He lured her deep into his trap, using both overt and covert methods to seduce her.

Seeing that Song Zhi remained silent, Pei Jinnian knew perfectly well that she had tacitly agreed.

He suddenly reached out and grabbed Song Zhi's wrist tightly, pulling her forcefully in front of him. His face was so dark it seemed like it could drip water as he stared intently at her.

"Does Fu Lu know how much you've flattered and fawned over me all these years?"

Upon hearing this, Song Zhi's breath caught in her throat. She abruptly pulled her hand back and asked impatiently, "Pei Jinnian, what exactly do you want?"

Pei Jinnian sneered and said casually, "Come back to my side."

Song Zhi's body stiffened abruptly, and she stared at him in disbelief.

Pei Jinnian's expression was somewhat unnatural, and his tone was particularly stiff when he spoke.

“Song Zhi, I admit that I’m having a hard time adjusting without you by my side. If you come back to me, I’ll forgive and forget what happened before.”

Song Zhi frowned deeply, looking at Pei Jinnian as if he were an idiot.

"Where's Meng Huan? What, bored with her?"

“If you mind, I’ll cut ties with her completely, since my mom doesn’t approve of me being with her anyway.”

Song Zhi didn't speak, but just stared at him quietly.

Seeing that she remained silent, Pei Jinnian irritably took out his cigarette case, pulled out a cigarette, and put it in his mouth.

He then lit a cigarette with a lighter, took a deep drag, and said, "We'll be the same as before."

Song Zhi frowned in disgust when she smelled the smoke he exhaled.

Fu Lu also smokes, but his cigarettes have a faint strawberry scent, unlike Pei Jinnian's which is pungent and unpleasant.

She took two steps back in disgust and said coldly, "Pei Jinnian, you really think highly of yourself?"

Pei Jinnian abruptly stopped smoking, his eyes narrowing slightly: "What do you mean by that?"

Now that you know you're just a substitute, do you think I'd ever turn back?

When Song Zhi said this, there was a hint of sarcasm in her tone.

"Song Zhi, you promised me you would always stay by my side. Don't even think about going back on your word."

Pei Jinnian's words were piercing, filled with rage.

Song Zhi raised an eyebrow indifferently: "Oh? Then go ahead and sue me."

Looking at Song Zhi's indifferent expression, Pei Jinnian's face instantly turned ashen, and his chest heaved like waves. He was clearly furious at Song Zhi's nonchalant attitude.

After a long pause, he laughed in a fit of rage, a laugh that seemed to be squeezed out from between his teeth.

“Song Zhi, do you think you can be with Fu Lu just because he’s back? What’s his status, and what is yours?”

Only I can tolerate a family like yours. If I remember correctly, your father is still in a nursing home and needs to pay high medical expenses every month.

Your mother is now completely neglecting your father and spending all her money on your younger brother. Do you think your father will be able to continue living like this once the medical expenses run out at the end of the month?

Song Zhi's hands, hanging at her sides, were clenched tightly, her knuckles turning white.

It turns out that Pei Jinnian knew everything.

Knowing her difficult situation, knowing her hardships, knowing her urgent need for money, yet never thinking of extending a helping hand to her.

Song Zhi raised her eyes and stared at him.

Suddenly, she let out a cold laugh: "So, Pei Jinnian, you're trying to use my father to blackmail me now? Just like your mother, are you?"

Pei Jinnian frowned: "What do you mean, 'like my mom'? What did my mom say to you?"

Song Zhi said with a mocking smile, "You two are truly mother and son; your methods are exactly the same. You both use my father to intimidate me."

Upon hearing this, Pei Jinnian's pupils contracted sharply.

He had no idea that his mother had done such a thing.

He had always believed that Song Zhi stayed by his side because his mother gave her money to monitor him.

I never imagined there were any other hidden stories.

If that's really the case, then haven't I been misunderstanding Song Zhi all these years?

"My mom threatened you? When did that happen?"

He pressed for more information.

Song Zhi did not answer, but instead asked, "Pei Jinnian, regardless of whether I see you as a substitute or not, I haven't treated you too badly these past three years, have I?"

Pei Jinnian stared at her blankly, remaining silent.

Undoubtedly, Song Zhi treated him very well over the past three years.

It was so good that he suspected there might be something mixed in with it.

At first, he only had doubts, but later, after seeing Song Zhi and her mother walk out of a restaurant side by side, he suddenly realized the truth.

Song Zhi's kindness towards me was for ulterior motives.

Seeing Pei Jinnian remain silent, Song Zhi spoke again: "I have stayed by your side for the past three years without spending a penny of your money or causing you any loss."

So, I'm begging you, please don't show your face in front of me again. Wouldn't it be better if we just ended things like this?

Pei Jinnian snapped out of her daze and refused without even thinking.

He couldn't imagine how difficult life would be without Song Zhi in his life.

In the days since, he has felt extremely uncomfortable without the person who took care of him and disciplined him in every detail.

Song Zhi was speechless for a moment, and muttered to herself that this madman in front of her was simply incorrigible.

She really didn't want to waste her breath on Pei Jinnian, so she turned around and walked towards the door of the private room.

Just as he reached the door, Pei Jinnian's deep voice drifted over.

"If you don't want Fu Lu to know about us, either stay away from him or obediently come back to my side."

Song Zhi paused slightly in her grip on the doorknob, then turned to look at Pei Jinnian with a hint of disbelief in her eyes.

"You...you're threatening me?"

Pei Jinnian's lips curled up slightly, revealing a sly smile: "Zhizhi, what do you think Fu Lu's reaction would be if he found out? Would he still accept you?"

Song Zhi paused.

She never thought about being with Fu Lu; after all, over the years, her sharp edges had been smoothed out.

She no longer has that drive to fight for someone; now she just wants to work hard, earn money, and hope that her father can recover soon.

"He's not you."

Song Zhi said softly.

Pei Jinnian's face darkened instantly, but he said nonchalantly, "Even if Lawyer Fu can accept it, what about the Fu family? Can they accept a family like yours?"

Fu Lu has just returned to China and has not yet established himself in the Fu Group. Do you think he is capable of protecting you?

Zhizhi, don't be silly anymore. Fu Lu's future path is the same as mine. He will marry a wealthy heiress of equal social standing, and not..."

Before he could finish speaking, Song Zhi interrupted him without hesitation.

“Pei Jinnian, now that you know the path you want to take, why are you still making a fuss? Don’t you think you’re being despicable?”

Faced with Song Zhi's sarcasm, Pei Jinnian was not angry, but patiently said, "Are you satisfied now? If not, keep cursing."

Song Zhi remained silent.

Just as I was about to speak, my phone rang in my bag.

Song Zhi picked up her phone and saw that it was Fu Lu calling.

When Pei Jinnian saw the caller ID on the phone screen, he took advantage of Song Zhi's inattention and snatched the phone from her hand...