Chapter 026: This Restaurant Belongs to the Pei Family

Inside the private room, the lighting was dim and hazy, as if weighed down by the heavy atmosphere.

Jiang Junwen sat with a cold, brooding expression, like a volcano of ice on the verge of erupting.

He had just been through a fierce fight. The skin between his thumb and forefinger was split open from the force of his punch, and fresh blood slowly oozed out—alarming to look at.

His lip was also bruised from taking a solid punch, now slightly swollen and dark. The injury looked both painful and ugly.

A server brought over some ice and, with cautious hands, offered it to him to help reduce the swelling.

Li Wenyao and Yu Zhenghao stood off to the side. Their hands and necks bore scratches from the earlier brawl, though compared to Jiang Junwen, their injuries weren’t as noticeable—mainly because Jiang Junwen’s were on his face.

Without facial wounds, no one would have guessed they had just been in a fight.

Jiang Junwen casually tossed the ice onto the table. The crisp clink of it hitting the surface echoed harshly in the quiet room.

His face darkened further as he spoke coldly:
“She saw me get into a fight for her, saw me end up like this, and she didn’t even bring me any medicine.”

His tone was full of grievance and disappointment. Even the ice—someone else had brought it. Shen Qingli hadn’t shown up at all.

Jiang Junwen felt like a heavy stone was lodged in his chest.

His thoughts involuntarily drifted back to the same time in their past life. Back then, Shen Qingli used to cling to him.

Once, when he got injured, Shen Qingli had been so worried she nearly cried. Her eyes turned red, and tears welled up. In the end, she couldn’t hold them back.

She had rushed to buy medicine, then gently treated his wounds, her touch so careful, as if afraid to hurt him.

Even when he got harshly scolded by Gao Xianzhen, she would quietly wait for him outside, then gently comfort him when he came out—bringing him warmth.

At that time, she didn’t have a part-time job. Life was simple, and her heart and eyes were filled with only him.

A sudden wave of emotion surged through Jiang Junwen. Too much had changed in this life—everything was different from before.

Could it be… Shen Qingli, like him, was also reborn?

The thought came and went just as quickly.
No. Impossible.

He instinctively dismissed it. If she had been reborn, knowing how much she hated Gao Xianzhen, there was no way she’d still live in the Jiang household—let alone follow Gao Xianzhen’s orders.

Just then, Li Wenyao looked at Jiang Junwen, frowning slightly, and said in a low voice:
“Junwen, you really lost your temper today. You know, this restaurant belongs to the Pei family. If they report this incident to your father, it’ll be big trouble.”

His voice carried concern and a hint of reproach.

Jiang Junwen: “???”

His face froze, surprise flashing in his eyes.
“This restaurant is owned by the Pei family?”

Immediately, Pei Songjiang’s figure flashed through his mind. That Pei family? Could it be that Pei family?

Li Wenyao nodded.

His family had been in the restaurant business for generations, so he was familiar with all the major restaurant groups in Haicheng.

Lowering his voice, he explained:
“The Pei family’s main industries are AI and new energy. They’re huge in those sectors. But a few years ago, they suddenly expanded into the food and dining industry. I heard it’s because a younger member of the family was interested. This restaurant was funded by them. I’m not sure if it has anything to do with Pei Songjiang though.”

After all, Pei Songjiang’s surname was Pei too. Coincidences happen.

Yu Zhenghao frowned, hesitating:
“That can’t be right, can it? The Pei family’s business empire is massive and diverse. Would they really let a son study agriculture? I heard Pei Songjiang grows peanuts or something? That’s way too big a leap.”

In his mind, heirs of powerful families were expected to work in core industries—not something like agriculture. It was hard to imagine.

Li Wenyao rubbed his chin, thoughtful:
“That, I don’t know. Our family’s never had contact with the Peis.”

The Pei family wasn’t based in Haicheng—they were from Beicheng, with their main operations still centered there.

As Haicheng locals, Jiang Junwen and his friends had never interacted with Pei family members.

Still, in their hearts, they all doubted it could be the same Pei Songjiang.
What kind of top-tier family would let their heir study farming? It was practically unheard of.

After hearing this, Jiang Junwen suddenly stood up.

“I’m going to check something.”

With that, he quickly strode toward the private room’s door.

Once he left, the room fell into a moment of silence.

Yu Zhenghao looked at Li Wenyao and scratched his head.
“Wenyao, don’t you think Junwen’s acting weird about Shen Qingli?”

His eyes held a trace of curiosity.

Li Wenyao’s expression soured. He said with slight frustration:
“He can’t make up his mind between Shuyao and Qingli. He cares about both, can’t let go of either. If he keeps this up, he’ll lose them both—and regret it forever.”

There was a complex look in his eyes as he spoke, clearly disappointed in Jiang Junwen’s behavior.

Yu Zhenghao noticed and quietly sighed. It seemed Li Wenyao harbored some resentment toward Jiang Junwen too, though he said nothing more.

---

Meanwhile, in the staff changing room, Shen Qingli had just changed out of her uniform, folded it neatly, and stored it in her locker.

She gathered her things and was preparing to leave.

When she glanced at her phone, her brows furrowed.

Several unread messages had come in—from one of Jiang Junwen’s alternate WeChat accounts:

Jiang Junwen:
【Shen Qingli, where did you run off to?】

【Are you still in touch with Pei Songjiang? Did he help you get this part-time job?】

【Don’t take the bus anymore! I’ll have Uncle Shen drive you to and from school!】

…

Shen Qingli looked at the messages, confused and a bit speechless.

In her past life, Jiang Junwen had always looked down on her. He’d even cruelly accused her of trying to seduce him just by riding in the same car.

And now?

She stopped riding with him—and he still wasn’t satisfied?

And what was with the sudden mention of Pei Songjiang?

What did this have to do with Senior Pei?

She shook her head helplessly, put her phone away, and walked out of the restaurant.