Chapter 65: Plan

The milky-white lace-carved curtains were lifted high by the wind, surging before settling back against the window frame. Shadows on the wall intertwined, rising and falling, tracing beautiful curves—sculpted by long fingers, shaped by the warmth of a palm.

She slept drowsily until nightfall, occasionally hearing bits of conversation. Faint mentions of her name surfaced, but out of concern for her rest, the voices quieted.

Her phone screen displayed 7:50 PM. Startled, Chen Shu Yin hurriedly jumped out of bed, calling out Pei Yu’s name.

“Xiao Pei had to go out,” Fang Youyou answered.

Chen Shu Yin went downstairs, scanning the room. Zhou Jingyi and the old master Pei were nowhere to be seen.

“It’s just you and me,” Fang Youyou easily read her thoughts. “They felt you needed rest after just returning from the hospital. They didn’t want you to be affected.”

“But—”

Fang Youyou spoke in a weighty tone, “Listen, even though you and Pei Yu are married, his family affairs are complicated. Sometimes, staying out of things is better for both of you.”

Chen Shu Yin tilted her head, puzzled. “Weren’t you the one who once considered him the ideal son-in-law? Why are you backing away when he needs support?”

“Yinyin, sometimes a well-intended lie is about kindness, not deceit. Likewise, knowing when to step back can spare Xiao Pei unnecessary pain.”

Her head spun from the conversation, so she stopped trying to dissect it. But the fact that all three of them had gone out could only mean one thing—this was about Pei Wei.

Was there a breakthrough in the painting case?

She opened her laptop and searched for everything related to the Fuxi and Nuwa painting, quickly scanning the results. One line caught her attention:

“Brother and sister unite, giving birth to mankind.”

A shiver ran down her spine. Her fingers trembled, typing a string of garbled text unintentionally.

Back when she sought revenge on Pei Yu, she had looked into his past and noticed a woman who was always by his side. She handled all his business communications, supporting him in every aspect.

As his aunt, Pei Wei was meticulous in her care for him—so much so that there was nothing to nitpick.

Now, however, the situation seemed far more sinister than she had ever imagined.

Chen Shu Yin realized she couldn’t just sit in a sheltered greenhouse, turning a blind eye. She couldn’t be someone who only enjoyed the good times yet failed to stand beside him in his worst moments.

She shut her laptop, grabbed a coat, and ran downstairs.

Fang Youyou blocked her path. “Yinyin, why can’t you just listen to me?”

She had spent so long witnessing Pei Yu’s deaths in endless loops, only to finally understand his love. As someone who loved him, she couldn’t bear to see him suffer—physically or emotionally.

Chen Shu Yin bit her lip, her gaze unwavering. In the end, she let out a deep breath. “Grandma, this time, I can’t listen to you.”

She broke free and ran out.

Pei Yu had left in a hurry and hadn’t taken his car keys. Chen Shu Yin retrieved them from the garage, started the car, and dialed his number.

“Where are you?”

Sensing her sharp tone, Pei Yu paused for two seconds before replying, “The police station. Just visiting my aunt. I’ll be back in half an hour.”

“I already know. The police found something, didn’t they?” She tested him, her tone firm.

Pei Yu chuckled lazily, his casual demeanor coming through even over the phone. “Yinyin, why are you so smart?”

Chen Shu Yin exhaled softly. “If you’re feeling upset, don’t hold it in. You can cry.”

“Why would I be upset? This is good news.” He still spoke with a smile.

His calmness caught her off guard. “Stop pretending. Anyone would find this hard to accept.”

“If you already know, then stop overthinking.”

“If you don’t want me to make wild guesses, then you should’ve taken me with you.”

Pei Yu chuckled again. “I tried waking you up, but you wouldn’t budge.”

“That’s because you—” Chen Shu Yin rubbed her waist, recalling a bruise she had gotten when he shifted positions and accidentally pressed her into the bedpost. She didn’t have the nerve to bring it up, so she fell silent.

“Sorry, wife. When I get back, I’ll kneel as long as it takes for you to forgive me, okay?”

“Can you be serious for once?”

Pei Yu’s voice steadied. “You’re on your way, aren’t you? I just wanted you to think of something lighter. The investigation wrapped up the day you were hospitalized. We’re just handling the aftermath now. Drive safe.”

“What about you?”

“Don’t worry, I’m fine.”

Chen Shu Yin inhaled deeply. “Pei Yu, this time, you have to wait for me too. Okay?”

Traffic had died down, and the roads were mostly clear. Overtaking a few cars, she took a shortcut and arrived at the police station.

In the waiting room, Pei Yu and Zhou Jingyi sat in silence. Upon seeing her, they both immediately smiled warmly.

Zhou Jingyi greeted her brightly, “Yinyin, why’d you come so late?”

“I—” Chen Shu Yin wasn’t sure if there was underlying blame in those words. She hesitated, nervously clutching the hem of her clothes.

Pei Yu, looking tense, pulled her into his arms. “Mom, she has a right to know.”

“You silly boy, when did I ever intend to exclude her?” Zhou Jingyi sighed. “I just worry she won’t be able to accept it.”

“Mom, we share both honor and disgrace. Whatever it is, I’ll understand.” Chen Shu Yin took her hand. “This must be hardest on you, right?”

Hearing those words of care, Zhou Jingyi finally let down the strong facade she had been holding onto. Tears streamed down her face.

“Mom, this isn’t your fault.”

Zhou Jingyi turned away, wiping her face. “You tell Yinyin. I’ve spent years carrying this burden—I’m exhausted. It’s time for me to step back and live for myself.”

Pei Yu shot Chen Shu Yin a look, silently telling her to drop the matter. “Don’t worry, Mom isn’t that easy to break.”

“What exactly happened?”

Pei Yu played a recording for her.

The police had struggled to crack the secret room’s lock until they tried combining the birthdates of Pei Yu’s father, Pei Ming, and Pei Wei. The code worked on the first attempt.

What lay beyond the door shocked them all.

Inside was an elegant, fully furnished European-style apartment. The place was well-lit, with dishes on the table, used water glasses, and open books on the sofa—evidence of someone living there.

Before the officers could search the room, a man emerged from the bathroom, his wrists and ankles bound in chains.

His features were sharp yet gentle, with an air of elegance. Even the striped hospital-like clothes he wore seemed oddly stylish on him.

Seeing the officers, his pupils contracted, and his lips moved as if to speak—but no words came.

“Pei Ming? Is that you?” A policeman asked, comparing a photo.

The man nodded, rubbing his eyes as if unable to believe what he was seeing.

“You… you’re here to save me?” His voice was hoarse, his words fragmented as though he hadn’t spoken in a long time.

“Yes. But we need you to cooperate with our investigation. Why are you here?”

At that, Pei Ming panicked, screaming and flailing before suddenly collapsing.

After sending him to the hospital, the police continued searching the room. They discovered disturbing items—whips, restraints, contraceptives, and surveillance footage that was automatically deleted before they could access it.

It was clear—Pei Wei had imprisoned Pei Ming, subjecting him to both physical and psychological torment.

She refused to speak. The case was at a standstill.

Pei Yu clenched his jaw. “I always suspected my father’s disappearance was linked to her. But I never expected this.”

Chen Shu Yin covered her pounding heart. “What are you going to do?”

Pei Yu exhaled sharply. “The police want me to confront her.”

“I’ll go with you.”

Pei Yu pulled her close, resting his chin atop her head. “Thank you, baby. But this time… I have to do it alone.”