Pei Mingyuan was sitting in his study. On the computer screen in front of him was an old news article that had once occupied the top spot on the entertainment page of Fengcheng Daily four years ago. The title of the news was extremely eye - catching:
"Shocking! The eldest grandson of the Yan family was cuckolded, and the adopted daughter of the Yuan family tried to deceive the Yan family into marriage by pretending to be the real daughter?"
The news reported that Yan Zhen, the eldest grandson of the prestigious Yan family in Fengcheng, was betrothed to Yuan Xi, the daughter of the Yuan family, when they were still in their mothers' wombs. Although it was a business alliance, they had grown up together and had a deep affection for each other. They were well - known as the golden boy and the jade girl in Fengcheng, and many people were looking forward to their smooth entry into marriage. However, on Yuan Xi's eighteenth birthday, she cuckolded Yan Zhen. She had booked a hotel room with another man and was caught in the act by Yan Zhen. The most shocking part was that Yuan Xi was not the biological daughter of the Yuan family; the real daughter of the Yuan family was someone else. Unable to bear the betrayal and the deception in the marriage, Yan Zhen insisted on annulling the engagement with the Yuan family. And Yuan Xi had become the laughingstock in Fengcheng.
The news also came with a picture of Yuan Xi being caught by Yan Zhen in the hotel. She was covering herself in a panic with a quilt, and there were clearly visible hickeys on her neck.
That face, that face...
Pei Mingyuan closed his eyes tightly. He was extremely familiar with that face. It was the face of Yuan Xi, the assistant to the project general director whom he had personally recruited. His heart was filled with extremely complex emotions such as shock and disbelief. He found it hard to accept this fact, but the past news was right in front of him, and he had no choice but to accept it.
He remembered that she had said she had two children. Could it be that those two children were born after that night? No wonder she had fled from Fengcheng. After doing something so sorry to the Yan family and Yan Zhen, she probably didn't have the face to stay in Fengcheng anymore.
But then Pei Mingyuan frowned tightly. Although Haicheng was just a fourth - tier city, far less prosperous than Fengcheng, her past should not be the only criterion to judge her character. The problem was that there were business dealings between the Pei family and the Yan family, and he had recruited a woman who had once shamed the Yan family. He didn't even need to think to know what kind of storm would arise if this news got to his father or that Third Master Yan.
This was not something he could protect her from just by insisting. No wonder she had such a reaction when she learned that the Yan family was the investor in the Bay Reconstruction Project. If the Yan family found out that she was one of the contestants, they would definitely remove her from the list directly. This must be what she was worried about.
"Brother, look. This woman is so immoral and has a low - quality character. She blatantly cuckolded the young master of the Yan family. It's really dangerous for you to keep such a person as your assistant. I think she came to the Pei Corporation with ill intentions. Brother, don't be deceived by her appearance. Otherwise, you'll end up like the young master of the Yan family." Seeing her brother looking extremely grim, Pei Weiwei knew that her move had worked. She added fuel to the fire beside him.
"Okay, stop talking. You can go out first and let me be alone for a while." Pei Mingyuan rubbed his temples and said to Pei Weiwei.
Pei Weiwei knew that if she said more, Pei Mingyuan would oppose her like he did during the day. So she stopped causing trouble and obediently walked out of the study.
The study fell silent. Pei Mingyuan's gaze fell on the computer screen again.
It seemed that she had started a new life in Haicheng. The diamond ring on her neck was from brand D. A man could only buy one in his lifetime, which was enough to show how much the other person valued her.
Well, that's that. He was the one who had recruited her. Even if she had a disgraceful past, as long as she worked hard, didn't cause trouble, and didn't make mistakes, he could allow her to stay in the company. As for Third Master Yan...
He'd try to keep it a secret for as long as possible.
---
Xu Zixi returned home from work. As soon as she stepped into the courtyard gate, she heard the sound of a guitar coming from inside the house. She raised her eyebrows and quickened her steps towards the house.
Yan Yincheng had come home earlier than her today. At this moment, he was sitting on the sofa in the living room, casually playing the guitar while holding it in his arms. The two kids were curiously lying beside him, asking him all kinds of questions.
"Uncle Yin, what are these strings? Why do they make sounds when you touch them?"
"Uncle, why do the sounds differ when you touch here and there?"
"Uncle Yin, you can't see. How do you know where these strings are?"
Yan Yincheng lowered his head. From Xu Zixi's perspective, she could only see the sharp and angular shadow cast by the light on his extremely handsome face. His jawline was smooth and sharp, like a knife stabbing straight into people's hearts. She couldn't help but think that with his appearance, he must be quite popular outside. The unique sense of coldness and vulnerability about him was the most attractive part.
If such a good - looking and guitar - playing handsome guy had appeared in her school when she was studying, she would have chased him without hesitation and then hidden him away so that only she could enjoy his company.
Up ahead, Yan Yincheng seemed to sense something. He raised his head and turned in her direction, asking, "Zixi? Are you back?"
Only then did the two kids notice that their dear mommy was standing outside the door. They immediately jumped off the sofa and rushed towards Xu Zixi. Xu Zixi squatted down, hugged the two kids, and gave them a good hug. Then she led the two kids towards Yan Yincheng.
"Brother Cheng, I didn't expect you to be able to play the guitar?" Xu Zixi stared directly into his eyes and asked with a smile.
Yan Yincheng curled his lips, showing a rather proud expression, and said, "How about it? Didn't you expect it?" At this moment, his show - off expression was a bit like a child seeking praise.
Xu Zixi said, "I really didn't expect it. But why did you suddenly think of playing the guitar?"
"Of course, it's to cultivate the artistic cells of the two kids." Yan Yincheng said.
She didn't expect it to be for this reason. Xu Zixi sighed. In terms of dealing with her two kids, this man was really impeccable. Yesterday, Yuan Xiaoxu had peed on his bed, but he hadn't gotten angry. Instead, he was thinking about playing the guitar for them. It was really hard for him to have such a heart.
"According to Brother Cheng, your guitar skills are quite good, right? I wonder if my two kids and I have the honor to hear you play a piece?" She asked with a smile.
Yan Yincheng curled his fingers and gently tapped the guitar panel, looking a bit aggrieved: "Zixi, I'm hungry..."
Xu Zixi couldn't help laughing: "Your temper of only recognizing food is really similar to my Yuan Xiaoxu. Okay, I'll go prepare dinner right away, but it's a deal that you have to show us your skills tonight."
Yan Yincheng didn't comment. He just gently plucked the strings of the guitar, making it emit a cheerful sound.
Xu Zixi put down her bag, rolled up her sleeves, and walked into the kitchen to take over from Aunt Li and prepare dinner. Inside the kitchen, the stove and pots were bustling with activity, while outside in the living room, the sound of the guitar being plucked and the happy laughter of the two kids could be faintly heard. These two completely different sounds intertwined to form a warm and beautiful melody.
Xu Zixi didn't notice that there was a smile on her face that refused to fade for a long time.