Volume One, Chapter Five: Sustained Momentum, the Third Hidden Point

Pei Lin glanced at Pei Xi’s suit, worth just over a few hundred yuan, and thought to himself that fortunately, Xu Qingning didn’t know much about quality; otherwise, he would really suspect that the girl was subtly mocking him.

He chuckled dryly twice, putting on a false smile and saying insincerely, “Of course, I’ve watched Pei Xi grow up. I treat him just like my own son; how could I ever treat him harshly?”

“Old Lu, you go and find out who’s spreading these rumors. How dare they try to destroy the bond between us uncle and nephew? Once we find out, make sure they’re severely punished without mercy!”

“Yes, sir.”

After everyone left, Pei Lin withdrew his gaze and invited the two to sit.

“Try this—it’s some tea I have treasured for a long time. They say it calms the mind and soothes the spirit. Young people nowadays are prone to impatience and restlessness.”

Xu Qingning lowered her head, quietly watching the water pour into the teacup, inwardly scoffing.

Such a big commotion right at the door—this old fox was definitely targeting her!

Still, this old fox was generous in a way; he was willing to poison such fine tea, which was a real waste of its flavor.

Though it wasn’t a deadly poison, it was enough to upset one’s stomach.

Hah, one could never trust Pei Lin’s words—smiling with a hidden blade, soft on the surface but sharp underneath—that was exactly the kind of man he was.

Xu Qingning was still pondering how to keep her and Pei Xi from drinking it when Pei Xi had already drained his cup and even took hers to drink.

“Second Uncle, sorry. Qingqing has been recuperating lately and must avoid cold, spicy food, as well as smoking, alcohol, and tea. I drank this cup for her, please forgive me.”

“That’s nothing. Since she has dietary restrictions, I’ll tell the kitchen to prepare some dishes she likes.”

“Thank you, Second Uncle.”

Seeing them head toward the kitchen, Xu Qingning immediately grabbed Pei Xi anxiously and whispered, “What are you doing? Don’t you know there’s medicine in the tea? You drank two cups—are you crazy?”

Before Pei Xi could reply, a system prompt sounded: [Hidden point triggered. Do you want to activate it?]

Again? She barely had time to wonder before dismissing the thought.

She quickly confirmed, pressing the button, eyes fixed on Pei Xi, fearing something might happen to him.

Compared to her, Pei Xi looked relaxed. “Qingqing, are you worried about me?”

“Isn’t that obvious? Big Brother, that’s medicine! Medicine is always somewhat toxic; don’t you value your life?”

Hearing her firm answer, Pei Xi’s smile deepened. “I do value my life.”

“Then why did you still drink it?”

“But I can’t let Qingqing suffer.”

Pei Xi looked at her seriously. “More than myself, I’m afraid something will happen to you.”

There was so much in his gaze that Xu Qingning averted her eyes. “Anyway, it’ll just mean more trips to the bathroom for you. You’re not worried, so I’m not scared either!”

“Mm, I know.”

Xu Qingning wanted to say more but, hearing sounds from the kitchen, decided to lean into Pei Xi’s arms, idly playing with his fingers.

To Pei Lin, this scene looked like a loving married couple, inseparable and affectionate.

Thinking about the order he gave the kitchen, Pei Lin snorted coldly. Was that meant to intimidate him? He would make them suffer a little.

After leaving the kitchen, Pei Lin said he had work to attend to. With some time before dinner, he told Pei Xi to take Xu Qingning for a tour around.

This suited Xu Qingning perfectly. She grabbed Pei Xi and headed straight for the penthouse, saying they would start from the top floor and work their way down.

Once upstairs, she skillfully opened a door, pulled Pei Xi inside, and began feeling around the walls. Upon finding a recessed spot, she chuckled softly and pressed it.

A hidden room appeared before them.

Pei Xi looked at her triumphant expression and smiled helplessly. “Qingqing, you’re so familiar with this place that you make me feel like you’re the real Pei family member.”

“Hmph, come on in.”

This secret room was something she had stumbled upon during a previous mission. It contained many relics of the past, but Xu Qingning had never looked through them.

She thought Pei Xi would be very interested since, before his parents passed away, he had been a happy child.

Pei Xi studied the room’s furnishings, thick with dust from long neglect.

“Qingqing, did you know? I discovered this room when I was a kid sneaking around. Originally, it held my parents’ mementos from over the years.”

“Then why don’t you come here anymore?”

Pei Xi’s eyes were filled with nostalgia and sorrow. Xu Qingning understood the answer.

Entering this room meant being enveloped by the past—a happiness Pei Xi could never touch again. Moreover, if his movements were discovered, the Pei family would try to destroy everything, wanting Pei Xi to live in pain.

So he dared not, and could not, come here; he couldn’t gamble on the worst outcome.

She stepped up to him and embraced him. “There will be a day when you can enter this room openly and without fear.”

He hugged her back, resting his head against her hair. “Yes, there will be. Then, Qingqing, you’ll come in with me, okay?”

Xu Qingning’s heart skipped a beat, her pulse quickening. She blinked rapidly, a little flustered. “Well, I—I…”

His large hand gently patted her back in reassurance. “It’s alright. We’ll take it slow, okay?”

“…Okay.”

Fortunately, there were no cameras in the penthouse. To protect the room, they lingered in other rooms for about the same amount of time. When they finally emerged from one of the rooms, Xu Qingning covered her mouth, cheeks flushed, occasionally shooting Pei Xi a glare.

“Heh, newlyweds can’t suppress their feelings. There’s no need to follow them; they wouldn’t stir up much trouble anyway.”

After hearing the servant’s report, Pei Lin snorted and waved them off.

Unbeknownst to him, in one of the penthouse rooms, the two “unable to control their feelings” were now staring at each other.

“Pei Xi, why hasn’t the medicine in those two cups of tea worked yet? Are you sure it wasn’t fake?”

“If it was fake, wouldn’t you have seen it back then?”

“Then why aren’t you feeling anything? I’m not saying I want you to be uncomfortable, but you…”

Pei Xi interrupted her, and Xu Qingning met his gentle smile. “I took the antidote beforehand.”

“How did you know your Second Uncle would poison you?”

“I didn’t, so I took every kind.”

Xu Qingning laughed angrily. “Pei Xi, medicine is always somewhat toxic. Don’t you care about your health at all?”

“Qingqing, I…”

“Don’t say it. I don’t want to hear it. Pei Xi, if you can’t take care of yourself, I’ll—”

Thinking she couldn’t mention the mission directly, Xu Qingning grabbed his hand and wrote on it.

[I’m not doing this mission anymore. You catch the culprit yourself!]

Xu Qingning didn’t even know why she was so upset.

Probably because she worried that Pei Xi’s handsome face might become too gaunt and frail after taking so many medicines, which would affect her admiration of him.