C9 I Want to be Alone!

"Do you still think Du Zeming has his reasons?"

"Did you know they were getting engaged tonight?"

Pei Xinxiao realized it was an engagement party for Zheng Siya, hosted by Pei Zhengjun, only after she arrived. She stared at Du Zeming, finally accepting that he truly intended to marry Zheng Siya.

"If you want revenge, some things need to be completely resolved. Besides, I wouldn't want the future Mrs. Shen to have another man in her heart, don't you agree?"

Pei Xinxiao bit her lip, staying silent.

"Young Master Shen, long time no see." Du Jun raised his glass, glancing at Pei Xinxiao beside Shen Yunsheng with a smirk. "When did you switch to a new girlfriend? She's pretty, but not quite your usual type..."

"If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all!" Shen Yunsheng pulled Du Jun aside, trying to appease Pei Xinxiao. "Xinxiao, don't listen to his nonsense."

"You go ahead, I need some time alone."

Pei Xinxiao felt a headache coming on. She let go of Shen Yunsheng's arm and walked to a quiet corner by herself. Shen Yunsheng looked a bit disappointed but was pulled away by Du Jun before he could say anything.

Zheng Siya's eyes followed Pei Xinxiao until she stood in the corner. Suddenly, she let go of Du Zeming's arm and signaled to Zheng Rulan, who was mingling with a group of socialites. The mother and daughter immediately headed toward Pei Xinxiao.

"Isn't that Xinxiao? Why are you hiding out here alone? My sister's getting engaged today—aren't you going to congratulate her?"

Siya's face was full of smugness. So what if Pei Xinxiao and Zeming had been together for years? In the end, it was Siya who was becoming Mrs. Du.

"Watching your boyfriend get engaged to someone else is hard enough. Do you really need to rub it in by asking her to congratulate you, Siya? Don't make it harder on your sister," Rulan said with a mocking smile, covering her mouth.

Pei Xinxiao straightened her back and took a glass of red wine from a server. "Well then, congratulations, sister. Wishing you a lifetime of happiness together!" With that, she threw the wine right in Siya's face.

"What are you doing, Xinxiao?" Zeming pulled Siya into his arms, suppressing his anger as he glared at Xinxiao. Siya hid in his embrace, glaring back at Xinxiao with hatred.

"Zeming, you make me sick!"

A sharp slap echoed through the hall. Xinxiao held her cheek, staring in disbelief at Pei Zhengjun, who was seething with anger.

"Xinxiao, from this day forward, you are no longer part of the Pei family! Get out!"

"You want me to leave? For the daughter you had with another woman, you're kicking me out?"

"Get out! Never set foot in this house again!"

Pei Xinxiao held her face, glancing at Pei Zhengjun and then at the whispering crowd. Suddenly, she felt like a complete joke.

"Xinxiao..."

Just as Shen Yunsheng reached her side, Xinxiao turned and ran out. He nodded apologetically to Pei Zhengjun and followed her out. Du Zeming watched the scene, a flicker of pain in his eyes.

Nearly a month had passed since the engagement fiasco. Pei Xinxiao sat idly on the hotel sofa, flipping through a magazine. The cover featured a photo of Du Zeming and Zheng Siya. The more she read, the more sarcastic her smile became.

Without her as a pawn in the business marriage, they gained a son-in-law who could secure funding. The Pei Group's crisis was resolved, and Du Zeming, now trusted by Pei Zhengjun, had become the Vice President of Pei's Group. A happy ending for everyone, it seemed.

And what about her? Without the Pei family's protection, she had nothing left. Even finding a job was impossible because no one dared to hire her due to the Pei family's influence.

She set the magazine aside and picked up a jewelry box. Inside was a 16-carat diamond ring. Pei Xinxiao's brow furrowed deeply...