“One punch—for making her fall from the basket!”
“One punch—for destroying the herb garden and nearly burning her alive!”
Pei Qingyan’s fists landed blow after blow, but the pain in Gu Yanze’s heart was far worse than the bruises on his body.
He knew he deserved every bit of it.
When Pei Qingyan was done, Gu Yanze was battered and bruised.
“Stay away from her,” Pei Qingyan warned coldly before turning and walking away.
Gu Yanze stared after him, dazed, before finally making his way to Lingyuan’s villa.
They… they were together now.
Rain and pain soaked him to the bone. He howled in agony, but Lingyuan was nowhere to be found.
How had things come to this?
Lingyuan! Why had she changed so much?
Pei Qingyan, meanwhile, returned to the villa. He never tried to force anything, only quietly helped out, so Grandpa let him stay.
Seeing Lingyuan’s light still on, Pei Qingyan knocked gently, only entering after she gave permission.
“Are you… all right?” he asked softly.
Lingyuan, in a clean dress with her hair down, looked both serene and melancholy.
“Don’t worry, I’m fine,” she replied, but before she could say more, she suddenly threw herself into his arms. Her cheeks flushed as they embraced for the first time.
“It’s okay. No matter what happens, I’ll always be here,” Pei Qingyan whispered, holding her tightly.
In the quiet night, he could feel Lingyuan’s heart pounding.
He stroked her waist, gazing into her bright, tearful eyes.
The clouds parted, moonlight spilling through the window as their lips met in a gentle, lingering kiss.
“Lingyuan, can we… be together from now on?”
She nodded, shyly. “Yes… we can.”
He gently slipped off her dress, entwining their fingers as they lay together, whispering sweet nothings.
Their love was tender and endless.
At dawn, Lingyuan blushed as she looked up at Pei Qingyan’s handsome face, only to be pulled into another passionate kiss.
Still breathless from the night before, she lightly pounded his chest in protest, making him laugh before finally letting her go.
Their intimacy was interrupted by a phone call. Pei Qingyan almost ignored it, but when he saw it was from his chief researcher, he picked up.
“President Pei! It’s a success! The Swallowflower extract really does enhance cellular activity! The clinical trial revived a patient in a vegetative state—your sister’s parents might be saved!”
Pei Qingyan’s shock and joy drew Lingyuan’s curiosity.
When he shared the news, she was stunned, then burst into tears of happiness.
Her parents had been in a vegetative state since she was twelve. Grandpa had tried everything, even using Swallowflower, but it had only kept them alive, not revived them. She’d given Pei Qingyan some leaves for research, but never dared hope for a miracle.
Now, thanks to modern medicine, that miracle had come.
“Don’t cry, sweetheart. I’ll go back to help with your parents’ treatment. Wait for me, okay?”
Jishitang had just opened, so Lingyuan couldn’t leave, but she nodded through her tears.
Pei Qingyan kissed her forehead gently before hurrying off to catch his flight home.
Lingyuan shared the good news with Grandpa, who wept with joy before teasing her about Pei Qingyan’s overnight stay. Embarrassed, Lingyuan hurried out to inspect the herb garden, her heart light.
Birdsong filled the air, sunlight streamed down—it had been so long since she’d felt this happy.
Whether it was finally being with Pei Qingyan, or the hope of her parents’ recovery, she felt as if she were dreaming.
But as she entered the garden, her smile froze—Gu Yanze was there, waiting for her.
“Lingyuan! I finally found you! You’re smiling—because you’re happy to see me, right?”
Before she could react, he rushed forward and hugged her tightly.
She struggled, but his arms were like steel, refusing to let go.
Disgust filled her—she had nothing left for him.
Her strength waned, and she gave up fighting.
Gu Yanze buried his face in her neck, only to see the faint marks of Pei Qingyan’s kisses. He snapped.
“Who was it? Which man did this to you? Was it because of him?”
“Lingyuan! Have you forgotten me?”
“How could you do this?”
His accusations didn’t faze her. Looking at his furious, desperate face, Lingyuan suddenly laughed.
“Uncle, don’t forget—no matter who’s at fault, don’t take it out on someone else.”
“Every time, you punished me for someone else’s crimes. You almost killed me!”
“Don’t forget—it was you, Uncle! You’re the real culprit!”
Her words cut like knives. Gu Yanze, stunned and in pain, let her go, unable to explain himself.
In that instant, Lingyuan grabbed a pot of thorny cactus and smashed it into him. The spines tore his skin, sending him staggering back, staring at her in disbelief.
Chapter 14
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