Chapter Fourteen: Hungry and Heavy-Hearted

For reasons she couldn’t quite explain, Pei Xi felt an unprecedented sensation within herself upon Fang Yuan’s arrival. Though she was unable to put her feelings into words, she sensed a certain charm about Fang Yuan that made everything around her seem peaceful. Of course, Pei Xi was not the type to seek dependence on others; she simply had a genuine desire to learn freediving from Fang Yuan. If she were to have a coach, she sincerely hoped it would be him, as that would put her at ease.

When Fang Yuan heard Pei Xi’s request, though he truly wanted to agree, reason ultimately prevailed and he declined her proposal without hesitation.

“I’m sorry, but I have other things to attend to—I really don’t have the time to teach you,” Fang Yuan replied against his will. In reality, he had all the time in the world; it was hardly a lack of time, but rather an abundance of it.

At this moment, Chong Chong, who had been silent for quite a while, spoke up again: “If you regret your decision and feel embarrassed to go back on your word, I have a thicker skin than you—I can do it for you if you like.”

Hearing this, Fang Yuan was almost tempted to silence Chong Chong with just two fingers. Indeed, its skin was far thicker than most; what right did it have to meddle in others’ privacy?

“Please don’t bring up topics that ruin one’s appetite while eating. It really affects the mood,” Chong Chong kindly reminded them, thinking that mentioning that subject during a meal was a recipe for awkwardness.

It never understood why Fang Yuan cared so much about things that didn’t matter to anyone else. What Chong Chong didn’t tell anyone was that Fang Yuan had already silently cursed him countless times in his heart. But being a broad-minded creature, Chong Chong paid no heed to Fang Yuan’s grievances.

Well then, he might as well consider it as having watched a short, amusing film for free.

Pei Xi had initially thought Fang Yuan was a guest staying there, but after he left the previous day, she asked Zheng Hao and learned that wasn’t the case. Regardless, nowadays, everyone’s time was precious—unlike her own, with a wealthy father who forbade her from doing anything.

Whenever she called, his first question was always: “Sweetheart, do you have enough money? If not, just let me know and I’ll transfer you some.”

Pei Xi had long since run out of complaints about her father, for many of her friends envied her for having such a doting parent. They joked that she must have saved the entire galaxy in a past life to deserve such indulgence.

But only Pei Xi knew that having a father like hers was not entirely fortunate. He not only spoiled her but also imposed many restrictions. For instance, she was forbidden from having a boyfriend before the age of twenty-five—let alone anything else. Among her friends, Zheng Hao was the only male companion she had, and that was simply because they’d grown up together. She figured her father trusted Zheng Hao because, in certain ways, he was something of a comrade-in-arms.

Many of her potential boyfriends were scared off by Zheng Hao and her father working in tandem. Poor Pei Xi—nearly twenty, yet still hopelessly single.

Her desire for Fang Yuan to accept her request was driven partly by a wish to defy her father, and partly by a longing to interact with the opposite sex—not just spend each day with her girlfriends, who all now had boyfriends of their own and no longer spent time with her.

But there was nothing to be done if he refused. Such a pity—for such a fine figure to go to waste.

Fang Yuan finally felt full, though he could probably have kept eating if not for the nearly empty table. Still, he was about seventy or eighty percent sated; at least he wouldn’t feel hungry.

He hadn’t expected his appetite to have grown so much—he now ate as much in one meal as he used to in an entire day. But his mother had always said that being able to eat was a blessing; perhaps he truly was a fortunate man now.

“Could you give me a black bag?” Fang Yuan asked, seeing his own pile of money but having nowhere to put it.

“Of course. But are you sure you don’t want to reconsider?” Pei Xi pressed on, undeterred. No one knew why this young woman had become so persistent—rejected countless times, yet never giving up.

Such tenacity was truly admirable, especially in young women in the prime of their youth—it lent them an even greater allure.

Fang Yuan felt he really couldn’t linger here any longer, worried that he or Chong Chong might, in a moment of carelessness, agree to her request. Judging by this young woman’s determination, if he did consent, there would be no going back.

He put the money into the bag and left without looking back. Watching his departing figure, Pei Xi glimpsed the shadow lurking in the background and smiled with satisfaction: Just you wait—there’s plenty in store for you.

As it turned out, the one hiding in the shadows was none other than Zheng Hao, her father’s comrade-in-arms. After Zheng Hao learned that Pei Xi wanted Fang Yuan to stay, he immediately informed Old Master Pei, her father.

Old Master Pei was no ordinary man—now the chairman of a listed company. In business circles, his reputation was legendary. He was a wonderful man in every respect, save for one quality intolerable to all single men.

He treasured his precious daughter more than life itself. It wasn’t merely that he wouldn’t let any man marry her; even the slightest advance would send him into a fury. As Pei Xi’s only male friend, Zheng Hao was often courted and mocked by others.

First courted, then mocked, of course.

In private, Zheng Hao sometimes vented himself, for even he was not above suspicion in Old Master Pei’s eyes. If not for his quick thinking in claiming to be “that way,” he would likely be under constant surveillance.

To prove his innocence, Zheng Hao even went so far as to hire an actor to play his boyfriend, which finally brought a smile to Old Master Pei’s face. But that smile only made Zheng Hao feel like a eunuch, publicly unmasked for all to see.

Besides, he had never seen an elder so genuinely delighted to hear such news about the younger generation. Zheng Hao could clearly sense Old Master Pei’s happiness was sincere and heartfelt.