Chapter 37: Want to Call You Wife

Jiang Yaoyao froze for a moment.

The man in the silver-gray suit looked over, a teasing smile in his eyes as he slightly raised his sharp brows at her.

Jiang Yaoyao: “……”

In the next instant, she plopped down onto the chair with a plop, lifting her slender fingers to cover her face—and, conveniently, to block Pei Heng’s gaze.

So embarrassing.

What had she just said to Pei Heng?!

Ahhhhh! Someone save her!

As her embarrassment reached its peak, familiar footsteps approached, accompanied by Gu Jinling’s voice.

“Yaoyao, what’s wrong? Does your stomach still hurt?”

He seemed to remember that when they finished work earlier, Jiang Yaoyao had mentioned she wasn’t feeling well.

The man’s footsteps stopped beside her.

Then, two voices spoke up at the same time:

Pei Heng: “Does your stomach hurt?”

Wei Changze: “Yaoyao, if you’re not feeling well, you should go rest!”

Their simultaneous concern carried an unspoken meaning.

Even Jiang Yaoyao herself could feel the gossip-filled stares directed at her. She quickly lowered her hand and forced a smile.

“Ah, yes, my stomach feels a little uncomfortable.”

“Sorry, I’ll just head to the restroom for a moment…”

And with that, she bolted out of sight.

---

The restroom was lavishly decorated in gold and marble. As soon as Jiang Yaoyao shut the door, she heard a scuffle outside, followed by the sharp clack of high heels against the floor. A familiar female voice, tinged with sobs, spoke up.

“Cen Cen, please help me…”

“You don’t know what I went through today…” The woman’s voice lowered, whispering a vague name.

“He nearly beat me to death today. Look, look at my neck—it’s all bruised from him choking me…”

Another female voice, cool and tinged with disappointment, responded.

“Isn’t he your ‘godfather’? He’s willing to hit you?”

“Yan Leyao, when we first entered this industry, we agreed to stay clean, to rely on our talent and hard work to make a name for ourselves!”

“But look at you now—being passed around from man to man like an object. Where is your self-respect? Your worth? Are you still the Yan Leyao I once knew?”

Inside the stall, the little beauty blinked.

It was Cen Zhiruo.

The industry’s famous ice-cold beauty and the delicate Yan Leyao were best friends. They had known each other since childhood, attended the same drama academy, and even debuted around the same time.

“Cen Cen, what’s the point of saying all that now?”

Yan Leyao sobbed pitifully. “If you don’t help me, those people will kill me!”

“You don’t know how ruthless they are. They once said they loved me, but the moment I became a liability, they wanted to strangle me, to make me disappear!”

“Cen Cen, you can’t just stand by and watch me die, right?!”

“Have you forgotten our years of friendship? We grew up together!”

Silence hung in the air for two seconds. Then, Cen Zhiruo sighed, her voice carrying a hint of sorrow.

“Yaoyao, sometimes I really wonder if you’re still the same Yan Leyao I once knew.”

“You’ve changed so much in the past year or two.”

Cen Zhiruo let out a bitter laugh, as if mocking herself, or perhaps the fickleness of life.

“Yaoyao, I hardly recognize you anymore.”

“Forget it. This will be the last time I help you.”

A rustling sound came from outside. A moment later, Yan Leyao’s shocked voice rang out.

“Cen Cen, I love you! You’re really willing to introduce me to him?!”

“Cen Cen, I’ll never forget your kindness!”

Yan Leyao reached out to hug Cen Zhiruo, but the cold and stunning beauty stepped back, creating distance between them.

“Yaoyao, we both need to take some time to reflect on our friendship and where it’s headed.”

The sound of high heels clicking against the floor gradually faded. Yan Leyao’s heart-wrenching cries echoed in the restroom.

“Cen Cen…”

Before long, even the high-heeled footsteps disappeared.

Yan Leyao’s sobbing also stopped abruptly.

So swift and decisive.

Jiang Yaoyao, who had been eavesdropping inside the stall, was left dumbfounded.

“Tsk, idiot.”

Yan Leyao’s smug voice sounded next. Then, her tone shifted once again—sweet and cloying as she recorded a voice message.

“Mr. Wei, hello~ I’m Yaoyao.”

“My dear bestie Cen Zhiruo often talks about you. I really admire you~~”

Jiang Yaoyao: “……”

That stomach ache from earlier? Fake.

But after hearing Yan Leyao change her tone three times in a row, she was starting to feel real stomach pain now.

---

When she returned, the atmosphere in the private room was unexpectedly lively.

The formidable villain still wore his usual cold expression, but with Gu Jinling present, Pei Heng had to give some face to Uncle Gu. He nodded occasionally, maintaining at least a veneer of politeness.

Everyone else was eager to curry favor. By the time Jiang Yaoyao stepped in, the mood was harmonious to an almost surreal degree.

As soon as she reached her seat, Pei Heng—ever the gentleman—pulled out her chair for her.

Remembering how she had called him an “old man” earlier, Jiang Yaoyao’s gratitude came out as barely more than a whisper.

She had just sat down when Wei Changze immediately spoke up.

“Yaoyao, didn’t you say your stomach hurt? Drink some warm water.”

Jiang Yaoyao didn’t particularly want to acknowledge him, but with so many people around, she couldn’t just ignore him. So, she gave a small nod.

Pei Heng tapped something on his screen. A moment later, the door opened, and a staff member in uniform entered, placing a bowl of warm porridge in front of Jiang Yaoyao.

“I asked them to prepare some stomach-soothing porridge for you. It doesn’t have any ginger—try it.”

Pei Heng handed her a spoon.

Jiang Yaoyao pursed her rosy lips and took the porcelain spoon from him. Their fingertips brushed—sending a tingling sensation up her arm, as if tickled by a feather.

Still feeling guilty, she didn’t dare meet Pei Heng’s gaze and simply focused on obediently eating her porridge.

The man at the head of the table half-lowered his eyes and watched her for a few moments, the corners of his lips curving ever so slightly. The sight made everyone else nervous.

They had long heard that the female lead of this drama had a special relationship with the all-powerful Mr. Pei.

Now that they had seen it firsthand, they realized the rumors were true.

More than just “special”—this was…

Several people exchanged glances, tacitly understanding the situation but keeping their mouths shut.

Soon, the food was served, and after a few rounds of drinks, the atmosphere became even more relaxed.

Jiang Yaoyao hesitated for a long time before finally turning her head slightly, lowering her voice, and calling out softly, “Mr. Pei…”

Pei Heng, playing along, leaned in closer.

Their interaction was impossible to ignore, yet everyone pretended not to see it.

Except for Wei Changze, who was gritting his teeth furiously.

“Mr. Pei, I’m sorry…”

A soft and gentle voice rang out as Jiang Yaoyao blinked her watery eyes, obediently admitting her mistake.

“I didn’t know you were the investor of this drama, and I shouldn’t have spoken ill of you behind your back without understanding the truth.”

Her delicate strands of hair brushed against the man’s refined Adam’s apple, like tiny ants crawling over it, sending a tingling sensation straight to his heart.

The handsome man gazed at the fair-skinned beauty with rosy lips and pearly teeth, his voice low and coaxing.

“No, Yaoyao, you did well—taking precautions in advance.”

“If you ever need help in the future, you can always tell me like this. I’d be honored. I wouldn’t find it troublesome at all.”

The little beauty fluttered her long eyelashes and looked up at him like a newborn kitten—soft and obedient.

It made people want to cradle her in their palms.

The man’s narrow eyes landed on her face, his exquisite features illuminated by the golden light, handsome and warm.

“After all, we’re good friends, aren’t we?”

The little beauty lifted her delicate chin and nodded without hesitation.

She looked at him like that, full of trust.

Like an innocent fairy untouched by the world, or a camellia nurtured deep in a garden.

It was enough to stir a man’s possessive desires.

He wanted to lock her away in a villa, trap her on a velvet-covered bed.

To turn her world upside down, leaving her entirely drenched in his scent, inside and out.

To keep other men from seeing her.

Pei Heng’s Adam’s apple bobbed.

A glint flashed in his deep eyes, but his appearance remained that of an elegant and refined young master.

Graceful as snow, bright as the moon.

Handsome and noble, even his voice carried a soothing gentleness.

“By the way, I’ve run into a little problem lately. If it’s convenient for you, Yaoyao, could you help me out?”

The little beauty’s eyes sparkled with loyalty. “Just say it!”

As if she would agree to anything he asked.

A faint smile appeared on the man’s sculpted face.

“It’s nothing major. My family is hosting a banquet this weekend—mostly to announce the arrival of a new family member.”

“Everyone will be bringing a female companion, and I’d like to invite you to attend with me.”

Her scumbag father and that wretched stepmother!

A flash of a pitiful child huddled in a corner, their back covered in whip marks, crossed her mind.

Jiang Yaoyao clenched her fists in righteous indignation and agreed without hesitation.

“I’ll go with you!”

—

Perhaps it was because she got too emotionally involved during dinner, but when Jiang Yaoyao fell asleep, she had another dream about Pei Heng.

But this time, the soft, chubby baby had grown into a teenager.

Sharp brows, starry eyes—his features were defined and noble.

There was already a faint aura of the future villain in him.

“Sister.”

Pei Heng pressed her against the wall, emotions surging in his eyes like a young wolf fixated on its prey, as if he would bite into her neck at any moment.

“You got a boyfriend?”

Jiang Yaoyao, seeing her dream self, awkwardly turned her head to avoid his intense gaze and responded absentmindedly.

“You nosy little brat, why do you care about an adult’s affairs?”

The tall teenager completely enveloped her with his presence, his broad shoulders and toned muscles exuding raw strength.

“I’ve grown up, Yaoyao.”

His voice carried a hint of pleading, as if coaxing a sulking little girlfriend, his tone soft and persuasive.

“Yaoyao, break up with him, okay?”

“Be with me, Sister. Very soon, I’ll be able to protect you!”

The little beauty, trapped in his arms, trembled her eyelashes. Her soft voice carried a hint of moisture,

“Pei Heng, in my eyes, you’re just a child.”

She raised her hand and gestured in the air, “You used to be only this tall, not even up to my thigh.”

“I’ve grown up.”

The teenager’s voice was urgent, as if desperate to prove himself.

“Yaoyao, look at me—open your eyes and look at me.”

“I’m much taller than you now. I can pick you up effortlessly. I’m nothing like before!”

“Yaoyao, just wait for me two years—no, one year—maybe not even a year, and I’ll bring you the entire Pei family as your betrothal gift…”

“Yaoyao…”

He pleaded softly. “Don’t be with anyone else, Yaoyao.”

“I can’t accept you being with another man. I love you, Yaoyao…”

Jiang Yaoyao clutched the hem of his shirt, her gaze flickering uneasily.

“You’re still so young. What do you know about love—”

Her voice abruptly stopped.

Long fingers gripped her delicate chin, forcing her to face him. His fresh yet domineering scent surrounded her.

Pei Heng lowered his head and kissed the lips he had long coveted, swallowing the words she had yet to say.

Jiang Yaoyao’s eyes widened slightly.

The handsome young man kissed her with his eyes closed, one hand pinning her jaw, the other pressing against her back, lost in the moment.

His cool and refreshing scent mixed with an overwhelming heat, crashing over her like an avalanche.

He pried open her lips, sucking on the tip of her tongue.

Instinctively skilled, the kiss left Jiang Yaoyao’s legs weak.

A crisp slap finally broke the burning kiss.

The little beauty, flustered, covered her mouth and stared up at Pei Heng, whose eyes were now a deep, fiery red. She was so shocked she could barely find her voice, stammering through her anger.

“Pei Heng, you damn mutt!”

“You little brat!”

Her soft red lips were wet and glistening, a trace of her tongue flashing through the moisture.

The young man’s eyes darkened, staring at her intensely.

His large hand wrapped around Jiang Yaoyao’s wrist, refusing to let her go.

Only after she had finished venting did the teenage Pei Heng bend down, his voice low and hoarse as he coaxed her.

“You can scold me however you like, Yaoyao.”

“Just don’t leave me.”

“Otherwise, I’ll go insane.”

The little beauty, her back pressed against the wall, covered her mouth tightly. Her pale fingers brushed against her burning cheeks, as if afraid he would go wild and kiss her again.

“I… I can forgive you…”

Her voice was muffled behind her hands, soft and weak, slipping through her fingers.

“I can even pretend this never happened…”

“Pei Heng, you still have to call me Sister like before…”

The boy’s wolf-like eyes fixated on her, and he spoke each word deliberately.

“I’m an adult now.”

“Yaoyao, I don’t want to call you Sister.”

“I want to call you my wife.”