Chapter 14 No one would think that he was pushed here by fate. Later...

the secretary informed that there was a charity dinner and Pei Jiqing was required to attend as Shen Huixing's companion. The banquet was large in scale and brought together celebrities from Lingshi's political and business circles. Naturally, Shen Huixing also received an invitation.

Outside the floor-to-ceiling windows, neon lights shattered into flowing gold. The banquet hall was large and the scene was spectacular. It was said that this was where the head of the Ying Group got married.

When Pei Jiqing entered, he casually picked up a piece of cake and ate it. It tasted really good, so he naturally fed the remaining half to Shen Huixing's lips and said, "Husband, try it, it's delicious."

The secretary on the side saw this scene and was almost speechless. He looked at Shen Huixing and didn't move at first. Pei Jiqing's fingers brushed his boss's lips. The next second, Alpha lowered his head and put the cake into his mouth expressionlessly.

Chen Huixing commented, "Not bad."

The Secretary: "......"

Pei Jiqing felt Chen Huixing's warm lips brush the second knuckle of his index finger. He looked up to see the crystal chandelier casting a shimmering light across the dome, the champagne tower nearby reflecting the light.

The icing sugar on Pei Jiqing's fingertips suddenly became scorching hot, his fingertips still imprinted with the warmth of the other person's lip lines. He hastily withdrew his hand.

Suddenly realizing that this was in public, it wouldn't be a good idea, he quickly reverted to his dignified wifely demeanor. Pei Jiqing immediately slid her left hand into the crook of Chen Huixing's arm, her lips curled slightly as she held onto her husband, her arms locked into the most precise angle. He raised his slender neck to receive all the attention,

as if it wasn't Pei Jiqing who had just fed the treat between the alpha's lips.

In the distance, a pianist played a Chopin nocturne.

The Secretary watched as Pei Jiqing, at an awkward angle, furtively wiped the icing sugar from her fingers onto Chen Huixing's suit.

The Chief Secretary: "…………" Sometimes I really want to be blind.

After greeting everyone at the party, Pei Jiqing felt bored again, and just when he wanted to tiptoe and whisper in Shen Huixing's ear,

Wei Ji approached them with a glass of champagne. He was alone today, and the wedding ring on Pei Jiqing's ring finger suddenly felt very cold. He saw a lone wolf smile on Wei Ji's face, unruly and nonchalant.

"Executive Shen, let me introduce myself. My name is Wei Ji, and I'm the head of Qingyu Technology. Nice to meet you."

The S-level Alpha's keen sense of smell allows them to detect even the slightest trace of offensive pheromones in the air, which is why they are prone to rage and out of control.

How can they not be irritable in an environment that may be filled with unpleasant smells?

Originally, the higher the level of Alpha and Omega, the better the fertility. This is a very old definition, but now it also symbolizes physical fitness and intelligence.

Chen Huixing frowned for a moment when he felt Wei Ji's pheromones. It was the alarm in the blood of a top predator when it encounters its own kind.

And this smell.

Their pheromones belonged to the same system.

The redwood scent's heart surged with the dark and lingering notes of ebony and patchouli, and the lingering vanilla aftertaste was like lingering ambergris.

The fir scent, on the other hand, felt like an ice-hardened silver arrow piercing the air, the sharpness of pine needles and mint enough to pierce your nose.

In his peripheral vision, he saw Pei Jiqing's expression stiffen, even his grip on his arm increasing slightly.

When he noticed Chen Huixing looking at him, Pei Jiqing relaxed his grip somewhat unnaturally and quickly hid his expression.

Wei Ji stepped forward to shake Chen Huixing's hand, but Chen Huixing didn't appreciate it.

So the scene froze there.

Wei Ji's hand, suspended in the air, gradually clenched into a fist, then he retracted it, smiling a very forced smile.

Pei Jiqing felt that the atmosphere at this moment was simply suffocating. He lowered his eyes to stare at the carpet on the ground, and out of the corner of his eye he saw Wei Ji's shadow slowly swallowing up their overlapping shadows on the carpet.

Pei Jiqing really wanted to pretend that he didn't know Wei Ji. He pinched his fingertips into his palm to hold up a perfect fake smile.

"Huixing, this is President Wei," Pei Jiqing took the initiative to introduce, speaking as softly as possible, "the new investor of my show."

Wei Ji said, "Who in the entire Asian Union doesn't know the Executive Officer? Executive Officer Shen is so famous, it's only natural that he doesn't know a nobody like me. I heard that the Omegas in the Asian Union all regard you as a marriage template."

The tone of his voice was really very sarcastic.

Pei Jiqing thought to himself, as expected, they must not meet, as the eyes around them were already cast towards them.

Shen Huixing was extremely arrogant, and Wei Ji actually had a strong sense of self-esteem.

If Wei Ji revealed everything that had happened between them, he would really be finished.

But it was at this moment that no one could intervene. Pei Jiqing was internally screaming, "Help me!" when a layer of the champagne tower not far away suddenly collapsed. The noise diverted everyone's attention, and the waiters frantically wiped the debris from the floor.

Just then, the secretary whispered something in Shen Huixing's ear, indicating that someone nearby was looking for him.

Pei Jiqing told Shen Huixing to go ahead, "I'm right here. President Wei and I need to talk about the show."

Shen Huixing glanced at him and left.

Wei Ji shook his champagne glass and said sarcastically, "You're so fawning to Shen Huixing. Your man is keeping a close eye on you."

Pei Jiqing looked at him, his expressionless face returning to normal. "I thought we made it clear the other day. We should just pretend to be strangers when we meet again."

Wei Ji handed Pei Jiqing the champagne on the tray held by the waiter beside him.

Pei Jiqing took it, his knuckles pressed against the misty glass, the ripples forming like the tangled mess of their past.

Wei Ji shrugged and spread his hands: "I didn't say anything! You're just feeling guilty. You can tell from your expression."

As if he thought of something, Wei Ji suddenly laughed and said with a click of his tongue: "Even strangers can't act like it. Didn't you notice that your husband noticed something was wrong with you just now? What's wrong with you saying we are old friends?"

Old friends? Nothing is right.

Pei Jiqing didn't say anything, just looked at Wei Ji.

The next moment, the sarcasm in the corner of Wei Ji's eyes had sunk into the champagne-colored foam. He seemed to have suddenly realized: "I am a notorious wild dog who climbed up from the lower city. Could it be that your husband doesn't know about your past in the lower city?"

It must be said that Wei Ji knew Pei Jiqing very well. No one could say what he didn't want to say.

He always thought Pei Jiqing was very heartless, and could withdraw so decisively and sheath it as soon as he said so.

The warmth of shared food on a rainstorm night, their first encounter at the convenience store, walking down a chaotic path littered with neon lights and broken glass, the leaky roof rippling around his feet—all of it seemed as if it had never existed in his life.

Downtown, there was a deserted track where they'd often been. Wei Ji stood on the steel tracks, his coat rustling in the wind, shouting at the sky. Pei Jiqing had just been watching him silently, his eyes as beautiful as the sky, and Wei Ji alone remembered them.

Pei Jiqing was like an old phone that had been formatted, even the recycle bin had been emptied, and even the vows he'd once tattooed on his body had faded, no longer clear.

Wei Ji curved the corners of his mouth into an arc, but his smile was not very big: "...No wonder, you really put a lot of effort into marrying him. What did you package yourself as? A wealthy and noble young man? Or a naive young master of the Pei family? I think, you are obviously... The Pei family has an Omega, how can they let you marry Chen Huixing."

Wei Ji had no right to know about the games between these rich people before, but now he understands that the so-called marriage is a bargaining chip. The Pei family has a legitimate son, so how could they let Pei Jiqing, an illegitimate son, marry Shen Huixing? Unless it came to the point where they had to let Pei Jiqing go.

Wei Ji couldn't help but have a guess in his mind, that is, maybe Chen Huixing had marked Pei Jiqing

before the marriage, or maybe it was something else. He used to think that even if Pei Jiqing was not willing at first, he could wait until he got divorced. He had everything now, and he could give him a good life to compensate for their past.

But Pei Jiqing was so anxious to conceal the past, denying his approach, that he hadn't been reluctant about this marriage at all. Wei Ji couldn't articulate his feelings. He felt that Pei Jiqing was just as despicable as he was.

"You couldn't stand my deception back then, but you're treating Shen Huixing the same way now. Are you truly happy?"

Pei Jiqing said, "It's different."

Wei Ji: "What's the difference? I deceived you to avoid hurting you."

Pei Jiqing, fearing they would lose their composure if he continued, quickly ended the conversation: "Wei Ji, I don't want to talk about this."

"Pei Jiqing, you weren't like this before. Isn't it painful to live such a hypocritical life just to marry Shen Huixing?"

Pei Liang had been out of the public eye since his glandular damage. Even when people mentioned him now, they only mentioned that the Pei family had a son, something outsiders would never know.

Pei Jiqing figured no one would think he was driven to this point by fate. Even those who once knew him best felt that everything was a deliberate scheme on his part.

What would Shen Huixing think?

He was indeed not innocent, nor was he forced to do anything. It was just that he chose the bloodiest direction at every fork in the road.

Back then it was Wei Ji, now it is Chen Huixing.

Pei Jiqing clenched the cup in his hand and said coldly: "It's up to you, you promised me anyway. As for those things, you took pictures, they belong to you, take them."

Wei Ji said: "They belong to you, I won't take them."

Pei Jiqing was too lazy to bother to argue and said: "It's up to you."

Wei Ji: "I'm going to be on your show. Executive Shen will see it then. I hope he won't be jealous."

Wei Ji obviously didn't know that Chen Huixing would not watch Pei Jiqing's show at all.

Chen Huixing looked in Pei Jiqing's direction at this time. Pei Jiqing quickly smiled and waved at him. That smile really looked well-behaved and sweet. Chen Huixing's Adam's apple slid half an inch, and he tore his gaze back from Pei Jiqing.

Pei Jiqing's expression changed faster than the pages of a book. He said to Wei Ji, "Whatever you want to do. I know you wouldn't do such a frivolous thing. Wei Ji, if you were truly that kind of person, you wouldn't have cared about A-Long's daughter back then."

A tiny pang of pain pierced his heart, and Wei Ji's pupils shrank. He lowered his voice slightly, "After all these years, it's hard to say."

Pei Jiqing clinked his champagne glass against Wei Ji's and then walked over to Chen Huixing.

The crisp clink of the champagne glasses still lingered in Wei Ji's ears as Pei Jiqing returned to Chen Huixing's side.

Wei Ji watched Pei Jiqing holding Chen Huixing's hand, effortlessly joining in their conversation, chatting and laughing with the people across from him.

The light from the banquet hall's dome fell on his shoulders like a glimmer of gold foil, casting an amber glow even in his smile.

Chen Huixing put her arm around his waist, and Pei Jiqing instinctively leaned towards his shoulder. Their overlapping shadows were reflected on the glass curtain wall.

Chen Huixing's palm burned into Pei Jiqing's lower back with such skill. They clinked glasses with the congressman, like a model couple who truly loved each other, leaving no room for restraint.

Wei Ji squeezed the glass tightly and swallowed the champagne in his hand in one gulp, gritting his teeth, his expression a little distorted.

The champagne slid down his throat like lead water.

Wei Ji thought back to the time when they were in exile. Pei's mother had passed away, and Pei Jiqing was ill and curled up in bed like a shrimp. It was a glandular disease caused by psychology, and then he was given low-quality drugs and painkillers, but they didn't help.

He was very thin. Wei Ji spent his last money to buy a piece of strawberry cake, hoping that Pei Jiqing would feel less uncomfortable after eating it. They shared the food in the cheap hotel, one bite each, and Wei Ji held his wrist sadly.

Pei Ji traced his brow bone with his fingertips and said, "I feel much better, Wei Ji, thank you for the cake."

They were so close to being together forever.

Wei Ji pinched the cracked stem of the glass, and didn't feel the pain when the glass shards pierced his palm.

Wei Ji finally understood why he hated Pei Jiqing. Pei Jiqing thought he hated him.

But that was not the case.

Wei Ji hated himself, hated his own incompetence. Such a healthy and beautiful Pei Jiqing no longer belonged to him.

In his memories with Pei Jiqing, there was only the fishy and bitter smell of the sewers in the lower city, and no beautiful things.

Wei Ji thought that he was still unwilling to accept the fact that he was happy alone now, even though all he lacked was time.

Chen Huixing had a good family background, while he was the most insignificant person among the countless people in the lower city.

Wei Ji didn't know when he left. After Pei Jiqing finished talking with the congressman's wife, his eyes fell on the carpet not far away, where there were a few pieces of broken glass stained with blood.

"What's wrong with my husband?"

Chen Huixing shook his head, held Pei Jiqing's hand, and said to the person opposite: "We're leaving first."

On the way back, the secretary was sitting in the passenger seat. Pei Jiqing leaned on Shen Huixing's shoulder and rubbed his neck intimately. When his nose brushed against Shen Huixing's collar, the car fragrance was mixed with a hint of leather and sandalwood.

Chen Huixing was confirming tomorrow's schedule.

Pei Jiqing leaned over curiously and said, "Hubby, you haven't been on a business trip recently."

Chen Huixing said, "Didn't you watch the news?"

Pei Jiqing said, "Is it because of that incident?"

Chen Huixing hummed.

"Is it that serious? Isn't it okay to deal with all the people who need to be dealt with?" Pei Jiqing suddenly looked up, and the chief secretary in front of him passed on half a sentence: "All foreign affairs activities are now suspended for three weeks."

That was indeed very serious.

Pei Jiqing took the opportunity to dig his fingertips into Chen Huixing's palm, and his voice was like honey: "Hubby, don't be unhappy, but do you have time to accompany me? Let's go see the snow and soak in hot springs, okay? We didn't even have a honeymoon when we got married..."

When Chen Huixing and Pei Jiqing got married, there was no corresponding honeymoon trip. Pei Jiqing didn't dare to mention it at the time, and now he always feels regretful when he thinks about it.

Chen Huixing slid his fingers across the tablet: "Let's talk about it later."

Pei Jiqing muttered: "What do you mean by 'let's talk about it later'? That's not possible. You're so busy, when can we go to see the snow? Do we have to wait until you retire and we're both too old to go? You won't even be able to carry me by then."

Pei Jiqing imagined the two people who were unable to move around easily and had to use crutches to slowly move in the snow. He couldn't help but find it funny. They must be very afraid of the cold when they are old. They were wearing thick clothes, and the tips of their crutches were stuck in the snow, like two people wrapped up like dumplings.

Pei Jiqing was indeed obsessed with snow.

There was a big poster outside the hotel where they got married. It was a huge poster of the north. The top of the snow-capped mountain was shone with golden sunlight, like a half-melted piece of milk candy.

He didn't like places that were too humid.

The humidity in the lower area was very heavy and lingering. The soles of his shoes rolled against the moisture in the cracks of the tiles, as if it would make his trouser legs moldy at any time. Unlike snow, it could turn into clean nothingness when it fell into his palm.

He had always fantasized about going to a place where it snowed with Shen Huixing.

They huddled in the wooden cabin, wrapped in fluffy cashmere blankets, leaving only their heads exposed. The floor-to-ceiling windows were covered in icicles, transforming the world into a fairytale scene beyond the frosted glass. Even when the wind howled outside, they cuddled together in warmth, chatting or watching a movie, the fireplace burning with a reassuring sound.

Chen Huixing said, "I can carry you. Besides, you can have fun on your own."

Pei Jiqing retorted, "What's the fun in being alone?"

"Don't you have friends?"

Pei Jiqing said with a tearful face. "They have their own lives too. How can I always rely on others to accompany me? As a husband, you're really cruel to me." Chen

Huixing said, "Next time."

Pei Jiqing felt that Chen Huixing was just being perfunctory.

Chen Huixing finally turned his gaze back from the tablet and saw Pei Jiqing biting his lower lip, leaving a crescent mark. He touched his lips with two fingers, jokingly, and Pei Jiqing suddenly forced a fake smile at him.

Chen Huixing said, "How do you know that Wei Ji?"

Pei Jiqing was extremely alert when he heard the name from Chen Huixing. He said that he was the new investor of his program.

Chen Huixing asked him if he had dinner with him last time?

Pei Jiqing hesitated for three seconds, and then nodded knowing that he couldn't hide it: "Yes, there were many colleagues from the TV station that day. Do you know him, husband?"

Chen Huixing asked if your program is short of money?

Of course it is very short of money, otherwise how could Pei Jiqing accept such a undignified revision, but the program is indeed outdated now, this is a fact.

Pei Jiqing has never reached the peak. When he was the most popular, he relied on Chen Huixing's popularity. He didn't feel the gap of falling from the altar, but his feelings for the program have always been different, and he didn't want to give up just like that.

Even married couples have some pride. Pei Jiqing said, "I'm not in dire need of money, but it's hard to refuse someone offering money. You know I'm so famous."

Pei Jiqing promised, "I won't affect you at all."

He then revealed his finger, revealing only a wedding ring. "Look, I know things have been sensitive lately, so I've been wearing nothing when I go out. I've been keeping a low profile, and I won't wear anything in the future. I definitely won't cause you any trouble."

Pei Jiqing still had to give those things to Wei Ji, and then he could do whatever he wanted with them.

Pei Jiqing hugged him and muttered, "I'm very well behaved."

Chen Huixing squeezed his fingers. "That's not what we're talking about. Just tell Vivi what you want to buy. No need to ask for my opinion. It's just that Wei Ji is a very flamboyant person. I've only heard a little about him, and his reputation isn't very good. It's best if you don't spend too much time with him."

Pei Jiqing rested his chin on Shen Huixing's shoulder, playing with the end of his tie. "Forget about others. Honey, can you stay with me? You haven't had a vacation in ages."

Pei Jiqing flirted for a while, but Chen Huixing remained unmoved.

Being a seductress does require talent. Pei Jiqing's record is usually to give up after about ten minutes of seduction. After all, it's really hard for him to get the green light from Chen Huixing.

Boss Mai contacted Pei Jiqing again.

Pei Jiqing was in the middle of a massage when someone handed him a cell phone. He took it with his eyes closed. His face buried in the massage bed's vents, the phone pressed against his ear, he lazily asked, "Boss Mai, what can I do for you?"

As the two of them spoke, Boss Mai, after exchanging pleasantries, stated his purpose: he wanted Pei Jiqing's help with something, including an introduction to Chen Huixing. He even taught Pei Jiqing how to tell Chen Huixing.

Massage oil slid down his spine and into the hollow of his waist.

Pei Jiqing tilted his head and raised his head to signal the masseur to stop. When he turned over and sat up, the person next to him put a bathrobe on him. He said, "Boss Mai, you know I never understand my husband's affairs. I only know how to spend money all day, and he won't listen to me."

Boss Mai said on the other end, "Madam, you underestimate yourself too much. One word from you is definitely worth a thousand words from us."

Pei Jiqing's tone was embarrassed, but his expression on the other end of the phone didn't change much: "Well, but I really don't understand."

Boss Mai said, "Mr. Wei bought your things at a high price. I know you must have a deep friendship with him. I also deposited the small fee into Madam's account. Madam, you can go and choose some small things."

Pei Jiqing was silent for a moment, pinching his forehead with a headache.

Pei Jiqing never owed anyone any favors before, but now he has been really hurt by Pei Liang.

"Okay, I'll bring it up with my husband when I get a chance. But Boss Mai, you know my husband, so remember to keep everything else confidential."

Boss Mai quickly agreed, "If my wife doesn't want me to tell anyone, I won't say anything."

Pei Jiqing naturally wouldn't bring it up. Besides, he hadn't taken advantage of Boss Mai much; he'd just been using the platform to get it out. Boss Mai really took him for granted. He'd return the money he'd "given" to him tomorrow, or he'd have a hard time explaining it. He shouldn't have left it in his own account, but he didn't trust anyone.

He wouldn't bring it up, and Boss Mai naturally didn't dare ask Chen Huixing.

Pei Jiqing's desire to be a loving wife depended on her mood.

Three hundred and sixty-five days a year, a loving wife needed to rest for special reasons.

Like last night's late night.

When Chen Huixing got up, Pei Jiqing was still asleep. Sunlight streamed in, and he curled up in his covers, his hickey-marked shoulders exposed, sound asleep.

Chen Huixing kissed the corner of his lips and went downstairs.

At the dining table.

Chen Huixing was eating breakfast, looked up and said to Sister Zhang, "I've always had a question."

Sister Zhang was originally drowsy, but she suddenly became alert, her eyes wide open. She would never betray the madam: "Sir, tell me."

"Is our chef a relative of someone? Or did he give someone money when he came in?"

Sister Zhang shook her head and smiled slightly: "No, sir, why do you think so? This is the chef specially selected by the madam, but the chef's cooking skills are definitely not as good as the madam's. You must be used to the loving meals that the madam makes for you, so you think that everyone else's cooking is just average." Chen Huixing

swallowed, wiped his mouth calmly and said: "If he is really a relative, you can arrange a separate position for him and pay him the same salary. The chef is not suitable for him."

Sister Zhang said as if she was reciting a mantra: "In short, no matter how good the chef is, he can't compare to the madam. After all, the madam cooks with love, and no one else can compare."

Chen Huixing saw Sister Zhang immersed in her own world: "...I mean..."

Sister Zhang looked at her with an attentive look. Chen Huixing wiped his mouth and stood up and said forget it. Later

, Chen Huixing understood why their family had the worst chef in the world.