CHAPTER 43: CHAPTER 43: EVERY DEAL HAS ITS RULES

Sure enough, Sheng Qianchi fell silent again.

But this time the silence was different from all the past silences.

It’s like beneath the calm surface of the sea, a furious undercurrent is brewing, ready to unleash a raging storm at any moment.

From the depths of his midnight-black eyes, she saw the surge of emotions.

Her heart tightened slightly, and the hand resting on the table involuntarily curled up.

She sensitively perceived the enormous anger swelling within this man.

In his bones, an invasive and aggressive desire like a dark demon was already surging. His present silence and grace were not contemplation but an effort to restrain himself from letting that rage break free.

This kind of man, like a black panther, would be deadly if he launched an attack.

Maybe he had already foreseen that he might do something terrible, which is why he was forcing himself into silence at this moment.

She never wanted to provoke such a frightening man; observing from afar or ignoring him were both acceptable, but unfortunately, he wouldn’t let her go.

The first time she gave him this answer, he was silent. He was contemplating, realizing he couldn’t provide her love, so he planned to compensate her in some other way, as long as he could persuade her to be his woman.

But the current silence was because he was extremely angry.

Either it was anger from humiliation or a ruthless burst from within.

Because her actions made him directly feel it was because of Pei Nianchen that she was treating him this way. The love she mentioned had another name in his mind, Pei Nianchen.

To be blunt, her love equated to Pei Nianchen.

He was someone who grew up in indifference, not understanding emotions, nor understanding the subtle changes time and tribulation could bring to feelings. He only knew she once loved Pei Nianchen, and they were very much in love.

He didn’t know what being in love felt like; he only felt that she agreed to break it off with Pei Nianchen, yet she started hating him, confronting him with this cold, humiliating manner.

If he could, he would want Pei Nianchen dead.

Seven years ago, he already had such ruthless thoughts—because of jealousy.

A devil resided in his bones, a fact he was well aware of, and so he needed to restrain himself at this moment.

Though he tried to restrain himself, a minute later, he still erupted in fury, kicking the dining table over.

In the piercing sound of breaking, the room was instantly a mess.

Gu Jiayin displayed no emotion, sitting quietly and motionless. As the table toppled, she simply withdrew her hand from the table calmly, letting it rest on her knee.

Sheng Qianchi knew if he didn’t kick over this table and vent some of his rage, he might not be able to resist choking the woman in front of him.

Looking at the mess and the woman as serene as water, he frustratedly turned around, then lit a cigarette, allowing the warm, pale white smoke to finally soothe his anxious heart.

After taking a couple of deep drags, he suppressed the nameless, wicked anger.

Then he looked deeply at Gu Jiayin and tried to speak in a calm tone, "Jiayin, is it because I forced you to end things with Pei Nianchen that you hate me?"

Gu Jiayin said nothing.

In truth, falling for someone is hard, and learning to hate someone is equally difficult. Her life was already filled with much hatred, and she really didn’t have the energy to hate another, so she didn’t hate him; she just didn’t want him.

However, she couldn’t explain it because even if she did, he wouldn’t understand.

She remained silent, and he took it as affirmation.

He genuinely didn’t want her to hate him.

So, he took another drag of the cigarette, speaking as if reasoning, in a low, steady, and logical tone, "Jiayin, I have the evidence against Pei Nianchen sealed away, and you severed your ties with him; that was a transaction, mutual consent. Every transaction has its rules; it doesn’t make sense for you to hate me."

He was accusing her of breaking the terms of their agreement.

Cold people place importance on the rules in everything they do.

She was also a cold person, but her indifference was different from his. Hers was reserved for those she had no emotional ties with, whereas his was for everyone.

Gu Jiayin turned her face to look at the remarkably handsome man, who seemed to be fighting a battle with himself, and ultimately sighed softly.

He was a pitiable soul, too lonely, desiring solace—pity he chose the wrong way, like a fierce beast trapped with no way out.

"Sheng Qianchi, I can’t provide the solace you’re seeking."

She herself had already crystallized into ice, so how could she possibly bring warmth to another block of ice?

She lowered her head again, using the napkin in her hand to carefully wipe away the food stains on her fingers, "I don’t hate you. There are few in this world worth my hatred, but truly, I just don’t want you."

She tossed the napkin into the trash bin and slowly stood up.

Raising her eyes, she seriously looked at him, "Your spiritual world has a void called loneliness. You enjoy solitude yet are burdened by it, so you want someone to fill that void. It’s not wrong, but you chose the wrong person; I can’t fill your void."

Her soft, gentle voice was like a spring breeze, soothing to the ear, "Sheng Qianchi, find someone else."

After speaking, she turned and left the dining room, crossed the living room, and went upstairs directly to the bedroom to rest.

Her heart was as clear as a mirror, as calm as a lake.

Sheng Qianchi stood with the cigarette between his fingers, the strands of delicate white smoke noiselessly swirling up. He gazed fixedly at the doorway.

Though she had vanished, he still saw a lingering shadow there.

He chewed over her words repeatedly, finally curling his lips slightly.

She was as perceptive as ever, just like seven years ago.

She understood him well, analyzing his desires and needs with precision. She knew he sought her so earnestly to end the solitude that had forever accompanied him.

She believed she couldn’t fill his spiritual void, but he knew she could, and only she could. He confirmed it clearly seven years ago.

Therefore, he would not change to someone else.

Having her, possessing her, keeping her by his side at all times, that idea remained as steadfast as ever.

Only, it was so melancholic; she so clearly understood his needs, yet he had no clue what she truly desired—in truth, if she would stay by his side, he would give her anything she wanted.

If he had it, he’d give it directly; if not, he’d fight to get it for her, with Pei Nianchen being the only exception.

Yet, he had never known what she wanted.

The space plunged into quiet—an individual’s silence.

Only the light white smoke swirling remained dynamic.

Until the cigarette butt burned to his fingertips, sending a sharp pain to his brain, Sheng Qianchi suddenly returned to his senses.

Looking at his burned fingers, he calmly tossed the butt into the ashtray.

The servant cautiously walked in and looked at the mess, "Young Master Chi, do you have any orders?"

Sheng Qianchi took a deep breath, the chill piercing to the bone, "Clean it up."

"Yes."

The servant nodded respectfully, watching nervously and stiffly as the tall, handsome man took long strides up to the second floor, his back was filled with depths they couldn’t fathom and a determination of a sort.