Pei Jingyi never imagined that Wen Huan would be so desperate to divorce him that she would risk her life by jumping down the stairs.
Although he had known since their first meeting at the Pei family home that this young woman was cunning, greedy for money, delicate, pretentious, and full of schemes.
But before, due to the Pei family’s status and his own constraints, Wen Huan had been relatively obedient and sensible after marrying him. However, this time, with the bankruptcy,
Wen Huan didn’t even bother pretending anymore.
For three whole days, she not only neglected their child but also constantly made a fuss about divorcing to live a better life.
At first, Pei Jingyi could still tolerate it—not only for the sake of giving their child a complete family but also because he had never considered divorce.
But seeing Wen Huan so unwilling to be with him that she didn’t even want to live, he suddenly thought, forget it.
After all, there was no love between them.
He was a mature and rational person; Wen Huan was never indispensable to him.
However, hearing Pei Jingyi’s words, Wen Huan immediately became subdued and didn’t dare to “blame” anyone anymore.
Because although deep down she truly wanted to divorce Pei Jingyi, the thought of her tragic death in the end and the miserable fate of becoming the female lead’s foil even after death—
Even without experiencing it firsthand, Wen Huan felt as if she were already nailed to a pillar of shame.
So, leaning against Pei Jingyi’s chest, she blinked her eyes, her glistening tears making them look like two clear glass beads, so beautiful it was hard to look away. “Husband, what are you talking about?”
She gazed at the man’s cold, rigid jaw and blatantly lied, “I never wanted to divorce you, and I don’t plan on leaving.”
Wen Huan lifted her small face with shameless confidence, her words as sweet as honey, sickeningly so.
“I was just suddenly uncomfortable with the change in environment, but how could I bear to leave you and our son?”
“…” Pei Jingyi’s brow furrowed even tighter, but for once, he remained silent for a few minutes.
Because before, Wen Huan had said nothing of the sort.
“You useless man, how could you let such a stable business go bankrupt? What hope do I have following you in the future?”
“Let me tell you, if I have to live in poverty with you, my beauty, my figure, even my soul will be destroyed!”
Pei Jingyi listened coldly to Wen Huan’s harsh attacks. He had originally intended to tell her some truths, but in the end, he said nothing.
But now, he lowered his gaze slightly. “You can’t bear to leave me and our son?”
Pei Jingyi emphasized “our son,” making Wen Huan cough guiltily.
Because if Pei Jingyi was a big ice block she wanted to discard, their son Pei Chen was a little demon she couldn’t control.
Especially since the child had rarely been by her side since he was young, so even at three years old, there wasn’t much affection between mother and son. Every time they met, he was rebellious.
“But he is still our child after all.” Wen Huan wrapped her slender, pale hands around Pei Jingyi’s neck, rubbing her delicate face against his collar as she cooed, “Husband, even if life is hard from now on, as long as our family stays together, we can overcome anything.”
Besides, Pei Jingyi was the male lead in the book.
The hardship would only last a year.
A year later, they could become friendly ex-spouses, and wouldn’t Wen Huan’s path be much smoother then?
Upon hearing this, Pei Jingyi fixed his gaze on the person in his arms. Her skin was delicate, already slightly flushed from just a few light rubs. Yet this touch of color on her exquisite, delicate face dispelled some of the weariness between her brows, adding a touch of fragile allure.
Seduction was in her bones.
These four words best described Wen Huan. Even her breathing alone was a skillful art.
“Understood,” Pei Jingyi slowly averted his eyes and replied indifferently, though in truth, he didn’t believe her.
Wen Huan was adept at pretense and performance, skilled at coaxing others.
Although Pei Jingyi didn’t know why Wen Huan’s attitude had changed, since she wanted to stay, he agreed to see what her intentions were.
And so, holding Wen Huan, Pei Jingyi made his way back to the rental building.
It was an old building several decades old. Looking around, the walls were mottled with mildew stains, with many irregular patches peeling away. The stairwell was cluttered with children’s belongings, but fortunately, inside their rented room, Pei Jingyi kept the space clean and tidy. The spring sunset shone through the rusted window, casting a warm, golden glow.
At that moment, however, many tenants in the building stood by their doors, craning their necks to watch as Wen Huan and Pei Jingyi returned. “Oh, you two are finally back! Xiao Wen, are you alright?”
Of course, they were purely there for the spectacle. Although Wen Huan and Pei Jingyi hadn’t lived there long, everyone knew Wen Huan had a spoiled temper and a restless heart.
Yet, the more restless a woman, the more beautiful she often was.
Wen Huan’s face was even more stunning than the filtered fairies on television. Even when she threw a tantrum, it felt less like a punishment and more like a reward.
Not to mention, perhaps she was genuinely hurt from the fall, for now she nestled obediently and softly in the man’s arms, her eyes still reddened, melting hearts with just a glance.
No wonder Pei Jingyi had held on for so long, unwilling to divorce and let her go.
After all, for men, sometimes it wasn’t about unwavering devotion—it could simply be a case of being captivated by beauty.
But as for the many prying eyes outside, Pei Jingyi carried her straight into the room and kicked the door shut. “No need for concern.”
Throughout, he remained unyielding, and for a fleeting moment, some men felt as if Pei Jingyi had kicked the door right in their faces.
Yet they could only rub their noses, not daring to utter a word.
But the gossip from the neighborhood busybodies never ceased.
“Are those two really getting a divorce?”
“Look at how subdued that young girl is—she probably got her way. Honestly, though, that delicate little thing doesn’t seem like the type to settle down and live a steady life!”
“Exactly! Even if a man’s business fails, a woman should stand by him to be considered a good wife. Besides, with Xiao Pei’s steady and upright demeanor, who knows when he’ll achieve great things again!”
“By then, Xiao Pei can find himself a gentle and kind-hearted wife. Speaking of which, wasn’t there a young girl who came asking about Xiao Pei in the building a few days ago? I thought she seemed quite nice.”
Wen Huan didn’t hear the neighbors’ discussions outside.
Sitting on the sofa, she watched as the man, after setting her down, went to wash his hands, his demeanor colder than water. She sighed silently.
After all the turmoil of this period, even though Wen Huan had coaxed Pei Jingyi a few times at the clinic and agreed to continue their life together, it was clear that Pei Jingyi still disliked her even more.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been in such a foul mood just from carrying her up the stairs.
But now, to save her life, Wen Huan couldn’t get a divorce. At least until the female lead appeared and Pei Jingyi took the initiative to propose divorce, she had to maintain the marital relationship with him.
So, if he hated her, then let him hate her. Pei Jingyi never liked her anyway.
But after touching her stomach, Wen Huan staggered to her feet, walked over to Pei Jingyi, leaned against his arm, and whispered softly, “Husband, I’m hungry.”
Pei Jingyi paused his handwashing, feeling that the person leaning against him was even softer than the water in his palms.
Yet before the bankruptcy, Wen Huan had never been so proactive in being affectionate with him.
Especially at night, when it was time to return to the bedroom, she had often used the excuse of not wanting to disturb his rest to try and sleep in the guest room.
She simply didn’t want to share a bed with him.
Pei Jingyi saw through Wen Huan’s little scheme but didn’t indulge her, directly dragging her back from the guest room.
Since he had married her,
they had to sleep together.
Even though Pei Jingyi didn’t like Wen Huan, as husband and wife, they had to have a normal married life every night.