Come on, What Kind of CEO Chases His Roommate Back to the Country? - Chapter 55

The video conference ended, and Jin Shuning pushed open the door.

“Mr. Shi, the administrative department said they restocked the first-aid kit with some new medicine…” Jin Shuning paused mid-sentence when he noticed Shi Yancheng’s lack of reaction. He then calmly added, “Manager Pei personally bought them. He also asked them to send medicine to the president’s office but didn’t want them to say it was from him.”

Shi Yancheng’s hand, which had been reviewing documents, stopped for a moment. The corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

“I see.” He spoke lightly, but the amusement in his eyes was impossible to suppress.

Jin Shuning placed the medicine down and tactfully left. Now, he understood, no wonder the boss had been in a bad mood these past few days. Turns out, he was sulking over this Manager Pei.

Pei Song got home from work at 10 PM, only to see the villa brightly lit from afar.

He hesitated for a moment before pushing open the door. The rush of warmth and the sound of voices inside made him feel momentarily dazed.

“Song Song, you’re back?” Grandma Pei’s voice rang through the living room, unusually warm and eager. “Come in quickly, it’s cold outside.”

Standing at the entrance, Pei Song noticed that his father, rarely home at this hour, was actually sitting in the living room. His grandmother, who was usually harsh, was now smiling warmly as she came up to him.

“Have you eaten? Should I heat up some food for you?” she asked with concern. “It’s so cold outside, look at your face, it’s all red from the cold.”

Pei Song instinctively took a step back, feeling completely uncomfortable with this unusual enthusiasm.

In his memories, Grandma Pei had never spoken to him so kindly before.

“I… I’ve eaten.” He stammered.

“You should still have something.” She took his arm, trying to lead him to the dining room. “I specially asked Xiao Lin to make spare rib soup, your favorite.”

Pei Song stiffened in place, his gaze unconsciously shifting to his father. Father Pei kept his head down, sipping tea, as if he hadn’t noticed anything unusual.

“Grandma, I really ate already, and… I still have work to do.” Pei Song found an excuse. “I’ll head upstairs first.”

“Why work so hard?” Grandma Pei sighed with worry. “You’ve lost some weight.”

Her words made Pei Song feel even more uneasy. He quickly went upstairs and shut the door behind him.

The next morning, just as Pei Song sat down at his desk, Zhou Feng called him into the office.

“There’s something I need to tell you.” Zhou Feng looked slightly apologetic. “The executive training program in Country D might be postponed.”

Pei Song was momentarily stunned. “Postponed?”

“Headquarters adjusted their plans at the last minute, this project might even be canceled.” Zhou Feng sighed. “I’m sorry, I was too hasty in my decision before.”

Pei Song gave a small smile. “It’s fine.”

“You’re still young, there will be plenty of opportunities in the future.” Zhou Feng patted his shoulder. “Don’t dwell on it too much.”

Pei Song nodded and walked out of the office. He had a strong feeling that Shi Yancheng had something to do with this decision, which left him both frustrated and helpless.

During lunch break, Li Ming dragged him to the break room for coffee. The moment they pushed the door open, Pei Song saw a familiar figure.

Shi Yancheng stood by the coffee machine, his long fingers resting on the buttons, his entire presence commanding attention.

“Mr. Shi?” Li Ming asked in surprise. “Why are you getting coffee downstairs?”

Shi Yancheng turned around, his gaze briefly landing on Pei Song’s face. “The coffee machine in the CEO’s office is broken.”

“Then, please go ahead first.” Li Ming quickly stepped back. “We’re not in a hurry.”

Shi Yancheng, however, stepped aside. “You go first.”

Pei Song pursed his lips, walked forward with a blank expression, poured himself a cup, and immediately turned to leave. He could feel Shi Yancheng’s gaze on his back, but he refused to look back.

“You’re really bold,” Li Ming whispered once they were out. “Daring to give the new CEO the cold shoulder like that.”

Pei Song didn’t respond, clutching the hot coffee tightly as he walked away. He didn’t even know why he was acting this way, he just couldn’t shake the frustration that came over him every time he saw Shi Yancheng.

In the afternoon, sunlight streamed through the office’s glass walls as Pei Song was going through documents when his phone vibrated.

It was a message from his best friend, Su Mi, “Song Song, I’m back! Let’s hang out tonight. I’ll bring my cousin along.”

Pei Song stared at the screen in a daze. Su Mi was his college classmate and best friend. The two had gone to different cities in Country D for their graduate studies.

Back in Country D, when Pei Song was harassed by his British roommate, it was Su Mi who immediately reached out to Shi Yancheng and arranged for him to stay in Shi Yancheng’s apartment.

Because of that, Pei Song couldn’t really refuse this invitation. Besides, he really did want to see Su Mi again. He replied with a simple “Okay.”

Before six o’clock, Su Mi sent another message saying they had arrived downstairs at SNK Tower. As soon as Pei Song stepped out of the building, Su Mi threw himself at him with a big hug. “Song Song! It’s been so long!”

“You’ve lost weight,” Pei Song said with a smile.

“Let’s talk about the real issue.” Su Mi leaned in mysteriously. “That super difficult cousin of mine is now your boss. Feeling the pressure yet?”

Pei Song scoffed. “It’s whatever.”

Su Mi’s eyes lit up. “Oh? I smell drama. Spill it!”

Before he could press further, a sleek dark gray Bentley pulled up beside them.

Su Mi dragged Pei Song into the backseat. “Leon, cousin! I haven’t seen Song Song in forever! We have lots of catching up to do. But don’t take it out on him at work, okay?”

From the rearview mirror, Shi Yancheng glanced at Pei Song, and their eyes met for a brief moment. Pei Song immediately looked away, pretending to focus on the passing scenery outside the window.

“What do you want to eat? My treat!” Su Mi said excitedly. “My mom secretly gave me a stash of money before I came back, so I’m rich right now!”

“You just got back, so I should be the one treating you,” Pei Song said. “Besides, I’m already working now.”

“Well, if you insist,” Su Mi grinned. “I’ve been craving hotpot like crazy!”

“Then let’s go to Yan Yan Ju,” Pei Song decided. “It’s nearby.”

Shi Yancheng said nothing, simply adjusting the car’s direction.

At the hotpot restaurant, as Pei Song helped Su Mi cook the meat, he asked, “Xiao Mi, how’s your job search going?”

“I have three offers, all pretty good, so I’m actually struggling to decide,” Su Mi sighed. “One’s a consulting firm, one’s an investment bank, and the last is a research assistant position at our university. If I do well, I could stay on as a professor.”

“They’re all great choices.” Pei Song nodded.

“That’s the problem! Consulting pays the best, but I’d have to travel a lot, which means no time for dating. Investment banking is intense, but it’s a solid career move. Staying at the university is the most stable, but a little less exciting…”

He suddenly turned to the side. “Leon, cousin! You’re super smart, help me decide!”