The assistant stood to one side, somewhat concerned as he said, "Young Master, are we perhaps overly concerned about this issue? Maybe that person is just an ordinary bodyguard, how could Pei Yansi possibly show up in person for such a minor role?"
Sitting on the sofa, Chen Wenzhou still furrowed his brows, denying his assistant’s speculation, "No, that person’s identity is definitely not ordinary."
"Otherwise, why would Pei Yansi allow him to intentionally cover his face to visit our home? It’s very likely he came to our home that day to confirm something, and he covered his face because he was worried someone would recognize him."
But after Wang Zhiqiang fell into their hands, Chen Wenzhou had all the members of his household look at his photo, and not a single person recognized him; everyone shook their heads in denial.
If there was no traitor in the Chen Family aiding him,
Then it was indeed very likely that Chen Wenzhou was overthinking, but then he considered that his opponent was Pei Yansi, and he dared not take it lightly.
Pei Yansi, as a person, wouldn’t do anything without his own purpose and motivation.
Chen Wenzhou racked his brains for so long and still couldn’t figure out his intentions.
"President, you’ve waited all night, you should rest now. You can’t sustain this much longer," the assistant, who had also sat with Chen Wenzhou in the study all night, saw that Wenzhou drank four or five cups of coffee to keep awake.
Chen Wenzhou put down his coffee cup and slowly stood up, quietly fastening the buttons of his suit.
"Since Pei Yansi wishes to conceal his identity and wants to indicate that the person isn’t important, so he isn’t in a hurry to come over to demand the person, fine, we won’t rush either."
If Pei Yansi wanted to engage in a war of attrition, Chen Wenzhou was ready to accompany him.
Having not slept at all the previous night, Chen Wenzhou’s head really did feel somewhat heavy now, as if it were stuffed with a block of lead, drowsy and indeed in need of rest.
He had just lifted his foot to step out of the bedroom when, at that moment, the butler hurriedly came to report, "Young Master, President Pei has arrived, he’s come to see you."
What perfect timing. At the mention of Pei Yansi’s name, it was as if a basin of cold water was splashed on Chen Wenzhou’s head, instantly waking him up.
Chen Wenzhou gave a small laugh and then sat down again on the sofa, glancing at the now-empty coffee cup.
"Don’t just stand there, invite the guest in, and bring two cups of coffee to the study," he ordered.
Pei Yansi’s timing was impeccable, coming to visit just when Wenzhou was at his most fatigued.
The servants quickly brought in two cups of invigorating coffee, and Chen Wenzhou took a big gulp from his cup, ensuring his mind remained clear, so as not to fall into any traps Pei Yansi might have set while they were sparring intellectually.
Pei Yansi quickly entered the study, and all the other people backed out, leaving only Pei Yansi and Chen Wenzhou in the spacious study.
Pei Yansi saw the energized look on Chen Wenzhou and smiled, noticing a strong scent of coffee about him, which confirmed his guess that Wenzhou had waited for him all night.
"President Chen, haven’t been resting well recently? Why are there red veins in your eyes? The company’s matters are important, but your health is more important," Pei Yansi teased him, as he sat down on the couch, slightly bending his long legs and crossing one over the other.
"To think President Pei will soon become my brother-in-law, I’m so excited I can’t sleep," Chen Wenzhou fired back at Pei Yansi with sarcasm, and in a moment, the study was thick with tension.
Pei Yansi nonchalantly curved his lips into a smile, he had had a good rest the night before, and was fully prepared to meet Chen Wenzhou that day.
"Since President Chen is aware that our families are about to be joined in marriage, we are practically one family now, and there’s no need for secrets between family. I have come to you today because there is an important matter I need to discuss."
The smile on Pei Yansi’s face disappeared in an instant, his expression turned cold, and his eyes, sharp as a hunter’s on the grasslands, fixed on Chen Wenzhou.
Feeling a chill in his heart at the sight of such piercing eyes, Chen Wenzhou steadied himself and put on a false smile, "President Pei flatters me. Speak freely, there’s no one else here."
"Last time I visited the Chen Family, you took an interest in my bodyguard and expressed a desire to take him as your personal bodyguard. I didn’t take it seriously at the time, but I never expected President Chen to resort to kidnapping over a bodyguard."
"President Chen, if you really must have that bodyguard, you could have simply asked me for him. However, this behind-the-scenes action is an affront to me."
Pei Yansi’s voice was not loud, but the silent, suffocating pressure was like millions of horses trampling everything in their path, leaving nothing unflattened.
The smile also vanished from Chen Wenzhou’s face in an instant as he stared into Pei Yansi’s overly sharp eyes.
Since Pei Yansi had come to address the matter directly, it meant he had concrete evidence that the person had been kidnapped by Chen Wenzhou’s men. There was no point in further denial.
"You must be joking, President Pei. A mere bodyguard isn’t worth the risk of offending you."
"Now I am quite curious," Pei Yansi said with an ironic tilt of his lips. "What kind of situation would lead President Chen to take such a desperate action and risk making an enemy of me just to kidnap my man?"
"President Pei may not know. Last time, Mengmeng told me she was frightened by the bodyguard by your side, always feeling that he had improper intentions towards her. Considering that Mengmeng will soon marry you, I am not at ease with that bodyguard around her."
"So, I dealt with him."
Pei Yansi’s expression turned as dark as still water, his lips slowly pursed.
"President Pei, considering the personal safety of my sister, dealing with one of your bodyguards shouldn’t be a big deal."
Such a good excuse, Pei Yansi scoffed coldly. The Chen Family’s adopted son was indeed extraordinary.
No wonder a man with no blood relation to the Chen Family could hold sway over the company and win such trust from Grandpa Chen. He indeed had some skills.
"Even if he was likely to harm Chen Lingmeng, you should have handed him over to me, not taken matters into your own hands. You’ve overstepped your bounds."
"He is my man, and my visit today is to demand his return," Pei Yansi coolly reminded Grandpa Chen that he was overreaching. He and Chen Lingmeng were not yet formally engaged; therefore, the boundaries between the families should remain clear.
"President Pei, you’re a step too late. If you’d come last night, maybe I could have returned him to you, but now that you come at this time, I can’t hand him over anymore," said Chen Wenzhou with a seemingly benevolent smile.
"What did you do to him?"
"I didn’t do much to him—just taught him a small lesson. Unexpectedly, he turned out to be a temperamental man, and in a fit of rage, he jumped into the river."