Why Did My Ex-Wife’S Aunt Treat Me Like That? Chapter 6

Peng Cheng’s single sentence left Yuan Yi deep in thought even after she got into the taxi home. She felt like something had gone wrong. But what? Why did she keep feeling that the way Peng Cheng looked at her was strange?

Stupid brain, quickly recall what Peng Cheng’s attitude toward her was like at this time in her previous life. Back then, her entire focus had been on marrying He Xun, and the few times she met Peng Cheng, she was filled with awe and fear toward the title “Director Cheng.”

Her senior year was also the first year Peng Cheng successfully took over the group. Her methods were swift and decisive; she not only secured two development projects worth tens of millions but also dealt with a batch of old shareholders, firmly establishing herself in that smokeless battlefield. Everyone discussed her, and everyone feared her. They believed this woman was cold-hearted and ruthless, with eyes as icy as frost.

The Yuan Yi of that time was the same; she had long forgotten that Peng Cheng had once been her benefactor. Even someone like Sun Xueyu, when trying to get Yuan Yi to approach wealthy people and cross social strata, didn’t dare consider Peng Cheng. Forget about gossip; Peng Cheng had never had a single scandal. She was like a machine, never revealing any emotional needs.

Since waking up, Yuan Yi had already met Peng Cheng twice. She wasn’t sure if it was due to her change in mindset or because her perspective and identity had shifted, but she didn’t feel Peng Cheng’s coldness was oppressive at all. Instead, she felt Peng Cheng’s attitude toward her was quite kind.

Even the last question Peng Cheng asked her was just a normal thought process seeking confirmation. Yuan Yi had replied, “Absolutely not. If I like her, may I be struck by lightning.” Oh, for heaven’s sake, please don’t let it thunder or rain today.

And yet, after she finished speaking, Peng Cheng actually smiled. Although the corners of Peng Cheng’s mouth only lifted slightly—perhaps two pixels—Yuan Yi still noticed it. Afterward, Yuan Yi forgot what she had intended to say; she just thought Peng Cheng looked beautiful when she smiled. However, that smile was more like the helplessness and understanding one shows upon hearing the petulant words of a heartbroken young girl.

It was six o’clock when she returned to the dorm. Yuan Yi took out all the photos and began looking through them. They matched the photos in her memory, except for one—

Yuan Yi frowned, pulled that photo out, and the slight drowsiness she had felt vanished completely. This was a photo from her second year of high school. Wearing her school uniform, her chin-length hair neat, she held a certificate and her painting, giving a shy smile to the camera.

The photo was well-preserved and hadn’t yellowed, but compared to the others, the style was completely different and out of place. Yuan Yi remembered sending this photo to Peng Cheng during the second semester of her second year of high school, after winning a county-level art competition, along with a letter of thanks. She had never received a reply.

Not long after, Sun Xueyu told her that Peng Cheng had stopped all financial aid, and Yuan Yi had assumed this photo never made it here. That night, she had personally seen He Xun take out a later, more intimate photo of herself from this very frame, not this one. Had He Xun started tampering with things this early? She didn’t know what kind of feelings Peng Cheng had when she placed her photo here.

At eight o’clock, Qin Wei was woken up by Yuan Yi to eat breakfast. Looking at Yuan Yi’s computer screen, she exclaimed in shock, “Did you even sleep? You actually finished modeling this cow cat!” Last night, it was just a cat head, but this morning, it was vividly wagging its tail inside the software.

Glancing at the faint dark circles under Yuan Yi’s eyes, Qin Wei touched her forehead. “The supervisor just scolded you; he didn’t threaten your life with a knife.” Yuan Yi applied eye drops to clear the redness from her eyes, tilted her head back, and said, “I couldn’t sleep.”

She showed her phone to Qin Wei. He Xun: [Baby, still angry? I’ll come pick you up for lunch today.] He Xun: [What’s so great about that job? It’s stressing you out so much. How about I come with you to quit at noon? Don’t worry, I’m here.]

Qin Wei chose her words carefully: “Are you softening?” Yuan Yi: “I was too disgusted to sleep.” If she didn’t still need him for her plans, she would have deleted He Xun long ago.

She sent back: [I already told you, a breakup is a breakup.] He Xun instantly replied: [Stop messing around, baby. I know you feel I haven’t spent enough time with you lately. Alright, I’ll be over soon. Be good.]

After sending the word “good” to Yuan Yi on his phone, the hand that had been teasing He Xun hooked his chin in displeasure. “Still looking at your phone? Look at me.” “Be good, stop messing around for a second,” He Xun murmured, kissing her soothingly on the side of her head. He kept staring at his phone but didn’t reply as he usually would. He switched out of the messaging interface and glanced at the video he had just saved in his album.

Ren Yingzhen pouted and straddled He Xun. “Xunxun, you aren’t actually going to marry that sparrow, are you? We agreed you were just using her. Are you catching feelings?” He Xun scoffed. “There’s a limit to nonsense. Haven’t you read the agreement?” “Hmph, then why are you waiting for her message?” Ren Yingzhen was still dissatisfied, poking He Xun’s shoulder with the sharp tip of her nail. “Kiss me a few more times to apologize.” “Stop it. I’ll buy you a handbag later,” He Xun said, pinching Ren Yingzhen’s waist before getting up to dress, preparing to go find Yuan Yi.

After arriving at the company, Yuan Yi first showed Li Yujun the model she had completed last night. Then, carrying her backpack, she clocked out under the envious and jealous gazes of her colleagues. She didn’t have to wait long before she saw He Xun’s car pull up. Her temper had been waiting for He Xun for a long time.

She finished the iced coffee in her hand in one gulp. Before He Xun could even send a message, Yuan Yi deliberately walked out to a conspicuous spot. “Baby!” He Xun naturally saw Yuan Yi after getting out of the car. He walked straight over and called out to her, smiling sincerely, and shoved a bouquet of flowers into Yuan Yi’s arms. “I knew you couldn’t bear to see me sad. You came down specifically to wait for me, right? Come on, I’ll go with you to quit your job.”

Yuan Yi said loudly, “We broke up! Can you please stop interfering in my life?” It was just past nine o’clock, the peak time for the morning rush hour. Yuan Yi’s loud voice immediately attracted curious onlookers.

He Xun hadn’t expected Yuan Yi to pull a stunt like this. Previously, whenever Yuan Yi spoke in public, she was always soft-spoken, especially around him. Not to mention talking about breaking up outside—if he just started the conversation, Yuan Yi would humbly beg him for ages. What was wrong with her today?

Before He Xun could speak, Yuan Yi continued, “How can you be such a persistent, clingy ex? I told you I want to pursue my dreams, I have my own career aspirations, and I’m going to cooperate with Director Cheng in the future! You mock me for it, and then you demand I quit my job!”

The surrounding office workers couldn’t help but shoot He Xun looks of disdain. Anyone who worked for a living could empathize with Yuan Yi’s statement, “I’m going to cooperate with Director Cheng in the future.” The Peng Group had countless subsidiaries and industries spanning every sector; it was the undisputed industry leader and the ultimate destination for countless professionals.

Although Peng Cheng was famously cold and unapproachable to outsiders, her treatment of her subordinates was impeccable. Executives who entered Peng Cheng’s inner circle enjoyed six- to seven-figure base salaries, began participating in profit sharing after one full year of employment, not to mention the top-tier basic benefits. Therefore, among ordinary company employees, the self-blessing “I’m going to work for Director Cheng someday” had long been circulating. Yuan Yi was even bolder, saying she would cooperate with Director Cheng. Her courage was commendable; how could anyone mock her?

“Keep your voice down!” He Xun’s face burned under the surrounding stares. “When did I ever say those things? No, you’re clearly under too much stress. Come on, I’ll take you upstairs to quit.” It seemed he was getting anxious; he wasn’t even calling her “baby” anymore.

Yuan Yi stood rooted to the spot. “Don’t pull me, or I’m calling the police. I’ve told you many times we’re broken up. Let go!” He Xun hadn’t slept enough, and his spoiled temper flared up. He expertly grabbed Yuan Yi’s neck and pulled her toward him. “A real breakup? Honey, don’t you know how much money I’ve spent on you this past year? How can you afford to leave?”

Yuan Yi retorted, “Then why did you hit me so many times!” The crowd rushing to work paused for a moment, and the looks of disdain toward He Xun were now tinged with disgust.

He Xun was truly enraged. “When did I ever hit you, Yuan Yi! I’ve given you enough face; now just quit your job. Didn’t you want to marry me? My wife doesn’t need to work outside after we’re married.” “You want to call the police? I’m telling you, you’re the only one who will suffer if we go to the police station.”

Yuan Yi didn’t waste words. While He Xun was gripping her neck, she lowered her voice and provoked him, “Go on, try it. I’ve been insulting you this whole time. Why don’t you slap me, you spineless coward?”

He Xun’s blood immediately rushed to his head, and he swung his arm, delivering a full, roundhouse slap. “Smack!” Yuan Yi took the slap squarely. She tilted her head slightly, curved her lips, and pulled out the beer bottle wrapped in cloth from her side pocket. She had finally waited for this moment.

The surrounding people were furious, thinking Yuan Yi was about to suffer, and tried to step in to break up the fight. They were frozen in place by Yuan Yi’s loud shout: “Get back! Help me call the police!” They were then filled with horror—was this the strength of someone fighting back after long-term domestic abuse? If they called the police, who exactly would be arrested?

He Xun hadn’t even recovered from the shock and anger of having actually slapped Yuan Yi in broad daylight before Yuan Yi dragged him out and beat him thoroughly. A bouquet of flowers in her left hand, a small beer bottle in her right. Elegant.

At nine o’clock, Peng Cheng had just finished a transnational meeting at home and was reviewing the day’s financial news in the car on the way to the company. She did not have a habit of arriving at the company early, as it would put pressure on her employees.

Assistant Nian, reviewing the boss’s schedule in the passenger seat, made adjustments and reported, “After consolidating your business trips next month, the family trip at the end of the year will be manageable. Regarding the matter you asked me to look into yesterday, I found that Miss Yuan saw Dr. Zou Hai, a specialist, and underwent a series of examinations.” Dr. Zou is a famous thoracic surgeon, a leading expert in lung surgery. Was there a problem with her lungs?

Assistant Nian hesitated before continuing, “It’s just that your schedule is too full, and you’ve been cutting down on sleep lately. Please take care of your health.” For some reason, Peng Cheng thought of someone who cut down on sleep even more drastically.

Assistant Nian suddenly received a call, and his expression changed drastically. “Director Peng, Miss He got into a fight and they’ve been taken to the police station. They’re asking you to go there now.” Peng Cheng didn’t even lift an eyelid. “Nian Ran.”

Assistant Nian felt a chill but forced himself to continue: “The fight was between Miss He and Miss Yuan.” “Who?” “…Miss Yuan.” Peng Cheng’s patience ran out. “I asked who hit whom.” “The police said it was mutual combat, in a public place, right downstairs from Qisheng Building.” Assistant Nian caught a glimpse of Peng Cheng’s expression and understood. He told the driver, “Turn around and head to the police station.”