74: Because I knew you loved me, I've been fearless all these years.

I went home with her.

He held the luggage with one hand and had his arm around her with the other. For a moment, he felt a little pathetic; his Xixi could make him fall head over heels with just a flick of her finger.

But there's nothing we can do; it's his choice.

The wind blew through her hair; her profile was so beautiful that a smile unconsciously crept onto his lips.

If time could stop at this moment, that would be wonderful.

But things soon turned sour.

After Pei Yanxiu and Shang Zhi returned home, they planned to put their things down and go have a meal first, but they were surprised to be greeted by a huge bouquet of roses as soon as they opened the door.

"Surprise!" Behind the roses was Yu Qing's radiant smile.

"What do you want?" Pei Yanxiu asked with displeasure, pushing away Yu Qing's roses. This guy always manages to ruin the mood when he's in a good mood.

How did he get a key to your house?

“He’s my housekeeper, don’t you know that? Don’t be so rude. We’ve been so grateful to Yu Qing for staying with us lately. Besides, Yu Qing needs a job, and I’m offering him one. Is there a problem with that?”

"I'm rude? Are you saying I'm rude now?" Pei Yanxiu never expected that this little one would provoke him so soon after they got back together. If there weren't outsiders around, he would definitely have pinned her down on the sofa and started slapping her.

She couldn't struggle at all.

"President Pei, please don't be angry. I just wanted to celebrate for my master, that's all. If you don't like me, I'll leave. I'll come back when you're not here."

"What did you call her?" Pei Yanxiu's Adam's apple bobbed as he glanced at the somewhat guilty Shang Zhi, his brows furrowing deeply.

"Yu Qing, you can go now. I'll contact you when I need you." Shang Zhi quickly pushed Yu Qing out the door, but as soon as she turned around, Pei Yanxiu pinned her against the wall. He was almost pressed against her, one hand holding her waist.

"Master, you're quite the player. What have I been doing while I was away? Tell me everything, one by one. If you can't explain, you won't be sleeping tonight."

Shang Zhi's heart was pounding. She never expected that the warm moment she had planned would turn into a trial. Pei Yanxiu, this madman, was suffocating her.

“I didn’t do anything. Yu Qing just helped me with the housework. You can’t be prejudiced against him just because he’s handsome. Besides, we go to the same school. If something were going to happen, it would have happened already, right? Don’t be so suspicious, okay? It’s not good for our relationship.”

"You're quite reasonable." She's always like this; she always has her reasons for everything, and in the end, she always tries to shift the blame onto others.

"Let's forget about this, okay? On the way here you said you'd take me to get something to eat. I'm hungry, and I don't have the energy to argue with you right now. Besides, we just got back together. Let's forget about the unpleasant things first, okay, Uncle Pei?"

"Not good." Pei Yanxiu looked at Shang Zhi with an indelible desire for control. He admitted that he was jealous. He thought about how that man was by her side when he wasn't around. Even though the two of them had never really been together, he was still so jealous that he was going crazy.

The way he looked at her was as if he wanted to tear her apart.

"All the men in the world love me, so you can't blame me, can you? I advise you to be sensible and take me out for a nice meal, otherwise, there are plenty of other men waiting for you." Shang Zhi smiled, her fingertips hooking his belt, her eyes alluring as she deliberately provoked him.

The angrier he got, the less he could do anything about her.

He had always thought that he was the one in a superior position in their relationship.

Perhaps it really is true, but he rose to power by being swayed and controlled by her words, by being so angry at her that he gritted his teeth but had no way to do anything about it, and by spending a lot of money just hoping that she would stay by his side.

He suddenly realized that he was in a subordinate position and that he was completely under her control.

He grabbed her by the neck and led her back to the bedroom. Shang Zhi's eyes were filled with panic. He locked the door from the inside and took off his belt, tying it to her hands.

He really didn't understand where she got this rebellious streak from. He just wanted to hear her say a few nice things, to comfort him occasionally, and to tell him that she only had him in her heart and that other men were no match for her. But she just kept going against him.

"You just said you wouldn't argue with me, and you've already forgotten? Xixi, when are you going to behave yourself?"

"You say I studied how to be a father in college? I think you studied how to argue with people!"

"But you love me, don't you?" Shang Zhi's eyes suddenly softened, and she gently kissed his cheek. He felt that kiss was sweet.

“You love me, you indulge me, even if I make you angry, even if you tie me up here, you still love me.”

Because I knew you loved me, I've been fearless all these years.

His mind was a little hot, and he sealed her lips with a kiss, pressing Shang Zhi's hands against the wall.

"Little thing, you need a good beating." He slapped her buttocks a few times, and Shang Zhi trembled and tried to escape, but he held her wrist tightly.

There's no escaping it.

"It's okay, I'll settle all the debts you owe with you, one by one."

The temperature suddenly rose, a shiver ran through her body, and for a moment, she couldn't utter a word. He held her wrist with one hand and her buttocks with the other; every sensation she felt was so acute in his arms.

She felt like his gaze was burning her up.

-

Shang Zhi had exhausted herself and slept until noon. Pei Yanxiu still seemed angry, but he still made her a meal.

"What are your plans after graduation? I think we need to rethink our future plans."

"I'm going back to the company, but I want to start some new businesses, like cultural and creative products or snacks, things that girls like. I want to try everything."

"I'm glad you have ideas, and you can try them, but you must make a proper plan and not act blindly." Pei Yanxiu looked at Shang Zhi earnestly, while Shang Zhi casually put a mouthful of rice into her mouth.

"You're so long-winded. Can't you just let me have a meal in peace? You kept me up all night yesterday, and now you want to lecture me after I wake up. Are you trying to kill me with exhaustion? Don't forget we're not remarried yet. If you keep bothering me, I won't go through with the paperwork. I'll make you keep chasing me."

"Is that so?" Pei Yanxiu looked at Shang Zhi and chuckled softly.

The little brat has learned to threaten people. She deserves a beating. She should be locked in the basement and chained up so she can learn how to talk properly.

It's alright, he can wait a few more days until she returns to Hong Kong and the formalities are completed. He's always been very patient.

She also has a very good memory.

"I understand. Don't worry, I won't bother you. Your husband will support whatever you do. I just wanted to see if there's anything I can do to help you."

"It's okay, honey, no need to bother, just give me the money." Shang Zhi sat on Pei Yanxiu's lap and gave him a hard kiss on the temple.