Chapter 153: Business Mutual Praise

(1)

Just over a month.

Da Fu had already changed from a frail little pitiful bug into a follower bug that follows wherever it goes.

The person it clings to most is Shu Shu.

Second.

It's Pei Du—

In the past, Pei Du would return to his room alone after leaving the dining hall and not come out until the next meal.

That day.

He had just risen when a fuzzy dog's head loomed large before his eyes, followed by the sound of a deliberately squeezed voice:

"I'm hungry, please feed me milk~"

The dog's head moved aside.

Revealing the delicate, refined face of the girl behind.

Shu Shu held the cotton-candy-like puppy with both hands, blocking Pei Du's path.

He paused slightly.

Pei Du glanced sideways, gesturing uncertainly toward the kitchen, meaning: Is Aunt Tao no longer taking care of the puppy?

"No way, Aunt Tao is just helping; you agreed to bring me home, dear master, please take responsibility for me, otherwise I, the dog, would be too pitiful."

Pei Du's gaze lingered on Shu Shu's face.

Watching her make various expressions as she 'voiced' the puppy.

... How cute.

He glanced at the puppy's black eyes, the size of mung beans, and Pei Du said: "I won't."

He won't feed the dog.

"It's fine if you can't; you can ask the pretty sister who holds me to teach you—I'm sure she'll be especially willing."

Shu Shu returned to her own voice, answering clearly: "Yes, I'm willing."

…

Steward Zhoubo had someone set up a temperature-regulated puppy house in the villa's front yard that could maintain a constant temperature 24/7.

Shu Shu placed Da Fu into Pei Du's arms.

At this time, the puppy was soft all over.

Pei Du's limbs were stiff.

He didn't know how to hold it; at first he held it too loosely, causing the puppy's head to droop, then he held it too tightly, making the puppy whimper from being smothered.

Pei Du jumped in fright.

A rare look of helplessness flashed across the youth's handsome face, and he immediately looked to Shu Shu for help.

Shu Shu couldn't help covering her mouth and chuckling.

Then she reached out to adjust Pei Du's arms, telling him how to hold the dog.

The puppy was finally held.

Shu Shu then handed the feeding syringe to Pei Du.

"Push it slowly; if you push too fast, it will choke."

Pei Du pressed his lips, his expression unusually focused, as if he were undertaking some arduous task.

After the feeding was done.

He felt relieved and was about to put the dog back in its kennel.

He was stopped.

"The weather is so nice today; if you take it out to sunbathe, it will grow faster and healthier."

Pei Du turned his head.

He met Shu Shu's gaze.

She pointed at the dog in his arms and said: "Young master, you need to take responsibility for it."

Shu Shu called Pei Du 'young master' for the first time.

That's an honorific.

But Shu Shu's tone lacked much reverent deference; instead, it carried a playful meaning.

Thus.

Pei Du then took the dog out to sunbathe again.

The sunlight was just right at this time.

In the garden.

Pei Du sat on the rattan chair, with a small blanket laid on his knees, his hands cradling the puppy sleeping soundly on the blanket.

His taking the dog out to sunbathe really was just sunbathing.

His handsome brow furrowed slightly, he didn't move easily, as if afraid the dog would be affected.

There was a feeling of honest, earnest human-machine-ness.

He also seriously asked Shu Shu beside him: "Is this how?"

Is this how to sunbathe?

Shu Shu nodded: "Yes, that's right."

Pei Du met her gaze, which had been fixed on him, his eyelashes twitching slightly: "Is there something on my face?"

Then Shu Shu asked: "Pei Du, what does sunbathing feel like?"

What feeling.

Pei Du raised his head, golden sunlight filling his vision; although he didn't understand why Shu Shu suddenly asked this question, he still carefully felt and thought about it, replying: "Warm."

"Mm." Shu Shu curved her lips, saying to Pei Du: "Then you should get more sun from now on."

Silence for two seconds.

Pei Du said solemnly: "Will get tanned."

"……"

Even the handsome woodhead's head actually has the concept of getting tanned? Shu Shu raised her eyebrows slightly in surprise, speaking lightly: "No worries, anyway you're very fair, you won't get tanned easily."

"……You think I'm fair?"

"Yeah." Shu Shu glanced at the boy's cold-white neck at his collar, adding: "You're so fair, uh, you're fair to the point of glowing."

Pei Du looked at Shu Shu, his eyes earnest, voice low: "You're also fair to the point of glowing."

How does it feel like mutual praise in business?

Shu Shu rubbed the puppy's head on Pei Du's leg: "And it, it's also fair to the point of glowing."

Pei Du glanced at the puppy: "It's not as fair as you."

"?" Shu Shu: "Wait, why should I compare my fairness to a dog's?"

"But, you are indeed fairer than it."

Pei Du stared at Shu Shu, feeling his analysis wasn't wrong.

"……" Shu Shu made a gesture: "OK, Stop."

Enough.

She said enough.

Let's end this mutual business praise here.

At the same time, Da Fu seemed to hear Pei Du mention it, opening its mouth that hadn't grown teeth yet, and yawned.

No one spoke anymore.

Only the two of them and the dog were quietly basking in the sun.

…

Pei Du no longer always stayed in the room.

Because he now had something to do—raise a dog.

Since he had to take care of the puppy.

Then the task wasn't just feeding and sunbathing.

As days passed, Da Fu visibly grew two sizes larger, no longer needing to be held, and could run all over the ground.

When Shu Shu and Pei Du went running, they also brought it along.

The little puppy, exerting effort with its four short legs, followed behind the two; if it couldn't keep up, it simply sat down on the ground, then lay down, motionless.

Shu Shu picked it up several times, lifted it up then it fell, lifted it up again and it fell again.

She said to Pei Du: "You're its owner; they say dogs follow their owners, so this shameless habit must be inherited from you."

Pei Du frowned, correcting Shu Shu: "Dogs can't inherit human genes."

Moreover.

"When have I ever been shameless?"

Shu Shu: "When I'm not looking."

Pei Du pressed his lips: "It's also, your dog."

He was referring to how Shu Shu first found it in the grass; since dogs follow their owners, Shu Shu must also be shameless.

"!"

"What a sophistry."

Shu Shu snorted, speaking righteously: "Then its shamelessness is still inherited from you, because what I passed to it is beauty—look, it's so adorable, having nothing to do with you."

After Shu Shu finished speaking, she thought Pei Du would continue to refute her.

Then she heard.

"Mm, you're right."

Shu Shu startled, lifting her head, and happened to catch Pei Du's lips moving.

She froze.

It was a smile.

Or rather, it was the first time seeing the handsome woodhead smile.

Shu Shu crouched on the ground, the boy standing, his nice lips curving into a clear arc, and the deep-colored pupils looking at her became even brighter.

The handsome woodhead smiling made him even more handsome.

Shu Shu thought.

…

At that time.

Not far away, a car slowly pulled up.

The rear seat's dark-colored window rolled down.

Revealing a pair of sharp, scrutinizing eyes that took in this scene clearly.

"Who is that girl?"

(2)

The villa, usually unvisited, welcomed an unexpected guest.

Pei Qian.

The head of the Pei Family.

That is, Pei Du's grandfather.

At that time, Pei Qian was sturdy and robust, his build still strong, and when he went out he had no need for that jade dragon-headed cane.

The steward Zhoubo was quite surprised by the patriarch's arrival, and came out to greet him nervously.

Pei Qian strode straight into the house in his leather shoes.

He sat on the sofa, brushed off the nonexistent dust on his sleeve, and in his low voice lay an undeniable authority: 'That brat is probably holed up in his room again; let him come out to see me.'

Zhoubo stammered: '…The young master isn't in his room; he's out back, running.'

?

Pei Qian's motion froze from surprise; he once thought he had misheard.

Pei Du would actually be willing to go out.

…

Pei Qian had Zhoubo bring him to the asphalt road behind the mountain.

He looked past the car window.

Pei Qian spotted Pei Du at a glance; hearing about it was one thing, but seeing him in person was another, and he almost failed to recognize him.

The boy seemed like a completely different person.

No longer the lethargic, taciturn demeanor he used to have toward everything.

The him before his eyes.

He could speak, and his expressions changed.

This is the normal appearance a child his age should have.

Pei Qian looked toward Pei Du's side—at the girl who was obviously making Pei Du laugh.

The Pei Family patriarch's gaze sharpened silently, and he asked ambiguously: 'Who is that girl?'

Zhoubo beside him answered truthfully.

He said she was a kitchen helper who had just been hired at the villa not long ago.

The patriarch's mood was unpredictable; Zhoubo could discern nothing from his tone, so he proceeded with his usual line of probing: 'Do you have any objections to her? If so, shall I have her leave?'

No.

Pei Qian watched the two playing happily with the dog, throwing sticks; one second his face showed no expression, the next he suddenly smiled.

'She's fine; let her stay.'

'Look, she's quite useful, just how capable she is—able to coax A Du into this state.'

Pei Qian summoned the person in the front passenger seat: 'A De.'

'Here.'

Pei Qian gave the order: 'In a few days, bring over the project plan for that Chengzhi matter and give it to A Du.'

The person called A De is the Pei Family's current chief steward, and has been Pei Qian's close attendant since childhood.

A De was obviously hesitant: 'Sir, before we also never actually submitted anything, but the young master threw everything into the shredder; this time, I'm afraid…?'

Pei Qian gave a humored chuckle, making it obvious he was in a good mood.

'The past is the past; as for now, who knows.'

In the past, Pei Du had no desires or pursuits.

No one could persuade him.

But now——

Pei Qian raised his hand and pressed a button; the window rose, reflecting his interested expression.

This time.

His beloved grandson will surely comply with his wishes.

Pei Qian has also lived most of his life.

Some things are naturally obvious at a glance.

Once a person has a goal, the whole person becomes different.

Strife and seizure.

It is a nature ingrained in humanity that can never be worn away.

Before leaving, Pei Qian said:

'A Du is my only grandson and the rightful heir of the Pei Family; it is destined that he cannot spend his life in such a muddled daze, otherwise what a waste of his intelligence.'

'No need to tell A Du I came.'

The getting-out Zhoubo nodded in assent: 'Yes.'

Shu Shu and Pei Du returned to the villa.

Having been specially instructed, neither of them knew who had come here.

'Laugh again for me.'

On the way back, Shu Shu approached Pei Du and said he had laughed too briefly just now for her to see.

'Pei Du?'

'Young master?'

'Little Du, little Du?'

Pei Du thought Shu Shu was talking nonsense; whatever lucky roguish habit had been passed down to him was clearly… hers.

There was no way to resist her soft hardness.

Pei Du had no choice but to curl his lip again under Shu Shu's expectant gaze.

Human-machine version.

…

Another sunny afternoon, Pei Du took the dog out to sunbathe in the garden as usual.

Shu Shu was originally there as well.

But halfway through, she was called away by Aunt Tao.

One minute.

Three minutes.

Eight minutes passed, and she still hadn't returned.

Pei Du glanced at the empty wicker chair beside him, finally pressed his lips together, picked up the dog, and got up to look for Shu Shu.

He found someone in the courtyard in front of the villa.

"Who on earth is spouting nonsense? Our little Gardenia is clearly so pretty, so beautiful—who wouldn't like such a little Gardenia?"

She was coaxing someone, her voice very gentle.

Who was she coaxing?

Pei Du's curiosity piqued; just as he was about to walk over, he heard a youthful male voice sound out.

"Sorry, did I take up your time? Your comfort really works."

It was a voice message.

Pei Du's brows furrowed instantly; he went around the corner and just saw Shu Shu handing her phone back to Aunt Tao.

Aunt Tao glanced at the message and chuckled: "Good thing you're here, little Shuyin—you've really helped me out a lot; I can finally relax. My family's brat, when she throws a tantrum, listens to no one but you—she likes you the most, and every time she mentions you she gets shy and giggles."

Shu Shu waved her hand, indicating it was no big deal: "Little Gardenia is so adorable, I like her too."

Having said that, she turned her head.

And met the youth's deep, dark eyes.

Shu Shu blinked in surprise: "How did you come over?"

Pei Du spoke in a low, flat tone, devoid of emotion, and shoved the big Fu in his arms toward Shu Shu: "It's been looking for you, calling out, thinking you didn't want it."

…

They returned to the garden to sunbathe.

As he grew, Da Fu's fur grew in, soft and soft, especially nice to pet.

Shu Shu petted the dog.

A resentful voice came from beside her: "How many people have you told they're beautiful?"

Shu Shu initially didn't catch the meaning, and offhand replied: "Yeah, there have been a lot—what's up?"

Pei Du: "……"

No one knew that, at the moment she heard the girl's answer, something quietly broke.

Pei Du's voice dry: "They're all your ideal type?"

With Pei Du:

Pretty equals ideal type.

Ideal type means someone you want to be with.

It turns out "pretty wood" isn't the only one.

Before Shu Shu could answer,

Pei Du stood up.

"Hey, where are you going? The sun hasn't been out long."

After walking a few steps away, the youth turned around, his cold brow seeming to gather a cloud of gloom; he pressed his lips and stared at Shu Shu for a long while, then spat out harsh words:

"Yinyin, don't bother with me for now."

Having said that, he left.

…

Shu Shu felt that Pei Du seemed angry, yet not quite.

He still ran with her, walked the dog together, and sunbathed together—just spoke noticeably less.

After all, he wasn't much of a talker to begin with.

Shu Shu thought she was overthinking, and she didn't have much time to think anyway.

Because she had to leave.

Flipping through the calendar, she realized she had already been here for over two months.

The pretty wood was no longer dull and unhappy, and now expressed emotions.

So, it's time to say goodbye.

…

"Resign?"

Zhoubo's expression showed surprise; he instinctively wanted to retain Shu Shu.

This instinct wasn't due to Pei Qian's relation, but rather something everyone could see: ever since Shu Shu came to the villa, the young master had undergone a huge change.

"Does the young master know?"

Shu Shu had told Pei Du.

However.

But it seemed she hadn't.

When those dark eyes looked over, the resignation on her lips turned into: "I need to take some time off, go back to see my family."

"How many days."

Under Pei Du's intense gaze, she almost couldn't hold back: she stammered, "Just... a week like that."

Silence for a few seconds.

He said: "Good."

…

Shu Shu felt, for the first time, that she was lying against her will.

At that time, her carefree side dominated her personality; she felt that between people, if you meet, you will meet again.

She was happy to meet the handsome wood; she thought she would be just a brief interlude in his life, and over time he would naturally forget her.