CHAPTER 36: CHAPTER 36: TWO EARTH-SHATTERING EVENTS OCCURRED

"What are you saying?" Zuo Qianhua also stood up excitedly, looking at Pei Nianchen with a cold expression, "Nianchen, how can the Pei Family raise an illegitimate child? For the sake of the child, you must marry Xueyao before she gives birth."

Pei Nianchen pressed his lips together, turning his head to glance at Zuo Qianhua, his pupils like deep ink, filled with dark sarcasm, "Mom, ask yourself, are you satisfied with Qin Xueyao?"

Zuo Qianhua, "..."

No, she wasn’t satisfied. She felt Qin Xueyao was not worthy of her son at all. She had been a thousand kinds of unwilling, but Pei Keqian insisted on giving Qin Xueyao an official status.

But now, she had to urge Pei Nianchen to marry Qin Xueyao because she would never let Gu Jiayin take her son away again.

Her husband had always kept another woman in his heart for his entire life, that was Gu Jiayin’s mother. She never wished for her son to have any good outcome with the daughter of her rival. In the past, when they were together, she couldn’t oppose due to the power of the Gu Family and Pei Keqian’s support.

But now the situation was different.

Pei Keqian sighed deeply. He was also not satisfied with Qin Xueyao; a woman like Ye Zhilin couldn’t raise a good daughter. His ideal choice for a daughter-in-law had always been Gu Jiayin.

However, he was a man of principles. Since Qin Xueyao was carrying a Pei Family child, the Pei Family had to give her a title.

Of course, he also knew how deep Pei Nianchen’s obsession with Gu Jiayin was. Forcing him would only push their father-son relationship to the brink. So he adopted a roundabout strategy,

"Xueyao has just been pregnant for four months, and there’s still some time before she gives birth. This matter can be postponed for now. Currently, there is a secret mission in the military that requires your execution. Depart overnight."

How could Pei Nianchen not see through Pei Keqian’s intention, "Dad, right now Jiayin really needs me. Those online news need me to step up to clear her name. I can’t leave."

Pei Keqian stood up, his posture erect, overwhelming in presence. At this moment, he was a commander, not a father, "This is an order!"

Pei Nianchen, "..."

He was a soldier, with obedience to orders as his duty. When his father pressed him as a commander, he had no power to resist.

But, he absolutely didn’t want to leave at this time.

Thus, the living room fell into silence, the father and son in a deadlock.

Finally, Pei Keqian sighed lightly, softening his tone, "I will secretly help with Jiayin’s matters, you can rest assured to carry out the mission."

Actually, without his intervention, he knew Sheng Qianchi would certainly not stand by and do nothing.

After much struggle, Pei Nianchen reluctantly stood at attention and saluted, "Yes."

...

The next day, the sky finally cleared, and the sun shone over the earth once more. The newly blossomed pear flowers stood charmingly on the branches, while some were faded and scattered, covering the ground with sorrow.

Gu Jiayin and Lu Xiya got up early and went to the dock together, renting a small boat that they personally piloted to sail on the river.

This river is called Luo River, winding around the north side of Licheng City, flowing from west to east and eventually into the sea. On one side of the riverbank is a wheat field, lush and green, and on the other side are towering mountains.

The journey went smoothly, and after about two hours, the boat reached the site where the wrecked ship had sunk years ago.

The wind on the river was strong.

Today, Gu Jiayin wore a white trench coat on purpose.

Early in the morning, she had personally picked many pear flower petals and was now scattering handfuls over the spot where Gu Yachen had fallen into the water, her tears mingling with the river wind, becoming entangled in her disordered hair.

"Brother, I’m back."

When they were young, they always ran around under the pear trees. He was only born half an hour earlier than her, but he fulfilled all the duties of an older brother, always cherishing and protecting her.

He loved pear flowers dearly, and he once said she was like a pear flower, so wearing white suits her best.

Lu Xiya threw rice dumplings one by one into the river, "Yachen, your favorite rice dumplings, I made them myself."

Although she had always harbored admiration for Pei Nianchen, she could never deny how much she cherished the goodness Gu Yachen once showed her.

Both women standing at the bow of the boat, reminiscing about the past, were immersed in their own memories. They failed to notice the black silhouette standing on the cliff on one side of the riverbank.

That was a man.

His figure was tall, his features handsome and deep, and as he gazed at the two women, there was an uncontainable sorrow and love in his eyes.

His right arm was wrapped in bandages, injured days ago while saving Gu Jiayin after taking a bullet from Sheng Qianchi.

The wind on the cliff was also strong, lifting the man’s dark trench coat and his vibrant short hair.

He squinted his eyes, staring intently at the two women on the river. This man, who danced on the edge of knives and bullets, was, at this moment, tender and gentle to the extreme.

There was an air of vicissitude about him, and one glance would reveal he was a man with a story.

He used to be called Gu Yachen, now he is Lan Yue.

"Brother Yue, Mr. Gu has urged you to return again. You can’t delay any longer."

The man’s gaze remained on the river, his handsome brows slightly furrowed as he responded in a low voice to the person behind him, "Understood, we will set off immediately."

"Alright, Brother Yue." The underling also glanced at the two women on the river. "You don’t need to worry too much, Brother Yue. Right now, Pei Nianchen is protecting Miss Gu. There shouldn’t be any danger."

"Hmm, let’s go."

The man took one last deep look at the river before turning and walking down the cliff.

...

When Gu Jiayin and Lu Xiya returned to the dock, it was already the afternoon.

Before disembarking, she habitually took out her phone to check the news and found that in just one morning, two earth-shattering events had occurred in Licheng City, both related to her.

The first was a press conference held by Sheng Qianchi’s mother, Gu Shaohua, and Qin Yishu, where she personally announced that Qin Yishu was her favorite choice for a daughter-in-law and presented the Sheng Family’s heirloom Jade Bracelet to Qin Yishu.

Qin Yishu also stated with grace in front of the media that Sheng Qianchi is an outstanding man, bound to be entangled by seductive women, but they have a six-year relationship, and when he’s had enough fun, he will surely return to her. There are countless women, but there is only one Madam Sheng.

This was clearly meant to slap Gu Jiayin in the face.

The second incident was another press conference, called by Zuo Qianhua with Qin Xueyao.

Zuo Qianhua’s words were more aggressive.

Gu Shaohua had spoken with subtle insinuations without naming names, but Zuo Qianhua directly insulted Gu Jiayin as a vixen, seducing her son, and firmly stated that the Pei Family would never accept Gu Jiayin, with Qin Xueyao being the chosen daughter-in-law.

Qin Xueyao, a good actress, cried in front of the media, begging Gu Jiayin to spare Pei Nianchen for the sake of the child in her belly. Her child needed a father.

Today’s public opinion wave was even more turbulent than yesterday’s, with tens of thousands of people online posting messages condemning Gu Jiayin. Qin Xueyao’s fans even started a slogan: "Drive Gu Jiayin out of Licheng City."

Lu Xiya saw the news and worriedly asked, "Jiayin, the online comments are very unfavorable for you. What are you going to do?"