Chapter 29

Pei Jian panted rapidly. At this moment, he was like a dam filled to the brim with water, always at risk of breaking.

Nianxi’s words were like the ceaseless torrential rain.

He struggled to speak, “There may be a misunderstanding between us.”

Pei Jian’s expression was heavy, unlike the commanding and dignified presence he displayed when in a position of power. At this moment, he carried an air of gloom and dejection.

Nianxi, seeing him like this, softened her tone, “Do you know what it’s like to die from poisoning?”

“Before I died, the pain lasted for a full two hours. It felt as if my internal organs were being torn apart, the agony so intense that my consciousness blurred. Xing Yue and Lan Zhi couldn’t keep up with wiping away the black blood I vomited, and my clothes were stained everywhere. I’m most afraid of pain. That kind of suffering still fills me with dread to this day.”

“I don’t know why I’ve been reborn, but this new life is very precious to me, and I treasure it. Before my rebirth, I had already thought it through and explained it to you. Since I’ve returned to the past, let’s each live our own lives in peace. You have your grand path to follow, and I have my own life.”

“Don’t disturb me again.”

Pei Jian froze completely. It was as if his heart had been struck with a heavy hammer. His ears rang, and the feeling he experienced when he first heard the news of Nianxi’s death came rushing back.

He had never known that Nianxi, his wife, had died from poisoning, and before her death, she had endured inhuman pain and torment. At that time, the servants reported only that the mistress had died from a sudden illness. He had never imagined—it never crossed his mind.

Overwhelmed by rage and sorrow, Pei Jian felt a sudden rush of metallic sweetness in his throat. He concealed it, for even if he were to vomit blood on the spot, she would only see it as a show of pretense. In the end, it was his fault. He failed to protect her.

“I didn’t know,” Pei Jian said weakly.

It was as if a breach had formed in the dam, and all the emotions swelled up within him dissolved in Nianxi’s seemingly calm words. All his anger and unwillingness turned to dust in an instant. He felt numb and powerless, even though he knew such words would mean nothing to her. Yet, he still said, “I’ll find out the truth.”

Nianxi gave no response.

Pei Jian took out a small box from his robe, opened it, and presented it to Nianxi. Inside was a pair of white jade earrings. “You look beautiful wearing earrings.”

Nianxi couldn’t understand why he could still calmly take out a pair of earrings after she had made everything clear.

If it were the old Nianxi, who was easily satisfied, she would have happily accepted them and immediately put on the new earrings. But now, she had already received gifts far more thoughtful and precious than earrings. She was no longer the silly Wen Nianxi who only had him in her heart.

Nianxi merely glanced at them and didn’t take them. “What are you doing now? Trying to make amends with me? For the ridiculous pride and possessiveness of a man? Or do you think I shouldn’t have betrayed you, that even after being reborn, I should be tied to you and replay the same old drama?”

Pei Jian opened his mouth, wanting to explain himself. But as the words reached his lips, he found himself at a loss.

After his rebirth, he repeatedly tried to search for traces of the past, and when he realized he could no longer find that version of Nianxi, he was lost for a long time. He didn’t want to disrupt Gu Ci and the current Nianxi.

Gu Ci had his responsibilities and missions. When the time came, they would naturally part ways. Nianxi wouldn’t frequently appear before him, and as time passed, things would settle. He told himself to let go of the past and all its remnants—he had already started a new life.

But in this lifetime, he found himself with plenty of idle time, like a bystander, a witness. He observed Gu Ci’s efforts in this relationship and saw how Nianxi’s previous disappointments and regrets were all well-compensated and remedied. All the small details he had once overlooked and dismissed, each moment of Nianxi’s disappointment, were painstakingly collected by his present self.

Love, indeed, was never equal. When she let go of the past and began a new life, he started to treasure their bygone days anew. He was always one step behind her.

Outside, the cheers grew louder—it was almost time for the dragon boat race to start.

Nianxi got up to open the window. “You should leave. Gu Ci is about to take the stage.”

Gu Ci had said that the flag of his dragon boat would feature black, gold, and red embroidered auspicious clouds.

Pei Jian grabbed her hand as she was about to stand. A wave of frustration rose from deep within him. He straightened up and pulled her in front of him. Nianxi’s back pressed against the desk, trapping her between his chest and the table.

Nianxi glared at him angrily. “Are you out of your mind?”

Pei Jian’s face was equally cold as he scrutinized her expression. His voice was icy. “Do you like him that much?”

Unable to break free, Nianxi stopped struggling altogether. She raised her head and smiled. “Yes, I do like him.”

The two of them were very close, their breaths intertwining. Her breath still carried the sweet tang of grapes. Her slightly parted red lips had a flavor that was both familiar and foreign to Pei Jian.

She was provoking him.

Pei Jian sneered. “What do you think Gu Ci would do if he came in right now and saw us like this? Do you think he’d still believe we’re strangers?”

Out of breath, Nianxi still deliberately lowered her voice. “Are you insane?”

Pei Jian’s gaze darkened, and in the next moment, he suddenly leaned down. Having spent thirteen years with him, Nianxi still had some tacit understanding of his actions. Seeing him suddenly approach, she instinctively used her head to push him away.

With a dull thud, Nianxi’s head hit Pei Jian’s chin.

Pei Jian let out a muffled groan, his tongue injured and bleeding.

Nianxi, thoroughly exasperated, snapped, “Haven’t I made myself clear enough? Are you out of your mind?”

Pei Jian wiped the blood from the corner of his lips with one hand while still holding Nianxi with the other. Instead of getting angry, he smirked and leaned closer. “Listen, someone’s knocking on the door.”

He moved closer to Nianxi’s ear and whispered, “Could it be him?”

Nianxi froze. Her breathing quickened, and her body trembled uncontrollably. If the person outside was really Gu Ci, faced with such a complicated and chaotic scene, she truly didn’t know how to handle it.

Nianxi pushed Pei Jian with all her strength. “Let me go.” Trapped against Pei Jian’s chest, she hissed angrily.

Pei Jian remained unmoved, leisurely watching her. With a malicious smile, he grabbed her other hand and said, “Let you go? So you can open the door?” His words were filled with a teasing tone, but his dark eyes were incomparably serious.

Nianxi knew what he could do; he genuinely wanted Gu Ci to witness the scene. She glared at Pei Jian with fury, suppressing her pounding heart, and raised her voice to ask toward the door, “Who is it?”