Chapter 73: My Wife
The formal proceedings concluded.
Pei Zhouye stepped off the stage, and many people stayed where they were, observing him.
His title as the “Crown Prince of A City” was now fully solidified. However, Pei Zhouye didn’t look particularly happy; a gloom lingered between his brows.
Many were waiting for Pei Zhouye to take the initiative to mingle, or for the first person to approach him.
Lin Seran walked over excitedly, his eyes bright with emotion. “Brother Zhouye, let me go with you! Once you’re done being busy, we can go find Wang Shu and Shen Yao.”
His appearance and tone were the picture of naive innocence and pampered wilfulness.
“No need. If you want to play, go find Shen Yao.” Pei Zhouye was irritable. He still had a lot of trivial matters to deal with, and Wen Yan was still with Pei Mingcheng.
Moreover, today was a formal occasion. No matter how immature Lin Seran was, he should have known better than to try and stand by his side today.
“I know, I won’t get in the way of your business,” Lin Seran said in a soft, coaxing voice. “I just want to stay with you for a little while.”
Pei Zhouye’s patience was exhausted. “Lin Seran. Not just today, but in the future, don’t always hang around me. You have your own things to do. If you want something, just tell the assistant. You know I have no interest in looking after you; asking the assistant is more effective than asking me.”
His words were harsh, but they were the truth. Besides, Wen Yan had already misunderstood his relationship with Lin Seran once; it was better to be clear now to avoid further complications.
Pei Zhouye walked straight past him to begin socializing.
Lin Seran pouted behind him. “It was fine before, so why can’t I do it anymore?”
Pei Zhouye didn’t stop.
Behind the champagne tower, Wang Shu tilted his chin toward Lin Seran. “Not going to comfort him?”
The conversation between Pei Zhouye and Lin Seran hadn’t been loud. Everyone only saw Lin Seran standing there, and no one knew what had actually happened.
Shen Yao glanced over and frowned. “Why should I comfort him? When has Brother Pei ever actually lost his temper with him? He has people looking after him everywhere. He shouldn’t be throwing a fit today.”
“I’m saying, you’re always giving him resources. He’s unhappy—aren’t you going to console him?” Wang Shu said casually.
Shen Yao’s face darkened. “Are you sick? I look after him because my brother told me to. When have I ‘given’ him resources? Those were things Lin Seran asked for himself.”
“Mhm.” Wang Shu responded noncommittally, the corners of his mouth turning up even though he’d been scolded.
“I’ve only ever proactively given resources to Wen Yan and a few of my ex-girlfriends,” Shen Yao said lazily, taking a shallow sip of his drink.
Spending money on his “sister-in-law” was something he was happy to do. Besides, giving resources to Wen Yan was an investment; Pei Zhouye would definitely support the project, so he’d surely get his money back.
In the room.
Mrs. Pei’s body was shaking uncontrollably.
The terror and pain from back then seemed to resurface—pain, more intense than ever.
And heartache.
She hated the birth of this child. She had clearly said she couldn’t get pregnant. Pei Mingcheng had been so good to her, he loved her so much—why did he still let her get pregnant and then force her to give birth?
“Why isn’t Xiao-Zhou dead yet?” Mrs. Pei suddenly spoke, her voice low as tears streamed down her face. “How could he be so lucky? Why can’t he just die? I’ve already tried so many ways… a ghoul, a demon… he doesn’t…”
The vase on the table was suddenly swept to the floor. Mrs. Pei picked up a shard and lunged at Wen Yan with all her strength.
Before she could reach him, the bodyguards rushed forward. Wen Yan dodged quickly, his heart hammering against his ribs, his breath trembling.
Mrs. Pei was brought under control. Two people held her arms while one carefully pried her hand open, fearing the shard would cut her.
Wen Yan watched her warily.
They had been chatting peacefully for a long time, and he had been trying to comfort her, only for her to suddenly explode.
The two bodyguards escorted Wen Yan out. Before he stepped through the door, he looked back into the room.
“He was right, you are a good person,” Mrs. Pei said with a tragic, eerie smile. “How does he deserve good things! Why should he have a birthday! He ruined everything I had…”
The outburst had been too sudden. That sharp shard had come within ten centimeters of stabbing his throat. Wen Yan still hadn’t recovered from the shock.
The first part of the event ended, and the guests were seen off.
Shen Yao had organized a small gathering for the younger crowd at a nearby hotel. Most of the people were the same ones who had been at the homecoming banquet. They said they wanted to cut a cake for Pei Zhouye.
Both Pei Mingcheng and Pei Zhouye had agreed to this. Shen Yao knew his limits, and even if he didn’t, the smooth-talking Wang Shu was by his side.
Pei Zhouye went upstairs. Knowing that Mrs. Pei had also come, he went to her first.
Pei Mingcheng was there as well. Mrs. Pei had been given a sedative and was breathing shallowly in his arms. Her exquisite makeup was somewhat ruined by tears.
“Mom,” he called out evenly.
Mrs. Pei slowly opened her eyes and looked at Pei Zhouye.
She was silent for a moment before speaking:
“Happy birthday.”
Pei Zhouye lowered his eyes and stood there for a moment. “Mhm.”
“Wen Yan is next door,” Pei Mingcheng reminded him.
Pei Zhouye ignored him and turned to walk out.
The two met again.
Wen Yan looked up.
Pei Zhouye was dressed in a sharp black suit. He was tall and well-built, with superior bone structure and a handsome silhouette.
This face was in no way inferior to that of a popular star or model.
“Happy birthday.” Those were Wen Yan’s first words of greeting.
“Thank you.” Pei Zhouye took his wrist, his fingertips sliding down the bone to gently pry his fingers open and interlace them. “Shen Yao organized a gathering. We’ll just cut a cake and have a simple get-together. It won’t be tiring.”
He led Wen Yan away from the room and the two bodyguards. As they walked downstairs together, the atmosphere was peaceful; it was as if today’s argument had never happened.
“The cake he picked… I’ve tasted it before. It’s not too sweet; it should be to your liking.”
“I’ll take you home tomorrow.”
Pei Zhouye’s voice was low and slow. The aggressive, dominant man from the social battlefield half an hour ago was now quiet, like a mature lover.
The hotel wasn’t far, and they arrived in about ten minutes.
The two got out of the car, and Pei Zhouye led Wen Yan into the venue.
The moment the door opened, a sound echoed, and colorful streamers fell onto Pei Zhouye and Wen Yan’s shoulders from above.
Laughter and cheers surrounded them as many people said, “Happy birthday!”
The multi-tiered cake was a subtle champagne color, a low-key yet glowing hue.
When the people inside saw who had arrived, some stiffened instantly.
“Is that Wen Yan?”
“Gu Yulan’s former canary… how did he climb into President Pei’s bed…”
The surroundings slowly grew quiet, making those two gossiping voices stand out in the silence.
Wen Yan’s face turned deathly pale, his fingers curling unnaturally.
He felt as if he were standing naked under everyone’s gaze. So, this was what everyone thought.
Pei Zhouye sensed Wen Yan’s discomfort. He turned and gripped the back of Wen Yan’s neck, pulling him into a deep kiss in front of everyone.
The eerie silence turned back into cheers, and some people even pulled out streamer guns and fired again.
Pei Zhouye pulled away and lifted his eyelids to glance at those two people.
“Allow me to introduce him.”
“My wife.”
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