Pei Cizhou, in order to successfully develop his game or secure funding, had started attending events he would have previously avoided.
Take now, for example.
He needed Professor Feng’s masterpiece, A Thousand Li of Rivers and Mountains, to serve as a map for a small dungeon in his game, so he had specially come with his master to visit the professor’s home.
Seeing his apprentice come downstairs, Old Yang called out, “Finished looking?”
Pei Cizhou’s gaze shifted away from the Miss Pretentious. “Yes, I’ve put it back where it was.”
“Good. Xiao Liu, set up a seat outside for my apprentice.”
“Already arranged!” Xiao Liu, well-acquainted with the elderly regulars who often came to the house, replied with a hint of impatience as he busied himself.
There weren’t many people in the living room—about eight, mostly guests who had come along.
When Qiuyun saw Pei Cizhou approaching, she was just considering whether to greet him when he unexpectedly walked over and introduced himself first: “Hello, I’m Zhou Ci.”
…What Zhou, what Ci?
Qiuyun was stunned for a moment. Sister Zhou also looked bewildered. A young woman in her twenties, sitting nearby, couldn’t help but chuckle. “Isn’t it true that young people these days aren’t used to being straightforward? Xiaoqiu, the fact that he came all the way over here just to introduce himself means he wants to get to know you!”
The two of them—one delicately handsome, the other stunningly elegant—stood there like a pair of golden lads and jade maidens, a truly pleasing sight to behold.
Those around them glanced over appreciatively, whispering among themselves: “If a match could be made at Mr. Feng and Madam Zhao’s golden wedding banquet, it would be nothing short of miraculous!”
“Exactly! What a great omen that would be!”
Qiuyun: “…”
Although she immediately understood what Young Master Pei meant, that didn’t stop her from pretending to be clueless, just to annoy him a little—after all, he had deliberately dragged her into trouble at the elder’s birthday banquet.
“Is that so?” Qiuyun put on a shy expression. “Hello, I’m Qiuyun.”
Pei Cizhou: “…”
What was this Miss Pretentious playing at?
If that’s how she wanted to play, fine.
“Come, come, sit!” Just then, Xiao Liu finished setting up the table, arranging the bowls and chopsticks, and laid out the cold appetizers. He hurriedly gestured for the guests to take their seats.
Everyone, in silent agreement, decided to create an opportunity for the handsome man and beautiful woman, deliberately leaving two adjacent seats open.
Sister Zhou, who had been about to say something, was pulled aside by the young woman from earlier. “Come on, let’s sit together!”
Seeing this, Demon Boy cast a smug glance at Qiuyun and gracefully took his seat in one of the two empty spots.
Qiuyun: “…”
Had she shot herself in the foot?
“Dig in, dig in! No alcohol at this table, so feel free to be casual!” The young woman waved her chopsticks and called out, clearly a super-outgoing extrovert.
Qiuyun, standing there, coughed dryly and decided to call a truce. “Sister Zhou, how about we switch seats?”
But before anyone could react, Sister Zhou was the first to refuse emphatically: “No, no, no! I’m fine where I am. Xiaoqiu, you’re young and bold, you sit there, you sit there.”
“…!” Qiuyun was speechless.
Right—Sister Zhou also knew Demon Boy’s true identity. She had even witnessed his outrageous behavior with her own eyes at the elder’s birthday banquet.
Qiuyun gave up resisting and silently sat down.
Why would a well-born princeling, no less, choose to go incognito at an old professor’s house under a fake name like some kind of quirky hobby?
“Cola-ginger tea, lemon water, or milk tea and orange juice?” Pei Cizhou played his role as a polite younger guest to perfection.
Qiuyun glanced at him. “Just water, thank you.”
Pei Cizhou complied effortlessly, taking her glass and filling it at the nearby water dispenser.
Seeing this, Sister Zhou widened her eyes and shot Qiuyun several meaningful looks signaling “enough already.”
Qiuyun felt helpless. What else could she do? He was determined to keep up his persona—if she refused, how would his little incognito drama play out?
“Oh, see how well younger men take care of their ladies now—anything she asks, he provides!” one auntie teased, looking their way.
Left with no choice but to muster a strained smile, Qiuyun quickly grabbed her chopsticks and dug into the food.
“What are you doing here?” Pei Cizhou muttered under his breath as he picked at his food, leaning close to Qiuyun.
Qiuyun replied, “I came with the madam to celebrate her teacher’s birthday.”
Pei Cizhou raised an eyebrow. “I almost forgot—A Zhi’s mother was Professor Feng’s student.”
Ignoring how familiarly Young Master Pei referred to the Fourth Young Master, Qiuyun shot back, “And you, why are you lowering yourself to be here? Back home at the Jiang family, don’t you always sit at the head table?”
Her words were cheeky.
Pei Cizhou gave her a measured, unimpressed look. “You think I wanted to? I tried to change seats, but it didn’t work.”
Qiuyun let out a snort. “So you decided to make fun of me instead?”
Finding amusement isn’t the same as making fun, he thought to himself.
Pei Cizhou turned his head. “I recall you’re the Seventh Miss’s assistant, aren’t you? A week ago you were just her aide, and now you’re accompanying the madam to private functions?”
Qiuyun understood his implication. “Should I thank you, then, Young Master Pei, for giving me the chance to make a name for myself?”
“I wouldn’t dare, I wouldn’t dare. It’s a mutually beneficial arrangement—no need to be so particular.”
“A benefit that harms no one but yields no gain? That’s a first.”
The two were bickering back and forth when they suddenly noticed the room had gone quiet. Looking up, they found everyone at the table had stopped eating, staring at them with teasing smiles.
The auntie from before chuckled. “Oh my, you two really have chemistry—already chattering away like old friends!”
“Yeah, what’s so interesting? Your heads are practically touching!”
“Exactly, let us in on the joke!”
The extroverted young woman had a blissful look on her face. “Pretty girls and handsome boys should fall in love—easy on the eyes.”
“Ahem.”
“Ahem!”
Simultaneously, the two turned away, their shoulders, which had been leaning close together, now as far apart as possible.
Qiuyun quickly said, “He was just asking if this dish was made with fish—he doesn’t eat fish.”
Pei Cizhou turned his head back slightly.
She wasn’t wrong—he really didn’t eat fish.
“I think it does have fish in it; I can taste it,” Sister Zhou said earnestly, trying to help.
Qiuyun nodded solemnly. “Then you’d better not eat it, in case you have a reaction.”
Pei Cizhou wanted to laugh, but didn’t bother to explain. “Thanks.”
“You’re welcome.”
The two exchanged pleasantries, and the meal continued without further conversation between them.
After dinner.
The professors’ wine table was far more health-conscious than a business banquet—low-alcohol drinks, no pressure to drink competitively, everyone sipping at their own pace.
Seeing that the madam’s cheeks were flushed and she seemed slightly tipsy, Qiuyun quickly went over and informed her about Young Master Pei going by the alias Zhou Ci.
Yu Xiang frowned faintly. “I understand. Tell Sister Zhou not to mention it to Mr. Feng.”
“Got it.”
Now was a critical time. If Mr. Feng found out, he would surely try to curate an acquaintance.
Yu Xiang, both as a mother and a teacher, believed that the complicated affairs of the adult world were best kept away from younger minds.
“Xiao Xiang, didn’t you say you hired a tea master?” Professor Feng, a little tipsy and beaming with a flushed face, called out cheerfully. “Now’s the perfect time—have them make us some tea to help us old folks sober up.”
