Volume One, Chapter 14: Sealed Lips

Pei Jingmo was utterly charmed by the way Song Qingyu counted expenses on her fingers. “You don't need to worry about the drinks,” he said.

“Hm?”

“I know the owner here. He heard my wife was holding a gathering, and told me we could eat and drink whatever we liked, all on him.”

“Really?” Song Qingyu was stunned. “That's incredibly generous!”

“Jingmo—” Fu Linhan, looking every bit the old friend, threw an arm around Pei Jingmo’s shoulder.

Pei Jingmo shot Fu Linhan a glance, and the two played the part of sly wolves, putting on a show.

“So this is your precious wife?”

“Yes, President Fu. My wife, Song Qingyu. Qingqing—this is President Fu Linhan, owner of this establishment.”

Song Qingyu regarded the man closely, utterly astonished.

Fu Linhan was hardly a stranger to Song Qingyu. He was the CEO of the Fu Group, one of the most prominent figures in the capital. Previously, Song Qingyu had glimpsed him from afar with Chu Xingzhi, who had mentioned that Fu Linhan was a close friend of the prince of the Gu family—befriending him meant never lacking for projects in the future.

How did Pei Jingmo know him?

Fu Linhan extended his hand to Song Qingyu. “Miss Song, it’s a pleasure. You are truly beautiful.”

Song Qingyu finally came to herself. “Good evening, President Fu.”

Just as they were about to shake hands, Pei Jingmo intercepted, grasping Fu Linhan’s hand. “Thank you, President Fu, for your generosity.”

Fu Linhan’s fingers were squeezed out of shape; he forced a smile through gritted teeth. “Heh… it’s nothing, just a small favor. Enjoy yourselves.”

Someone came to see Fu Linhan. Song Qingyu whispered to Pei Jingmo, “How do you know President Fu? He’s awfully generous—forty thousand dollars’ worth of wine, just like that?”

Noticing how Song Qingyu’s gaze lingered on Fu Linhan, Pei Jingmo felt a wave of jealousy rise within him.

“He’s not exactly a good person.”

“Huh?”

“Do you know why he’s so generous?”

Song Qingyu shook her head, bewildered.

“Last time, he got into trouble while having a car rendezvous with two women. I happened to pass by, rescued him, and brought him to the hospital. He’s worried I’ll spill the story, so this is hush money.”

Song Qingyu was speechless.

So that was the reason.

She glanced at Fu Linhan—he seemed quite refined, but who knew he was so wild.

Her phone rang suddenly. Seeing that it was Wu Yijun calling, Song Qingyu frowned.

“I need to take this call.”

While Song Qingyu spoke on the phone, Fu Linhan sidled up to Pei Jingmo. “How was my performance just now?”

Pei Jingmo’s gaze remained fixed on Song Qingyu. “Keep your hands off my wife.”

“Come on, it was just a handshake. Your possessiveness is something else.”

Pei Jingmo cast him a chilly sidelong glance. “Is that a problem?”

“No, not at all! But isn’t Sheng Yurou your cousin? Why didn’t she recognize you?”

“I only met her once, back when she was still wetting her pants. It's better she doesn’t recognize me.”

Pei Jingmo’s attention was wholly on Song Qingyu.

When he saw her hang up, her face pale, he walked over.

“What’s wrong?”

“I need to go to the hospital. You should go home first.”

“I’ll go with you.”

“But…”

“It’s fine. Let’s go.”

After watching him for a few seconds, Song Qingyu nodded.

—

When Song Qingyu arrived at the hospital, the old lady had just come out of the emergency room.

Chu Xingzhi was there, looking haggard and exhausted.

When he saw Song Qingyu, his eyes brightened noticeably. No matter what, she still cared about his grandmother.

“Qingyu…”

“How is Grandma?”

“Cerebral hemorrhage. The surgery was very successful, so don’t worry.”

Song Qingyu nodded, breathing a sigh of relief.

Just half a month ago, they’d been loving sweethearts. Now, meeting again, they had nothing more to say.

“Excuse me, who is Miss Qingyu? The old lady has woken up and keeps calling her name.”

“That’s me.”

Song Qingyu stepped forward, about to enter the room, when Chu Xingzhi grabbed her arm. “Qingyu, Grandma can’t take any shocks in her condition. Could you not tell her… about us, at least for now?”

Song Qingyu shook off his hand. “Grandma will find out sooner or later.”

Chu Xingzhi’s heart ached. Clearly, she had never intended to forgive him.

“At least not now… Please.”

Song Qingyu pressed her lips together, saying nothing.

Inside the hospital room, the old lady lay weakly in bed, her spirit gone.

“Qingyu…”

Seeing Song Qingyu, she slowly extended a hand. Song Qingyu’s nose tingled, and she rushed over to grasp it.

The old lady’s hand was thin, veins bulging, her skin nearly translucent, revealing faint blue vessels beneath.

Her hand trembled slightly as she held Song Qingyu’s. Song Qingyu felt a deep ache. “Grandma, I’m sorry…”

She owed nothing to Chu Xingzhi, nor to Song Yanfeng, but to the old lady—her guilt was profound.

The old lady treated her as her own granddaughter, but she could not fulfill her wish to marry Chu Xingzhi.

The old lady smiled gently, tapping her nose. “You should apologize—you haven’t visited me in so long.”

“I’m sorry…”

“It’s all right. I know you’ve been busy preparing the wedding with Xingzhi. I don’t blame you.”

Song Qingyu’s lips quivered; she couldn’t utter a single word.

The old lady sensed something was wrong. “What is it? Did Xingzhi bully you?”

“No…” Song Qingyu shook her head. “Grandma, you must get well soon.”

“Don’t worry. On your wedding day, I’ll be hale and hearty. My Qingyu will be the most beautiful bride.”

Song Qingyu bit down on the soft flesh inside her lip, struggling to contain her sorrow.

Once the old lady fell asleep, Song Qingyu left the room.

“Grandma is asleep. I’ll head home now.”

Chu Xingzhi grabbed her arm. “It’s late—let me take you home.”

“No need. My husband is waiting downstairs.”

Chu Xingzhi clenched his fists, watching helplessly as Song Qingyu walked toward that man.

When Song Qingyu stepped outside, she saw Pei Jingmo smoking. The ashtray atop the trash bin was filled with cigarette butts.

It was as if, from the moment she entered the hospital, he had been smoking non-stop.

Seeing her, Pei Jingmo stubbed out his cigarette and approached. “How is it?”

“She’s all right now.”

“Good. Let’s go home.”

As Pei Jingmo helped Song Qingyu with her helmet, he suddenly sensed a cold, sinister gaze fixed on them.

He curled his lips in a smile, lowered his head close to Song Qingyu—

Song Qingyu was caught off guard by his handsome face looming above her, accompanied by the faint scent of gardenia.

Wasn’t it supposed to be the scent of soap? Why gardenia?

Oh, since they started living together, Pei Jingmo had switched the laundry detergent at home to her favorite gardenia fragrance.

As she came to herself, she met those deep, scorching black eyes, her heart fluttered and she shrank back.

She swallowed nervously. “Wh-what is it?”

“There’s something on your eyelashes.”

He reached out, and Song Qingyu instinctively closed her eyes. “What?”

There was nothing there at all—Pei Jingmo was merely putting on a show for someone.

He leaned even closer, their faces mere inches apart, his masculine presence overwhelming her, enveloping Song Qingyu completely.

She could feel his intense breath, her heart skipped a beat.

Pei Jingmo studied the girl before him. Her eyelashes were long and curled, like tiny fans. Whether from nervousness or discomfort, her lids kept fluttering, her lashes tickling his fingertips.

For an instant, that itch traveled straight to his heart.

“It looks like a fallen eyelash.”

He removed the imaginary eyelash, glanced to see the person behind the window was gone, and smiled. “All done.”

Song Qingyu opened her eyes, not daring to look at Pei Jingmo. “Let’s go.”

Upstairs, Chu Xingzhi watched the scene, his eyes cold and terrifying. He slammed his fist into the wall.

Blood gushed from the back of his hand, his face, under the dim lights, looked utterly menacing.