Rebirth: The Ascent of a Socialite-Chapter 563 - 227: Charity Delivered to the Doorstep (Part 2)
"I still have some things to do this afternoon, so I’ll cancel the meetings I have on hand," Pello informed Wen Maixue, who, upon returning to Country Z, humbled herself and actively requested to manage his work affairs. Pello knew Wen Maixue intended to arrange his life and work, yet he didn’t want to expose every matter before the eyes of a woman.
The place where Su Ziceng asked him to meet was actually a park, contrary to Pello’s preference for a more private location. This was out of self-interest, as well as for more convenient conversation. But she refused, marking the first time she had rejected his request.
Pello changed into the suit he wore for work, and it occurred to him that he rarely went on dates with Su Ziceng; their encounters were either at the company or at his apartment. Thinking of the apartment reminded Pello of that night, with Su Ziceng writhing beneath him, pleading for passion, the Su Ziceng who made it impossible for him to stop.
He looked at himself in the changing mirror, startled by the intoxicated look in his eyes. The tie around his neck had already been pulled down, and yet he felt even more suffocated.
"Why did you transfer the exclusive rights of ZARA to me?" Su Ziceng had asked over the phone. Pello didn’t answer; he simply said they would discuss the specifics when they met in person.
The exclusive rights of ZARA and Su Qingzhang’s affairs were not something he should have involved himself in. Perhaps this was due to the guilt he felt towards Su Ziceng, Pello silently reasoned. The whole matter should have only concerned Su Qingzhang, but in the end, it involved so many others. Furthermore, before he left, he took possession of her body, something he actually had no need to do.
Pello recalled the scene at the engagement ceremony, Su Ziceng holding white roses, appearing pure and flawless. It was he who had cast a shadow over her clean life. Yet he felt no regret; aside from him, Su Ziceng shouldn’t be tainted by anyone else’s touch. She was... the bride chosen for him by Ye Taina.
A burning heat arose within Pello’s body; he had no regrets, not a trace of them regarding Su Ziceng.
Whether deliberately or not, Su Ziceng had chosen a park in the Fourth District for their meeting, merely a ten-minute walk from the apartment where Pello had once lived.
When Pello stepped out of the car, he saw, through the soon-to-turn yellow bushes, Su Ziceng’s silhouette seated on the park bench.
She was watching the river that flowed through the park, its surface dotted with early fallen leaves, green tinged with yellow, like solitary boats floating gently on the calm waters. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮
When she heard the footsteps behind her, Su Ziceng did not turn around; she recognized Pello’s pace and breathing without needing to look back.
"I should thank you for your kindness," Su Ziceng spoke first as Pello sat down, her voice surprisingly unfamiliar and awkward, which greatly surprised Pello.
"Miss Su, no need to be polite. To some extent, I owe you," said Pello. The park bench was not spacious, so when Pello sat down, it was fully occupied by the two of them.
Subconsciously, Su Ziceng’s body shuddered slightly; she almost rose to stand immediately, only for Pello’s hand to press her down forcefully, his expression turning dark.
"Su Ziceng, you don’t need to be so averse to me," his grip was strong, yet the woman beside him, now stiff, refused to cry out in pain; she didn’t even direct her gaze at him, instead staring ahead at the river that appeared to hold her fixed gaze.
"Earl of Wizi, please watch your behavior," Su Ziceng’s tone turned defiant. "We are here to discuss a business collaboration today."
"Do you think our relationship will be a simple collaboration?" Pello gripped Su Ziceng’s chin, forcing her to look at him. When he saw her gaze, a pain struck his chest. He thought he would see eyes filled with sadness or anger, but what he found was the calm that once danced with joy and shyness, now devoid of any ripples—tranquil and indifferent, a look Su Ziceng could not possibly fake.
"So it seems you didn’t want to collaborate with me; indeed, that was presumptuous of me. I no longer have the means to collaborate with you anymore, so let’s end our discussion here for today," Su Ziceng felt Pello’s fingers gently stroking her chin. Upon her mention of leaving, his eyes changed.
"Shit," Pello released his hand, and Su Ziceng beside him stood up immediately, really about to leave.
"I’m no longer interested in ZARA, and there’s no need for us to feel any guilt about the past. We’re even now." After speaking, Su Ziceng hailed a taxi parked nearby and got in.
"Miss, are you alright?" The taxi driver saw the female passenger sit down, her head lowered and the suppressed sound of crying carried over.
"Thank you... Please, drive to Admiration in Zone 5," she didn’t want to trouble Sister Mu any further.
In the park, new leaves fell with the breeze, landing lightly upon the water’s surface, much like Su Ziceng’s words had settled deep into one’s heart, "Su Ziceng, the more you try to escape my binds, the less you are able to break free."
Pello murmured to himself, always confident in his actions and words, but this time, he felt an inexplicable sense of panic, as if something was slipping away right before him, no matter how much he struggled, it was futile.(To be continued. If you enjoy this work, we invite you to cast your recommendation tickets and monthly tickets at Qidian (qidian.com). Your support is my greatest motivation.)
