Chapter 28

When Nianxi was about to lose her breath in the passionate and fervent kiss, Gu Ci reluctantly ended it. Her body was flushed with heat, and Nianxi panted to steady her breathing.

Gu Ci stepped back slightly, creating some distance between them. He deliberately bent his waist, trying to prevent Nianxi from noticing his reaction. However, the entire space was filled with a unique scent, carrying the sweetness of grapes, making it impossible for him to remain calm.

Gu Ci’s blood surged intensely, all converging in one place. Afraid of embarrassing himself if he stayed any longer, he avoided looking at Nianxi and awkwardly said, “The dragon boat race might be starting soon. I’ll head down first.”

Nianxi’s lips and cheeks were tinged with a rosy hue. Pretending not to notice Gu Ci’s embarrassment, she nodded in agreement. As he reached the door, she suddenly called out to him, “Put on your outer robe before you go.”

Gu Ci was puzzled. “The helmsmen all dress like this.” He will even take off his outer robe when the competition begins.

Nianxi knew he did all this to make her happy. However, Gu Ci’s background and upbringing did not allow him to expose himself comfortably to others. He was noble and proud. Even though he was willing, Nianxi did not want Gu Ci to make such sacrifices for her.

“The paint on your back is a bit smudged.”

The earlier kiss was not just one or a few but an unending wave. When she tried to pull away to catch her breath, he would hold her waist tightly, pressing her seamlessly against his firm chest. If she leaned back an inch, he would pull her closer by an inch. It was a gentle yet fierce invasion, tasting her repeatedly. Her trembling hands left chaotic smudges on his back, blurring the painted tiger’s limbs.

Gu Ci saw Nianxi’s raised hand, her fingertips stained with colorful paint. In an instant, he couldn’t control the surge of desire and, without even speaking to Nianxi, fled out the door as if escaping.

Not long after, the door was pushed open again. Nianxi did not turn around and softly asked with a smile, “Forgot something again?”

For a while, there was no sound from behind.

Nianxi turned her head and saw Pei Jian standing there in black clothing, like an ancient beast from a cold abyss. He was stern and gloomy, carrying a towering rage as he stared intently at her. Their gazes met, and with just one look, she understood.

Her secret had been discovered.

…

Pei Jian didn’t know how he had endured the past few days. He wanted to see her; there were things he needed to ask her face-to-face. But he couldn’t find any excuse to meet her.

As it turns out, even seeing her once was so difficult.

In the past, he had never been troubled by such trivial matters. Even when they first met, it was always Nianxi who found excuses to seek him out. In fact, there were several instances, just like today’s dragon boat race, where he had left her behind because of last-minute matters.

Later, when their relationship became public, her mother, Madam Li, was a very open-minded person. She was happy to see them interact, believing it would strengthen their bond after marriage. In his previous life, he had never experienced a situation where he wanted to see her but couldn’t.

Pei Jian had considered visiting directly, even if he avoided times when his father-in-law and Wen Qingheng were present. At most, he might be received by Madam Li, but he doubted he would even see his mother-in-law, let alone the unmarried Nianxi. Having been cherished for so long, he had come to take this favoritism for granted.

He recalled that Gu Ci had mentioned booking a private room at the Qing Shui Pavilion during the Dragon Boat Festival. After finding the room number, he spent a fortune to book the room next to Nianxi’s, taking it from someone else.

He only wanted to confirm one thing. But what had he seen?

Lan Zhi and Xing Yue were sent downstairs, leaving Gu Ci to enter the adjacent room scantily dressed. He and Nianxi were alone together for a long time.

When they finally emerged, Gu Ci was leaning against the wall by the door, panting heavily to catch his breath. As a man, Pei Jian certainly understood what had happened.

No matter how clear his assumptions were, they couldn’t compare to seeing it with his own eyes—

Even with her back to him, Nianxi exuded happiness, her whole being radiating a sweet aura. Her tone was cheerful, intimate, and familiar. When she turned around, her cheeks and lips glowed with an alluring blush.

A surge of intense emotion churned within him. He clenched his teeth to control himself. He never imagined there would be a day when another man would leave a mark on her.

This scene deeply pierced his heart.

“What is it?” Nianxi was the first to speak. She didn’t want anyone to see them together.

Pei Jian shot her a heavy glance, suppressing his restrained fury as he walked toward her. Nianxi frowned, instinctively stepping back. Pei Jian brushed past her and closed the lakeside window.

Nianxi grew even more displeased. “I’m going to watch Gu Ci compete in the boat race soon. What do you want?”

Pei Jian did not want to hear that name again. Turning around, his deep eyes stared at Nianxi as he spoke softly, “I came here only to confirm one thing.”

Nianxi had already guessed what he would ask but still felt impatient. “Confirm what?”

“How did you know Princess Wen Shu would drown?”

That day, at the entrance of the Wen residence, when Pei Jian saw Princess Wen Shu giving her a gift, Nianxi already knew that with Pei Jian’s intelligence, he would eventually figure out the connections. Later, when Aunt Wang came to her, saying, “Mr. Pei came again that evening,” Nianxi was mentally prepared.

She concealed all expressions, sat back down calmly, and poured herself a cup of tea, taking a sip. “Didn’t I tell you? I made it up.”

Pei Jian, too, restrained his emotions and sat by the table. His gaze fell on her lips, moistened by the tea, with an unclear tone, “Then why don’t you calculate our destined marriage?”

Nianxi raised her head, her tone cold, “There is no destiny.”

Pei Jian, however, chuckled lightly. His dark pupils rolled with intense emotions as he asked, “You have returned as well.”

The certainty in his tone was undeniable.

There was nothing to hide. That day, even if she had not died, she would still have sought separation from him.

Nianxi’s gaze was clear as she calmly said, “Earlier, I didn’t know Gu Ci was your friend.”

She had intended to find a man to soothe her soul but hadn’t stooped so low as to seek out someone close to Pei Jian. In fact, she no longer wanted any entanglements with the man before her.

Pei Jian said, “Now that you know, there’s still time.”

Nianxi found it amusing. Still time for what? To leave Gu Ci?

This man was truly arrogant. How could he have the audacity to make such a demand? Did he think she would give up Gu Ci for him?

What a joke.

“I thought my answer was already very clear. I am happy every single day now.”

She had chosen Gu Ci from the very beginning.

Pei Jian’s chest rose and fell unevenly; all his emotions accumulated in his chest. He couldn’t distinguish whether it was anger or something else, but a dull pain emanated from his heart. After ten years of marriage, she knew exactly how to make him feel miserable.

“That day at the side gate, you knew I had returned, didn’t you?”

Nianxi gave no definitive response.

Pei Jian pressed further, “Why didn’t you tell me?”

Nianxi sneered coldly, “Why would I? Pei Jian, I don’t know you. We have no connection whatsoever.”

Pei Jian’s breath caught in his throat. “I never agreed to separate from you.”

Not agree to separate from her? Yet for decades, he had loved another woman, bringing the widowed her back to his residence, allowing rumors to swirl unchecked, and ignoring everything. Yet he sent the son of his beloved woman for her to raise as her own legitimate child.

Then what did she amount to? A token to prove their undying love, transcending worldly ethics?

Nianxi couldn’t suppress the bitterness in her heart. Since her rebirth, she had lived happily every day, rarely reminiscing about the past, refusing to be trapped by that despondent and forlorn version of herself. Nor did she wish to recall the foolish things she had done for Pei Jian during those years—it only made her feel silly.

“I’ve said it before, have you forgotten? I don’t love you. I want to leave you.”