The Powerful Minister I Forcefully Married Won't Warm Up; After Rebirth, I Give Up the Chase - Chapter 43

Gu Ci’s casual habit immediately caused Pei Jian’s face to turn cold.

He had never shared a bowl with Nianxi, let alone eaten her leftovers.

How could a young master from a prominent family behave in such a way?

Yet, Nianxi would find all sorts of excuses to feed him the pastries she liked but was afraid of eating too much of because they might make her gain weight.

Pei Jian didn’t have a sweet tooth and didn’t understand the playful affection. “If you can’t finish it, just set it down.”

But Nianxi would argue earnestly, “But I love sweet things. When you eat it, it’s as good as me having eaten it.”

Pei Jian didn’t understand. “How can that be the same?”

Nianxi, graceful in her wide-sleeved plain dress, stood by the window, her apricot eyes clear. She looked at him, smiling sweetly and saying softly, “Our hearts are one. I’m happier when you eat it than when I eat it myself.”

Even though Pei Jian was usually oblivious to feeling and humor, he couldn’t help but be charmed by such a Nianxi.

No wonder her parents adored her; she was so endearing and lovely that no one could bear to be cold to her.

Pei Jian obediently ate the food she offered him.

He never thought back then that even sharing a single bowl with her would become an impossible dream.

Taking a deep breath, he struggled to contain his rising agitation.

Pei Jian was silently turning hostile here, but no one at the table noticed except for Qin Lang.

Gu Ci was, needless to say, completely focused on Nianxi. Wen Qingheng was as slow as an idiot, and Qin Lang sighed softly, refilling Pei Jian’s wine cup.

Pei Jian stared at the wine cup, about to say he wasn’t drinking, but Gu Ci across the table spoke first. “I won’t be drinking today.”

Qin Lang was quick to speak. “Why? It’s a joyful festival today; a little drink won’t hurt, will it?”

Gu Ci smiled at Nianxi, then shook his head again. “I’ll drink another day.”

Nianxi disliked the smell of wine. The first time, he had been unaware; he drank a few cups at a colleague’s banquet, and when he went to find her afterward, she completely shunned him.

Since then, Gu Ci refused to drink whenever he was with Nianxi.

Qin Lang: …

Great. He shouldn’t have opened his mouth. Although he didn’t know why Gu Ci wouldn’t drink, it was ninety-nine percent related to his sister.

Since Gu Ci wasn’t drinking, then Pei Jian probably shouldn’t… drink either, right?

Qin Lang turned his head, only to see Pei Jian silently draining the wine in his cup.

He was like an emotional sinkhole at the table, with fatally low pressure, which prevented Qin Lang from relaxing and enjoying himself.

However, he couldn’t blame Pei Jian entirely.

Gu Ci was simply too irritating to watch.

He was constantly serving soup and picking out dishes, never taking a moment’s rest. If his sister hadn’t stopped him, he’d probably be deboning the fish and peeling the shrimp, too… Judging by his proficiency, he definitely did this often!

Logically, Gu Ci wasn’t a man known for his gentle disposition, so how did he become so submissive around his sister?

Ultimately, it was his sister’s skill!

Wen Qingheng used to boast about Nianxi at the Imperial Academy, and he had thought it was an exaggeration. Now, thinking about it, he realized the praise might have been somewhat reserved.

Just looking at Gu Ci’s devoted dog-like manner, and then Pei Jian, who couldn’t even manage to be a devoted dog and was instead miserably drinking cup after cup, Qin Lang found it increasingly amusing and gradually lost focus.

Nianxi enjoyed Gu Ci’s care, her eyes curved in a smile, seeming unconcerned with everything around her.

Perhaps Wen Qingheng was the only one at the table without a troubled mind. Seeing that Pei Jian wasn’t touching his chopsticks, he asked with concern, “Shizhang, why are you only drinking? It’s easy to get drunk if you don’t eat anything.”

This drew the attention of everyone at the table toward Pei Jian. Pei Jian put down his wine cup, meeting Nianxi’s eyes as she happened to look up, and said faintly, “It’s fine.”

The meal ended without major incident, and the sky gradually darkened. As the lanterns were lit, the entire West Market became even more vibrant and bustling.

The group walked toward the lantern street.

With streams of people flowing like weaving threads, Gu Ci constantly shielded Nianxi from being jostled, holding her protectively against his chest.

If Nianxi saw something amusing, she would tilt her head back. Gu Ci would naturally lean down and listen closely. Both their lips held smiles, and amidst the noise and commotion, they were extremely close.

The sea of lamps was dazzling—a magnificent scene of the human world.

It was truly lively.

Along both sides of the road were stalls for guessing lantern riddles, juggling acts, various small foods, and entertainment, making people dizzy with choice.

Gu Ci accompanied Nianxi to play a ring toss game. At the street stall, many porcelain bottles, small jars, rouge, and cosmetics were laid out on the ground. If a bamboo ring landed on an item, it could be taken away.

Gu Ci was nimble; this was child’s play to him. The bamboo rings were always right on target, and Nianxi stood by, clapping and cheering.

Her face was flushed with excitement, and her clear, sparkling eyes held a nascent charm. Standing in the crowd, she seemed to be glowing.

She was too dazzling.

Many people in the vicinity were secretly watching her.

But it was useless, because Gu Ci stood firmly by her side, blocking all ill intentions, standing beside her in the manner of a victor.

Pei Jian had now become a coveter.

How ridiculous. She was clearly his wife, his Nianxi.

Yet, he could only watch from afar, and even meeting her was difficult.

Looking at the smile on Nianxi’s face, Pei Jian felt a surge of confusion. Because he had to admit that Gu Ci had indeed done far better than he had.

At least in this lifetime, Nianxi would no longer cry heartbrokenly on the Qixi Festival.

In the prosperous and bustling market, he felt nothing but desolate and lonely. The Mohelo doll in his hand was extremely heavy, making him feel as though he could barely hold it.

Nianxi and Gu Ci correctly guessed the most difficult lantern riddle and won a lantern. Gu Ci went into the back room to select it, and Nianxi waited for him outside.

In the next moment, she was suddenly grabbed by a great force and pulled forward.

Before she could even cry out in surprise, Nianxi recognized who was dragging her.

He had been following them all evening.

Nianxi remained silent throughout, unwilling to attract the attention of the surrounding people.

Pei Jian pulled her into a secluded alleyway before stopping.

Nianxi took two steps back, putting distance between them. “What do you want?”

Suppressing her intense annoyance, she said coldly, “I’ve made myself clear enough. I thought you understood that we have no relationship anymore.”

Pei Jian had waited an entire night.

Being in that environment was torment for him moment by moment; with every passing moment, his sanity slipped a little further. His chest was full of pent-up words, his heart was heavy, and his mouth tasted bitter:

“Nianxi…”

Pei Jian’s voice was strained. He had finally found a chance to be alone with her, but he didn’t know where to begin.

Should he say he regretted it? That she was still his wife?

Should he say that Gu Ci and she wouldn’t last? That only he could give Nianxi the best life?

But deep down, Pei Jian knew Nianxi understood everything.

She had simply chosen a different life—a life without him.

Before, she always accommodated him, prioritizing him in everything. Seeing her now interact with someone else, leaning happily beside another man, smiling radiantly, caused a suffocating pain in his heart.

He couldn’t stand it.

Especially seeing their intimacy with his own eyes, repeated bouts of rage and anxiety tormented him; he was rapidly losing control.

“Nianxi, we…”

Nianxi became utterly impatient. “Say what you have to say quickly. Gu Ci must be getting anxious waiting.”

It would have been better if she hadn’t mentioned Gu Ci. Pei Jian still had a thread of rationality, but mentioning Gu Ci made the image of their closeness flood his mind… His breathing became heavy. He took two steps forward, disregarding the smell of wine clinging to him. He grabbed Nianxi’s hand and said in a deep voice:

“Leave him.”

The alley was dim, illuminated only by the faint light spilling from the decorated towers ahead, casting vague shadows.

Her senses were magnified in the darkness.

Nianxi could clearly hear his labored breathing. “You know I won’t.”

“Whether he exists or not, it won’t be you. Don’t show up in situations like this again, so everyone can be spared this unpleasantness.”

Her voice was very soft, and her tone was even gentle, but the words she spoke were cold and cruel.

Pei Jian was provoked repeatedly.

He maintained the last vestiges of his pride, handing out the Mohelo doll he had been clutching, and said softly, “I bought the Mohelo dolls you wanted.”

He had actually still been late; he queued for a long time, but the outcome was the same as in his previous life. Unwilling to accept defeat, he bought this pair at a high price from someone else.

He wanted to compensate her.

Nianxi was holding a pair herself, inscribed with Gu Ci’s handwriting. She didn’t even glance at the ones he offered, instead lifting her own. “Do you really not understand? I don’t need them anymore.”

Pei Jian was completely enraged.

He abandoned the careful flattery and false gentleness that he wasn’t accustomed to. His dark eyes fixated on her, and he reverted to the cold, arrogant Grand Councilor he once was.

“It’s not over until I say it is.”

With that, he stepped closer, trapping her in his embrace. They were very close—close enough for him to smell the faint, clean scent on her body.

Pei Jian reached out and wrapped his arm around her waist, which was so slender it was almost impossible to grasp, instantly reviving all the sweet memories. The urge to destroy and possess exploded in that moment. He fiercely pulled her tight and lowered his head to kiss her.

The Mohelo dolls in Nianxi’s hand dropped as she struggled to break free—