Extreme Pampering-Chapter 71 - Does She Know You Once Gave Her Up

Chapter 71: Chapter 71 Does She Know You Once Gave Her Up?

Chapter 71: Chapter 71 Does She Know You Once Gave Her Up?

Pei Yu learned that Shen Zhiyi had gone to see his father the next morning, just before Father Pei was admitted to the sanatorium. He had already seized all of his father’s power and purged Pei’s from top to bottom, completely overhauling the staff. Yet, there were still former subordinates willing to serve Father Pei. The person responsible for escorting Shen Zhiyi this time was one of them.

He first had someone check who could still be used around Father Pei. The investigation turned up over a dozen people, some were Father Pei’s subordinates, some were board members, and others were insignificant figures that Pei’s never considered valuable.

The list was sent to Qin Fang, who frowned as he read it, “Is this my aunt’s doing too? She’s been staying abroad all along. When did she start contacting Uncle Pei?”

It gave him a headache. When Pei Yu initially started seizing power, he had clearly stood opposite Father Pei. If there hadn’t been a point of no return, Father Pei would never have agreed to relinquish his authority. Everyone knew how discordant the relationship between Father Pei and his son was. Helping Father Pei at a time like this was simply foolish.

His aunt probably couldn’t let go of her ex-husband, to be so muddled.

“Uncle Pei doesn’t hold any shares, and even with help in pulling strings, it’s useless. I’ll have someone clean it up thoroughly.”

Apart from Pei Yu, the other children of the Pei family were either in jail or abroad or had already perished in the power struggles. Father Pei was in no position to make a comeback, and he knew it, but after being in a high position for so long, he couldn’t bear losing everything.

Qin Fang thought the situation was a little annoying but nothing too serious. However, he realized it was not that simple after seeing Pei Yu’s complexion.

Pei Yu was silent, his expression cold, emitting a fierce aura as if a storm was approaching.

He watched apprehensively, “Did Uncle Pei do something?”

What could an old man with a broken leg do that would anger Pei Yu so greatly?

Pei Yu didn’t speak, extinguished his cigarette butt, and coldly tossed out a remark as a reminder, “Have your aunt withdraw her people.”

This meant to remove all the useful people around Father Pei.

Back in the car, Secretary Qin sat in the passenger seat, cautiously inquiring, “Heading to the sanatorium?”

Since Father Pei had been sent to the sanatorium, Pei Yu had never visited. The father and son had not seen each other for many years.

Pei Yu kept his eyes closed, fingers rolling an unlit cigarette. Tobacco flakes fluttered down. His face was coldly clear, revealing no emotional turmoil, yet the movement of his hands betrayed a certain indescribable restlessness.

“Go to the film set.”

In the middle of filming, Shen Zhiyi received a message from Secretary Qin. The lines she had just memorized were completely forgotten, causing her to flub her lines for a rare moment.

She went to negotiate with Director Meng, claiming she wasn’t in a good state and asking to rest for a while. The set was still being dismantled, so Director Meng agreed with a wave of his hand and proceeded to shoot other actors’ parts first.

At the film base, there were three or four crews, and sneaky paparazzi were also present. Pei Yu’s car was parked in the most conspicuous spot in the parking area. As Shen Zhiyi approached, she constantly feared a paparazzo might suddenly jump out.

As she got closer, she saw Pei Yu leaning against the car window, his head slightly lowered, his face unguarded.

She was confused, “Why are you here? Is something wrong?”

It made no sense to meet at the film base where there were many people and chaos, especially since the two of them had almost seen each other every day recently.

Pei Yu gestured, “Come here.”

As she drew near, she could smell the faint scent of tobacco. Shen Zhiyi looked up to read his expression.

He wasn’t addicted to smoking, but would smoke when in a bad mood.

Her voice was soft, “What’s wrong?”

Pei Yu didn’t speak, but pressed the back of her neck and pulled her into his arms, holding her quietly for a while.

Just as Shen Zhiyi was about to ask if something had happened, she heard his slightly hoarse voice, “What did he say to you?”

She immediately realized that Pei Yu knew she had met Father Pei.

With some hesitation, not understanding why his reaction was so strong, she said, “He didn’t say much, I left after chatting for a bit.”

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She didn’t want to mention the part that mattered most to her, feeling there was no need. She wasn’t jealous, nor did she feel like a replacement. It just dawned on her that all feelings have an end; they can change. Father Pei felt this way toward his several wives, Huo Heng toward her, and Pei Yu would be no exception.

Wishing for a love that lasts until death is the most pitiable and most unrealistic.

Shen Zhiyi had never considered this before; hence she stubbornly believed Huo Heng was the most important person to her. Naively, she assumed her significance to Huo Heng was mutual, believing he couldn’t let go of the decades they shared together—closer than family. But Huo Heng had long forgotten; the feeling she thought would be etched in his memory forever had vanished with the wind.

It was only now that she fully understood this, and finally realized that one doesn’t have to be heartbroken to the bone to give up.

The arms around her waist tightened, and Pei Yu’s voice grew heavy, “Don’t meet with him again.”

Unable to discern whether he was angry, Shen Zhiyi didn’t ask further and hugged him back, “Okay.”

She had no reason to see Father Pei again.

Her compliance and gentleness freed Pei Yu from his anxiety, and due to her consistent attitude, his unsettled heart quieted down considerably.

After parting with Shen Zhiyi, Pei Yu drove alone to the nursing home. He had chosen this place for Father Pei, never thinking he would set foot here until his father’s death.

Years had passed since he last saw his father, who hadn’t changed much aside from aging.

Father Pei showed no surprise at his arrival; he was the person who knew Pei Yu best in the world—his son, whom he had personally raised.

“Long time no see,” Father Pei said slowly with a smile, “I thought I wouldn’t see you until I was about to die.”

Everyone said he was heartless, but he felt his son surpassed him in that regard.

Though father and son bore a resemblance, their demeanors were different. Father Pei was more scholarly and gentle, while Pei Yu was colder, sharper, unapologetically showing his edges, resembling the younger Father Pei.

Pei Yu scrutinized him with a cold gaze, knowing that this man wasn’t as harmless as he appeared. Even when shooting at his own son, he had done so with a smile.

No longer the teenager from those years, Pei Yu’s expression was blank, not to be led around by him.

“If you want to live to a ripe old age, don’t even think about provoking me.”

Father Pei laughed at the sight of his youngest son, whom he had raised himself, saying knowingly, “Are you talking about Shen Zhiyi? I just wanted to know if she still remembers you.”

He maneuvered his wheelchair, looking out the window at the scenery, his gentle voice unable to hide the scorn, “Pei Yu, does she know you once gave up on her?”

The teenage Pei Yu, because of his helplessness, had been forced to submit to his father’s decision. He failed to keep his promise and couldn’t take Shen Zhiyi away from her dysfunctional family.

It was a past Pei Yu was ashamed to mention.

And a work Father Pei took pride in.