49: She is his child, even if the world turns upside down and the earth spins.

"Do you know who you're meeting today?" Pei Yanxiu's tone was clearly displeased as his belt pressed against Shang Zhi's waist.

"The mine owner?"

"He's a mine owner, but his businesses go far beyond that. He runs underground casinos, arms dealing, and his multinational corporation controls the economic lifeline of Myanmar. His private army can even rival the local government. Shang Zhi, how many lives do you think you have to fight for him? Do you know what happens to girls who fall into his hands? You just come to rescue them without any regard for the consequences? Do they really expect you and Xingxing to deliver the ransom? Can't they send someone else? Can't you spend the money I gave you?"

"The moment I saw you today, I fucking wanted to beat you to death." The belt fell to the ground, and his voice trembled.

Pei Yanxiu was always well-mannered, and Shang Zhi rarely saw him swear. He must have been really angry today. Shang Zhi wanted to explain herself, saying that she just wanted to help Xingxing. Xingxing was too anxious, and if she didn't accompany her, Xingxing would come by herself. She wouldn't feel at ease doing that, so she couldn't do that.

But looking at him, she couldn't say anything. She felt that she shouldn't defend herself at this moment; she should bear it—bear his anger, bear his emotions, bear his accusations.

Accept everything he gives you.

"Still want to fight?" Shang Zhi's words were interpreted as a provocation by Pei Yanxiu. He was so angry that he raised his hand, but when he saw her tearful gaze and her unwavering determination to wait for him, he stopped.

He knew she wasn't a good girl; he'd always known that.

But she was his child.

Even if the world turns upside down, even if she is clumsy and frustrating, she is still his child.

He knew the children outside were well-behaved, but they weren't his children.

"Go to sleep." He sighed, scolding her as he rummaged through the closet for a bath towel and disposable hotel slippers for her.

Ultimately, it's his own fault. He blames himself for not setting proper rules for her, for not being able to make her obey, and for repeatedly treating his words as mere empty talk.

He himself raised her to be so rebellious; he is the one who should reflect on his actions.

The group took a boat to the island in the early morning. Shang Zhi's buttocks hurt so much that she couldn't sit down, so she stood on the deck and enjoyed the sea breeze.

He hadn't originally intended to bring the two of them, but he wasn't comfortable leaving them alone at the hotel, so he decided to bring them along. It would be good for them to see the place, at least they would be under his watchful eye, so they wouldn't act recklessly in the future.

The wind blew across the deck.

She was standing in a somewhat dangerous position. He watched her from behind, reached out and pulled her over. He was about to say something when he saw her cowering and frowning. He knew that when he touched her earlier, he must have aggravated the injury on her back. He felt a pang of heartache and helplessness.

"Does it hurt a lot?" His anger vanished, and he felt a pang of regret. He held her hand tightly, and Shang Zhi relaxed, gently leaning into his arms.

In this dangerous world, in this completely cold place, I know that your side is the only place I can rely on.

The epic battle that Shang Zhi and Lu Xingqi had imagined did not materialize. Pei Yanxiu remained calm throughout the negotiations with the other side, and in order to safely take A Wang away, he gave up most of his profits and signed a contract. However, when Pei Wang was released, he was not in good condition.

"Why are you here?" When he saw Lu Xingqi, he felt the same way Pei Yanxiu did when he saw Shang Zhi—no emotion, only anger.

When you fall in love with someone, you simply don't want her to take risks for you.

After the group returned to the hotel, Pei Wang gave a brief account of what had happened. He had noticed the problem with the mine from the beginning; its ownership was unclear and it posed a significant risk. He had mentioned this to Pei Qing'an, but Pei Qing'an ignored him. In fact, he felt that this whole thing was a trap, and that Pei Qing'an had planned to drag the Lu family into it. Because now that the business had failed, the Lu family was actually the one suffering the most, as all their initial investments had gone down the drain.

Fortunately, Pei Yanxiu promised Lu Xingqi that he would find another way to help the Lu family earn back the money; otherwise, the blow to the Lu family would have been fatal.

After returning to Hong Kong, Pei Wang fell seriously ill and was hospitalized for half a month before gradually recovering. Pei Yanxiu also had a big argument with Pei Qing'an over this matter, but it did not have any substantial effect and made their relationship even more strained.

He could only keep a closer eye on Shang Zhi.

Pei Yanxiu knew in his heart that this was wrong and he shouldn't be like this. When he was a child, he hated his father's controlling nature towards his mother, but now he suddenly realized that he and Shang Zhi were still following the same pattern.

He couldn't say for sure whether it was his fault.

When Pei Yanxiu returned from Myanmar this time, he brought back several high-quality rattan canes, which he placed in the most conspicuous place in the cabinet. Shang Zhi got a headache just looking at that cabinet.

But after returning from Myanmar, Shang Zhi was unusually well-behaved for a few days, to the point that even Pei Yanxiu wondered if it was just his imagination.

When she returned home in the evening, she sat at the dining table with a demure expression, waiting for him. President Pei finally got a taste of the warmth of married life. In the past, she would eat whenever she was hungry, regardless of whether he lived or died.

When she personally handed him the beautiful blue-green wine and said thank you for your hard work, he even suspected that she had poisoned him.

After all, she could inherit a large sum of money if she murdered him.

"Uncle Pei, what are you thinking about? Come and eat! The bamboo shoot and black chicken soup is so delicious today. Sister Hua has been cooking it all afternoon."

"Sweetie, you don't have to wait for me to come back next time, you eat first." He looked at her soft face, and his heart softened as well.

His child may not be the best child in the world, but he is already very, very good.

Sometimes he felt that loving her was an instinct; as long as she was by his side and smiling, he was happy with her.

In fact, she has never changed.

Four years ago, she was the same way—stubborn, headstrong, and unyielding. If he said anything, she'd have a hundred complaints waiting for him. For a while, he thought she was doing it on purpose, but later he realized it was also her way of testing him and protecting herself.

Shang Zhi's parents didn't pay much attention to her when she was young; she grew up being pampered like a star. However, the sensitive girl could sense the undercurrents beneath the calm surface of her family and her vague sense of insecurity, which may have come from the environment in which she grew up.

It permeated her very bones.

I don't know when she wrapped herself in thorns, but they might burst open at any moment.

At first, he saw her explode, saw her temper and stubbornness. But standing beside her, he inadvertently discovered the vulnerability and helplessness in her heart, so he embraced her thorns with all his might.

She suddenly quieted down, becoming completely unlike the person who had been so agitated.

He knew she was in pain when she stabbed him, but she kept testing him, trying to confirm that even if she stabbed him, even if she made a mistake, he wouldn't leave.

Find love, confirm love.

Acknowledge love.

That's just how conflicted she is.

Therefore, she could accept his punitive discipline. The warmth of his slap would dispel the coldness in her heart. When he lifted her onto his lap and scolded her sternly, she felt a sense of security. It was him telling her, "It's okay, no matter what, I will support you, give you the chance to correct your mistakes, and the courage to move forward." Pei Yanxiu was a very intelligent person. He had long sensed these things and consciously took on the responsibility for her.

He was willing to do it, willing to fulfill her secret wish, willing to let her stay a child forever.

And so they stumbled and struggled their way to where they are today.

"Uncle Pei, the first phase of the Tiancui project will be almost finished in about three months, right?"

"Hmm." Pei Yanxiu looked up at Shang Zhi.

"What's wrong?"

"It's nothing. I'd like to go out tomorrow and see the stars, is that alright?"

"Sure, the driver can follow you the whole way."

"I understand." Shang Zhi's expression was somewhat displeased, and Pei Yanxiu shook his head.

"There's something else I'd like to discuss with you. Lu Ke said he's coming to Hong Kong to participate in a variety show. Can I have dinner with him?"

Before Pei Yanxiu could answer, Shang Zhi stuffed an orange into his mouth to stop him from speaking.

"I know you won't disagree. Mr. Pei is a magnanimous man, isn't he?"

"Think about it, if Lu Ke can help promote Tiancui, it will benefit us, right? Don't turn down money."

Pei Yanxiu couldn't speak because Shang Zhi kept stuffing oranges into his mouth.