44. Living Together

Lately, Lu Yinghuai seemed busier than ever. When Pei Huan messaged him, he would take a long time to reply. Only now did she truly understand what Lu Yinghuai must have felt during her own hectic days.

Lu Yinghuai was on a business trip to the United States. Lying in bed after her nightly routine, Pei Huan video-called him. Looking at his face on the screen, she was seized by the urge to see him right away, but she had work of her own to attend to.

Sensing her low spirits, Lu Yinghuai paused before saying, “Why don’t we move in together?”

Caught in her own mood, Pei Huan was momentarily stunned by his words. “What?”

“Let’s live together,” Lu Yinghuai repeated. “I want to see you every day.”

At that, neither of them spoke for a moment. Pei Huan was silent—not because she was unwilling, but because she was so taken aback by his sudden suggestion that she didn’t know what to say.

Seeing her lack of response, Lu Yinghuai assumed she was unwilling and added, “It’s alright if you don’t want to.”

Pei Huan hurried to explain, “It’s not that I don’t want to. It’s just…” She paused. “It’s a bit sudden.”

“Is it?” Lu Yinghuai raised an eyebrow. “I’ve been thinking about it for a long time.”

At his words, a faint blush crept across Pei Huan’s face. She tried to act casual and looked elsewhere, but her words drifted off-topic. Lu Yinghuai saw through her embarrassment but didn’t expose her.

There was a time difference between them; it was still daytime where he was, but already late at night for her. Noticing her yawn, Lu Yinghuai was about to end the call so she could rest. Though reluctant, Pei Huan insisted on chatting a little longer before they finally hung up.

In these days apart, video calls were their solace for the longing. Pei Huan gazed at Lu Yinghuai’s face on the screen, marveling at his capability and admiring his striking appearance. She was reminded of a popular saying online: A husband’s looks are a wife’s pride. With Lu Yinghuai’s face alone, she could boast for a lifetime.

Lu Yinghuai, glancing up from his documents, noticed her candid gaze. “Do you like what you see?”

“I do,” Pei Huan smiled.

“When I get back, I’ll move in with you. Then you can see me every day,” Lu Yinghuai said unhurriedly.

How did the topic return to living together again?

Pei Huan shot him a playful, reproachful look.

Lu Yinghuai chuckled and said nothing more.

Lu Yinghuai’s trip lasted a week. The day before his return, Pei Huan’s work became hectic. After all, Lu Feng was a member of the Lu family—though the company was his and Kang Shi’s joint venture, many sought collaboration just to connect with the powerful Lu clan.

Pei Huan was reporting to Lu Feng in his office while Kang Shi lounged on the sofa with tea, observing how competent she looked—much like she had in high school, yet subtly changed.

After Pei Huan finished her report and Lu Feng made a few requests, she was about to leave when Kang Shi stopped her. She turned to him, “What is it, Kang?”

“When it’s just the three of us, don’t call me Kang. It feels too formal,” Kang Shi replied awkwardly.

Pei Huan, resigned, played along, “So what do you want, Kang Shi?”

At her tone, Kang Shi visibly relaxed and drawled, “Let’s have dinner together tonight, the three of us. It’s been a while.”

“Aren’t you afraid people will gossip if they see me with you two? Saying I’m cozying up to the bosses for work or a big contract?” Pei Huan teased.

Kang Shi was puzzled. “Gossip about what?”

“That I have ambiguous relationships with the bosses for work,” Pei Huan rattled off a list.

The more he listened, the more incredulous Kang Shi became. “Do people really say such things?”

“You underestimate people’s appetite for gossip,” Pei Huan shot him a look.

“So what should we do?” Kang Shi scratched his head.

“Let’s see,” Pei Huan said, “I have work to do. Talk later.” With that, she left the office.

Kang Shi stared at the closed door. “Is this what it means to be a strong woman?”

“Rather than talk about others, maybe look at yourself,” Lu Feng said dryly. “Did you come to the company just to chat with Pei Huan?”

“What else?” Kang Shi retorted.

Lu Feng was speechless and simply waved him away.

That evening, there was a department dinner. Pei Huan had planned to skip it, but Tan Yan’s persistent persuasion wore her down. Tan Yan confessed she wasn’t familiar with the team and would be left alone if Pei Huan didn’t go. Softening, Pei Huan agreed.

The dinner was held at a well-known restaurant in Ling City. By the time Pei Huan arrived, most of her colleagues were already there.

Truth be told, Pei Huan wasn’t particularly close to anyone—hers was a cordial, professional relationship at best. She’d overheard colleagues gossiping about her in the pantry more than once, mostly grumbling about the recognition she received for her competence.

Pei Huan took it as entertainment and maintained a polite distance. She was one of the most capable in the team, and many relied on her. She saw no reason to make things unpleasant.

There weren’t many men in the group, but that didn’t stop them from taking an interest in her. Despite multiple rejections, she eventually took only a symbolic sip or two of alcohol.

Seeing her set her glass down again, Tan Yan sidled up, grinning, “Huan, your charm hasn’t faded a bit.”

Tan Yan had once seen a photo of Pei Huan from high school—she had always stood out, and time had only added an aura of intellect and maturity.

“Is that so?” Pei Huan arched an eyebrow.

“Of course! If I looked like you, I’d date a hundred guys a month,” Tan Yan joked.

Pei Huan laughed at that. During dinner, Lu Yinghuai asked where she was. She sent him the restaurant location; he simply replied “Okay,” and nothing more. Pei Huan put away her phone.

The gathering dragged on late. As she was leaving, a male colleague approached, “It’s late. Let me take you home?”

Pei Huan shook her head. “No need. My boyfriend is picking me up.”

No one had heard Pei Huan mention a boyfriend before; her colleague assumed it was just an excuse. “You’ve had a drink, and it’s not safe for a woman to go home alone this late.”

Pei Huan stuck to her story, though she herself wasn’t sure if Lu Yinghuai would come—still, since being with him, she had grown used to keeping a distance from other men.

Rebuffed, her colleague left sullenly.

Stepping outside, a cold wind greeted her. Ling City had slipped into winter unnoticed, just as cold as every year. As Pei Huan reached for her phone to call a ride, she spotted a familiar figure in the distance—a figure she had longed for. Still in disbelief, her feet carried her toward him of their own accord.

Lu Yinghuai caught her in a steady embrace and chided gently, “Wearing heels and still running? What if you twist your ankle?”

“Then you’ll have to carry me home,” Pei Huan’s eyes sparkled up at him.

Lu Yinghuai smiled helplessly, fondness evident in his tone. “You.”

A group not far away watched the affectionate scene. They had always thought Pei Huan’s “boyfriend” was just an excuse, but now they saw it was true—and the man was exceptionally handsome. The female colleagues could not help but gasp in admiration. Some, curious, turned to the colleague closest to Pei Huan. “Tan Yan, is that really her boyfriend?”

Tan Yan, equally impressed by his looks, nodded without hesitation, “Of course. Why else would they be hugging?”

At her words, the colleague looked again. Under the yellow glow of the streetlamp, the couple seemed even sweeter.

“Going home?” Lu Yinghuai asked gently.

“Yes, let me tell my colleagues first,” Pei Huan replied with a smile.

After bidding her colleagues a brief farewell, Pei Huan left with Lu Yinghuai.

Tan Yan watched their car disappear and couldn’t help but sigh at how perfect they looked together.

The car stopped steadily downstairs at Pei Huan’s building. She was about to open the door when she heard the locks click. She looked over, puzzled.

Lu Yinghuai was watching her too. “What do you think about what I mentioned before?”

Still tipsy, Pei Huan was slow to recall. “What did you say?”

“Living together,” Lu Yinghuai said calmly.

She remembered then, a meaningful smile playing on her lips. “You want to live with me that badly?”

He nodded.

“Why?” Pei Huan arched an eyebrow.

“I want to see you every day,” he repeated, just as before.

His sudden confession caught her off guard. She awkwardly touched the back of her neck and coughed to cover her embarrassment. “Isn’t that cheating, Lu Yinghuai?”

He didn’t quite follow. “How so?”

“Who uses sweet talk to confuse people?” she mumbled.

Though she spoke softly, the car was small, and Lu Yinghuai heard her with ease. He chuckled, “So are you falling for it?”

She snuck a glance at him, feigning reluctance. “It’s hard not to, with someone like you.”

“Then you agree?” he pressed.

Pei Huan nodded.

Lu Yinghuai smiled and ruffled her hair.

He wasted no time. The next day, when Pei Huan opened her door, she found several large boxes stacked outside—and Lu Yinghuai standing there. She gaped at him. “Aren’t you a bit too efficient?”

“I couldn’t wait any longer,” Lu Yinghuai replied.

Together, they carried the boxes inside. By the time everything was put away, it was nearly noon. Looking at the sudden influx of men’s items in her home, Pei Huan felt a bit dazed.

Were they really living together now?