Why Didn't You Say So Earlier

A soft bubbling sound came from the kitchen.

Chen Zhi turned off the heat and lifted the lid of the clay pot.

The savory aroma of century egg and the rich scent of lean pork, mixed with the sweet fragrance of perfectly simmered rice, instantly wafted into his face.

He took a white porcelain bowl, filled it to the brim, and sprinkled a small pinch of chopped green onions on top before carrying it back to the bedroom.

Pei Ningxue was still in the same position as before, her back facing the door.

The black silk slip dress spread out smoothly, with one shoulder strap slipping down to her elbow, revealing her fair, rounded shoulder.

On her shoulder, a few conspicuous red marks were dotted.

"President Pei, time for breakfast," Chen Zhi said, placing the bowl on the nightstand.

The person on the bed remained motionless, completely ignoring him.

Pretending to be asleep, huh.

Chen Zhi chuckled. He sat down on the edge of the bed and reached out, scooping her and the blanket up into his arms.

"What are you doing!" Pei Ningxue couldn't keep pretending. She reached out to push his chest, but since her whole body was sore and weak, her little bit of strength felt like a mere tickle to Chen Zhi.

"What am I doing? Serving the CFO of Deep Space Technology her meal, of course." Chen Zhi took the opportunity to help her sit up, letting her lean against his shoulder.

Pei Ningxue turned her face away, acting like she didn't want to talk to him.

Chen Zhi wasn't annoyed. He scooped up a spoonful of the century egg and pork porridge, blew on it carefully, and held it to her lips.

"Here, I blew on it. It's not hot."

Pei Ningxue kept her lips tightly pursed, refusing to open her mouth.

"What? Do I have to feed you with my mouth?" Chen Zhi raised an eyebrow, pretending to bring the spoon to his own mouth.

Startled, Pei Ningxue quickly turned her head, bit down on the spoon, and swallowed the porridge.

"That's a good girl." Chen Zhi smiled in satisfaction and continued feeding her spoonful by spoonful.

Pei Ningxue leaned against his chest like a little girl, obediently opening her mouth to eat the porridge.

Watching her chew with puffed cheeks, Chen Zhi couldn't help but reach out and pinch her cheek.

"Slap!"

Pei Ningxue unceremoniously swatted his hand away.

"Keep your hands to yourself."

"Alright, alright, hands off." Chen Zhi wasn't angry at being hit, and just scooped up another spoonful for her.

Chen Zhi fed her spoonful by spoonful, and Pei Ningxue ate bite by bite.

She was very quiet when eating, chewing slowly and thoroughly, but she kept her eyes downcast, absolutely refusing to make any eye contact with him.

Soon, the entire bowl of porridge was empty.

A grain of rice was stuck to the corner of Pei Ningxue's mouth.

Chen Zhi reached out with his thumb, wiped it off for her, and naturally put it into his own mouth.

Pei Ningxue frowned in disgust. "Aren't you gross?"

"Helping my wife eat is gross?" Chen Zhi put the empty bowl back on the nightstand.

Pei Ningxue started ignoring him again.

Chen Zhi wanted to pinch her cheek again. "Why are you still ignoring me? Cat got your tongue?"

Pei Ningxue swatted his hand away and shifted to the side. "I don't want to talk to you."

"Now that's just being unreasonable." Chen Zhi said. "The deed is already done. Weren't you pretty arrogant back in the office when you provoked me every day and hooked my chin with your foot? Now that everything has happened, you're regretting it?"

"I do regret it!"

Gritting her teeth, Pei Ningxue grabbed a pillow and threw it at Chen Zhi.

"I regret ever meeting a scumbag like you!"

The more she spoke, the more wronged she felt, and her eyes turned a little red.

"When you first talked to me, I should have pretended not to hear you and ignored you completely!"

Chen Zhi leaned in and pulled her back into his arms.

Pei Ningxue struggled a couple of times but couldn't break free, so she just let him hold her.

"That wouldn't have been up to you." Chen Zhi rested his chin on her hair, smelling the faint scent of her shampoo. "If you ignored me, I would have just pestered you. I'd follow you wherever you went until you talked to me."

Pei Ningxue snorted coldly. "Rascal."

"Yep, I'm a rascal," Chen Zhi admitted freely. "Who asked you to be so pretty and capable enough to help me manage the huge mess that is Deep Space Technology? Where else could I find such a great CFO?"

"You're just treating me as free labor!"

"Nonsense, I'm clearly treating you as the boss's wife."

Pei Ningxue looked up and glared at him.

"So annoying."

"So lovable," Chen Zhi replied quickly.

Pei Ningxue froze for a second, her cheeks flushing, but she stubbornly said, "Annoying!"

"Lovable."

"Annoying!"

"Lovable."

The two of them engaged in a meaningless back-and-forth on the bed, just like elementary school kids arguing.

Flustered and exasperated, Pei Ningxue opened her mouth to bite his shoulder.

Chen Zhi was prepared. He dodged by shifting slightly to the side and took the opportunity to lower his head and peck her on the lips.

"I like you," Chen Zhi's voice softened a bit.

Pei Ningxue stiffened. She buried her face in Chen Zhi's chest and muttered softly.

"So annoying..."

The two held each other quietly for a while.

A lazy and cozy atmosphere filled the bedroom. Sunlight spilled onto the floor through the gaps in the curtains, and time seemed to slow down.

Playing with Pei Ningxue's hair, Chen Zhi pondered whether he should give her a few days off.

Just as Chen Zhi was enjoying the peaceful moment, Pei Ningxue stirred in his arms.

"Chen Zhi."

"Hmm?"

Pei Ningxue dropped a bombshell in a flat tone, "My dad is arriving in Beijing tomorrow."

The hand Chen Zhi had around her waist suddenly jerked.

"Why didn't you tell me earlier?" Chen Zhi was horrified.

His father-in-law was coming for him!

Who was Pei Dongcheng? He was a ruthless figure controlling a multi-billion-dollar empire, an old fox who had navigated the business world for decades.

The most fatal part was that just last night, he had completely devoured this precious daughter of his, who had been pampered since childhood!

If they met tomorrow and Pei Dongcheng noticed anything amiss, wouldn't he just call in a few truckloads of bodyguards to dump him into the Huangpu River?

Seeing Chen Zhi acting as if he were facing a formidable enemy, a triumphant smile tugged at the corners of Pei Ningxue's mouth.

"Why would I tell you earlier?" Pei Ningxue's tone carried a hint of schadenfreude. "Tell you earlier so you could just bully his daughter after he leaves?"

"Um... President Pei." Chen Zhi swallowed hard, attempting a final struggle. "What time is your dad's flight tomorrow? Do you need me to pick him up? Or, perhaps I could formally host a banquet for him in my capacity as CEO of Deep Space Technology?"

Pei Ningxue looked at him with a half-smile. "Is CEO Chen feeling guilty?"

"Why would I feel guilty?" Chen Zhi braced himself and stubbornly denied it. "This is out of respect for an elder!"

"Alright, stop pretending." Pei Ningxue rolled her eyes at him. "I'll send the flight information to your phone later. You're coming to the airport with me tomorrow."

She sat up straight and pulled up her slipped shoulder strap.

"Okay, got it." Chen Zhi nodded. "I'll pick you up tomorrow afternoon, and we'll go together."

Pei Ningxue hummed in satisfaction and lay back down under the covers. "I'm going to sleep a little longer."

Watching Pei Ningxue close her eyes again, Chen Zhi gently shut the bedroom door and walked into the living room.

Leaning against the sofa, Chen Zhi let out a long breath of stale air.

His days were really starting to feel like a prison sentence waiting to happen.