When My Star Came Home - Chapter 2

I slept until the sun was high. By the time I got up, Pei Yu had gone to work, leaving breakfast on the table.

“Have something to eat. Wait for me to come home.”

The firm, bold handwriting was unmistakably his.

While I was abroad, a friend and I had opened a fashion studio and made a modest name for ourselves. This trip home was also a chance to expand into the domestic market.

The studio renovations were almost finished. I’d check them today, and if everything looked good, we could probably open very soon.

It was nearly dark when I left the studio. I checked my phone. Nothing.

He was probably busy at work.

First I went back to my hotel, packed my things, and checked out. Then I took a taxi to Pei Yu’s place.

With my brother freezing my credit cards for three months, I needed to make every last cent count.

“Door unlocked.”

I carried my suitcase into the pitch-dark apartment. When I switched on the light, there was Pei Yu.

“Ah!”

I clutched my chest, still shaken. “Why are you sitting here with the lights off? You scared me!”

He shot to his feet, banging his knee against the coffee table without seeming to notice, and strode over to me.

“Where did you go?”

“To the studio. Then to the hotel to get my luggage.”

He lowered his long lashes. “I thought you’d left again,” he said quietly.

My heart softened. “I’m sorry. You could have called me.”

A trace of hurt slipped into his cool voice. “But you blocked me three years ago.”

What?

I’d completely forgotten!

“I’m sorry, I’m sorry!” I fumbled for my phone. “I’ll unblock you right now.”

He watched until I’d done it. “I made dinner. It’s all cold now.”

I looked over my shoulder. Three dishes and a soup were neatly arranged on the dining table, including my favorite braised chicken wings.

I was the worst.

By the time I’d washed up, he’d reheated everything. It looked, smelled, and tasted delicious.

He ladled out some soup and set it in front of me. I wolfed down my food while he ate at a leisurely pace.

“Ningning, what are your plans now that you’re back?”

I took a sip of soup. “A friend and I have opened a fashion studio. We should be ready for business next month.”

He paused. “Which friend? Do I know them?” he asked, apparently casually.

“Mm… I think so. Remember Meng Yize? Chairman Meng of Zhida Real Estate’s younger son?”

Pei Yu snorted. “Oh. The boy with hair permed like a poodle’s.”

My mouth got ahead of my brain. “It’s a foil perm, you old fossil.”

His expression closed off. He reached over and took the chopsticks right out of my hand. “Then don’t eat the old fossil’s cooking.”

With that, he briskly cleared the table and started washing the dishes.

“Pei Yu, are you angry?”

…

“What’s gotten into you?”

…

“Are you jealous?”

His hands paused, but he still said nothing.

“Brother Pei Yu.” I leaned close to his ear. “You really are jealous?”

He turned, put an arm around my waist, and backed me into the corner. “Yes. I am.”

I swallowed. My face grew hot in an instant, and my eyes darted everywhere. I had no idea where to look.

“He spent the last three years by your side. I spent them on your blocked list.”

His long lashes lowered, hiding the desolation in his eyes.

“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have blocked you.”

“Then block Meng Yize too.”

I said nothing.

He gave me a wounded look.

“So it really is true. Wildflowers smell sweeter than the ones at home.”

Huh?

What kind of stupid metaphor was that?

After that night, Pei Yu, my flower at home, officially entered cold-and-distant mode.

He got off work on time and cooked on time. He just wouldn’t talk to me.

My best friend, with an outsider’s clarity, said, “Are you dense? The bastard’s waiting for you to sweet-talk him.”

Enlightenment dawned. I dumped the studio work on Meng Yize and took a taxi to the procuratorate.

It was my first time visiting Pei Yu’s workplace. After I signed in, the older security guard gave me directions.

“Prosecutor Pei’s office is on the third floor. Go up that way.”

I went upstairs and found his office empty.

I stopped someone at random. “Excuse me, do you know where Pei Yu went?”

The young woman grabbed my wrist and shook it excitedly. “Didn’t you see? He just carried Lawyer Qiu out of here! He was beside himself! I ship them so hard!”

“I knew there had to be something going on between them!”

She took in my thunderous expression, her eyes widening. “Seriously? They’re that sweet together and you don’t ship them?”

Ship them, my ass!

I wanted a divorce. Tomorrow!