Chapter 5: A Visitor

Pei Wang had no idea what his friends and that little beggar had been whispering about.

He only saw them all beaming with smiles and laughter, appearing as if they had already become a tight-knit group. Yu Xi, sitting in the center, was no longer restless as he had been at the start. He chimed in from time to time, his lips curving to reveal a hint of a canine tooth as he smiled sweetly.

This was the exact opposite of the scene Pei Wang had wanted to see.

The sparkling wine in his hand tasted bitter. When he saw them actually lining up to add Yu Xi as a friend, Pei Wang finally couldn’t hold back and stepped forward.

“What are you guys—”

Before he could finish, someone immediately pulled him aside, fearing he would ruin the harmonious atmosphere.

“We’ve already tested him for you.”

Pei Wang furrowed his brows. “And?”

“He’s fine. Don’t overthink it from now on.” Seeing that Pei Wang wanted to argue, the person tugged at his arm. “Xiao Xi is a good kid with no bad intentions. Don’t you trust our judgment of people?”

In circles of a certain status, even the most playboy-like rich heirs were as sharp as needles. They had seen everyone; they could tell at a glance what someone’s motives were. They had seen plenty of sycophants and hypocrites, but someone like Yu Xi… was quite a rarity.

It was strange; he was the type of person who made you want to like him the moment you saw him.

“So, treat him better. Don’t bully him anymore, you hear me?”

“…” Pei Wang gave a non-committal “Oh.”

At that moment, someone walked back in from outside, looking mysterious. “Hey guys, guess what I just found out!”

This failed to interrupt the group gathered at the corner sofa. Their attention was still on the youth sitting in the middle, arguing incessantly over what color clothes suited him best.

But the person who entered remained undeterred, continuing with uncontrollable excitement: “I found out there are waiters waiting at the door of the Cloud One private room!”

This sentence finally caught some people’s attention.

“Cloud One? Is someone in there??”

The newcomer said, “Definitely. I saw someone bringing in wine and fruit platters.”

Someone gasped. “Did you see who was inside?”

“That, I don’t know…”

“I bet it’s the Sheng twins. After all, no one else is back yet.”

“True. Lin Shuhuai is abroad, and Zhang Xingkuo is away for a competition… As for that one from the Gu family, you might not see him once in a whole year. It’s definitely not him.”

Yu Xi, who had been spacing out because he didn’t understand the topic, suddenly lifted his head. His eyes, as pure and translucent as obsidian, widened into circles as he pricked up his ears to listen closely.

The person who discovered the news suggested, “Should we all go over to that room and say hello?”

“Huh? Are you serious?”

“If you’re thinking of networking with them, I suggest you drop it. That circle isn’t something you can just intervene in.”

“Saying hello elsewhere is fine, but don’t even dream of entering that room. Only their inner circle is qualified.”

Clearly, no one thought it was a good idea.

“Sigh… although everyone’s family is well-off, there’s a world of difference between rich people. Just take this club for instance—besides that one from the Gu family, who else could open it? And he’s only a few years older than us…”

“Don’t even compare anyone to that guy surnamed Gu. He’s not even human, okay? You won’t find one person in a thousand who can reach his height.”

“Exactly. He was already sitting at the same table as our parents’ generation long ago. Aside from a few childhood friends, I’ve never seen him get truly close to any peer.”

The words of the group were filled with undisguised praise and admiration. Yu Xi heard it all.

He lowered his long lashes, masking the emotions in his eyes.

The topic passed quickly, and no one mentioned it again as the previous atmosphere returned, though Yu Xi remained somewhat distracted afterward.

“Are you a bit tired? Should we head back early?” the blonde boy asked timely.

“Ah, going back so soon? I was thinking of having lunch with Xiao Xi.”

The others were reluctant, even suggesting that everyone just go to the Pei house for lunch since Pei Wang’s mom wasn’t home anyway.

Pei Wang, listening to them make decisions for him, was speechless. “Hey…”

“What? Not happy about it? Don’t get it twisted; we want to send Xiao Xi home and have lunch with him. You can go play wherever you want.”

Though he knew it was a joke, Pei Wang was still fuming.

Coincidentally, speak of the devil and she shall appear. The door to the private room was suddenly pushed open with a “thud,” followed by the crisp, decisive sound of high heels.

The sound of those footsteps immediately triggered a conditioned reflex deep in Pei Wang’s bones. Before he could even turn to look, his skin tightened in mental alarm.

Sure enough, the next second, he heard that nightmare of a voice.

“Pei! Wang!”

At the same time, his ear was hoisted up by a hand and twisted a full three hundred and sixty degrees.

The pain stripped Pei Wang of all his “young master” dignity. He shrunk his neck and pleaded with the newcomer, “I was wrong, I was wrong! Let go, my ear’s gonna fall off! Mom—”

The person who arrived was Pei Wang’s biological mother, who was supposed to be abroad: Pei Lexin. She was still wearing her sharp, serious business suit, looking travel-worn as if she hadn’t even taken off her coat. She had rushed straight here after landing, breaking into a sweat from the haste.

This petite but formidable woman possessed no small amount of strength. With just one hand, she had her son begging for mercy. “What did I tell you before I left? I told you to take good care of Xiao Xi, and you brought him here instead!”

Pei Lexin had a huge reputation in the circle. In her youth, she had enjoyed life to the fullest and had friends everywhere. After her parents’ health failed, she took over the family business as the only daughter. Relying on her own abilities, she carved out a world for herself, growing the small family business bit by bit.

Once, at a business function, her counterpart belittled her gender and spoke flippantly, “advising” her that a woman shouldn’t be too ambitious and needed a man to run the house. She immediately left the table with a cold face, and the cooperation naturally fell through. Afterward, she used her vast network to repeatedly sabotage or intercept the man’s business, leaving him no way out until he was forced to lower his head and apologize at her doorstep.

After that battle, no one in the industry dared to look down on her because of her delicate appearance. The reputation spread that one should provoke anyone but the Pei woman; her decisiveness and vigor were known to all.

The juniors present now looked like mice seeing a cat, instinctively straightening their postures and lowering their heads, not daring to make a sound.

Only one person spoke up softly: “Auntie Pei…”

“Oh.” Pei Lexin responded immediately, her face changing instantly as she gave Yu Xi a tender smile. “Xiao Xi, don’t worry. I’ll teach this unfilial son a lesson for bullying you.”

As she spoke, her grip tightened, and Pei Wang wailed even louder.

Yu Xi quickly grabbed Pei Lexin’s other hand and gave it a shake. “Auntie Pei, he didn’t bully me. He brought me out to play. Please let him go.”

Pei Lexin didn’t quite believe it. She knew her son’s nature best; bringing him here definitely involved ill intentions. But seeing that Yu Xi was truly anxious, she huffed and let go. “For your sake, I’ll let him off this time. Come on, we’re going home.”

…

Pei Lexin arrived like a whirlwind and left just as fast, leading the two away and leaving the room full of people staring at each other.

Everything that had happened from start to finish was captured by the cameras in the four corners of the ceiling and projected perfectly onto a wide electronic screen.

In the private room named “Cloud One,” separated by several walls. The thick curtains were tightly closed, letting not a sliver of light leak in. The dark environment allowed the only glowing screen to present ultra-clear picture quality. The surveillance footage from four different angles was visible in minute detail.

On the long table where the monitor sat, a hand with distinct joints was resting. Long fingers loosely held the base of a wine glass, casually swirling the deep red liquid.

The wine served only to heighten the mood, making the “feast” even more delicious and pleasurable. What the man was truly savoring was the youth on the screen.

He had been deliberately zoomed in, with all the annoying, irrelevant people removed, until the entire screen contained only the youth’s face.

Every smile, every word, every action—even every quiver of his long lashes—was etched into the man’s deep eyes.

A long finger rose, landing between the youth’s eyebrows, stroking inch by inch. The light from the screen reflected the youth’s face into the man’s eyes, where it was swept up and consumed by a terrifyingly intense emotion.

“Xi Xi…” A low voice sounded, carrying a subtle sigh that seemed like longing, like resentment, like hatred… and yet like a name called countless times in the depths of his heart. All complex emotions converged in those two words.

… Yu Xi, about to get into the car, paused and turned his head as if sensing something.

“Xiao Xi?” Pei Lexin, sitting inside, called out.

Yu Xi snapped out of it and sat in the car.

On the way to Huze Junting, Pei Lexin couldn’t stop looking at him, as if she feared he was missing a limb, showered him with concern.

Yu Xi answered her softly, stealing a glance at the front. He happened to meet Pei Wang’s resentment-filled gaze in the rearview mirror. Startled, he shivered and shrunk back.

“Are you cold? Xiao Zhang, turn the AC up.” Pei Lexin immediately instructed the driver, then thought better of it. “Never mind, turn it off. Open the windows; with better ventilation, it’s easier for Xiao Xi to avoid carsickness.”

Yu Xi: “It’s no trouble, Auntie Pei…”

Pei Lexin patted his hand, interrupting him. “It’s a small thing. By the way, I brought you a gift from abroad. It’s in the suitcase; we’ll look at it when we get home.”

Yu Xi felt a warmth in his heart and nodded with a smile. “Okay, thank you, Auntie Pei.”

On the ride home this time, with Pei Lexin chatting with him and the driver intentionally slowing down to drive extremely steadily, Yu Xi didn’t feel carsick at all.

Pei Lexin had rushed back after finishing her business overnight, not closing her eyes for two days and one night. She had eaten on the plane but wanted to stay awake to have lunch with Yu Xi. However, Yu Xi saw the fatigue hidden under her makeup and talked her into going upstairs to rest.

Because of the jet lag, Pei Lexin slept until evening. When she came downstairs, she followed the sounds to the kitchen. She saw Yu Xi holding a ladle in front of the stove, explaining the changes in heat for the dish to Auntie Wan. His serious expression while wearing an apron looked exactly like the adorable child in her memory, yet he was very different.

Yu Xi hadn’t just grown up physically. In the experiences Pei Lexin hadn’t witnessed, he had forged a trait rarely seen in his age group. He was like a gladiolus—resilient and upright despite being battered by wind and rain, with leaves like swords, yet soft and fragrant.

Truly the child of her best friend, Qi Qingyun.

“Auntie Pei?”

When Yu Xi turned around and noticed Pei Lexin, he saw her face full of gratification. He didn’t know how long she had been standing at the door.

Pei Lexin stepped into the kitchen. “What are you guys making?”

Yu Xi presented the freshly cooked dish to Pei Lexin like a prized treasure. “It’s Pork with Preserved Mustard Greens!”

Pei Lexin’s eyes lit up.

Just now she had been so focused on Yu Xi that she hadn’t noticed the food in the pot. She hadn’t expected it to be this.

Both the appearance and the aroma were exactly like those in her memory, which brought her immense joy.

“My mom taught me. She said it’s your favorite, Auntie Pei.”

The smile in Pei Lexin’s eyes nearly overflowed. “Isn’t it? Back then, I used to pester your mother to make it for me. I’d eat it and then pack some to take home. Quick, let’s get to the table!”

After the dishes were served, Pei Lexin looked at the empty seat and knit her brows, asking Auntie Wan, “Is Xiao Wang not down yet?”

“I’ll go call him again.” Auntie Wan went upstairs once more.

“Sigh…” Pei Lexin let out a long sigh, pinching the bridge of her nose. “Just how long is that boy going to be stubborn with me?”

Yu Xi sat beside her, not knowing how to comfort her, so he poured some fresh juice and handed it to her.

Pei Lexin: “It’s my fault too. I was in such a rush this afternoon that I scolded him in front of all his friends. He probably feels he lost face.”

Yu Xi shook his head. “It’s not your fault, Auntie Pei. It’s my problem.”

“How could it be your problem?” Pei Lexin laughed helplessly. “It’s because I neglected his companionship and discipline in the past that he grew up with such a stubborn temper, like a donkey.”

As she spoke, Pei Wang was coaxed down by Auntie Wan. He still had a sour face as he took his seat without a word.

Pei Lexin intended to soften the mood. Before the meal, she brought out the gifts she bought from abroad. For Yu Xi, it was a full set of carving knives.

“I heard from your mother that you like making small wood carvings, so I bought this brand of tools. See if you like them?”

Yu Xi held the carving knives he had dreamed of, his eyes sparkling. He was so happy his voice even got louder: “I love them! Thank you, Auntie Pei! These must be very expensive, right?”

“Not expensive. Consider it a meeting gift.” Pei Lexin stroked his head and brought out another box, handing it to Pei Wang. “Here, I didn’t forget you. The limited-edition Gunpla you wanted.”

Pei Wang froze as if he hadn’t expected it. After being awkward for a moment, he squeezed out a low, “Thanks, Mom.”

Pei Lexin smiled and nodded. “Let’s eat.”

Through this gesture, the atmosphere at the table finally became less cold, and Pei Wang no longer wore a scowl.

Pei Lexin brought up the events of the day. “Xiao Wang, I’m not against you playing with those friends, and I hope you can take Xiao Xi out to make more friends. But he’s in an unfamiliar place; you should take care of him more and not always have bad ideas…” Halfway through her nagging, Pei Lexin remembered something and turned to ask, “Xiao Xi, I remember when you were little you made quite a few friends here. The Sheng twins and Zhang Xingkuo used to come over all the time to play with you. Do you remember?”

Yu Xi, who was chewing with puffed cheeks, paused. After swallowing slowly, he replied, “Mhm… but Auntie Pei, that was a very long time ago when I was little.”

“So what? Your mother and I were out of touch for years, and we’ve reconciled just fine. During those first two years after your mother took you away, those kids often came to ask me about you. Especially that child from the Gu family, Chuanzhou. He was relentless, asking me for several years before he finally gave up.”

Before Yu Xi could react, Pei Wang let out a “Ha!” from the side.

He looked incredulous, pointing his chopsticks at Yu Xi. “Him? With Gu Chuanzhou’s group??”

Pei Lexin arched an eyebrow. “Yes, why? Our Xiao Xi is very likable! During those two winter and summer breaks he spent here, I don’t know how many kids in this district were rushing to be friends with him.”

Pei Wang still had a “is this for real?” expression. He scrutinized the exceptionally handsome youth sitting opposite him again and curled his lip. “You also said it was when he was a kid. It’s been so many years; they’ve probably forgotten him long ago. They aren’t on the same level. They don’t even talk to me; why would they talk to this country bumpkin—”

Just then, the villa’s video doorbell rang.

“Who’s at the door at this time?” Pei Lexin wondered, asking the butler to check.

Soon, the butler returned to the dining room with hurried steps. “President Pei, it’s the Gu family’s young master. Gu Chuanzhou is here.”

Clatter. Someone’s chopsticks slipped and fell to the floor.