Chapter 40: An Offhand Lie

Ke Xianbai’s eyes were filled with warmth as he followed Pei Baoyuan’s lead, saying, "Thank you, Miss Pei, for your mercy in choosing not to hold this against me."

At this moment, all conflicts seemed to vanish.

Pei Baoyuan hesitated for a moment before asking, "Are you going back to Hong Kong? Can you... not go?"

He did not deliberately avoid the subject with her. He knew that Pei Baoyuan was worried about him.

Ke Xianbai ruffled her hair. "Don't worry, I have made preparations. Nothing will happen."

As he stood up, Pei Baoyuan grabbed his arm. Looking pitiful, she asked, "Then can I go with you?"

For the first time, Ke Xianbai refused her. "Hong Kong is not the Imperial Capital; I cannot guarantee your safety."

Pei Baoyuan opened her mouth to argue, but Ke Xianbai interrupted her. "Be good."

Pei Baoyuan nodded, no longer insisting. She knew how difficult his situation in Hong Kong was, so she would do her best not to be a burden.

...

Ke Xianbai was gone. The apartment felt empty again.

Pei Baoyuan decided to return to the old Pei family estate. After all, Coconut was still there.

When she arrived, the housekeeper was playing ball with Coconut in the backyard. Seeing Pei Baoyuan, the dog abandoned its favorite toy and bolted straight into her arms. Its warm tongue began to wreak havoc on her face, covering her in slobber.

Pei Baoyuan laughed and pushed its head away. "Alright, Coconut, are you trying to wash my face?"

The housekeeper walked over with the ball and said, "Miss, while you were away, Miss Huo came by for two days in a row. She’ll likely come again today."

"Huo Ciyue? What is she here for?"

Pei Baoyuan hadn't seen Huo Ciyue for a long time. She used to send messages frequently, but ever since Pei Baoyuan returned from the hospital, she hadn't replied to any of them. Without her "ATM" to buy her bags and jewelry without question, she must have finally lost her patience.

Pei Baoyuan took the toy ball and said she understood, then continued playing with Coconut on the lawn.

"Sister Baoyuan!"

A moment later, she heard a familiar voice. Huo Ciyue, dressed in a short dress and heels, walked quickly toward her, seemingly unafraid of twisting an ankle.

"Sister Baoyuan, I've been here twice, but the housekeeper said you weren't home. I'm so glad I finally caught you today."

Pei Baoyuan smiled, ignoring her remark, and threw the toy ball away. "Coconut, go fetch the ball for sister."

When Huo Ciyue entered, she had found the dog familiar, but only now, hearing Pei Baoyuan speak to it, did she realize it was the one Ke Xianbai raised. "Isn't Coconut my cousin's dog? Why is it at your place, Sister Baoyuan?"

Coconut came sprinting back excitedly, and Huo Ciyue visibly recoiled a step.

Pei Baoyuan praised, "Wow, our Coconut is so good!"

Coconut wagged its tail happily. "We've played long enough, let's take a break."

Huo Ciyue was delighted and hurried to sit on a chair in the yard with Pei Baoyuan.

"Sister Baoyuan, why haven't you replied to my messages lately?"

Pei Baoyuan poured a little water into her palm to feed Coconut, raising an eyebrow at the question. Was Huo Ciyue truly this oblivious? Her silence was clearly meant to convey that she didn't want to talk to her. Yet, here she was, showing up at her house to ask why.

After feeding the dog, Pei Baoyuan stood up and asked bluntly, "What is your business here today?"

Her face was devoid of a smile, and her tone was sharp.

Huo Ciyue looked aggrieved. "Sister Baoyuan, just because you and my brother aren't getting along, does that mean you're going to ignore me too?"

Pei Baoyuan was amused by her stupidity. "Huo Ciyue, I thought not replying would make my stance clear. I didn't realize you were so thick-skinned." Pei Baoyuan sneered, "Since you’re here, I’ll tell you clearly: Huo Yanzhi betrayed me. From now on, the Pei family has nothing to do with the Huo family."

"Sister Baoyuan, how could my brother betray you?"

"Your brother sides with Song Yiren in everything. I have no use for a man who turns his back on me for someone else!"

Huo Ciyue grew anxious and grabbed Pei Baoyuan's arm. "It’s that bitch Song Yiren who keeps pestering my brother! I swear, my brother has never had the heart to betray you."

[Huo Ciyue's move is a bit confusing. It's been so long; why is she only speaking up for her brother now?]

[Ah, the Huo family wants to force a marriage between Huo Ciyue and Fang Shilun. She doesn't want to marry him, so she probably wants Pei Baoyuan to help her.]

Pei Baoyuan suddenly realized. So, Huo Ciyue had come to her for a favor.

Fang Shilun’s family was involved in new energy and had significant influence in the Imperial Capital. However, Fang Shilun was a pro at drinking, gambling, and womanizing. He was always seen with at least two different beauties at a time. When it came to playboys, if Fang Shilun was second, no one in the city dared to be first.

"Are you trying to fool me? You think I still like Huo Yanzhi, so you’re lying through your teeth, aren't you?!"

Pei Baoyuan slammed her hand on the table, startling Huo Ciyue.

"Song Yiren was clearly Huang Zhenyu's girlfriend. To save her, Huang Zhenyu came to my house for days begging me. And you have the nerve to tell me that Song Yiren is pestering Huo Yanzhi?"

"It’s obvious to me that Huo Yanzhi took advantage of my time abroad to get with Song Yiren!"

Huo Ciyue: "..."

The bullet she had fired earlier had now hit her right between the eyes.

Huo Ciyue cursed Pei Baoyuan in her heart, but she still denied it outwardly. "My brother only has eyes for you. How could he possibly like Song Yiren? You two have so many years of history; it’s impossible for him to just stop loving you."

Pei Baoyuan ignored her entirely and continued her tirade: "Huo Yanzhi likes her, which is why he defends her everywhere."

"When Song Yiren had her assistant lock me in an elevator that was under maintenance, Huo Yanzhi still tried to make excuses for her, saying it wasn't intentional."

"In my opinion, Huang Zhenyu is much better to Song Yiren than Huo Yanzhi. During the days she was 'in,' Huang Zhenyu knelt at my doorstep for a long time. I only let her off for his sake."

"Wait, that's not right! When I met Song Yiren last time, she didn't seem to know it was Huang Zhenyu who begged for her. She thought it was Huo Yanzhi... No, I have to tell her."

Pei Baoyuan pulled out her phone, only for Huo Ciyue to block her. Huo Ciyue was truly impressed by Pei Baoyuan's warped logic.

"Why are you stopping me? Your brother is a scumbag. I have to tell Song Yiren so she doesn't get deceived by him!"

Huo Ciyue wanted to roll her eyes so hard she’d faint. She took a deep breath, suppressing the urge to explode. "Sister Baoyuan, actually... actually, Song Yiren and Huang Zhenyu were never in a relationship!"

Hearing the answer she wanted, Pei Baoyuan asked, "What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said. They never had that kind of relationship."

"Back then, you suddenly opened the door, and we made up a lie on the spot so you wouldn't misunderstand."