C5 You're Being too Romantic!

Nian Wanwan felt a chill in her heart, her gaze sharp as she looked at the man beside her. Pei Chenglin was always Pei Chenglin, knowing exactly where to hit her where it hurt the most.

The main reason she maintained this nominal marriage with Qin Yanting was for the Nian Family. Qin Yanting had been a shareholder in the company for years, and if she ended up in the tabloids with Pei Chenglin, the Nian Family might never recover.

Wanwan bit her lip and pulled her hand away. "I don't know what you're talking about." With that, she turned and quickly walked away. Pei Chenglin watched her graceful figure retreat, his eyes growing darker.

As soon as Wanwan returned to her seat, she saw Qin Yanting frowning. When he saw her, he seemed relieved. "You were gone so long, the food's gotten cold."

Nian Qingqing, seeing the situation, became anxious. She had finally gotten a moment alone with Qin Yanting and hurriedly said, "We can just reheat it."

"No need." A deep, magnetic voice interrupted. Pei Chenglin strolled over casually. "Reheating won't bring back the original flavor."

As he spoke, he glanced at Wanwan with a nonchalant air, his thin lips curling slightly in a silent taunt.

The double meaning wasn't lost on Wanwan. She unconsciously tightened her grip on her clutch, the pearls embedded in it digging painfully into her hand, as if the pain was the only thing keeping her from slapping Pei Chenglin across the face.

Pei Chenglin picked up the trench coat draped over the back of the chair, exuding an air of elegance. "Director Qin, I apologize for keeping you waiting. I've settled the bill, but we have some matters to attend to, so we must excuse ourselves."

"Alright, please go ahead." Qin Yanting was genuinely relieved to see Qingqing leave, smiling sincerely. He turned to Wanwan and asked, "Wanwan, would you like to order something else?"

"No, that's alright," Wanwan replied, lacking any appetite. "Let's head back."

Qin Yanting raised an eyebrow, contemplating for a moment before gentlemanly helping Wanwan with her coat. Qingqing watched with envy but dared not defy Pei Chenglin, so she reluctantly followed him out.

As soon as they got in the car, Wanwan leaned back against the seat to rest. The meal had been exhausting, and she was glad it was over. She couldn't imagine going through it again.

Sensing her fatigue, though unaware of its cause, Qin Yanting asked with concern, "Wanwan, are you feeling unwell? I... didn't say anything to her."

"It's not about Qingqing," Wanwan said, rubbing her temples with a slight headache, her usually smooth brow now furrowed. "It's him."

Qin Yanting was taken aback, surprised for a moment as he pieced everything together. With a wry smile, he asked, "Pei Chenglin... is he the one from back then?"

Nian Wanwan nodded silently, closing her eyes, feeling weary.

Qin Yanting's lips moved slightly, but in the end, he said nothing. The car drove on in silence until a phone call woke Nian Wanwan.

"Sorry for waking you," Qin Yanting apologized, his expression serious.

"Is everything okay?" Nian Wanwan blinked sleepily, considerate as ever. "If you have something to take care of, I can catch a cab home."

Qin Yanting frowned, clenching his teeth a bit. "It's fine, I'll take you home."

"Really, it's no problem," Nian Wanwan replied softly. "Just stop at the next corner, and I'll grab a cab from there."

With a reluctant sigh, Qin Yanting pulled over, his brown eyes filled with regret. "I'm really sorry. I can call the driver—"

"No need, it's not far," Nian Wanwan said with a gentle smile as she stepped out, waving him off. "Go on."

Qin Yanting hesitated for a moment before finally turning the car around.

The cold wind whipped around her, and Nian Wanwan pulled her light jacket tighter, making a few calls only to find the lines busy.

She glanced up at the large clock in the city center, only able to see the tip of the tower from her spot. The Qin family lived on the outskirts, and where she was now, catching a cab was proving difficult.

Nian Wanwan sighed, her heels clicking on the pavement. Soon, her feet were numb with cold, and a dull ache in her stomach made her pause.

After dinner, feeling frustrated and unable to catch a cab in the chilly wind, Wanwan sighed. Shivering, she pulled out a pack of cigarettes from her bag and lit one with practiced ease. The bright headlights of a car illuminated her from behind, and she instinctively stood up, hoping for a ride. Before she could stub out her cigarette, the sleek black car stopped right in front of her.

She squinted, and the cigarette slipped from her fingers to the ground. In the glow of the headlights, the man’s sharp features and deep, mischievous eyes were unmistakable. It was none other than Pei Chenglin.

Wanwan hid her hands behind her back and lowered her head without a word.

“Aren’t you getting in?” Pei Chenglin asked lazily, rolling down the window, his voice nonchalant. “Miss Nian?”

Wanwan dug her nails into her arm behind her back, forcing a smile. “Mr. Pei, are you really going to call this a coincidence?”

“Miss Nian, still so full of yourself, huh?” Pei Chenglin’s words were laced with sarcasm, his mocking smile unhidden. “Can’t I just live nearby?”

His words stung, and Wanwan felt a sharp pang in her chest. She took a deep breath and nodded with a smile. “Right, well, thank you then.”