Chapter 39

Yi Huan: “What do we have to hide from you?”

Shang Heng: “Is my engagement with Ningning broken?”

Yi Huan: “How can it be broken when you’re not even here? That day, your grandfather apologized profusely before sending the Pei family away. He said that next time, he would definitely force you to break the engagement.”

Shang Heng didn’t believe her: “Then show me the engagement contract.”

Yi Huan was stunned. She remembered that at the annulment banquet, Shang Yanci had already crossed out Shang Heng’s name in the engagement contract with gold ink.

Yi Huan: “The engagement contract is with your grandfather. I wouldn’t dare to touch his bad luck now.”

Shang Heng pointed to the window: “Jumping from the third floor won’t kill you. You have to give me my phone and the engagement contract. Otherwise, I’ll jump from here and go find Ningning to explain everything in person.”

Yi Huan was about to collapse. She pulled at her hair and nodded in agreement: “Okay, wait here while I get the engagement contract.”

“Okay.” Shang Heng slowly walked back to the bed and sat down. His knees hadn’t recovered from kneeling for so long. Standing for a while made them feel like they were being pricked by needles.

Yi Huan found the engagement contract with Shang Heng’s name crossed out and quickly arranged for someone to forge an exact replica.

Half an hour later, Yi Huan, holding the forged engagement contract, knocked on Shang Heng’s door, walked in, and handed it to him.

Shang Heng took the engagement contract and gently ran his fingers over Pei Yuning’s name, a smile appearing on his face for the first time in days.

Yi Huan was terrified, afraid that he would notice something was wrong. She didn’t dare let him hold it for too long. She took back the engagement contract, rolled it up, and said, “You’ve seen it now. I have to put it back before your grandfather finds out.”

Shang Heng felt reassured: “Thank you, Mom.”

Yi Huan hid the forged engagement contract, changed the basin of warm water, wiped Shang Heng’s knees, and changed the bandage.

Yi Huan suddenly asked, “A Heng, does it have to be Pei Yuning?”

Shang Heng looked at the bruises on his knees and said softly, “Mom, I’m sincere about Ningning. What happened with Xu Wei wasn’t intentional. If I wanted to, I wouldn’t have made so many mistakes, allowing people to catch me. I know how unhappy you’ve lived your life. I won’t become another Shang Xuan.”

He wouldn’t let Pei Yuning become like his mother, a fool who waited day and night for her cheating husband to change his mind.

He wouldn’t let his future children become tools for comparison with illegitimate children like he was in his youth.

Yi Huan remained silent as she applied the medicine.

Outside the window, dark clouds covered the sun, pressing down heavily, making it difficult to breathe.

Shang Heng asked, “Are you going to torment each other for the rest of your lives?”

Yi Huan closed the medicine box, got up, and left.

Tan Jing Manor was bustling with guests, celebrating Old Master Shang’s 67th birthday.

Shang Yanci and Pei Yuning’s family drove over from Yu Hua Mingyuan.

Old Master Shang intentionally used this banquet as an opportunity to introduce Shang Yanci to Beijing’s high society. This time, he truly and completely handed over the power, ready to enjoy his retirement.

Pei Yuning offered her birthday greetings and presented a gift. Seeing Song Qingyi, she prepared to catch up with her friend.

Shang Yanci instructed, “There are many people at the banquet today. Don’t wander too far, let me see you.”

Pei Yuning agreed, “Okay.”

Pei Yuning walked over to Song Qingyi, touching her diamond earrings that reached her shoulders: “Qingqing.”

Song Qingyi looked up from her phone, picked up a glass of champagne, and handed it to her: “Ningning, where is your Mr. Shang?”

Pei Yuning took the champagne and sat down beside her: “Over there.”

Following the direction of Pei Yuning’s finger, Song Qingyi looked up. Among the crowd of CEOs with elevator shoes and beer bellies, Shang Yanci stood out in a tailored black suit. His shoulders were broad, his waist was tight, his pants were sharp, and his legs were long. He was truly a standout.

His features were exquisite and superior, and he wore a pair of gold-rimmed glasses on his high nose bridge. Through the thin lenses, he always maintained a sense of distance.

He looked like a cold and indifferent, noble authority figure, but in reality, he was a gentle and refined gentleman.

No matter who approached to chat, he treated them with courtesy, remaining calm and composed. He was at ease in the social scene, worldly-wise but not worldly.

Song Qingyi sighed, “I guess I understand why he could hook you so easily. This Mr. Shang, from his looks to his temperament, from his figure to his contrast, is exactly your type.”

Pei Yuning sipped her champagne, her eyes sparkling: “It’s just good luck.”

Shang Yanci seemed to have a strange attraction to her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have dreamed of him after only seeing his back once.

Song Qingyi asked curiously, “How far have you two gone?”

Pei Yuning said softly, “Be proper in public.”

“You’re already married, and you’re still so innocent?” Song Qingyi leaned in and asked, “Have you kissed?”

Pei Yuning nodded slightly.

Song Qingyi exclaimed excitedly: “Who initiated it?”

Pei Yuning: “Of course, it was him!”

Although she was about to be the one to initiate it.

Song Qingyi’s next question was even more explicit: “Have you two gone any further?”

Pei Yuning raised her hand as if to pinch her face, but she was worried about smudging her makeup, so she lowered her hand: “You need to wash your brain. What are you thinking?”

Song Qingyi: “You’re both adults. Should I ask you what one plus one equals? I’m concerned about your married life. Think about it, you two got the marriage certificate without any emotional foundation, and you started kissing after half a month. At this rate, you’ll be going all the way soon. What if he’s all looks and no substance? You should make plans early. You should leave if you need to leave. The harmony of married life is very important.”

Pei Yuning didn’t correct her on the timeline. They started kissing on the seventh day after getting their marriage certificate. Later, they kissed frequently, sometimes she initiated it, and sometimes Shang Yanci did.

As for Shang Yanci’s actual performance, she didn’t doubt it. After all, the outline she accidentally touched was quite impressive.

Seeing Pei Yuning not respond, Song Qingyi changed the subject: “Has Shang Heng contacted you again?”

Pei Yuning: “No, he’s probably afraid of Shang Yanci.”

Song Qingyi had a gut feeling that something was wrong, but Shang Heng couldn’t possibly still not know that Pei Yuning and Shang Yanci had gotten their marriage certificate. Everyone knew about it, and it was impossible to keep it a secret.

In a corner of the hall, the socialites who had been looking forward to Pei Yuning’s downfall were now quiet.

No one could compare to Shang Yanci in terms of looks and temperament.

“I wonder what good deeds Pei Yuning did in her past life to have such good luck this time. Shang Heng was already a standout among the younger generation. After the Xu Wei incident, everyone thought that Pei Yuning would be left alone after she broke off the engagement. But who knew she would be so sought-after because of her beauty?”

“Who wouldn’t be attracted to someone so beautiful? Her face is a magnet for men.”

“Did you notice the wedding ring on Pei Yuning’s finger? Purple-red diamond, there are only twenty carats in the world, and hers is five carats!”

“A one-carat pure red diamond sold for 150 million at the auction. Imagine the value of her five-carat purple-red diamond.”

“Maybe the wedding ring is just one of the benefits of Shang Yanci’s contractual marriage with Pei Yuning. After all, if he wants to completely control Shang Group, the Pei family is the best springboard.”

“But I heard that Shang Yanci’s Xinoel Group in France has higher annual revenue than Shang Group.”

“Who would complain about having too much money?”

“This family relationship is so messy. I can’t even imagine Shang Heng calling Pei Yuning ‘Auntie.'”

“How many wealthy families in Beijing have a clean family history? Who’s in a position to judge anyone else?”

“Shang Yanci has only been back in China for a while. How did he fall for Pei Yuning? Were they together before the engagement was broken off, or after?”

“Do you think Pei Yuning would give up Shang’s wealth and status? She probably hooked up with Shang Yanci before the engagement was broken off, which is why they went to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get their marriage certificate the next day.”

“I wonder what kind of agreement they made that made Shang Yanci so willing, not even worried about gossip.”

“Who would dare say anything to his face? They’re all too busy flattering him.”

“She’s just lucky. Even though her mother treated her badly when she was young, she still ended up with a great life.”

On the other side, Qi Yue leaned against the corner of the stairs, looking at Pei Yuning, radiant under the crystal chandelier. He was about to crush the wine glass in his hand.

Shang Heng seemed to have disappeared. He didn’t reply to messages or answer calls. No one could contact him.

He had been planning to instigate him to test Shang Yanci’s feelings for Pei Yuning, but now it seemed unnecessary. At least on the surface, they looked like a loving couple.

He had been so close to having Pei Yuning. Now, Shang Yanci had gotten there first. They must have slept together. In Shang Yanci’s eyes, Pei Yuning was no longer the pure and innocent moon in the sky.

But he had been longing for Pei Yuning for so long, it had become an obsession. However, Shang Yanci’s background was immeasurable. He had no chance of winning a head-on confrontation.

But wealthy couples never last. When they both get tired of each other, he can step in.

For now, they are deeply in love, so he has to wait.