Why Did My Ex-Wife’S Aunt Treat Me Like That? Chapter 18
byChapter 18 A Normal Relationship is Precious, But…
This isn’t right, this shouldn’t be happening.
Why is Peng Cheng at home?!
Help! She hoped Peng Cheng hadn’t heard her say “Dear Director Cheng.” Yuan Yi had absolutely no improper intentions!
Yuan Yi abruptly clutched the letter tightly, and even in her haste, she didn’t forget to neatly fold it and put it back into her inner pocket.
“It’s all a misunderstanding!” Yuan Yi spoke first. The sweat she hadn’t produced during her hike was now seeping from her forehead. It proved that she still couldn’t maintain eye contact with Peng Cheng for five seconds. She stammered, “It’s a misunderstanding, really…”
As she spoke, her head drooped, looking exactly like someone who had done something wrong.
Peng Cheng didn’t press her. “Looks like you hit traffic in Huaping City.”
Yuan Yi was even more astonished, looking up at Peng Cheng.
Wait, how did Peng Cheng know that too?
Peng Cheng said, “Come in, it’s windy outside.”
Understood. She was being given an out.
Yuan Yi adjusted her backpack. “Okay.”
She couldn’t voice her many questions right now. Yuan Yi knew this time was truly different from the last. She was two hours late arriving at the villa. According to the previous timeline, Peng Cheng should have left long ago.
Yuan Yi observed Peng Cheng’s clothing—it was very casual, not the attire of someone about to go out.
…Where did things go wrong?
The moment she stepped inside, He Xun shot up, a curse almost on her lips, but she swallowed it when she saw Peng Cheng’s cool expression.
“Why are you only arriving now?” He Xun asked in a low voice, then noticed Yuan Yi’s dark, dusty clothes, and her face soured further. “What are you wearing…”
Yuan Yi followed behind Peng Cheng, changing her shoes. “Where’s dinner?”
Of course, the food was being reheated. Seeing that the guest had arrived, the two nannies busied themselves warming the dishes. Wine and cold appetizers were already on the table.
Peng Cheng said, “Have a seat first, it will be ready soon.”
Why was she being so polite?
Yuan Yi rubbed her hands, feeling a little embarrassed. If she had known Peng Cheng was home, she would have brought a few bags of cash, no matter what.
It was all He Xun’s fault for not explaining things clearly and for tarnishing her image in front of Peng Cheng again.
The indoor temperature was higher than outside. Yuan Yi took off her jacket, revealing a light gray collared knit sweater underneath.
He Xun saw that Yuan Yi was only wearing gray or black, making her even more annoyed.
She looked like she was wearing rags.
She took a deep breath. To avoid Peng Cheng criticizing her lack of hospitality, she pulled out the chair next to her for Yuan Yi.
Yuan Yi glanced at He Xun, not really wanting to sit there. But Peng Cheng was opposite her… Fine, she would sit.
Her mind was racing.
She had planned to get He Xun drunk, pump her for information, and then record evidence of He Xun entering Peng Cheng’s room. Now that Peng Cheng hadn’t left, that plan was clearly impossible.
Yuan Yi calmed herself and remained silent. Her phone was vibrating incessantly, likely Sun Xueyu, who had escaped Huaping City and was coming to cause trouble.
She quietly switched it to silent, and the dishes arrived. Yuan Yi had eaten a deluxe hand-pulled pancake on the way, so she wasn’t hungry at all.
She saw yogurt placed next to the plate, which would be perfect for digestion.
Looking up, she met Peng Cheng’s scrutinizing gaze. Yuan Yi choked and forced a friendly smile.
Yuan Yi felt like Peng Cheng’s eyes were X-rays, capable of seeing all her little schemes. Although they hadn’t discussed anything, Yuan Yi felt completely exposed.
Peng Cheng simply said, “Not hungry? Eat.”
She didn’t mention anything they had discussed outside, so Yuan Yi could only pick up her chopsticks.
He Xun said, “Aunt, don’t worry. Yuan Yuan was like this when we used to date, it takes her a long time to get ready.”
“You’re so late, Yuan Yuan, don’t you have anything to say? Let me pour you some wine.”
He Xun knew Yuan Yi had a low tolerance for alcohol. It didn’t matter if she was silent now; once she had a couple of drinks and got tipsy, everything would be easier to discuss.
Yuan Yi raised an eyebrow, subtly glancing at the red wine.
Tsk. Red wine?
Although the kick was strong, sipping it would take forever… She was a little disdainful.
He Xun saw that Yuan Yi didn’t understand her hint this time and lowered her voice to ask, “Pouring wine? What do you mean?”
Peng Cheng, seeing all of Yuan Yi’s small gestures from across the table, immediately called the nanny. “Aunt Wang, bring a bottle of Maotai.”
He Xun: “?”
It was over. It was truly over. Did Peng Cheng really have X-ray vision? How did she know what Yuan Yi wanted?
Yuan Yi hesitated. “Director Cheng, isn’t that too much…” If she insisted, she would actually drink it.
Peng Cheng said, “My apologies for the poor hospitality.”
Yuan Yi immediately twisted open the yogurt, gulping down half the bottle, showing a readiness to drink freely. A small two-ounce cup of white liquor was placed in front of each of the three. He Xun actually had poor alcohol tolerance, and smelling the liquor, she felt something was wrong.
She turned her head and saw Yuan Yi’s bright eyes, looking ready for a major battle.
Wait, this wasn’t right, was it?
He Xun thought about what she needed to say to Peng Cheng and felt Yuan Yi’s state was very strange. She wanted to stop Yuan Yi from pouring the wine, but Yuan Yi had already picked up the decanter.
“Don’t pour for me!” He Xun exclaimed urgently, but Yuan Yi wasn’t pouring for her. Instead, she stood up and offered Peng Cheng a cup of tea. “Director Cheng, maybe you shouldn’t drink? Don’t you have work tonight?”
Peng Cheng accepted the tea from Yuan Yi but also poured herself a cup of liquor. “I have time tonight.”
He Xun’s gaze fixed between Yuan Yi and Peng Cheng. “Aunt, take it easy. Yuan Yuan has a low tolerance for alcohol.”
Yuan Yi found He Xun’s constant nagging annoying, like a sparrow. She turned to her and said, “Can you stop talking so much?”
He Xun retorted, “What kind of tone is that? My Aunt specifically cleared her schedule to have dinner with my mother today. This is a very important moment for us, and you’re still throwing a tantrum.”
Peng Cheng remained silent, watching them quietly from across the table.
Yuan Yi was speechless.
She hadn’t even started drinking, and she was already talking nonsense.
He Xun pushed the white liquor away and pulled the red wine closer. “Why drink white liquor? This is good wine from my Aunt’s cellar. Let’s drink this.”
Yuan Yi looked at the wine in He Xun’s hand. Of course, she didn’t want to drink. Besides, she had decided when she arrived that she would oppose every suggestion He Xun made today.
The two were at a stalemate, and finally, Peng Cheng spoke. “He Xun, prioritize the guest’s preference.”
See? See! Yuan Yi thought to herself. She knew He Xun and Peng Cheng were completely different, despite being family. No wonder Peng Cheng would later amass a fortune worth hundreds of billions.
He Xun reluctantly gave up.
Yuan Yi’s goal for coming here was to get He Xun drunk, so she seized every opportunity to urge He Xun to drink. She wasn’t sure about Peng Cheng’s alcohol tolerance or physical condition, so she deliberately avoided toasting Peng Cheng, instead constantly encouraging her to drink tea.
According to the novels, nine out of ten CEOs have stomach problems, so Peng Cheng was probably one of them, Yuan Yi thought confidently.
“Drink up. Today is such a good day, three cups to start, okay?” Yuan Yi cut off He Xun before she could object. “We’ve finally moved on to a new stage in our relationship. This is a good thing, right? We must have a drink.”
Who said enemies weren’t a new stage? The first cup was for herself, the second for herself, and the third for herself.
He Xun instinctively felt that Yuan Yi’s words were strange.
But under the influence of the alcohol fumes, she thought the “new stage” wasn’t wrong, especially since she was about to gain a useful Mrs. He.
She drank it down.
He Xun already had a low tolerance, and one cup was enough to make her uncomfortable, but Yuan Yi coaxed her into drinking three cups. She had never drunk in such a rough manner and didn’t know to prepare beforehand, such as drinking yogurt or eating more food.
Peng Cheng watched Yuan Yi’s actions from across the table. Aside from the persistent look of scrutiny in her eyes, she said nothing else.
“Aunt, Yuan Yuan isn’t exactly a guest anymore. Today is so formal because I wanted to tell you something.” He Xun’s head was spinning, and the words tumbled out. “Yuan Yuan and I are planning to get married.”
She looked at Peng Cheng. “You’ll bless us, won’t you? You’ve only ever sponsored Yuan Yuan all these years. You must have, must have liked her personality. She’s very suitable to marry into our family…”
The nanny nearby saw Peng Cheng’s slightly cold expression and involuntarily held her breath, even softening her breathing.
Miss He was asking for trouble! What nonsense was she saying?
He Xun asked, “Aunt? Aunt, why aren’t you saying anything?”
Peng Cheng was silent for a moment, making sure He Xun had finished speaking, before asking, “Have you asked Yuan Yi about this?”
Yuan Yi smiled. “I just found out about this, and I am not He Xun’s girlfriend.”
She faced Peng Cheng, maintaining a sincere expression regardless of whether the other woman believed her. “He Xun said she would stop bothering me after this dinner, which is why I came.”
He Xun spun around abruptly. “Yuan Yuan, stop messing around. I’ve agreed to everything you wanted, and I’ve already introduced you to my Aunt.”
“Aunt, you definitely agree, right? You must agree, how could you not agree?” He Xun started repeating herself, looking up stubbornly at Peng Cheng, demanding an answer. “You know Yuan Yi likes me.”
Peng Cheng’s gaze shifted. She spoke to the side, “Aunt Wang, please make some hangover soup.”
Hangover soup? No! It was better for He Xun to stay in this annoying state. Why make hangover soup?
Yuan Yi said, “Hangover soup is too much trouble. Just going outside for some fresh air will do. I’ll take her out for some air.”
Alcohol combined with cold air makes the high hit harder, guaranteed to make anyone start wailing like a banshee.
“We’ll be right back.” Thinking this, Yuan Yi immediately helped He Xun up. He Xun’s face rested crookedly on Yuan Yi’s shoulder, her nose almost touching Yuan Yi’s cheek.
It was clear she was very familiar with Yuan Yi’s scent. She didn’t struggle, and their proximity was far beyond normal.
This was the unilateral effect left by someone who had once been intimate. He Xun’s body was familiar with and relaxed around Yuan Yi.
Peng Cheng watched Yuan Yi practically flee the dining table and slowly put down her chopsticks.
The room was warm.
Only when Yuan Yi opened the door did a sliver of cold air rush in, tightening her cheeks.
Yuan Yi led He Xun to the inner courtyard.
Once outside, she dumped He Xun onto the swing set.
He Xun was completely drained, sliding weakly against the swing, her eyes half-glazed as she stared at Yuan Yi in front of her.
Her looks were top-notch, her eyelashes always curved and upturned, making her look like she was smiling when she looked at people.
In this circle, He Xun and Peng Cheng were two extremes in the family.
Peng Cheng was self-disciplined and aloof, never having any scandals. He Xun, however, was promiscuous, constantly surrounded by female companions, even after marriage.
Too many people sought her out, and she received abundant resources. Everyone said He Xun wasn’t exactly promiscuous, just overly emotional, wanting to give every girl a home.
The love Yuan Yi once held had been completely eroded by repeated betrayals. Looking at He Xun now, Yuan Yi couldn’t help but wonder.
Had she truly fallen in love with He Xun back then, or was it a form of grateful admiration?
Regardless, only she had suffered back then. Damn He Xun.
If it weren’t for Peng Cheng being inside, Yuan Yi would be causing a scene right now.
Forget it, forget it. A small tolerance leads to breast hyperplasia; a big retreat leads to ovarian cysts. Yuan Yi took a deep breath, swung her arm, and slapped He Xun on both cheeks.
“Wake up, are you drunk? I have something to ask you.” Yuan Yi leaned in and pried open He Xun’s eyelids, which were about to close.
Yuan Yi had no pity for He Xun now. Soon, a faint redness appeared on He Xun’s eyelids.
He Xun forced her eyes open and smiled at Yuan Yi. “Yuan Yi.”
Her voice was warm. “Yuan Yi, baby, you are very important to my success.”
Yuan Yi had heard this exact phrase in her previous life, late at night when He Xun returned drunk. But back then, she never thought deeply about it, believing He Xun was speaking the truth and that she held a place in her heart.
Things were different now, and her mindset had changed. The more Yuan Yi thought about it, the more wrong it felt. “Why does it have to be me?”
“You don’t understand. It must be you, only you, because you are very different.” He Xun laughed, shivering slightly as the cold wind hit her. “Come here and hold me for a while, Yuan Yuan. Stop messing around, I do care about you.”
Yuan Yi took a step closer to her.
He Xun sat on the swing, opening her arms to her, but Yuan Yi stopped. “Then what do you need me to do for you?”
“That’s a good girl.” He Xun nodded approvingly, then looked around sluggishly. “Why is it so cold here? Come sit down and let me hold you for a while, and I’ll tell you.”
Yuan Yi wasn’t sure if He Xun was playing tricks. She thought for a moment and sat down anyway.
Sacrificing herself for Peng Cheng was worth it, no reward needed.
Fortunately, He Xun was truly drunk and didn’t have the strength to move, still sitting crookedly on the swing. “Tonight, you need to get my Aunt drunk, go to her room… lie down together, and take a few photos.”
The exact same words as in her previous life, only delayed and in a different context.
Yuan Yi felt a sense of absurdity. Playing along, she feigned surprise. “What are you saying, He Xun? That’s so outrageous. That’s your Aunt! How could you think of such a plan?”
He Xun said, “I’m doing this for you. Don’t worry, there won’t be any problems… Our family values propriety and reputation the most. You were her sponsored student, and if you sleep together, the one who loses face, well, it won’t be you… Then I’ll say I want to marry you, and Aunt will definitely agree.”
She would even gain a good reputation, claiming she not only saved Peng Cheng’s reputation but also maintained her own principles, remaining loyal to her girlfriend.
These were the benefits He Xun gained in the previous life, which Yuan Yi had witnessed.
He Xun reached out to hold Yuan Yi’s hand. Yuan Yi immediately pulled her other hand over, making her interlock her own fingers, and continued to ask, “He Xun, this doesn’t make sense. Everyone will just think I’m trying to cling to someone else. Haven’t you seen how many people are desperate to get close to your Aunt?”
“Those people are not as good as you.” He Xun’s gaze lingered on Yuan Yi. “None of them are as good as you. Everyone will know that my Aunt had ulterior motives for you.”
“When I went to the apartment to get my things, I found you had taken all my photos, some of which were very private,” Yuan Yi said. “If you don’t tell me the truth, how can I help you execute this plan properly?”
He Xun looked deeply at Yuan Yi.
“Those are the most important props for our act, but the most important thing is still you.” He Xun’s attitude softened, and she spoke more. “The photos are all in my Aunt’s room. Some things don’t need painstaking proof; a few photos are enough.”
Yuan Yi said, “Just some recent photos aren’t enough to prove anything.”
He Xun’s lips curved upward. She suddenly crooked her finger at Yuan Yi. “This is the most interesting part. Come closer, I’ll tell you secretly.”
The redness on her cheeks from the slap hadn’t faded, but she was oblivious, her attention entirely on Yuan Yi beside her.
Yuan Yi’s eyelid twitched. She reflexively looked toward the entrance.
No one.
She sighed in relief, thinking she was being paranoid. He Xun’s little secret was about to be revealed, and Yuan Yi naturally wouldn’t give up. She leaned in.
He Xun got what she wanted, leaning extremely close to Yuan Yi. When she spoke, the hot breath, contrasting sharply with the cold air, brushed past Yuan Yi’s earlobe.
Damn. She was being harassed.
Yuan Yi had only one thought, and just as she was about to push He Xun away, she heard:
“The interesting thing is, when I went to her room to put the photos, I found she had one of your photos in a frame. You look so tacky, was that from high school? That’s why I said, only you can do this.” He Xun pinched Yuan Yi’s cheek, speaking the cruelest words in a gentle tone. “She already has a guilty conscience, so she’ll naturally have to swallow this bitter pill.”
Yuan Yi froze, feeling as if she had been thrown between molten lava and an iceberg.
In that instant, all the tiny details clicked together.
The anger of being deceived for so long burned her rationality, but realizing that the high school photo had been personally placed by Peng Cheng, she felt like she had fallen into an ice cellar, unable to move.
She wasn’t an idiot, but at this moment, she wished she were.
She finally understood what He Xun meant all those years ago when she said, “Those people are not as good as you.”
Yuan Yi didn’t know what kind of feeling Peng Cheng had when she placed her photo on the back of that frame.
She had even written back to her, sending blessings for everything to go well.
She had also told her not to worry about anything else.
But Peng Cheng, did you know you were in an environment surrounded by wolves? Even your family is trying to smear you in the most malicious way.
Peng Cheng remembered the girl she sponsored and treated this shared sentiment with care. If she knew that this photo would later become a sword pointed at herself—
At this moment, she felt the letter tucked close to her body was like a raging inferno, about to burn her to ashes.
Before He Xun’s lips could touch hers, Yuan Yi quickly stood up.
He Xun lost her support, her body tilted, and with no one to catch her, she slid directly onto the ground.
The soft soil cushioned her knees. He Xun looked up blankly, gazing at Yuan Yi from a kneeling position.
She murmured, “Yuan Yuan, I still like you very much. I’ve never been like this with anyone else. My liking for them was only a little, but for you, it’s a lot. Isn’t that enough?”
He Xun simply didn’t understand why Yuan Yi had been acting up recently. If she wanted money or a bag, she could just ask; it wasn’t like she hadn’t given her anything.
In her eyes, every time Yuan Yi made a fuss, it was over trivial matters that could be solved with money, yet she always hypocritically claimed it wasn’t about the money.
Yuan Yi couldn’t stand it anymore. “You are completely different from her.”
He Xun smiled. “That’s why she noticed you. People from your background are all like that.”
Yuan Yi grabbed her and dragged her back into the living room.
He Xun was like a soft, slippery noodle being pulled along in her grip.
Yuan Yi hadn’t expected Peng Cheng to still be there.
At the dining table, the reheated food was probably half-cold again. Peng Cheng sat upright in her seat, seemingly having never moved.
The two nannies who were there earlier were gone. Yuan Yi dumped He Xun into a chair and subtly looked around.
Good, the red wine hadn’t been touched. The tea Yuan Yi had deliberately placed by Peng Cheng’s hand was half gone. Yuan Yi’s heart settled.
She still had questions for He Xun, but staying outside in a standoff didn’t seem appropriate.
Peng Cheng noticed her gaze. “Aunt Wang and the others have gone off duty.”
Peng Cheng didn’t like having servants around all the time, so unless there were special circumstances, Aunt Wang and the others would leave after cleaning the villa.
He Xun leaned back in the chair, her eyes half-closed, mumbling something unintelligible.
Strange.
Without He Xun interrupting, looking at Peng Cheng sitting opposite her, Yuan Yi suddenly regained a healthy appetite.
Confirming the food wasn’t poisoned and no longer fearing any antics from the drunken He Xun, she could finally eat heartily.
“Have you been waiting long?” Yuan Yi looked apologetically at Peng Cheng and the table full of barely touched dishes. “He Xun was causing a fuss outside. If I had known this, I…”
I shouldn’t have been greedy and eaten that deluxe hand-pulled pancake on the way, otherwise, I could eat more now and wouldn’t be sitting here awkwardly with Peng Cheng.
She felt Peng Cheng hadn’t eaten much.
This small family dinner was originally set up for He Xun to ask Peng Cheng to support their marriage, but now only Peng Cheng and Yuan Yi were conscious.
Yuan Yi quietly refilled He Xun’s cup.
People who are drunk often can’t distinguish between water and alcohol in the end. Since He Xun had started drinking, there was no reason to stop.
Yuan Yi added, “Director Cheng, please don’t take anything He Xun said today to heart. I have no such intentions.”
Peng Cheng nodded slightly. “Let’s eat. He Xun is usually not like this.”
While picking up food, Yuan Yi bit into a piece of chili pepper, which made her stick out her tongue in pain. Relaxing, she didn’t care about appearances and picked up the white liquor cup in front of her, downing it in one go.
Spicy against spicy, that felt better.
Peng Cheng’s chopsticks paused. She kindly reminded her, “Gulping down alcohol is bad for your health.”
Although Peng Cheng wanted Yuan Yi to stop drinking, she saw that Yuan Yi seemed to really need that cup of liquor.
Yuan Yi cleared her mouth before answering. “I don’t want to waste good wine.”
“There’s plenty of wine. Take it home if you like it,” Peng Cheng said. “No need to force yourself.”
Yuan Yi blinked. The sourness welling up from her heart reached her eyes and nasal cavity.
Peng Cheng’s last sentence seemed to slowly overlap with the “don’t worry about anything else” from the letter, resonating in her heart with a massive hum.
She patted her cheeks and looked up, fanning herself. “You’re right, it’s so spicy, I think I’m tearing up from the spice.”
He Xun was already slumped on the table, eyes closed, seemingly asleep. Yuan Yi saw her and kicked her toes under the table.
Vengeance starts now. Don’t wait, waiting leads to defeat.
“Ouch!” He Xun tightly closed her eyes, waving her hand in pain, accidentally knocking Yuan Yi’s knife and fork onto the floor.
Yuan Yi quickly bent down to pick them up. Her eyelashes lifted, and she paused.
She saw the thin blanket she had given Peng Cheng covering Peng Cheng’s legs.
Yuan Yi wiped her eyes, sat back up as if nothing happened, and silently continued eating.
She didn’t exchange many words with Peng Cheng until she put down her chopsticks. After dinner, Peng Cheng didn’t ask for her help and took He Xun to her room to rest.
Yuan Yi knew it was time for her to leave.
Although her goal for the night hadn’t been achieved, she had solved another mystery in her heart.
The answer brought a significant shock, and now she was even more unsure how to face Peng Cheng.
Since both of them had been drinking, Peng Cheng arranged for Assistant Nian to drive her home. While waiting for Assistant Nian, Yuan Yi sat properly on the huge sofa in the living room.
Peng Cheng was also there, on the other side of the sofa, making Yuan Yi very nervous.
The TV was playing some program, serving as white noise, though no one was actually listening; Yuan Yi certainly wasn’t.
She felt awkward.
Sitting there with Peng Cheng, chatting felt too unfamiliar, but not chatting felt too distant.
“Yuan Yi.”
“Here!” She shot up instantly, standing at attention like a soldier.
Peng Cheng: “…”
“You can sit down. Are you that afraid of me?” Peng Cheng wasn’t sure whether to laugh. She curved her lips slightly. “Have some fruit.”
Yuan Yi expressionlessly popped a grape into her mouth and chewed vigorously. “Okay.”
Peng Cheng said, “Drink some white tea, it helps with digestion.”
Yuan Yi gulped it down. “Okay.”
It was confirmed: Peng Cheng’s alcohol tolerance was also very good. She had drunk the same amount as Peng Cheng, yet only He Xun had collapsed after three cups.
These two were indeed completely different, even their tolerance for alcohol was disparate!
Upstairs, He Xun suddenly let out a loud cry. Peng Cheng and Yuan Yi looked up simultaneously. Yuan Yi sensed an opportunity and immediately stood up. “I’ll go check. She might throw up when drunk and could choke.”
She dashed upstairs.
When she opened He Xun’s door, He Xun was still yelling, mixing in Yuan Yi’s name, her eyes closed.
Yuan Yi unceremoniously pulled back He Xun’s blanket, sat her down by the edge of the bed, and regardless of whether He Xun was awake, she pried open her eyelids.
“I’m asking you, how did your Aunt hurt her leg?”
Yuan Yi thought the Peng family must have excellent medical care. Why was Peng Cheng’s leg ailment lingering? Had He Xun done something related to this?
He Xun’s eyes moved. She mumbled vaguely, then reached out her hands to Yuan Yi. “Did you come to pick me up?”
“I came to see if you choked to death. Wake up, big sister.” Yuan Yi steadied He Xun. “Answer my question.” She patted He Xun’s cheek again, but He Xun remained silent.
Yuan Yi said, “I need to know everything so I can help you better later. Was it you who did it?”
This sentence seemed to be the key. He Xun finally spoke. “Her leg? Why would I need to do anything? She,” He Xun’s voice was low, and Yuan Yi had to lean in to hear clearly. “My Aunt’s leg is because she is sick herself. She has a sickness. A hurdle she can’t overcome herself. Her leg will never get better. Why would I need to bother?”
These were words Yuan Yi couldn’t understand, but she felt the malice in He Xun’s tone. The alcohol brought out her hidden disgust. She was looking down on Peng Cheng from a superior position.
Why?
Yuan Yi knew little about the Peng family beyond it being a large clan. The Peng family had a good reputation externally. In her previous life, after marrying He Xun, she rarely had to attend events, and the few times she saw Peng Cheng’s parents, she hadn’t noticed anything unusual.
He Xun looked up and smiled. She tried to wrap her arms around Yuan Yi’s neck. Yuan Yi was no longer the frail person she once was. She pushed He Xun away easily.
She needed to push further. Further!
Keep talking!
The warmth escaped from He Xun’s palm. He Xun shivered from the cold, looking confusedly at Yuan Yi, who was still so disobedient even in her dream.
It was strange.
When Yuan Yi was obedient to her back then, why hadn’t she found their interactions so interesting?
Now, Yuan Yi was like an arrogant kitten, like an elusive wind. The more she came and went freely, the more He Xun wanted to tightly confine her.
“He Xun, she is your Aunt. Have you considered the consequences if your family finds out you’re plotting against her like this?”
He Xun said, “Baby, do you know? My Aunt is only three years older than me, yet she gets so much more than I do. I’m so resentful. The corporation wasn’t even hers originally. Besides the Peng surname, what does she have that’s better than me?”
He Xun’s voice was too soft. Yuan Yi always had to lean in to hear what she was saying.
This coward, even her voice was cowardly.
After hearing He Xun’s words, Yuan Yi pulled the blanket up and threw it over He Xun. She then poured the colorless, odorless, high-proof flammable liquid she had brought up into He Xun’s mouth. “Just drink yourself to death!”
Holding the cup, she opened the door and saw Peng Cheng about to knock.
“How is He Xun?”
Yuan Yi realized she was always caught by Peng Cheng when doing something bad, but thankfully, this wasn’t her first time, so she kept a straight face.
“She’s sleeping soundly.”
“Your ride is here. Come down.”
Peng Cheng nodded, not looking inside the room. As Yuan Yi followed her downstairs, she glanced at Peng Cheng’s room, pursing her lips.
Peng Cheng had come up too quickly.
After learning that Peng Cheng had placed the photo there, Yuan Yi felt she should return it, or Peng Cheng would eventually notice its absence.
The fact that Peng Cheng showed no abnormality while interacting with her meant she hadn’t opened that photo frame herself for a long time.
She probably just put it there casually years ago, and it had been sealed in her memory.
Assistant Nian was truly professional. Even seeing Yuan Yi follow Peng Cheng down, he remained composed. “Miss Yuan, good evening.”
Who was having a good evening? It certainly wasn’t her. Yuan Yi smiled. “Good evening. Thank you for driving me.”
At this moment, Yuan Yi noticed Peng Cheng had changed out of her casual clothes and put on a coat.
Her heart began to flutter.
It couldn’t be that formal, could it? Was Peng Cheng going to drive her home? That was a bit too polite.
“I have something to attend to outside. We’ll leave together.” Sitting in the back seat, Peng Cheng spoke first, stopping Yuan Yi’s internal speculation.
Yuan Yi: “…Okay. You might want to bring the electric blanket. It’s getting colder outside.”
Assistant Nian immediately turned back. “That’s right, I’ll grab it for Director Cheng now!”
By the time Peng Cheng tried to stop him, Assistant Nian had already tucked the blanket tightly around her.
The place she was going wasn’t suitable for this blanket, Peng Cheng thought, about to speak, but she lowered her eyes and saw a pair of hopeful, amber eyes looking at her.
“Just in case,” Yuan Yi said. Thinking of what He Xun had said, she couldn’t help but feel a protective affection for Peng Cheng. “Director Cheng, take it.”
Yuan Yi knew she sounded a bit like a robot, but she couldn’t help it.
She also didn’t dare ask Peng Cheng where she was going so late. Director Cheng’s nightlife was none of her business.
She remained silent the entire way, minimizing her presence. Finally, they arrived at her dormitory building. Yuan Yi quickly grabbed her bag and got out, saying goodbye. But Peng Cheng rolled down the car window.
“Yuan Yi.”
“Yes!” Yuan Yi had a conditioned reflex to Peng Cheng calling her name and turned back. She was incredibly nervous, afraid Peng Cheng had discovered something.
“Are you drunk?” Peng Cheng asked unexpectedly.
“Me? No, my alcohol tolerance is very good.” Yuan Yi shook her head, demonstrating that she could walk in a straight line. “I won’t bother you. I’m going back now.”
Peng Cheng watched Yuan Yi’s figure disappear at the end of the residential area before retracting her gaze. She told Assistant Nian, “Let’s go.”
Yuan Yi rushed back to her dorm to shower, washing away the smell of alcohol, before taking the letter out of her pocket and placing it in the inner layer of her backpack.
She wouldn’t leave precious things at home; she would carry it with her.
Turning off silent mode on her phone, she saw Sun Xueyu had called her over forty times, clearly furious. In the chat box, Sun Xueyu’s tone went from initial annoyance to rage, then to frantic cursing, and finally, helpless pleading: [What are you doing? Where did you go? Daughter, answer me.]
[Speak! Tell me! What did I leave behind there?]
It proved that no matter if the person was good or bad, they couldn’t withstand the silent treatment. If you ignored them long enough, they would eventually start doubting themselves. Yuan Yi had learned this ultimate PUA technique from He Xun in her previous life.
Yuan Yi: [You left your face.]
Sun Xueyu’s call came immediately. Yuan Yi answered without fear, her first words being, “Pay me back.”
Sun Xueyu choked, her breathing becoming heavy. “I think you’re obsessed with money. Is it fun to mess with your mother like this? I’m exhausted taking care of Yuan Xiao and Yuan Chen, and I’m being harassed by those poor relatives. I don’t have any money!”
Thinking of the stares she received after arriving at the five-star hotel, Sun Xueyu felt a chill. At first, she thought people were admiring her wealth and status, and she felt proud, but later she realized something was wrong when she overheard the gossip.
Not to mention those distant relatives, why were they suddenly blocking the hotel entrance?
The check-out time arrived, leaving her, Yuan Xiao, and Yuan Chen in the lobby. Everything felt like a nightmare.
“You have to give it to me, or sign an agreement with me in the presence of a lawyer, stating that I will no longer have any obligation to support you.” Yuan Yi asked, “You know the difference between one full meal and being full every day, right? I broke up with He Xun, so you have one less source of income. If you don’t look out for me, do you really think other people’s children will be easy to raise?”
The alcohol was slowly starting to occupy her thoughts and rationality. Yuan Yi’s voice was no longer teasing, but tinged with cold despondency.
Sun Xueyu: “…” She was already exhausted these past few days. Previously, with the financial support, taking care of the two children didn’t feel tiring. But ever since Yuan Yi, like a madwoman, took away all the money and property Sun Xueyu held, those two high-maintenance children were nothing but annoying.
“If you know what’s good for you, transfer the money within three days.” Yuan Yi hung up after speaking, exhaling a deep breath. Recalling the events of the night, she had a surge of emotion she couldn’t release. Finally, she couldn’t resist and opened Qin Wei’s chat box, turning into a screaming chicken.
Gulping-Not-Drunk-Yuan: [AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH I’ve decided!]
Qin Wei: [Received!]
Qin Wei: [Contact Card: [Li Shuangni]]
Qin Wei: [Find her! Reliable! She will absolutely scare your mother into silence. Come on, let’s celebrate. Open the door.]
Yuan Yi: Huh?
Gulping-Not-Drunk-Yuan: [Although, I was talking about something else…]
A knock sounded. Qin Wei stood outside, holding a milk tea cup, but it contained water, and the other hand held barbecue and mala tang. She came prepared.
“Thanks to you, I got a seamless job transfer, and they put my dorm right across from yours, saying this arrangement is better for us to communicate about work. Damn capitalists.” Qin Wei smiled, shaking the milk tea cup in her hand, and entered Yuan Yi’s room. “So, what did you discover when you went back? I’m all ears.”
She had arrived at the perfect time. Yuan Yi wanted to talk to Qin Wei about her discoveries at Peng Cheng’s house and see if a third perspective could find any more details.
Qin Wei casually handed over the milk tea cup. “Have some water to rinse your mouth first.”
Yuan Yi was excited and didn’t guard against it. She took a big gulp. After swallowing, she was silent for a long time, then stumbled back two steps and collapsed onto the sofa. “Is this water?”
Qin Wei rubbed her hands expectantly. “The Water of Life is also water. Come, eat more. You have a high tolerance, and I was afraid you wouldn’t open up without a drink. I’m ready.”
Second-floor private room.
The loud music was blocked out. Garish lights shone on Peng Cheng’s face, making her expression indistinct, dim, and blurry. No one knew what she was thinking.
The air conditioning in the private room was set high. A woman in a slip dress entered from outside, running her free hand through her long curly hair, and sat down beside Peng Cheng.
“Seriously, why are you so bundled up here?” Li Shuangni held a cocktail glass, the diamond chain on her ear sparkling when she smiled. “We finally got our busy bee here, and all I see is you nursing two drinks.”
Peng Cheng said faintly, “I drank quite a bit at home. I feel dizzy.”
“A-Cheng, are you kidding? You never touch a drop outside, and now you’re drinking alone at home?” Du Meida scoffed, then noticed something. “What is that?”
Li Shuangni followed Du Meida’s gaze and realized a thin velvet blanket was covering Peng Cheng’s legs.
The blanket, which would be inconspicuous elsewhere, was very noticeable in this room kept at a constant 26 degrees Celsius. Looking closely, it even had a print.
A cat.
Where did this little wildcat come from?
“Oh, when did our workaholic start caring about health? Aren’t you hot?” Li Shuangni was surprised. She had often advised Peng Cheng to keep her knees warm in this weather, but it never worked.
Now Peng Cheng was finally taking care of herself, but perhaps a bit too much.
Which divine person managed to persuade this great Buddha?
Peng Cheng’s hand rested on the velvet blanket, gently pinching it. “It’s just right.”
Du Meida: “Huh?”
Peng Cheng: “I mean, now is just right. I can’t drink anymore, or I’ll get drunk.”
Peng Cheng hadn’t planned on coming but decided to stop by since it was on the way after dropping off Yuan Yi. Although she knew everyone, she was closest to Du Meida and Li Shuangni.
Knowing that Peng Cheng was tired of being flattered at meetings, they sat on either side of her to block those who wanted to approach and curry favor.
Li Shuangni’s phone rang. She glanced down, let out a sound of surprise, and put down her drink.
“Doesn’t this name sound familiar?” Li Shuangni muttered. As she looked at the detailed request, she noticed Peng Cheng seemed to be picking up the blanket on her lap, ready to leave.
Du Meida said, “Attorney Li, you’re looking at work while drinking? A multi-million dollar case?”
“Hard to say. My cousin said a good friend of hers wants to sign an agreement to terminate family relations and support obligations with her family, with a lawyer present.” Li Shuangni gave a wry smile. “But this is largely useless. And this contact card that was pushed to me… Little Yuan? Gulping-Not-Drunk-Yuan?”
The surname sounded familiar to Li Shuangni. She immediately looked at Peng Cheng. “It’s not Yuan Yi, is it? This is interesting.”
Peng Cheng’s hand naturally dropped. She was now sitting composedly on the booth seat, a wine glass in her hand. She spread out the velvet blanket. “Why are you looking at me?”
Li Shuangni and Du Meida exchanged glances, immediately sensing a subtle difference. Both were veterans in the dating scene; one look was enough.
Du Meida said, “I know Yuan Yi. She’s the one who posted that photo. That girl is good at creating buzz; she managed to ruin a cooperation deal that was about to be finalized.”
Li Shuangni said, “She’s the girl you sponsored, and she’s still He Xun’s girlfriend. That doesn’t sound right, does it?”
Peng Cheng took a small sip of the clear liquor, raising her eyes. “She broke up with He Xun.”
Li Shuangni felt like she was being choked. She paused for two seconds before saying, “That doesn’t sound right, does it? Are you seeing this through to the end, or what?”
Was it what she thought? No, that couldn’t be right, could it?
Peng Cheng asked, “Is something wrong with that?”
“Spicy. Very spicy,” Li Shuangni murmured, clinking glasses with Peng Cheng. She added Yuan Yi’s contact information. “Peng Cheng, ah, Peng Cheng, a normal relationship is precious.”
Peng Cheng finished her drink. “It’s not what you think.”
“What do you think?” Du Meida didn’t understand the cryptic conversation between Peng Cheng and Li Shuangni and leaned in to look. “Gulping-Not-Drunk-Yuan. Quite capable. She sounds familiar… Ah, I’ve heard of her. The little genius in Qisheng’s gaming department, right? Zhou Jiayuan mentioned her at a dinner once. She’s the independent developer of the game Cat Companion. Wait a minute, A-Cheng, you just started cooperating with Qisheng.”
Du Meida stared at the blanket on Peng Cheng’s lap and suddenly let out an “Oh.”
Li Shuangni: “Peng Cheng, ah, Peng Cheng…”
Peng Cheng felt her temple throbbing under their direct gazes. She said helplessly, “It’s a normal cooperation. Her game is very well made.”
Du Meida said, “Spicy. Drink a few more gulps and tell us more.”
Peng Cheng: “…”