Chapter 70: An Additional Compensation of Ten Million

Xu Yunzhu’s voice was choked with sobs as she nodded along. “Mm-hmm… hmm?” She looked up in disbelief, shock flickering in her eyes. “What did you just say?”

Pei Qiaonian pressed his lips together. Some things could only be said once; it was absolutely impossible for him to repeat them. He withdrew his hand, his expression turning cold in an instant. “Figure it out yourself.”

Xu Yunzhu: “…”

She wanted… she wanted to guess, but what could she possibly guess? She even felt like prying open Pei Qiaonian’s head to see what he was thinking.

He’d promised to give her ten million once they switched back.

Xu Yunzhu was deeply suspicious that he was just reluctant to part with that ten million.

But she could only put on a look of deep emotion. “Does this mean we’ll never be apart for a lifetime?”

Pei Qiaonian frowned. “You’re overthinking it. At most, I’ll let you stay by my side a little longer. You’d better forget this experience as soon as possible. I won’t be this easy to talk to every time you cry.”

Xu Yunzhu: “…”

That tone, that demeanor—no wonder the heroine in the novel was so disheartened after trying so desperately to win him over.

In the novel, Pei Qiaonian was cold and even a little mad, sharp-tongued to the extreme. Even though he cared deeply about the heroine, he never showed the slightest affection. In the end, even though the heroine once loved him, she couldn’t stand his indifference and ended up entangled with Pei Jin, who treated her gently.

When Pei Qiaonian learned of the heroine’s betrayal, he ruthlessly suppressed Pei Jin. Their already strained relationship was utterly shattered. Before, Pei Qiaonian might have shown Pei Jin some consideration for the sake of their blood ties, but after this, he ordered a nationwide manhunt for Pei Jin.

Once the cannon-fodder supporting female character, who shared the same name as Xu Yunzhu, met her end, Xu Yunzhu was so angry she stopped reading.

She cursed Pei Qiaonian up and down for eighteen generations.

Then she skimmed through the middle, skipped to the ending, and felt as if she had swallowed poison.

What a terrible, abrupt ending.

So she cursed the author for eighteen generations as well.

Then, as luck would have it, after she died, she ended up here.

Xu Yunzhu lowered her head, looking wronged. “I understand. I won’t bother you. Being able to stay by your side a while longer is enough for me.”

In reality, she only hoped this short period would pass quickly. Every day by his side felt like a year.

Pei Qiaonian let out a soft, impatient tsk, but the corner of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.

So this is what it feels like to be liked?

There was actually someone who cared for him, who couldn’t bear to leave him.

Pei Qiaonian had certainly wondered about the sudden change in Xu Yunzhu’s attitude.

But now, even if it was all a lie, he would accept it.

As long as the day the lie was exposed never came, what he saw would remain his reality.

“Tomorrow, come with me to the old house and completely dispel my mother’s idea of arranging a marriage for me. For now, you’re still useful.”

Xu Yunzhu was speechless, nearly choking on his backhanded compliment about her usefulness.

She maintained her smile. “As long as I can help you, it’s what I should do.”

Yet in Pei Qiaonian’s eyes, her expression looked like a forced smile.

He couldn’t help but reflect—was he too cold in his words?

After a moment, he added, “Since you’re being so obedient, I’ll add another ten million as compensation. Is that acceptable?”

Xu Yunzhu almost thought she was hearing things.

She’d done nothing and received another ten million, and he was even asking if it was acceptable.

It was more than acceptable.

She continued her well-behaved act. “I’ll do whatever you say.”

Pei Qiaonian was satisfied.

Indeed, there was nothing money could not solve.

Xu Yunzhu’s happiness was visible to the naked eye.

If there was anything he had in abundance, it was money. He might lack affection, but money was never in short supply.

The two of them made their way to the airport.

The next episode of the show was a week away, so Xu Yunzhu had time to rest.

Now that she’d successfully signed on for the next season, she was one step further from being blacklisted.

Her good mood lasted—until she saw Wei Zhichen.

He was at the airport too, earphones in, dressed in a crisp white T-shirt, as fresh as an inexperienced university student.

But Xu Yunzhu was terrified of him.

Every time she saw him, he would cling to her, eating and living together, and every day he would nonchalantly inquire about her past with Pei Qiaonian, testing her knowledge.

Later, she had Assistant Gao find out his whereabouts in advance and avoided meeting him. When that didn’t work, he messaged her online, pestering her until she finally blocked him—and blocked Song Qingli, who always asked if she needed a man, as well.

In Xu Yunzhu’s opinion, birds of a feather flock together. Pei Qiaonian’s best friends all had a few screws loose.

So when she spotted Wei Zhichen, Xu Yunzhu instinctively hid behind Pei Qiaonian.

This unconscious movement didn’t escape Wei Zhichen, who had been watching her from the corner of his eye. His gaze grew thoughtful.

He remembered that last time he met this woman, she’d stood up to him without fear. But in just a few days, she was now afraid to see him?

Her behavior struck him as oddly familiar—just like that little mouse wearing Pei Qiaonian’s skin but not really Pei Qiaonian at all.

He greeted Xu Yunzhu naturally. “Sister-in-law, we meet again.”

His smile was gentle and faultless. Xu Yunzhu could only muster an awkward smile. “Hello.”

Pei Qiaonian noticed Xu Yunzhu’s discomfort. He knew she’d been working hard to deal with the sensitive and suspicious Wei Zhichen these days. He turned to her, his voice low. “Go check in your luggage. I’ll wait here.”

Normally, Assistant Gao would have taken care of this.

But Pei Qiaonian had deliberately sent her away, giving her a bit of freedom.

Xu Yunzhu let out a sigh of relief, adjusted her tightly fastened mask, and hurried off with her luggage. “Wait for me, I’ll be right back.”

Wei Zhichen watched her retreating figure. Pei Qiaonian’s voice brought him back to the moment. “The Fu family agreed to give me that piece of land, and even offered some extra benefits. Fu Tianze’s father clearly knows how to do business better than his son—he knows whom he can and cannot afford to offend.”

Pei Qiaonian hadn’t even taken action yet; the Fu family had already come to apologize.

Wei Zhichen’s eyes narrowed slightly, and he chuckled. “What a shame…”

He didn’t finish his thought, but Pei Qiaonian also laughed.

Of course—it was a shame that it was too late.

Once you provoked Pei Qiaonian, you could forget about coming out unscathed.

All the way until the plane landed, Xu Yunzhu didn’t leave Pei Qiaonian’s side for a moment.

It was enough for Pei Qiaonian to glance at her several times, clicking his tongue and calling her too clingy.

Xu Yunzhu was at a loss—she didn’t want this either.

She was certain that the moment she left Pei Qiaonian, Wei Zhichen would come over.

She felt as if she had no secrets in front of him.

So the entire journey, she gave Wei Zhichen no opportunity.

Not until they left the airport.

The arrival hall was packed with people, mostly fans waiting to greet their favorite stars.

Pei Jin and Ning Qinghuan’s names drifted past her ears.

Xu Yunzhu couldn’t help but glance over.

She hadn’t expected Pei Jin and Ning Qinghuan to be on the same flight, and the two of them walking out side by side was a striking sight.