Chapter 52: Run, Yuanbao, Run!

The wedding of Pei Zongnian and Meng Qing was set on an auspicious day, carefully chosen by Ms. Song Xuanling, who had consulted a fortune teller. It was said not only to be a perfect day for marriage but also to ensure a blissful married life and flourishing careers for the couple.

Pei Baoyuan thought the fortune teller was just a blind cat stumbling upon a dead mouse—perhaps he said the same to every client, and this time he just happened to tell Ms. Song Xuanling.

The Pei and Song families had been rooted in the capital for at least four generations. As long as no fundamental mistakes were made, their businesses would naturally thrive.

In any case, Pei Zongnian’s wedding became the top priority for both families.

On the wedding day, the city’s elite and officials came to pay their respects. Most people in the capital knew it was the Pei family’s celebration of Pei Zongnian’s marriage. Even those who held grudges against the Pei or Song families at business dealings dared not cause trouble at such a moment—yet, foolishly, someone still tried to stir things up.

To prevent any reckless individuals from disturbing the bride, Pei Baoyuan was assigned by her elder brother to stay by Meng Qing’s side.

The bridal procession had already concluded, and Pei Baoyuan accompanied Meng Qing in the hotel suite as she changed into her main wedding gown.

The barrage of comments flooded in like a tidal wave, each line of text seeming to sprout tentacles that crazily clung to Pei Baoyuan’s eyes and body.

Usually, if Pei Baoyuan ignored the barrage, it would remain invisible. But never before had the messages surged like this, each word seemingly intent on devouring her.

At this moment, her body was enveloped by dense text. If Meng Qing, who was having her makeup done, glanced over, she would notice Pei Baoyuan’s entire body stiffening, as if trapped by some mysterious, invisible force.

Pei Baoyuan was forced to look at the barrage, which now scrolled wildly, lines of words rapidly flashing before her eyes.

It was a test of eyesight.

“I wondered why the male lead suddenly went quiet after going mad—turns out he's involved with Ke Yicheng.”

“Baoyuan, run! Huo Yanci has gone mad. He’s teamed up with Ke Yicheng to put you in a compromising position. You were hit by a car, and Ke Xianbai caused Ke Yicheng’s 1.2 billion dollars to go down the drain. Ke Yicheng is definitely looking to stab Ke Xianbai in the back.”

“Stab? Ke Yicheng can just take Ke Xianbai out directly. Anyway, they’re still at Pei Zongnian’s wedding in the capital. If someone dies in the chaos, the Pei family will take the blame. At worst, there’s Huo Yanci, and Ke Yicheng will be in Hong City, reaping the benefits.”

“Wasn’t Huo Zhongxi’s death caused by Ke Yicheng? At such a young age, he could turn on his stepmother—there’s no guarantee he won’t target Ke Xianbai and Pei Baoyuan.”

“Baoyuan, don’t be alone! Be careful of any unfamiliar faces around you!”

“One word: Run! Two words: Run fast!! If only Baoyuan could see us! Damn it, can’t they develop some feature to interact with characters in the story? I don’t want our gentle Baoyuan to be harmed.”

From the countless comments, Pei Baoyuan grasped the crucial point: Huo Yanci had somehow allied with Ke Yicheng, planning to make a move on her, while Ke Yicheng’s real target was Ke Xianbai.

She glanced toward Meng Qing, whose lovely face was reflected in the mirror. Her lips moved as if speaking to the makeup artist, but Pei Baoyuan heard nothing before dizziness overwhelmed her and she lost consciousness.

—

“Now, the bride and groom will exchange rings.”

The Pei family had booked the entire hotel, and all eyes were on the couple on stage.

Pei Zongnian took the ring from the attendant and slowly slipped it onto Meng Qing’s ring finger. Noticing her unease, he lifted her hand and gently kissed the back of it. “Focus. This is our wedding.”

“But—”

Pei Zongnian gave her a reassuring look. “Trust me.”

He then held out his hand for Meng Qing to place the ring on him. Unlike the intricate women’s ring, his was understated, with only her initials engraved inside.

The ceremony proceeded smoothly as planned. According to custom, the bride and groom toasted the guests. Given the scale of the banquet, even the best drinkers would feel the effects after a round, but Pei Zongnian only drank a couple of glasses during the toasts to elders; the rest was juice. No one dared to complain.

For a while, the hall was filled with praise for the perfect match of Pei Zongnian and Meng Qing.

Ke Xianbai and the Huo family were seated at the same table. Pei Zongnian scanned the room. The Huo couple sat beside Huo Siyue; the empty seat’s occupant was obvious.

Everyone stood and exchanged congratulatory words. Pei Zongnian nodded faintly in thanks, then said, “Mr. Huo, I hear the Huo family’s business has been doing well recently, but young master Huo was too busy to attend the wedding.”

Huo Zhongyuan looked slightly embarrassed. The two families had friction due to the younger generation’s affairs. Huo’s business had been tough lately because of the Pei family’s interference. The company was struggling in the capital, and offending Pei Zongnian again would be unwise.

He glanced at Ke Xianbai, who was drinking casually, then closed his eyes. The Ke family was related through marriage, but his sister had died over a decade ago. And though an octopus has eight tentacles, it still can’t reach inland.

He forced a smile. “My son hasn’t been feeling well, so I sent him home to rest. I’ll personally bring him here in a few days.”

—

“Is that so?” Pei Zongnian narrowed his eyes, scrutinizing Huo Zhongyuan. “No need for a visit. Let him rest well, or he might not be around when it’s time to take over.”

Huo Zhongyuan nodded repeatedly. Only after Pei Zongnian walked away did he exhale in relief and turn to Huo Siyue. “Call your brother. No matter where he is, he must come home immediately.”

Huo Siyue had been unhappy with her family over the arranged marriage. To prevent her from causing a scene, the Huo and Fang families had exchanged tokens confirming her marriage to Fang Shilun. She was unwilling but, seeing her father’s grim expression, feared embarrassment and reluctantly took out her phone to call Huo Yanci.

The first call went unanswered.

She glanced at her father’s face, which was now beyond just grim, and tried two more times. Each time, after a long ring, the call was cut off.

“He didn’t answer,” Huo Siyue said cautiously.

Huo Zhongyuan glared at Xu Chunlan, lowering his voice for appearances. “Look at the good son you raised, offending the Pei family for a disreputable actor.”

Angered, he had already made a call to withdraw all resources Huo Yanci had from Song Yiren.

“Go back and tell your son to stop his foolishness. If he continues, I might not even want him in the Huo family.”

Xu Chunlan grew frantic, ignoring the fact that many prominent figures were nearby. She shouted, “If not Yanci, then who? Your illegitimate child?! I tell you, that’s impossible! Find that vixen and bastard—I’ll tear them apart!”

Several heads turned toward the commotion. Huo Zhongyuan’s face reddened. “Is this the time to say such things? Do you really want to bring down the Huo family?”

Xu Chunlan fell silent.

Amid the Huo family’s quarrel, no one noticed that Ke Xianbai, who had been dining, had disappeared…