Chapter 17: Treat Her Well
The air in the study instantly froze. Qin’s father stared at Pei Yunnian in disbelief, recalling the man’s every move from moments ago, breaking into a cold sweat.
Pei Yunnian lifted his eyes to meet Qin’s father’s anxious gaze and smiled faintly without a word.
He had no intention of revealing his true identity so soon—partly to avoid frightening Qin’s father, and partly because the time was not yet right.
Qin’s father, waiting for a response, found none. The project Pei Yunnian mentioned was like a juicy piece of meat, eyed by many, and no one yet knew who would ultimately claim it.
Without absolute certainty, no one would knowingly shoot themselves in the foot.
His silence must have a reason, Qin’s father thought bitterly to himself. When he looked up again, a trace of reverence had crept into his eyes.
His smile had softened considerably; he even stood to pour Pei Yunnian a cup of tea.
“Such a poor memory of mine! After all I said, you must be thirsty. Have some tea to soothe you,” Qin’s father said, bowing slightly.
The change in attitude was staggering—he seemed almost eager to worship this man as a revered ancestor.
Pei Yunnian lowered his eyelids, his gaze resting on the teacup. His long fingers tapped idly on the desk, a deliberate rhythm.
The study fell silent once more, Qin’s father’s smile beginning to crack.
Still no reaction from the man, and the atmosphere grew ever more awkward.
Just as Qin’s father was at a loss for words, Pei Yunnian’s dark voice broke the silence: “I truly like Qin Wanyi.”
His slender fingers toyed with the teacup. Surprised, Qin’s father fixed his gaze on him. Pei Yunnian’s expression was solemn; it was no jest.
Yet those words made Qin’s father’s heart skip a beat.
“The reason Wanyi divorced Jiang Yi was entirely because that scoundrel did not deserve her,” Pei Yunnian’s face darkened, his eyes sharp.
He crushed the teacup disdainfully. The crisp sound startled Qin’s father, whose heart pounded wildly.
“After they married, he barely came home, indulging in nightly revelries elsewhere, carefree and unburdened, leaving the young lady alone at home to drown her sorrows in drink.”
Pei Yunnian ground his teeth as he recounted Jiang Yi’s misdeeds, one by one.
Qin’s father was snapped back to reality by his words. “W-What did you say?”
He could hardly believe his ears.
After all, Qin Wanyi had fought desperately for that marriage. He had thought they would at least be happy together.
Yet it turned out that since the wedding, she had been left alone in an empty home, drinking her days away.
At first, he had suspected Wanyi was making excuses after falling for someone else. Seeing Jiang Yi and Lin Xiaoxiao’s ambiguous relationship, he even witnessed their kiss with his own eyes.
“That scumbag never loved the young lady. He never deserved her love!” Pei Yunnian clenched his fist and slammed it on the desk.
Qin’s father, enraged by the truth, clenched his own fists, trembling. After all, Wanyi was his precious treasure, whom he had raised with utmost care, never daring to punish or scold harshly.
And yet, she had been so cruelly mistreated by a scoundrel. More infuriating still, Jiang Yi’s entanglement was not just with anyone, but with Lin Xiaoxiao.
Wasn’t this deliberate torment?
“They’re both shameless—the scoundrel and that brazen woman—truly a perfect match!” Pei Yunnian cursed under his breath.
Those words struck Qin’s father deeply. His fists tensed, his entire body trembling; unable to restrain himself, he slammed his fist onto the desk.
“I never imagined that girl had such audacity—to seduce no one but her own brother-in-law!”
Pei Yunnian sneered. “Not just seduction—she’s done many things that hurt the young lady. How do you suppose we settle that score?”
His sinister gaze chilled the air. Qin’s father snapped back to his senses, hearing the man’s implication clearly—it was a subtle warning directed at himself.
“W-What did you say? Xiaoxiao harmed Wanyi?” Qin’s father’s face turned pale, his anger surging.
That girl had been bullied yet never told him.
For the first time, Qin’s father learned of his daughter’s suffering from a bodyguard’s mouth. He felt deeply ashamed.
“That wretched girl,” Qin’s father ground his teeth. When he turned to Pei Yunnian, he suppressed his earlier anger, and a newfound respect gleamed in his eyes.
“Don’t worry, I’ll go back and deal with that girl properly! Teach her a lesson!”
Only then did Pei Yunnian’s expression soften.
Half an hour later, the two walked downstairs side by side.
Hearing the noise, Qin Wanyi turned and saw her father standing beside Pei Yunnian. There was no anger on his face—instead, a strange intimacy and even respect.
What had they talked about in that half hour?
Why was her father acting like this?
Could it be that this man had threatened him?
Fury surged uncontrollably within Qin Wanyi. She stomped forward in her towering heels.
Pei Yunnian’s gaze fell upon her as she approached, a slight smile tugging at his lips. Before he could speak, Qin Wanyi pushed him, causing him to stagger.
“Are you alright?” Qin’s father broke out in a cold sweat. Fortunately, Pei Yunnian caught the stair railing and did not fall.
Qin’s father’s face darkened instantly. “What are you doing? You’re growing more unruly by the day!”
“Is this how I taught you?”
Caught in her anger, Qin Wanyi was stunned by her father’s scolding.
She stood frozen for a moment, then processed his words. “Dad, what’s wrong with you?”
She instinctively glared at the man beside him. “What spell have you cast on my father?”
Pei Yunnian found her fiery expression and sudden question utterly endearing and couldn’t help but chuckle.
“You’re laughing!” Qin Wanyi frowned, only to be flicked sharply on the forehead by her father.
The sting made her clutch the spot and take a few steps back, tears welling in her eyes.
“Still so fierce!” Qin’s father warned, though his voice was unusually gentle.
He smiled at Pei Yunnian, then pulled Qin Wanyi aside. “Listen, you mustn’t bully him!”
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