Chapter 32: Need Help?
Late September, the weather was sweltering.
Wen Yan waited under the shade of a tree, but even the wind blowing over carried rolling heat.
A few minutes later, a black BMW stopped by the roadside.
Gu Yulan got out of the car and opened the door for Wen Yan. There were traces of scars on his face, and a wound on his nose.
“Yulan-ge, your face, what happened?” Distress appeared in Wen Yan’s eyes. How could there be so many injuries on his face? It looked painful.
Gu Yulan guiltily wanted to touch his nose, remembering it had been broken, and it still hurt faintly.
Seeing Gu Yulan didn’t answer, Wen Yan felt something was even more wrong. “Did you fight with someone?”
He hadn’t heard Gu Yulan mention it. The fact that the other party hadn’t shown his face for so long was probably because of the injuries on his face.
“No.” Gu Yulan was vague, wanting to gloss over it.
“You can’t keep everything from me.” Wen Yan was serious, frowning and staring at those wounds.
Gu Yulan’s jaw tightened. “You didn’t tell me about being a model either.”
Wen Yan: “You found out?”
Gu Yulan tacitly admitted it.
The uneasiness in Wen Yan’s heart grew stronger. He asked in disbelief, “You were the one who made me terminate the contract, right?”
Gu Yulan pursed his lips tightly and didn’t respond.
In this silence, Wen Yan’s heart grew cold bit by bit.
“Why did you do that? Gu Yulan! Say something to me! If you had a reason for not wanting me to do it, you could have discussed it with me. Why did you have the company force me to terminate the contract directly?” Wen Yan’s voice trembled, biting his lower lip hard, his breathing unstable.
“I never doubted you! Do you know, I even misunderstood…” Wen Yan stopped.
Gu Yulan scratched his hair anxiously. “But you didn’t tell me when you went to be a model either; you were hiding it from me too. If you told me, I definitely wouldn’t have agreed.”
“Yan-yan, we haven’t seen each other for so long, can you not argue with me?” Gu Yulan sighed silently. He was about to go crazy from being locked up at home. Many things he held onto tightly before were delayed because of this. “I’m very tired.”
Besides his mother, who would argue at the drop of a hat and tell him to fight for the family property, the only person he could communicate with was Wen Yan on the phone.
Wen Yan was good to him, but what use was being good?
Wen Yan couldn’t leave him. Even if others had more things, Wen Yan wouldn’t go. But this didn’t help him fight for inheritance rights at all.
Initially utilizing Wen Yan to enter City A’s core circle, that goal had now been achieved. Everyone knew Wen Yan was his, Gu Yulan’s, person. To go a step further, unless he gave Wen Yan away—but he didn’t plan to do that. In short, the fact that he was still with Wen Yan was proof enough that he was good to Wen Yan.
“Stop the car! I want to get off!” Wen Yan shouted to the driver, slapping the back of the front seat.
The driver glanced at Gu Yulan’s expression through the rearview mirror, then continued driving smoothly without sparing another look.
Wen Yan took out his phone wanting to call the police. Just as he pressed the 1 key, his knuckles were clamped by a hand like iron pincers.
Gu Yulan leaned very close, a pair of eyes cold and terrifying. “Wen Yan, can’t we talk properly? Didn’t you promise to come?”
Wen Yan had difficulty breathing. He shook his head in disbelief. “I really didn’t expect you to be this kind of person.”
Gu Yulan tightly clamped Wen Yan’s wrist, irritable. “Yan-yan, I’m doing this for your own good. Do you know how you, a model with no background, will be viewed by others in the circle? How many social engagements will you go to in the future? What will others think of you?”
“I think what you care about is how others view you,” Wen Yan sneered.
His words were clear and sharp. “I haven’t encountered what you described. I need money. As long as it’s legitimate work, I can do it. I don’t care how others view me! I just want to earn money to pay back the debt I owe you. You don’t care about me at all; you care because you think I’ll make you lose face.”
“Fine, let’s break up now! We have no relationship anymore. Whatever I do in the future has nothing to do with you!” Wen Yan’s eye rims and nose tip were red, gritting his teeth. “I will pay back the money I owe you. From now on, Young Master Gu and I have absolutely nothing to do with each other. Okay?”
He had trusted Gu Yulan so much.
“Don’t cause a scene.”
The car stopped. Gu Yulan dragged Wen Yan out by the wrist, whispering against his ear, “We agreed to visit Uncle and Auntie together during the National Day holiday. Yan-yan, be good and accompany me through this birthday banquet, and I’ll treat you very well. Do you want to know what I chatted about with Uncle recently?”
Wen Yan was too stubborn, a mule, hard to control, hot and cold, and always speaking out of anger.
He didn’t have that much time and patience to continue coaxing him. He had to use other methods to ensure Wen Yan couldn’t leave him.
Wen Yan froze. He remembered his mother constantly mentioning his father chatting frequently with Gu Yulan recently.
Gu Yulan was very satisfied with Wen Yan’s docility.
He changed from gripping Wen Yan’s wrist to holding hands with fingers interlaced, speaking gently:
“Yan-yan, when I get the things I want, I won’t treat you badly. I really love you, don’t hate me.”
When he got the inheritance rights, he would make it up to Wen Yan, using that extra time to accompany Wen Yan, to do everything Wen Yan wanted to do with him.
Wen Yan remained silent, letting Gu Yulan hold his hand. It seemed all the strength to struggle had been exhausted just now.
In front was a large manor. Waiters and bodyguards stood at the gate, receiving guests entering.
Gu Yulan led Wen Yan to the entrance and handed over the invitation.
“This way, please.” The waiter made a guiding gesture.
The surroundings were lush and green, the scenery beautiful, full of rare plants. Since entering the gate, the scorching heat of summer suddenly dropped, turning into a comfortable and pleasant temperature.
Wen Yan walked on a small path paved with unknown stones, every pattern beautiful.
He had no mood to appreciate any of this.
He thought of that bet with Pei Zhouye.
Pei Zhouye clearly knew he had misunderstood him, but didn’t explain, instead maliciously proposing that bet.
But it didn’t matter anymore. No matter what, he would break up with Gu Yulan.
He could give up everything; he only wanted his parents to be safe and healthy. He just wanted to take his parents and hide in a place where they wouldn’t be hurt.
Lin Seran stood in front of the gilded gate, exchanging pleasantries with guests with a smile.
Pei Zhouye, however, just leaned leisurely against a marble pillar, playing with an unopened gilded invitation between his slender fingers. He neither initiated conversation nor deliberately avoided it. He was like an invisible boundary; others dared not approach rashly, yet couldn’t help but look sideways frequently.
Until Wen Yan appeared.
Pei Zhouye’s gaze fell on him from a distance, slowly moving down, sweeping over his slightly red eye rims, and then to the stinging red mark on his wrist.
“Need help?” Pei Zhouye asked suddenly, hooking his lips, but there was no smile in his eyes.
The guests’ gazes drifted toward them seemingly inadvertently.
Although the protagonist of tonight’s birthday banquet was Lin Seran, everyone knew clearly in their hearts—the true owner of this manor, the existence that the fame and fortune field of City A flocked to, was Pei Zhouye.
Chapter 33: Be a Little Behaver
“No need, Young Master Pei.” Gu Yulan maintained a decent smile on his face, while the strength of his hand holding Wen Yan increased.
There were sounds of gasping around them.
An illegitimate son clashing head-on with the only son of the Pei family—could this count as a fit of rage for a beauty?
“Did I ask you?” Pei Zhouye’s voice was chilling, sweeping a faint glance over.
“You…” Gu Yulan said half a sentence and didn’t continue; he saw the group of people around them.
Bodyguards were ready to rush over at any time, and guests looked at him with appraising and rubbernecking eyes.
A stalemated atmosphere.
Pei Zhouye stared at Wen Yan and repeated again, “Need help?”
Wen Yan lowered his eyes, not meeting those dark black eyes.
“No need. Thank you, Young Master Pei.”
Pei Zhouye’s smile completely collapsed, and the air pressure around became even lower. He stood there, seeming to have no intention of letting the two pass.
Everyone knew Pei Zhouye’s temper; there wasn’t even any whispering.
The atmosphere was cold and hard enough to solidify into substance. Lin Seran walked over quickly in a few steps.
He wore formal attire today, a slender figure in a white suit. The makeup on his face was lighter than usual on posters, matching well with Pei Zhouye’s burgundy suit today.
“Zhouye-ge.” Lin Seran dragged out the ending sound, with a tone of acting coquettishly. “It’s almost opening time. Today is my birthday; I won’t allow you guys to make a scene at my birthday!”
Pei Zhouye was silent for a while, then gave a deep “En” as a response, stepping towards the main hall.
That back figure walked away, and the silent occasion became noisy again.
“Young Master Lin and Young Master Pei have such a good relationship.” Someone joked with a smile, tone full of flattery.
“I heard this manor isn’t lent out even for eight-figure business collaborations usually, but an exception was made today.”
“Whatever Seran wants, as long as he opens his mouth, what has Young Master Pei not given?” Someone close to Lin Seran said proudly.
Lin Seran smiled and didn’t speak.
He glanced lightly at Gu Yulan and Wen Yan, that look carrying some warning.
“Gu Yulan, control your person.”
Gu Yulan didn’t respond, leading Wen Yan through the door.
As soon as the banquet started, Wen Yan felt countless gazes drifting toward him and Gu Yulan.
Before, they had heard that Pei Zhouye didn’t like the little lover beside Gu Yulan. The disturbance at the door just now quickly spread with added details.
The once universally praised “Flower on the High Mountain” was now just a canary collected by Gu Yulan. High character and cold appearance turned out to be just packaging.
Gu Yulan sensed his stiffness, fingers tightening around his waist, as if declaring sovereignty.
He whispered in Wen Yan’s ear, “Don’t mind them, follow me closely, don’t wander off.”
A posture of intimacy and protection. Wen Yan remained silent.
If it was just Gu Yulan forcing him to terminate the contract, perhaps there was room for discussion. But Gu Yulan threatened him with his parents.
This was Wen Yan’s bottom line, and also the reason why he had retreated again and again before Gu Yulan, tolerating him.
Lin Seran’s birthday banquet was attended not only by the younger generation but also by many prominent families in City A. It was heard that the Chairman of Pei Corp, Pei Zhouye’s father, would also come.
Sure enough, after the official opening, Father Pei appeared under the escort of his assistant.
“Thank you all for coming to Little Ran’s birthday banquet today. I watched Little Ran grow up. His character is mischievous and willful, so please tolerate him more in the future. Without further ado, I wish Little Ran a happy birthday and smooth sailing in the future.”
Not many words, but applause filled the room.
“Zhouye.”
Pei Zhouye looked up.
“Today is Little Ran’s birthday, take good care of Little Ran.” Father Pei’s words were simple, but everyone present could hear that this meant the Pei family stood behind Lin Seran.
“Naturally.” Pei Zhouye bit these two words lightly. His peripheral vision swept over Wen Yan, who was half-embraced by Gu Yulan not far away, his eyes darkening.
Lin Seran smiled in the center, thanking Father Pei coquettishly. “Thank you, Uncle Pei. Uncle Pei treats me the best. My birthday wish this year is… for Uncle Pei and Zhouye-ge to be healthy and happy!”
A few more smiles appeared on Father Pei’s serious face. “Make a wish again. Not even leaving a birthday wish for yourself.”
The people below understood in their hearts. It seemed that not only did Pei Zhouye spoil Lin Seran, but even Father Pei was charmed by him; they could already be counted as a family.
“I want to go to the washroom.” Wen Yan spoke coldly.
He didn’t like those sticky and malicious eyes looking at him, and he didn’t want to be forced to hold Gu Yulan’s hand.
The frustration and heartache of trust being betrayed felt like a dull knife grinding on his heart, causing continuous aching.
Lin Seran had finished a piano piece, and the socializing was about to begin.
Gu Yulan glanced at the center; he really couldn’t get away.
“Come back early, don’t wander off.”
Wen Yan: “I know.”
After Lin Seran finished playing a piano piece in the center, the banquet officially began.
Pei Zhouye led the applause. Everyone was very supportive, praising Lin Seran as if he were one of the top piano masters in Country C.
Shen Yao stifled a laugh below. “Brother, is he that godlike? Let Lin Seran switch professions from actor to pianist.”
“You watch Lin Seran well here, don’t joke about him in front of others.” Pei Zhouye looked at the person disappearing in the distance, explained two sentences to Shen Yao, and quickly followed.
“Tsk.” Shen Yao was anxious, but couldn’t leave because of Pei Zhouye’s arrangement, whispering complaints: “Didn’t Uncle Pei ask you to take good care of him?”
After the banquet officially started, there was drinking, chatting, and blessings everywhere.
Wen Yan came out of the washroom. As he was about to walk from the corridor into the side hall, he ran head-on into a tall figure.
Unknown how long he had waited in the corridor, Pei Zhouye was leaning against the wall. Those usually smiling peach blossom eyes were dark at this moment, like a gathering storm.
“Come with me.” He spoke.
“Move aside.” Wen Yan said irritably.
The person in front didn’t react at all. Wen Yan looked up; his eyelashes were already soaked.
His voice shook terribly, every word seemingly squeezed out from between his teeth. “Young Master Pei, please make way.”
The person in front of him had red spreading at the tails of his eyes, wet eyelashes clumping together, and even the tip of his nose was red.
Pei Zhouye froze in place.
“You cried?”
Wen Yan finally couldn’t hold back, tears sliding down his cheeks. “No.”
“You did cry.” Pei Zhouye’s movements and tone were a bit flustered. He had seen Wen Yan gentle and smiling, seen him cold and distant, but had never seen him like this, tears falling silently.
“Was it because I made things difficult for you at the door just now?”
He raised his hand clumsily wanting to wipe Wen Yan’s tears. Wen Yan turned his head to dodge, but that hand still touched his cheek.
Wen Yan took two steps back, dodging the cold touch on his cheek.
Pei Zhouye’s fingertips unconsciously rubbed the tears stained just now; that bit of dampness scalded his heart numb.
Footsteps in the corridor were getting closer, accompanied by the rattling sound of a waiter pushing a dining cart.
Pei Zhouye’s eyes darkened. Suddenly he took off his suit jacket and covered Wen Yan’s head with it. Before Wen Yan could react, he had already lifted him by the waist onto his shoulder.
“Pei Zhouye! You…” Wen Yan’s voice was muffled in the fabric. His knees hit Pei Zhouye while struggling, but the other party didn’t react at all.
“Be a little behaver, don’t let others find out.”
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