Chapter 056: I Like You Just the Way You Are

Chapter 056: I Like You Just the Way You Are

Chu Fei barely had time to relax in the office before Simen Lu shooed him out, claiming she was busy and telling him to go wherever he pleased. That single sentence left Chu Fei in tears—Simen Lu was truly heartless. Just moments ago, she was warmly discussing the company's future with him, and now she had turned cold and tossed him out. Life could be so fickle.

But Chu Fei was happy to be free.

He had barely returned to his desk for ten minutes before he was conscripted once more. Murong Wei, ever domineering, grabbed him to accompany her as site supervisor for the photoshoot, declaring that he was just idling in the office anyway. Chu Fei was left feeling depressed—did everyone see him as someone who shirked his duties?

Though it was true, it still stung to hear.

Of course, in the whole team, only Murong Wei dared to order him around so brazenly, since she was, after all, Chu Fei’s “mentor.”

So, the peace lasted less than ten minutes before Chu Fei left the office again. He only then realized that preparations for the young model’s endorsement shoot had begun that morning, with filming scheduled for the afternoon. Although a professional team and director had been hired for the shoot, the production company, Fei Lu Corp, naturally had staff on-site. Zhang Qing had been at the shoot all day, and Murong Wei was now to deliver a detailed shooting plan.

Following Murong Wei, Chu Fei idly sized up his beautiful colleague, unable to help but marvel at her grace. A beauty really did carry herself differently, her walk was a display of elegance. Murong Wei was already a striking woman, and today, with a hint of makeup, her stunning features appeared even more refined. Her large, expressive eyes seemed almost to speak.

She wore a pale blue fitted blazer, with a matching pencil skirt, her shapely legs clad in sheer stockings, and white high-heeled shoes that accentuated her walk. The sway of her hips—

Chu Fei was lost in admiration.

Suddenly, Murong Wei stopped, turned around, and caught Chu Fei staring at her hips, nodding appreciatively. Her cheeks flushed as she snapped, “Chu Fei, what are you looking at?”

“Looking at your—”

Chu Fei began instinctively, but stopped abruptly, realizing what he was about to say. Murong Wei was already glaring at him, teeth clenched.

Chu Fei was about to explain when Murong Wei unexpectedly burst out laughing, squinting her eyes as she asked, “Does it look good?”

Chu Fei wanted to say it looked more than good, but he didn’t dare. Murong Wei wasn’t angry, instead smiling enchantingly. Something wasn’t right.

“Chu Fei, you’re such a scoundrel!” Murong Wei suddenly dropped her smile and scolded him, then strode ahead without looking back.

He knew her smile was off.

Chu Fei pursed his lips and hurried after her.

This time, Murong Wei didn’t head to the ground floor but instead sped to the B2 underground parking lot, stopping in front of a red Beetle.

“Get in!”

Still seemingly angry, she tossed out the command and climbed inside.

Chu Fei smiled wryly and took the passenger seat, noticing Murong Wei’s mood was clearly off—she seemed to be venting, her small hands pounding the steering wheel.

“What’s wrong? Is it your hormones?” Chu Fei asked, concerned. Her mood was really strange.

“You’re the one with hormone issues. Your whole family has hormone issues,” Murong Wei shot back without turning.

Chu Fei wisely kept quiet—arguing with a woman was foolish!

“Chu Fei, you’re so infuriating, hmph!” Murong Wei said when he stayed silent.

“Yes, I’m infuriating, but you don’t need to take it out on the steering wheel. Drive carefully—if anything happens, that’s two lives gone,” Chu Fei said kindly as the Beetle pulled onto the road.

“Mind your own business,” Murong Wei huffed.

“I’d rather not, but I care about my own safety. If you really want to end it all, pick another method—take some sleeping pills after putting on makeup. That way, you’ll look beautiful even in death. If you die in a car crash, all blood and gore, it’s much uglier,” Chu Fei continued.

“Chu Fei, do you put on makeup before taking sleeping pills?” Murong Wei was furious, turning to glare at him. “You’re the one who’d die all bloody.”

“Yes, I’d be all bloody and you’d be beautiful,” Chu Fei appeased.

“Hmph!”

Murong Wei snorted again, but stopped pounding the wheel and focused on driving.

Chu Fei breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, “That’s more like it. Our Weiwei looks so virtuous and ladylike now.”

“So you’re saying I’m not usually virtuous and ladylike?” Murong Wei turned, her gaze sharp.

“I—”

Chu Fei wished he could slap himself. Today, Murong Wei was acting like a powder keg.

“Sorry, I didn’t mean you. I’m just angry at my dad,” Murong Wei said suddenly, turning to focus on the road.

“I’m fine,” Chu Fei laughed, noticing Murong Wei still looked troubled. He couldn’t help but ask, “What did your dad do to upset you? Is he forcing you to marry?”

He meant it as a joke to lighten the mood.

“How did you know?” Murong Wei looked at him in surprise.

“No way—I guessed right?” Chu Fei was stunned; he’d just said it casually.

“Hmph, you’re close. He’s not forcing me to marry, but it’s almost the same. He makes me go on blind dates every day—it’s maddening,” Murong Wei said, pounding the wheel again with her small fist.

Chu Fei understood at last why Murong Wei’s temper was so fierce today, so unlike her usual gentle self. It was family trouble.

“Why aren’t you saying anything?” Murong Wei turned again. “Can’t you comfort me a bit? I am your colleague, after all.”

“How am I supposed to comfort you about this?” Chu Fei smiled wryly. “You’re about to graduate college, you’re twenty-two this year. Your father worrying about your marriage and future happiness is pretty normal.”

“Please, he’s not worried about my happiness, he’s worried about his company,” Murong Wei shook her head, clearly upset. “To him, I’m just a bargaining chip for business gains.”

“That can’t be. Isn’t your dad your real dad?” Chu Fei was surprised.

“Your dad’s not your real dad! Do you even know how to talk?” Murong Wei shot him a glare.

“Hey, you actually got it right. My dad really isn’t my biological father. I don’t even know if he is my dad. Maybe I’m just an orphan he took in,” Chu Fei’s expression dimmed, thinking of that self-righteous man. He still didn’t understand their relationship—kin, father and son, or nothing at all?

He’d grown up with that man, but the man never clarified their connection. He cared deeply for Chu Fei but was excessively strict. Chu Fei remembered asking, as a child, if the man was his father.

The man’s answer was: “I wish I were, but I’m not worthy to be your father.”

Chu Fei vividly remembered the deep, unshakable sorrow on the man’s face as he spoke. He doubted a child his age could truly grasp such emotion, but in that moment, he understood. And from then on, he never asked again.

“Chu Fei, are you an orphan?” Murong Wei sensed something was wrong and asked cautiously.

“Sort of,” Chu Fei laughed, pulling himself from his thoughts.

“I’m sorry, I didn’t know. Just now I—” Murong Wei apologized, feeling guilty.

“It’s fine, I’m used to it,” Chu Fei smiled, then added, “Actually, having a dad is great. I envy you.”

“Don’t be silly—you don’t know what he’s like. Otherwise, you’d never say that. He’s obsessed with money, and besides that, he doesn’t care about his daughter,” Murong Wei said, gritting her teeth. She glanced at Chu Fei and snorted, “Do you know the kind of guys he sets me up with?”

“What kind?” Chu Fei asked, playing the perfect confidant.

“All useless second-generation officials and rich kids, living aimless lives, partying, waiting for their parents to support them—they’re infuriating. Not one is decent,” Murong Wei grumbled.

Chu Fei chuckled, his gaze instinctively falling on the unassuming watch on her wrist.

Murong Wei spoke as if she herself weren’t a rich kid.

Noticing his gaze, Murong Wei blushed, biting her lip. “Chu Fei, do you look down on me?”

“What makes you say that?” Chu Fei asked, surprised.

“I—I’m a rich girl too. Do you despise girls like me?” Murong Wei looked at him nervously.

“Haha—” Chu Fei couldn’t help but laugh.

“What are you laughing at? I’m asking you!” Murong Wei frowned.

“Silly girl, you think I don’t know you’re a rich kid? You think you’ve hidden it well? That watch on your wrist is worth nearly a million, isn’t it?” Chu Fei smiled, tapping her watch.

“You knew all along?” Murong Wei’s eyes widened in exaggerated surprise.

“Of course, I knew from the first day. But you worked hard to keep it secret, so I never exposed you,” Chu Fei nodded, finding Murong Wei exceptionally adorable at that moment.

“So, you don’t hate me?” Murong Wei pressed.

“We’ve known each other for a while—have you ever seen me hate you?” Chu Fei countered.

“Well, no,” Murong Wei admitted, her face brightening, though she quickly snorted, “Chu Fei, you’re so annoying. You knew I was a rich girl but pretended not to—so infuriating.”

“I—” Chu Fei was frustrated again; women were really unreasonable.

But Murong Wei was finally smiling, and Chu Fei relaxed, smiling slightly as he asked, “Actually, there’s nothing wrong with being a rich girl. Not all second-generation rich or officials are useless. Look at you—you’re a great example. I bet your dad introduces you to some promising young men just like you.”

“Please, I don’t like any of those second-generation types. I’d never date one, not even if it killed me,” Murong Wei shook her head firmly.

“So what kind do you want? Someone from humble roots?” Chu Fei asked, puzzled by her values.

“Not necessarily from humble roots—I’m not that masochistic. My ideal boyfriend doesn’t have to be rich, but he must work hard, live honestly, not be wildly successful, but steady and reliable, just like—”

Murong Wei stopped, turned to look at Chu Fei, bit her lip, and whispered, “Just like you—I think you’re pretty great—”

Chu Fei’s jaw dropped as he stared at her.

Murong Wei’s words sounded suspiciously like a confession.

Monday had arrived, and the audition contest was open for voting. Last week only a hundred votes—a pitiful number. This week’s goal is five hundred. You can do it, dear readers! Give Xing’er the motivation to write! Click “Audition Contest” on the book page to vote! Each user has at least one vote; monthly subscribers get two or three! Don’t let them go to waste!