Chapter 123
Notes: Early release, thanks to Sakuradahl's support on Ko-Fi! ◟( ˃̶͈◡ ˂̶͈ )◞ Also, with the early releases + the scheduled chapters, I'll be wrapping up this novel by the weekend. I'll most likely be releasing a few a day. Check back so you don't miss them!
By the end of April, Pei Jingyun had finally finished all his work at the company. He boarded a plane with Mu Cai to Oli to participate in the Queen's International Violin Contest.
He brought along Chief Assistant Liang, as well as several other personal assistants. They were there to help him and Mu Cai navigate life abroad. They have flown on international flights many times due to the long travel time, so they were well-experienced. However, this trip was not as routine for the assistants as they were before.
Because the rumored boss's wife had come along.
The female assistants had sensed something unusual when Pei Jingyun first tried to form a symphony orchestra. A year later, as it appeared that he had finally caught up, Pei Jingyun publicly acknowledged in private circles that he was in a relationship, forcing many who were scheming in the dark to abandon their illusions.
Pei Jingyun’s aloof personality, strong tactics, and notorious workaholism led them to feel that pursuing someone, let alone for a year, was a shock. As a result, the female assistants were hotly discussing the boss's wife in private. According to the little information occasionally revealed by Chief Assistant Liang, they speculated that the boss's wife must be very beautiful.
But they never imagined he would be this beautiful.
In the exclusive waiting lounge for Gold Card customers, the personal assistants finally saw Mu Cai, who was walking arm in arm with Pei Jingyun.
Standing next to their CEO was a young man wearing a thin white sweater, covered by an open camel-colored trench coat. He wore black casual pants that looked a bit roomy, accentuating his slim figure, slender waist, and long legs.
The young man had fair skin, eyebrows like distant mountains, and rosy lips. When he saw them, he greeted them with a smile, showing his elegant demeanor and humility. His bright black eyes shone like stars, making one swoon at the sight of him, and rendered them momentarily bewildered.
Naturally, the female personal assistants were stunned at first sight. Not until Pei Jingyun glared at them with a displeased look did they hurriedly avert their gaze and move away in groups, feeling dejected.
A deluge of messages appeared in their WeChat group called "The Exploited Proletariat", with the girls outwardly calm but inwardly excited, tapping away at their phone screens:
[Assistant Li: Ahhhhh, I saw the boss's wife! He's so beautiful!!!]
[Secretary Liang: ??? Quickly send a photo for me to see!]
[Assistant Li: In my excitement, I forgot to take a photo [Smoking.jpg]]
[Secretary Liang: No picture, no proof!]
[Assistant Wu: I can vouch for Assistant Li! It's true, he's incredibly beautiful! No wonder our CEO pursued him for a year!]
[Secretary Qian: Now I'm even more curious! Where is the photo? I want a photo!]
[Assistant Zhao: [Picture]]
[Assistant Zhao: You're welcome.]
[Liang Secretary: Ahhhhh, who is this angel-like person! He looks so warm and gentle!]
[Assistant Li: Indeed, he is very gentle. His smile was beautiful when he greeted us!]
[Secretary Qian: ??? Why am I not a personal assistant??? I follow the CEO around every day, but I've never even seen his wife in person! I'm so upset!]
[...]
While the WeChat group was buzzing with excitement, Pei Jingyun's mood was not so wonderful.
They encountered Lin Ling, who was also preparing to go to Orly.
Lin Ling was also a Gold Card member of the airline and had the privilege of resting in this lounge. A month ago, he had learned from his parents over dinner that the person in charge of the Pei family had a partner.
At that time, Lin Ling was shocked and barely ate, rushing back to his room while listening to his father, mother, and sister's nagging and frantically sending messages to Mu Cai.
The response he got from Mu Cai was a bit subtle, but it unmistakably confirmed his suspicion.
Lin Ling couldn't believe his eyes. He immediately called, seeking confirmation, but after he spoke one sentence, the call was hung up. When he tried to call Mu Cai again, he couldn't get through anymore.
Then, a text message from an unknown number came, very brief:
[Stop coveting someone else's wife.]
It was undoubtedly Pei Jingyun's style.
At that time, Lin Ling was deeply upset and had no place to vent. But because he hadn't seen Mu Cai in person and only saw WeChat and SMS texts, Lin Ling managed to pull through by hypnotizing himself. He thought that the Queen's International Violin Competition was not far away, and then he would be able to meet Mu Cai separately in Orly.
He simply couldn't believe that after the phone call he made, Mu Cai would still accept an old man like Pei Jingyun!
Cai must have been forced!
The hung-up phone call and the threatening text were solid evidence!
However, today when Lin Ling saw Mu Cai again, his beloved was glowing, arm in arm with Pei Jingyun, greeting him with a smile: "Hello, Lin Ling."
No trace of coercion was detectable.
Moreover, she seemed radiant, even more attractive than before.
Lin Ling's heart was trembling, and he couldn't help but blurt out, "Cai Cai, why..."
His words didn't finish, but his lingering gaze between Mu Cai and Pei Jingyun and the unwillingness on his face had already fully expressed what he wanted to convey.
The personal assistants who were originally chatting enthusiastically at the side realized that a good show was about to begin, and immediately stopped their tired fingers, raising their eyes to sneak a peek at the scene.
What's this?! Was it a previous suitor of the boss's wife confronting the couple?! Wow, such courage for this pursuer to call her so affectionately! Pei Jingyun's face was almost as black as the bottom of a pot!
As Lin Ling spoke, the frustration in his heart overflowed, and he said excitedly and quickly, "Cai Cai, I called you before! You're well aware of what he did, sending his own nephew away to Seaside City and arranging a bunch of matters to block my chance to see you! He even competed for you with his own nephew, why..."
At this moment, if the life assistants were a group of rabbits, their ears would certainly perk up and stretch towards the center of the scene.
They never expected their boss Pei Jingyun would use his power and play so many tricks to pursue someone, even competing with his own nephew!
What a melodrama of the rich family!
Mu Cai directly interrupted Lin Ling's words: "I know everything, no need for you to bring it up again."
Lin Ling's face, initially beet red, faded at Mu Cai's words, gradually paling.
A somewhat helpless smile appeared on Mu Cai's face. Indeed, he was emotionally obtuse. It took him many years to realize and respond to his lover's pursuit. As for Lin Ling, Mu Cai had always assumed he merely wished to befriend him. After all, there was no real connection between the white moonlight and a stand-in, they were merely both violinists.
Earlier, Pei Jingyun had hung up on him aggressively and even sent him a message. At that time, Mu Cai had thought his lover was making a big deal out of it, but seeing the other feeling hurt, he complied.
It seemed that Pei Jingyun was right.
Mu Cai had no intention of getting involved with others in this spiritual energy field, let alone someone currently defaming Pei Jingyun's reputation.
He said seriously, "Mr. Lin, I'm aware of and have noted everything you told me. However, there seem to be some misunderstandings. Jingyun didn't compete with his own nephew, because Pei Congliang and I had separated a long time ago, which you knew."
Lin Ling was rendered speechless, a pang of pain welling up in his heart.
Cai Cai addressed him as Mr. Lin.
It was already so unfamiliar.
Mu Cai continued: "Although you seem quite angry, Mr. Lin, I've given it some thought. Jingyun didn't harm you at all. Pei Congliang's appointment as the general manager of the division in Haicheng was just a necessary step in his control of part of the Pei family's businesses. Not only did he not suffer any losses, he also gained a lot of management experience."
"As for you, Mr. Lin, as far as I know, you've not only formed a symphony orchestra this past year but also diligently practiced the violin and passed the preliminaries of the Queen's International Violin Competition. This has helped you take your music career to the next level and brought you closer to your dream. Isn't that a good thing?"
The person standing across from him had a clear and pleasant voice, speaking calmly, like a gentle spring breeze.
However, Lin Ling felt as if he was fallen into an ice cellar, knowing that after this sentence, he would probably face the final judgment.
Lin Ling didn't want things to be settled so quickly! No one knew if Cai Cai would break up with Pei Jingyun! He had been able to break up with Pei Congliang before, so he could surely break up with Pei Jingyun, too! Not to mention Pei Jingyun, who was so scheming and not fit for the innocent Cai Cai at all!
But the young man across from him seemed to see his thoughts. Without waiting for Lin Ling to speak, he directly said: "So, I don't think there are any aspects of Jingyun's character worth questioning. Besides, Jingyun likes me, and I like Jingyun very much, too. It's only natural that we're together."
As Mu Cai finished speaking, his long eyelashes trembled slightly, and his gaze seemed a bit unfocused. A faint blush spread across his snow-white cheeks, and even his delicate fingers gripping Pei Jingyun's arm couldn't help but tighten shyly.
It was the very image of Mu Cai in love that Lin Ling had longed to see countless times.
Yet, unfortunately, it wasn't for him.
Lin Ling felt utterly devastated, as if struck by lightning.
Pei Jingyun felt a slight force from Mu Cai's grip on his arm, and his heart swelled with emotion. After secretly trying so hard for such a long time, it took him several days to come to terms with winning Mu Cai's affection and the feeling of it all being like a dream. Moreover, he always doubted whether Mu Cai saw him as someone else's substitute, making him anxious about their relationship.
Just now, when Lin Ling suddenly attacked, Pei Jingyun appeared calm and in control on the surface. However, inwardly he felt insecure, tense like a tightly drawn string, constantly watching Mu Cai's every move and devising various plans to keep him. Now, seeing Mu Cai taking the initiative and helping him drive away his love rival, Pei Jingyun felt enormously comforted.
He couldn't help but lower his gaze to look back at Mu Cai, who was looking at him with a face full of smiles. His eyes shone like morning stars, reflecting two tiny images of Pei Jingyun.
A wave of emotion washed over Pei Jingyun. His thick lashes lowered as he reverently cradled Mu Cai's face. Under the astonished and excited gaze of the onlookers, he gently kissed Mu Cai's forehead.
Lin Ling fled from the lounge in utter disarray.
As he ran, he hastily pulled out his phone to make a call.
He couldn't bear to be angry, upset, and feel despair alone, he had to let Pei Congliang know about this!
Misery loves company!
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