Chapter 80: Calling the Police

Fang Yuan took a cab and returned to his apartment with Pei Xi. He had initially planned to send Pei Xi to Zheng Hao’s hotel, but since she didn’t want to go—and, after the lesson Fang Yuan had given Zheng Hao last time, he also had no desire to send her there—they headed back to his place instead.

In the cab, Pei Xi had already called the police and told them everything about Ke Bei. The officers asked her to come by the station that afternoon to file a report and assist with the investigation.

It was midday. Manager Xue was sitting in front of the building, eating soup dumplings. When he saw Fang Yuan get out of the car, accompanied by a beautiful, youthful girl, he couldn’t let the opportunity for gossip slip by.

“Fang Yuan, you haven’t had lunch yet, right? Come, eat with me. Is this your girl—your friend?” Manager Xue had started to say ‘girlfriend,’ but caught himself halfway through when Fang Yuan shot him a look, hastily changing it to ‘friend.’

“Fang Yuan, why don’t we grab something to eat here? I haven’t had a bite in over a day,” Pei Xi said, unbothered by the humble meal. Despite her privileged upbringing, she was not picky and welcomed such down-to-earth fare.

It wasn’t just a day and a night—by now, it was almost two days and a night since she’d eaten or drunk anything.

Fang Yuan hadn’t intended to eat there, but since Pei Xi suggested it herself, and with Manager Xue’s hopeful glance, he found it hard to refuse.

“All right, let’s eat something first. The soup dumplings here are quite good—I usually have breakfast here.” Fang Yuan smiled and gave Manager Xue a meaningful look, indicating he shouldn’t ask or say anything he shouldn’t.

Manager Xue, understanding the cue, immediately made space so Fang Yuan and Pei Xi could sit together.

No need to call for service; he simply fetched two baskets of dumplings himself.

“Aren’t you going to introduce us?” Manager Xue passed a basket to Fang Yuan and winked.

This girl was certainly remarkable. Fang Yuan was a fine young man, though perhaps too reserved for his age. Manager Xue had once worried that such maturity would make it hard for him to find a girlfriend. Now, it seemed his concerns had been unfounded—Fang Yuan wasn’t unable to find a girlfriend, he just wasn’t settling for anyone ordinary.

“Hello, Manager Xue, I’m Pei Xi. You can just call me Xi from now on.” Before Fang Yuan could speak, Pei Xi introduced herself.

Seeing how warmly Manager Xue greeted Fang Yuan, she assumed the two were good friends, though Fang Yuan had never mentioned knowing anyone well around here.

“Pei? Are you related to Old Master Pei?” Manager Xue was startled when he heard her name.

The Pei family name was rare here, and anyone living in the area long enough would immediately think of the illustrious Old Master Pei. No one knew his real name, and he wasn’t a local—it was said he was a prominent businessman. His fame stemmed from a legendary storm at sea years ago.

“You mean Old Master Pei? He’s my father,” Pei Xi replied. Still preoccupied with thoughts of Ke Bei, she tried to smile politely but couldn’t quite manage it.

“Haven’t you gone long enough without eating? Here, have some dumplings.” Fang Yuan picked up a dumpling and handed it to her.

Taking the basket, Pei Xi said nothing more, focusing instead on her meal.

“By the way, Manager Xue, there’s no one living in the room next to mine, is there?” Fang Yuan’s apartment was on a higher floor, which most guests avoided, preferring the middle floors. As a result, his floor was only half occupied.

“That’s right. Why—do you want to change rooms?” Manager Xue assumed Fang Yuan wanted to move, never imagining Pei Xi might stay there. After all, she was Old Master Pei’s daughter. Even if Manager Xue had a hundred lives, he wouldn’t dare imagine someone of her status staying at their modest place.

A moment ago, he’d been glad that Fang Yuan had befriended such a lovely girl, but upon learning she was Old Master Pei’s daughter, his joy turned to anxiety on Fang Yuan’s behalf. Fang Yuan was new here and knew nothing of the local intricacies. And Pei Xi, surely she knew her father’s temperament—why put Fang Yuan in such a position?

Manager Xue’s goodwill toward Pei Xi soured, though he was careful not to let it show.

“It’s not for me—it’s for her. She doesn’t want to go home right now, so if the room next door is available, let her stay there. She’ll pay for it,” Fang Yuan said, not bothering to ask Pei Xi’s opinion, though she didn’t object.

“What? She wants to stay here?” Manager Xue couldn’t help but stare in disbelief, which made Pei Xi look at him questioningly.

“No, there are no rooms left on your floor—they’re all booked,” Manager Xue insisted, once he realized it was Pei Xi who wanted the room.

“All booked? That can’t be. When I came back last night, plenty of rooms were empty. How did they all fill up overnight?” Fang Yuan was oblivious to Manager Xue’s true intent—he assumed there must have been a sudden group booking.

“It’s fine, Fang Yuan,” Pei Xi said, sensing Manager Xue’s concerns. “There are plenty of hotels nearby. I’ll find one not far from you.”

“That would be best. If you find one you like, just let me know. I know the managers and will make sure you get the best room,” Manager Xue jumped in, not giving Fang Yuan a chance to object.

With that, Fang Yuan couldn’t insist further. If there were no rooms, there was nothing he could do. He certainly couldn’t have Pei Xi stay in his apartment.

“All right, then. Sorry to trouble you, Manager Xue. Please help her find a good hotel,” Fang Yuan said. He knew Pei Xi wasn’t short on money and didn’t intend to pay for her, as that might be misconstrued. But then he remembered how, just yesterday, she’d been poorly dressed and likely lost her wallet. So when they finished eating, Fang Yuan handed Manager Xue all the cash he had—about a thousand yuan—which should be enough to secure a decent room.