Chapter 27: Maybe He’s Alive?

Although she was being scolded, Jian Ruo Ci felt warm inside. “Yan Xi, I was afraid of causing you trouble. You know they’ll stop at nothing.”

“It’s good that I’m living in the old villa district. It’s quiet and good for creating.”

“You’re such a fool.” Yan Xi looked at her with exasperation. “Even if I cut off ties with the Yan family, so what? Would they dare to touch me?”

“My dad is stubborn, but he’s not heartless. My mom sends me money every now and then. It’s because my dad can’t bear to lose face, so he has my mom do it.”

“I’ve caused a lot of trouble these days. It’s all my dad covering for me behind the scenes. Even if I have nothing to do with the Yan family now, if they dare to touch me, my dad will still deal with them.”

“Go back and pack your things. Come live with me.”

She comforted Yan Xi. “It’s really okay. I’m fine in the old villa district. It’s quite pleasant.”

Yan Xi was the youngest daughter of the Yan family. She had an older brother. Three years ago, Yan Xi was twenty years old and still in college. Her father told her that after she graduated, she would have a business marriage with a man she had never met.

This became the trigger for the conflict between father and daughter. There had always been a deep conflict between them. Her father controlled her life, planning every step for her. Even the major she studied in college wasn’t what she liked.

The business marriage made Yan Xi completely erupt. Yan Xi, who had been suppressing her emotions, finally exploded. After a big fight with her father, she cut off ties with him.

She met Yan Xi the night she cut off ties with her father. Yan Xi was drunk, and she became her designated driver. By chance, they became friends.

During their conversation, they discovered that they were both at the same university, but in different majors. They were in different dorms, but Yan Xi had her brother help her switch to Jian Ruo Ci’s dorm. They lived together and became each other’s most precious friends.

From then on, Yan Xi left the Yan family. After graduating from college, Yan Xi didn’t choose a job related to her major. Instead, she chose something she liked.

She stayed at home every day and wrote scripts. She had achieved some success. Several of her scripts were made into idol dramas.

Both Yan Xi and her father were stubborn people. They both cared about each other silently, but they were too proud to admit it.

“Okay, stop talking about me.” Jian Ruo Ci said. “Your uncle cares about you so much. It’s been a while. Go back and apologize to him.”

“We’ll see.”

“You, don’t be so stubborn and suffer for the sake of face.” Jian Ruo Ci said. “You clearly care about your uncle, but you’re so stubborn.”

“Fine.” Yan Xi said. “Since you’re here, you’re cooking dinner tonight.”

“Yes, Miss Yan.” Jian Ruo Ci said.

The title “Miss Yan” actually pleased her. Yan Xi lifted Jian Ruo Ci’s chin. “Little beauty, call me that a few more times. I love hearing it~.”

“Miss Yan~.”

“Miss Yan~.”

“Miss Yan~.”

Jian Ruo Ci’s voice was soft and sweet. She called her three times in a row.

Yan Xi laughed and sat back on the sofa. “You sound so sweet. I have good news for you.”

“The Yan Corporation won’t be working with that scumbag Song Xuchen anymore. Without the Yan Corporation, that scumbag has lost more than just you, a good woman. He’s also lost his wealth.”

“You don’t need to thank me. Just cook me dinner. Consider it a thank you.”

Although Yan Xi didn’t get along with her father, her brother spoiled her rotten. He spoiled her to the point where he was afraid of even holding her in his hands.

“Oh, right. I also had my brother find someone to beat him up. He was in the hospital for several days. He just got out a couple of days ago.”

“Don’t thank me too much. It’s what a best friend should do.”

Jian Ruo Ci was moved beyond words. She choked back a sob. “Yan Xi, thank you.”

Yan Xi had given her so much warmth and support all these years.

“You don’t need to thank me. I was the one who was there for you during my low point.”

“You’re my best friend. It’s only right to be good to you.”

“Don’t ever say thank you to me. If you do, you’ll be turned into a turtle.”

“Okay, I won’t.” Jian Ruo Ci chuckled. “I’ll cook you something delicious tonight.”

“You just came to see me to cook me something delicious tonight? That’s all?” Yan Xi raised an eyebrow at her.

“Hmm… what else?” Jian Ruo Ci looked at Yan Xi.

“Okay, I can’t hide it from you. There’s something I want to ask your opinion on.”

“Hurry up. I’m all ears.” Yan Xi lay on the sofa, her legs crossed.

“A man who’s always serious and cold says things that make you misunderstand. What does he mean?”

“What kind of misunderstandings?”

Jian Ruo Ci: “Like… saying things that imply we’ll be together.”

“Based on my experience writing scripts, it’s either a scam or he’s serious.” Yan Xi said. “The chances of it being a scam are low. Unless his seriousness and coldness are an act. A truly cold man wouldn’t say things casually.”

“I’ve given you my opinion. Now you should tell me who this man is who said these things to you.”

“A friend of mine.” Jian Ruo Ci said nervously. She didn’t want to hide it from Yan Xi, but Pei Yan Zhou’s identity was a bit special. If he were an ordinary person, she wouldn’t have hidden it from her.

“Jian Ruo Ci! Don’t try to fool me. A friend? Do I not know how many friends you have?”

Jian Ruo Ci: “I’ll tell you when the time is right. I don’t know how to say it yet.”

Yan Xi nodded. “Okay, I’ll forgive you this time.”

“I have another question for you.” Jian Ruo Ci hesitated before asking. “Someone knows your likes and habits. You can always see the shadow of another person in him. How is that possible?”

She didn’t believe that Pei Yan Zhou had investigated her likes. She had some habits that no one knew about.

“Another person?” Yan Xi was confused. “What person?”

“My little uncle.” Jian Ruo Ci said.

“Isn’t he gone?” Yan Xi said. “Are you missing him too much? Are you having delusions?”

“No.” She had never seen his shadow in anyone else. After Pei Yan Zhou appeared, this feeling was particularly strong.

Yan Xi thought for a moment. “Did you see him get on that plane with your own eyes?”

“No.”

“Have you ever thought that maybe he didn’t get on that plane?” Yan Xi said. “Maybe he’s alive?”

“Impossible.” She had accepted his departure all these years.

After Pei Yan Zhou appeared, she often wondered if he hadn’t left.

“If you have doubts, I’ll teach you a method.” Yan Xi said. “You can test him. Casually mention your little uncle’s name and see his reaction. Unintentional reactions are the most genuine. Maybe it can help you find the truth.”

She suspected that Pei Yan Zhou also had the surname Pei, knew her likes and habits, and there were too many coincidences between them that couldn’t be explained.

That night, Jian Ruo Ci cooked dinner. They both had a little too much to drink. Jian Ruo Ci didn’t go back home. She stayed at Yan Xi’s place for the night.

The next day, when Jian Ruo Ci woke up, Yan Xi was sleeping on the floor, wrapped in a blanket.

Jian Ruo Ci rubbed her head, got out of bed, and patted Yan Xi, who was still asleep. “Wake up. Go to bed.”

Yan Xi grumbled in dissatisfaction and turned over to continue sleeping.

Jian Ruo Ci was helpless.