The sky was dotted with stars. The evening breeze, carrying the scent of osmanthus, warmly swept across, dispelling the heaviness in Pei Lang’s chest. It felt like a stone that had been pressing on his heart for years had finally been moved, allowing him to breathe freely and easily.
If one of the main characters’ setups went wrong, Pei Lang began to suspect whether the original owner’s actions were still the same as in the original story, or if there were other hidden truths. Suddenly, he felt a bit sorry for the original owner’s plight. However, everything would get better.
Pei Lang comforted himself and strode forward, feeling a sharp pain on his face. The slap from the man in his anger was no small matter. His face, pale and delicate, bore the marks of four red fingerprints across his cheek. The difference in size between his two cheeks was clear. On the way back to the villa, he bought some anti-swelling medicine and applied it. When he got home, Yan Han was in the living room.
There were no assistants or servants. The man was drinking coffee and reading a book. He didn’t even look up when he heard Pei Lang’s footsteps. If it wasn’t for the small figure on his shoulder frowning at Pei Lang, it would seem like he was too focused to notice.
Having just arrived in this new world, this villa was his only refuge. As one of the masters of the villa, he had to hold on tight and cultivate a good relationship.
“It’s so late, and you’re still awake?” Pei Lang casually walked over and politely asked, “Can I sit across from you?”
According to the contract, Pei Lang’s range of activity in the villa was limited from the front door to his own room and the kitchen. Any other areas required permission. It was clear that Yan Han didn’t like the original owner.
The man looked up. “I’ll make an exception this time.” His eyes swept over Pei Lang’s face before quickly looking away.
He sure knows how to put on an act. Just look at that proud little face; Pei Lang really wanted to rub it.
Of course, it wasn’t the cold-faced Yan Han, but the chibi version on his shoulder. With big eyes and a lively expression, Pei Lang, who had no resistance to cute things, now looked at it with a kind smile. This gaze left the man baffled. A cold glance came his way, and Pei Lang awkwardly withdrew his eyes.
“Uh, Mr. Yan, can I ask you something?” Pei Lang inquired.
Yan Han lowered his head to read his book, neither agreeing nor refusing.
Pei Lang seized the opportunity. “You’re Yan Xiuyuan’s little uncle. You must know him well, right? What kind of person is he?”
With the collapse of Pei Ziqing’s character, Pei Lang began to suspect that Yan Xiuyuan might also have changed.
“He’s a man you’ll never have,” Yan Han replied.
Pei Lang’s smile froze. Did he have to be so direct?
“Heh, you’re right,” Pei Lang chuckled. “After all, we’re not on the same level.”
When Yan Xiuyuan was mentioned, the little figure on his shoulder looked extremely disdainful. Perhaps, their uncle-nephew relationship wasn’t good. Pei Lang gave off a strong scent of medicine, which Yan Han didn’t like. The little figure on his shoulder covered its nose and waved the air in front of him, but this was just Yan Han’s inner world. Even if the little figure waved its arms off, it wouldn’t have any effect.
“Give up. They’re about to get engaged. You don’t have a chance. Don’t make a fool of yourself.”
“Mr. Yan, we are in a cooperative relationship, mutually helping each other. I’m sure you wouldn’t want your father to know about our contract, right?” Pei Lang said with a smile, but Yan Han sneered. The pressure was almost enough to bend Pei Lang’s spine.
“Who gave you the courage to threaten me?” Pei Lang almost couldn’t catch his breath. He had forgotten that, despite the playful nature of his inner world, Yan Han was a big deal and someone he couldn’t afford to provoke. They had originally agreed not to interfere with each other, but here he was, foolishly saying things like this.
“Mr. Yan, you misunderstand. We’re safeguarding the contract and the secret. It’s a cooperative relationship. You’re so charming, handsome, suave, and mature—every young boy and girl’s dream lover. Plus, you’re one of the most powerful big shots in the industry. How could I possibly threaten you?”
“Speak plainly.” Yan Han cut him off, not impressed by the flattery.
“What I mean is, I’m all alone with no one to turn to. How pitiful, right? Since we’re partners, I was wondering if, from time to time, Mr. Yan could lend me a small favor.”
“Small favor?” Yan Han raised an eyebrow. That didn’t sound small at all. Greedy! He thought he could see through Pei Lang’s intentions and was curious to see what else would come out of his mouth. “Like what?”
“Like helping me check how much money I have under my name. You know, I’m not very good with numbers and I have a terrible memory. If I go to the bank myself, I’d look too foolish. So, I was hoping Mr. Yan could lend me a hand.”
“?” Yan Han stared at Pei Lang. The little figure on his shoulder seemed to say, “Buddy, are you serious?”
He had expected Pei Lang to make unreasonable demands, but this request was really unexpected. “You don’t need to check. All your assets are in your phone’s apps.”
“What? Doesn’t that mean I’m about to go broke?” Pei Lang couldn’t believe it. There was only a little over ten thousand left in the apps on his phone. Yan Han didn’t seem to care enough to deceive him. This body’s physical condition was poor and couldn’t meet the standards he needed. Even if there was a chance to act, with this physique, getting into the entertainment industry would be a challenge. Pei Lang suddenly felt anxious and concluded, “Looks like I’ll have to find a way to make some money.”
There was also fitness. This body had a normal bone structure but lacked muscle. Thinking about his previous physique, it was truly sculpted. As an actor skilled in martial arts, when he filmed fight scenes, it would get people’s blood pumping. With this body, though, he was worried he’d be out of breath after a few punches. So, until his physical condition met the standards, he wouldn’t consider acting. During this time, he would have to find a way to make money.
He had expected to take the opportunity to ask for a large sum of money, but instead, he was the one who needed to figure things out himself.
The person in front of him, Yan Han, was a bit hard for him to read.
Pei Lang thought seriously for a moment, but then a sudden wave of hunger interrupted his thoughts. Only then did he realize he hadn’t eaten in hours. “Never mind, it’s better to eat first, then I’ll have the energy to think about making money.”
Saying this, Pei Lang stood up solemnly and headed to the kitchen.
“Wait.” Yan Han called out, and Pei Lang turned around.
“My kitchen. Aren’t you being a bit too casual about entering and leaving? There’s nothing in the contract about providing meals,” Yan Han said.
“Mr. Yan.” Pei Lang couldn’t help but think, I didn’t realize you were so stingy. “You also know I’m about to starve to death. Your ingredients will spoil if they’re not used, and spoilage needs to be dealt with. Why not let me take care of it by eating them? How about it? When I make a lot of money later, I’ll pay you back double.”
“I haven’t eaten dinner tonight,” Yan Han said seriously, as though discussing business. Pei Lang was momentarily confused by the meaning of his words. His little shoulder companion, rubbing his belly with a mournful expression, made Pei Lang understand.
“Ah, you want to eat. Just say it, no need for the roundabout,” Pei Lang muttered under his breath. “I’ll go make it right away. Thank you, Mr. Yan, for your great generosity in allowing me to eat.”
Yan Han’s image of eating stir-fried tomatoes with eggs flashed in Pei Lang’s mind, so he decided to make it again today. He found noodles and ingredients and decided to make a tomato egg noodle dish. As Pei Lang entered the kitchen, Yan Han, looking serious, secretly took out his phone and opened the front-facing camera, carefully checking his face. Still as handsome as ever, with that aloof and domineering CEO look. He really couldn’t understand the kindly expression Pei Lang had been giving him like he was a child.
Half an hour later, two bowls of noodles were ready. Pei Lang took them out and placed them on the dining table, then returned to the kitchen to get the chili oil. Not sure if Yan Han liked spicy food, he kept the chili oil separate and added it based on his own preference.
Seizing the opportunity, Yan Han took a photo and sent it to Su Jia, intending to say that this was the summer sunset he had been looking for and to be more quick-witted in the future. As an assistant, one should reply to the boss’s messages immediately. Just as Yan Han was about to send another message, Su Jia replied first.
Su Jia: Tomato egg noodles? Why would the boss eat something like this?
Yan Han: ?
Tomato egg noodles? Wasn’t this the summer sunset? Yan Han narrowed his eyes.
A single question mark from the boss. Su Jia panicked, thinking that Yan Han was implying his assistant had failed in his duties by not properly arranging dinner, leaving the boss hungry and only able to eat something like this. After all, it wasn’t exactly a high-end dish.
Su Jia: Boss, I’m sorry, I’ll arrange dinner right away.
Yan Han: No need.
Yan Han searched online and found out that this dish was quite ordinary. It turned out it wasn’t the “summer sunset” he had thought. No wonder the restaurant staff didn’t know about it. Thinking back to what he had said at the restaurant, he felt utterly foolish. If Su Jia knew that the “summer sunset” he had mentioned was actually this dish, his boss’s grand image would be shattered.
No, he had to do something, or he wouldn’t feel at ease. So, Yan Han sent another message to Su Jia.
Yan Han: Forget everything that happened today, or you can forget about your salary for the month.
Su Jia, sitting at home, suddenly found himself in trouble.
It had been the boss who said he had no appetite and wouldn’t eat dinner tonight. This boss was so hard to please that Su Jia decided he was quitting. Lying in bed and scrolling through his phone for gossip, Su Jia threw off his covers and expressed his displeasure. His boss often gave strange punishments and confusing rewards. Despite everything, he had treated him decently over the years. After some self-reflection, Su Jia decided his boss wasn’t that bad.
After smoothing things over in his mind, Su Jia slowly lay back down.
Pei Lang came out and saw the little man on Yan Han’s shoulder glaring at him with hatred, while Yan Han himself stared with eyes as sharp as knives, making Pei Lang feel uncomfortable.
What’s going on? Could he have found out that my portion was bigger than his? Does he realize I’m eating more and he feels cheated? That can’t be right. This amount of food shouldn’t even be noticeable to him.
It’s easy to talk about other people’s inner thoughts, but Pei Lang was no different. On the outside, he appeared gentle and lazy, but inside he was a bit of a daydreamer. “Uh, Mr. Yan, do you eat spicy food?”
Pei Lang pushed the small bowl toward him, but Yan Han didn’t add any chili. For Yan Han, eating was simply a matter of survival. He had grown up eating delicacies, so he didn’t have much desire for food. However, the aroma of the simple scrambled eggs and tomatoes had stirred his appetite. The smell acted like a hook, making him momentarily forget his grudge against Pei Lang and elegantly pick up his chopsticks to eat.
He didn’t touch the noodles, though.
Quite the picky eater.
Pei Lang smiled and added some chili to his own plate before burying his head in eating. His portion was even bigger than Yan Han’s. He ate with great satisfaction. Yan Han could never have imagined that one day he would be sitting at the same table as this person with such a notorious reputation, eating together so harmoniously. Truly, he had seen it all now.
Pei Lang originally wanted to eat quickly, but then he remembered the pain in his face and had no choice but to slow down and chew slowly. By the time he finished his large portion, Yan Han had already left the table. After Pei Lang washed the dishes, he went back to his room to take a shower and change clothes. As he thought about how to make money, he searched online for various part-time jobs. But by midnight, he hadn’t found a single reliable one. If he had known the original owner was so poor, he wouldn’t have bought so many things to redecorate the room. Looking at it now, though, pink and purple weren’t bad, he could live with them.
Pei Lang was lost in his thoughts, not even realizing when he had fallen asleep.
Don’t know why but Yan Han is kind of annoying me in these early chapters. Hope he becomes better later.