MMLDU Chapter 10

Pei Lang skillfully tied on an apron and began washing vegetables, planning to make pork rib soup for Yan Han, who preferred light meals.

His movements were smooth, graceful, and orderly, giving the impression of someone well-versed in cooking. Yet, only he knew how tormented he felt inside.

Strangely enough, Yan Han stood nearby, watching him cook with interest—like a boss supervising his underling. Pei Lang couldn’t help but feel like a lowly henchman tasked with disposing of evidence, and the so-called “evidence” was none other than the vegetables under his knife.

“Are you trying to seduce me?” Yan Han suddenly spoke, startling Pei Lang. The lotus root he was slicing slipped, nearly nicking his finger.

I’m just making a meal today. Why would this big shot have such a wild idea? Pei Lang thought, exasperated. I’m not seducing him—I’m trying to curry favor! There’s a fundamental difference! Fearing Yan Han might say something even more outrageous, Pei Lang abandoned the cutting board, turned around, and forced a smile. “Mr. Yan, do you have some sort of misunderstanding about me? I don’t seduce just anyone.”

It would have been better if he hadn’t explained, as his words only made Yan Han angrier. “What’s that supposed to mean? Are you saying, in your eyes, I’m not even as good as Yan Xiuyuan?”

The unspoken meaning: You went to great lengths to seduce Yan Xiuyuan, but I’m not even worth your effort?

Where did this competitive streak come from?

Pei Lang had long suspected there was discord between uncle and nephew, and this seemed to confirm it. “Mr. Yan, you’re overthinking. Of course, Yan Xiuyuan can’t compare to you. At the very least, among everyone I’ve ever met in this world, you’re the best.” Pei Lang decided to shower him with flattery since he couldn’t fathom Yan Han’s thought process and had already decided to latch onto him. Compliments don’t cost anything, right?

“Someone as capable as you must have investigated my background when signing that contract. I’m not a good person, and no one around me genuinely cares about me. Everyone looks down on me and mocks me. The fact that you’re willing to take me in and give me a place to stay and food to eat is already a great kindness to me.”

Half of Pei Lang’s statement was true, while the other half was pure acting. His eyes shimmered with a hint of sorrow. After glancing at Yan Han, he silently turned back to the cutting board. The rhythmic sound of chopping filled the kitchen, reverberating off the walls. For a moment, neither spoke. Under the bright fluorescent light, Pei Lang’s silhouette appeared thin and fragile. The well-lit kitchen seemed to exude an inexplicable air of silent desolation.

His tone, expression, and lonely figure perfectly utilized the environment to evoke a sense of pitiful melancholy. If Yan Han hadn’t already witnessed Pei Lang’s knack for scheming to score free meals, he might have actually believed him.

“So it’s not seduction—it’s flattery?” Yan Han asked flatly.

Yan Han’s tone remained unchanged, utterly impervious to Pei Lang’s impromptu performance. Realizing that his acting wasn’t working, Pei Lang sniffed theatrically and let a smile bloom, deciding to drop the pretense. As he turned his head, his gaze fell on the chibi perched on Yan Han’s shoulder, engrossed in a book. The smile froze awkwardly on Pei Lang’s face.

“The Self-Cultivation of a Tyrannical CEO”? What kind of nonsense does Mr. Yan usually read?

Pei Lang blinked, his curiosity overpowering his rationality. He tiptoed closer to Yan Han, ignoring the man’s icy, resistant glare, and focused on the book that the little figure was so absorbed in.

Chapter 31: Essential Lessons for a Tyrannical CEO—How to Differentiate Between Seduction and Flattery?
First, understand that both have ulterior motives. The goal is often to achieve a malicious intent through seduction or flattery…

Pei Lang felt the world go dark for a moment. There are actually books like this? And not only has Yan Han read it, but he’s also memorized it and actively applies it to real-life scenarios? Skipping over the lengthy exposition in the middle, Pei Lang tried to glimpse the conclusion. But before he could read further, the chibi closed the book.

Yan Han turned to him with a cold and wary gaze. “What are you looking at?”

“The book,” Pei Lang replied reflexively, feeling a tinge of disappointment at not seeing the ending. His mouth moved faster than his brain.

Yan Han’s frosty eyes flashed with a hint of menace, prompting Pei Lang to hastily explain, “I was looking at you, Mr. Yan. You’re like a book—a book that’s been cherished but never truly opened. People only see your collectible value and the rich stories hinted at by your exterior, but no one has really delved into your heart. I’m fortunate to have caught a glimpse of a page or two, and I can’t help but want to learn more. The story is fascinating and captivating—it pulls you in the more you read.”

“Heh~ You’re pretty smooth when it comes to flattery,” Yan Han said, his expression neutral. Meanwhile, the little chibi on his shoulder had somehow procured a full-length mirror and was now spinning and posing in front of it, carefully examining himself as if to confirm Pei Lang’s words.

“Out with it. You waited for me today—what’s your real motive?” Yan Han asked.

“Mr. Yan, why don’t we discuss it over a meal?” Pei Lang replied, only now remembering that he hadn’t finished chopping the vegetables. “Sorry, I’ll get back to cooking right away.”

“No need. I’m not eating.”

“Alright then,” Pei Lang said, knowing that his little tricks would never escape Yan Han’s notice—though he hadn’t intended to hide them in the first place. Taking a deep breath and exhaling slowly, Pei Lang finally came clean.

“Mr. Yan, you’re Yan Xiuyuan’s uncle, his elder. Can’t you rein him in?”

“No, he’s an unfilial nephew,” Yan Han replied matter-of-factly.

“Huh?” Pei Lang was stunned by the response. Yan Han’s serious expression didn’t seem like he was joking, leaving Pei Lang half-convinced and half-doubtful.

“I see. Then… does he dare act disrespectfully toward you?”

“Dare? Of course, he dares. He’s a rebellious nephew.”

Pei Lang: “???” Aren’t you his elder? Yan Xiuyuan is that bold, dares to disrespect you, and still doesn’t listen?

Thinking about it, though, it made sense. After all, they were both adults and being disciplined by an uncle only a few years older than him would definitely rub Yan Xiuyuan the wrong way.

But then… was this leg still worth hugging?

Pei Lang was beginning to seriously doubt his plans. While his mind wandered, Yan Han maneuvered his wheelchair to the sofa in the living room. Pei Lang quickly followed behind.

“If you’re fantasizing about me stepping in to help you marry him, you’d better give up now,” Yan Han said coldly. “Setting aside what you’ve done in the past, we are legally married, a marriage arranged by my father. If you want to marry Yan Xiuyuan, you’ll never get past these two hurdles.”

“You misunderstood—I don’t like him,” Pei Lang explained, sitting down on the sofa opposite Yan Han. “Before, I was just trying to spite Pei Ziqing, wanting to win against him once. Later, I realized it wasn’t worth it and gave up. I really don’t like Yan Xiuyuan—he’s not even that great. I… actually scolded him today and he seemed really upset.”

Pei Lang paused, then shifted to a more serious tone. “Look, we have a contractual relationship. If something happens to me, your father will definitely hear about it. If it blows up and our relationship is exposed, wouldn’t that be bad for your reputation too?”

Yan Han had no intention of marrying Pei Lang, so he hadn’t bothered to hold a wedding or even announce it to his family. Aside from the two of them, likely only his father knew about their relationship. Even the household staff weren’t clear on the nature of their connection. If the marriage were to be exposed because of Yan Xiuyuan, wouldn’t that make a future divorce even more troublesome?

Getting married without anyone knowing and later divorcing just as quietly was exactly what Yan Han wanted. This entire arrangement was just to appease his father. In five years, if his leg injury didn’t improve and his father, already older, saw that this “marriage for good fortune” had no effect, he would no longer have the energy to interfere. By then, even a divorce wouldn’t meet with any resistance.

That rebellious nephew Yan Xiuyuan!

Yan Han cursed fiercely in his heart, though his expression remained indifferent as if the matter didn’t bother him at all. “As long as you stay obediently in the villa, Yan Xiuyuan won’t be able to find you.”

After tossing out that line, Yan Han took the elevator upstairs.

Though Yan Han didn’t spell it out, Pei Lang understood the subtext. As long as he didn’t stir up trouble, Yan Han would guarantee his safety. Yan Han’s someone you can deal with—he’s a good person.

Yan Han didn’t go to his bedroom but instead to the study, where he opened his computer to work. Yet his thoughts kept drifting back to Pei Lang.

It wasn’t much, really—just him replaying Pei Lang’s words of praise over and over in his mind. Was he truly as good as Pei Lang said he was?

Though the compliments were meant to flatter, the way Pei Lang spoke them—with sparkling eyes, sincere expressions, and a tone that felt like reading an elegantly written essay—made the words flow naturally and comfortably.

In Pei Lang’s eyes, he seemed… different. The way Pei Lang looked at him wasn’t the same as others. It was peculiar, but Yan Han didn’t dislike it. That’s probably why, when Pei Lang had subtly but clearly asked for protection, he had uncharacteristically agreed.

If it had been anyone else speaking to him in such a half-threatening manner, the outcome would have been far worse.

But there was one thing he couldn’t figure out: this current Pei Lang seemed like a completely different person. He could act, he could say exactly what others wanted to hear, and he was nothing like the version Yan Han had previously learned about.

Had Pei Lang been pretending all along, fooling everyone? Was this version of him the real Pei Lang?

And if so, what was his goal? Ruining Yan Han’s reputation—what could he possibly gain from that?

That night, Yan Han thought for a long time. His mind was a mess and he couldn’t figure anything out. Meanwhile, Pei Lang scrolled through his phone for a bit after returning to his room before falling asleep.

After provoking Yan Xiuyuan, Pei Lang stayed holed up in the villa. With free food, drinks, and internet to mooch off, why not? The villa was massive, equipped with a gym, swimming pool, garden, and nearly all the amenities one could find outside. It was like a “mini-world” of its own.

One day, Pei Lang stumbled upon the gym. After getting Yan Han’s permission, he started spending a few hours there daily, working out and practicing martial arts. He pushed himself hard, determined to achieve results quickly. No matter how painful or exhausting it was, he didn’t back down. This body, however, had no foundation, leaving him covered in bruises from repeated falls.

After countless slips and injuries, Pei Lang finally achieved coordination between his body and soul, managing to perform the movements flawlessly. However, his strength still fell short, far from the level of his otherworldly self. While he could now execute these moves for acting, they still lacked authenticity. To truly reach his previous self’s capabilities, more time and effort would be required.

In the meantime, he passed an audition for a side gig. The recruiter helped him register as a creator, allowing him to release music in the future.

The platform was specifically designed to promote mental health. It featured a variety of healing-oriented content, including articles, images, songs, live audio streams, as well as psychological knowledge and online consultations with therapists. The goal was to help people better understand their mental health and face psychological issues head-on. Since its inception, the platform has gained immense popularity, though no one knew who was behind its operations.

During these days, Yan Xiuyuan was desperate to teach Pei Lang a lesson. The grudge from past and recent events had built up. He was itching to ruin Pei Lang. Yet, ever since Pei Lang hung up the phone that day, it was as though he had vanished into thin air.

For someone so infamous online, any slight movement would typically lead to a storm of cyberbullying. But recently, there hadn’t even been a spark of activity online.

This left Yan Xiuyuan frustrated and irritable. He had nowhere to vent his pent-up rage. Once patient and gentle with Pei Ziqing, he now occasionally lost his temper, though he quickly reined it in.

Pei Lang was either dead or being hidden by someone. For someone of his status to disappear so thoroughly, only a handful of people could have helped him. Yan Han was one of them.

But Yan Xiuyuan knew his little uncle’s temperament—cold, proud, and a germaphobe. How could someone like Pei Lang possibly win Yan Han’s protection? Even if it was just to spite him, his uncle wouldn’t go that far.

No matter how much he analyzed, Yan Xiuyuan couldn’t make sense of it. In the end, he decided to stir up chaos online, hoping to smoke Pei Lang out.

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