45. Sweetness

After moving in together, their days became impossibly sweet. On cold mornings when neither wanted to get up, Pei Huan would cling to Lu Yinghuai, lingering in bed a while longer. Even though Lu Yinghuai’s biological clock had already roused him, he would dutifully pull Pei Huan into his arms and lie with her, indulging her desire to stay under the covers.

Neither of them needed to go to the office that day. Pei Huan, thinking how rare it was for them to have an entire day together, suggested they go out for a stroll. Lu Yinghuai seemed preoccupied, taking a moment before agreeing.

After breakfast, they went upstairs to change clothes. They didn’t dress together; by the time Pei Huan came downstairs, Lu Yinghuai was still getting ready. She settled onto the sofa, phone in hand, waiting for him.

Some time passed before she heard footsteps descending the stairs. She looked up, and when she saw Lu Yinghuai’s outfit, her eyes lit up. Unable to resist, she whistled at him, making him a little embarrassed.

Since their reunion, Pei Huan hadn’t seen him dress like this. Most of the time, he wore crisp, tailored suits; even his casual attire was limited to somber shades of black, white, and grey. But today, he wore a white hoodie under a baseball jacket, paired with cargo pants.

The ensemble shifted his entire aura closer to that of a university student. Pei Huan admired him, teasing, “Who knew you had such a knack for fashion?”

“It’s alright,” Lu Yinghuai replied breezily.

In truth, after hearing Pei Huan’s suggestion the night before, Lu Yinghuai had prepared for their outing, even consulting Kang Shi and Lu Feng. Lu Feng was of little help, but Kang Shi, with his mischievous flair, had plenty of ideas. Despite years spent in the business world, Kang Shi retained a hint of irreverence.

Initially, Lu Yinghuai doubted Kang Shi’s advice, but after following his instructions and trying on various outfits, he conceded. Kang Shi, watching through the camera, nodded with satisfaction. “With my sense of fashion, there’s no way I’d go wrong.”

Lu Yinghuai merely glanced at the camera. “Your advice was useful, after all.”

But none of this would be shared with Pei Huan; he’d let her continue in her misconception.

When both were ready, they headed out. It was late December, the cold biting. Even bundled in a down jacket, the wind on her face made Pei Huan shrink back. Lu Yinghuai noticed. “Are you cold?”

“I’m fine,” Pei Huan replied. “I’m dressed warmly.”

They hadn’t decided on a destination beforehand. The winter streets were sparse, almost desolate. Hand in hand, they strolled leisurely, exchanging sweet words meant only for each other. Despite the wintry wind, warmth lingered in Lu Yinghuai’s heart.

At noon, they wandered into a small restaurant. Though the place was modest, it bustled with patrons. Amidst the noise, they enjoyed the intimacy of being together.

As they finished and prepared to leave, they ran into Tan Yan, who was there with friends. At first, Tan Yan couldn’t believe she’d run into Pei Huan, only realizing after Pei Huan greeted her.

Tan Yan looked from Pei Huan to the handsome man whose fingers were entwined with hers. This was her first time seeing Pei Huan’s boyfriend up close, and “so handsome it makes your nose bleed” hardly seemed an exaggeration.

“Huan, are you out shopping with your boyfriend?” Tan Yan finally found her voice.

“Yes. Are you here with friends?” Pei Huan smiled.

Tan Yan nodded, her gaze flickering toward Lu Yinghuai. Pei Huan noticed and introduced him openly, “This is my boyfriend, Lu Yinghuai.”

Only then did Tan Yan recognize him—no wonder he seemed familiar. He was the illustrious Lu Yinghuai, current CEO of Minghan Group.

“This is my colleague, Tan Yan,” Pei Huan introduced.

Lu Yinghuai’s gaze, devoid of emotion, settled on Tan Yan with intense pressure. She involuntarily shivered. He merely nodded, saying nothing.

Pei Huan and Tan Yan exchanged a few casual words before parting. Watching the couple’s retreating figures, Tan Yan and her friend couldn’t help but sigh.

“Your colleague is impressive. I’ve heard Lu Yinghuai of Minghan Group is formidable, shrewd, and extremely cold,” her friend commented knowingly.

Tan Yan sighed inwardly but replied, “President Lu is indeed remarkable, but Pei Huan isn’t far behind. She’s a legendary figure in our team, perhaps even our department. Few can match her.”

Her friend nodded, glancing at their distant figures before heading into the restaurant with Tan Yan.

Meanwhile, the so-called cold man was warming Pei Huan’s hands, his palms radiating gentle heat. Pei Huan felt her heart warm in tandem. She looked at him and said, “I like you so much, Lu Yinghuai.”

Since they’d gotten together, Pei Huan always expressed her affection so plainly. At first, it embarrassed Lu Yinghuai, but over time, he grew accustomed to it, patiently responding.

“Mm, I know,” Lu Yinghuai replied gently.

“What do you know?” Pei Huan teased.

“That Pei Huan likes Lu Yinghuai,” he said with a small smile.

“And what about Lu Yinghuai?” Pei Huan pressed.

“Lu Yinghuai likes Pei Huan—even more than Pei Huan likes him,” he answered.

It sounded like a tongue-twister, but Pei Huan understood instantly, her smile deepening.

They played outside until evening before returning home. After showering, Lu Yinghuai retreated to his study to work. Pei Huan, unable to sit still, pushed open his door and settled beside him, then seized the chance to burrow into his arms.

Lu Yinghuai was used to her antics by now—one hand holding documents, the other wrapping around her automatically.

Pei Huan didn’t disturb his work, nestling in his embrace with headphones on, fiddling with her phone, while Lu Yinghuai remained focused, undistracted by her sudden presence.

As she played on her phone, her mother’s call suddenly came through. Pei Huan disconnected the Bluetooth, pressing the phone to her ear. “Hello, Mom?”

“You’ve been back so long and haven’t come home for a meal with your father and me?” Her mother’s tone was stern.

Only then did Pei Huan remember that since returning, she hadn’t seen her mother or father, only having had a few meals with Pei Yan. Despite feeling guilty, she replied with feigned confidence, “I’ve been busy with work, no time.”

Her mother snorted, accepting the excuse, then pressed, “When are you coming home? Pei Yan told me you’re not busy lately.”

Pei Huan considered her schedule. “In a few days.”

Her mother agreed, then added, “You’re not getting any younger. I’ve found a few candidates for you to meet—how about seeing them?”

The room was quiet, making her mother’s words clear even through the receiver. Lu Yinghuai heard it. Pei Huan looked up, meeting his dark eyes, and winked playfully. He gave no response, expressionless as he continued working.

Pei Huan replied, “Mom, I already have a boyfriend.”

The atmosphere fell silent for a few seconds. Her mother was quiet, then finally asked, “Who is it?”

Pei Huan recalled her parents’ previous dissatisfaction with Lu Yinghuai and didn’t know how to respond.

Her mother seemed to sense something. “Is it him?”

Pei Huan knew exactly who “him” referred to and, after a brief silence, murmured an affirmation. Her mother said nothing, making Pei Huan inexplicably nervous.

“When you come home, bring your boyfriend. Your father and I want to meet him.”

With that, her mother hung up. Pei Huan hadn’t even managed to reply. Her mother’s tone betrayed nothing, but Pei Huan felt a foreboding sense of trouble. She looked up, seeing only Lu Yinghuai’s sharp jawline.

“Lu Yinghuai,” she called.

“Hmm?” he responded.

“My mom wants me to bring you home in a few days,” she said.

His hands paused on the keyboard before continuing. “Alright.”

Pei Huan was surprised. “You have no objections?”

“We’ll have to meet eventually. Can’t run away because we’re afraid,” he said, glancing at her.

She watched him for a while before bursting into laughter.

That night, they didn’t sleep in separate rooms. Pei Huan stayed in Lu Yinghuai’s bed; most nights they slept together, though Lu Yinghuai occasionally insisted on separate rooms for her sake, even though such occasions were rare.

Pei Huan said, “Maybe we shouldn’t bother sleeping apart anymore.”

“Why?” Lu Yinghuai asked.

“We spend more nights together than apart. Separating seems unnecessary,” she replied.

Lu Yinghuai agreed, though he still felt a bit uneasy. Sensing his hesitation, Pei Huan pressed closer, draping her legs over his, hugging his arm, and acting coquettishly, “Just say yes.”

Despite his internal struggle, Lu Yinghuai couldn’t resist her and agreed without much thought.

They acted quickly: the next day, Pei Huan moved all his clothes and belongings into the master bedroom.

As the year drew to a close, their work grew even busier. Pei Huan’s workload was no less than Lu Yinghuai’s. They were both so busy that January arrived without notice. Pei Huan, watching the withered leaves outside, couldn’t help but marvel at how quickly time had passed.

It had been half a year since their reunion.

She gazed at Lu Yinghuai, working on the sofa, her eyes softening.

Thankfully, in the end, the two of them had found their way to each other.