Meng Shuyao was grabbed by the wrist. She struggled with all her might. “Let go of me. I said I’m not gambling. What right do you have to force me?”
The man dragged her to the gambling table, his movements rough. “Who here doesn’t have to show me some respect? I gave you a chance. Since you wouldn’t drink with me, then you can only play cards.”
Meng Shuyao’s lower abdomen hit the edge of the table, and the pain made her nerves jolt.
The people nearby saw it, but none dared to step forward and stop him. No one wanted to wade into these muddy waters.
The man leisurely shuffled and dealt the cards. “Choose a set.”
Meng Shuyao clutched her stomach and slowly straightened. Her voice was hoarse. “I won’t choose.”
“Don’t refuse a toast only to be forced to drink a forfeit—”
Before he could finish, someone suddenly kicked him hard, sending him flying several meters away.
Mark looked down at him coldly. “Looks to me like you’re courting death.”
The man was in so much pain he could not even make a sound. It felt as if his bones had shifted out of place. “Mr. Mark…”
His face was filled with shock and terror.
Everyone else was stunned by the scene before them as well.
Everyone knew that Mark was Mr. Kerwin’s personal special assistant. His every word and action represented Mr. Kerwin’s will.
Just what was this girl’s relationship with Mr. Kerwin?
Mark walked to Meng Shuyao’s side and asked about her condition. “Miss Meng, are you all right?”
“I’m fine.” The taut string in Meng Shuyao’s mind finally loosened.
The man on the floor was so frightened his face turned deathly pale. He apologized again and again. “I’m sorry, I didn’t know she was one of Mr. Kerwin’s people. I’ll never dare do it again…”
“No matter whose person she is, that’s no reason for you to throw your weight around and bully others.” Mark ordered the bodyguards to throw the man out so he would stop being an eyesore.
The scene was quickly cleaned up.
Mark kindly reminded her, “Miss Meng, it isn’t safe for you to come here alone.”
Meng Shuyao pleaded, “Can you take me to see Mr. Pei? I have something to say to him.”
“Sir is busy.”
“I can wait. No matter how long!”
Mark did not dare make the decision on his own, so he first brought her to another empty private room.
A waiter prepared tea, snacks, and a fruit platter and brought them over.
Meng Shuyao took a sip of water, leaned back against the sofa, and caught her breath.
She felt uncertain. Would Mr. Pei give her a chance?
Last time, he had asked her what she wanted from him.
She wanted power to rely on, to protect herself, and to bring her elder sister away from the Meng family. That was all.
After waiting for half an hour, there came a knock on the door.
Meng Shuyao snapped back to herself, got up, and went to open it.
Mark stood at the door. “Miss Meng, come with me.”
“Thank you.” Meng Shuyao carried her bag and followed him.
It was not far. They arrived after only a few steps.
Mark stopped in front of the door and raised his hand to knock three times.
A deep, magnetic voice came from inside. “Come in.”
Mark pushed open the door and gestured. “Miss Meng, Sir is inside.”
Meng Shuyao tightened her grip on the shoulder strap in her hand and stepped inside.
The door to the private room closed.
Ahead of her, the man wore a black silk shirt, the collar loose, half revealing the outline of his collarbones. He sat there lazily, long legs crossed, one hand resting on the back of the sofa.
In black, he looked even more noble and sensual than in white—unrestrained and untamed.
Meng Shuyao walked closer and greeted him softly. “Mr. Pei.”
“Looking for me?” Pei Yuzhou lifted his eyes, his gaze indifferent. “How did you know I was here?”
Meng Shuyao did not dare lie. “My friend saw you downstairs.”
Pei Yuzhou’s thin lips moved. “You didn’t learn enough from last time?”
And she still dared come here.
“I…” Meng Shuyao was at a loss for words.
He reached out and picked up the cigar from the coffee table, cutting off the cap.
Meng Shuyao thought of something and lowered her head to rummage through her bag for a lighter. “Mr. Pei, your lighter. You left it in the coat last time.”
Pei Yuzhou glanced at her. “It’s just a lighter. Was it worth going to all this trouble?”
Meng Shuyao pursed her lips, mustered her courage, and stepped forward to light his cigar for him. “Sir’s belongings should naturally be returned to their rightful owner.”
She bent down and drew closer. The distinctive jasmine fragrance of a young woman brushed past his nose. It was different from sharp perfume; it was more like her natural scent.
Pei Yuzhou watched as she somewhat clumsily flicked the wheel.
A small cluster of flame sprang up, firelight reflected in her eyes, swaying gently.
Meng Shuyao held her breath and concentrated as she lit his cigar, then withdrew slightly, gathering her words in her heart.
“Mr. Pei, the question you asked me last time…” She paused, clenched her palm, and said bluntly, “I admire you, Sir, and I also want you to protect me.”
The moment the words left her mouth, her heart beat wildly, uneasy and anxious.
Pei Yuzhou raised his hand and took a puff of the cigar. Smoke slowly spilled from his lips, his Adam’s apple rolling. “What makes you think I should protect you?”
Their eyes met.
Under the gaze of those deep, dark eyes, Meng Shuyao’s heart pounded like a drum. “Sir probably doesn’t dislike me, right? Otherwise, you wouldn’t have helped me twice.”
He neither confirmed nor denied it.
“Since you don’t dislike me, why can’t you give me a chance?” Meng Shuyao spoke frankly. “I want to stay by your side. If one day Sir no longer needs me, I absolutely won’t cling to you.”
She was very clear about the gap between them. She would not have delusions about anything else.
Pei Yuzhou narrowed his eyes slightly. “You’re quite bold.”
Meng Shuyao said in a small voice, “I’m actually very timid.”
If she hadn’t been forced into a dead end, she would never have dared say these things in front of him.
Pei Yuzhou tapped off the ash. “Street racing on the mountain, drinking at nightclubs, and now you even dare walk into a casino as you please.”
“That wasn’t a nightclub.” Meng Shuyao refuted him, not wanting him to misunderstand. “That day, I went with a friend. I didn’t know beforehand it was that kind of bar.”
Pei Yuzhou deliberately asked, “What kind of bar?”
“The kind… with handsome men dancing.” Meng Shuyao put it tactfully, then quickly added, “But I wasn’t interested at all. Their figures were very average. They definitely couldn’t compare to Mr. Pei.”
The corner of Pei Yuzhou’s lips lifted. “You’ve seen mine?”
Meng Shuyao shut her mouth. “…”
The more she said, the more mistakes she made.
After a moment of silence, she brought the topic back. “What I said just now, can you consider it?”
“That depends on your ability.” Pei Yuzhou’s tone remained unhurried and lukewarm.
He indeed did not dislike this girl, but that was all—he merely did not dislike her.
Meng Shuyao blinked.
What did that mean? Was he agreeing to give her a chance to get closer?
She moved her lips and was just about to speak when she was interrupted by a knock on the door.
Pei Yuzhou said lazily, “Come in.”
Mark pushed open the door. “Sir, Mr. Arthur is here.”
Pei Yuzhou nodded.
Meng Shuyao wanted to ask whether she should avoid them, but she had no chance to speak at all.
The newcomer was an elderly gentleman who looked to be in his sixties. His temples were white, and the corners of his eyes were full of wrinkles.
His legs were not convenient, and he walked with a cane. “Kerwin, long time no see.”
Pei Yuzhou rose slowly. “Mr. Arthur, please sit.”
Meng Shuyao silently moved toward the corner, reducing her presence.
Arthur’s gaze swept over her before he walked to the sofa and sat down. “And who is this pretty young lady?”
“I’m Mr. Kerwin’s friend.” After answering, Meng Shuyao glanced at Pei Yuzhou.
He, however, said nothing at all.
Arthur smiled ambiguously.
A woman who could appear by Kerwin’s side surely was not just a friend, was she?