Jiang Lai instinctively tried to pull her hand back, but Pei Jingchuan quickly grabbed it in return. Her body leaned forward, and the tip of her nose almost brushed against his cool, thin lips.
“How do you know?”
By her ear came Pei Jingchuan’s cold voice, mixed with a warm, ambiguous breath.
The fact that Pei Zhiyuan had lost a leg was a secret of the Pei family. How could she possibly know?
A faint hint of killing intent flashed in Pei Jingchuan’s eyes.
“I calculated it,” Jiang Lai said confidently. “I also know that President Pei has lived for twenty-five years, and today is the first time he has touched a woman’s hand…”
Suddenly, the strength in his grip disappeared. Jiang Lai stumbled slightly before steadying herself.
“Miss Jiang, please watch your words.”
His teeth-gritting warning drilled straight into her ears. Seeing his face turn dark in an instant, she nervously rubbed her nose.
Telling the truth is wrong too, apparently.
Fortunately, Pei Jingchuan had given her some face — those words weren’t heard by anyone else.
“Jingchuan, what do you say about the engagement?” Madam Gu asked, looking at him expectantly.
“I’d like to speak with Miss Jiang alone,” Pei Jingchuan replied, his deep gaze toward Jiang Lai carrying a hint of personal grievance.
“Sure.” Jiang Lai provocatively blinked at Gu Qianhe, mimicking her usual tone. “Sister, you won’t be jealous, right?”
“Of course not.” Gu Qianhe nearly ground her teeth to dust. “My relationship with Brother Jingchuan is something you wouldn’t understand.”
“Is that so?”
She really thought Jiang Lai was blind.
Gu Family Garden
With only the two of them present, Jiang Lai dropped her smiling facade.
“President Pei, what did you want to say to me?”
Pei Jingchuan paused. “My brother’s matter… you really figured it out by fortune-telling?”
“Of course.”
Jiang Lai spoke firmly. She had trained for decades in a hidden metaphysical sect — talismans, divination, exorcism, feng shui — she mastered them all.
“If you don’t believe me, I can cast another reading for you.”
She raised her hand and formed a spiritual seal, murmuring incantations.
“No need,” Pei Jingchuan glanced down at her, unexpectedly showing a trace of interest.
He never imagined he’d one day rely on some mysterious little fortune-teller.
“So how should my brother’s leg be treated?”
Jiang Lai smirked lightly. “I never do losing business. That costs extra.”
“How much do you want?”
She raised an eyebrow. “I want the engagement.”
Pei Jingchuan didn’t answer immediately, his lips curving into a half-smile as he met her eyes.
“You’ve only been back in the Gu family for a year, and we’ve met just once. Are you that eager to marry?”
If she were truly smart, she might not even understand what an engagement with the Pei family truly meant.
If she were foolish, that sly expression made her look exactly like a little fox.
“It’s just mutual benefit,” Jiang Lai met his gaze calmly. “Do we really need to trade sincerity for sincerity?”
Pei Jingchuan considered her for a moment.
“I agree.”
As soon as he spoke, Jiang Lai handed him a piece of yellow talisman paper.
“Just put one drop of your blood on it. That will seal our contract. If either of us breaks our promise, heavenly law will punish us.”
Pei Jingchuan chuckled and complied.
“I always keep my word, little fortune-teller.”
Satisfied, Jiang Lai took his hand and led him back to the living room.
When Gu Qianhe and Song Qin saw their clasped hands, their faces turned uglier than if they had swallowed flies.
Jiang Lai ignored them and spoke directly to Madam Gu.
“Grandma, Brother Jingchuan has agreed to give me the engagement.”
“Oh my!” Madam Gu beamed with delight. “Lailai, I’ll find someone to pick an auspicious date and arrange your engagement!”
Pei Jingchuan had grown up before her eyes. If he protected Jiang Lai, she would have nothing to fear in the future.
“Then I’ll rely on Grandma,” Jiang Lai replied obediently — then suddenly looked aggrieved.
“But I don’t even have company shares. What if people say I’m not legitimate…”
She pretended to wipe away tears and glanced at Gu Qianhe.
“Sister’s shares were originally mine anyway. Why not return them to me?”
“Jiang Lai, don’t push your luck!” Song Qin exploded with anger.
Jiang Lai sniffled pitifully toward her. “Mother, do you want others to look down on me too?”
Gu Qianhe hurried to mediate. “Sister, you might not know — share transfers require notarization, and today—”
“I can have Pei Group’s lawyers come over right now,” Pei Jingchuan interrupted coldly.
“Jiang Lai is my fiancée. I don’t want to hear any rumors about her outside.”
Jiang Lai was momentarily surprised — and secretly pleased — that he defended her.
“Maybe sister just doesn’t want to give up the shares,” she said innocently. “But since this involves the Pei family, surely sister will put the bigger picture first.”
Pei Jingchuan glanced at her — her fox tail was practically wagging like a propeller.
“If there are no objections, we’ll sign the share transfer agreement tonight,” Madam Gu declared, nodding to the butler. “Bring the documents I prepared.”
The butler approached nervously and whispered something in her ear.
Madam Gu’s expression darkened in anger.
“Absolutely ridiculous!”
“Grandma!” Jiang Lai hurried to soothe her back.
After calming down, Madam Gu said heavily:
“Lailai… Gu Qianhe’s shares can’t be transferred to you for now.”
Jiang Lai frowned slightly.
“Your three older brothers just sent word — if I transfer Qianhe’s shares to you, they’ll transfer all their own shares to her as compensation!”
Jiang Lai’s eyes grew cold.
Of course — her three “good brothers” were causing trouble again.
Madam Gu continued, furious, “I’m calling all three of them here right now. Those shares must belong to you!”