Come on, What Kind of CEO Chases His Roommate Back to the Country? - Chapter 66

She couldn’t go on. A flicker of pain flashed through her eyes. “Thank God my mom brought me with her that day. I realized something was off and secretly called for help.”

Pei Song listened in silence as she recounted these unbearable memories.

“After that, my mom developed depression. She locked herself in her room all day. My dad not only felt no guilt, he even blamed her for being useless, said if she had been willing to ‘sacrifice’ a little, he’d already be at the top.” Her voice grew colder. “That kind of man has no sense of moral boundary. You can’t even imagine what he’s capable of.”

“So when I got an invitation from Grandma Pei,” Zhang Ruojin continued, “I thought, why not see what the woman who ruined my mom’s life is like now.”

This was the first time Pei Song had ever heard any of this, and he didn’t know what to say.

“But,” Zhang Ruojin’s tone shifted, “I suppose I should thank my dad. He’s the reason I have no interest in marriage. I have no desire to follow in my mother’s footsteps and marry a man like him.”

She tilted her head and looked at Pei Song. “But I do like kids. At most, I’d find a man just to have a child, keep the kid, ditch the father.”

Pei Song stood up. “If that’s all you wanted to say, Miss Zhang, I’ll be leaving now.”

“Wait.” Zhang Ruojin stopped him. “I actually think pretty highly of you. Want to team up for something interesting?”

Pei Song paused and looked at her warily.

“I want to take control of the Zhang family,” she said, her voice laced with dangerous charm. “And I need a smart partner.”

Noticing the guarded look in his eyes, she smiled. “Relax, this could be an opportunity for you too. Power is the most seductive thing in this world. Believe me, once you get a taste of it, you’ll never care about those vague, sentimental feelings again.”

She sipped her coffee and continued, “In return, I can help you resolve your current troubles with the Pei family. Your father’s indecisiveness makes him unfit for leadership. If you’re willing to cooperate, I can help you take the reins of the Pei family.

Even though my grandfather’s retired, the Zhang family still holds significant influence. If played right, you could completely replace your father.”

“Tempting offer,” Pei Song replied with a faint, mocking smile. “But I’m afraid you’ll be disappointed.”

“Don’t rush to turn me down,” Zhang Ruojin said meaningfully. “A woman trying to survive in the business world has to learn to use every resource available. As much as I despise my father’s shameless ways, he did teach me one thing, compared to flimsy emotions, power is far more dependable.”

“You certainly see things clearly, Miss Zhang,” Pei Song replied coolly.

“You have to understand,” she said, eyes narrowing, “Sometimes one step forward means life, while one step back means death. And your father’s position? It’s not all that stable.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Pei Song said as he stood. “I’m not interested in power struggles.” He turned and walked out of the café, finding the whole conversation utterly absurd.

“You know,” Zhang Ruojin’s voice followed him, “Families like ours may look glamorous on the outside, but each one has its own brand of misery. You’re luckier than me, at least. Your parents never forced you to do anything against your conscience.”

Not long after he returned to the office, the CEO’s assistant called: “Manager Pei, Mr. Shi would like you to report on your work.”

Report? Pei Song was confused as he headed to the CEO’s office.

“Who was that you met at the café just now?” Shi Yancheng asked directly. Sensing Pei Song’s displeasure, he added, “I just happened to be walking by after lunch. I wasn’t following you.”

Pei Song didn’t know where to begin.

“If you’re having trouble, you can talk to me,” Shi Yancheng said gently. “I’m still the same Shi Yancheng. Becoming the person in charge here hasn’t changed how I feel about you. My concern for you has never wavered.”

The warmth in those words soothed Pei Song, but he still replied with a hint of sarcasm, “Isn’t the mighty CEO capable of digging up the truth himself?”

“I would never do anything behind your back that would make you uncomfortable,” Shi Yancheng said seriously.

Encouraged by his gaze, Pei Song finally explained the situation with Grandma Pei and Zhang Ruojin.

“So what you’re saying is…” Shi Yancheng looked at him, “Zhang Ruojin wants to team up with you to seize power in the Zhang family?”

Pei Song nodded. “More or less.”

“She’s quite the character.”

“Character?” Pei Song frowned. “I think she’s just insane.”

Shi Yancheng chuckled. “She’s definitely bold but she’s also very clever. Did you notice? She used the Pei family’s scandals to draw you in, then gained your sympathy with her tragic background, and finally made her offer. Every step was carefully calculated.”

Pei Song paused, he hadn’t thought about it that way.

“She won’t bother you again,” Shi Yancheng said confidently. “People like her know when to retreat. Since everything’s out in the open, she won’t keep pestering you. But you, next time something like this happens, don’t try to shoulder it all alone.”

Pei Song pursed his lips. “I thought I could handle it.”

“You were worried I’d interfere in your personal life?” Shi Yancheng asked bluntly.

Pei Song froze. That was exactly what had been on his mind.

“As for your grandmother,” Shi Yancheng continued, “Since your father’s already stepped in, she shouldn’t cause trouble again anytime soon. What you need to focus on now is your work, especially the upcoming ‘Senior Living Community’ project.”

Pei Song nodded. After the conversation with Shi Yancheng, much of his anxiety and frustration had lifted.

“Anything else you want to say?” Shi Yancheng asked.

Pei Song shook his head, but then added softly, “Thank you.”

“No need for thanks between us,” Shi Yancheng said, eyes twinkling with amusement. “But seriously, if you ever decide to take over the family business, I’m happy to help.”

“Why are you still thinking about that?” Pei Song said helplessly.

Shi Yancheng’s tone was warm. “Just giving you another option.”

“I’m really not interested in any of that. Besides…” Pei Song paused, “You’re already my boss, and now you want to be my backer too? Aren’t you being a little greedy?”

A glimmer of a smile flickered in Shi Yancheng’s eyes. “So you’re admitting I’m your backer?”

Pei Song suddenly realized what he’d said, stood up, and said quickly, “I should get back to work.” Then he left in a hurry.

Watching his retreating back, Shi Yancheng picked up his phone and dialed a number.

“Look into the Zhang family,” he ordered. “I want a full report. Starting from the time Zhang Ruojin’s grandfather was still in power. Map out all their connections over the years. Especially her father’s business dealings and ties to government figures.” 

“Also, dig into the past between Zhang Yumei and Pei Song’s father.”