Chapter 37
"Who is he?" Zhi Xia asked in surprise, unconsciously raising her voice to ask again.
"Pei Jing. Why are you reacting so strongly? Don't tell me you knew him before?" An Zhiang was startled by Zhi Xia's reaction.
But he figured they shouldn't know each other. His little sister had been confined at home by the Gao family before, and the Pei family was in Anle village, so they didn't have any relatives in common and shouldn't have had a chance to meet.
Zhi Xia said, "I don't know him, I don't know him. I'm just surprised to hear he's your little uncle when he's so young."
The Pei Jing that Auntie An MeiYun said became a business legend after leaving the military and left a billion-dollar inheritance for Pei Jianguo - that's the Pei Jing she was talking about.
How could she not know him!
She had also seen Pei Jing in her previous life, when he came back once after the An family incident.
But it had been too long ago, she didn't remember what he looked like at all.
Plus she had only seen him once. The Pei Jing of her previous life didn't survive, but was betrayed by his teammates on a mission and sacrificed. An MeiYun had a hand in that too.
To be precise, it was An MeiYun's husband's doing.
After marrying, An MeiYun had always harbored feelings for her unrequited love Pei Jing, and her husband was jealous.
Or perhaps that was just an excuse. They simply wanted Pei Jing dead.
Because in the world An MeiYun said they hadn't been reborn in, Zhi Xia and Pei Jianguo stood at the pinnacle relying on Pei Jing's assets.
Mrs. Zhou came in with the washed meat and saw them. "What are you two doing in here? Go out and play for now. I'll call you when it's time to wrap dumplings."
Zhi Xia took the meat from Mrs. Zhou and said, "I'd just be bored outside, so why don't I help chop the meat and Mrs. Zhou can make the dough. We can divide up the work and get it done faster together."
"No need, no need. I can handle it myself. If you're really bored, go with Zhiang to the supply and marketing co-op and get some more wine. We're running low, and Old Pei is here today too. Those two old men will probably drink a lot, and I'm worried we won't have enough for them."
"Uncle Pei must be joking. I don't know you and haven't offended you, so why would I avoid you?" Zhi Xia adjusted her expression and calmly turned around. "I'm just timid and afraid of strangers. Please forgive my rudeness, Uncle Pei."
Pei Jing looked at her seriously and puzzled. "You really don't recognize me?"
Zhi Xia shook her head, but thought to herself: This is bad.
From his manner, it seemed he must have already investigated her.
Zhi Xia didn't feel he would fail to uncover the truth. If he didn't even have that capability, Pei Jing wouldn't have become someone An MeiYun admired yet feared.
But she was determined not to admit it.
It would be one thing with someone else, but given the current relations between their families, their statuses, and the circumstances of their meeting that night - it was too awkward and embarrassing.
A huge social death scene!
"Humph!" Zhi Xia's denials amused Pei Jing. "You might not admit it, but we're both clear about what happened that night."
After a moment's hesitation, Pei Jing added, "If you need it...I can take responsibility."
If it had been another woman, Pei Jing probably would have...
But no point thinking about what-ifs. He didn't know what he would have done.
That night, although he was the one violated, he had gotten aroused too. Otherwise at most some minor advantage could have been taken, not providing the opportunity.
He had heard many stories before of heroes falling at a beauty's hands, always scoffing at them.
If one's heart was unwilling, how could the body react?
Yet the reality was, physical stimulation was completely beyond the brain's control.
Zhi Xia was frightened by Pei Jing's words, staring at him in disbelief. "Take...responsibility? Uncle Pei, what a strange thing to say. I don't even know you, and there's nothing I need you to take responsibility for."