No reconciliation, no forgiveness! Mr. Pei leaves with nothing.

Shen Yebai actually rejected the marriage alliance with the Mu family?

In her past life, Jiang Hua only knew about Shen Yebai from television news. Shen Yebai did indeed marry into the Mu family back then, and she vaguely remembered that the person's name seemed to be Mu Shiyue. Xu Xiangjun never appeared after that. She remembered finding Xu Xiangjun's pregnancy test results in the Wutong Mansion. That child was undoubtedly Shen Yebai's child, but Jiang Hua had not seen Xu Xiangjun since then. It was as if she had vanished without a trace, and she didn't know where she had gone.

No matter what, she is a child of the Shen family. It's not impossible for Shen Yebai to want her to give birth to her.

Now there's Mu Shiyue too. If she finds out about Xu Xiangjun... I'm afraid that neither of them are good people. They're fighting tooth and nail for a position. Jiang Hua has never had any interest in the position of the matriarch of the Shen family, mainly for this reason. It's not a good thing for a man to have too many women around him.

Just Song Qingran by Pei Zhan's side was enough to disgust her.

If there were other people, Jiang Hua would want to kill Pei Zhan. Even if there were other people, as long as he didn't bring them in front of her to disgust her, she could do whatever she wanted behind her back.

The Jiang family had no dealings with the Shen family, so the Jiang family didn't bother to find out more. She was plagued by illness and was frequently hospitalized, so she didn't have much time or energy to learn about other things.

The Mu family is clearly his best choice, so why should he refuse this marriage alliance?

Forget it, these are not things she can think about, they are none of her business. Shen Yebai can refuse, but he will change his mind later, or... he may already have a better choice in his heart.

Back in the hall, all the dishes had been served. Jiang Hua returned to her seat and sat down. Pei Zhan shamelessly sat down next to her. The space was large enough for four people to sit, but she didn't like him getting so close for no reason.

Jiang Hua repelled and loathed his approach, saying, "Get over there."

The waiter was also observant; he stepped forward and presented Pei Zhan with the silver cutlery.

"Why won't you let me announce our marriage? When does Mrs. Pei plan to make it public?"

"I have been waiting for you."

His voice was deep and affectionate.

She rushed to the hospital without eating lunch, and now she's genuinely hungry. As she cuts her steak, she's clearly emotional, recalling that intimate moment at the hospital…

She thought she could truly forget what happened between him and Song Qingran in their past life, but when they continued to be together, the thorns in Jiang Hua's heart would pierce her heart again, and she could never let go of them. She rarely opened her heart to anyone and gave all her feelings, only to be betrayed in the end.

Why should she bear all the pain from her past life alone?

Why should she be the only one with memories of her past life?

Pei Zhan, if you could also remember everything from your past life, and then remember the words "I love you" you said to me in this life, wouldn't you... also feel utterly disgusted with yourself?

Could it be that... he will repeat everything he did in his previous life, annexing the Jiang family, causing my family to be destroyed, and then continuing to be with Song Qingran!

Even if he really remembers, Jiang Hua is not afraid before he recalls everything. She has enough leverage. Even if they divorce, she can leave without any worries. At least... if she gets sick, she won't be unable to afford a bottle of heart medicine, and... she won't be unable to afford a doctor.

Anyway, once she finishes what she's doing, Jiang Hua will leave sooner or later.

The Jiang family's development has now stabilized, and Dad no longer has any concerns in the capital.

Thinking of all this, Jiang Hua completely erased any lingering feelings she had for Pei Zhan, feelings that were solely because of Ji Liangchuan.

Jiang Hua said to him in a calm tone, "Don't forget how you dealt with the Shen family when Bao'er bullied Song Qingran before."

"Conversely, how did you warn me?"

"Do you think Bao'er knows that we're getting married and that Song Qingran is a homewrecker? If Bao'er gets revenge for me and bullies Song Qingran again, I don't believe you can remain indifferent. Song Qingran's reputation will be ruined, and even Imperial University won't tolerate her. Will you just stand by and do nothing?"

"So Pei Zhan, when faced with all of this, the person you most want to protect is still her."

Jiang Hua looked into the man's deep eyes and quietly recounted everything. She tried to see through the emotions in his eyes, trying to capture something, but he hid it all so well that she couldn't see anything. With just that one glance, Jiang Hua was certain of her thoughts and felt no disappointment in him. As long as she cried, she could arouse his protective instincts towards Song Qingran. Song Qingran would always be his first choice.

"The word 'love' is superfluous between us."

"You know I don't love you."

"Keeping our secrets a secret will save me a lot of trouble, so why should I do something so pointless?"

So... this is all she was worried about?

The more silent he remained, the more convinced Jiang Hua became that she was right, and the more she believed that everything Pei Zhan had done to her before, including his confusing behavior, was just an act in front of her.

Jiang Hua's lips curled into a mocking smile as she looked away from him.

In terms of time, Pei Zhan had been providing Song Qingran with academic and financial support for a long time, and had known her for a longer period of time.

Jiang Hua had only known him for three or four years. Moreover, during those three or four years, he spent half of his time in close contact with Song Qingran at Fan Hua Shi Jin, as well as at the company. If we calculate the actual time they had spent together, it would only be a few hundred days.

If you count the year, Pei Zhan was either avoiding her or arguing with her.

Besides, Jiang Hua has never given him a kind look, unless... Pei Zhan is just being a jerk to fall in love with her!

Even if it is love, what he loves is only her face and her body. These are not love at all, but just... physical needs.

Pei Zhan: "She...is innocent."

"Yes, she's innocent! Now that you've admitted it, stop pretending about your feelings for her in front of me and stop talking about love."

"I don't need a relationship that isn't pure."

After lunch, Pei Zhan took Jiang Hua back to Yulong Bay.

Inside the car, Jiang Hua reminded him, "Remember to return my Ping An Fu (a type of amulet).

"it is good."

After watching Jiang Hua enter the villa, Pei Zhan drove away. After turning the corner, he didn't go straight back to the company, but instead went to the foot of Qingfeng Temple.

It's not too late to go up the mountain now.

As darkness fell completely, Pei Zhan did not pause for a moment. He took the final step, and an abbot in a red robe stood outside the golden hall, watching the person walk in step by step.

Pei Zhan never believed in ghosts or gods, let alone Buddhism, but even so, he still came.

"Esteemed benefactor, you are too late. If you wish to request a fortune telling, please come again tomorrow."

Pei Zhan ignored him and stepped directly into the main hall: "It's not too late if you're waiting."

"Oh? How did you know that the person I was waiting for was you?"

“If the master wasn’t waiting for me, he wouldn’t have told me I was late.”

"Esteemed benefactor, are you also here to seek peace and blessings?"

"Yes."

"What a coincidence! Not long ago, a gentleman also came to me seeking a peace and safety blessing, saying he wanted to give it to his beloved. So, for whom did this gentleman receive the peace and safety blessing?"

Pei Zhan said, "My wife."

"That gentleman knelt in the main hall for more than two hours, praying for peace and blessings for his loved one."

"Besides money, most people are troubled by marriage. I advise you, benefactor, that you cannot force anything. All marriages are predestined. You still have a way out if you turn back now. You... were born extraordinary. If you continue to force things, it will surely backfire."

"It seems the master knows quite a lot!"

"Didn't Ji Liangchuan tell the master that he would have to return what he stole sooner or later?!"

"Bitter fruit is still fruit!"

"So what if I forced you to?"

Pei Zhan descended the mountain and left Qingfeng Temple to return to Yulong Bay, arriving at midnight.

In the room with the bedside lamp on, Jiang Hua felt a cold touch caressing her face. She rubbed against his rough palm and soon fell asleep again.

The man's deep gaze was fixed on her, as if he had returned to the dark room fifteen or sixteen years ago, where he could only touch her to judge her appearance, just like now, but he could no longer feel anything.

Her hands and her face were so soft. Pei Zhan knew then that she was not an ordinary child, including her temper. At only five or six years old, she was already so arrogant and domineering. When she cursed, she did not care about anyone's feelings at all. Sometimes her curses were so harsh that they pierced the most vulnerable part of his heart, and Pei Zhan... did not want to pay attention to her.

"You're a good-for-nothing, a spineless coward. You deserve to live like a rat in this filthy, smelly place. You'll never amount to anything."

When she cries, she can cry for a long time...

To keep her quiet, Pei Zhan had no choice but to stay by her side.

"What Ji Liangchuan can do for you, Huahua... I can do too..."

Pei Zhan stayed by her bedside all night.

When Jiang Hua woke up, she felt something in her hand. When she picked it up, she found that it was a lucky charm that had been put into her hand at some point.

Pei Zhan arrived without Jiang Hua noticing...

But then I heard the sound of a car driving away downstairs.

Jiang Hua stood barefoot in front of the French windows. She parted the curtains and saw the blinding light shining into her eyes. She raised the back of her hand to shield her eyes from the light. After the car disappeared and left, she closed the curtains again.

...

Pei Zhan didn't go directly to the company, but instead went to the dilapidated building that had been booked. There was also a red Lamborghini parked downstairs.

Pei Zhan got out of the car and stepped into this terrifying and gloomy place. As he walked up the steps, a layer of dust rose from his feet.

On the third floor, a light was on. When people went inside, there were already people there. In front of the black and white photograph was a lily of the bellflower, which Zhou Xu loved most. Zhou Yan was burning paper money one after another. Looking at the people who came, she said, "Your ashes have been here for so many years. Weren't you planning to bury A-Xu?"

"The day will come soon, I'll go back to Wuchuan with you then."

Pei Zhan took out incense, lit it, and stuck it directly into the incense burner. The yellow paper money hanging on the roof brushed against the man's shoulder. A breeze blew in from outside the window, and the candles inside the room swayed slowly.

"No, if I suddenly leave the capital, she will become suspicious. I will have Xiang Nan bury A-Xu in my place."

Zhou Xu, who had been squatting, suddenly stood up. "You're not even going to care about Ah Xu's funeral?"

"Is it because you've found a substitute, and you don't even want Ah-Xu anymore?"

"Brother, Ah Xu loves you so much. Her accident happened because of you. How could you... not even care about what happens after she's gone!"

"How can you do this to Ah-Xu, who was so sincere to you?"

Zhou Yan's voice was urgent and chaotic. Clearly, Ah Xu was so important to him. He had carefully plotted his way into the Jiang family for Ah Xu's sake, all for revenge. Now... for Song Qingran, he didn't even care about personally burying Ah Xu!

What exactly did Song Qingran do to make him disregard even his feelings for Axu?

If he really has to give up one side, he should make a choice. If things continue like this, the rift between him and Huahua will never be eliminated.

He had no way to let Jiang Hua know about A Xu's existence, nor could he tell her why he placed Song Qingran in the Flourishing Flowers Garden.

He didn't want her to know that Zhou Xu's death was because of the Jiang family... and he dared not gamble on whether Jiang Hua could bear the consequences of knowing all this.

From beginning to end, it was Pei Zhan who didn't want to lose her...

He can bear all the infamy.

Even if it means betraying the kindness of the Zhou family.

The most conservative approach nowadays is to make everything from the past disappear completely, as if it never happened.

So she'll never know.

If it weren't for Ji Liangchuan, things shouldn't be like this between him and Huahua. Now there are too many barriers between them, and only a complete removal would be the best solution.

"My decision will not change. There is a nursing home abroad, and I will arrange everything."

"You're going to send Mom away?"

"Do you know what you're doing! Pei Zhan, have you forgotten the kindness the Zhou family showed you? Have you forgotten! Who brought you to the Zhou family back then?"

"It's Ah Xu, not Song Qingran! She's an imposter; she just happens to look like Ah Xu!"

"What makes you think it doesn't count, so it's invalid?!"

Zhou Yan's body trembled, her eyes suddenly reddened, and tears quickly welled up in her eyes.

Pei Zhan: "It has nothing to do with her."

Zhou Yan: "You came here just to hear her say these things, right?"

Pei Zhan: "I'm sorry."

As if he had made up his mind, the moment Pei Zhan turned to leave, Zhou Yan chased after him and hugged him from behind, saying, "Don't go, don't leave me and Mom behind."

"Brother, I'm begging you."

Pei Zhan didn't give her any response, pulled her hand away, and left without turning around.

Looking at his retreating figure, Zhou Yan's eyes were filled with malice, almost twisted with jealousy and on the verge of madness.

Song Qingran!

all because of you!

...

Pei Zhan got into the driver's seat, his phone suddenly vibrated, he held it to his ear to answer, gripped the steering wheel with one hand, stepped on the gas and drove away, "Speak."

"The news that Miss Song was dismissed by the Jiang family has been spread by someone, and now the media is reporting on it. Madam Bai just called, saying that she wants to ask Chairman Jiang for an explanation. At this time, Madam Bai has probably already rushed to Yulong Bay."