Qiao Chuchu snapped out of her thoughts and looked at Pei Che sitting in front of her. His features hadn’t changed, but there was a certain distance between them now. She lowered her head in dejection.
[I’ve done so many terrible things. How can I expect you to unconditionally agree to all my requests now?]
[All I hope for now is to survive until the end of the story, and for all of you to avoid the tragic fate of death. That way, I can leave this place peacefully, go abroad, and never return, completely severing ties with all of you.]
Pei Che raised an eyebrow. “?”
Qiao Chuchu kept her head down, fidgeting with her hands, completely oblivious to Pei Che’s sharp gaze.
Pei Che narrowed his eyes dangerously. “Qiao Chuchu, have you ever thought about moving abroad? About starting a new life in a different environment?”
Qiao Chuchu was taken aback. “Huh? No, I haven’t.”
[How does he know I’ve been considering going abroad?!]
[As expected, Pei Che has always been sharp and perceptive. He can see through my every thought.]
Pei Che coldly averted his gaze and licked the scab on his lip. “Good. I suggest you don’t entertain that idea. Don’t force me to lock you up if it comes to that.”
Qiao Chuchu was stunned. “What?”
Pei Che calmly rotated his wrist, his presence like a storm cloud looming over her. “Even if you manage to go abroad, I’ll drag you back and lock you up at home. If you don’t want to lose your freedom, behave yourself. If you really want to travel abroad, just let us know. One of the seven of us will always find time to accompany you.”
Qiao Chuchu was confused. “Why are you saying this?”
Pei Che glanced down at her.
She sat upright on the sofa, a little indignant. “What you’re saying makes me feel uncomfortable.”
[Even though our relationship is like this, you still won’t let me go. It’s as if I’m not a person but a caged bird.]
Pei Che raised an eyebrow, leaning on the back of the sofa as he slowly bent down toward her.
Qiao Chuchu was forced to meet his gaze as he closed the distance between them.
Pei Che’s eyes were calm, devoid of any emotion. “What? Did I hit a nerve?”
His beautiful peach-blossom eyes held no warmth, resembling the abyss of the ocean—dark, terrifying, and filled with unknown dangers.
Qiao Chuchu gripped the edge of the sofa nervously. “I think, given our current relationship—”
“What relationship?” Pei Che asked expressionlessly.
Qiao Chuchu bit her lower lip, her back now pressed against the sofa.
Pei Che leaned closer, his tone icy. “I’m asking you, what is our relationship?”
She felt suffocated and weakly replied, “Brother and sister…”
“Then who raised you?” Pei Che pressed.
Qiao Chuchu pursed her lips. “You did.”
Pei Che sneered. “And who are we to you?”
She clutched the hem of her clothes. “My brothers.”
Pei Che seemed satisfied, his gaze falling on her teary eyes. His tone softened, almost coaxing. “Didn’t I tell you before that I don’t like it when you talk about leaving? I don’t care what you say in front of the others, but control yourself when you’re with me.”
Qiao Chuchu nodded lifelessly.
[Wait a minute, I never said I wanted to go abroad. He just guessed it.]
[How is he so sure I’m planning to leave?]
Qiao Chuchu looked at Pei Che, completely baffled.
Pei Che picked up his phone. “You’ve worked hard today. I’ll transfer you 100,000 yuan. Go buy something for yourself.”
She was startled and quickly dismissed her confusion. “No, it’s okay, Brother.”
Pei Che’s expression turned cold. “Take it.”
Qiao Chuchu hesitated. “Alright, I’ll take it.”
She obediently accepted the transfer and stood up. “I’ll be going now.”
But Pei Che grabbed her wrist. “Wait.”
Qiao Chuchu looked at him in surprise.
Pei Che took out a jewelry box from his pocket, revealing an exquisite square-cut pink diamond ring inside.
He slid it onto her middle finger, a faint smile on his lips. “As I thought, it suits you perfectly.”
Qiao Chuchu was flustered. “It’s so beautiful. It must be very expensive, right?”
Pei Che shrugged indifferently. “Over 100 million. I saw it while out with a friend. His girlfriend really wanted it, but I thought it would suit you better, so I bought it.”
Qiao Chuchu was stunned. “His girlfriend wanted it, but you bought it instead?”
Pei Che sat back in his office chair. “He wasn’t planning to buy it for her. He thought it was too expensive. Why shouldn’t I buy it?”
Qiao Chuchu walked over to him, still wearing the ring. “And you don’t think it’s expensive?”
Pei Che opened a file. “Not at all.”
Qiao Chuchu was speechless.
[Over 100 million, and he doesn’t think it’s expensive??????!]
“…” Pei Che rubbed his temples, as if her thoughts were giving him a headache. He glanced at her. “You can go now. I’ll have someone bring over half of the chicken soup you made for Pei Yuan later.”
Qiao Chuchu was still in a daze. “But I haven’t bought New Year’s gifts for you all yet. I can’t afford anything this expensive.”
[Unless I dip into the 3.5 billion they gave me.]
Pei Che paused, his tone nonchalant. “If you want to buy gifts, use the money you earned from your comic. I don’t care how much it costs.”
She was speechless and left, her mind still reeling.
But Pei Che called her back once more. “Chuchu.”
Qiao Chuchu turned around in surprise.
Behind the desk, Pei Che put on his gold-rimmed glasses, looking refined as he adjusted the frame. “You need to listen to me.”
His voice was gentle, almost coaxing.
“As long as you stay home, stop causing trouble, and don’t leave me, I’ll buy you anything you want.”
Qiao Chuchu’s heart skipped a beat. She didn’t respond, still in a daze as she walked out.
As soon as she stepped outside, she bumped into an angry Pei Buxian.
Pei Buxian was holding his laptop, his hair disheveled. His sharp gaze locked onto her face. “What were you two doing in there?”
Qiao Chuchu was startled. Before she could answer, Pei Buxian grabbed her hand. “He gave you a ring?”
Qiao Chuchu didn’t deny it. “Yes.”
Pei Buxian tightened his grip on her hand. “When I saw that ring, I specifically asked him if it was for you. He denied it and said he was buying it for someone else. And now it’s on your finger. How sneaky of him to lie to me!”
Qiao Chuchu was confused. “Why are you so angry?”
Pei Buxian didn’t answer. He let go of her hand. “Go. I need to talk to Pei Che.”
Qiao Chuchu was worried. “You’re not going to argue with him, are you?”
Pei Buxian brushed past her, fuming. “Do I look like I’m here to argue?”
He stormed into Pei Che’s office, slamming the door shut. His voice roared from inside, “Pei Che, you’re too cunning!!!”
Qiao Chuchu sighed.
[I’d better go buy their gifts now.]
She returned to Pei Yuan’s hospital room and greeted him. “Brother, I’m heading home now.”
Pei Yuan was in the middle of a meeting while hooked up to an IV. He glanced at her lazily, but his eyes suddenly fixed on the ring on her middle finger.
He narrowed his eyes suspiciously and muted his microphone. “Where did you get that ring?”
Qiao Chuchu was baffled.
[Why does everyone notice the ring I’m wearing?]
