Shi Nuan kept her attention on Pei Jingxiu and extended her hand for a handshake.
Pei Jingxiu gently nodded and greeted her with a very quick but polite handshake. “I heard Chengyan had gotten married but just couldn’t find the right time to pay you all a visit. Hope you understand.”
“Don’t worry about it.” Shi Nuan drew her hand back. Suddenly, she remembered what Fu Chengyan did to her earlier, and she gave him a murderous stare and pinched him back.
Fu Chengyan, who gave you the permission to pinch me?
Shi Nuan’s childish act was obvious, and it drew Pei Jingxiu’s and Su Shaoqing’s attention. Their eyebrows waggled. While Su Shaoqing had gotten used to their interaction, Pei Jingxiu was surprised how Fu Chengyan tolerated her behavior.
Pei Jingxiu pondered and looked at Shi Nuan for a moment before talking to the rest, “Come on, let’s go.”
“A few days ago, I’ve asked people to tidy up your villa. Since it’s has been vacant for quite some time, I’m not sure if you’ll feel comfortable staying in it.”
“No worries. It’s just a temporary place for me to stay, and I won’t be here for long.” Pei Jingxiu said while walking in front with Fu Chengyan by his side.
As a medical doctor, Su Shaoqing had no interest in their business discussion, so he retreated to the back and walked behind them.
Shi Nuan, too, was alert enough to leave the two men alone. She walked beside Su Shaoqing and asked, “Is Jingxiu a powerful person? The three of them seem to respect him a lot.”
Su Shaoqing’s forehead puckered for a bit, but he eventually responded with a smile, “Not as powerful as Chengyan, I guess? But if they were to engage in a fight, even two Chengyan’s’ would be no match for Jingxiu.”
“Really?” Shi Nuan was shocked to hear that. She had always thought Fu Chengyan was already a powerful man though she had never seen him fight. During their first encounter, Fu Chengyan rescued her from the balcony where she was drugged, and he managed to carry her single-handedly. It was at that time Shi Nuan thought he was a powerful man with great strength.
Now Su Shaoqing told Shi Nuan, even two Fu Chengyan’s’ might not defeat Pei Jingxiu? How is it possible?
“Let me put it this way. Jingxiu will have no problem defeating Chengyan and Li Heng if he engages in a fight with the two at the same time. That’s how powerful he is. If you’re interested in his background, try asking your husband. He knows him more than I do!”
Su Shaoqing was constantly in awe of Pei Jingxiu when he was talking about this man. “Jingxiu has even saved my life once!”
Su Shaoqing sighed, “By the way, don’t tell me you’re in love with him? His standards are exceptionally high, I’m telling you. Over the last three decades, he has never come across any woman he thought is worthy of his attention.”
Shi Nuan rolled her eyes at Su Shaoqing, “What on earth are you thinking? I’m Chengyan’s wife, for goodness sake! I just felt he looks extraordinary and would want to know more about him.”
Just when Shi Nuan thought he had misunderstood her, Su Shaoqing raised his brows and said sarcastically, “Yeah, right. I wonder who kept staring at Jingxiu when he walked out of the airport. It was almost as if you’re willing to offer yourself to him. Did you see Chengyan’s expression? Pretty sure he wanted to get rid of Jingxiu at that moment, but too bad, that day will never come!”
Shi Nuan shot daggers at him once again, “Stop spouting nonsense! I was just… admiring him!” Indeed, Shi Nuan had never seen another man that was more handsome than Pei Jingxiu. “Mr. Su, I think you really misunderstood me. What if I tell Yan or Jingxiu…”
“Please don’t! I’m just kidding!” Su Shaoqing immediately conceded defeat, “It was just a joke!” Su Shaoqing shook his head and put on an awkward smile, “Women are really not easy to deal with.”
“What did you say?” Shi Nuan pretended as if she did not understand, “Mr. Su?”
“Nothing! I said you look very gorgeous!”
“What are you two doing?” Fu Chengyan turned around and saw the two of them bickering with each other.
“Nothing!” Shi Nuan grinned and walked up to Fu Chengyan, “Mr. Su said he’s envious of us!”
“Is that so?” The corners of Fu Chengyan’s mouth quirked up, and he took a glance at Su Shaoqing. He could only force a smile, “Yes, I am. A lonely bachelor like me is indeed envious of you both.”
Pei Jingxiu traveled in Su Shaoqing’s car since he would be staying next to his villa. Shi Nuan and Fu Chengyan, on the other hand, drove another car.
Shi Nuan was still very curious about Pei Jingxiu. Mostly it was because of the way how Su Shaoqing described him in the first place. Too bad he did not want to tell her more about him and insisted her to ask Fu Chengyan instead.
“It seems like you’re very keen to know more about Jingxiu?” Fu Chengyan came to this conclusion after hearing what she had to say.
Shi Nuan’s eyebrows rose, “Nope!” She immediately shook her head, “I’m just curious because Mr. Su said Jingxiu was very powerful and can defeat both you and Li Heng if the three of you engage in a fight!”
“Oh?” Fu Chengyan raised his eyebrows, “Looks like you have no faith in my capability?”
“That’s not what I mean!” Shi Nuan shook her head and explained, “Yan, of course, I have faith in you!” Shi Nuan immediately plastered a smile to her face even though her heart was palpitating.
Fu Chengyan looked at her anxious expression and burst out laughing. He fussed her hair gently, “Silly girl. Are you scared that I’ll get angry?”
Shi Nuan shook her head and brushed his hand aside, “Nope!” I’ll never admit it.
Fu Chengyan simpered, “What Su Shaoqing said was true. Jingxiu might easily defeat Li Heng and me in a fight!” He was not embarrassed by it, as everyone knew about the incident that happened a few years ago.
What Jingxiu had was not only strength but also strategies to take others down. Fu Chengyan and Li Heng should count themselves lucky since they were not his enemies. Otherwise, it would be impossible for them to escape from the jaws of death.
“But Yan, you’re pretty amazing too! Jingxiu’s power is probably just odd and supernatural.” Shi Nuan went up close and pinched Fu Chengyan’s hand, “You’re amazing. I mean, how many people can actually take you down? Besides, you’re also a great race car driver! Bet Jingxiu is no match for you!”
Fu Chengyan responded with a faint smile, and gently rubbed her head.
“Yes, he’s not as great as me!”
Shi Nuan gave him a Duchenne smile, “That’s my Fu Chengyan!”
Pei Jingxiu’s villa was actually a gift from Li Heng, and it was built on a plot of land that had only a few houses. When Li Heng was designing the villas, he did not want to overpopulate the place because he wanted the area to remain undisturbed. He swept four units for himself, leaving three vacant units.
The four of them arrived at the villa, got down from their cars, and helped Pei Jingxiu carry his luggage. Fu Chengyan then left with Shi Nuan, whereas Pei Jingxiu went over to Su Shaoqing’s place.
Pei Jingxiu’s villa had been left vacant for quite some time. Even the cleaners had spruced up the place Su Shaoqing knew he would not be keen to move in right away.
“Looks like you’re doing quite well in the last couple of years!” Pei Jingxiu took a glance at the interior of Su Shaoqing’s villa and gave this remark.
Su Shaoqing, who walked out of the kitchen with a glass of water, responded with a grin, “Of course, people change!”
Before Su Shaoqing continued, he gave Pei Jingxiu the glass of water, “It’s safe to drink. Jingxiu, how long are you planning to stay here?”
Pei Jingxiu squinted, pressed his lips for a moment, and looked at Su Shaoqing, “Why?”
Su Shaoqing simpered, “Nothing. Where’s that little kitty who likes to follow you around?”
There was a mild change in Pei Jingxiu’s expression. He gave him a stare, “Have you been observing her?”
Su Shaoqing waved his hand in the air and dismissed, “Don’t overthink. I’m just concerned about your life in the last few years. That kitty seems fun to be with. Why isn’t she here with you?”
“This is none of your business!” Pei Jingxiu immediately changed the topic, “You should talk about yourself instead. How’s the lady?”
Su Shaoqing’s expression went blank, “Have you seen her?”
Pei Jingxiu took a sip of water from the glass to clear his throat, “Yes, coincidentally.”
“Coincidentally?” Su Shaoqing’s face contorted at first but immediately put on a whimsical smile and gently rubbed his nose bridge, “You’re so free that you can bump into her coincidentally?”
“Just ask me anything you want to know!”
Pei Jingxiu put down the glass of water and sat down at a quiet corner in the living hall.
He gazed out of the window, looked at the lifeless wintry landscape in the neighborhood, and plunged into deep thoughts.
Pei Jingxiu touched his pocket, took out a cigarette, and placed it in between his fingers. “Looks like she was doing well, but I didn’t go up to say hello.” Pei Jingxiu paused, “I think she’s married.”
The color suddenly drained out of Su Shaoqing’s face. His face turned pale, and he subconsciously clenched his fists. His mouth twitched a little but eventually curved into a smile. He looked into Pei Jingxiu’s eyes and asked, “Is that so?”
Pei Jingxiu studied him from the corner of his eyes, “Looks like you’re not happy with how well her life has become?”
