44: He's practically a combination of a living father and a headmaster.

“I’ve grown up and want to be independent.” Pei Yanxiu stood up, chuckled softly, and said meaningfully.

"I know you've always wanted to break free from my control." Pei Yanxiu gently pressed his temples, stating his position directly.

"You want a divorce? Fine."

“You’re right, you have the right to freedom, but everything I’ve provided for you during our marriage will cease.”

Pei Yanxiu looked at Shang Zhi slowly and deliberately, tapping his fingers lightly on his thigh, as if he had everything under control.

This is the kind of look that Shang Zhi hates the most.

"Fine, I won't give it to you. I have money." Shang Zhi pouted.

“I know you have money, let me say something else.”

"I went to great lengths to bring in doctors and nutritionists from the United States to treat my father's illness. If we get divorced, all of these will have to be taken away with him."

"Are you threatening me?"

"This isn't a threat, Xixi. Be more mature, okay? I don't owe you anything."

"Anything else is fine, but can we keep this one?" Shang Zhi had heard her mother say that the doctor Pei Yanxiu had found was very skilled, and that her father's rapid recovery was largely due to him; it wasn't something that could be achieved simply by spending money.

"No, didn't you ask me for independence? I'm willing to grant your wish, but you can't have it both ways. After all these years, it's time you matured a bit." Pei Yanxiu's tone was calm. He hadn't wanted to speak so coldly before, but she was becoming increasingly unreasonable. Did she really think leaving him would be so much better?

Or perhaps, from the very beginning, he never intended to let her go.

Shang Zhi was speechless after Pei Yanxiu's words, her eyes filled with a hint of anger, but she was helpless.

Pei Yanxiu took Shang Zhi to a bookstore and bought her several books. Since she said she wanted to study, then let her study. It seemed like the last time Shang Zhi went to a bookstore was four years ago, when Pei Yanxiu also took her and she bought a lot of books. When they were together, he always encouraged her to read more, no matter the subject or genre.

The bookstore was mostly filled with young people, who would occasionally huddle together and whisper about something. She didn't really like reading back then; real life was too tempting, and words were too dry—she couldn't get into them. She argued with him, but he was completely unreasonable, and she complained endlessly. Later, those words left their mark on her life, and she began to understand him.

Pei Yanxiu picked up a few books, and Shang Zhi glanced at them. She saw "Competitive Strategy" and "Corporate Finance," both of which were highly theoretical.

The kind she doesn't really like.

“I’m not an accountant, do I have to read this too?” Shang Zhi pointed to the book “Corporate Finance” in his hand.

"Then you should at least be able to read a balance sheet, income statement, and cash flow statement. While Dad was away, I dare say your uncle must have done a lot of dirty work behind the scenes. Once Tiancui is over, we'll settle accounts with these people slowly."

“Once you resolve your uncle’s problem, things will go much more smoothly for you in the future. Otherwise, I won’t feel at ease.”

Hearing what he said, Shang Zhi felt a mix of emotions. He had indeed always been thinking of her.

Over the years, several men with similar family assets have pursued her, but the reason she finds it hard to be moved by them is probably because, although Pei Yanxiu is strict and difficult to deal with, he has never thought of keeping her at home like a caged bird.

He wanted her to fight, to face her life head-on, to be strong and never give up. When she was by his side, her role as his wife was actually quite subtle; often she was more like his ally and student.

He was just too strict with her. He didn't care when she complained, and he didn't care when her butt was beaten into eight pieces. He showed no mercy to her.

"This one's good, take it too." Shang Zhi looked in the direction Pei Yanxiu was pointing, and was immediately speechless.

In front of me was a row of rulers, the kind sold in many tourist attractions.

It's normal for bookstores to sell stationery, related cultural and creative products to generate revenue. But why not just sell mugs, notebooks, or even rulers?

Is this a legitimate bookstore? Is the owner a good person? I hope it doesn't get raided during a prostitution crackdown.

Pei Yanxiu selected two books and paid for them along with the books. He seemed to be in a good mood.

The two went to the supermarket together again, as they might be staying there for a while, and bought some daily necessities. Shang Zhi casually put anything she liked into the shopping cart, while Pei Yanxiu would take each item out to check its expiration date. With him by her side, she never worried about such trivial matters.

In the open space outside the mall, the melting snow had frozen into thick ice. Shang Zhi slipped and fell several times, eventually resorting to sliding around on the ground.

He was powerless against her beaming smile and let her be. In the northern winter, darkness falls early, and the day passes quickly. On the way back after a long day, Shang Zhi was so tired she fell asleep immediately. She finally woke up because she couldn't stand the hunger anymore.

On the table lay the dinner he had prepared, along with a detailed study and exercise plan, accurate to the minute. Aside from brief respite during meetings, Shang Zhi's time was completely filled.

"I don't practice sports, why would you want me to run and swim every day? I don't want that, let's leave each other alone, okay?"

The last time Shang Zhi was forced to make a plan by Pei Yanxiu was four years ago. Her academic record was so bad that he gave her special training.

Once Shang Zhi experienced it, she never wanted to go through it again. Pei Yanxiu was just too good at watching people. He would make her explain herself even in the 15-minute intervals. If she couldn't explain herself, she would be punished. The combination of a doting father and a headmaster was really stressful.

"I've looked at your medical report, and I think you're lacking in exercise. Xixi, running a company and dealing with those people requires good physical strength. Even if it's not for the company, having a good physique will be good for you."

"Also, I've confiscated your little toys. Don't think I don't know. Some things need to be done in moderation. Too much indulgence at night will lead to lethargy during the day."

"You..." Shang Zhi was both angry and ashamed. She didn't know how he had found out, and she wanted to argue but didn't know what to say. She had secretly brought the little toy with her when she came. She was a grown woman, and she didn't think it was a big deal to use it to relieve stress when she was tired.

But he cannot point it out to us.

How did you know?

“I know everything about you.” Pei Yanxiu pried open her lips with a kiss, and reached down to her lower body with one hand, which made her feel even more ashamed and angry.

"You can tell me when you want something, I'm your husband."

“But sometimes you’re very busy, and you’re in meetings until late at night. I’m too tired to wait. Besides, I’m an adult, and I think I can have some ways to relieve my emotions.”

“That makes sense.” Pei Yanxiu smiled, the curve of his lips quite charming, revealing his muscular chest.

"Then give it back to me?"

"Impossible, Xixi. Whether you like it or not, your happiness, your desires, everything about you is under my control." He unbuttoned his shirt, a wicked smile playing on his lips.

"I want to take care of your heart and this place." Pei Yanxiu reached out and tore open Shang Zhi's pants.

"I have to remind you, we're not divorced yet, and you'd better behave yourself while our marriage is still in effect."

"You do whatever I ask you to do, without always trying to bargain."

Tearing open the small blue box on the table beside her, Shang Zhi wanted to protest, but his movements were too violent, and all she could do was gasp softly. She had been very sleepy, but after all that, he had made it impossible for her to fall asleep.

While he was taking a shower, she picked up her tablet and enthusiastically started watching videos of suggestive content. Shang Zhi sometimes felt that her taste was rather unsophisticated; she often enjoyed watching these kinds of videos.

"What are you looking at?" He came out of the bathroom and looked at her with interest.

"The learning video, didn't you tell me to study? I'm watching it right now."

"I have excellent eyesight, you know that?"

Why are you bringing this up?

"I can see the contents of your phone from the reflection in your eyes."

You'd better not keep thinking about lying.

Upon hearing Pei Yanxiu's words, Shang Zhi's ears turned bright red. She hurriedly disconnected her phone, and in her panic, the phone fell to the ground.

"Why are you so nervous? I didn't say anything. Besides, you've seen plenty of that, you little liar." Shang Zhi's chin was being pinched by Pei Yanxiu, and his casual glance revealed a completely superior demeanor.

She felt instinctively at a loss.

“I’ll forgive you this time, but if you dare to lie again, I’ll make you count to fifty.” As he spoke, his hand was already on her buttocks, and he deliberately emphasized the words “count to fifty” in her ear so that she couldn’t pretend she couldn’t hear them.

The spot he touched felt a dull ache.

"Got it?"

"I know, you're so long-winded." The atmosphere in the room was so hot that Shang Zhi wanted to escape. She left those words and ran to the bathroom to get water from the sink to cool her burning face.

The night is so long.

My heart keeps beating.