Chapter 43

Gu Ci’s ease and familiarity made Pei Jian’s expression instantly darken. He had never shared a bowl with Nianxi, let alone eaten the food she left behind. For a nobleman, such behavior was simply inconceivable.

On the other hand, Nianxi often found excuses to feed him the snacks she liked but avoided for fear of gaining weight.

Pei Jian, who neither craved sweets nor understood romantic gestures, would dismissively say, “If you can’t finish, just leave it.”

But Nianxi would respond with conviction, “I love sweets. If you eat them, it’s as if I’ve eaten them myself.”

Pei Jian, confused, asked, “How is that the same?”

Clad in a flowing plain gown, Nianxi stood gracefully by the window, her almond-shaped eyes bright and clear. Looking at him with a radiant smile, she softly said, “You and I are of one heart. Watching you eat brings me more joy than eating it myself.”

Even someone as oblivious as Pei Jian couldn’t help but be moved by such a Nianxi. No wonder her parents adored her. She was so charming and lovable that it was impossible to harbor any harsh feelings toward her. Obediently, Pei Jian ate the food she had offered him.

At that time, he had never imagined that even the simple act of sharing a bowl with her would become an unattainable dream.

Taking a deep breath, he struggled to suppress his restless emotions.

Over at the table, Pei Jian’s expression subtly darkened, but apart from Qin Lang, no one noticed.

As for Gu Ci, it was needless to say—his entire focus was on Nianxi. Wen Qingheng was oblivious like a fool, while Qin Lang sighed softly and filled Pei Jian’s cup with wine.

Pei Jian stared at the cup before him, about to refuse, but Gu Ci was the first to speak. “I’m not drinking today.”

Qin Lang, quick to respond, asked, “Why not? It’s a festive occasion—what harm is there in having a few drinks?”

Gu Ci glanced at Nianxi and shook his head again. “Another day, perhaps.”

Nianxi didn’t like the smell of alcohol. The first time Gu Ci hadn’t known this, he’d had a few drinks at a colleague’s gathering and sought her out afterward, only to be met with her distaste. Since then, whenever Gu Ci was with Nianxi, he refused to touch alcohol.

Qin Lang: …

Well, he regretted saying anything. While he didn’t know exactly why Gu Ci wasn’t drinking, it was almost certainly related to Nianxi.

If Gu Ci wasn’t drinking, then Pei Jian surely couldn’t drink either, right?

Qin Lang turned his head, only to see Pei Jian silently down his entire cup of wine without a word.

The dining table felt like an emotional low point, with Pei Jian’s gloomy aura weighing down even Qin Lang, who couldn’t fully enjoy himself.

However, not all the blame could be placed on Pei Jian.

Gu Ci was simply too striking to ignore. He busied himself serving soup and picking up dishes, not taking a moment to rest. If Nianxi hadn’t stopped him, he would’ve been deboning fish and peeling shrimp for her as well. Judging by his ease and skill, it was obvious he’d done such things for her plenty of times before.

Usually, Gu Ci wasn’t known for being so mild-tempered, but when it came to Nianxi, he was completely accommodating.

Ultimately, it was a testament to Nianxi’s charm!

When they studied at the Imperial Academy, Wen Qingheng used to boast about Nianxi. Qin Lang had thought those claims were exaggerated, but upon reflection, they now seemed modest in comparison.

Watching Gu Ci dote on her with such dedication and seeing Pei Jian sulking while nursing his drink, Qin Lang couldn’t help but find the contrast amusing, and his thoughts drifted.

Meanwhile, Nianxi was enjoying Gu Ci’s attention; her eyebrows curved into a smile. It seemed she was unaffected by everything around her.

At the table, Wen Qingheng appeared to be the only one unburdened by thoughts. Noticing that Pei Jian hadn’t touched his food, he asked with concern, “Shizhang, why are you only drinking? If you don’t eat, you’ll get drunk easily.”

His words drew the attention of everyone at the table toward Pei Jian. Lowering his cup, Pei Jian happened to meet Nianxi’s gaze as she looked up. In a calm tone, he replied, “It’s fine.”

The meal concluded without incident, and the evening sky grew darker. With the lanterns now lit, the Western Market became even livelier and more bustling.

The group headed towards the lantern-lit streets.

The crowd was dense, but Gu Ci constantly shielded Nianxi from being bumped into, his entire demeanor protective as he kept her safely within his embrace.

Whenever Nianxi spotted something amusing, she would tilt her head back to share it. Gu Ci would naturally lean in, listening closely. Both wore smiles and in the midst of the noisy, bustling surroundings, their closeness was undeniable.

The lanterns illuminated the streets brilliantly, a spectacular sight of festive splendor.

It was truly lively.

On either side of the road, there were riddles to guess, performers showcasing their skills, various street foods, and countless playful trinkets—it was a dazzling display that left one spoiled for choice.

Gu Ci accompanied Nianxi to a ring-toss booth. The small stand displayed an assortment of porcelain bottles, jars, rouge, and powders. Anything the rings landed on could be taken home. For someone with Gu Ci’s agility, this was child’s play. He hit the target every time with ease, earning applause from Nianxi, who clapped her hands in delight. Her face, flushed with excitement, shimmered with clear and enchanting charm. Standing amidst the crowd, she seemed to glow, drawing all eyes to her.

She was dazzling. Many around them secretly stole glances at her. But it was all in vain. Gu Ci stood firmly by her side, blocking every unwelcome gaze with the poise of a victor, standing shoulder to shoulder with her.

As for Pei Jian, he had now become just another envious onlooker.

How laughable. She was, after all, his wife—his Nian Xi.

He could only watch from afar, finding it difficult even to meet her face-to-face.

Seeing the smile on Nianxi’s face, Pei Jian was at a loss. He had to admit that Gu Ci had indeed done far better than he had. At least in this lifetime, Nianxi would no longer cry in sadness during the Qixi Festival. Amid the bustling and lively marketplace, he was filled with desolation and loneliness. The Mohe dolls in his hand felt extraordinarily heavy, almost slipping from his grasp.

Nianxi and Gu Ci solved the most challenging lantern riddle and won a decorative lantern. Gu Ci went inside to select it while Nianxi waited outside. The next moment, she was suddenly and forcefully pulled forward.

Before she could even cry out, Nianxi recognized who was pulling her. He had been following them the entire evening.

Nianxi walked silently, unwilling to attract attention from those around her.

Pei Jian pulled her into a secluded alley before coming to a stop.

Nianxi took two steps back to create distance between them, saying, “What are you doing?”

Suppressing her frustration, she coldly said, “I’ve made things clear enough. I thought you understood. We have nothing to do with each other anymore.”

Pei Jian had been waiting the entire night. On such an occasion, every moment was torment for him. With each passing second, his sanity slipped further away. A chest full of unspoken words weighed heavily on him, leaving him both bitter and breathless: “Nianxi…”

Pei Jian’s voice was hoarse. After finally finding an opportunity to be alone with her, he didn’t know where to start.

Should he say he regretted it? That she was still his wife.

Should he say that Gu Ci and she wouldn’t last? That only he could give Nianxi the best life.

But deep down, Pei Jian knew that Nianxi understood everything. She had merely chosen a different life—a life without him. In the past, she had always accommodated him, putting him first in everything. Today, seeing her smiling radiantly and leaning closely against another man, his heart felt a suffocating pain.

He couldn’t bear it.

Especially after witnessing their intimacy firsthand. Restlessness and anxiety tormented him repeatedly, and he was on the verge of losing control.

“Nianxi, we…”

Nianxi grew entirely impatient. “If you have something to say, say it quickly. Gu Ci must be getting worried.”

She shouldn’t have brought up Gu Ci. Pei Jian still had a shred of rationality left, but when Gu Ci’s name was mentioned, all he could think of was their closeness, and his breathing became heavy. Taking two steps forward, ignoring the smell of alcohol all over him, he grabbed Nianxi’s hand and said in a low voice: “Leave him.”

The dim alley was faintly illuminated by the lights from the colorful buildings ahead, casting blurry shadows.

In the darkness, senses were heightened. Nianxi could clearly hear his breathing. “You know I won’t.”

“Whether it’s him or not, it won’t be you. Don’t appear in such settings in the future. It’ll save everyone the trouble.” Her voice was soft and her tone could even be considered gentle, yet her words were cold and merciless.

Pei Jian grew more and more enraged.

He held on to the last shred of his dignity and extended the Mohe doll he had clutched, speaking softly, “The Mohe doll you wanted, I got it for you.”

In truth, he was still late. He had waited in line for a long time, yet the outcome was the same as in his previous life. Unwilling to accept this, he had purchased this pair at a high price from someone else.

He wanted to make amends.

Nianxi also held a pair in her hands, with characters personally carved by Gu Ci. Without glancing at it, she raised what she held and said, “Do you really not understand? I no longer need it.”

Pei Jian was completely enraged. He put away the cautious flattery and feigned tenderness he wasn’t accustomed to, his dark eyes glaring at her. He reverted to the cold and domineering prime minister he once was.

“I haven’t declared it over. It’s not up to you.” With those words, he stepped forward, trapping her in his arms. They were so close that he could catch a faint, subtle fragrance from her.

Pei Jian reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, which was so slender it seemed impossible to grasp. This revived all the tender and romantic memories, and in that instant, his destructive desire and possessiveness erupted. He held her tightly without hesitation, lowered his head, and kissed her.

The Mohe doll in Nianxi’s hand fell to the ground during her struggle.