Chapter 92: Of the Same Lineage
The bodyguards outside widened their eyes. When they rushed in, the vase shard had already carved a fine red line of blood. Crimson beads of blood trickled down his neck, soaking into the collar of his hospital gown.
He didn’t look at the frozen, shocked bodyguards. His peach-blossom eyes were dark and heavy, but the red at the corners of his eyes grew even more vivid against his pale, dry lips. Though he was using his own life as a threat, there wasn’t a hint of softness or submission—only ruthlessness and coldness.
“Tell him to come see me.”
His voice was even raspier than before.
Seeing that the bodyguards were still hesitating, his wrist lowered slightly. The shard sank half a point deeper into his skin, and the blood from his neck surged faster, already staining his fingers.
He had calculated that Pei Father wouldn’t dare to gamble.
First, he carried the blood of Pei Father and Yu-nüshi. Second, half of the Pei empire was currently supported by him. Without him, Pei Father would never find a second heir capable of carrying the family business.
The blood flowed down his neck, blooming red on the hospital gown.
The bodyguards finally panicked. The captain frantically fumbled for his phone, his fingertips trembling so much that he was half a beat slower in dialing.
Pei Zhouye no longer looked at them. He only lowered his eyes, staring at the blood continuously seeping from his neck, the coldness in his eyes carrying a trace of anxiety.
He didn’t know what Pei Father would do to Wen Yan. He was afraid that if he were any later, Wen Yan would truly be forced by him to vanish completely.
In the silence.
“He’s making a scene about going out?” Pei Father’s voice came through the phone, carrying the irritability of having his work interrupted. His fingertips were still rapidly tapping on the keyboard, his gaze never leaving the report before him. “I said earlier, he is not allowed to take a single step out of the ward. Don’t bother me with such small matters again.”
With Pei Zhouye locked in the hospital, all the major and minor affairs of the Pei Group were naturally pressed onto him. Since Pei Zhouye took over the family business, he had kept a tight grip on power. Pei Father had long since grown used to a leisurely life. Now that he had suddenly taken over this massive volume of work, he didn’t even have time to catch his breath.
Furthermore, Pei Father hadn’t experienced this kind of work intensity in decades. When his fingertips grew stiff from exhaustion, he even couldn’t help but suspect that Pei Zhouye had long anticipated being confined and had deliberately piled this mess on him to torment him.
The bodyguard’s tone on the other end became increasingly difficult. He secretly glanced at Pei Zhouye, who was pressing the porcelain shard against his neck in the ward with a terrifyingly cold gaze, and then quickly lowered his head, his voice tight. “It’s not a scene…”
“What did you say?”
Pei Father’s fingers suddenly paused on the keyboard. The irritability in his tone was instantly replaced by shock. He even instinctively moved the phone a bit further away to look at the caller ID on the screen. After confirming it was the number of the hospital bodyguard and not the mental hospital where Yu-nüshi was, he put the phone back to his ear, his voice deepening. “Say that again.”
The bodyguard braced himself and described again how Pei Zhouye was threatening his own life to force a meeting.
“I’m coming over now.”
Pei Father’s voice went instantly cold, fury overflowing from the receiver. He turned off the computer screen, grabbed his suit jacket from the back of the chair, and hurried out the door.
He wanted to see just how far Pei Zhouye could go for a lover.
The ward door was suddenly pushed open. Pei Father’s figure burst in, carrying a chill. His brow was tightly knotted, and the anger on his face was almost overflowing. He hadn’t even buttoned his suit jacket properly, clearly having rushed over.
Pei Zhouye lifted his eyelids.
The porcelain shard was still firmly pressed against his skin, and the dried blood had congealed into dark streaks on his pale skin—a shocking sight. There was no panic on his face, only a dead-water-like coldness and scrutiny.
The air instantly froze as the eyes of father and son collided. That vase shard was still digging into Pei Zhouye’s neck.
He was controlling the pressure; the shard hadn’t sunk deep. In the past, when Yu-nüshi’s illness flared up, she had pointed sharp objects at him more than once. Over time, he had learned which wounds looked terrifying but weren’t fatal, and exactly how much force was needed to draw enough blood without actually endangering his life.
More importantly, he couldn’t faint. Once he lost too much blood and fell unconscious again, Pei Father wouldn’t give him another chance. Pei Father would likely first completely deal with Wen Yan, and by then, whatever he did would be too late.
“Let me out.”
Pei Zhouye repeated himself, his tone full of weariness and irritability.
Pei Father didn’t respond, but his gaze quickly swept over Pei Zhouye’s position. Pei Zhouye’s back was against the wall, with empty space on his left and right. If the bodyguards were to attack from both sides, they might have a chance to subdue him.
“Don’t even think about it.” Pei Zhouye spoke lazily, lifting his gaze to him. “Unless you can lock me up for a lifetime, just like you did with my mother.”
He paused, and his fingertips applied slight pressure. The shard sank in another half-point, and new beads of blood seeped out. “Also, if you dare touch a single finger of Wen Yan’s… either don’t ever expect me to take over the Pei Group, or I’ll drag the entire Pei family down with me.”
“Don’t you understand yet? Before I came, I already made my preparations.”
His voice was very soft, carrying a calm ruthlessness.
Pei Father’s face instantly darkened. He truly couldn’t guess what backup Pei Zhouye had hidden, but he knew this son’s character all too well—once pushed to the brink, he would definitely do something to burn everything down.
“Madman!” Pei Father finally couldn’t help but roar, his chest heaving violently. “Just for one Wen Yan, you’re willing to throw away the Pei family business and your own life?!”
Pei Zhouye shrugged indifferently, his tongue lightly licking his dry, peeling lips. “That’s right. After all, I inherited the ‘excellent genes’ from you and Mother.”
There was no rise or fall in these words, yet Pei Father instantly heard the irony within them. Back then, in order to marry the backgroundless Yu-nüshi, he hadn’t hesitated to fall out with the Old Master, using almost coercive means to force the whole family to compromise. And after Yu-nüshi fell ill, she sometimes wanted to kill herself, sometimes wanted to attack Pei Zhouye—her extremes were chilling.
What their “excellent genes” were was naturally self-evident.
Of the same lineage.
“I’ll let you out.” Pei Father finally relented.
He panted heavily, suppressing his rage.
Pei Zhouye finally moved. His previously tense defensive posture relaxed, and his entire body went numb in an instant. He raised his hand and casually tossed the porcelain shard, stained with dark red blood, onto the floor.
With a crisp ting, the sound was exceptionally piercing in the deathly silent ward.
The surrounding bodyguards instantly tensed their bodies, their hands subconsciously moving behind them. Their gazes were fixed on Pei Father, waiting for his command.
Pei Zhouye only lowered his eyes, his long lashes casting a faint shadow. His peach-blossom eyes carried a trace of the listlessness that followed a confrontation as he carelessly scanned the bodyguards who were ready for action.
The bodyguards, under his gaze, forced themselves to remain steady.
As expected, Pei Father didn’t speak. He stood where he was, watching Pei Zhouye walk step by step from the wall. He didn’t have the bodyguards block him, nor did he say a single word.
Father and son understood each other too well. Pei Zhouye’s act of using his life as a threat today was never truly about seeking death; it was merely to force him to appear so they could negotiate terms face-to-face. This kind of face-to-face negotiation and using the most direct method to apply pressure was their most practiced gambit.
When Pei Zhouye reached Pei Father’s side, his steps suddenly paused as they brushed past each other. He tilted his head, his voice pressed very low and carrying the hoarseness of the confrontation as he warned:
“In the future, don’t target Wen Yan again.”
He paused, lowered his eyes to the floor, and added: “Let’s both save ourselves some trouble.”
Wen Yan found Professor Ming’s contact information. After hesitating for a long time, he sent a message.
[ Wen Yan: Professor Ming, I’m very sorry. I have no way to fight for the postgraduate recommendation spot and have failed your long-term expectations. Thank you, and I’m truly sorry. ]
The [Typing…] status on the other end lasted for a while before a call came through.
“Wen Yan, have you thought about studying abroad?” Professor Ming’s voice was calm, without any sense of making Wen Yan feel uncomfortable.
He had received too much baseless malice; now, receiving the kindness of his most respected teacher once again, Wen Yan’s lips moved several times, but nothing came out. The call wasn’t hung up; Professor Ming waited patiently.
“Can I?” Wen Yan’s tone carried an undisguisable guilt and lack of confidence. He had no way to put on his former normal tone and posture.
Why him? Could he really do it? Would he bring a negative impact to Professor Ming?
Thinking of this, Wen Yan felt even more unable to accept Professor Ming’s kindness with a clear conscience. He clenched his fingers, trying to find a way to refuse. “Professor, I… I can’t drag you down. Thank you, I truly am deeply grateful to you.”
“Wen Yan!” Professor Ming’s tone became serious.
Wen Yan held his breath and went quiet, waiting for the judgment from the other end. He had still disappointed his teacher.
Professor Ming frowned as he listened to the faint breathing on the other end, as if he could imagine Wen Yan’s appearance. One of his most proud students—talented and hardworking, with a good character—was now being persecuted by those rumors and reduced to this. The more humble Wen Yan’s tone became, the more he thought of Wen Yan’s high-spirited appearance on the award stage before, and it was hard not to feel distressed.
“Wen Yan, just tell me the truth. Do you want to go?” he asked in a deep voice.
The other end was silent for a long time.
“I want to go.”
Professor Ming finally let out a sigh of relief, though he still feigned a stern tone. “Then prepare the application materials well. I’ll write a recommendation letter for you. I’ll send you the application requirements.”
“Wen Yan, if you still want to be my student, don’t say those things you just said again.” He spoke harshly, for fear that Wen Yan would find another reason to refuse.
Until the call was hung up, Wen Yan’s face was covered in tears, and he couldn’t speak.
After a long time, he straightened his back. There was a large mirror in the room. Wen Yan stopped there, looking at the person in the mirror. His eyes were red, his figure tall and slender, his skin cold-white—he looked like a ghost pulled from the water.
Wen Yan watched for a long time, planning many things in his mind. He had to protect his dad and mom, work to clarify the rumors of those who had seized the opportunity to cause trouble, and also grasp this exchange spot. He couldn’t let Cheng Shangshi and Professor Ming’s kindness go to waste, nor could he let them be harmed because of him.
When Pei Zhouye came out of the hospital, the first thing he did was call Shen Yao.
“How is Wen Yan now?” His tone was urgent and carried a hint of panic. Shen Yao understood the public opinion online best, and he had given instructions before meeting Pei Father.
“Brother.” Shen Yao hesitated.
Pei Zhouye’s brow furrowed even tighter. He said nothing, waiting for a reply.
Shen Yao finished explaining with difficulty. “…That’s how it is. President Pei is controlling things over there. I tried really hard to suppress it, but my clearance isn’t high enough…”
His voice also grew dejected. This was something Pei Zhouye had entrusted to him, yet he had failed to do it well in the end.
“Thank you for your hard work.”
Shen Yao was stunned. He wanted to say something, but no words came out.
“Thank you.” Pei Zhouye was very tired. He sat in the car, rubbing his temples. “I’ll handle the rest.”
After the call was hung up, the atmosphere around Shen Yao was low. Wang Shu frowned and asked, “What’s wrong? Did Brother Pei scold you?”
Seeing him not answer, he continued, “Don’t blame yourself too much. We used all the resources we could…”
“Am I really useless?” Shen Yao suddenly asked, a hint of dejection rarely seen in his charming eyes.
Wang Shu didn’t know how to respond.
“If only Brother Pei had actually scolded me.” Shen Yao lowered his head, still filled with guilt. “Will Brother Pei stop talking to me from now on…”
Pei Zhouye rarely spoke to him like that. Was he starting to keep his distance? If only his ability were stronger, perhaps he wouldn’t have disappointed his most valued friend.
Suddenly, a hand patted his shoulder. Shen Yao turned to look and met Wang Shu’s gaze.
“It’s just media, isn’t it?” Wang Shu spoke with a deliberate lightness. “The two of us can just start our own.”
Shen Yao hesitated for a moment. His parents and brother had told him that not starting a business was the greatest way he could show filial piety.
Three seconds later, Shen Yao’s brow smoothed out. “Alright.”
Pei Zhouye knocked on the hotel door according to the address Shen Yao gave him. He had the room key card, but he didn’t want to barge in at this time and startle Wen Yan.
About two minutes later, the door was finally opened from within. Wen Yan’s face was cold and indifferent, but the corners of his eyes were already red.
“I’m sorry…” He wanted to explain something.
After all, a large part of the reason Wen Yan had suffered such great harm this time was because of him and Pei Father. When he wanted to make amends, he only then found out that someone had already stepped forward to shield Wen Yan.
Cheng Shangshi. It was Cheng Shangshi again.
Pei Zhouye unconsciously pressed his tongue against his cheek, a gloom in his eyes.
Wen Yan’s expression was cold. “There’s nothing to apologize for. It was a matter of mutual consent at the time; I can’t blame you. If you’re here because of this, you can leave.”
“Do you have to be like this with me? Are you like this with Cheng Shangshi too?” Pei Zhouye’s voice was cold and fast; he had already blurted out the words he wanted to ask.
Wen Yan’s breathing seemed to pause for a few seconds. He took a deep breath, trying hard to calm his emotions, yet he still couldn’t control himself. “Yes. I want to be like this with you. Pei Zhouye, if you could think clearly, you would know you should stay as far away from me as possible! Am I supposed to thank you now? Stay away from me—do you understand what I mean?”
Wen Yan’s tone involuntarily rose, each word practically a tremble of suppressed rage.
“Pei Zhouye, I’m begging you. Stay away from me.”
Pei Zhouye was dazed. He saw that Wen Yan’s eyes were red again. He wanted to explain something.
Wen Yan didn’t give him the chance. He was just very exhausted and didn’t look at him, as if using his last bit of strength:
“Can you?”
Translator’s Note:
Cultural Notes:
- Jinsinan (金丝楠): Phoebe zhennan. An extremely rare and expensive wood used historically for royal furniture in China. Using it here emphasizes the immense wealth and cold luxury of the Pei household.
- Baoyan (保研): Short for Baosong Yanjiusheng. This is the postgraduate recommendation system where top students are admitted to grad school without taking the grueling national entrance exam. Losing this is a massive blow to a student’s future.
- Tutorial (教程): The netizens asking for a “tutorial” on how to find “sugar daddies” is a very toxic form of internet sarcasm. It treats Wen Yan’s life and struggles as a joke.
- Of the Same Lineage (一脉相承): This idiom implies that traits are passed down directly through a family line. Here, it refers to the “madness” Pei Zhouye inherited from his parents.
Enjoy reading~
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