Tomorrow Will Still Love You - Chapter 10:
Ye Xicheng knew Pei Ning wouldn’t answer the question he’d just sent.
He typed a line, stared at it for a long time, then erased it all.
Tossing the phone aside, he finally sent her the email she’d been waiting for.
A moment later, her reply came in:
Received.
He looked at those two words for a while, his fingers frozen over the mouse.
Then he closed the computer.
He picked up his phone and called her.
She answered quickly, her voice calm and professional.
President Ye, I got the email.
He gave a quiet Mm.
And that was it.
Pei Ning waited, expecting him to give more instructions or hang up.
Half a minute passed. Silence.
President Ye, she finally asked, is there anything else?
His tone was mild.
No.
The line went still again.
She could almost feel the heavy pause traveling through the signal between them,
like a long unspoken sigh.
Apparently, that earlier text of his hadn’t fully vented his frustration,
so he’d called her instead. When he didn’t speak further,
she waited until his irritation had mostly burned out, then said gently,
President Ye, I’ll go read the email now.
His voice softened slightly.
Alright. Get to work.
Then he hung up.
Pei Ning had just opened the file when her phone buzzed again.
She thought it was Ye Xicheng calling back but it was a video request from Grandma.
Grandma always waited until late to call, afraid of disturbing her at work.
They chatted about little things for a while, until Grandma said with a laugh,
Oh dear, I just remembered something and almost forgot again.
What is it? Pei Ning asked.
Your cousin Yilin called me before dinner, Grandma said. Morning over there. He’d just woken up.
The smile faded from Pei Ning’s face.
What did he want?
Nothing much, Grandma said cheerfully. Just told us to stay cool in this heat,
not to go outdoors too much. He said a lot more, I don’t remember it all.
Then she added, Oh, and you should’ve told me earlier he was traveling.
I made his favorite braised chicken feet, but if he’s not back next week,
they won’t taste as good.
Just keep them in the fridge, Pei Ning said vaguely.
Fresh is always better, Grandma replied. Wait a second your grandpa wants to see you.
The camera shifted. Grandpa’s gentle face filled the screen.
Not too hot over there?
He couldn’t hear well, so Pei Ning tilted her phone toward the
air conditioner to show him it was on, then turned it back.
He smiled, understanding.
Make sure you cover your stomach when you sleep, don’t catch a cold.
Pei Ning nodded quickly, flashed a peace sign, and he chuckled.
They talked a little longer before she told Grandma she had to get back to work and ended the call.
It wasn’t that she was eager to check the email. She just wanted to message her best friend
about Xiang Yilin.
Calling wasn’t convenient, so she texted instead:
Did you not tell Xiang Yilin clearly?
Her friend replied almost instantly:
Of course I did. I called him that night. He said he understood.
Why? Is he bothering you again?
Pei Ning typed back:
No, still calling Grandma and Grandpa.
Her friend exploded:
What a world-class scumbag! Doesn’t he get it? Don’t worry, I’ll handle this for you!
Pei Ning’s reply was calm:
No need. I’ll deal with it myself.
Her friend started typing a long rant, hesitated, then deleted it all before sending.
If Pei Ning said she’d handle it, she meant it. Pressing further would only upset her.
Finally, her friend sighed and texted back:
He and his wife are still abroad. Supposedly they’ll be back in Beijing next week.
If you want to call him… wait till then.
Pei Ning stared at the message for a moment, then deleted the entire conversation.
She didn’t even want to see his name on her screen.
The next morning, as soon as she got up, her phone rang.
Ye Xicheng’s voice came through.
I’m outside your community gate.
Her first thought is there an emergency?
He said calmly, Just passing by.
She understood. He wanted to give her a ride.
Thank you, but no need. I’ll take a cab.
He hung up.
She stared at her phone for a few seconds, sighed, then went to wash up.
When she stepped out of the gate, his car was parked by the curb.
He’d been watching her from the moment she appeared eyes steady, unreadable.
Assistant Wan was in the front seat.
Wan smiled politely.
Morning. Didn’t expect we live in the same community.
It was impossible to refuse now. Pei Ning nodded a greeting and opened the back door.
The moment she sat down, her phone rang a Beijing number she didn’t recognize.
She thought it might be Yao Yuan and answered.
Hello?
No reply.
But she could hear faint background music, someone speaking English, like an airport lounge.
A strange chill crept up her spine. Somehow, she knew it was Xiang Yilin.
Without thinking, she hung up and blocked the number.
Seconds later, the same number tried again already unreachable.
Far away, Xiang Yilin stared at her name on the screen for a long time.
He had only called Grandma earlier that morning after seeing the
news about Beijing’s heatwave, wanting to check on her.
That’s when Grandma mentioned Pei Ning had brought him braised chicken feet.
That’s how he found out she was back in Beijing.
What’s wrong? asked Cheng Si, his wife, glancing up from her breakfast.
His expression had darkened, and she assumed it was about work.
He set the phone down, picked up his knife and fork, cutting absently at his food.
After a long silence, he said, Tomorrow morning’s flight to Hong Kong.
This trip was supposed to be their delayed honeymoon.
They’d married last year, but he’d kept saying he was too busy.
His mother had finally pushed him into taking time off, and Cheng Si had agreed
she wanted to shop in New York anyway.
But they’d only been there one day.
So it’s over already? she asked coolly.
He ignored the question.
There’s an important banquet in Hong Kong. Come with me.
She gave a short laugh.
You go ahead. I’ll stay here a few days.
I said come with me.
I said I’m not free.
His face tightened, emotionless. He just stared at her.
She didn’t even look up, continuing to eat with elegant precision, as if he wasn’t there.
The silence stretched until he finally stood, paid, and walked out.
She composed herself, adjusted her napkin, and kept eating
ignoring the curious glances from nearby tables.
Outside, his phone rang.
He answered quickly.
President Xiang, the assistant reported, Miss Pei returned to Beijing last month.
She’s working at Huaining now, as Ye Xicheng’s assistant.
He paused for a long time before saying softly,
Good work.
The car had already pulled up. He didn’t move, just kept staring at the phone screen.
The driver stayed quiet. So did the secretary in the front seat.
When he finally looked up, checking his watch,
he remembered another meeting and got into the car.
All the way there, his gaze drifted out the window every street in this city seemed to hold her shadow.
In the back seat, Pei Ning put her phone in her bag,
then took it out again a few minutes later to delete the call record.
Ye Xicheng noticed everything every small motion.
He didn’t need to ask. He already knew who had called.
To steer her away, he asked casually,
How’s Jiang Yunzhao’s project?
She replied, Decided to invest.
Ask him if he’s open to more shareholders, Ye said.
Then he took a bank card from his wallet and handed it to her.
I’m in too. Transfer it from my personal account. Handle the details.
You’re not even checking the investment terms or profit share? she asked.
You decide.
She hesitated.
He added calmly, You’re the professional here, aren’t you?
Then, almost as an afterthought, said, You’ll get five percent consulting fee once it turns a profit.
His tone was purely businesslike. Pei Ning took the card quietly and nodded.
Tomorrow noon, we travel, he said.
She’d been lost in thought, and it took her a moment to process.
Alright.
But something felt off the schedule for this week had no trips listed.
Maybe plans had changed.
Where to? And how long?
Hong Kong. Three days. Private event.
She nodded again. Even a so-called private event usually meant corporate networking.
At the office, Ye Xicheng handed her two phones.
Keep these with you. Answer any calls. Give them back after work.
She looked down. One was his business phone. The other… his private one.
His personal phone?
He caught her expression.
Wan used to handle both.
Fine, she said, taking them.
She went straight to her own office. The secretary arrived soon after,
smiling and holding a cup of coffee.
Morning, Miss Pei. Not sure what flavor you like, but I tried this.
Thank you. You didn’t have to. I can make my own next time.
Don’t be polite, the secretary laughed.
I already make one for President Ye every morning this is just an extra.
Oh, and here she handed over an A3 sheet filled with notes.
Pei Ning unfolded it.
What’s this?
Seat chart for the nine o’clock executive meeting, the secretary explained.
You’ll be attending too. Everyone’s reporting midyear progress.
I marked all their names, titles, and speaking habits so you’ll know who’s who.
Pei Ning studied it carefully. Her seat was right beside Ye Xicheng’s unusual,
considering her rank. Clearly a deliberate arrangement from him.
The secretary had even added personality notes who liked to interrupt,
who preferred data, who always deferred to Ye.
Pei Ning already knew most of it. She’d been preparing for this job for a month before joining
Huaining, memorizing every internal structure. Still, she smiled gratefully.
You’re a lifesaver.
Just doing my part, the secretary grinned. Besides, if you do well,
President Ye’s in a good mood. And when he’s happy, I get to go home on time.
Pei Ning laughed.
Don’t say that out loud I was about to thank you properly.
Then forget I said it, the secretary winked, glancing at the clock.
I’ll go set up the conference room.
By eight-forty, Pei Ning grabbed her laptop and notes and headed to the meeting.
The executive conference room was on the 39th floor. Several directors were already there.
Assistant Wan arrived just after her.
Morning, Director Wan, she greeted.
Morning, he replied with a nod.
They sat and prepared their materials.
Pei Ning put her phones on silent only Ye’s two phones sat beside her laptop.
Wan happened to notice the sleek, custom-made device.
He recognized it instantly Ye Xicheng’s personal phone.
So she already had that in her possession? That was as good as a declaration of trust.
Ten minutes later, Ye Xicheng and Chairman Ye entered.
He took the seat beside Pei Ning. They were close enough for her to feel the sharp,
familiar energy radiating off him.
She steadied herself and focused on her notes.
He unscrewed his water bottle and spoke in a low voice,
Your cup’s cold water?
She blinked, startled, then nodded.
Yeah. Who drinks hot water in this heat?
He took her cup without hesitation.
Let me mix in some cold for mine.
And before she could react, he poured her water into his own glass.
Pei Ning froze.
She glanced around quickly  thank god, no one seemed to notice.