Volume One, Chapter 159: The Victor

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Song Qingyu’s first reaction was that either Chu Xingzhi had completely lost his mind, or she was hallucinating. How could Pei Jingmo and Gu Yuandong possibly be the same person? When Gu Yuandong was hospitalized after the car accident, Pei Jingmo couldn’t see him during the day but would come home at night to accompany her to sleep. According to Jie Changhe, Gu Yuandong was seriously injured—two broken ribs and various cartilage contusions. Under such circumstances, how could he have been discharged from the hospital?

Moreover, Pei Jingmo was just a worker, while Gu Yuandong was the prince of Shangjing; their statuses were worlds apart. How could they be the same person?

“Chu Xingzhi, even if you’re talking nonsense, there has to be a limit.” Song Qingyu avoided Chu Xingzhi’s hand, refusing to let him touch her. “You tied me up here just to say this?”

Chu Xingzhi gently stroked Song Qingyu’s face, full of tenderness in his eyes. “I know this is hard for you to accept, but it’s the truth. Pei Jingmo deceived you.”

“I don’t believe you! You would do anything to break us apart; maybe you even faked the words on the school uniform photo.”

A surge of anger flared in Chu Xingzhi’s chest. He suddenly pinned Song Qingyu beneath him. “You really believe him that much?”

“He’s my husband. If I don’t believe him, would I believe you?”

“I almost could have been your husband—”

The veins on the hand gripping Song Qingyu’s shoulder bulged, causing her to wince in pain.

“It was Gu Yuandong, pretending to be a worker, stealing you away from me.”

Song Qingyu showed no expression, disappointment clear in her eyes. “We broke up because you cheated. It had nothing to do with anyone else, and you’re still trying to shift the blame.”

Seeing Song Qingyu angry, Chu Xingzhi’s attitude softened immediately; his infidelity was a shame he could never wash away.

“Alright, alright, let’s not talk about that now. Let’s just talk about Gu Yuandong. Think carefully—have Pei Jingmo and Gu Yuandong ever appeared together?”

Song Qingyu frowned. “They don’t even know each other. Why would they appear together?”

“And Fu Linhan—who is he? No ordinary person can get close to him, so how could a worker be by his side?”

“That’s because Pei Jingmo saved Fu Linhan.”

“Heh—” Chu Xingzhi mocked with a sneer. “These days, who hasn’t tried to use tricks to get close to Fu Linhan? Why would Pei Jingmo be the only one to catch his eye?”

“And the Jiuhuang Mountain incident—after I investigated today, I found out that after we left the mountain, heavy snow blocked the roads. Pei Jingmo couldn’t have climbed the mountain. This only proves one thing: he is Gu Yuandong. From beginning to end, he never left Jiuhuang Mountain.”

“That’s enough!” Song Qingyu didn’t want to hear any more. “How long do you plan to keep me tied up?”

Chu Xingzhi hadn’t intended to truly kidnap her; worried about hurting her wrist, he had used his own tie.

“Xiaoyu, I’ve said all I need to. I don’t mean to hurt you; I just don’t want you to be deceived anymore. You have the right to know the truth.”

Chu Xingzhi untied the tie binding Song Qingyu’s hands. “I’ll take you back to divorce him.”

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Song Qingyu lightly pushed Chu Xingzhi away. “I’ll handle my own affairs. You don’t need to worry.”

She turned and left. Chu Xingzhi didn’t chase after her as before; instead, he smiled faintly.

Xiaoyu hated being lied to the most. Gu Yuandong had deceived her for so long; their marriage was over. When the time came, he would win her back, and they would return to how things once were.

With this thought, Chu Xingzhi’s mood brightened, and he began dancing in the greenhouse.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept in, bringing a chill. Before Chu Xingzhi could react, a solid punch landed firmly on his face.

Seeing it was Pei Jingmo, Chu Xingzhi’s patience snapped.

Old grudges and new hatred combined; he raised his fist and struck at Pei Jingmo.

But as a scion of a wealthy family, Chu Xingzhi was no match for Pei Jingmo. Before he could land a blow, Pei Jingmo had already thrown him to the ground.

Grabbing Chu Xingzhi’s collar, Pei Jingmo growled angrily, “Where did you take Qingqing?”

Blood seeped from Chu Xingzhi’s mouth as he smiled, the crimson dripping from between his teeth chillingly eerie.

“She’s already gone. Pei Jingmo, you’re finished.”

Pei Jingmo’s face darkened with a terrifying gloom, his violent aura making the flowers in the greenhouse tremble.

Chu Xingzhi, however, seemed resigned, showing no fear.

“Where did she go?”

“If nothing unexpected happens, you’ll soon receive her call from the civil affairs bureau to divorce.”

Furious, Pei Jingmo punched Chu Xingzhi again. “Speak clearly!”

“Hahaha—” Chu Xingzhi laughed wildly, eyes fixed on the man before him. “I haven’t lost! I’m the real winner in the end!”

Seeing no information forthcoming, Pei Jingmo kicked him hard. “You better not have any dirty tricks, or I won’t hesitate to ruin you.”

Chu Xingzhi sneered at Pei Jingmo’s retreating figure.

Soon, his Xiaoyu would be back in his arms.

After leaving the greenhouse, Pei Jingmo tried calling Song Qingyu. This time, she answered.

“Qingqing—”

“I’m staying at Zheng Zheng’s place tonight. I’m not coming home.”

Before Pei Jingmo could say anything, Song Qingyu hung up.

Growing increasingly uneasy, Pei Jingmo felt a sense of things slipping beyond his control.

He called again, but Song Qingyu refused to answer.

With no other option, he sent her a message on WeChat: “Qingqing, there’s something very important I want to tell you.”

After a long pause, Song Qingyu finally replied, “Let’s talk tomorrow.”

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Xie Liuzheng rarely found time to go on a date with Shen Zhou, but when she received Song Qingyu’s call and sensed something was wrong from her tone, she immediately left Shen Zhou and hurried over.

Nearly two hours had passed.

Song Qingyu sat silently on the sofa, lost in thought.

Xie Liuzheng walked over and gently put her arm around Song Qingyu’s shoulder, rubbing her cheek against hers. “Xiaoyu baby, what’s going on? You’re telling me nothing—is that to drive me crazy?”

Song Qingyu’s mind was in chaos. She knew she shouldn’t believe Chu Xingzhi’s words, but many details were hard to ignore.

Unsure how to face Pei Jingmo, she sought refuge with Zheng Zheng.

“Zheng Zheng, can you not ask me anything for now? Just keep me company?”

Seeing Song Qingyu’s state, Xie Liuzheng guessed she had quarreled with Pei Jingmo.

She didn’t press but instead comforted her softly, “Alright, alright. No questions. Whenever you want to talk, I’m here.”

Song Qingyu reached out and hugged Xie Liuzheng. “Thank you.”

Xie Liuzheng’s phone vibrated several times—calls from Shen Zhou.

She resisted and eventually declined. “I’m staying with Xiaoyu tonight. You should sleep on your own.”

Seeing Shen Zhou’s unanswered messages, Xie Liuzheng sighed.

She’d have to find a way to soothe that jealous, easily angered guy again.

The next day.

Song Qingyu rose with dark circles under her eyes, dazed as she headed to work.

Xie Liuzheng worriedly said, “How can you go to work like this? Why not take a day off?”

“No need. I have to go to the company today.”

“I’ll take you there.”

Song Qingyu nodded, not refusing.

Standing beneath the towering Tianqi Building, Song Qingyu felt dizzy.

The building was so tall, seemingly unreachable.

Entering the building, she went straight to the CEO’s office.

“Secretary He, please inform him I have something to discuss with President Gu.”

He Shubai replied, “President Gu instructed that if Miss Song comes to see him, you may enter directly.”

Song Qingyu nodded and pushed the door open, stepping inside.