C9 Not Afraid of Death

After hanging up the phone, Lin Xuan noticed that Pei Qiuyu hadn't gone far. She was huddled in a corner by the roadside, her tears painting a picture of desolation.

He approached her and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. "Qiuyu, don't be heartbroken. As long as I, Lin Xuan, am here, no one can harm you."

Pei Qiuyu's body shook as she sobbed. "Why does it seem that no matter how much I strive for our family, Grandma still treats me like a mere object to be toyed with, utterly disregarding my feelings?"

"You are the finest girl in the world, deserving of all its wonders."

"From this moment forward, I, Lin Xuan, will be your steadfast guardian!"

"Should the world deal you injustice, I will create for you a haven of peace!"

At his words, Pei Qiuyu's gaze locked, and she fell into a profound silence.

Lin Xuan gave her a tender smile and playfully tapped her nose. "Silly girl, no more tears, okay?"

Together, Lin Xuan and Pei Qiuyu made their way home.

Throughout the journey, Pei Qiuyu was somewhat stunned, still unable to fathom how Lin Xuan, once considered a fool, had become her rock.

...

Lee Moxiang's family had long been marginalized by their clan.

This time, Moxiang feared that Pei Qiuyu would fail to secure the contract, subjecting her to the Pei family's scorn and ridicule. Dreading the embarrassment, she didn't dare to show up.

Meanwhile, she was at home scrolling through her phone.

She came across Pei Qiusha's WeChat Moments, filled with ostentatious displays: hefty boxes of gold, deeds to villas, luxury cars. Qiusha's post boasted, "I haven't given it much thought. After all, marrying a Nine-star General is the greatest destiny one could have in a lifetime!

I'm aware some might be green with envy, like a certain Pei Qiuyu..."

The post was met with a flurry of likes and comments.

Pei Jinzheng, too, had updated his Moments, his new profile picture featuring him making a 'V' for victory while seated in a Pagani.

He didn't just replicate Qiusha's photo; he also shared a snapshot of the C Group's order contract.

Attached below was a message: I'm laying it all out there—this is what true strength looks like. Keep pushing forward! Our collaboration with C Group is underway...

Lee Moxiang was so livid that her hands shook uncontrollably, nearly sending her phone flying to the floor.

"Ding dong!"

At that moment, the doorbell chimed.

Upon opening the door and laying eyes on Lin Xuan, Lee Moxiang's rage erupted. "You're not welcome here! Get out!"

"You're to blame, you worthless man! Qiuyu has become the Pei family's joke because of you!"

"Leave! Just go!"

Her shouts grew louder with her mounting fury, and she shoved Lin Xuan.

"Enough!"

Pei Qiuyu's abrupt cry stopped Lee Moxiang dead in her tracks.

"Mom, he's part of this family. If you don't let him in, where is he supposed to go?"

Fuming, Lee Moxiang retorted, "Why didn't you marry Yu Yuxuan? Marrying him would've let me hold my head high among the Peis!"

"Now, following this idiot, do you see any future?"

Pei Qiuyu shot back, just as furious, "My life, my choices! I don't need your meddling!"

"Fine! I'll stay out of it. Seeing him is bad luck anyway!"

"You've both disgraced me completely!"

With those final words, Lee Moxiang spun around and stormed back to her bedroom, the door slamming shut with a resounding thud.

Pei Qiuyu and Lin Xuan stepped into the room.

It was small but immaculately kept.

In the corner stood Lin Xuan's modest single bed.

Lin Xuan was simple-minded, and for years, their marriage had existed in name only.

Just then, Pei Qiuyu's phone began to ring, her face falling at the sound.

"Pei Qiuyu, as of tomorrow, you're no longer employed at Y Corporation."

It was Pei Jinzheng on the line, his voice dripping with condescension. "Don't bother with any handovers; you're no longer associated with us."

With a click, the line went dead.

It took a moment for the reality to sink in for Pei Qiuyu.

She had been unceremoniously ousted—clean and swift.

Staring blankly at Lin Xuan, she murmured, "Why..."

Lin Xuan offered her a tender glance. "Qiuyu, the order was signed by you. It's yours, and no one can snatch it from you."

"And let me tell you, Pei Jinzheng is not going to come out of this unscathed—that's a promise from me."

...

Before the break of dawn the next day, the family group chat was abuzz.

Pei Jinzheng tagged everyone:

"Join me on Soundwave this morning to witness the live collaboration with C Group. Don't miss it."

He followed up with three grinning emojis, oozing arrogance.

Sun Lanping chimed in with a message: My wonderful son, in your prime, you are my pride and joy! You're simply the best!

She even posted a clinking glasses GIF.

Lee Moxiang rolled out of bed, caught sight of the group messages, and promptly downed two blood pressure pills.

Pei Jinzheng was basking in his triumph, his aura radiant as he drove his Pagani.

Securing Y Corporation and partnering with Wang Baifa's C Group would undoubtedly elevate his status within the Pei family.

The mantle of the Pei family's future leader seemed well within his grasp.

Arriving at the entrance of C Group, contract in hand, he fired up the live stream:

"Folks, I'm about to head in. Show me some love with those rockets!"

In no time, the live stream's viewership rocketed past a hundred.

The audience included Pei family members as well as a motley crew of his fair-weather friends.

The chat was a flurry of messages: "Jinzheng, 666!"

"Nail it, bro! Flawless!"

"Go Pei Army, charge!"

...

Pei Jinzheng approached the reception with an air of superiority.

"Good morning, sir. Do you have an appointment?"

Pei Jinzheng gave the attractive receptionist a suggestive eyebrow raise. "A little introduction—I'm Pei Jinzheng from Y Corporation."

The receptionist offered a polite smile, reached for the internal phone, and relayed, "Someone claiming to be Pei Jinzheng from Y Corporation has arrived."

Then, turning to Pei Jinzheng with a composed smile, she said, "Mr. Pei, please wait here for a moment."

"Will do."

Pei Jinzheng straightened his tie with a quick tug.

Just then...

Thud, thud, thud!

More than a dozen security guards, wielding batons, burst out from inside.

"Who's Pei Jinzheng?!" bellowed the security team leader.

"I am. What's the issue...?"

The captain's expression turned icy in an instant. "Keep it clean here, toss him out!"

"Wait, I'm Pei Jinzheng..."

"I've got a contract right here!"

Before Pei Jinzheng could finish his plea, the security guards seized him and hurled him through the doorway.

Immediately, they descended upon him with a flurry of brutal baton strikes and kicks.

"Ah! Ow! Ahhh—"

Pei Jinzheng's cries of agony filled the air.

His phone, which had been live-streaming the ordeal, clattered to the ground.

The live audience could only watch as a barrage of boots mercilessly pounded Pei Jinzheng's head and body.

The phone was trampled to pieces.

Once the beating subsided, the guards discarded Pei Jinzheng beside a dumpster as if he were no more than a lifeless hound.

It took a long while for the battered and bruised Pei Jinzheng to stagger to his feet, sobbing, "Why... why did you beat me?"

"It's Pei Qiuyu! That wretched girl must be plotting against me!"

No wonder she managed to seal the deal so swiftly.

This has to be her retaliation!

Fuming with indignation, Pei Jinzheng seethed, "Clearly, you and that Wang character are in cahoots!"

"I'm the brother-in-law of a Nine-star General!

"I'll annihilate your whole family! You'll see!"