Volume One, Chapter 109: Dare You

When Pei Jingmo’s mask fell away, Song Qingyu was knocked unconscious by a bookshelf and remained unresponsive. Yet, Zhu Yanyan caught a glimpse of Pei Jingmo’s face.

Today marked the centennial celebration of Capital University, and the school had notified all students two weeks earlier about the guests attending the event. There was much curiosity about Gu Yuandong, the president of the Gu Corporation, with many sneaking off to catch a glimpse of him.

Zhu Yanyan, however, was preoccupied with little else. Having neglected her studies all year, and with final exams looming, she was desperate not to fail. On her way to the library, she spotted from afar the man surrounded by school leaders, wearing a mask, posing like a dignitary.

She could never have imagined that Gu Yuandong was actually Pei Jingmo.

One was a prince of the Beijing elite; the other, a discharged soldier now working as a laborer on construction sites. Nobody in their right mind would link the two.

Yet, that was the truth.

After learning it, every time Zhu Yanyan saw Pei Jingmo, his entire aura seemed transformed—like the bright moon in the sky, forever out of her reach.

“Hah—no wonder you look down on me. Of course, as the heir to Tianqi Group, how could you possibly be with a common girl like me?” Zhu Yanyan laughed bitterly to herself. “Before, I thought you married Song Qingyu for her wealthy background, but it turns out the real fool was me. Your status is far more formidable than hers.”

Pei Jingmo glanced at her coolly, his expression as indifferent as ever, unchanged by the revelation of his identity.

“I love Qingqing. It has nothing to do with our statuses. I love her as a person.”

“Hah—really? Then why did you lie to her? Song Qingyu probably still doesn’t know that her husband Pei Jingmo is actually her boss Gu Yuandong, right? Aren’t you afraid she’ll divorce you once she finds out the truth?”

“That’s between Qingqing and me, no one else’s concern.”

His attitude cut deep into Zhu Yanyan’s heart. Clenching her fists in rage, she challenged, “Now that I know your secret, aren’t you afraid I’ll tell Song Qingyu about you?”

Pei Jingmo smirked, sitting in the chair opposite her, his gaze sharp. Though dressed in the same outfit Pei Jingmo often wore, his entire aura was entirely different.

“Do you dare?”

Though smiling, his natural dominance sent chills down Zhu Yanyan’s spine.

Suddenly, she realized the fearless, cold, ruthless man before her was the real him; the gentle, considerate Pei Jingmo was merely a facade created by Gu Yuandong.

“You—”

“You should know, if it weren’t for Qingqing, you would have perished in that fire.”

Zhu Yanyan bit her lip, embarrassed and uneasy.

The person who saved her was none other than Song Qingyu!

In such a fierce blaze, wasn’t she afraid of dying alongside her?

Pei Jingmo crossed his legs leisurely, staring at her. “Qingqing delayed, giving me time to rescue you. The life debt I owed to Zhu Chunfeng is now repaid. From here on, you have only one path.”

“What?”

“Leave the country.”

Zhu Yanyan’s heart trembled sharply. She had already guessed this outcome when she saw the face beneath the mask.

This man feared she would reveal the truth to Song Qingyu and surely would not allow her to remain in the capital.

Any previous affection she had for him vanished with his threats and the unbridgeable gulf between them.

She knew clearly she didn’t even have the right to negotiate.

The man before her was not the Pei Jingmo she knew—he was unfamiliar and terrifying.

Sweat broke out on her back and palms. As Pei Jingmo stood up, she called after him, “Can I at least see Song Qingyu?”

“No need.”

Zhu Yanyan was left speechless.

When Pei Jingmo returned to Song Qingyu’s hospital room, Qingyu had just finished her nebulizer treatment. Seeing her cough, he immediately rushed over and patted her back.

“I’m fine.”

Gripping his arm, tears welling from coughing, Song Qingyu asked, “How is Zhu Yanyan?”

“She’s fine. She’s decided to study abroad.”

“So suddenly?”

“She said she came to terms with it—better to study and grow overseas than stay here unloved.”

Thinking of those two girls who hadn’t even called her name in life or death moments, Song Qingyu realized she must have poor social standing.

“And what about her feelings for you?”

After their recent conversation, Zhu Yanyan would probably avoid him at all costs.

“She doesn’t like me anymore.”

“Ah?”

“Did you want her to?”

Song Qingyu was caught off guard, her heart racing. Unsure how to reply, she stammered, “That… that’s between you two. I can’t really say.”

The moment the words left her mouth, she sensed Pei Jingmo’s expression darkening, but he said nothing. He opened a jar brought in earlier, revealing pear syrup good for soothing the throat.

He scooped a spoonful, blew on it, and offered it to her.

Song Qingyu moved her lips, wanting to speak but unsure what to say, so she drank the syrup instead.

Afterward, Pei Jingmo remained silent, the atmosphere growing tense and awkward.

Sensing her misstep, Song Qingyu hurried to clarify, “I meant, since she liked you so much and we only have six months left together, maybe then you could—”

“Matters after the divorce are none of your concern.”

Just then, Pei Jingmo’s phone rang. Without a word, he stepped out to answer. Song Qingyu watched his retreating figure in frustration.

The call was from He Shubai.

“President Gu, the person has been found.”

“Where?”

“A small town in Province Y, but there’s a complication.”

“Speak.”

“She’s pregnant.”

“Bring her back.”

“Yes, sir.”

After hanging up, Pei Jingmo stared at the dark, oppressive clouds outside the window, his gaze icy and terrifying.

Song Qingyu clearly felt his anger.

Though he remained as considerate as ever—even more attentive after her discharge—he spoke less, rarely initiating conversation beyond the daily greetings.

This was her first marriage.

Song Qingyu didn’t know how to handle the situation and tried every means to break the ice.

Suddenly, an idea brightened her eyes. She followed Pei Jingmo as he prepared to fix a table.

“Jingmo, President Gu saved me, and I don’t know how to thank him. I heard he likes sweets, so I want to bake a cake for him myself. Could you help me?”

Pei Jingmo was speechless.

He had been wondering how long she would keep coming to him, and after all this time, this was the plan she came up with.

To bake a cake for another man!

Even though that man was still him!

He was still very displeased!