Come on, What Kind of CEO Chases His Roommate Back to the Country? - Chapter 64

Shi Yancheng was studying diligently, but his hands were still clumsy.

The dumpling wrappers in his hands kept turning into all sorts of odd shapes, some looked like crooked crescent moons, others resembled crumpled little boats.

“Hey, are you making dumplings or origami?” Su Mi couldn’t help teasing.

Shi Yancheng cast him a cool glance. “If you’re so capable, then don’t eat any.”

“Oh, no way,” Su Mi grinned shamelessly. “Dumplings made by my dear cousin himself? Even if they look like… well, that, I’ve got to try one.”

Pei Song was quietly watching Shi Yancheng from the side.

The usually intimidating, commanding CEO was now fumbling awkwardly with a piece of dough, brow slightly furrowed, his focused expression unexpectedly… cute.

“What are you smiling at?” Shi Yancheng suddenly looked up, catching the amused glint in Pei Song’s eyes.

“Nothing.” Pei Song quickly lowered his head and went back to wrapping dumplings, but the curve of his lips was impossible to suppress.

“Seems like team leader Pei has a lot of opinions about my craftsmanship,” Shi Yancheng said blandly.

“Not at all.” Pei Song feigned seriousness. “It’s just that Mr. Shi, in this particular area… clearly lacks talent.”

Su Mi burst out laughing, nearly doubling over. “Haha, Song Song, you’re being way too nice. Cousin, if you served those dumplings to a three-year-old, you’d scare them to tears!”

Just then, Pei Song’s phone buzzed again.

He glanced at it. It was a message from Grandma Pei, “Don’t force me to show up at your company’s doorstep!”

The smile instantly froze on Pei Song’s face. Shi Yancheng noticed the change and subtly glanced at his screen.

“Xiao Mi,” Su Mi’s mother spoke up at just the right moment, “Go grab the chives from the fridge.”

“Oh, sure.” Su Mi got up and headed to the prep area.

“I’ll come with you,” Pei Song quickly added, eager for an excuse to escape the awkwardness, but Shi Yancheng caught him by the wrist.

“Finish teaching me this first,” he said, picking up another wrapper. “I still haven’t learned it.”

Pei Song had no choice but to sit back down. “Okay, start by laying the wrapper flat. Don’t press too hard…” He demonstrated as he spoke, but realized Shi Yancheng’s attention wasn’t on the dumpling, it was on him, studying him with quiet intensity.

“Did you understand what I just said?” Pei Song asked.

“Yeah,” Shi Yancheng nodded thoughtfully. “I understood one thing.”

“What?”

“You’re hiding from someone.”

Pei Song didn’t respond right away. After a long silence, he finally asked, “What would you do if someone showed up at your company causing a scene?”

Shi Yancheng paused, his gaze landing on Pei Song’s tense profile. “I wouldn’t let it come to that.”

He paused again, then said in a low, firm voice, “SNK is the leading company in the Asia-Pacific region. Anyone who wants to stir up trouble here better think twice. And my employees aren’t just people anyone can push around.”

Pei Song lowered his head, continuing to wrap dumplings. “Mm, got it,” he replied softly.

“Why ask all of a sudden?” Shi Yancheng asked, pretending it was a casual question.

“No reason. Just wondering.” Pei Song adjusted the folds of a dumpling. “This one’s crooked again…”

Shi Yancheng raised a brow but didn’t press further.

After lunch, Pei Song checked the time and said, “Auntie, Xiao Mi, I’ve got to go. My mom lives alone out in the suburbs, and I haven’t visited her in a while.”

“Take some dumplings with you,” Su Mi’s mom offered warmly. “The ones you made should be enough for several meals.”

“Thank you, Auntie.” Pei Song accepted the insulated container, then turned to Shi Yancheng. “I’m off.”

Shi Yancheng nodded. “Take care.”

After watching Pei Song leave, Shi Yancheng took out his phone. He called the front desk at SNK. “If anyone comes to the office looking for Pei Song in the next few days, no matter who it is, I want to be notified immediately.”

“Yes, Mr. Shi,” the receptionist replied respectfully.

Then he called the security department. “Starting today, increase patrols in the main lobby. If anyone lingers near the building for more than ten minutes, report to me immediately.”

Pei Song walked into the small courtyard, insulated container in hand. Under the camphor tree, there was a new rattan chair and a tea table, it looked like his mom had been spending time here sketching outdoors.

“Mom?” He pushed open the door and saw Mother Pei’s on a video call.

“Thank you, Professor. I’ll send over the new piece by Friday,” she said before ending the call. “Song Song, you’re here! Come see my latest work!”

She eagerly pulled him into the studio and pointed at an unfinished oil painting on the easel. “My mentor suggested I try incorporating traditional Chinese ink elements into Western oil painting techniques. What do you think?”

“It’s unique,” Pei Song said seriously, studying the piece. “The composition has a very Eastern aesthetic.”

“Right? I’ve been learning so many new things lately,” Pei’s mother said, eyes sparkling. “Oh, what did you bring?”

“Dumplings from Su Mi’s mom, we made them together.” Pei Song handed over the container.

“I’ll heat them up.” She took it, then paused as if remembering something. “By the way, your grandmother kept calling me today, saying you weren’t answering her calls.”

Pei Song’s expression tightened. “Don’t worry about her.”

“I know.” His mom sighed. “She’s always been like that, wants to control everyone’s life.”

After dinner, Pei Song helped clean up the dishes.

Mother Pei brewed some tea and observed him quietly. “Song Song, are you hiding something from me?”

“No… nothing,” he mumbled, keeping his head down, focused on wiping a plate.

“I’m your mother,” she said gently. “When you were little, you always lowered your head when something was bothering you.”

Pei Song sighed and told her everything. When he mentioned Grandma Pei threatening to show up at his office, he clearly felt his mother’s hands freeze for a moment.

“Stay here tonight,” she said. “I already tidied up your room.”

Pei Song nodded. “Okay. I’ll head to work straight from here tomorrow.”

“Oh, and Mom,” he pulled a bank card from his bag, “This is my salary card. The PIN is your birthday.”

“There’s no need,” she said quickly, trying to refuse. “I still have money from what your dad gave me, and my expenses are low.”

“Just take it,” Pei Song insisted, slipping the card into her hand. “Didn’t you say you wanted to get some new art supplies? Good paint and canvases are expensive. Plus, you’re planning to study at M University, tuition and living expenses will add up.”

His mother looked at his gentle, refined face and felt a wave of emotion wash over her. The little boy she once had to take care of… was now looking after her.

“You need to spend on yourself too,” she said softly. “Working at SNK must be stressful, treat yourself sometimes.”

“I’m doing great at the company,” Pei Song smiled. “The pay is really good. Please, just keep it.”

Mother Pei patted his head, just like she did when he was a child. “Alright, then I’ll take it. Once I become a real artist and sell my paintings, I’ll pay you back.”

“Mom…” Pei Song laughed helplessly. “You’re joking again.”