Chapter Seventy-Eight: The Threat

Pei Susu was never someone who enjoyed competing with others. If it hadn’t been for that peace lock—a gift she had carefully chosen for a friend—she would have given up as soon as she noticed Liang Wenru vying for it.

Mo Qingyu said, “It’s good that you’ve let it go. If you still want a peace lock like that, I can help you look for one.”

Pei Susu smiled gently, her lips curving with a touch of warmth.

“That’s not necessary,” she replied. “I just happened to see this jade lock. If I went out of my way to find another just like it, it would lose the serendipity—the meaning would fade.”

She added, “Your kindness is appreciated, but truly, there’s no need to trouble yourself. The fact that I didn’t manage to win it shows there’s no fate between us and that lock—I won’t force it.”

As she lowered her gaze to type her reply, Pei Susu hadn’t yet noticed the sticky, greedy gaze already clinging to her, watching her from not far away with a hunger that seemed intent on devouring her features.

“I didn’t expect the woman bidding earlier to be so beautiful,” murmured the young man, his words dripping with desire. He tugged at the hand of the middle-aged woman beside him, betraying his greed. “Mom, I like her. Can you bring her to me?”

Hearing her son’s words, the woman turned to look at Pei Susu. Seeing her unfamiliar face and recognizing that she wasn’t from any prominent family—yet sitting in seats of this tier—her heart flashed with contempt. She squeezed her son’s hand and tried to reason with him:

“That woman clearly climbed her way up using her body. She’s not a good sort. In the future, our Yaozu will inherit from your father and me—a child favored by heaven. Women like that aren’t worthy of your attention.”

How could she not be worthy? Chen Yaozu’s eyes were practically glued to Pei Susu. He had never seen a woman so beautiful, so perfectly matching his tastes. Now that fate had delivered her to him, Chen Yaozu was determined not to let her go.

“Mom, I really mean it. I want her!”

At home, Chen Yaozu’s demands were rarely refused. Receiving a denial now only made him more stubborn.

“I don’t care, I want her!”

Seeing her son so resolute, the woman, though disdainful, ultimately gave in. She folded her arms and stood, looking down at Pei Susu’s back, her expression thoughtful.

Pei Susu remained oblivious to the misfortune looming over her head. She had intended to leave immediately, but the clients Mo Qingyu had just introduced hadn’t yet exchanged contact information—she needed to wait until things wrapped up.

With that in mind, Pei Susu idly played with her phone, her hair falling softly, giving her an air of gentle grace.

On the other side, Fu Zhichen’s work had finally come to an end.

The latest batch of new products had had their names leaked and patents registered in advance. Such patent snatching was common enough and not particularly surprising, but it had disrupted his original plans and required him to reorganize.

These new products were naturally more important than the auction—at least to Fu Zhichen. If not for accompanying her, he probably wouldn’t have bothered to attend.

For others, the event’s organizers might be worth currying favor with, but for Fu Zhichen, things were different. With the vast Fu Group behind him, who needed to curry favor with whom was an open question.

Fu Zhichen messaged, “If you’re not finished yet, I’ll come pick you up.”

Pei Susu’s lips curved into a sweet smile, yet she worried Fu Zhichen was working himself too hard. It wasn’t a big deal for her to go home alone, so she typed a reply:

“No need to pick me up—I’ll head back myself soon.”

If she made him run around for her every time, Pei Susu would feel embarrassed. Besides, she wasn’t the sort of woman who needed constant protection.

She continued, “I’ll be done soon. You’ve worked all night, there’s no need to come for me.”

And: “Be good, little Zhichen.”

Sitting in the car, Fu Zhichen read her messages and understood that her concern for him was the reason she didn’t want him to come. But with Liang Wenru at the auction, things were likely to get tangled for a while after the event.

Because of that alone, he would never leave Pei Susu alone.

Moreover, the auction would end late, and Pei Susu would be outside by herself. He could not rest easy.

He knew that no matter what he said now, she wouldn’t agree to let him come. Better to act first and explain later—he’d message her once he arrived.

“Drive faster. I want to be there before the auction ends.”

The driver sighed, “Sir, we’re already going as fast as we can. If Miss Pei finds out…”

He knew well that only Pei Susu could rein in his boss; aside from her, he couldn’t think of any other way.

Fu Zhichen fell silent for a moment, then said nothing more.

…

Pei Susu put down her phone, relieved that Fu Zhichen seemed not to be coming.

But she did not know that, at that moment, a pair of predatory eyes watched her closely.

“Miss, our lady would like to meet you.”

Someone suddenly approached, speaking politely, but Pei Susu was puzzled. “Someone wants to see me? May I ask who?”

The woman pointed in a direction. Pei Susu followed her gesture and saw the lady who had just competed with her in bidding, seated with poise and seemingly watching her, calm and indifferent.

It was as if Pei Susu didn’t matter at all.

“I don’t believe I have any acquaintance with this lady, so I’ll decline.”

She recalled Mo Qingyu’s warning: both the lady and her child were not easy to deal with. If they suddenly wanted to see her, it could not be for anything good. Naturally, Pei Susu did not wish to invite trouble.

“This…” The messenger shook her head apologetically. “I’m afraid you don’t get to decide. Our lady wishes to see you—you’d best comply. Otherwise, who knows what means she’ll use next time to arrange your meeting.”

Wasn’t this a blatant threat?

Pei Susu’s gaze turned cold. If it were anyone else, she would not give them the courtesy. But Mo Qingyu had shown such caution when mentioning this person; clearly, she was not to be trifled with. Pei Susu couldn’t brush her off carelessly.

Was it inevitable… that she must go and meet her?

Her instincts screamed that nothing good would come of it, but refusing might only leave her caught in a dilemma.