Chapter 14: Returning to Work

After informing Chu Xun that she was safe, Yao Shan prepared to go to sleep. But that night, she did not rest as well as she had the previous night. Tossing and turning in bed, she found it difficult to fall asleep.

Her heart was filled with uncertainty about the future and memories of the past. She closed her eyes, trying to calm herself, but thoughts surged like a tide, unstoppable. She recalled her conversations with Chu Xun, the man who always offered her support and comfort. She knew he would worry, but she had to make her own choice. She did not want Chu Xun to be dragged into the conflict between herself and Pei Qizhou; it would be unfair to him.

Yao Shan’s thoughts drifted to her father, the ailing old man. Her heart was heavy with guilt because she knew her decisions might disappoint him. Yet she had no other choice. She had to protect him, even if it meant sacrificing her own freedom. Then she thought of Pei Yi, the child she once loved deeply but who now regarded her with hostility. The pain in her heart was profound; she didn’t know how to mend this broken relationship.

Eventually, Yao Shan fell asleep, but her dreams were restless. She dreamed of joyful times past and countless possibilities ahead. In her dreams, she saw herself walking along the seaside with Pei Qizhou, witnessed Pei Yi smiling at her, and saw her father healthy, basking in the warmth of family. But dreams are only dreams. When Yao Shan awoke, she was faced again with the cold reality.

She sat up, took a deep breath, and slowly exhaled. After getting up, she found that the housekeeper had already prepared the meal. Pei Qizhou, Xu Miao, and Pei Yi sat at the dining table, looking very much like a family. Yet she appeared as an outsider.

“Shan Shan, you’re awake,” Xu Miao said with a teasing tone, “Come, have something to eat.” She wore the air of the lady of the house.

“I won’t eat,” Yao Shan replied politely with a smile. “I’m going to work.” She turned and left, unwilling to participate in this false harmony. Stepping outside the villa, the air was cold but felt freer than the atmosphere inside. She drove to the company, where she was familiar with her work environment and the responsibilities she had to bear.

“Yao Shan?” The manager’s face brightened with surprise when he saw her. “I thought you wouldn’t come back.”

Yao Shan was considered the manager’s trusted aide, highly valued for her abilities. But she hadn’t been to the company for some time, and the manager feared something had happened.

“Sorry, manager, some things came up recently,” Yao Shan apologized sincerely. She knew the manager treated her well and that she had been at fault for not even taking leave but simply not showing up.

“It’s okay,” the manager smiled casually. “By the way, there’s a big deal that might need you to negotiate.” Leading Yao Shan into his office, he added, “It’s a major contract with Pei Group. I just can’t trust anyone else with it.”

The manager was unaware of Yao Shan’s true identity, nor that she was Pei Qizhou’s wife. He simply felt more confident entrusting this deal to her.

Hearing the name Pei Group, Yao Shan’s heart tightened, but she quickly regained her composure. She understood the importance of this contract and the trust the manager placed in her. Taking a deep breath, she responded firmly, “Alright, manager. I will do my very best.”

“I believe in you.” The manager patted her shoulder before turning away to handle other matters.

Yao Shan sat down and began to study the materials and past transaction records of Pei Group carefully. She knew that to successfully secure this contract, thorough preparation was essential. She worked with complete focus until a gentle knock came at the office door.

“Come in,” she said, looking up to see a colleague entering.

“Yao Shan, here’s the information you requested.” The colleague handed her a stack of files.

“Thank you.” Yao Shan accepted the documents with a grateful smile.

She continued to work diligently until dusk darkened the sky outside. Looking up at the time, she realized it was time to leave. Packing her things, Yao Shan prepared to leave the office.

On the way home, her feelings were complex. Though she tried to remain professional, the Pei Group contract would inevitably complicate her relationship with Pei Qizhou. She did not want her personal life to affect her work, but reality was often more complicated than ideals.

Returning to the villa, she found that Pei Qizhou and Pei Yi were not home. She breathed a sigh of relief and ate dinner alone in the quiet house.

After dinner, instead of going straight to her room as usual, she decided to take a walk around the villa to reacquaint herself with this once familiar home. She strolled along the corridors, each step treading on fragments of memory. Passing Pei Yi’s room, she hesitated but ultimately pushed the door open.

Everything inside was neat and orderly. On the desk lay Pei Yi’s textbooks and some model toys. Gently touching the toys, a wave of complicated emotions surged within her.

She continued walking until she reached the bedroom she once shared with Pei Qizhou. Standing at the door, she lacked the courage to enter, fearing the memories would flood over her like a tide.

In the end, she turned away and returned to her own room. From downstairs came the sound of the door opening and cheerful voices of the three. Yao Shan sat quietly on the edge of her bed, listening to the laughter below while her heart remained silent.

She knew that despite her efforts to remain independent, every inch of this home was filled with Pei Qizhou’s presence, making it impossible to completely escape his influence.

She closed her eyes, trying not to dwell on troubling thoughts, but her mind inevitably drifted to Pei Qizhou. She remembered their sweet moments as well as their arguments and misunderstandings.

She understood that no matter how hard she tried, Pei Qizhou would always be an indelible part of her life.

Taking a deep breath, Yao Shan tried to calm herself. She realized she needed to face not only Pei Qizhou but also the fears and anxieties buried deep within her own heart. She needed to find a way to maintain balance in this complicated relationship.

Rising, she walked to the window and gazed out into the night. Moonlight bathed the garden, adding a touch of tranquility to the silent evening.

She lay back on the bed and closed her eyes. Enough—she would not think about those things tonight.

Tomorrow she would go to Pei Qizhou’s company. For her, this was also a challenge.

Yao Shan knew she must focus, set aside personal feelings, and devote herself to her work. She was fully aware that this negotiation with Pei Group was not merely a business transaction but also a test of her own abilities.