Pei Zongrui seemed to be certain that she wouldn't dare to call out, or that she couldn't do anything to him, as he appeared fearless.
After she spoke, instead of backing down, he reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, giving a subtle squeeze and pulling her into his embrace.
Pei Kexin's head bumped against his chin. He pressed his lips against her ear.
"Come on, feel free to be impolite to me."
"Men like fiery women, especially ones as beautiful and spirited as you. The more you're impolite to me, the more attracted I'll feel. Hurry up and scold me."
A wave of goosebumps washed over Pei Kexin. She was certain Pei Zongrui had lost his mind. Gritting her teeth, she pinched his thigh.
Putting all her strength into it, Pei Zongrui, caught off guard, cried out in pain.
Pei Kexin seized the opportunity and stood up.
The two engineers ahead heard the cry and turned curiously. Pei Kexin, maintaining her composure, squeezed past Pei Zongrui and explained to them.
"He insisted on closing the window and got his finger caught. Serves him right."
"I'm not sitting with children anymore. It's troublesome. I'll move to the front."
With people watching, Pei Zongrui couldn't force her to stay.
He watched her go to the front, clutching his leg, feeling as though the duck that was about to be in his grasp had flown away. He was furious.
He wasn't ready to give up.
Once an idea took root, the inability to achieve it was incredibly painful.
Thinking that things had already come this far, he paused for two seconds, then also got up and walked towards the front.
Pei Kexin sat by the window near the door. He stood behind her, watching her, staring at her.
He conveyed with his eyes, "Stop struggling. I'm determined to have you today, no matter what."
Soon, everyone arrived at their hotel. The car stopped at the steps outside the hotel entrance.
As the door opened, Pei Zongrui expected her to be the first one out and was ready to pretend to help her.
To his surprise, Pei Kexin remained seated.
"You guys go ahead. I need to buy something."
The two engineers bid her farewell and walked out happily. Pei Zongrui, however, stayed put with a displeased expression.
"Where are you going? What do you need to buy? I'll go with you."
Pei Kexin didn't look at him, her gaze fixed straight ahead.
"I need to buy something women use every month. You're coming along too?"
"..." With the driver present, Pei Zongrui couldn't pester her further.
Thinking that she would have to return to sleep that night, he figured he could find her later and stood up.
As he passed Pei Kexin, he stepped one foot outside the door and lewdly whispered into her ear.
"When you get back, don't wander too late, or I'll miss you, Auntie."
Pei Kexin desperately wanted to slap him across the face!
Once he was gone, Pei Kexin told the driver to turn around.
"Driver, please take me to the Wanlong Hotel on the street ahead."
She checked into a different hotel. Since she hadn't brought any clean clothes, she went out shopping.
She had been in Harbin for quite some time, and this was her first time walking the streets outside of work.
The streets in the late afternoon, around five or six o'clock, had perfect temperatures. The streets were bustling with people, a vibrant scene like a blooming garden, truly the most lively time of the day.
Walking alone down the most prosperous street in the city center, she felt a pang of loneliness, seeing beautiful sights and new things with no one to share them with.
Fortunately, someone far away in Nancheng, at the other end of the phone, still remembered her.
In their three-person chat group, Gu Wei, having finished work and heading home alone, was equally bored to death.
He sent a sticker.
"Treat me to a meal. You two heartless people, I don't say anything, and this group hasn't had a single proactive message in days! Where has everyone gone? Treat me to a meal!"
Fu Duoduo replied instantly, sending a beautiful selfie.
"I'm in Chongcheng. Why don't you come over now? I'll treat you to hot pot until you're full."
Gu Wei: "When did you go there? Who did you go with? What are you doing there? How long are you staying? You didn't even tell me before you left. Fu Duoduo, you've changed! Tell me the truth, did you go to find a man?"
Fu Duoduo: "Do you think I'm like you, thinking about men all day? I'm here for work!"
"But speaking of which, there are indeed many men in Chongcheng, with plenty of handsome young guys. Hurry, do you want to come? We can go meet some handsome guys together."
Gu Wei: "Don't try to lead me astray. I'm devoted. I don't want anyone but Kexin. Sending hearts."
Fu Duoduo rolled her eyes: "Stop wasting my time with so much nonsense. I'm out. If you don't come, I'll go by myself. Anyway, I won't let my youth go to waste by just lying at home."
Gu Wei sent a sticker: You're so saucy.
Fu Duoduo: Hehe.
After they bantered for a while, Gu Wei saw that Fu Duoduo was busy and tagged Pei Kexin, who was quietly observing.
"Don't pretend to be dead, come out. Report your situation."
Pei Kexin sent him a photo of the Harbin street at dusk.
"I'm in Harbin and can only return in three days at the earliest. I'm really bored, so come and keep me company. I heard the roasted whole lamb here is delicious."
Gu Wei cried: "Still three days until you're back? You're so heartless. It's like this company is mine alone! You're always hands-off, only focusing on that side, leaving me to be both father and mother."
Pei Kexin: "I've personally tested ten thousand sets of products this week. My head almost fell off. Don't call me heartless."
"Seriously, Gu Wei, if you're really bored, come and keep me company. I really need you these days."
Fu Duoduo keenly sensed gossip in her words.
"What do you mean 'need him'? You don't need me? What's going on? You two are suddenly getting all mushy behind my back."
The two of them were not outsiders, and Pei Kexin kept nothing from them. As she had a stomach full of things to say with no one to tell, she sent a few voice messages explaining Pei Zongrui's harassment.
Gu Wei and Fu Duoduo were, as expected, stunned.
Gu Wei: "Is that even human? He knows less than an animal! He's even got designs on his aunt?!"
"Quickly send me the hotel address. I'm coming to protect you right now. The Pei family are not humans, they're a bunch of demons and monsters!"
Fu Duoduo: "Have you told your husband? You're still in your honeymoon phase. Why didn't you bring him on your business trip? Since you're spending money anyway, isn't it a waste not to make the most of it?"
Pei Kexin: "I'm telling you this to seek comfort, not for you two to make trouble, and definitely not to upset me. Don't lecture me."
Gu Wei: "I'm not upsetting you. I'm genuinely preparing to help. Send me the address, I'm leaving now."
Fu Duoduo: "I'm not upsetting you either. Although I can't fly over to protect you immediately, my spirit is with you!"
Pei Kexin felt much better. She sent Gu Wei her real-time location. After a few more casual chats, they ended the conversation, and she entered an underwear store.
Gu Wei finished the call and was about to book a flight to Harbin when his long-time crush called.
A water pipe in her house had burst, and she was feeling helpless.
After considering his options, he chose his romantic interest over friendship.
While heading to his crush, he called Zhan Jingchen.
"Your sugar daddy is being bullied. It's time for you to show your worth!"