In the shadows, Xin Peipei watched Fu Xiaotang’s performance, feeling a chill run through her, increasingly thankful for not choosing Fu Xiaotang due to a moment of competitiveness. Although she was well-prepared, Fu Xiaotang’s dance was enchantingly seductive yet not vulgar, captivating even her, let alone the young, eager men in the audience. Today’s performance would make Fu Xiaotang’s name known throughout T City. More daunting was the thought that Fu Xiaotang would unveil even more tricks in the upcoming rounds. How could she compete with that? After Zhao Dongyuan’s recent blunder, Liu Yi was already displeased; if Fu Xiaotang couldn’t be humbled or face some setback, Liu Yi might just terminate their agreement and withdraw her support. Meanwhile, Fang Junjie’s meticulous investigations were closing in, making Xin Peipei feel like a hunted animal, too preoccupied with clearing her name to make any moves against Fu Xiaotang.
Lost in these thoughts, Xin Peipei returned to her dressing room, head down as she entered, closing the door behind her. Turning around, she was startled to see someone sitting on the sofa. “Ah!” she exclaimed. The person, deeply absorbed in thought, hadn’t noticed her entry until she screamed. He frowned, looking weary and irritated, “What are you screaming for? Don’t you recognize me?” Xin Peipei gave a wry smile; after all, this was her room, and he was complaining about her. “Young Master Cheng, what brings you here?” Having had a brief romantic entanglement with him, she felt no need for formalities and started changing clothes. Cheng Yu, head slightly bowed, didn’t respond for a while, then muttered, “Do you have any cigarettes?” Xin Peipei scoffed and handed him a pack. Cheng Yu, without even looking, disdainfully said, “Who wants that kind?” Xin Peipei paused, then fetched a different pack from a hidden compartment, placing it on the table. Cheng Yu sighed almost imperceptibly, took a cigarette, lit it, and the distinctive aroma of marijuana began to fill the room. Watching Cheng Yu through the swirling smoke, his face a mix of pleasure, pain, suppression, and longing, Xin Peipei was momentarily stunned. Her feelings for this young master were complex; she admired his youth and looks, coveted his wealth, and even found his domineering and ruthless nature appealing, but she never expected his ruthlessness would also be directed at her. She no longer cared about being a substitute, be it for Liu Yi or Tang Xiaofang, as long as Cheng Yu kept her around for some reason, she could enjoy the luxuries and power. As for love, who cared about that? If Cheng Yu were to lose his fortune or age, she’d leave him without a second thought. She knew he would eventually discard her, but she hadn’t expected it to be so soon, with just a “goodbye” and a check. She had heard stories of how merciless Cheng Yu could be when ending relationships, tales of women being threatened by thugs after refusing to let go. Thus, Xin Peipei was wise enough not to make a scene, accepting her check and keeping her distance. Her pragmatic acceptance seemed to earn Cheng Yu’s approval, as evidenced by his unexpected visit.
Sin Pei Pei couldn’t help but feel a surge of excitement at the thought. While he was enveloped in a cloud of smoke, seemingly in a trance, she hastily removed her makeup, washed her face, redid her eyebrows and eyes, tidied up, sprayed on some perfume, and then, wearing only a large men’s shirt, swayed over to him. In the haze, Cheng Yu felt a warm, soft body gently nestling into his embrace. He reached out, lifted her chin, squinted, and peered at her for a moment, realizing it was the face he had been yearning for day and night. A wave of ecstasy surged in his heart, and he wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly, unwilling to let go for anyone. Sin Pei Pei was also filled with joy, allowing him to press against her, hug her, and caress her. His lips approached, trembling slightly with excitement, and he captured her lips in a long, passionate kiss, then gently nibbled her earlobe, murmuring two words with deep affection. Sin Pei Pei felt as if she had been pricked by a needle, suddenly snapping out of her dizzy state. Although she was mentally prepared and didn’t mind, hearing Cheng Yu call out that name still pierced her heart with pain, embarrassment, and jealousy. She gritted her teeth silently, vowing to make that person pay! Although she wanted to push Cheng Yu away, after much hesitation, she did nothing, even wrapping her arms gently around his shoulders, rolling onto the sofa with him.
Volume Two: The Dancer – Chapter Sixty-Two: Family Banquet
