Chapter 14: I Misjudged People

Pei Nian stiffened at first, then relaxed. After the man behind her let go, she quickly turned around and saw a familiar face through the duckbill cap. "Brother?"

Pei Ji pursed his lips and grabbed her arm. "Come with me." With that, he took her away.

Half an hour later.

In an old residential building.

Pei Nian frowned and stared at Pei Ji, who was standing by the window. She frowned and asked, "Where have you been for these three years? Do you know that Dad has been sending people everywhere to look for you?"

Pei Ji looked out at the noisy alley and said in a low voice, "I know."

When Pei Nian heard him respond so confidently, she choked up a bit.

Pei Ji then extinguished his cigarette and asked her, squinting, "How did you get involved with that Fu guy?"

At the mention of this, Pei Nian's eyes darkened, and she said in a self-deprecating voice, "It's because I don't judge people well."

Pei Ji fell silent for a moment, then patted her head and comforted her, "It's okay. I'm back now, and I won't let you suffer this injustice."

When Pei Nian heard this, she immediately looked up at him with a frown and asked, "Brother, what are you going to do? Don't forget your current identity. Don't do anything reckless..."

The reason why Pei Ji left Chongcheng back then was because of a hit-and-run accident while driving under the influence. If he were to show up now, the police would surely arrest him immediately.

Pei Ji, however, raised an eyebrow and asked back, "What, do you still think your brother is as reckless as he was back then?"

Pei Nian choked up again and then looked at him with a complex gaze. "Brother, let's forget about the past and start a new life as a family of three now that you're back, okay?"

But Pei Ji was not going to give up. He asked sternly, "Do you really just let that man treat you like that and forget about it?"

Pei Nian immediately refuted, "I didn't forget. I just..."

Pei Ji interrupted her, "It's okay, you don't have to worry about it. I'll arrange for someone to send you and Dad away, and I'll take care of him."

Pei Nian resolutely refused, "No, you can't."

Pei Ji suddenly looked obscure and unclear at her.

Pei Nian reminded him, "Brother, don't forget that Dad has just finished his surgery. How can you leave at this time?"

Pei Ji's face relaxed a little when he heard her words, but his tone still brooked no argument. "Then wait until I meet with my father and see his situation before making a decision."

Pei Nian saw his resolute attitude and knew she couldn't persuade him at the moment.

After discussing it with her brother, Pei Ji escorted her back home.

He promised her, "Wait a little longer. Big brother guarantees that you won't have to endure too long by his side..."

Pei Nian smiled wryly at his words, but she didn't know how to explain to him.

In fact, being by Fu Yanchen's side was not as unbearable as he imagined. He had not done anything to her.

But she knew that Pei Ji wouldn't believe these words if she said them. He might even think she was siding with Fu Yanchen.

So she decided to remain silent.

As night fell, Pei Nian returned to Qin Garden.

As she entered the hall, she noticed that the house seemed unusually quiet tonight, and there was no sign of Yun, the housekeeper.

Seeing this scene, Pei Nian felt an inexplicable sense of anxiety.

She went upstairs to the second floor, but it was just as quiet, and there was not a soul in sight.

It was strange that the entire villa was empty.

This made her even more uneasy.

Just then, a low voice sounded from behind her. "You're back?"

Pei Nian froze at the sound and turned around to see Fu Yanchen staring at her from somewhere she didn't know.

Pei Nian felt a little uneasy as she met his deep and mysterious eyes, but remained calm on her face as she asked, "Why is no one at your home?"

He walked up to her nonchalantly and replied, "Aunt Yun had something to take care of at home, so she took the afternoon off."

"I see." Pei Nian realized that she had been overthinking things.

Unconsciously, she let out a sigh of relief.

Fu Yan Chen noticed her reaction and a hint of something flickered in his eyes. He asked her, "You've been at the hospital all day today?"

Trying to sound as calm as possible, Pei Nian replied, "Yes, but I went to the park for a walk in the afternoon."

Fu Yan Chen curled his lips and said, "I see."

With that, he left a cryptic comment and went into the bedroom.

Pei Nian was left standing there alone.

She couldn't put her finger on it, but something about Fu Yan Chen tonight didn't feel quite right.

She hoped it was just her imagination.

She turned around and followed him into the bedroom.

Later that night, after washing up, Pei Nian lay in bed ready to sleep.

Fu Yan Chen emerged from the bathroom and sat on the edge of the bed, instructing her, "Come and dry my hair."

Pei Nian was surprised by his sudden request. Up until now, they had always maintained a strictly professional relationship.

"Isn't there a hairdryer in the bathroom?" she asked.

"But I want you to do it," he insisted.

Pei Nian looked into his eyes and finally realized that he was doing it intentionally.

After a moment of hesitation, she got out of bed and went over to him, taking the towel from his hand and starting to dry his hair.

Fu Yan Chen closed his eyes and enjoyed the sensation.

Suddenly, without warning, he asked, "Pei Nian, now that your father has recovered, are you thinking of leaving me?"

Pei Nian's movements faltered, not expecting him to bring up this topic so suddenly. She quickly regained her composure and answered in a flat tone, "I've already signed a one-year contract with you. Where would I go?"

Hearing her response, Fu Yan Chen pulled a slight smile and said in an emotionless voice, "It seems you already have a plan."

Pei Nian furrowed her brow. She couldn't shake off the feeling that every word he had spoken tonight was insincere and had a hidden meaning.

She didn't know if he had noticed something or if it was something else that had made him act this way.

Fu Yan Chen opened his eyes and gestured for her to stop, "That's enough."

Pei Nian stopped and was about to take the towel to the bathroom when she felt her wrist being held. She looked over to him and asked, "Is there anything else?"