Chapter 15: Her Life Is Truly More Bitter Than Coffee

Xu Yunzhu cleared her throat softly, recalling those days when she was exploited during her internship.

She raised her wrist to glance at her ten-million-yuan watch, her voice low and resonant: “It’s already noon. Go get some lunch. Health comes first.”

A chorus of sputtering and coughing erupted around her.

Fearing that their abrupt reactions might offend Xu Yunzhu, they hurriedly jumped to their feet, bowing and nodding repeatedly in deference.

Then, in a flurry, they all dashed away, vying to catch the elevator first.

Xu Yunzhu: “?”

Was she really that frightening?

This was precisely why she called Pei Qiaonian a tyrant. Every employee in this company scurried away at the mere sight of him, like mice fleeing from a cat.

With no goodwill among the people, no wonder the company later lost half its staff, most siding with the gentle Pei Jin. The importance of management, indeed.

Xu Yunzhu heaved a sigh and made her way toward the private elevator.

Her stomach ached with hunger, cramping painfully, making her feel especially uncomfortable. She pressed a hand to her abdomen, longing for something to eat.

Special Assistant Gao, seeing Xu Yunzhu’s furrowed brow, immediately understood.

He thoughtfully brought over a box of medicine and a cup of warm water. “President Pei, is your stomach acting up again?”

“What? I’m sick?” Xu Yunzhu looked at Special Assistant Gao in disbelief.

How could such a robust-looking body have an ailment?

Special Assistant Gao looked back at her, speechless.

Don’t you know your own health?

He could only assume their boss had taken a blow to the head.

“You have a severe stomach condition. There’s always medication in your office. Take it, and the pain will subside for now.”

Xu Yunzhu’s face became a palette of colors.

So Pei Qiaonian’s death in the novel was due to an old illness—stomach trouble? Would it eventually develop into stomach cancer?

The thought was chilling. Even if it wasn’t her body, what if they couldn’t switch back? Would she end up dying in Pei Qiaonian’s place?

And even if she did get her body back, she’d still have to endure this stomach pain for the time being?

Now she wanted nothing more than to give Pei Qiaonian a good beating.

She took a deep breath, downed the medicine in one gulp.

Within a minute, the pain in her stomach faded.

“President Pei, would you like to rest in your office for a bit? I can prepare some coffee for you,” Special Assistant Gao offered.

Every time Pei Qiaonian’s illness flared up, he’d lose his appetite, retreat to the office bed, and rest until the pain eased, then have a cup of coffee before resuming work.

“Coffee? I want to eat! I feel like I’m about to die; how could I rest? Special Assistant Gao, where’s the company cafeteria? Take me there,” Xu Yunzhu said, eager to move.

She wished she could have some hot food right away.

Pei Qiaonian’s stomach was far too fragile.

If he missed mealtime by even a little, he’d fall ill.

Her fate was evidently more bitter than coffee.

“The cafeteria?” Special Assistant Gao hesitated.

“Where else would I eat if not the cafeteria?” Xu Yunzhu had grown up eating in cafeterias; it was second nature.

“I’ll take you.”

How could Pei Qiaonian possibly eat in the staff cafeteria?

Still, he figured maybe the boss just wanted to try something new.

When Xu Yunzhu entered the cafeteria, the once lively and cheerful space instantly fell silent, as if a silencer had been switched on. Not even the clink of chopsticks could be heard.

Xu Yunzhu disliked quiet; she preferred lively company. But the name Pei Qiaonian alone was enough to instill fear in everyone—something that couldn’t be changed overnight.

She found a corner seat and instructed Special Assistant Gao, “Bring me something light. I need to settle my stomach.”

Once he left, Xu Yunzhu impatiently took out her phone and began to vent to Pei Qiaonian.

“If you have a stomach illness, why didn’t you say so? When you’re sick, you should see a doctor. Medicine only relieves the pain temporarily; you need proper treatment.”

Pei Qiaonian received the message while sitting in the lobby of Starry Media.

At the moment, he was just a little-known actor with no works or influence. The staff at the entertainment company couldn’t be bothered with him, letting him sit in the lobby for three hours.

Pei Qiaonian understood. There were plenty in the business world who flattered the powerful and trampled the weak, not to mention the entertainment industry, which was even more ruthless and realistic.

He glanced at the elevator in the distance, which required an employee card to access. The company hadn’t even provided Xu Yunzhu with the standard staff card, so he couldn’t ride the elevator and had to endure the mocking whispers as people walked past.

Pei Qiaonian merely gave a cold laugh. There would come a day when they’d regret it.

Reading Xu Yunzhu’s message, the frustration in Pei Qiaonian’s chest eased considerably, and he couldn’t help but smile.

So there were benefits to this body swap after all.

Xu Yunzhu’s body was perfectly healthy—no annoying stomach problems, no pain anywhere, and he could finally sleep through the night without headaches.

He realized suddenly that this swap might not be so bad.

He tapped out a reply, a hint of schadenfreude in his words: “Just bear with it—it’ll pass soon enough.”

Xu Yunzhu: “…How can someone with a normal body temperature say something so cold? This is your body—how can you not care at all?!”

Pei Qiaonian couldn’t help but chuckle. Through the screen, Xu Yunzhu was bolder, daring to challenge him. He replied unhurriedly: “That body belongs to you now. I can’t feel a thing.”

Xu Yunzhu: “…I demand that you eat right now! Don’t you dare give me a stomach illness too.”

Only then did Pei Qiaonian realize he was actually hungry.

Sister Cheng was currently busy with a third-tier artist on set, telling him to wait a while. That “while” had turned into three hours.

He was out of patience.

He stood up, ready to head to a fine restaurant for a steak.

Just then, a tall figure blocked his way.

Pei Qiaonian was forced to stop. Looking up, he found himself facing a heavily made-up, unfamiliar actress.

Her overly altered face curled into a mocking smile. Arms crossed, she looked him up and down with arrogant disdain. “Xu Yunzhu? What a surprise, seeing you here at the company. Didn’t you say you were quitting the industry to get married? What happened—did your man run off?”

Unable to suppress a laugh, she covered her mouth and looked him up and down with unconcealed distaste. When her gaze landed on his face, jealousy flashed in her eyes. “So what if you look good? Today’s trending topic is all about you being thrown out of your house. You’d be better off cozying up to a few more bosses while you’re young and earning some resources. Otherwise, when you’re old and washed up, you’ll end up on the streets.”

Pei Qiaonian sneered and arched an eyebrow. “Sister, if you’re going to talk about people getting old and washed up, take a good look at your own face. Your nose is already crooked—didn’t your surgeon mention it?”

The actress was momentarily stunned—was this really Xu Yunzhu?

She actually dared to talk back like this?

Her surgically enhanced face might not compare to the natural beauties, but it was hardly fair to mock her nose; she’d only just had a minor procedure and was still recovering.

Anger surged through her. She raised her hand to slap Pei Qiaonian across the face. “You wretch, you’re asking for it!”

Her assistant, terrified, cried out, “Momo, don’t!”