Chapter 77: Fleeing but Arrested, Meeting Parents the Next Day? ...
The man's voice preceded Xie Ruan's raising her head.
Xie Ruan caught a faint citrus scent on the man.
Xie Ruan kept her head down, but could only see the man's knees kneeling on the ground.
And if Xie Ruan understood correctly, it seemed the man intended to find him and kneel before him.
But what exactly is the point of kneeling?
Who kneels down to people randomly on the street?
Xie Ruan recalled the man's voice from just now.
The voice was so familiar that Xie Ruan didn't dare to look up and identify it.
He feared that if he couldn't recognize the man, he could still escape, but once he could, he would be entangled with him and wouldn't be able to get away at all.
Xie Ruan subconsciously turned his head, straining to look towards the sunlight.
The man was so tall that even kneeling on the ground, he could easily wrap one arm around him, and his shadow almost covered him.
Xie Ruan desperately wanted to escape.
Xie Ruan didn't want to try to figure out the man's identity in her mind. She just subconsciously turned her head, wanting to tell the caregiver to take him away quickly in a more obvious way.
The man's strong hands almost turned his fair face right up.
Now Xie Ruan has seen it even if she didn't want to.
Xie Ruan saw the man's identity—
Zhou, Jing, Chi.
Xie Ruan injured her leg and couldn't run, which made her realize why in old novels, the perverted male protagonists liked to break the protagonist's legs.
It turns out that once the escape was interrupted, there was no way to run away. Due to the disparity in physical strength, Xie Ruan could only look at Zhou Jingchi and listen to his voice.
Zhou Jingchi: "Aruan."
Xie Ruan's body trembled reflexively, but after a moment's hesitation, the man's arms seemed to suddenly gather courage and pull Xie Ruan into his embrace.
Zhou Jingchi clearly saw Xie Ruan's hesitation, indecision, and desire to escape, yet he still held him tightly in his arms.
Xie Ruan could barely breathe.
Zhou Jingchi's breathing became heavier.
He searched for Xie Ruan for a long time.
Xie Ruan did not go with him during the filming of the "Heartbeat House" program.
Zhou Jingchi was very troubled. He thought that no matter Wen Hezhou, Ji Ye, or Pei Zhi, they should not have a better relationship than him and Xie Ruan.
Zhou Jingchi couldn't understand it. Another bout of insomnia made him feel as if his heart was shattering piece by piece.
It wasn't until she left the show that Zhou Jingchi realized Xie Ruan was after money.
Zhou Jingchi felt fortunate that he didn't leave with anyone in the end.
Zhou Jingchi felt guilty because he had chosen money but not anything else.
Xie Ruan preferred money to people.
That is, no one has ever given him a sense of security.
Regardless of feelings.
She still felt a sense of security that made her willing to give up everything for him.
Countless thoughts raced through Zhou Jingchi's mind. He wanted to say so much, but when the words reached his lips, he didn't know where to begin. His fingers unconsciously stretched out and then clenched tightly, sweating slightly. "Aruan, even though the show is over, can you give me a chance? I'm serious. It's not for any premeditation or for the sake of the show."
Zhou Jingchi: "I can give you all the sense of security you want."
Zhou Jingchi's tone was so humble, and his kneeling on the ground, refusing to get up, really made Xie Ruan feel a little helpless. Xie Ruan's slender fingers were completely enveloped in Zhou Jingchi's palm.
Xie Ruan could feel the sweat on Zhou Jingchi's palms.
Xie Ruan didn't really like this sticky feeling.
Xie Ruan's body trembled subconsciously. Only then did Zhou Jingchi seem to notice, hurriedly wiping himself off and then carefully wiping Xie Ruan's slender fingers with a handkerchief.
This action was as precious as wiping an expensive antique. Xie Ruan even noticed Zhou Jingchi's held breathing and uneasy heartbeat.
Even the clueless Xie Ruan began to realize her special feelings for Zhou Jingchi.
Xie Ruan blinked, and her gaze toward Zhou Jingchi quickly became misty.
Xie Ruan felt a little moisture clinging to her pupils.
Xie Ruan pursed her slightly dry lips and tried to open them several times, but no sound came out.
Xie Ruan seemed to understand a little, and Zhou Jingchi seemed to want to give it a try.
What does "love" mean?
Xie Ruan tilted her head.
When Zhou Jingchi looked up and met Xie Ruan's bewildered gaze, his ears turned red, and he lowered his head: "As long as you agree to my request, I'll give you anything you want, okay?"
Zhou Jingchi: "I just want a chance."
Chance……
For Xie Ruan, Zhou Jingchi's relationship with her was always purely that of a former employer and nanny.
Xie Ruan never intended to be with Zhou Jingchi.
Besides, one is bound to be indebted to those who take bribes.
Xie Ruan has always maintained a distance from people.
Even if he really had to collaborate with someone, he thought that the relationships Xie Ruan truly needed were those that were written into contracts, with time limits and service terms.
Instead.
I want you to try with me; I'll give you anything.
This feeling came on far too strong.
Xie Ruan felt that just listening to it had placed a heavy burden on his shoulders, making it almost impossible for him to breathe.
Xie Ruan wanted to shake her head.
Before he could think of the right words to refuse, a warm hand gently rested on his thin shoulder and neck.
It is known that Zhou Jingchi was wiping his palms with both hands.
...
It is known that Zhou Jingchi does not have a third hand.
So, the time on the shoulder—
Xie Ruan trembled involuntarily.
An even more unsettling fear kept swirling in his mind.
The man with his arm around her shoulder spoke in a low, magnetic voice, but it was enough for her to recognize him: "Ruan Ruan is mine."
?
Xie Ruan was stunned.
Before she could figure out why Pei Zhi had said that, her body was lifted into the air.
When Xie Ruan looked up, she was already being held tightly in Pei Zhi's arms.
Xie Ruan could no longer see Zhou Jingchi's furrowed brows.
Pei Zhi placed it in the car very gently.
Then, with a "snap," the door slammed shut.
Xie Ruan felt both at ease and uneasy.
Xie Ruan's fingers were trembling.
Pei Zhi remained aloof, standing beside the car, casually gazing at Zhou Jingchi.
Zhou Jingchi: "Pei Zhi, put him down. He doesn't like you."
Pei Zhi chuckled softly, his voice ethereal, as if it had never existed: "Does Ruan Ruan like you?"
Zhou Jingchi stood there, stunned.
Pei Zhi indifferently got into the car and sat down next to Xie Ruan.
Zhou Jingchi realized what was happening and took a step forward.
Pei Zhi had already ordered the carriage to leave like a gust of wind.
Xie Ruan could no longer hear what Zhou Jingchi was cursing and swearing about as he chased after the car.
He only saw Zhou Jingchi get into the car before he started chasing after him.
Zhou Jingchi's relentless pursuit caused the car to speed up considerably.
Xie Ruan was timid to begin with, yet the car continued to meander and zigzag, frantically weaving through different roads.
Xie Ruan was even taken to the underground parking lot.
Xie Ruan didn't know how long the two cars had been following each other before they managed to shake off Zhou Jingchi in a private area that Pei Zhi couldn't enter.
Then Pei Zhi's car took a hidden road and left.
Xie Ruan knew that if he didn't want to continue facing Zhou Jingchi, he probably couldn't go home.
Xie Ruan looked down and saw Pei Zhi holding his hand.
Xie Ruan felt that Pei Zhi seemed to want to comfort him and tell him it was okay.
Xie Ruan looked up at Pei Zhi. Pei Zhi turned his head and gave her a fleeting, unfamiliar smile. Xie Ruan even thought it was an illusion. But when she saw Pei Zhi's noble and dignified aura, she inexplicably felt that the smile suited Pei Zhi very well.
Xie Ruan did not speak.
Pei Zhi's voice, as if soothing, brushed past his ear: "Why don't you come back to the old house with me? I happen to be going back today, so I'll have you play the role of my lover."
lovers.
These were perfectly normal words, but when Pei Zhi said them, they sounded inexplicably strange...
ambiguous.
For some reason, Xie Ruan's ears turned slightly red.
Xie Ruan didn't quite understand where this strange feeling came from. Perhaps it was the cramped carriage, Pei Zhi's suddenly gentle voice, or Pei Zhi's warm breath covering her.
For some reason, his eyes darted away, and he dared not look at Pei Zhi.
Xie Ruan lowered her head and waited a long time before following them to the Pei family's old house.
Xie Ruan thought that Pei Zhi probably didn't have many people at home.
After all, from childhood to adulthood, Pei Zhi has always been portrayed as a beautiful, strong, and tragic character that no one cares about.
There was no warmth of family either.
Xie Ruan nervously tightened her fingers, and as soon as she got out of the car, she followed Pei Zhi to a villa that looked somewhat old and had a certain history.
The villa is brownish-red, with a dignified and classic feel, silently proclaiming the family's century-old heritage.
Even though the house is so old, Xie Ruan did not find a trace of the passage of time on it; instead, it only exuded a sense of solemnity.
Xie Ruan's breathing became slightly restrained.
Xie Ruan did not walk in front. He felt uneasy in the unfamiliar environment and tentatively followed behind Pei Zhi. Pei Zhi took his hand, as if he had sensed his emotions, and gently led him into the mansion.
The Pei family's servants opened the door.
Xie Ruan was still taking a deep breath when, unexpectedly, an unidentified flying object suddenly appeared in the air. Xie Ruan tried to dodge, but the object was heading straight for him.
Xie Ruan instinctively closed her eyes.
Unexpectedly, a gentle embrace pulled him into a hug.
?
Xie Ruan's brain completely shut down.
Before he could react, the frisbee hurtled straight toward Pei Zhi.
Pei Zhi had clearly hugged him suddenly to shield him.
Xie Ruan was completely terrified. This scene was all too familiar. Images kept flashing through her mind, fragmented, but she didn't have time to investigate them in detail.
Xie Ruan was still standing there awkwardly, too frightened to speak, when a cane from inside the door came crashing down in that direction as if pursuing her.
wrong.
That's not right.
Xie Ruan's brain went blank.
Pei Zhi was expected to dodge, but unexpectedly, Pei Zhi seemed afraid that his grandfather would hurt Xie Ruan, or even that his grandfather would miss his cane and fall to the ground, so he just let his grandfather hit him.
?
Xie Ruan caught a faint scent of mint on Pei Zhi.
A sense of security inexplicably sprouted within me.
Xie Ruan originally thought that Pei Zhi was someone who would never let her get hurt.
However, for him and his grandfather, Pei Zhi prioritized their safety.
Pei Zhi was not an egoist after all.
This outcome was truly unexpected for Xie Ruan. After all, the original book only described Pei Zhi in a few chapters, and like him, he was hastily written out of the story. With just a few strokes, Pei Zhi was easily portrayed as an egoist who had no emotions, no family to protect him, grew up alone, and held up half of the Pei Group.
But at this moment, Xie Ruan inexplicably felt that Pei Zhi, who was like human-machine data in the book, also had a real family, a way of getting along with people, and his own emotions.
Pei Zhi doesn't seem to be a person without emotions.
It seemed that at this moment, Pei Zhi had gained warmth.
Xie Ruan was almost stunned on the spot.
Xie Ruan had absolutely no idea what Pei Zhi was thinking.
He was clearly just cannon fodder.
Xie Ruan wasn't actually distrustful of others from the very beginning.
Protected by her young master, but witnessing his death, Xie Ruan had no one to rely on in the apocalypse of her previous life.
He had nowhere to live and no one he knew. People had approached him before, and Xie Ruan thought he could find warmth and affection again.
But in the end, all he got was deception and exploitation. When he offered up the dry, hard-earned food, he was thrown to the ground and cursed as utterly worthless and despised.
In the apocalypse, Xie Ruan was an insignificant figure.
At this point, Xie Ruan is just cannon fodder.
However, Pei Zhi is the villain.
He didn't know what he, a mere cannon fodder, was worth protecting, even at the cost of being beaten up, by a villain like Pei Zhi.
She even wanted to have a relationship with him that went beyond a contractual one.
Organizing all this information is incredibly confusing.
Xie Ruan thought, maybe it's the novelty? Is it... the novelty of something suddenly sprouting in someone as insignificant as him?
Xie Ruan dared not think about the possible outcome, nor did she want to give herself away completely again.
In return, it could lead to being trampled on again.
In an event where Pei Zhi was unlikely to move, Xie Ruan froze on the spot, imagining everything that might be useful to Pei Zhi.
No.
Almost none.
Unless Pei Zhi wants to steal Yu Yin away, he'll have to seduce other men so he can have Yu Yin all to himself.
Otherwise, it's impossible.
Xie Ruan's fingers trembled slightly.
But Pei Zhi didn't like Yu Yin at all.
So, what exactly is Pei Zhi's motivation for protecting him?
Xie Ruan was stunned. She felt like her grandfather had been beating Pei Zhi for a while before she heard his voice: "Working all day long, and you still know to come back to see this old man? I'm almost in my grave, and you don't even bring me a granddaughter-in-law?? You still have the nerve to come see me? You're so old and still don't have a girlfriend. You might as well make me angry to death."
?
so……
Xie Ruan's brain worked stiffly for a while before she vaguely came to her senses.
Grandpa beat Pei Zhi just because...
Pei Zhi has not found a granddaughter-in-law?
? ? ?
Xie Ruan was stunned.
It seems Pei Zhi is too tall; by hugging Xie Ruan, he prevents the person behind them from being seen.
Xie Ruan was stunned for a moment.
He suddenly realized that Pei Zhi had probably invited him here to fend off his grandfather.
It seems rather inadequate of him to be protected by Pei Zhi like this.
Xie Ruan swallowed and popped her head out. Xie Ruan turned her head and saw the cane swinging at her again.
Unexpectedly, just as his mind was still blank, his grandfather, who was swinging his cane, seemed to suddenly react and brought the car to an abrupt halt.
He was stunned for a moment, and it took him quite a while to react before he looked up at Xie Ruan and asked, "This... what is this?"
Grandpa never expected that his grandson, who had always been a widow, would not be returning alone this time.
And he even brought someone with him?
Grandpa hadn't reacted yet.
Xie Ruan timidly looked up, and only after confirming that it was completely safe did he reach out and wave, "Grandpa... okay."
Xie Ruan wasn't very good at greeting people, so she just looked at her grandfather awkwardly.
Grandpa seemed completely unable to react, and remained frozen in the air, holding his cane up.
Pei Zhi lowered his hand, turned around, and pulled Xie Ruan into his arms: "Grandpa, this is my little boyfriend."
Pei Zhi smiled.
Xie Ruan gave a dry laugh.
...
The two of them looked at their grandfather at the same time.
Pei Zhi: "Grandpa, you wouldn't want my boyfriend to come into the family, would you?"
Xie Ruan quickly searched her memory for information. In this novel's world, same-sex marriage had been legal for many years. Therefore, parents were relatively open-minded about whether their children would marry someone of the same sex or someone of the opposite sex.
Even so, there are still some who subvert the old ways in this world.
Even with the relaxation of restrictions, they still uphold the tradition of carrying on the family line and continuing the family business. Xie Ruan is especially uneasy because Pei Zhi is an only son.
Pei Zhi probably didn't hire him just to be scolded, right?
No, with such a high salary, it seems normal to be scolded, right?
Xie Ruan braced herself.
Forget it, as long as I have money, what does it matter if I go through fire and water?
Grandpa seemed to have listened to Pei Zhi for a long time before he suddenly snapped out of his daze, and it took him a long time to react, "That...? Boyfriend??"
Xie Ruan was trembling with fear.
Xie Ruan hadn't expected that Pei Zhi's grandfather had such a serious and authoritative face; just one glance was enough to make Xie Ruan subconsciously hold her breath.
Xie Ruan even considered running away immediately, but thinking about the expensive contract, Pei Zhi's needs, and her grandfather's expectations, she subconsciously forced a smile: "Yes, boyfriend."
Grandpa seemed not to understand: "What kind of boyfriend?"
It's normal that the elderly person didn't react immediately, right?
Xie Ruan felt a little awkward.
Pei Zhi wanted to speak, but was driven away by his grandfather's glare.
Pei Zhi's grandfather seemed eager to hear what Xie Ruan had to say.
Xie Ruan could only purse her lips and say, "It's... a male lover, that kind of friend. Not a male friend, but someone who is..."
Xie Ruan didn't know how to explain it to the older generation.
Xie Ruan: "The kind of boyfriend you're dating with the intention of getting married..."
Xie Ruan closed her eyes after she finished speaking.
He thought, let Pei Zhi's grandfather beat him up. With Pei Zhi's financial resources, he would definitely pay him a huge sum of compensation, so it wouldn't be too much of a loss.
Xie Ruan had already planned it all out.
Unexpectedly, Grandpa pulled Xie Ruan away.
He pushed Pei Zhi out.
Xie Ruan opened her eyes, and before she could react, she saw her grandfather slam the door shut and kick Pei Zhi out.
Grandpa spoke to Pei Zhi outside the door through the surveillance camera: "You brought your granddaughter-in-law here empty-handed? How can you be so shameless? Go out and buy something your granddaughter-in-law likes before you come in, or I won't acknowledge you as my grandson."
Xie Ruan remained awkwardly in place.
Grandpa kindly pulled me to the living room.
Then Xie Ruan watched as Pei Zhi's grandfather pulled out a whole bunch of boxes containing antiques and even treasures.
Pei Zhi's grandfather: "Xiao Bao, pick whatever you like."
?
Pei Zhi's grandfather: "Never mind."
Pei Zhi's grandfather: "They're all yours."
Pei Zhi's grandfather: "When Xiao Zhi comes back in a little while, I'll have him take all of these back to you."
Xie Ruan looked at him, who had just been extremely fierce and serious.
The grandfather, however, now has a very different expression, showing kindness.
They fell into complete silence.
After a long while, a sentence finally popped into Xie Ruan's mind.
no.
Was Grandpa Pei Zhi really not suddenly possessed?
Why is she acting like a completely different person compared to how she was with Pei Zhi just now?
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