On How To Defeat Dr. Qing Leng Chapter 14

Chapter 14 The Teddy Bear Pajama Bottoms

Pei Yan did not answer the question. Instead, he handed the milk back to Wen Yelan, his tone carrying a hint of helplessness and indulgence, yet also a trace of non-negotiable command.

“Now, drink the milk first, then eat the bread. Get your energy back, and wait for the show.”

Wen Yelan held the milk with both hands and looked at Pei Yan’s deep, resolute eyes. The refusal hovered on his lips but ultimately failed to emerge.

He didn’t know if he should trust Pei Yan, or if he should accept this kind of “help.” But at this moment, the lowest and most helpless point in his life, this cup of milk and the powerful, unquestionable protection offered by the man before him felt like a piece of driftwood, giving his small boat, tossed about in the storm, a temporary direction to cling to.

He lowered his head, sipping the milk in small mouthfuls. His long eyelashes drooped, concealing the complex emotions churning in his eyes.

Pei Yan watched the other man, who looked like a little hamster holding the milk and drinking in tiny sips, his gaze profound.

Then, he heard the ‘little hamster’s’ voice soften.

“Thank you. We’re even now.”

Pei Yan felt a lump in his chest, stuck between up and down, nearly choking on Wen Yelan’s declaration of “We’re even now.”

Living for over twenty years, this was the first time Young Master Pei had poured his heart out and gone to such lengths to be kind to someone, only to receive a flimsy “We’re even”?

He looked at Wen Yelan, who was lowering his eyes and sipping the milk, completely oblivious to how “blasphemous” his words were. It was truly… both endearing and infuriating.

A surge of nameless anger, mixed with an indescribable sense of grievance and frustration, rushed to his head. Pei Yan, with a hint of venting, reached out and ruffled Wen Yelan’s soft, fluffy black hair, patting it lightly.

“Even?” Pei Yan ground his back molars, his voice squeezed out through his teeth: “Wen Yelan, are you settling accounts with me? Hmm?”

Wen Yelan was startled by the sudden action. He abruptly lifted his head, the milk cup still in his hands. His eyes, slightly red and swollen from the hangover and crying, widened slightly, filled with shock and a subtle hint of panic.

He seemed completely unprepared for Pei Yan’s behavior. His delicate features crumpled, and his fair earlobes rapidly flushed red at a visible speed.

He instinctively tilted his head, trying to dodge the hand still messing with his hair, his movements betraying a rare shyness: “You… don’t touch my hair.” His voice, however, was much weaker than when he had scolded him earlier, even carrying a slight stutter.

Pei Yan looked at him, and an inexplicable tickle, like a feather lightly brushing his heart, arose within him.

He withdrew his hand, his fingertips seemingly retaining the soft, cool texture of the other man’s hair.

Pei Yan scoffed, ultimately deciding not to continue “bullying” him. He just gave him a meaningful look: “Fine, eat first. The accounts… we’ll settle them slowly.”

Wen Yelan’s heart skipped a beat at the phrase “settle them slowly.” He immediately lowered his head and practically wolfed down the fried egg and toast on the plate, desperate to finish quickly and leave this place that was making his heart rate erratic.

Watching his almost frantic eating, the corner of Pei Yan’s mouth curved into an arc he didn’t even notice himself. This little cat, covered in thorns, occasionally showing a shy and flustered side, was truly… damnably cute.

The breakfast, which had a strange atmosphere, finally ended. Wen Yelan immediately stood up: “I… I should go back.” He dared not look at Pei Yan, his gaze fixed on his wrinkled shirt: “Thank you for the… accommodation and breakfast.”

Pei Yan leaned back in his chair, watching him leisurely, not immediately stopping him. He knew that pushing too hard would only make this sensitive little cat run away completely: “I’ll have the driver take you.”

“No need!” Wen Yelan immediately refused: “I… I can go myself.”

“You can’t hail a taxi here.”

Pei Yan stated the fact plainly: “Either you walk back yourself, or I personally drive you back. Choose one.”

“…” Wen Yelan pursed his lips, knowing resistance was futile. He finally compromised in a low voice: “…Please trouble the driver.”

Pei Yan didn’t stop him further. He simply leaned against the doorframe, watching his slightly hurried retreating figure, and reminded him lazily: “Remember to eat on time, and keep your stomach medicine with you.”

Wen Yelan’s steps paused. He mumbled a vague “Mm,” and hurried into the elevator without looking back.

…

The next day, Pei Yan was uncharacteristically punctual, appearing in his office on the top floor of the China World Trade Center. Dressed in a suit, he sat behind his spacious desk with several documents spread out before him, but his eyes were somewhat vacant.

His assistant, Xiao Yong, stood nearby, meticulously reporting the progress of the investigation into Zhao Hua and Fan Qingzhi.

“Young Master Pei, based on the current information, Zhao Hua did have multiple contacts with Fan Qingzhi that exceeded professional boundaries during the review period. This includes, but is not limited to, three separate dinners and one weekend meeting at a coffee shop. One of the dinner locations was a private club in the suburbs. Consumption records show it was paid for by Fan Qingzhi’s personal credit card, but subsequently, an equivalent amount was transferred from an account belonging to one of Zhao Hua’s distant relatives to Fan Qingzhi’s mother’s account, labeled as a ‘loan.'”

“Furthermore, we found several suspicious points in Fan Qingzhi’s academic record. A core journal paper she published two years ago had data highly overlapping with a manuscript posted on social media by a recently graduated postgraduate student, suggesting plagiarism. At the time, that postgraduate student complained to the journal editorial department, but the matter was later dropped, reportedly after Fan Qingzhi’s supervisor intervened to suppress it.”

Xiao Yong glanced secretly at his boss as he spoke, his voice steady and clear, connecting seemingly insignificant but potentially fatal details.

Pei Yan’s fingers unconsciously tapped the smooth desktop, making a rhythmic light sound. He listened to the assistant’s report, but his mind was inappropriately flashing back to yesterday morning: the exquisite collarbone revealed behind Wen Yelan’s shirt, that slender neck, and… the cotton underwear with a cartoon teddy bear pattern printed on it when he helped him take off his pants.

Such a cold and aloof person actually wore such… cute underwear.

Pei Yan’s heart stirred again. His Adam’s apple involuntarily bobbed, and the corner of his mouth couldn’t help but curl up slightly.

Pei Yan crossed his legs.

“Young Master Pei?” Xiao Yong paused mid-report, seeing that his boss hadn’t responded for a long time and had an expression on his face that he had never seen before, something akin to… savoring and a silly smile? He couldn’t help but prompt him.

Pei Yan snapped back to reality, quickly masking his expression: “Mm, continue.”

“Yes. Regarding the project itself, we also consulted three external experts in the field. They unanimously agree that Dr. Wen Yelan’s research proposal is significantly superior to Fan Qingzhi’s in terms of innovation, scientific value, and feasibility. Fan Qingzhi’s proposal leans more towards application integration and lacks outstanding theoretical highlights. The fact that it won the bid strongly suggests the intervention of non-academic factors.”

“Our people also heard that there was an issue with Dr. Wen’s presentation slides on the day of the report. I suspect it might also be related to Fan Qingzhi.”

Before he could finish, Pei Yan’s eyes completely chilled. He stood up and walked to the floor-to-ceiling window, looking down at the bustling city below.

“The chain of evidence must be complete, especially the financial transactions and academic misconduct. Solidify it, and release the information. It must be known to everyone.” His voice was not loud, but it carried an undeniable coldness: “Contact Director Li of the Institute of Geological Sciences. Arrange a meeting with him this afternoon, using the Moonlight Foundation’s status as the largest donor. Also, prepare the materials regarding Zhao Hua’s regulatory violations, damage to the foundation’s interests, and potential public relations crisis.”

“Yes, CEO Pei.” Xiao Yong responded and immediately turned to make arrangements.

Just as the office door closed, the internal phone rang. Pei Yan picked up. It was the front desk, saying Young Master Lin had arrived.

The words had barely faded when the office door was pushed open carelessly. Lin Mo, dressed in a flashy bright pink casual outfit, walked in with a grin.

“Yo, Young Master Pei, this is rare. Catching you at the company at this hour? Did the sun rise in the west?” Lin Mo plopped down on the sofa opposite him, crossing his legs: “I heard you’ve been so busy you haven’t touched the ground, even pushing off the gatherings the guys organized several times? What, have you really changed your ways and decided to become a model entrepreneur dedicated to wealth creation?”

Pei Yan couldn’t be bothered with his teasing. He walked back behind his desk, picked up a document again, and didn’t even lift his eyelids: “Say what you need to say, or get lost.”

“Tsk, such a temper?” Lin Mo leaned closer, winking: “Let me guess… are you still worrying about that little ice-mountain scientist from Mount Everest?”

Pei Yan’s hand, which was flipping the document, paused. He put the file down and glanced at Lin Mo coldly: “Are you very idle?”

Seeing his reaction, Lin Mo immediately became energized: “I knew it! After meeting him once at the banquet, you’ve been distracted. How is it, Young Master Pei? It’s been this long, and you still haven’t won him over! Did you finally meet your match?”

“What the hell do you know?” Pei Yan scoffed, but his tone softened: “He’s different.”

“How is he different?” Lin Mo pressed: “He’s certainly good-looking, but his personality is as cold as an ice block on Mount Everest. How many times have you offered your warm face only to be met with a cold shoulder? Haven’t you had enough?”

Pei Yan’s mind flashed with Wen Yelan’s flushed ear tips, his slightly puffed cheeks while drinking milk, and that damned teddy bear underwear… His Adam’s apple bobbed. His tone was casual, yet absolutely certain: “Cold has its own flavor. I like chewing on hard bones.”

Lin Mo looked like he had discovered a new continent, his eyes wide: “Holy cow, Pei Yan, are you serious?” Pei Yan didn’t answer, just gave him a faint look: “Mind your own business. Don’t bother me lately, I have things to do.”

“Alright, alright, you go handle your ‘serious business.'” Lin Mo raised his hands in surrender, his face full of a knowing, mischievous smile: “But let me give you a heads-up, buddy. People like him are complex and have strong self-esteem. Your simple, crude methods might not work.”

Pei Yan knew this perfectly well. Precisely because he knew it, he couldn’t simply use money or power to suppress him. What he wanted was Wen Yelan’s willingness, for him to drop all his defenses and pretenses, and genuinely walk toward him.

Therefore, the project matter had to be handled flawlessly. He had to retrieve the item intact and honorably, without letting anyone associate it with Wen Yelan, ensuring not a single stain on his reputation.

He wanted Wen Yelan to reclaim everything that belonged to him, cleanly and honorably.