Chapter 47 Don't Be Afraid

A movie was drawing to a close. Before the lights came on, the two of them left the theater and walked out. Xiao Peiyin's thoughts lingered on the ending of the film, a youthful romance with no ending. She felt depressed. Young love was like a breeze that could not be retained, dispersing with age. She turned to look at Gu Cunxi, head down, and remained silent. Xiao Peiyin thought that perhaps, at this moment, Gu Cunxi shared the same regret as she did...

“Pei Pei…”

"Um?"

"I have something to tell you!"

Xiao Peiyin felt a pang of anxiety when she heard Gu Cunxi's serious and gloomy tone, and she had a bad feeling.

The two walked side by side all the way to the underground garage. Xiao Peiyin never responded, but just walked quietly beside Gu Cunxi, waiting for her to speak.

Gu Cunxi didn't say anything until they walked to the front of the car and got in. In the long silence, Xiao Peiyin's heart became more and more uneasy.

“Pei Pei…”

"I am here!"

There was another long silence. Gu Cunxi opened his mouth with difficulty, but found that he could only call out Pei Yin's name, holding back the pain... and couldn't say it out!

"Cunxi? What's wrong with you? Are you worried about something? Did something happen?" Xiao Peiyin asked anxiously.

The breathing of the two people in the small car rose and fell. Gu Cunxi looked at the empty underground garage. It was as empty as her heart. Even her breathing echoed, deafening.

"Your parents... are here!" Gu Cunxi's whisper suddenly rang out in the silent car. His voice was hoarse, and Xiao Peiyin was stunned on the spot, speechless.

"I received a call from Chen Feng, and he asked me to tell you..."

"The call came at noon! I'm so sorry I'm telling you now. I wanted to tell you after dinner, but Pei Pei, I... can't say it!"

"I didn't feel like watching the movie just now. I've been thinking a lot. I told you I wouldn't let you carry this burden alone. I hope your happiness is related to me, and you can share half of your pain with me. When you told me about your family during dinner, I was shocked. I didn't know you had endured so much alone. I can no longer touch your past, but I will never be absent from your future!"

"Xiao Peiyin! Please tell me now! How... do you want me to help you?"

Xiao Peiyin, sitting in the passenger seat, remained silent, his eyes hollow. His happiness was stolen. He had just woken from a beautiful dream with Gu Cunxi, and was a little dazed. Chen Feng would come to find his parents, something Xiao Peiyin had anticipated, but when the reality finally unfolded, it still caught her off guard. He knew his own weaknesses clearly! He couldn't involve Cunxi; she would be hurt, both by Chen Feng and by his parents. He would never tolerate Cunxi being hurt in the slightest because of him!

Xiao Peiyin remained silent, leaving Gu Cunxi feeling confused. She thought if money could solve problems, then everything would be much easier. After thinking for a moment, she pulled out a bank card from her wallet, placed it in Xiao Peiyin's hand, and said, "There's about 500,000 yuan in this card! This much is left after buying the car."

"The password is your birthday, take it first! If money can solve your current problem, I'm willing to do my best. If it's not enough, I'll find another way. I know you can't separate from Chen Feng because you're controlled by your parents, and they need money. I don't know how much they need, but believe me, I have the ability to give you and your parents more, even though this is all I can do right now!"

Xiao Peiyin looked at the bank card in her hand. This thin card felt as heavy as a mountain, carrying Gu Cunxi's sincerity. She couldn't bear it... and she couldn't let Gu Cunxi sacrifice himself for her like this. Xiao Peiyin sighed slightly, stuffed the bank card back into Gu Cunxi's hand, shook her head and said, "Cunxi... I can't take this money!"

"Why?" Gu Cunxi's eyes dimmed and he asked

"It's not that I don't want to take your money, it's just... I don't want to use money to fill a bottomless pit anymore. Over the years, I've given them enough money, and every time it's like a stone sinking into the ocean, without a sound... I used to be willing to do this because they are their parents, but gradually I found that after doing so much, trying my best to satisfy them, compromising, and giving in, I'm still not happy. I'm the only one who's unhappy!!"

"You asked me how you can help me, Gu Cunxi! You don't have to do anything, because your presence is the biggest help to me! From the beginning to the end, I was too soft-hearted, and my weaknesses were so obvious. Over the years, each of them took advantage of my weaknesses, for money, for love, for fame, for vanity, and I... I am really tired. I have retreated to the bottom line and principles countless times. I thought that compromise could bring peace, but gradually I realized that being soft-hearted is my most fatal weakness! Chen Feng knows how to use these weaknesses and turn them into deadly killing moves, time and time again, and my parents... take advantage of my soft heart and ask for whatever they want. I've had enough! Cunxi, I will never give in again this time. Don't worry, I can do it, believe me!"

Xiao Peiyin's emotions became more and more agitated while she was talking. She didn't know whether it was because of anger or sadness, her body was trembling slightly. Her eyes were red, and her voice was choked and hoarse. Every word she said was full of grievances. This made Gu Cunxi feel distressed. She didn't know how to comfort her. Her eyes were full of sorrow. For a long time... Gu Cunxi reached out his hand, put his arm around her shoulders, let her lean against him, patted her gently with both hands, and comforted her gently.

"Xiao Peiyin!" Gu Cunxi kissed the top of her head and said, "I will always be by your side! Don't be afraid, you are no longer alone!"

"Since you don't want the money, I respect you and I'm glad you can make this decision!"

"Actually, I have the same idea as you, but I just don't want to say it out loud. You're so smart, and I understand that you wouldn't be unaware of a better way. As a bystander, I could say that you should be more ruthless and decisive, but I also understand the painful struggle in your heart. They are your parents who gave birth to you and raised you, not others. They use family affection to kidnap you, and the hostage is you, Pei Pei. You don't have to force yourself. If standing up to your parents will make you heartbroken, sad, and make you blame yourself and feel guilty, you don't have to make it so hard on yourself. We can think of other ways. I'm not saying this to ask you to compromise or be soft-hearted, like before. I just want to tell you that no matter what decision you make, I support you firmly! If you need this money, tell me at any time, don't worry. In my heart, money will never be as important as you!"

Her gentle voice was in her ears, and Xiao Peiyin always leaned in Gu Cunxi's arms and nodded.

The cell phone rang at an inopportune time, breaking the silence in the car. Gu Cunxi took out his cell phone and looked at the strange caller on the screen, frowning instantly.

It’s Chen Feng again!

"Pei Pei, I have to take a call!" After saying that, Gu Cunxi opened the car door and prepared to get out, but her hand was grabbed by Xiao Peiyin. She asked, "Is that Chen Feng?" Xiao Peiyin's tone was cold, and she said coldly, "Don't hide from me, it's okay, just stay in the car!"

Gu Cunxi closed the car door helplessly, hesitated for a moment and answered the phone. Chen Feng's unpleasant voice instantly came: "Miss Gu!"

“…”

"I know you're together, let her answer the phone. Miss Gu, don't you think it's a bit shameless to delay and prevent my wife from going home?"

"Mr. Chen, don't you think it's a bit rude to call you so frequently?" Gu Cunxi asked coldly.

After she finished speaking, Gu Cunxi realized that her voice was so cold.

"Gu Cunxi! I'm warning you, this is my family affair, and there will be no good consequences if you get involved!"

"Is the matter Mr. Chen asked me for help your family affairs?"

On the other end of the phone, Chen Feng was speechless. He was filled with hatred, but he couldn't speak.

He had already experienced Gu Cunxi's sharp words. He thought she had learned her lesson and would not dare to say anything to him again. Unexpectedly, she became even more aggressive. Not only did she take his wife away, but she also tried to stop him, and she was so confident. Chen Feng was silent for a moment, gritting his teeth and said bitterly: "Ms. Gu, Pei Yin is my wife. It is only natural to take her home. Don't you feel shameless for an outsider to stand in the way? If it weren't for you, Pei Yin wouldn't be like this. Wasn't the lesson at the hotel entrance last time enough?"

"Mr. Chen always seems to like blaming others for his mistakes. You can do what you think is right, but you have no right to meddle with me. I don't want to pursue the matter at the hotel entrance. Mr. Chen should also have some self-awareness. I'll pass on my message. Please don't call me again. We're not that familiar yet! Be on your own!"

After saying that, Gu Cunxi hung up the phone without waiting for Chen Feng's response. Xiao Peiyin sat aside without saying a word, frowning and said, "Cunxi..."

After hanging up the phone, Gu Cunxi began to feel annoyed and regretful. Her words were sharp and angered Chen Feng, which was a small matter. But if Pei Yin was implicated... it would be a situation she would never want to see. Thinking of this, Gu Cunxi sighed slightly and secretly blamed herself for being so angry and losing her mind.

Seeing Gu Cunxi keep his head down and remain silent, Xiao Peiyin felt uneasy. She didn't know what Chen Feng had just said on the phone, but judging from Cunxi's tone, Chen Feng's tone was predictably bad...

"Cunxi... take me home!"

Gu Cunxi, who was immersed in her own emotions, was startled when she heard Pei Yin say the word "go home". She said, "Let me accompany you! Okay?"

"Don't worry! My parents are fine with him. I just want to go back and explain everything clearly to my parents and Chen Feng. I know you're worried! But if you accompany me, things will only get more complicated!"

After that, Xiao Peiyin reached out and gently stroked Gu Cunxi's cheek, her fingertips were cold.

Indeed! If I go back with Pei Yin, things will only get worse, like a mess! Gu Cunxi thought secretly in her heart, the complicated emotions were beyond words. She nodded and said, "I'll listen to you! I'll take you home!"

Gu Cunxi started the car and drove out of the underground garage. The sun was shining brightly outside, but the two people in the car felt gloomy and rainy in their hearts...