CHAPTER 32: CHAPTER 32: IF WE MEET AS ENEMIES, DON’T BLAME ME FOR SHOWING NO MERCY

Pei Keqian’s wise eyes flickered a few times, and he commanded, "Invite him over."

It’s "invite," not "bring," as Pei Keqian naturally gives Sheng Qianchi’s people a bit more respect.

Soon, Mo Jun walked to Pei Keqian’s car with an umbrella, looking into the car through the half-open window at the dignified and imposing man inside, "Commander Pei, Young Master Chi invites you for tea."

Although Pei Keqian is the highest commander of the Licheng City Military District, he cannot ignore Sheng Qianchi’s invitation.

Though businessmen talk business, there is a constant rule in this world since ancient times: money makes the world go round.

The Sheng Family’s influence is widespread, and even the president of S Country has to give them some face.

So, Pei Keqian smiled slightly, "Please lead the way, Assistant Mo."

"Yes." Mo Jun bowed slightly, then returned to his car, opened the door, and got in, starting the vehicle.

Pei Keqian’s car followed closely behind.

In the rainy night, four cars drove to a high-end tea house.

This tea house had been reserved by Sheng Qianchi and was currently empty.

Mo Jun got out of the car, walked to Commander Pei’s car door with an umbrella, and said respectfully to the commander, who had already stepped out of the car, "Commander Pei, please, Young Master Chi has been waiting for a long time."

Pei Keqian nodded slightly, took the umbrella from the guard, and quietly commanded, "You all don’t need to follow."

Thus, Mo Jun led the way in front, and Pei Keqian followed alone, entering the tea hall and heading directly to the second floor.

The tea house’s decor is exquisite, with a classical and elegant style, bright and clean windows, and doors on both sides made of push-and-pull carved wooden panels, creating an ancient charm as one walks through the long, narrow corridor.

In front of a private room, Mo Jun stopped, nodded respectfully at Pei Keqian, then reached out to open the private room’s door, "Commander Pei, please."

Pei Keqian strode into the private room, and Mo Jun respectfully closed the carved door, silently standing guard at the entrance.

Inside the private room, Sheng Qianchi sat on the ground, in front of an exceptionally exquisite pear wood table, with tea brewing on top, tendrils of steam rising.

Upon seeing Pei Keqian, he elegantly turned his head, smiling slightly, "It is an honor that Commander Pei would grace us for a cup of tea; it is truly a privilege for us younger folks. Please have a seat."

Although his words were polite, the dignity and grace of someone in a high position were not diminished at all, with a precisely tailored white shirt, black trousers, dark short hair, and sharply defined features all conveying a sense of nobility.

Pei Keqian greatly admires such young individuals.

He walked over with long strides and sat opposite Sheng Qianchi, "Being invited by Young Master Chi, how could I not come."

Sheng Qianchi personally picked up the teapot and poured tea for Pei Keqian, "Commander Pei, please have a taste and see if this tea brewed by a junior is up to par?"

Pei Keqian graciously raised the teacup, took a sip, and then nodded in praise, "Young Master Chi’s tea-making skills are impeccable." He smiled as he put down the teacup, "I suppose Young Master Chi didn’t invite me on a rainy night just for tea, did you?"

Sheng Qianchi poured some more tea for Pei Keqian graciously, "Commander Pei is straightforward, so I won’t beat around the bush." His tone was calm, "I invited Commander Pei today to discuss a matter concerning Jiayin."

"Jiayin?" Pei Keqian frowned.

After seeing the news today, he was furious, couldn’t believe Pei Nianchen forced Qin Xueyao to get rid of the child, which negatively impacts the Pei Family.

For the Pei Family, which is navigating the political path, maintaining a good reputation among the public is imperative. This can’t just be compared to Sheng Qianchi’s carefree ways.

Sheng Qianchi looked at Pei Keqian calmly, his tone still as gentle as a flowing mountain stream, "To be honest, Commander Pei, Jiayin is my woman. Although we’re having a bit of a tiff now, I’m trying to mend things, so..."

His peaceful face suddenly turned a bit sharp, "I don’t want Mr. Pei to meddle. What he did today has severely impacted Jiayin’s reputation, and I’m not happy about it."

"You and Jiayin?" Pei Keqian looked at Sheng Qianchi in disbelief. From what he knew, Gu Jiayin wouldn’t get involved with someone like Sheng Qianchi.

But Sheng Qianchi gave Pei Keqian a definite answer, "Yes, we have slept together."

The statement was so blunt that it made the usually imposing Pei Keqian shift uncomfortably.

Regaining composure, he earnestly said, "Young Master Chi, while Jiayin might not be able to be the daughter-in-law of the Pei Family, I still have a familial fondness for this child; she’s a good girl. Can Young Master Chi treat her well?"

Sheng Qianchi lowered his eyes, took a light sip from the teacup.

He slightly curled his lips, smiling faintly, "Commander Pei worries too much. Matters between me and my woman are my own concern."

The corners of his eyes and brows suddenly took on an arrogant flair, "The reason I invited Commander Pei today was just to inform you, if Mr. Pei insists on interfering between Jiayin and me, I will have no choice but to cut ties with the Pei Family, and when we cross paths in the future, don’t blame me for not showing respect."

His words were elegant yet laced with a heavy sense of threat.

If the Sheng Family were to go against the Pei Family, it certainly wouldn’t be good for the Pei Family.

Pei Keqian is a smart man.

He understands well Sheng Qianchi’s dominance in Licheng City. Regarding a woman, if he truly wanted, he could forcibly take her, but instead, he chose to approach him in a roundabout way, suggesting he doesn’t want to force Gu Jiayin, or perhaps he cares for her.

This reassures him somewhat.

As he said, while Gu Jiayin can’t rekindle her past with Pei Nianchen, he still likes Gu Jiayin and hopes she finds a good future.

After a moment, Pei Keqian sighed softly, "Since Xueyao is carrying the Pei Family’s child, we must be responsible. I won’t support Nianchen reuniting with Jiayin, but that doesn’t mean I won’t care for Jiayin, so I still earnestly request Young Master Chi to treat Jiayin well. As for Nianchen, I will discipline him."

Sheng Qianchi was satisfied as he curled his lips, "Rest assured, Commander Pei, I, Sheng Qianchi, have never been a frivolous person; I’ll cherish my own woman."

With that, he accomplished his goal for the day and would sit back and wait for results.

It’s not that he couldn’t handle Pei Nianchen, but out of consideration for Gu Jiayin, though he could forcibly confine her, he also feared her fiery nature; he wanted to cherish her, not make her hate him.

Therefore, letting Pei Keqian play the villain was the best outcome.

...

The rain continued without the slightest intention of stopping.

Because of Sheng Qianchi, Gu Jiayin felt a sense of oppression, although Pei Nianchen was determined, she still had many concerns.

She returned to Licheng City with a heavy task, which was to find the Blood Tears Jade and return it to the Suri Royal Family as soon as possible.

The Blood Tears Jade is regarded by the Suri Royal Family as a sacred artifact ensuring the family’s prosperity and decline, carrying significant meaning, and the Suri Emperor has long lost patience. If she can’t return the Blood Tears Jade before the Suri Emperor completely loses his temper, the consequences would be unpredictable.

But now, having gotten involved with Sheng Qianchi, everything is straying further from her plan.