Volume One, Chapter 117: Affection

"Pei Jingmo!"

Song Qingyu frowned and interrupted him, seeing that his words were becoming increasingly outrageous. The previously warm atmosphere instantly turned tense and hostile. Sensing something was wrong, Dingding began to pace anxiously around Song Qingyu and Pei Jingmo.

"That's right, you two have been in love for seven years; the bond is so deep, how could you just forget it? You keep reminding me that we will divorce in a year—are you really doing this for my own good, or are you hoping to get back together with Chu Xingzhi after a year?"

Pei Jingmo's state was deeply unsettling. She had never seen him this angry, and his demeanor felt like he was—

"Are you—"

"Yes! I am in love with you!"

Pei Jingmo admitted it outright. He had originally intended to make Song Qingyu fall for him gradually, but he could no longer wait. The pressure from the old patriarch, the predatory gaze of Chu Xingzhi, and her own persistent obliviousness—rather than being led by the nose, he decided to tear through the paper screen once and for all.

"You—"

Song Qingyu’s heart trembled violently. She looked at Pei Jingmo in disbelief, as if she had never imagined that he could possibly love her. Pei Jingmo lifted her up and set her onto the shoe cabinet. Song Qingyu was completely stunned, her mind a blank slate.

"Everything I do, every request of yours I fulfill—it isn't because you are my contract wife, but because I love you!" He gently caressed her cheek, his eyes filled with obsession. "I want to kiss you every single day—your eyes, your nose, your lips, and every inch of your body."

The man who had been seething with jealousy just moments ago seemed like a different person now, incredibly tender. "Did you think that when I said I wanted to kiss you before, it was just drunken, lecherous behavior? No! I was perfectly sober; it was you I wanted to kiss!"

"And that’s not all. I want to do things even more excessive to you. I won’t say what they are for fear of dirtying your ears, but I think you know."

Pei Jingmo’s confession hit Song Qingyu like a heavy blow. She couldn't comprehend how, in a mere contract marriage, he had come to love her. And he actually wanted to do those kinds of things to her!

Pei Jingmo suddenly leaned in, resting his forehead against hers. "I know you don’t love me. I hadn't intended to say anything; I was prepared to just play the part of your husband for a year. But I couldn't hold it back any longer. Forgive me."

Before she could push him away, he stepped back slightly. "Are you thinking about how to reject me, or perhaps how to end our marriage prematurely?"

Not giving her a chance to speak, he helped her down and set her on the floor. "Don't feel troubled. Since I signed the contract with you, I will naturally fulfill its terms. A year is a year. I will strive to play the role of your contract husband well and will never cross the line again."

"You don't need to worry about not being able to shake me off later. I love you so much—how could I ever let you be troubled?"

***

It was a long while after Pei Jingmo left with Dingding before Song Qingyu finally came to her senses. Scenes of everything Pei Jingmo had done for her flashed through her mind; she had thought he was simply trying to be a good husband, never realizing he truly wanted to be one.

Her phone rang again. It was Chu Xingzhi, asking where she was. Song Qingyu’s mind was a mess. "I'm not coming."

"What's wrong? Did something happen?"

Song Qingyu didn't know why Pei Jingmo harbored the suspicion that she would reunite with Chu Xingzhi, but she realized she had indeed seen him more frequently lately. The day they broke up, she had never intended to get back together. Before, she had no choice but to stay in contact because of her grandmother, but now that her grandmother was gone, there was no reason to maintain the connection.

"The keepsakes my grandmother left me—if you are willing, please mail them to my company."

Chu Xingzhi caught the coldness and detachment in her tone and grew anxious. "Xiaoyu—"

"Don't call me again."

Hanging up, Song Qingyu threw herself onto the sofa, feeling utterly vexed. What a mess!

Pei Jingmo was a man of his word. He meant what he said. Since he promised not to do anything "extra," he strictly kept to his boundaries. He no longer proactively served her food, applied hand cream for her, or wrapped her scarf. He didn't hug her or try to get close to her as he had whenever the opportunity arose.

Suddenly, they were even more distant than when they had first met. Song Qingyu had grown accustomed to his meticulous care, and this newfound aloofness left her feeling uncomfortable. Their conversations dwindled; while there was no cold war, it was somehow more daunting than one. For a time, Song Qingyu would wake up to find breakfast prepared and dinner waiting in the evening, but she would never see Pei Jingmo. He seemed to be intentionally keeping his distance.

Song Qingyu had thought she would feel relieved, but in reality, she felt annoyed and stifled. As if things at home weren't bad enough, trouble began at work as well.

***

On Wednesday, when Song Qingyu arrived at the office, Zhao Xiangfei brought someone to the twelfth floor.

"Everyone, we have a new colleague joining our department today. Let’s give her a warm welcome."

"Hello everyone, my name is Sheng Yuru. I hope to learn a lot from all of you in the future."

Song Qingyu looked at Sheng Yuru, who was draped in designer labels, and frowned slightly.

Sheng Yuru walked straight up to Song Qingyu and extended her hand. "Xiaoyu, we’re colleagues now. You must take good care of me!"

Zhao Xiangfei chimed in sycophantically, "Ms. Sheng and Qingyu know each other?"

Sheng Yuru gave a radiant smile. "Xiaoyu and I went to the same high school and university. We know each other quite well."

Zhao Xiangfei clapped. "That’s wonderful! Our department’s future will depend on you two."

Zhao Xiangfei was a blabbermouth, and soon, the entire department knew that Sheng Yuru was the cousin of Gu Yuandong. Sheng Yuru was skilled at social maneuvering and smiled at everyone. "I brought some small gifts for you all. I hope you like them."

As expected of a daughter from a wealthy family, the gifts were all designer handbags. With dozens of employees on the twelfth floor, the total cost was nearly a million. When it reached Song Qingyu, the bags had run out.

"Oh, Xiaoyu, I miscounted. But it doesn't matter; we’re such good friends that you can just come to my house another day and pick one out—any one you want, no matter how expensive."

Seeing Sheng Yuru’s fake act, Song Qingyu had no interest in playing along. "No need. I’m not in need of a bag."

As soon as she said this, Song Qingyu instantly became the target of everyone’s scorn.

"What does Song Qingyu think she's doing? Ms. Sheng offered to let her pick one at her home, and she actually dared to refuse? Isn't she being a bit too full of herself?"

"It’s just jealousy, I suppose."

"I heard her family used to be a minor wealthy family. She dated Chu Xingzhi, the CEO of the Chu Group, back in high school, but how could the Chu family ever look at someone like her? After she was dumped, she gave up on herself and married a laborer, and her family disowned her and kicked her out because of it."

"I heard her husband is quite handsome and treats her well, though."

"What good is that? Without money, you’re nothing."

Seeing Lu Yuan at his desk, a girl asked, "Lu Yuan, you used to follow Song Qingyu around. What kind of person is she, really?"

Lu Yuan looked coldly at the group. "She is ten thousand times better than any of you. Having her name spoken by your mouths is an insult to her!"