The stillness inside the car was shattered by a ringing phone. Ji Nian saw that it was Yu Luobai calling and froze for a moment, realizing she had forgotten about the rehearsal.
"Ji Nian, where are you? I have your lunch ready over here," Yu Luobai had been waiting for a long time at the company without seeing her.
Hearing the pleasant voice on the other end, Ji Nian felt a little awkward as she glanced at Pei Yuchen and replied, "Sorry, Teacher Yu. I'll be there soon, you can eat first."
"What's going on? Does the crew have something else scheduled today? If you're busy, we can rehearse tonight instead. I'm free this evening," Yu Luobai chuckled over the phone.
Although she hadn't put the call on speakerphone, his voice was still quite loud, and Ji Nian figured Pei Yuchen could probably hear every word clearly.
"No need, Teacher Yu, I'll be there in a bit," Ji Nian hurriedly said.
"Okay, I'll wait for you."
"See you soon." Ji Nian hung up after saying that.
Pei Yuchen heard the male voice on the phone and her referring to him as Teacher Yu, so he didn't need to guess further to know it was Yu Luobai.
Recalling the time in the elevator when Yu Luobai had intimately patted her head, Pei Yuchen felt an unpleasant feeling in his heart.
"Was that Luobai?" Pei Yuchen asked with a gentle smile.
Ji Nian blinked her large eyes, feeling a bit awkward. "Yes, sorry about that, Dr. Pei. Why don't you just drop me off at the company? You still have work to do..."
"What work? Not even eating?" A hint of coldness flashed in Pei Yuchen's eyes.
"The company has food..." Ji Nian sensed that Pei Yuchen seemed a little unhappy.
Pei Yuchen didn't respond, making a turn that changed their direction. He said calmly, "I remember the company has a cafeteria. Since you're busy, we'll make do with their food today. I'll treat you to something better next time."
Ji Nian was puzzled by Pei Yuchen's insistence on having a meal together.
"Really, there's no need to trouble yourself. I can eat anything. Just drop me off at the company, Dr. Pei," Ji Nian quickly shook her head.
Pei Yuchen turned to her, arching an eyebrow with a smile. "Has Miss Ji forgotten? I need to go to the office as well."
Ji Nian blinked her innocent eyes, only then realizing she had overthought it - Pei Yuchen had to go to the company in the afternoon too...
"Haha, I almost forgot you're my boss..." Ji Nian laughed dryly.
"I'm no longer a doctor," Pei Yuchen's lips curved upward.
"Then... Mr. Pei?" Ji Nian used a different address.
"We've known each other for some time now. I think we can consider ourselves friends, Miss Ji," A hint of amusement flashed in Pei Yuchen's eyes.
Yeah right, like we're friends, Ji Nian's lips twitched as she replied, "Mr. Pei is joking..."
"Calling me Mr. Pei seems a bit too formal," Pei Yuchen teased her again.
Formal? This man was really a double standard - didn't he call her Miss Ji as well?
"Mr. Pei calling me Miss Ji is also formal," Ji Nian muttered.
"Ji Nian," Pei Yuchen turned to her, his eyes gentle as he lightly called her name.
Ji Nian was stunned, captivated for a moment by his graceful demeanor. Her name sounded unexpectedly pleasant coming from his lips.
"We're here," Pei Yuchen drove into the company's underground parking lot.
Ji Nian didn't say a word, silently unbuckling her seatbelt and getting out of the car. The two of them then took the elevator up together.
"I believe the cafeteria is on the 10th floor," Pei Yuchen's slender hand pressed the button, and he turned to the woman, asking, "Have you eaten there before?"
Ji Nian shook her head. "No, my meals are mostly arranged by my manager."
"I haven't eaten there either. Let's try it out today," Pei Yuchen smiled faintly.
As they entered the cafeteria on the 10th floor, they immediately drew the attention of many employees.
"Mr. Pei," an employee passing by called out.
Pei Yuchen nodded with a smile in response, while Ji Nian felt a little self-conscious under everyone's gaze, reminiscent of the last time she had been publicly embarrassed when she forgot to wear a mask on the subway.
The employees downstairs were also whispering among themselves, all looking in their direction.
"Wow, it's Ji Nian. Even though we're in the same building, this is the first time I've seen her."
"Yeah, my first time seeing Ji Nian too."
"The guy next to her is the new Mr. Pei, one of the major shareholders, right? He's having lunch at the company cafeteria with Ji Nian?"
"It's really unbelievable that a leader would come to the cafeteria to eat."
When they reached the ordering area, Pei Yuchen turned to Ji Nian and asked, "What would you like?"
Ji Nian silently pointed at the picture of a salad on the wall. "This..."
Although she really didn't want to eat grass, her manager had recently commented that her on-camera face didn't look slim enough, and she needed to lose weight again...
Pei Yuchen nodded, pointing at the chicken leg rice dish next to the salad and telling the staff, "One chicken leg rice, one beef rice bowl, two small cakes, and one chicken soup."
Ji Nian was puzzled and quickly shook her head. "Mr. Pei, no, I want the salad..."
Pei Yuchen turned to her, arching an eyebrow. "You want to pass out again? You're already in a weak condition, and you still want to eat that plain food."
Seeing the man walk to an empty table and take a seat, Ji Nian hurried after him, whispering, "Mr. Pei, you've misunderstood. I'm in good health."
Pei Yuchen smiled at her. "I'll only believe what I see with my own eyes."
"Alright..." Ji Nian blinked, realizing this meal wasn't of her own volition - she had wanted to eat vegetarian, but Pei Yuchen wouldn't allow it.
But why did she feel a tinge of delight in her heart? When she had seen the picture of the chicken leg rice earlier, it had indeed looked quite appetizing...
Soon, the food was brought over by a server, along with two small cakes.
"Have the soup first," Pei Yuchen gently reminded her.
Ji Nian had been reaching for the cake but withdrew her hand after his words, silently picking up the soup spoon and taking a few sips.
Seeing the woman obey, Pei Yuchen's eyes crinkled with amusement. Looking at the beef rice bowl on his own plate, he suddenly felt it wasn't so bad after all.
After a few spoonfuls of soup, Ji Nian reached for the small cakes again, taking a bite. She felt completely satisfied, as it had been a long time since she'd had anything sweet.
At that moment, someone in the cafeteria was secretly taking photos with their phone and sharing them in the work group chat.
"Oh my god, girls, the new Mr. Pei actually came to the 10th floor cafeteria for lunch."
"His looks and presence are so stunning."
"I feel like this Mr. Pei is even more handsome than our Yu Luobai!"
"No way, Luobai is still number one."
"Does Ji Nian really know the higher-ups that well?"
"Not sure, but they seemed quite friendly with each other."
"Could they be dating?"
Pei Yuchen tended to be a picky eater and found the company's food just average, but watching the woman eat with such relish, he put down his chopsticks and observed her curiously.
Ji Nian was overwhelmed with emotion. Every time she encountered Pei Yuchen, she got to eat meat, something she hadn't had for so long. The only two times she had been able to eat meat heartily were when Pei Yuchen treated her. Sob...
Ji Nian ate with focus, her left hand wearing a disposable glove as she held the large chicken leg from her bowl, her right hand using a spoon. She alternated between bites of rice and meat, silently marveling at how delicious it was.
The onlookers watching quietly were stunned, unable to believe that even beauties could have such an unglamorous side.
