Chapter 20: Are You Trying to Ruin Me?

He closed his eyes, unable to look directly at her. “Can you just…”

“Hm?” Xu Yunzhu turned to glance at him, seeing him still sitting properly on the sofa. She asked, puzzled, “Weren’t you going to learn? Hurry up, or it’ll be time for beauty sleep soon.”

Pei Qiaonian tried to speak, staring into her eyes, but the words stuck in his throat. He kept reassuring himself silently: dancing in front of her was better than dancing in front of anyone else. Once things returned to normal, he’d still need to maintain his image, especially in front of his old rivals.

With Xu Yunzhu teaching him, he could even save the cost of hiring an instructor—ha!

Xu Yunzhu looked at him again and saw the expression of a man who’d lost everything. She instantly understood. After years as a domineering CEO, it was indeed a bit much to ask Pei Qiaonian to learn a girl group dance.

But to keep the balance between both sides, he had to master it.

Xu Yunzhu pulled him close, wrapping her arm around his waist. “Relax, with me teaching you, you’ll get it in one night.”

Pei Qiaonian felt his whole body stiffen.

He wanted to push her away. He’d never been this close to anyone before—it was uncomfortable.

But the hand at his waist held him firmly, not allowing any argument. Xu Yunzhu clicked her tongue lightly. “Can you stop moving for a moment? You’ll have your turn soon. Let’s adjust your posture first.”

Pei Qiaonian felt his face flush inexplicably, sweat breaking out across his body.

“Posture? What nonsense are you spouting—let go of me!” he barked angrily.

His voice was cold but tinged with a soft sweetness, utterly lacking in threat.

Xu Yunzhu: “???”

She was genuinely trying to teach him—how could Pei Qiaonian take her for a liar?

She really was an excellent dancer!

So she tightened her hold on him, afraid he’d flail about like a fish just out of water.

Pei Qiaonian struggled again. The scent of mild ebony lingered at his nose—the fragrance he always used for his clothes, familiar and calming.

Yet now it left him oddly parched, and craving a cigarette.

“Xu Yunzhu!” he called again.

Xu Yunzhu replied quickly, “I know, I know—it’ll be fast. Trust me, my teaching is simple.”

Her warm breath brushed his earlobe, making him uneasy. The more he struggled, the tighter Xu Yunzhu held him, as if she wouldn’t let go until he learned.

In his twenty-seven years, he’d never been forcibly held like this.

Even his temper couldn’t shake her off.

Clearly, Xu Yunzhu’s audacity was growing.

The disparity in their strength made him feel a pang in his teeth, and he finally gave in.

He had no choice—Xu Yunzhu simply wouldn’t let go.

Seeing him finally settle down, Xu Yunzhu hummed cheerfully.

Ha, looks like she could handle him after all.

The next lesson went smoothly.

Xu Yunzhu twisted her body, and Pei Qiaonian mirrored the movement.

Anyone watching might have thought they were performing calisthenics.

Xu Yunzhu wasn’t sure if Pei Qiaonian was tired, but she was nearly exhausted.

She collapsed onto the sofa, panting, and glanced at the clock—it was already ten at night.

She was feeling sleepy, but forced herself to stay awake and said, “Show me the whole dance again.”

Pei Qiaonian shot her a sidelong glance.

She really did look like a wealthy boss watching a young model perform.

Too tired to waste words, she urged, “Hurry up!”

Pei Qiaonian: “!!!”

He took a deep breath, endured it, and turned on the music. Awkwardly, he danced through the routine.

He asked, “How was it?”

Xu Yunzhu couldn’t bear to crush his confidence and nodded, lying, “Boss Pei, you’re a genius—picked it up instantly! If you practiced another day, you could open your own training studio. Brilliant.”

Hearing praise,

Pei Qiaonian, tense for three hours, finally relaxed, a trace of pleasure in his expression as he raised his brows. “I’ve always been a quick learner.”

Xu Yunzhu: “……”

“Yes, yes, just a few tiny flaws. If you loosen up a bit more, you’ll shine on stage.”

Pei Qiaonian’s eyes flickered.

He was a perfectionist.

No matter his position, he wanted to do things well.

He wiped the sweat from his forehead, voice slightly breathless. “Mm, I’ll practice more tomorrow. I need to look over some documents now.”

It was ten o’clock already.

But Pei Qiaonian had gone to fetch his files.

Xu Yunzhu walked straight up to him,

casting a shadow over his desk.

His hand paused on the pen, lifting his gaze. “Is there something else?”

“It’s time for bed,” Xu Yunzhu said, feeling she ought to remind him subtly—he should care about her body’s sleep schedule!

Pei Qiaonian: “?”

Seeing Xu Yunzhu standing there, he gripped his pen tighter. Many thoughts flashed through his mind, until a bold, outrageous notion surfaced.

Was she trying to force him into bed?

Did she want him to sleep with her?

Or had marriage sparked new ideas—perhaps hoping for intimacy, so she wouldn’t have to divorce?

Ha, wishful thinking!

He narrowed his eyes, coldly laughing as realization dawned. “Impossible. Don’t even think about it.”

Xu Yunzhu: “?”

Impressive.

She hadn’t said a word, yet he’d already guessed her intention to get him to sleep.

No wonder he was a master at reading people—Xu Yunzhu felt exposed before him.

She was baffled. “Why? It’s just sleep. It’s not going to kill you, is it? How about I give you another hour? Make the most of it.”

Pei Qiaonian: “?”

Wonderful.

She was setting a timer—so eager, was she?

“Heh, Xu Yunzhu, you’d best keep your schemes to yourself around me. My patience does not mean my temper is good. If you cross my line, I’ll make sure you pay a price you’ll never forget,” Pei Qiaonian warned, his tone cold, the sweet softness of his voice turning icy.

Xu Yunzhu: “……”

A bead of sweat rolled down her temple.

Really, was that necessary?

She just wanted him to sleep early, not to ruin her body with dark circles.

Even celebrities needed good maintenance.

Why did persuading someone to sleep require risking lifelong consequences?

Seeing him sullenly flipping through his files,

Xu Yunzhu reached out and cupped his face, forcing their eyes to meet.

Pei Qiaonian stared up at her, stunned for five seconds before snapping his files shut, irritation flashing in his eyes. “What are you trying to do?”

Xu Yunzhu spoke with heartfelt distress. “If you don’t sleep, are you trying to destroy me? My face needs care too!”

In her memories, the original owner always slept before eleven, a habit identical to her own—Xu Yunzhu couldn’t stand the idea of dark circles under her eyes; it would ruin her appearance.

Now, facing a face identical to her own from the previous world, she was even less able to tolerate it.