Otherworldly Affairs Office

Chapter 1098: Warm and Trivial Moments

After casually responding and giving his sister a look, watching her lead their parents into the living room, Pei Yan turned and nodded repeatedly in thanks to the girl serving at the door: "You’ve been taking care of my parents these past few days, right? Oh, thank you so much! Your surname is Zhou, isn’t it? You’ve been really put out by this."There’s no choice, she’s an ability user after all, playing it safe to be my parents’ server, a few words of gratitude are only right.

"Captain Pei, you’re too polite! There’s no issue with this; working here is much safer than you guys risking your lives out there. Besides, your parents are really easy to get along with. I haven’t really done much except help make some restaurant reservations and later collect the plates. I was supposed to clean up as well, but your mom wouldn’t let me do anything, she did it herself. I felt quite embarrassed." Zhou smiled shyly, covering her face after this from Pei Yan.

"Oh, still, thank you! They’ve been here for three days; there’s no need to trouble you anymore. I’m going to spend quality time with my family! Just leave me the restaurant’s contact info, and I’ll handle the reservations myself." Pei Yan laughed out loud in response.

"Alright!" Zhou said, taking a business card from her pocket and handing it to Pei Yan: "Here’s the restaurant’s phone number and the resort’s service department number. If you need anything, feel free to call. The electronic devices here all work normally, they just can’t access the outside internet."

While speaking, Zhou saw Pei Yan accepting the card with praise, her face blushing, she said bashfully: "Uh, Captain Pei, could I ask you a favor?"

"Ah? What’s the matter? Tell me." Pei Yan put the card in his pocket, looking puzzled.

"Could we take a selfie together? And then could you autograph my shirt!"

Under Zhou’s expectant look, Pei Yan was first surprised and then, slightly embarrassed, replied: "Sure, I guess! Is that necessary?"

"Of course it’s necessary! You’re now the most popular person in the Superpower Realm! Who wouldn’t know you there? I’ve watched every one of your matches! You’re just too amazing! Uh... "

"Alright! Keep it down! Keep it down!" Seeing Zhou becoming more excited, with her voice starting to lose control, Pei Yan quickly gestured her to lower her voice: "My parents aren’t aware of this yet! Taking a picture is fine, no big deal, using your phone, right?"

"Yes! Yes! Mine!" Zhou said, pulling out her phone, Pei Yan stepped up beside her, Zhou slightly leaned her head on Pei Yan’s arm, and at her request, they smiled and formed a heart gesture towards the camera.

Click! With the crisp sound of the shutter, Pei Yan glanced at the camera, surprised to find himself quite photogenic. After completing Zhou’s first request, Pei Yan awkwardly touched his pocket and said: "I don’t have a pen with me; why not find me before I leave, and I’ll sign for you then."

"I have one!" Zhou said, pulling out a prepared pen and handing it to Pei Yan.

"You’re quite well prepared." Pei Yan took the pen with a bemused smile: "Okay, where should I sign?"

In Pei Yan’s startled look, Zhou unbuttoned her server uniform, revealing a white shirt from the Investigation Department underneath. Pointing at her chest, Zhou smiled: "Sign here!"

"Whew! Wow~ Uh!" Looking at the impressive white shirt rising and falling with her breath, this time it was Pei Yan’s turn to blush. He let out a long sigh, gave Zhou an embarrassed smile, and finally, under her slightly seductive and provocatively challenging gaze, awkwardly tilted his neck and signed his name on her shirt.

Watching the satisfied Zhou disappear with a triumphant smile, Pei Yan felt a slight sense of defeat. He scratched his head, imagining how his awkwardness would surely become a new source of jokes in the office. Though knowing he’d make an even bigger splash because of this match, he hadn’t expected it would affect his life so quickly. Ah! He should’ve been more calm and cool a moment ago. And his handwriting should be practiced more—it looked like chicken scratch.

Pei Yan shook his head with a bitter smile and entered the living room, facing his mom, Li Yuhua, who looked at her son and asked with a smile: "What were you talking about just now?"

"Nothing, I was just thanking her and telling her she doesn’t need to help out these few days."

"I saw you took a selfie together just now?"

"Oh, ah! Just, just, took a picture together!"

"Did you get the phone number?"

"Ah, this, no, why would I want a server’s phone number?" Pei Yan was at a loss for words when asked, evading by repeatedly sending pleading glances to his sister, who didn’t even look at him, just silently took gifts one by one out of the suitcase, preparing them for their parents and elderly relatives.

"Oh, it’s right not to get one! Have you made any progress with Xiaozhao? I told you Xiaozhao’s family is quite good, she’s older than you but she got into a prestigious university, comes from a good family." Li Yuhua’s face improved as she tugged Pei Yan’s hand in earnest.

"Mom, have you figured out how old she is and her family ties?" Pei Yan slack-jawed at his mom, feeling a bit ashamed. He had teamed up with Zhao Yuanhu for a while, felt quite fond of her, though they weren’t inseparable, whenever he was in the office or incapacitated due to injuries, aside from his sister, the one who took care of him was Zhao Yuanhu. Yet he didn’t know how old she was, always assuming she was either his age or younger.

"What figuring out, we live in the same community! Chatting naturally brings these topics up! Let me tell you, you’re not allowed to be fickle or two-timing!" Li Yuhua demanded firmly, her expression becoming stern.

"There’s nothing to it, we haven’t even started yet! How could I be two-timing?"

"Why haven’t you started yet? Didn’t I ask you to be proactive last time?"

"Mom! I, I’ve only been away for half a month! How much progress could happen in half a month!" Pei Yan, utterly helpless, used the short timeframe as an excuse.

"Oh, that’s right! But you should still put in more effort, it’s hard to find a partner these days! Just keep talking and build up the relationship."

"Mom, Pei Yan’s seeing someone! Xiaozhao’s already been jealous over your son a few times, rest assured! Your son is quite popular right now." Pei Jin, who had been largely silent, couldn’t help but tease when she heard this.

"Really!" Li Yuhua exclaimed joyfully, pulling her son along and casting a scrutinizing eye over him, her eyes narrowed with delight: "What’s happening? Tell me all about it."

"Mom! I’m still young, there’s no need to rush." Pei Yan said, glancing at his irrepressibly amused sister beside him, thinking, "If you’re not going to be kind, then call me out on it," he looked at his mom with a woeful face and said: "Even if I were to find someone, my sister should be first!"