Chapter 106

The once spacious carriage became a bit crowded with the addition of Pei Jian.

“Elder Sister?” Zhou Yanli’s expression was slightly unpleasant, but he was skilled at enduring and unwilling to lose composure in front of Nianxi. Thus, he did not look at Pei Jian but directed a slightly puzzled question at Nianxi.

Before Nian Xi could respond, Pei Jian spoke first, “Pei Jian, a fellow classmate of Nianxi’s… elder brother.” He deliberately phrased it ambiguously, and sure enough, Zhou Yanli’s face revealed a look of disgust.

When Zhou Yanli looked at him, his gaze was filled with undisguised hostility and, beyond Nianxi’s sight, an intense aggressiveness.

People of the same kind always recognize each other’s scent. This fellow’s feelings for Nianxi were anything but shallow.

“So, you’re Brother Wen’s classmate. I’m Zhou Yanli. A pleasure to meet you.” Zhou Yanli spoke with a tone of humility, but his gaze told a completely different story.

Nianxi didn’t intend to involve herself. She didn’t think that two people with no prior connection would harbor any hostility. However, the moment Pei Jian stepped into the carriage, she could feel the aura Zhou Yanli exuded—completely different from his harmless demeanor in front of her.

The three of them had no common topics to discuss, so Nianxi simply picked up some pastries from the table and began to nibble on them.

Pei Jian glanced downward and smiled, saying, “Pea cakes? Weren’t you not fond of this dessert, finding it too dry?”

Pea cakes used to be Nianxi’s favorite treat, but her tastes had changed many years ago—something Zhou Yanli was unaware of.

Nianxi did not deny it. “I occasionally have a taste.”

Zhou Yanli, however, changed his expression. “Sister, I didn’t know. I thought you were still the same as before. Please don’t be mad at me.”

Nianxi suddenly smiled and softly said, “Why would I be mad about this? You didn’t know.”

Zhou Yanli was visibly affected by her casual “didn’t know,” his expression shifting several times. In this year away from his sister, she had changed significantly. He didn’t even understand why Nianxi was so familiar with the man in front of her. But soon enough, he smiled innocently and harmlessly again, “That’s good then. I still remember when I went to the wrong pastry shop and brought back desserts you didn’t like. Sister, you ignored me for days.”

Nianxi could hardly recall these. But Zhou Yanli’s overly good temper had made her all the more willful—such things were likely something she had done.

“In the past, I was naughty and immature. Let’s not bring these things up anymore.”

These embarrassing memories were truly mortifying for the present-day Nianxi.

Zhou Yanli glanced subtly at Pei Jian and obediently said, “I’ll listen to Sister.”

Pei Jian lowered his gaze, the smile not reaching his eyes. What a truly “pure-hearted and naive” good younger brother.

This was the same person who had schemed against him in the court, employing endless tricks and ruthless tactics—yet could still display such “innocence and sincerity.”

A commendable effort, truly moving.

Feigning nonchalance, Pei Jian asked, “Nianxi, since when did you have such an obedient younger brother? How come I never knew?”

He was alluding to a past life known only to the two of them, but to Zhou Yanli, the “outsider,” the question seemed full of implications.

In that past life, Nianxi had devoted all her attention to Pei Jian. Zhou Yanli had visited her house several times, but she had always been indifferent and never paid him much attention, eventually cutting off contact.

It wasn’t until they met again years later at a banquet, when Nianxi and Pei Jian had become mere strangers, that Zhou Yanli even came to know her better.

Nianxi had no interest in revisiting the past, nor did she wish to hear Pei Jian’s cryptic and layered words. Raising her head, she glanced over with an indifferent gaze, her expression as calm and composed as ever.

Pei Jian paused for a few breaths. Understanding the meaning behind her gaze, he said no more, and the carriage fell into silence.

In truth, Pei Jian was far from as calm and composed as he appeared in front of Nianxi. On the contrary, he was deeply unsettled. He had never imagined that Zhou Yanli and Nianxi would interact in such a manner.

Pei Jian knew Nianxi well—his wife was a kind-hearted soul. That’s why he preferred to freeze outside rather than wait in the carriage. He knew his tactic of playing the victim would surely work.

Calculating human emotions. Was it despicable? Perhaps a little. But he only wanted to win back his wife’s affection.

Zhou Yanli, however, was a true scoundrel. He had approached Nianxi by feigning weakness—how despicable!

Zhou Yanli and Gu Ci were entirely different kinds of people. He lacked Gu Ci’s integrity. Such a man had no moral bottom line!

From this, it could be inferred that in their past life, in places he hadn’t noticed, Zhou Yanli must have done something else.

For Nianxi, he could never be content with merely silently guarding her. The reason he hadn’t succeeded was simply because Nianxi had never given him the opportunity!

No, no—Zhou Yanli hadn’t been completely without chances.

Back then, Nianxi had already rejected him and sought a divorce. If she hadn’t fallen ill, hadn’t been poisoned, and had lived on, would things have turned out differently?

Pei Jian couldn’t bear to continue that line of thought.

It was undoubtedly the greatest irony for him. While he had been neglectful of his wife at home, blind and oblivious, pouring all his energy into government affairs, someone had been lurking in the shadows, eyeing his household, eyeing his family. He hadn’t just failed to protect Nianxi once, leading to her poisoning and death.

No, long before that, he had consistently and repeatedly failed to protect her.

Pei Jian was completely consumed by guilt, despair, and even self-loathing. It wasn’t until Nianxi called his name several times that he snapped out of it.

“What?”

“What’s wrong with you? You look so pale,” Nianxi’s gaze was filled with concern, her voice soft and warm, like a gentle hot spring washing over his icy, numb body, bringing him a sense of human warmth. “Was it because you were outside in the cold for too long just now?”

“It’s nothing, thank you.” He looked up at her, his dark eyes filled with an intense, indescribable emotion. He repeated, “Nianxi, thank you.” His wife was truly remarkable.

Pei Jian had always thought it was he who protected his wife, but hadn’t Nianxi also been protecting him in ways he couldn’t see?

In her past life, she had been so pitiful, dying in pain and loneliness. Yet, after being reborn, she hadn’t wallowed in self-pity or been consumed by hatred. Instead, she lived each day with purpose. She was truly wise and magnanimous. She was willing to show concern even toward someone like him, who had failed her. Now that he thought about it, when he had heard of his wife’s death and was reborn after vomiting blood, wasn’t that also a gift from fate?

He was luckier than anyone.

Gu Ci or Zhou Yanli? He had spent more time by Nianxi’s side than either of them.

Nianxi, unaware of the storm raging in Pei Jian’s heart, noticed they were nearing the city and asked, “Where should I drop you off?”

Without hesitation, Pei Jian replied, “I have some business with Jinghe. I’ll get off with you.”

Zhou Yanli glanced at him, and Pei Jian met his gaze unflinchingly. Their eyes locked in midair. Both could see the unyielding hostility in each other’s eyes.

Several rounds of silent confrontation sparked between them, but before Nianxi could notice, it all settled back into calm.

The carriage entered Yiqiao Street and stopped in front of the Wen residence. Both Pei Jian and Zhou Yanli stood up at the same time, each wanting to step out first and help Nianxi down.

They were almost the same height. However, Pei Jian, being a few years older, had broader shoulders and a more solid build, while Zhou Yanli still had the slender frame of a youth, lacking Pei Jian’s imposing presence.

The subtle tensions inside the carriage suddenly became tangible at this moment. Neither was willing to back down, and the atmosphere grew tense.

“Nian’er?” Outside the carriage, Wen Qingheng’s clear voice rang out. He asked curiously, “Why aren’t you getting off?” As he spoke, he stepped forward and lifted the carriage curtain.

The charged atmosphere instantly dissipated.

Pei Jian and Zhou Yanli sat back down in their seats.

The most fatal flaw a person could have was impatience. Those without patience didn’t deserve to have their wishes fulfilled.

Wen Qingheng hadn’t expected to find three people inside the carriage.

Between Pei Jian and Zhou Yanli, Zhou Yanli had the edge in looks, while Pei Jian exuded a more commanding presence. In short, they were evenly matched.

He couldn’t help but glance at his sister sitting in the middle, his eyes filled with questions.

Nianxi had been waiting for the two men to get off first before exiting herself. But seeing them sit back down, she stood up and stepped out of the carriage.

Wen Qingheng reached out to help his sister down, whispering, “Why is Shizhang in the carriage?”

Nianxi replied casually, “We ran into him on the road.”

Wen Qingheng was momentarily speechless. He had realized that being slow on the uptake was a hereditary trait in their Wen family!