Volume One, Chapter 120: Imprisonment

Bai Yinian, initially unaware of the situation, immediately understood when he saw Fu Linhan winking at him repeatedly.

Seeing Song Qingyu’s pale complexion, Fu Linhan feigned concern. "Qingyu, do you know that girl?"

Song Qingyu had never expected to run into Pei Jingmo and Hong Xiaohua here. The two were standing in front of a hair accessory shop, and Hong Xiaohua was trying on a cute bunny headband.

She looked at Pei Jingmo with a radiant smile. "Does it look good?"

Pei Jingmo took out his phone to take a picture of her. "It looks great."

That scene reminded Song Qingyu of the time she and Pei Jingmo had visited the Ocean World. She had thought he was only warm toward her, but it seemed he was the same with everyone. A total "central air conditioner" for everyone's comfort!

"Yes, she's his fellow villager."

"Oh my, that level of intimacy doesn't look like just fellow villagers. Could he be cheating?"

As he spoke, Fu Linhan stood up indignantly. "Qingyu, although I only met you through Pei Jingmo, if he ever did anything to wrong you, I would never let him off the hook. Right, Xiaobai?"

Bai Yinian looked speechless and wanted no part of it.

Gu Chenxi’s expression darkened. She opened her mouth to say something to Song Qingyu, but recalling her brother’s warnings, she had to keep it shut.

"Heh... Jingmo’s fellow villager hasn't been in Shangjing for long. It’s normal for him to show her around."

Fu Linhan twisted the knife in Song Qingyu’s heart. "Is it normal? Even if he were showing a fellow villager around, shouldn't he have invited you too? What’s with this sweet, romantic outing between a man and a woman?"

Fu Linhan was acting with great dedication. "I’m going to find him right now."

"Young Master Fu—"

Song Qingyu anxiously grabbed Fu Linhan. "Jingmo told me about it this morning. It’s just that I already had plans with Xiaoxi, so I told him to take his fellow villager out to have a good time."

"Is that so?"

"Yes."

"Well, you’d better be careful. Look at the way that girl is eyeing Jingmo. Jingmo is a great man; don't let someone else snatch him away."

Song Qingyu looked at Pei Jingmo in the distance, her expression grave.

After playing a few more gentle attractions, Song Qingyu went to the restroom.

She never expected that when she came out, she would run into Pei Jingmo and Hong Xiaohua.

The two were sitting with their backs to her. Song Qingyu would have to pass them to leave. Just as she hesitated about what to do, she suddenly heard Hong Xiaohua speak.

"Brother Heitu, do you remember when we were kids? I said I would marry you when I grew up. I never expected that after all these years, you’d already be someone else’s husband."

Song Qingyu’s breath hitched.

"Your wife is so beautiful. Do you love her a lot?"

It was a rare sunny day. Pei Jingmo looked up at the cloudless sky and smiled faintly. "Yes, I love her very much. I love her so much... that I don't even know what to do with myself anymore."

"Oh? But aren't you already married?"

"Yes, but she doesn't love me."

"Ah? If she doesn't love you, why get married?"

Pei Jingmo let out a sigh. Even from just his profile, Song Qingyu could see the melancholy and sorrow on his face.

In all the time they had been married, this was the first time she had seen such a sad expression on him.

"The adult world is complicated. You’ll understand when you’re older."

"Oh, so if you love her and she doesn't love you, is it very painful for you?"

"It’s not exactly painful. Just seeing her every day makes me happy and content. But to avoid making things difficult for her, I have to pretend that I don't love her anymore."

Song Qingyu’s heart trembled violently.

So, the reason Pei Jingmo had been ignoring her lately and coming home so late every night wasn't because he didn't want to see her, but because he was doing it on purpose to spare her the discomfort.

She had thought she was the only one suffering during this time. She hadn't realized he was having a hard time too.

"You’re so wonderful. If she doesn't love you, why not find someone else? Like me—"

"I’m sorry, but I don't think I could ever love another woman the way I love her."

"You love her that much?"

"Yes. I only want her. If it’s not her, it’s no one."

"What if she wants to divorce you? Will you never get married again?"

"No. It’s not like one can’t live alone. Besides, as long as she’s in my heart, I’m not truly alone."

Listening to their conversation, all the blood in Song Qingyu’s body surged toward her heart. Her chest throbbed, and a sensation like an electric shock traveled from the top of her head to her fingertips.

After the two walked away, Song Qingyu finally stepped out and left.

Watching Song Qingyu’s retreating figure, Hong Xiaohua smiled at Pei Jingmo. "How was my performance?"

"Not bad."

Pei Jingmo gave Hong Xiaohua some money. "Go on then. I’ll call you if I need you again."

"Thanks."

Pei Jingmo was not from the countryside, and Hong Xiaohua was naturally not his fellow villager; she was just a college student he had hired to act.

Qingyu had heard everything she was supposed to hear. Would she make a move now?

After playing until past two o'clock, there wasn't much good food at the amusement park, so Fu Linhan planned to take Song Qingyu and Gu Chenxi to a Michelin-starred restaurant.

"Thank you, Young Master Fu, but I have some things to take care of, so I have to go. Please send Xiaoxi home for me."

"Can't you eat first and then go?"

"It's urgent."

"Alright then. Let's hang out again next time."

Song Qingyu smiled at Gu Chenxi. "Xiaoxi, let's meet up again when we have time."

Gu Chenxi wanted to hang out with Song Qingyu every day, but she knew it wasn't possible. She nodded gloomily. "Okay, goodbye, Sister Qingqing."

Fu Linhan had his driver take Gu Chenxi home, while he and Bai Yinian waited for Pei Jingmo.

Still feeling unwell from a hangover, Fu Linhan slumped his head onto Bai Yinian’s shoulder, looking completely wilted.

"Jingmo, is this plan of yours really going to work? I don't see any reaction from Song Qingyu at all. Ouch—"

Suddenly realizing something, Fu Linhan’s expression changed drastically. "Song Qingyu left in such a hurry—she wouldn't be going to draft a divorce agreement, would she?"

Pei Jingmo shot him a cold, chilling look. Bai Yinian covered Fu Linhan’s mouth. "You bird of ill omen, stop talking!"

"Ptooey, ptooey, ptooey! Jade Emperor, Queen Mother, what I just said doesn't count. Just pretend I was spouting nonsense. Please, don't take it seriously."

Bai Yinian: "..."

Bai Yinian comforted Pei Jingmo. "The way Song Qingyu looks at you doesn't seem like you're just imagining things. Since you’ve chosen this path, you can't be impatient."

Bai Yinian’s previous advice to Pei Jingmo had been to lock Song Qingyu up. To be with her day and night, surely feelings would eventually grow over time.

Pei Jingmo had immediately retorted, "Why don't you lock someone up then?"

Bai Yinian had promptly shut up.

"I'm going."

Pei Jingmo stood up to leave. Fu Linhan asked, "Where are you going? Didn't we say we were going to the horse racing track this afternoon?"

"To the grocery market. Qingqing hasn't eaten much these past few days, so I need to cook something she likes."

Fu Linhan’s teeth felt set on edge. "Xiaobai, look at him. How excessive can he be? He hasn't cooked a single meal for us since he got back, but he cooks delicious food for Song Qingyu every day. Hmph, prioritizing romance over friendship!"

"Alright, what do you want to eat?"

"Pickled fish!!!"

Bai Yinian smiled and pinched his cheek. "I think you look just like a piece of pickled fish!"

"Hey—you actually said I’m sour, trashy, and redundant? I’m going to fight you!"

Fu Linhan reached out to hit Bai Yinian, but Bai Yinian wrapped his hand around his fist. "Do you still want fish or not?"

"I do!"

"Let’s go home."

"Okay~~~"

As soon as he finished speaking, Fu Linhan’s phone suddenly rang. After finishing the call, he said excitedly, "Xiaobai, I can't go home with you for pickled fish. My goddess has returned to the country, and I’m going to take her to a state banquet!"

Bai Yinian’s face turned cold instantly.

On the other side, Pei Jingmo prepared dinner and waited for Song Qingyu to come home. He waited from six o'clock to seven, then eight, then nine—

When it was nearly ten o'clock and Song Qingyu still hadn't returned, he couldn't help but call her, but her phone was turned off.

Thinking she might have gone to see Xie Liuzheng, he called her instead.

"Qingyu? She hasn't come to see me. What’s wrong?"