Chapter 188: Chapter 188: Subtly Scheming Heir Pei
When Heir Pei came over, Qu Fulan was making coffee.
Recently, she particularly enjoyed having a cup of coffee, at least one a day. Especially before working, having a cup felt really good.
Some people can’t sleep at night after drinking coffee, but she didn’t have this worry. She could drink it whenever she wanted, as long as she didn’t do it on an empty stomach.
She liked the bittersweet taste of coffee.
"Is this coffee?" Pei Ji’an lifted his robe and sat opposite her.
Qu Fulan poured him a cup. She made it beautifully, with a pattern on top.
"Heir, give it a taste."
Heir Pei had never tasted coffee before, yet he let her open a coffee shop. His style remained unchanged; he just financed it, letting her handle everything else.
This type of partner was the most ideal, like modern TV dramas where directors prefer investors who only provide money and don’t interfere with how the filming should be done. The director handles everything, and if it makes money, everyone wins. But there are too few such investors. Most would insist on promoting their own people, modifying scripts became routine, and some would even bypass the director.
In the end, it produced a mishmash with no clear priorities, ruining everything.
Pei Ji’an took it over and tasted a mouthful, immediately frowning, "It’s a bit bitter."
Qu Fulan smiled, "Bitter is right. The taste of coffee is a bit bitter, with a sweetness that lingers, savor it endlessly."
Then she took a sip herself, feeling very satisfied.
Pei Ji’an put down the coffee, "I heard Mrs. Xiao was looking for you today."
Qu Fulan was just planning to discuss this. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have asked Shi Yi to invite him over. Of course, besides this, the main thing she wanted to talk about was related to the coffee shop.
While he didn’t care about his own matters, she needed to report some things in a timely manner, like financial expenditures.
It’s strange; she thought Heir Pei might appear before her tomorrow or the day after, even a few days later.
After all, she’s not his maid anymore, no longer holding the privilege of seeing him whenever she wished.
For instance, when she moved, bidding farewell to everyone, Heir Pei was the only person she couldn’t see because he was busy. It’s natural that her trivial matters shouldn’t disturb him.
And the last time she held a banquet for her new home, sent him an invitation, and received no response. If he hadn’t come eventually, she’d have thought he wouldn’t be showing up.
Yet, he came so quickly today, it was quite surprising.
"Mrs. Xiao indeed found me, we chatted for about a cup of tea’s time, and I left."
"Is there anything you need my help for?"
"No need, it’s all minor issues. I can handle it myself."
Pei Ji’an unconsciously drank half a cup of coffee, initially finding it bitter but gradually tasting a different flavor, it felt quite good.
The two talked for a while, Mrs. Chen came in saying someone was outside looking for them.
Qu Fulan asked who it was, Mrs. Chen replied, "He says his surname is Xiao."
Qu Fulan was speechless. Is the Xiao Family not finished with this?
"Don’t see him," she said.
It was clarified last time. If he hadn’t mismanaged things, Mrs. Xiao wouldn’t have come on her door?
There’s no use seeing him now. Even if she talks a lot, things won’t go her way. The Xiao Family tends to do as they please, her words won’t change anything.
Pei Ji’an gracefully picked up the coffee cup, gently sipped, then calmly said, "Since he’s here, why not meet him? Some things said once are useless, maybe saying them several times will make a difference."
Qu Fulan wasn’t someone who didn’t take suggestions, finding some sense in this. She actually wanted to meet Xiao Shiqing, to scold him properly; but having Heir Pei present made it inconvenient.
Since he doesn’t mind, she didn’t need to either.
Qu Fulan took another sip of coffee and then told Mrs. Chen, "Alright, let him in."
Gaoyi Lane’s location, besides its geographical advantage, also provides strong privacy. Inviting some guests home or meeting people doesn’t risk others knowing.
But these are for ordinary people. For someone like Xiao Shiqing, coming and going in Gaoyi Lane freely isn’t something others can control.
Pei Ji’an stroked the coffee cup in his hand, as if pondering something, a bit in a daze.
"Heir?" Qu Fulan noticed herself speaking for a while without response, called out.
Pei Ji’an seemed to snap out of it.
Unexpectedly, he accidentally knocked over the coffee cup on the table, spilling coffee across the surface, wetting his sleeve. He frowned slightly.
Qu Fulan instinctively used a cloth to help him wipe, "This must be taken off and washed immediately, or it’ll stain permanently. Heir, please go to the guest room, take off your coat and let my maid wash it, then have a guard bring clothes from the Pei Mansion to change into, shall we?"
Letting him go back to Pei Mansion to change would be too impolite. Plus, walking back with the wind drying the clothes would damage them all the same. Immediate change and wash is the best solution.
In the courtyard, the man’s tall figure was strikingly handsome. He kept his head down, his gaze lowered, as the petite woman stood before the tall man, sometimes raising her head, seemingly speaking to him. She had her back to the door, unaware that someone had reached the courtyard entrance.
Visually, the two stood very close, appearing almost intimate.
Under the light, their shadows overlapped, stretching long on the ground.
Pei Ji’an slightly lifted his head, lightly sweeping his gaze toward the doorway.
There, stood a silhouette, its long shadow cast lonely on the ground.
He stood on this side with her, while he stood on the other side.
Pei Ji’an faintly curled his lips, silently meeting eyes.
But only for a moment did he withdraw his gaze, turning his attention back to her.
"The guest has arrived," he reminded her, exhibiting the perfect courteous demeanor of a noble scion, elegant and dignified.
Qu Fulan finally realized, turned to look, indeed Xiao Shiqing had arrived.
Matters vary in urgency, Qu Fulan made a quick decision, "Bicao, serve tea and snacks to Prince Xiao, tend to him well. Ruyin, come with me. Prince Xiao, please wait a moment."
Pei Ji’an however commented, "Is it appropriate to leave Prince Xiao waiting alone?"
Qu Fulan, "Nothing inappropriate. Your clothes are urgent, let’s go."
However, Xiao Shiqing spoke up just in time, "Heir Pei, she’s no longer your maid. Is it inappropriate to let her change your clothes?"
Nearly implying he was improper.
Pei Ji’an looked at Qu Fulan apologetically, "Prince Xiao is right, I’ve been thoughtless. Fulan, you stay and entertain Prince Xiao, I’ll be right back."
As if he was the male host here, holding the initiative.
Qu Fulan didn’t even realize this, only feeling Heir Pei was thorough and considerate.
As Pei Ji’an turned, the curve of his lips slowly receded, imperceptibly glancing at a particular direction.
Soon, four strong guards appeared before Qu Fulan ready to serve, resulting in accidentally spilling tea, overturning snacks, a flurry of busyness.
Qu Fulan was too busy directing the cleanup to have any opportunity to speak with Xiao Shiqing.
Not until Pei Ji’an returned were all the chaotic issues settled properly.