Chapter 1096: Chapter 1096: I Can’t Afford That
The night is cool as water.
Ayuan quietly stands aside, pretending he doesn’t exist.
Ziyi looks at Pei Yuanchen, her gaze clear and earnest.
After a long while, Pei Yuanchen gently releases her hand, "You can call me, but I may not have time."
Ziyi thinks for a moment, "It’s okay, as long as you don’t ignore my calls."
Pei Yuanchen looks at her for quite a while before nodding, "Okay, I promise you. Get in the car."
Ziyi reluctantly clutches his arm again, looking as if she has something to say but can’t find the words.
"Ayuan is right here; don’t think I’ll send you off." Pei Yuanchen’s voice is somewhat hoarse, "Let go."
Ziyi snorts and reluctantly lets go of his hand.
Ayuan opens the car door for her.
Ziyi dawdles over to the car, glancing back at him repeatedly before getting in, as if hoping he would ask her to stay.
But Pei Yuanchen says nothing.
He just stands there quietly watching her.
At some point, a small flicker of fire appears at his fingertips, surrounded by swirling smoke in the flickering light.
Ultimately, Ziyi gets into the car, which speeds away in front of him.
The night soon completely devours the black car.
Pei Yuanchen takes a deep drag from his cigarette and slowly exhales.
Only after finishing the cigarette does he turn to walk back into the hotel.
Pei Yuanchen returns to his room, closes the door, and throws himself onto the bed.
Suddenly, he feels a discomfort at the back of his head.
Reaching back, he brings it to his eyes and sees it’s a small button.
He laughs silently.
...This button was something he had personally torn off, precisely from the highest point of Ziyi’s chest. Perhaps because that spot was tighter, this button was the most useless, easily coming off with just a bit of force.
Pei Yuanchen brings the button to his nose for a gentle sniff.
Sure enough, it carries the scent of that woman.
Originally planning to throw the button into the trash, he hesitates, feeling a touch of reluctance, and impulsively places it in his wallet instead.
At this moment, the phone on the bedside table suddenly starts buzzing.
Pei Yuanchen reaches over and sees the caller is Gu Bingjun.
"Godfather?" He answers the call, sounding somewhat low.
"Yuanchen?" Gu Bingjun’s voice carries a hint of concern, "What’s wrong? You sound a bit off."
Pei Yuanchen pauses.
Usually, he answers calls with a casual, indifferent attitude, but this rare moment of depth is immediately noticed by Gu Bingjun.
When did his godfather’s senses become so sharp?
"Nothing’s wrong." Pei Yuanchen laughs lazily, "Are you just waking up?"
The time difference between Country S and here is seven to eight hours.
"Yes, I thought you might still be awake, so I called to check on you." Gu Bingjun clicks his tongue, "Zhixi already told me; her sister-in-law really likes you. Do you have any thoughts on this?"
Pei Yuanchen snorts, "Godfather, since when did you become so gossipy?"
"You were practically raised by me," Gu Bingjun says somewhat sentimentally, "In my heart, you’re like a son to me. Is it wrong for me to care?"
"Of course it’s right." Pei Yuanchen’s voice is laced with humor, yet his eyes remain cold, "The eldest He Family’s daughter... I can’t handle her; you give me too much credit."
