Chapter 3: Half Light, Half Cold

Lu Hong knew deep down that the excuse of brake failure was just a way to save face.

He had thought that hearing about Pei Yansi flaunting a new girlfriend on social media meant Shen Heyu had surely been abandoned and he could swoop in to pick up the pieces.

Seeing the crushed Ferrari, Lu Hong realized he had been too hasty.

Pei Yansi's expression remained unchanged as he said indifferently, "How much money to compensate you?"

"No worries, safety above all. President Pei has brought felicitations. If this one's broken, my dad will surely buy me an even better one."

Lu Hong, fearing Pei Yansi would settle scores, fled the scene in a panic.

The light in Pei Yansi's eyes was murky, reflected in his amber pupils was Shen Heyu's face.

"Get in the car."

Shen Heyu's lips curved subtly.

"There's a banquet at five, attended by President Chen and President Li, involving the Beiyuan project."

"You get along well with them, you know what to do."

His face was unreadable, his tone icy and devoid of emotion.

It was all strictly business.

At that moment, she was merely a socially adept employee by his side.

Shen Heyu nodded indifferently, but the bitterness within her surged like a stormy sea.

Perhaps without this banquet, Pei Yansi wouldn't have come to find her.

"Wait, let's get you changed first."

Shen Heyu frowned only to see Pei Yansi's gaze fixed on her leg; the black tights she wore had ripped during the earlier scuffle with Lu Hong.

Pei Yansi's eyes, cold and clear, flickered with complex emotions which he quickly suppressed.

Shen Heyu paid no attention to it, considering her clothes inadequate for the banquet anyway.

Near the banquet venue was a luxury store.

Unhesitatingly, Shen Heyu chose a red dress; her striking looks accented by the red made her all the more captivating.

She let down her coiled hair; waves accompanied by exquisite makeup rendered her breathtakingly gorgeous.

She only appeared this enchanting at banquets; on regular days, she knew well that Pei Yansi favored the innocent bunny types like Bai Sheng'er.

Pei Yansi stood not far from the changing room waiting for her, his gaze toward her deep and slightly sinking.

When Shen Heyu looked over, he had already started walking away.

She quickly followed him in her high heels; this man never glanced back at her.

At the banquet, amidst the mingling lights and the clinking of glasses, Shen Heyu blended in swiftly.

She was not only good at socializing but also at drinking.

After numerous drinks, her cheeks blushed slightly, and several tycoons were quite pleased with her company.

"The Pei Family's proposal has been under our review recently. If possible, we would like a more detailed discussion with Miss Shen."

Usually, at this point, Pei Yansi would take over, discussing project details.

But Shen Heyu suddenly realized that the person beside her had disappeared at some point.

Her eyes narrowed slightly, as through a hazy sight, she saw Pei Yansi not far away. Dressed in his elegant and dignified attire, he was taking a phone call, his handsome brow slightly knit with worry.

He was concerned about someone else.

Or rather.

It was Bai Sheng'er.

Her throat grew hoarse, her cheeks now burning hot, a discomfort rising in her stomach.

Shen Heyu stepped closer and heard Pei Yansi's usually cold voice unusually tender, "Stay there, I'll be right there."

After hanging up the phone, he didn't even spare a glance for Shen Heyu beside him, ready to leave straightaway.

Shen Heyu grabbed his wrist; the man turned back, his amber eyes showing surprise amidst the urgency.

He was in a foul mood, and though she didn't know what had happened, she still gently reminded Pei Yansi.

"Today's project competition is fierce. If you leave now, the two presidents will think our group lacks sincerity."

Pausing, Shen Heyu watched Pei Yansi's furrowed eyebrows and sighed inaudibly.

"You can have the driver pick her up first, and after we're done here, you should be able to go see her."

Pei Yansi thought about it for a moment, then nodded. Shen Heyu gave the driver instructions, gave a self-deprecating smile, and then turned back to continue drinking and toasting with the presidents.

The wine rolled down his throat, no longer tasty, but astringent and spicy.

After the details of the project were discussed, Pei Yansi left Shen Heyu drinking merrily, making his way to the rest room, weary and dusty.

Shen Heyu's lips curled into a shattered, thin smile.

"To a pleasant cooperation."

She downed her drink, and only when her stomach could no longer bear it did she slowly get up and leave the scene.

Shen Heyu pushed open the door to the rest room.

Inside was only Bai Sheng'er.

She was curled up in a chair, her porcelain-white legs exposed, revealing a new wound that had been dabbed with iodine.

The corners of her beautiful almond-shaped eyes were red, clearly from crying over the injuries.

Bai Sheng'er looked cautiously at Shen Heyu and called out softly with a gentle voice, "Director Shen…"

Shen Heyu, in fiery red and breathtakingly beautiful, her long eyebrows slightly raised over her distant and indifferent phoenix eyes.

She was the polar opposite of Bai Sheng'er.

And of that man too.

She nodded slightly, her voice cold, "Where is President Pei?"

Bai Sheng'er, with her tearful almond eyes, looked timid and somewhat uneasy. It seemed to take her a long time to reply softly, "I had a stomach ache, so President Pei went to buy me some jujube milk."

Shen Heyu was momentarily staggered, somewhat bewildered.

So Pei Yansi wasn't always cold-hearted.

He knew to buy a warm drink for a girl during her period.

Back when they were together, when her period had caught her off guard in the middle of the night and she was writhing in pain, he had just calmly gotten up, thrown her a box of painkillers, and then put on his clothes and left.

Perhaps the contrast was too stark, and without realizing it, Shen Heyu's mood softened a bit.

Bai Sheng'er, slightly frightened, shrank her neck and with a nasal voice that seemed to see a savior, called out, "President Pei, you are back."

Shen Heyu masked the emotions at the bottom of her eyes as Pei Yansi brushed past her as if she didn't exist, delivering the jujube milk to Bai Sheng'er first.

"Be careful, it's hot."

Today Pei Yansi was dressed in a black suit, noble and icy.

Yet now he knelt on one knee, leveling himself with Bai Sheng'er seated on the chair.

Holding the jujube milk, which was starkly different from his icy demeanor, he even carefully brought it to Bai Sheng'er's lips.

After watching Bai Sheng'er drink half the bottle, Pei Yansi finally turned his gaze toward Shen Heyu.

"Everything settled?"

Shen Heyu nodded.

Pei Yansi's voice was cold, devoid of any emotion, "Then take Bai Sheng'er back home."

Shen Heyu chuckled lightly, spreading her hands, "If you don't mind me smelling a bit like alcohol."

He frowned slightly, "The driver will drive, you're just accompanying her. She has difficulty walking, support her up the stairs."

Bai Sheng'er was flattered and wanted to refuse, but then she heard Shen Heyu's smiling voice.

"Alright."

Half graceful, half cold.