Chapter 17

“President Pei’s arrival is truly an honor.”

A male voice suddenly rang out. Yun Yin turned toward the sound and saw someone she was deeply reluctant to encounter.

Zhou Wenze strolled leisurely toward Cheng Wenwen, a gentle smile gracing his face. “Miss Cheng, are you alright?”

Cheng Wenwen shook her head, her voice tinged with shyness. “I’m fine.”

“That’s good to hear.” Zhou Wenze then turned to Yun Yin, his tone familiar. “A Yin, long time no see.”

One might have thought they were close friends.

As expected, Zhou Wenze’s words drew subtle glances from the surrounding crowd, their eyes darting between the trio as they secretly assessed the situation.

A soft murmur rippled through the air.

“I heard Pei Yu is dating the eldest daughter of the Yun Family.”

“Which Yun Family?”

“The Yuncheng Group’s Yun Family.”

“No wonder Yuncheng recently secured a partnership with Yujiang. So that’s the reason.”

“Then why is Zhou Wenze trying to get involved?”

“…”

Even Pei Yu beside her watched with an unhurried air, as if waiting for her reaction.

After a moment, Yun Yin raised a delicate eyebrow, feigning confusion. “President Zhou, I don’t believe we’re acquainted, are we?”

The unspoken message hung in the air: What’s with this “long time no see”?

“A Yin, you’re angry with me,” Zhou Wenze said, subtly frowning as he felt the intensifying gazes around them. Yet he maintained his gentle smile.

“Why would I be angry?” Yun Yin asked, her expression serene. “What relationship do I have with President Zhou?”

Fortunately, few people knew about the original owner’s infatuation with the male lead. Otherwise, extricating herself from this situation would have been far more difficult.

Zhou Wenze’s face darkened momentarily. Then, as if struck by a sudden thought, he forced his fake smile back into place and spoke softly, “I was merely concerned for Miss Yun.”

“Is that so?” Yun Yin retained her haughty demeanor, her gaze sweeping between him and Cheng Wenwen. “Don’t you think your concern is rather excessive?”

As she finished, Zhou Wenze’s eyes betrayed a flicker of confusion. For a moment, he couldn’t discern whether she was being sincere or sarcastic.

It must be because Pei Yu is here that Yun Yin has to act this way.

That has to be it.

He had intended to embarrass Pei Yu, but he had misjudged Yun Yin’s reaction. In the end, it was he who found himself humiliated.

Realizing his mistake, Zhou Wenze gritted his teeth, suppressed his emotions, and spoke again, “My apologies for intruding. I won’t disturb Miss Yun any further.”

After Zhou Wenze left, Cheng Wenwen, feeling utterly awkward watching the exchange, abandoned her attempts at conversation and hastily excused herself.

Now, only Yun Yin and Pei Yu remained in the small space.

“You’re hurting me,” Yun Yin murmured, her peach blossom eyes lowered, her brow furrowed slightly, her earlier composure gone.

Pei Yu’s large hand still firmly encircled her waist. With a slight tightening of his arm, he could easily pull her completely into his embrace.

Yun Yin wore no perfume, but a unique, natural, and delicate fragrance clung to her skin, its subtle undertones detectable only at close proximity.

Responding to her complaint, Pei Yu’s lips curved into a smile, his dark eyes deepening. He maintained his hold, subtly tightening his arm to draw her closer. “Is this so bad?”

Of course it’s bad.

Yun Yin nearly blurted out the words, but when she met Pei Yu’s fathomless gaze, she silently swallowed them back.

She was certain that if she hadn’t promptly distanced herself from Zhou Wenze, Pei Yu might have snapped her waist in two.

Pei Yu lowered his gaze, meeting hers.

They stared at each other in an intimate and ambiguous pose.

Pei Yu’s gaze was unreserved, his ink-black eyes filled with possessiveness and…

a deep possessiveness.

Yun Yin’s pupils widened slightly, her lips parting as if startled.

She knew this possessiveness had nothing to do with affection; it was purely driven by his interest.

After a moment, Yun Yin averted her gaze, pressed her lips together, and said awkwardly, “I haven’t accepted your advances.”

“So?”

Yun Yin took a deep breath, feeling her heart skip a beat. “So you should let me go.”

A low chuckle rumbled above her, making her ears flush. She tilted her head to escape, only to realize Pei Yu had already released her.

After this brief interlude, no one else disturbed them.

At the banquet, Yun Yin felt full after sampling a few desserts. Her eyes lingered on the wine glasses on the table, a faint temptation stirring within her.

The pale pink liquid swirled in the glass, its elusive aroma like a series of hooks, gently tugging at her senses.

Due to her delicate health, Yun Yin had never tasted wine before transmigrating into the book, even by the time she turned twenty.

She had read countless books, watched countless movies, and listened to countless songs and folk tunes, where wine often served as a central symbol.

She longed to know what that endlessly depicted wine truly tasted like.

Human nature is such that the more something is forbidden, the more it sparks curiosity, tempting one to try it.

In this life, the original owner’s body wasn’t as frail as Yun Yin’s had been before her transmigration. Moreover, according to the original owner’s memories, she had drunk wine before. A small sip now shouldn’t be a problem.

With this thought, Yun Yin tugged at Pei Yu’s sleeve. “I want to drink this.”

Pei Yu followed her gaze to the bottle of wine on the table, his eyebrow arching slightly. “You want to drink?”

“Mhm,” Yun Yin nodded, her eyes sparkling.

“Your body can’t handle alcohol.” Pei Yu rejected her without hesitation.

“It’s okay,” Yun Yin insisted, shaking the hand still clutching his sleeve. Her voice softened, the last syllable drawn out in a playful whine, as if she were teasing him. “I just want a taste. I won’t drink too much.”

Pei Yu rejected her again without hesitation. “No.”

Rejected, Yun Yin released his sleeve and fell silent.

If he won’t let me have it, fine. I’ll just get it myself after he leaves.

With this thought, Yun Yin’s gaze toward the wine glass grew increasingly fervent.

Pei Yu, of course, saw through her little scheme. He spoke preemptively, “Don’t even think about sneaking a drink later.”

“I wasn’t! I just…” Under the man’s deep, penetrating gaze, Yun Yin’s voice trailed off.

“Just what?”

“I just… suddenly don’t want it anymore.” Yun Yin truly gave up this time, reluctantly tearing her eyes away from the wine glass.

After a while, Yun Yin grew restless and listless.

“Pei Yu, I want to go outside for some fresh air.”

Knowing she was bored, Pei Yu didn’t stop her. “Go ahead, but don’t wander too far.”

Behind the grand hall lay a small garden. The clamor of the banquet had begun to irritate Yun Yin, so she sought refuge in the open air.

Unbeknownst to her, shortly after she left the hall, someone followed.

Yun Yin didn’t venture far, stopping at a pavilion not far from the hall.

“Why are you following me?”

Yun Yin had sensed someone trailing her as soon as she left the hall.

Sure enough, Zhou Wenze emerged from the shadows.

Seeing Yun Yin treat him like a stranger made Zhou Wenze’s anger simmer, but he maintained his composure. “A Yin, are you blaming me?”

Not again.

Yun Yin felt a surge of irritation, her expression turning cold. “I told you not to call me A Yin. Do you not understand? Besides…”

“We’re over.”

Zhou Wenze’s mind went blank at Yun Yin’s merciless words. How could this be?

She wasn’t speaking in anger; she had truly resolved to sever all ties with him.

Remembering the half-truths and rumors circulating outside, Zhou Wenze’s face darkened.

Yun Yin hadn’t intended to confront the male lead so soon, but his repeated attempts at manipulation had grown tiresome.

Acting alone with the villain was exhausting enough; she had no desire to play out some melodramatic romance with the male lead.

Regaining his composure, Zhou Wenze stepped forward, his gaze fixed on Yun Yin’s face. Seeing the cold indifference there, his carefully maintained rationality began to crumble. Through gritted teeth, he demanded, “Why?”

Why?!

Zhou Wenze had never been sincere with the original owner of Yun Yin’s body. His kindness had only been a means to exploit her connections and benefits. Later, when she lost her usefulness, she too had asked him, “Why?”

His reply had been:

“You were nothing more than a pawn from the very beginning.”

Why would sincerity be necessary for a pawn?

Tragically, the original owner, clever in so many ways, had failed to grasp this fundamental truth until the very end.

Recalling the plot from the novel, Yun Yin suddenly said casually, “Xu Ruoyou is back in the country.”

I’m sorry, Xu Ruoyou!

“How do you know?” A flicker of panic crossed Zhou Wenze’s face.

“Don’t you like her?”

Zhou Wenze instinctively denied it. “I don’t.”

Yun Yin lifted her eyelids and gave a sudden smile, though her eyes remained devoid of warmth. “Are you sure you don’t like her?”

“I…” Zhou Wenze opened his mouth, but no coherent words came out.

He didn’t know how Yun Yin had found out about Xu Ruoyou’s existence, but given her personality, he feared she would target her.

“She has nothing to do with you,” he said.

“That’s true,” Yun Yin paused, as if considering her words. After a moment, she spoke slowly, “But you know I’ve always been a bit petty, haven’t I?”

Recalling Yun Yin’s past actions, Zhou Wenze nearly lost control of his expression, but he managed to suppress his emotions. “Is this about Ruoyou?”

As he said this, Zhou Wenze seemed to understand. Yun Yin’s explosive temper must stem from jealousy; otherwise, she wouldn’t suddenly want to sever ties with him.

But he wouldn’t abandon Ruoyou for her.

“If I said no, would you believe me?” Yun Yin thought to herself, speechless. This male lead really knows how to overthink.

“Then what’s the reason?” Zhou Wenze pressed, refusing to let go of the question.

Yun Yin decided to end the matter once and for all. “I just realized Pei Yu isn’t so bad after all.”

Zhou Wenze’s expression crumbled instantly, replaced by disbelief.

He knew Pei Yu harbored feelings for Yun Yin; otherwise, he wouldn’t have allowed her to stay by Pei Yu’s side.

“Do you really think Pei Yu genuinely cares for you?” Zhou Wenze stared intently at Yun Yin’s face, searching for any hint of deception.

To his disappointment, Yun Yin’s expression remained unchanged. “I don’t care,” she replied.

What a show of indifference.

A wave of frustration surged in Zhou Wenze’s chest, choking him. He glared resentfully at Yun Yin, who remained utterly composed.

“You didn’t like me either,” Yun Yin said. “So, are you regretting it now?”

Her words finally snapped Zhou Wenze out of his daze, forcing him to realize that Yun Yin had truly slipped beyond his control.

“Aren’t you afraid Pei Yu will find out what you’ve done?” Zhou Wenze took a deep breath, struggling to suppress his anger.

Yun Yin scoffed, feigning concern. “I’m not afraid, but I’m sure President Zhou wouldn’t want his hard-won project to be jeopardized, would he?”

It was a threat.

Zhou Wenze fell silent. Yun Yin was right; he couldn’t afford to expose her. He had witnessed Pei Yu’s ruthless nature firsthand—a man who held grudges and retaliated mercilessly. If Pei Yu learned of Zhou Wenze’s schemes, both Yun Yin and he would suffer the consequences.

For now, he was no match for Pei Yu. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have resorted to such underhanded tactics for a mere project.

Zhou Wenze understood the stakes perfectly, and Yun Yin clearly did too.

Without waiting for his response, Yun Yin stepped back, turned, and walked past him without a backward glance.

For the time being, Zhou Wenze would likely leave her alone.

As Yun Yin departed, a figure lurking in the shadows also turned and left the small garden, leaving Zhou Wenze alone in the pavilion.