What Should I Do if My Best Friend Is a Green Tea? [Transmigrated Into a Book]

Jinding Hotel

The tenth floor of the hotel was reserved for the 70th birthday celebration banquet of Old Master Pei. The banquet was not open to the public, and media photography was strictly prohibited. The guests were all prominent figures from Hai City, making it a gathering of the most powerful and influential families in the city. In the room, Pei Yubai changed into a well-tailored black suit, tied a deep red tie, and combed his hair neatly into a slicked-back style.

Feng Meiyu walked over and adjusted Pei Yubai's tie.

"Yubai, I heard from your father that tonight, your grandfather will announce your engagement to Qingyu and give her 3% of the company shares. With these shares, you'll have the power to compete with Pei Hanli!"

Pei Yubai's eyes gleamed.

His father and mother were truly in love, but back then, a business alliance forced his father to marry a woman he didn't love. Three years ago, Pei Hanli's mother passed away, and Pei Yubai wanted his parents to reconcile, but Pei Hanli wouldn't allow it. As a result, Pei Yubai remained the illegitimate son. Although his mother now lived in the Pei household, she was there as a maid, unable to show her face in public. Pei Yubai was also constantly overshadowed by Pei Hanli, with no chance to catch his breath.

In order to seize control of the Pei family, Pei Yubai deliberately played the weak card and ventured into the entertainment industry, establishing Tianhui. While it seemed like he had given up on the Pei family business, in reality, he had seduced Zhou Qingyu, making her completely devoted to him.

The Zhou family was wealthy and powerful, already the richest family in Hai City. By getting close to Zhou Qingyu, Pei Yubai successfully gained access to the Zhou family's resources, thriving in the entertainment industry. The only downside... was that Pei Yubai didn't actually like Zhou Qingyu. The person he truly loved was Ye Luoyi.

The Ye family was a minor wealthy family, incomparable to the Zhou family, and Pei Yubai couldn't rely on Ye Luoyi to win his grandfather's favor. But it didn't matter. Pei Yubai firmly believed that Ye Luoyi would understand him. As long as he dealt with Zhou Qingyu, gained control of the Pei family assets, and then divorced Zhou Qingyu, he could be with Ye Luoyi.

Feng Meiyu asked Pei Yubai, "When will Qingyu arrive? The banquet is about to start."

Pei Yubai fastened the black pearl cufflinks, "Mom, don't worry, Qingyu will be here soon."

She loved him so much, always at his beck and call. How could she not come to his grandfather's birthday banquet?

Pei Yubai entered the banquet hall.

His mother had returned to the Pei family as a maid, but she had no legitimate status in public and couldn't attend such events. At times like this, she could only hide backstage and silently watch Pei Yubai.

Old Master Pei saw Pei Yubai enter alone, "Where's Qingyu? Why don't I see her?"

Pei Yubai: "Qingyu is busy, but she'll be here soon."

Old Master Pei patted Pei Yubai's hand, "I'm getting old. As long as you and Qingyu are doing well, everything will be fine. At this banquet, I'll announce your engagement, and the shares will not be withheld from you."

Pei Yubai was excited inside, but on the surface, he remained calm and composed: "Grandfather, don't worry, I won't let you down!"

At 6 PM, the banquet began.

Wave after wave of guests came forward to present gifts and toast Old Master Pei, with blessings like "May your fortune be as vast as the Eastern Sea" and "May your life be as long as the Southern Mountains" echoing endlessly.

But Zhou Qingyu did not appear.

"Has Qingyu still not arrived?"

At 6:30, Old Master Pei asked Pei Yubai again.

Pei Yubai had been busy networking with various wealthy families, preparing to expand his connections, but he hadn't expected Zhou Qingyu to still be absent.

An assistant hurried in and whispered into Pei Yubai's ear, "Mr. Pei, Miss Zhou's assistant just came by and delivered a gift. She said Miss Zhou had an urgent matter tonight and won't be able to make it!"

"Won't be able to make it?!"

Hearing these words, Pei Yubai's expression cracked. Pei Yubai's father, standing beside him, also heard this.

Pei Yubai's father's face instantly turned as dark as a pot, "She wants to be the daughter-in-law of the Pei family, yet she can't even show up on such an important day!"

Pei Yubai's father, like Pei Yubai, was eagerly anticipating Zhou Qingyu's marriage into the Pei family. He was incompetent, and the company's management was a mess. After Pei Hanli came of age, he swiftly seized the CEO position from him. In Pei Yubai's father's eyes, this was a great humiliation, so he disliked Pei Hanli and preferred Pei Yubai. Pei Yubai was the illegitimate son and could only rely on him in the future. For Pei Yubai's father, controlling Pei Yubai was much easier than controlling Pei Hanli.

Pei Yubai's father scolded Pei Yubai, "How could you let this happen!"

Pei Yubai lowered his head in frustration, "Qingyu... might have other matters..."

Pei Yubai's father: "What could be more important than Old Master's birthday banquet!" Old Master Pei, hearing the scolding, turned to look at the two of them, "With so many people here, what's with all the noise? What's going on?" Pei Yubai opened his mouth but didn't know how to explain.

Pei Yubai's father quickly interjected, "Father, Qingyu called and said she's stuck in traffic. She'll be a little late!"

Old Master Pei leaned on his cane and stroked his beard. Zhou Qingyu was a sensible child, and if she hadn't arrived even after the banquet started, there might be another reason. Old Master Pei looked at Pei Yubai and his father with a scrutinizing gaze.

Pei Yubai's father broke out in a cold sweat and immediately changed the subject, "Qingyu's gift has already arrived. Why don't we take a look at it first? It's the thought that counts!"

Pei Yubai's father called for the assistant to bring forward Zhou Qingyu's gift and urged Pei Yubai to contact Zhou Qingyu.

Pei Yubai felt Old Master Pei's gaze fixed on him and couldn't slip away, so he quietly sent a WeChat message to Zhou Qingyu.

The assistant presented Zhou Qingyu's gift—a set of purple clay teapots. The guests gathered around Old Master Pei:

"Isn't this the nine-piece 'Ode to the Plum Blossom' tea set crafted by Master Gu?" "The one that was auctioned at Sotheby's the other day? I heard it sold for ten million!" "This is Miss Zhou's gift to Old Master Pei? Miss Zhou is so thoughtful!" The Pei family had not yet announced the engagement between Pei Yubai and Zhou Qingyu, but hearing the guests praise his future granddaughter-in-law, Old Master Pei was quite pleased and leisurely stroked his beard.

"If she really cared, how could she be late to the banquet?"

A cold voice came from behind. The guests turned to see Pei Hanli approaching.

He was dressed in a silver-gray suit, the sharp lines accentuating his tall, slender figure. His smiling eyes were gentle as water, but a hint of cunning flashed through them.

With Pei Hanli personally stepping forward to expose the truth, Pei Yubai's father's ingratiating expression instantly turned grim, and Pei Yubai's face also fell.

Pei Yubai retorted, "Qingyu is..."

"Busy eating hot pot?" Zhou Yanci walked over to Pei Hanli's side. He was Pei Hanli's friend, and since the Zhou and Pei families had business ties, Zhou Yanci's father didn't want to attend, but as the CEO of the group, Zhou Yanci had to make a polite appearance.

Old Master Pei's face instantly turned cold, and he glared fiercely at Pei Yubai. Pei Yubai shivered and quickly looked at Zhou Yanci, "Mr. Zhou, don't joke around. On such an important day, how could Qingyu be eating hot pot..." Zhou Yanci calmly pulled up Yan Xi's WeChat Moments, which had been posted just ten minutes ago. The photo showed a steaming hot pot of red oil, along with Yan Xi and Zhou Qingyu's faces, both flushed red from the spiciness.

Pei Hanli chuckled lightly, "Looks like the young mistress doesn't care much about you after all." Pei Yubai's face turned pale, his fists clenched tightly, nails digging into his flesh. Even though it was Zhou Qingyu who didn't show up, Pei Yubai felt as if everyone was blaming him.

The old master Pei glanced at Pei Yubai, saying nothing, but the look of disappointment in his eyes made Pei Yubai feel even more embarrassed.

Pei Yubai quickly walked to a corner and dialed Zhou Qingyu's number. On the other end, Zhou Qingyu and Yan Xi were enjoying hot pot.

After having her wound bandaged, Zhou Qingyu insisted that Yan Xi stay in the hospital for observation. The young doctor rolled his eyes, "Our beds are already in short supply, and you still want to stay?" He then shooed them away.

Zhou Qingyu cursed under her breath, while Yan Xi, seeing that there was still time, worried that Zhou Qingyu might go to the birthday banquet after all. So, she hastily made up an excuse about being hungry. Then, the two of them headed to the hot pot restaurant.

During the meal, Yan Xi cautiously asked Zhou Qingyu, "Today is old master Pei's birthday banquet, aren't you going to congratulate him?"

Zhou Qingyu looked at Yan Xi suspiciously, "I haven't married into the Pei family yet. We're just dating, why should I meet the parents? It's such a hassle. I barely get to show filial piety to my own old man a few times a year, and now I'm supposed to play the dutiful grandson at the Pei family? What are you thinking?" Yan Xi clapped her hands, feeling that this was more like the Zhou Qingyu she knew.

But—

"System, why do I feel like Qingqing still likes that jerk Pei Yubai?"

Yan Xi thought that once freed from the plot's control, Zhou Qingyu would definitely not like Pei Yubai anymore.

[It's just a habit. Emotional habits don't change that quickly.] [But without the plot's compulsion, how long can this liking last?] Five minutes later, Zhou Qingyu's phone rang.

The caller ID showed "Yubai Gege" (Big Brother Yubai).

Seeing those four words, Zhou Qingyu felt goosebumps all over. "Yubai Gege"? Was she really that clingy when they were dating? How cringey!

"Hello—"

Zhou Qingyu answered the call.

"Zhou Qingyu! Do you not know what day it is today? You're out eating hot pot? Do you know our whole family is waiting for you to come over!" As soon as the call connected, Pei Yubai started scolding her harshly.

He had always been like this with Zhou Qingyu, even though he was never gentle, Zhou Qingyu would still cling to him.

Zhou Qingyu listened for a few sentences, but before he could finish, she hung up without hesitation. Muttering under her breath, "So annoying."

Pei Yubai stared at the disconnected call, dumbfounded.

Zhou Qingyu actually hung up on him?

Zhou Qingyu actually dared to hang up on him?!

Pei Yubai, already fuming from the birthday banquet, became even angrier and immediately called back. As soon as the call connected, he shouted, "Zhou Qingyu! What do you mean by this? You actually hung up on me! You—"

The call was hung up again.

Pei Yubai choked, his breathing becoming labored.

He stared at his phone in a daze, unable to process what had just happened.

His face turned pale, the suppressed rage almost bursting out. He immediately dialed Zhou Qingyu's number again—

"Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable. Please try again later… Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable… Unreachable?

How could it be unreachable? It was just connected a moment ago!

Pei Yubai froze for two seconds, then suddenly realized.

Zhou Qingyu had blocked him!!!

At the hot pot restaurant, Zhou Qingyu blocked Pei Yubai without hesitation, "Giving him face? What kind of nonsense is this? Just because I didn't go to some birthday banquet, he has to be so harsh? Am I his girlfriend or his slave?"

Zhou Qingyu casually tossed her phone onto the table and happily continued eating her hot pot. In this world, nothing was more important than good food. A boyfriend was nothing compared to hot pot.

Yan Xi was mentally applauding, "So cool! This is the young mistress I know! That scumbag Pei Yubai doesn't deserve her! Ahhh! Breaking free from the plot's control feels so good!"

"System, I want to subscribe to this service for a year! I want to keep it forever!" The system replied gloomily: [Only 24 hours...]

[Next time you unlock it, you'll need to reach 60 points of luck. Then, it'll be permanent!]

Yan Xi did a quick calculation in her head.

30 points of luck: 24 hours of freedom from the plot's control. 60 points of luck: permanent freedom from the plot's control.

100 points of luck: change Zhou Qingyu's fate of digging sweet potatoes. Before, Yan Xi didn't have a clear sense of what luck points meant, but now she did. With the 24-hour experience card still active, and Zhou Qingyu completely indifferent to Pei Yubai without the plot's control, Yan Xi felt relieved and also enjoyed her hot pot heartily.

However, Pei Yubai clearly wasn't giving up. After realizing he had been blocked, he immediately took his assistant's phone and called Zhou Qingyu again.

Zhou Qingyu, thinking it was an unknown number, answered.

"Who is this?"

"Zhou Qingyu! It's me!" Pei Yubai's anger was almost palpable through the phone, "You actually blocked me? Zhou Qingyu, what do you mean by this?" Zhou Qingyu placed the phone on the table and put it on speaker, "What do I mean? Pei Yubai, are you giving me attitude? How dare you talk to me like this? Just because you control Tianhui, you think you rule the world? Even your brother Pei Hanli respectfully calls me 'young mistress.' Who do you think you are? How dare you yell at me!" In this world, only Zhou Qingyu could be this domineering. No one else dared to step over her.

Pei Yubai was furious, "You—don't you like me?!" Zhou Qingyu sneered, "Just because I like you, you think you can step all over my feelings? If that's the case, then I might as well stop liking someone like you!" Pei Yubai's eyes widened.

What was Zhou Qingyu saying? How could she say that to him?

Pei Yubai still hadn't grasped the severity of the situation, gritting his teeth in anger, "Fine! Then don't like me anymore. We're breaking up now! The previous engagement is off too!"

Zhou Qingyu's expression turned serious, "That won't do."

Pei Yubai raised an eyebrow, thinking that Zhou Qingyu's earlier harshness was just an act. She was probably upset that he left her to attend the banquet first and was now throwing a tantrum, waiting for him to coax her.

As soon as he mentioned breaking up, she got anxious, didn't she?

Pei Yubai felt smug and softened his tone, "Then hurry up and come to the banquet, and I might still consider—"

"Breaking up is something I should be the one to initiate," Zhou Qingyu declared firmly, "Of course, it should be me dumping you! Pei Yubai, listen carefully: I'm dumping you. We're done. Get as far away from me as possible, and leave my life for good!"

With that, Zhou Qingyu hung up the phone.

This time, she didn't give Pei Yubai another chance and turned off her phone. Looking at the black screen, Zhou Qingyu shook her head, "Was I blind before? Pei Yubai isn't even that great!"

In terms of looks, he was handsome, one of the top-tier in the entertainment industry. But Zhou Qingyu herself was a stunning beauty, and her family had Zhou Yanci, whose looks were on par with hers. How could she have fallen for Pei Yubai just because of his face? As for wealth, that was even more laughable. Although they were both second-generation heirs, Zhou Qingyu could freely use her father's black card and had countless assets under her name. What did Pei Yubai have to compare?

Once again discussing emotional value, what kind of emotional value could Pei Yubai possibly offer her? He called her three times, and each time it was just to scold her. She wasn’t suffering from Stockholm Syndrome—why would she like a man like that?

Zhou Qingyu was utterly baffled. “Was I under some kind of spell in the past?” Yan Xi immediately nodded in agreement.

The force of the plot—wasn’t that essentially a spell?

He hung up again?

This time, Pei Yubai was truly dumbfounded.

He quickly called back, but the other party had already turned off their phone.

Pei Yubai felt a chill run down his spine.

Would Zhou Qingyu… really break up with him?

If so, all the effort he had put in over the past two years would have been for nothing! At that moment, Old Master Pei and Zhou Yanci were chatting about Zhou Qingyu. Pei Yubai’s father confidently declared, “Qingyu is such a well-behaved girl. How could she possibly miss such an important occasion?”

A guest nearby chimed in, “That’s right! She even gifted a ten-million-yuan purple clay teapot!”

Zhou Yanci lightly swirled the red wine in his glass and calmly remarked, “Just ten million.” His expression was unreadable, but his eyes clearly conveyed: “It’s only ten million. What, can’t you even afford a ten-million-yuan gift?” Pei Yubai’s father and the other guests were left speechless.

Only the Zhou family, the wealthiest in Hai City, could so casually dismiss ten million as “just ten million.”

But ten million was still ten million!

Considering the Zhou family’s financial power, Pei Yubai’s father could only swallow his frustration.

The birthday banquet was coming to an end, and Zhou Qingyu’s absence had become an undeniable fact. Pei Yubai reluctantly confessed to Old Master Pei, “Grandfather, it’s all my fault. I just realized I gave Qingyu the wrong date for the banquet. She thought it was tomorrow night, and she’s tied up with work right now, so she can’t make it.” Pei Yubai’s father and the others froze.

The gift had arrived, but she got the date wrong? The excuse was too flimsy. However, everyone wanted a way to save face, so they let the matter slide without further discussion.

Old Master Pei leaned on his cane and coldly glared at Pei Yubai. “You’re too careless. In this regard, Hanli is much more reliable than you.” Pei Yubai lowered his head and clenched his fists.

The banquet concluded without further mention of Zhou Qingyu, and the promised 3% shares from Old Master Pei were also left unaddressed. As they left the hotel, Pei Yubai’s father harshly scolded him, “Such an important banquet, and all I asked was for you to bring Zhou Qingyu. What were you doing? If I’d known you were this useless, I never would have brought you back to the Pei family!” Pei Yubai had already endured enough criticism for the day and didn’t dare to argue with his father. Still, he managed to say, “Dad, this was just an accident. It must be because of something her friend said to stir up trouble! Qingyu still has feelings for me. If I just put in a little effort to win her back, she’ll come around, and the shares will still be ours!” Pei Yubai’s father furrowed his brows, considering the possibility.

He didn’t know that Zhou Qingyu had already broken up with Pei Yubai. He simply assumed that since their relationship was fine, the wedding would proceed as planned, and the shares would eventually come their way.

With this thought, Pei Yubai’s father felt somewhat reassured.

“Make sure to treat Qingyu well. Don’t let anything else go wrong!” Pei Yubai nodded. “Understood!”

A commotion broke out ahead as a crowd gathered at the hotel entrance. Suddenly, Pei Hanli emerged from the throng and approached Pei Yubai and his father, a cold smile playing on his lips.

“Grandfather is looking for you.”

Pei Yubai suddenly had a bad feeling.

He followed Pei Hanli to the front, where he saw Old Master Pei and… Ye Luoyi standing before him.

“Grandfather Pei, my name is Ye Luoyi. I’m an artist under Second Young Master Pei’s company. What a coincidence running into you here!”

“I heard today is your birthday banquet? I happened to have a piece of embroidered landscape art. It’s just a small token of my appreciation. I wish you boundless happiness and longevity!” Ye Luoyi had the delicate, innocent appearance of a pure-hearted girl, well-behaved and considerate. She had always been like this, and elders tended to favor such obedient young women. So, she thought this “chance encounter” with Old Master Pei wouldn’t be a problem.

Old Master Pei narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Ye Luoyi from head to toe.

“Old Cheng,” he called to his butler.

Cheng, the butler, stood respectfully by Old Master Pei’s side. “Yes, sir.”

“Was this young lady invited to my banquet?”

“No, sir. We have no dealings with the Ye family of Hang City.”

Old Master Pei nodded and turned back to Ye Luoyi.

His expression was kind, but his tone was icy. “Miss Ye, since we’re not acquainted, I’ll have to decline your gift. Moreover, you and my grandson are merely in a professional relationship. I am not your grandfather, so just focus on your work and avoid overstepping.”

Ye Luoyi, still holding the embroidery, was left in an awkward position, her smile frozen in place.

Pei Yubai quickly stepped forward to pull Ye Luoyi aside, shielding her behind him. Cheng opened the car door for Old Master Pei.

Before getting into the car, Old Master Pei glanced at Pei Yubai once more, his gaze lingering on the tightly clasped hands of Pei Yubai and Ye Luoyi. His expression darkened. “Is Qingyu not here because of her?”

Pei Yubai’s heart skipped a beat, and he suddenly felt as though needles were pricking his back. Even his grip on Ye Luoyi’s hand stiffened, his palm now slick with sweat.

“Of course not, Grandfather! Qingyu just got the time wrong. Otherwise, she would definitely have come!”

Old Master Pei was still doubtful, but he decided to give his grandson some face. Leaning on his cane, he spoke in a measured tone, “Yubai, the Pei family is one of Hai City’s most prominent families. Our standards for a daughter-in-law are very high.”

“Qingyu is cultured and refined, and the Zhou family is a perfect match for the Pei family. She is the only one I consider a suitable granddaughter-in-law. As for those other women you’ve been associating with, they’re nothing but low-class distractions! Cut ties with them sooner rather than later. Don’t bring them before me and tarnish my eyes!”

Old Master Pei’s words struck Pei Yubai like a hammer. He was stunned.

Ye Luoyi, standing behind him, was equally shocked.

She tightened her grip on Pei Yubai’s hand, her long nails digging into his skin, causing him sharp pain. Pei Yubai knew that from the moment Ye Luoyi appeared outside the Jinding Hotel, his relationship with Zhou Qingyu could no longer be kept secret.

With his grandfather still present, he had to maintain his composure.

He released Ye Luoyi’s hand.

“Grandfather, don’t worry. Qingyu and I are doing well. Our wedding… will go off without a hitch!”

The gaze from behind him felt like arrows piercing his back, but Pei Yubai didn’t dare to turn around.

Fortunately, Old Master Pei seemed satisfied when he saw the two let go of each other’s hands. Just then, a Porsche sped into view, making a dramatic skid as it came to a stop in front of the crowd.

The door opened, and a flashy lawyer in a sequined blue suit stepped out from the driver’s seat.

He wore frameless glasses that gave him a somewhat nerdy appearance, but the sharpness in his eyes behind the lenses was unmistakable.

He strode confidently over to Pei Yubai.

Pei Yubai recognized him—he was the legal advisor for Xingyao, handling all the company’s legal matters.

“Mr. Pei, hello.”

Yao Chi extended his hand for a handshake.

“Attorney Yao, what brings you here?” Pei Yubai asked, puzzled. “Did Qingyu send you to find me?”

"Yes," Yao Chi smiled.

Pei Yubai's face lit up with joy. "I knew it! She still can't bear to let me go!" Yao Chi pulled out a document from his briefcase. "As the young lady's lawyer, she has fully authorized me to handle the termination of your engagement."