughly the same as seeing the real person.

Xu Qingning chuckled. “Pei Xixi, you’re just fooling me with this ad!”

“I’m not that easy to fool. Besides abs, you should figure out how to make up for me with your charm!”

“All right~ Whatever the madam says.”

Being called madam by him made her cheeks flush, so she hung up and pressed the back of her hand to her face to cool down.

“Pei Xi, you really are a male fox spirit!”

Looking at the screen of her ended call, Pei Xi opened their chat window.

[Qingqing, why the sudden urge to fight back today?]

[Dummy! We’re a team now! No need to save problems for the end when we can solve them early!]

[I want beer crab for dinner! Greedy cat.jpg]

The emoji was a cute self-made caricature of Xu Qingning.

Pei Xi saved it immediately.

He glanced at their chat background— their marriage certificate photo.

“Too bad the photo isn’t big enough, or it could be the wallpaper.”

“Not enough, we still need to take more photos together, Qingqing.”