Volume One, Chapter 12: Heartache

Pei Jingmo pulled Song Qingyu down onto the sofa, gently pressing an ice pack against her swollen face.
"You’re my wife. Even if I can't give you a grand mansion, I will make sure you live comfortably."
The word "wife" slipped from Pei Jingmo's lips with ease, yet it didn’t feel as though he was taking liberties or merely bantering.
In his heart, they truly were husband and wife, with no need for any so-called agreement.
Watching Pei Jingmo's earnest expression, Song Qingyu felt her pain ebb away.
The house was beautifully furnished, every detail exquisite. Song Qingyu frowned, "This place must be expensive to rent, right?"
"Have you forgotten? When you married me, you gave me two hundred thousand. Besides, I have some savings. I can support you."
Song Qingyu was moved, but also at a loss. "You don’t have to do all this."
At most, theirs was a partnership; there was no need for such kindness.
"I know. But I just want to be good to you."
His deep, dark eyes lifted like the night sky filled with stars, gazing at her with such tenderness it seemed it might overflow.
Thump, thump, thump...
Song Qingyu’s heart began to race uncontrollably.
"The landlord said this neighborhood is special—everyone who lives here has incredibly good luck. Not long ago, an old man won two million in the lottery."
Song Qingyu couldn’t hold back a chuckle, finally smiling. "That’s just a sales pitch, and you actually believe it?"
"Sincerity brings blessings. I believe things will only get better for us. What about you?"
Pei Jingmo’s eyes were dark and bright, his features not the delicate kind popular these days, but bold and striking—a man of cool, intense charm.
When he looked at her, his expression was so serious it felt as if anything could be solved by staying with him.
Song Qingyu found herself swept along by his conviction.
"Yes, I believe it too."
When their eyes met, something intangible seemed to entwine between them, making Song Qingyu’s heart beat faster. She quickly looked away.
"I… I should go tidy up."
Pei Jingmo watched her retreat in haste, raising his brows with a mischievous smile.
Warm water softens gently—there’s no escaping.
That evening, Song Qingyu received a message from the class president, inviting her to a class reunion.
Her first instinct was to decline, but then she remembered the president had said his brother was a manager in the game development department at Tianqi Group, so she agreed.
The reunion was set at Food Fashion House, a stylish private restaurant with a wide variety of delicious dishes.
By the time Song Qingyu arrived, the private room was already filled with people.
She wasn’t particularly adept at social interactions, but during her school days, thanks to Chu Xingzhi, classmates often sought her out, so her relationships were quite good.
"Qingyu, you’re here! I was really worried you wouldn’t come."

The class president greeted her with a smile.
Song Qingyu smiled softly. "How could I refuse when the president himself invited me?"
"Oh, the campus beauty came alone? Where’s Young Master Chu? Weren’t you two inseparable?"
The speaker was Zou Tingting, one of the few girls in the computer science class—forty-odd boys and just five girls.
Zou Tingting was the most active and enthusiastic among them.
Yet because Song Qingyu was frail, the boys would always look after her, which made Zou Tingting feel unfairly overlooked.
And with Song Qingyu having a perfect boyfriend like Chu Xingzhi, her jealousy only grew. In the past, she’d kept her head down because of Chu Xingzhi and dared not challenge Song Qingyu.
Now, hearing the two had broken up, she sensed an opportunity and couldn’t resist a jab.
Most of those present had heard something about Song Qingyu and Chu Xingzhi.
The class president, worried Song Qingyu might feel awkward, quickly tried to smooth things over, "Let’s all take our seats."
"Don’t be like that," Zou Tingting wasn’t about to let Song Qingyu off so easily.
"In a few days, Qingyu and Young Master Chu will be getting married. I’ve even prepared a big red envelope."
Song Qingyu sensed hostility and responded coldly, "I don’t recall ever saying I’d invite you to my wedding."
Zou Tingting’s face turned instantly green, as if she had just embarrassed herself.
"Hmph, who knows if you’ll even get married?"
"Of course she won’t—"
Before Zou Tingting could finish, a brash voice cut in.
Seeing the woman who entered, Song Qingyu’s brows knitted tightly.
One Zou Tingting was annoying enough; now here came someone even worse.
Sheng Yurou was decked out in designer labels, dressed as though she were entering a beauty contest.
Zou Tingting, upon seeing Sheng Yurou, buzzed over like a fly drawn to something foul, "Miss Sheng, you’re here~"
Sheng Yurou didn’t spare her a glance, walking straight over to Song Qingyu and staring coldly. "Are you really giving up on Chu Xingzhi?"
"If I remember correctly, you’re not from our class, are you?"
"Not being in your class means I can’t come?" Sheng Yurou’s chilly gaze turned to the class president.
As the niece of Tianqi Group’s chairman, the class president dared not offend her and quickly replied with a smile, "Of course you can. Even if we’re not in the same class, we’re from the same school."
He promptly organized everyone to sit, and Song Qingyu took the seat furthest in the corner.
Sheng Yurou followed her over, "I asked you a question."
"Why ask what you already know?"
"Damn it, if you didn’t want him, you could have said so earlier! If I’d known, I’d have let some other bitch take him, or better yet, let me have him!"

Exactly.
Sheng Yurou was infatuated with Chu Xingzhi, having pursued him for ages, but his eyes were only for Song Qingyu. Her defeat was absolute.
Just as she was scheming to prevent their marriage, the two suddenly broke up over Chu Xingzhi’s infidelity.
She was both delighted and furious—practically beside herself.
"You could go to him now!"
"Hmph, clearly your love for Chu Xingzhi isn’t all that deep."
Such words no longer fazed Song Qingyu.
"I heard you married a laborer?"
"When did you start caring so much about me?"
"What?"
"Don’t love me—it leads nowhere."
Sheng Yurou: "…"
In the private room on the top floor of Food Fashion House,
Fu Linhan eyed Pei Jingmo’s eternal black T-shirt and work pants with sorrow. "Bro, seeing you dress so rough pains me."
Bai Yinian laughed, "Save your pity—he’s already quietly moved into your dream neighborhood."
"What?" Fu Linhan jumped off the sofa. "Cloud Crest Garden?"
"Uh-huh."
"Damn!" Fu Linhan stared at Pei Jingmo in disbelief. "How’d you get in? Get me a place too."
Cloud Crest Garden—by name, an ordinary complex, but in truth, anything but. Only those who had contributed to the nation lived there, every resident powerful and influential.
Put simply, anyone with enough money could buy land and build a mansion, but not everyone could live in Cloud Crest Garden.
The security guards were all retired special forces, making it exceptionally safe.
Having brought Song Qingyu into his territory, Pei Jingmo was in high spirits. "Not now, maybe someday."
"You said it! I’m writing that down."
Bai Yinian rolled his eyes, then turned to Pei Jingmo. "Jingmo, Chu Xingzhi has approached me several times, wanting to see you—"
Pei Jingmo stubbed out his cigarette and sent Song Qingyu a message. "No."