Chapter 76: Chapter 76

Yin Shuyao kept her eyes on Pei Che’s expression as she spoke.

He was first incredulous, slowly turning to sadness and pain.

Yin Shuyao had never seen someone express such pain before, the veins on his forehead subtly twitching, as if a part of his body had been pierced.

His face was frighteningly pale, accentuating his reddened eyes.

Pei Che’s emotions were undoubtedly very complex, yet he didn’t show the disappointment, disdain, or resentment that Yin Shuyao expected.

"I know our family’s circumstances can’t compare to what they used to be, but she can’t sell her body just to enjoy a wealthy life." Yin Shuyao sighed slightly, not minding adding fuel to the fire, "You should talk to her, there’s no good end with such a person, turn back now while you still can."

Yin Shuyao took out a pen and paper from her bag and wrote down the address of Rose Manor.

"She lives here." Pressing her finger on the note, she pushed it towards him, saying, "She blocked my contact information, I don’t know when she’s available, you’ll have to find her yourself."

Pei Che took the note, his fingers trembling, unable to see the words clearly through his blurry vision.

He didn’t believe Little Nian would cling to a rich person just to enjoy a wealthy life; she must have encountered difficulties she couldn’t resolve on her own. How helpless she must have felt to choose such a path.

What was he doing at that time?

He was like a fool, being played around by his family, not knowing anything, living peacefully abroad in campus life, while Little Nian might have been suffering.

Thinking of this, it was as if his heart in his chest stopped beating.

Pei Che felt a metallic taste rise in his throat, clutching his shirt, coughing violently.

Yin Shuyao’s intention was to provoke him, to see the pure and flawless image of Shen Jianian in his heart collapse, but instead, she seemed to have shocked him too much, leaving him looking soulless.

"Are you all right?" Yin Shuyao held the hand he had rested on the table, softly comforting him, "I know it’s hard to accept the truth right away. I didn’t believe it at first, but now... I have no choice but to believe."

If only Pei Che’s love for Shen Jianian could transfer onto her.

The Beicheng Pei Family, its status far surpassing the Yicheng Qin Family.

Unfortunately, she was already married.

Thinking about it made her regret to the point of death, picking such a man to marry after all that deliberation.

If only she hadn’t been so hasty, met Pei Che later, he being heartbroken and in pain, needing someone to save him, she could have been by his side, comforting and healing him. And given she shared some resemblance with Shen Jianian, over time, she might have replaced Shen Jianian in his heart.

Yin Shuyao gazed at Pei Che’s handsome and refined face, sunk into deep remorse, wishing Qin Fan would disappear from the world.

After parting with Yin Shuyao at the café, Pei Che took a cab with the address to find Rose Manor.

The top private villa in Yicheng, situated in the most bustling area, a peaceful haven in the midst of chaos, spanning thousands of square meters, not something money alone could acquire.

Yin Shuyao mentioned it belonged to a big figure from Beicheng.

Beicheng was full of significant figures, which didn’t seem surprising.

The security system at Rose Manor was highly advanced, Pei Che couldn’t enter, so he could only linger outside the fenced gate waiting.

Night fell, streetlights illuminated among the tree branches, like fruit borne on the trees.

The night air grew colder, the fine snowflakes landing on him melted into water, soaking Pei Che’s hair and clothes, freezing him to the bone.

Each time he recalled Yin Shuyao’s words, the heartache was unbearable.

Pei Che’s prolonged presence caught the attention of the staff in the security booth, two of them came out with batons. Seeing an unfamiliar face, they became cautious, questioning his identity and purpose.

He didn’t hide it and said his name was Pei Che, that he came to find a friend here.

The security guards asked carefully, "What’s your friend’s name?"

The manor housed an owner and a group of servants; failing to answer could seem suspicious.

"I’m looking for Shen Jianian." Pei Che said.

The two security guards exchanged a glance, "Miss Shen?"

They had somehow forgotten, the owner of Rose Manor besides Mr. Fu, Miss Shen was counted too. The two frequently traveled in the same car, appearing very close.

"Miss Shen is not here," the security guard told him with certainty.

Miss Shen and Mr. Fu had gone to work together that morning and hadn’t returned yet.

Usually, they would return after work, today they might have been delayed.

Pei Che at least confirmed that Shen Jianian lived there, a hint of spirit returned to his numb expression: "Do you know when she’ll be back?"

"We don’t know," the security guard looked at him strangely, kindly suggesting, "Since you’re friends, why not give Miss Shen a call, ask her, it’s awfully cold out here, waiting isn’t a solution."

As they spoke, two beams of headlights swept down the end of the road.

One of the security guards turned to look, with the distance it was hard to tell, guessing, "Maybe they’re back."

After work, Shen Jianian was taken to a gathering by Fu Jichen, a dinner with peers, not too formal, she had some food at the table without touching any alcohol.

Fu Jichen had a few drinks and leaned on her shoulder to rest after getting into the car.

Shen Jianian stiffened half of her body, not daring to move, wondering how a few glasses of red wine could make a man drunk, was it possible Fu Jichen had a poor tolerance for alcohol?

She lowered her eyes slightly, observing his fair face devoid of any drunkenness, she wasn’t so sure anymore.

As time went on, her shoulder grew numb, Shen Jianian tried to move, and the person leaning on her woke up, wrapped an arm around her waist, pulling her onto his lap, his head dropped, resting into her shoulder socket: "Don’t move anymore."

His actions were swift and decisive, and by the time Shen Jianian reacted, she was already sitting on his lap. She was bewildered, reminded him, "Fu Jichen, we’re almost home."

The car slowed down as it approached the gate of Rose Manor, Qu Mo eased the brakes.

Up ahead, Pei Che and the two security guards were clearly illuminated by the car’s headlights.

Hearing the guards mention Shen Jianian might be in the car, Pei Che stared intently as the car approached, through its clear windshield, he saw two people in the back embracing.

The scene flashed by.

The side windows being privacy glass made the interior invisible from outside, Pei Che couldn’t confirm if that was Shen Jianian.

Inside the car, Fu Jichen opened his eyes, clarity in them, glancing casually out the window as that solitary figure slowly passed by.

Qu Mo hesitated for a moment, hit the brakes, stopping outside the gate.

With her back to that window, Shen Jianian didn’t see Pei Che; Fu Jichen’s sudden command to stop puzzled her.

Fu Jichen rubbed his thumb over the smooth, glossy back of the white jade lion in his palm, mocking coldly: "Your childhood sweetheart has come to find you."

Unexpectedly, after all the trouble he caused to the Pei Family, the newly appointed CEO of the Pei Family still traveled from Beicheng to Yicheng to search for Shen Jianian.

Truly, deep feelings indeed.

Shen Jianian stared blankly at him, what was he talking about?

Fu Jichen lifted a hand, grasping her fair and delicate nape, turning her head towards the window: "The person you dream about, who you call out to in your dreams, is right in front of you, how does that feel?"

His voice was low and slow, the sarcasm heavily laced within.

Through the window, Shen Jianian finally saw the man standing by the streetlamp, it was Pei Che, whom she hadn’t seen for a long time.

Sitting on Fu Jichen’s lap, he naturally sensed her body’s rigidity, he tightened his hold on her waist, leaning in to whisper in her ear: "Can you tell me now whether seeing him makes you hate him or saddens you? Hm?"