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The clamorous commotion and the subsequent uproar intertwined in waves.
“Is what journalist Chen Shuyin reported true?”
“Can you provide a unified response to the recent rumors? Was the jellyfish disaster something you deliberately caused?”
“Did you publicly announce your relationship with journalist Chen Shuyin to cover up and divert attention from the truth?”
The clicking of cameras pushed the chaos inside the venue to new heights. Reporters jostled to rise on their toes, stretching their arms out to bring their microphones to Pei Yu’s lips, as if the true beginning of this grand event lay in who could first seize the chance to cut into Pei Yu, the prized “piece of meat.”
The glaring white flashes captured the excitement in every eye, their pupils dilating and contracting in clear detail.
At the center of it all, Pei Yu remained unshaken, his chin slightly raised as he looked down upon the crowd’s struggles with an unspoken authority. His gaze swept over the advancing and retreating microphones, his expression revealing nothing.
Only when a flicker of impatience crossed his eyes did he extend a hand, bending down to take a microphone from a reporter. The diamond ring on his left ring finger faced countless cameras and screens. As the noise gradually subsided, he finally spoke in a slow, deliberate tone:
“I understand everyone’s concerns. The Sishui River is the mother river of Tanzhu City, vital to every resident. The introduction of foreign dead jellyfish has caused significant damage and disrupted water usage for several days. I, too, am outraged by this.”
“From the moment the incident occurred, I have been cooperating with the police in their investigation. As for the various rumors circulating outside, the official statement will provide answers soon. I will not elaborate further at this event.”
His words were steady yet pressed forward quickly, as if eager to move past the subject.
“Lastly, Shuyin is my wife. But beyond that, she is also a journalist and the host of this event. I take full responsibility for what needs to be addressed, and I do not wish to see anyone making things difficult for her. I appreciate her courage and independence, which allowed me to remain calm during these anxious days of awaiting results and arrive here as soon as possible to give everyone an explanation.”
With that, he bowed slightly, returned the microphone, and was immediately surrounded by bodyguards who shielded him from all sides. Several live broadcasts were cut off midstream as plainclothes officers stepped forward, handcuffs at the ready, subduing Pei Wei, who had attempted to flee.
Reporters scattered, only to be intercepted one by one.
Pei Yu caught sight of a cylindrical object rolling across the floor. Raising his hand to halt his steps, he crouched down, picked it up along with a pair of double-layered gauze gloves, and tucked them into his suit pocket.
As the crowd dispersed, the vast seating area was left with only one person—Liu Yiran. She stood several meters away, her gaze filled with doubt.
“Fu Wencheng just told me that you were supposed to be locked up for at least another week.”
Pei Yu responded succinctly, “I can’t disclose that for now. Sorry.”
Liu Yiran shook her head. “Or is it that you don’t dare to disclose it?”
Though usually carefree and not particularly sharp, when it came to matters involving Chen Shuyin, she was strikingly perceptive.
“You’re gambling—gambling on what Shuyin would do.”
Pei Yu’s silence only confirmed her speculation.
“I knew it. Given your background, there’s no way you couldn’t have resolved this sooner. And yet, Shuyin was worried sick about you! Fu Wencheng’s help was wasted, too.” She was furious. “Do you even realize how much this approach has affected her career?”
In the backstage area, celebrities were being ushered out in an orderly manner, with rows of business cars driving away one after another. Only Pei Yu’s car remained stationary.
“Sister-in-law, have some tea to soothe your throat,” Zhou Qi said, turning on the air conditioning and carefully pushing the cup toward her, observing her reaction.
Chen Shuyin’s evening gown trailed along the floor, its length extending even further as she sat inside the spacious business vehicle. The white hem spread open, making her look like a serene lotus flower. Her expression was solemn, and since stepping into the car, she had been staring downward in contemplation.
The onboard screen broadcasted the latest footage of the event, repeating Pei Yu’s solemn voice across several channels.
Seeing that she remained unmoved, Zhou Qi chuckled awkwardly.
“Look at these people. Going on and on about the same thing—don’t they ever get tired? Brother Pei sure is making waves, haha, really making waves.”
Chen Shuyin glanced at the dazzling diamond on her finger, twisted the ring a few times, and felt it loosen slightly.
Zhou Qi swallowed nervously. “Sister-in-law, Brother Pei will explain everything to you in detail when he gets here—”
The car door was pushed open from the outside. Zhou Qi immediately quieted down, swallowing his words. “Brother Pei, I was just talking to sister-in-law.”
Pei Yu responded in a low voice, “Drive.”
Her phone, left unmuted, continued buzzing with gossip notifications. Messages poured in, but she made no move to turn them off. Instead, she stared vacantly at a fixed point. Even when he sat beside her, she did not react.
“Wife, it’s over.”
He draped a shawl over her exposed shoulders. “Let’s go home first.”
Chen Shuyin exhaled and lifted her contemplative gaze, scrutinizing the faintly joyous expression on his face. “Is it really over? I doubt it.”
Pei Yu stilled.
She continued, her tone calm but unwavering.
“After visiting the old house, I started feeling that something was off. Whether it was your aunt or your mother, they both nudged me in the same direction. Almost as if—”
Her eyelashes trembled with disbelief as she met his gaze.
“Almost as if someone was deliberately steering me toward the decision I was inclined to make, all the while testing whether I would resist it. Today, I thought you wouldn’t show up. I had no choice but to publicly acknowledge our relationship to silence the rumors and buy you more time. But you knew full well that I didn’t want to do that!”
Her voice quickened with frustration, becoming slightly incoherent. She steadied herself, skipping over unnecessary details, and got straight to the point.
“You had already secured a way to resolve this, didn’t you? You never needed me to step in at all.”
Pei Yu’s lips parted in surprise.
“I was right, wasn’t I?” She read his expression and scoffed coldly. “So, you watched me panic, worry, and suffer—all while keeping everything under your control. And you enjoyed that feeling, didn’t you?”