Reborn to Redeem: Their Abusive Love-Chapter 108: the well-behaved child that I’ve beaten

Xu Si, seemingly lost in thought, sipped her flower tea without approaching to greet anyone or striking up a conversation with the young Master Chen. She simply listened to their conversation, leaning back in her comfortable chair and quietly soaking up the sun.

The young man’s tone with young Master Chen was not very polite—as if issuing a command.

"Chen Shihua, I am your elder brother. I would never harm you. Getting in touch with the Sanlian Chamber of Commerce will do you no harm; just listen to me."

Chen Shihua had matured compared to a few years ago. He no longer dyed his hair blond, his gaze wasn’t as fierce, and his posture was no longer that of a street ruffian. Dressed in a casual suit, he still looked somewhat unconvinced.

"Hey, big brother, keep your voice down. Is it so honorable to cozy up to the triads? Everyone knows the Sanlian Chamber of Commerce is comprised of outsiders. Our family business is huge, so why should I lower myself and suck up to others just because you started a business? Even if I have to be a dog, I’d be a fierce dog that people wouldn’t dare to kick."

Chen Shihua’s elder brother pursed his lips, a hint of amusement in his tone. "Have you ever been a dog?"

"Nonsense," Chen Shihua glanced at him with a disdainful look. "Are you kidding me? I, young Master Chen, was born on Hong Kong Island, and I’ve never bowed down to anyone in my life! Be a dog? Others should count themselves lucky to be a dog for me."

These days, the textile industry was still quite profitable, and the Chen Family was indeed very prominent and prosperous.

Xu Si raised her eyebrows. Gripping her iced honey tea, she felt its coolness as she remembered the time this brat had beaten the well-behaved Pei Zhen. Her eyes narrowed instantly, and her expression became subtly complex.

Back then, Pei Zhen was gentle and well-mannered.

Indeed, he was an easy target for such a brash and indulged young master to bully.

She could feel a cool gaze coming from the side.

Chen Shihua lazily stroked his chin and confidently turned his gaze. Indeed, in the bright morning sun, he saw a slender figure.

She was a beauty with a cool, lovely face. She sipped her tea languidly, her hair swept up high behind her ears, revealing a pristine and clear complexion. So strikingly beautiful, he felt like whistling.

She looked somewhat familiar. Upon closer inspection, could this beauty be Miss Xu of the Xu Family?!

"Wow, Miss Xu Si," he exclaimed.

Chen Shihua uttered this name, unconsciously stood up, picked up a pack of cigarettes, left the group of people behind, and sat down in front of Xu Si.

With a smiling face, he said, "Miss Xu, long time no see. What brings you here? Oh! Do you remember me? I’m a classmate of Brother Pei; my name is Chen Shihua."

Xu Si glanced at him lightly, took another sip of her tea without a word, then said, "Hello. I remember you."

Chen Shihua wasn’t bothered by her aloofness. He had always known this woman was not easy to provoke; being three years his senior, he knew he should show proper respect.

To take a step back, Brother Pei was so outstanding back then, and didn’t he respect her a lot too?

Thinking of Pei Zhen, his sharp, assertive eyes revealed a nostalgic look. It had been more than four years since they last met. Four years was too long; he had grown up. He wondered how Pei Zhen was doing now.

Before they parted that year, he only knew that Pei Zhen was going to study in Germany ahead of schedule.

Afterward, he had always wanted to meet up, but somehow, Pei Zhen had completely vanished from Imperial Noble Private Academy one day.

There was no sign of him on Hong Kong Island anymore.

As Pei Zhen’s aunt, Xu Si should know his latest news.

Chen Shihua, missing his old friend, thought it over and decided to respectfully ask again, "Miss Xu, I wanted to ask about Brother Pei. How has he been lately? Has he come back?" He didn’t know about the incident years ago.

Xu Si’s pale, slender wrist bent slightly as she pondered. The maritime disaster had been so sudden. She had protected Pei Zhen very well, and few knew the orphan she had adopted had been on that ferry.

Xu Si gave him a slight smile. "Azhen has never come back."

She spoke ambiguously, her words fraught with countless possibilities.

She didn’t tell him that Pei Zhen was now the leader of the Triad Society, nor did she use phrases like "perished at sea" to shut him up.

Chen Shihua was somewhat disappointed, but with age, he had lost the childish temper of his younger days and only said, "Then when he comes back, I’ll contact him. I kind of miss him."

"Miss him?" Xu Si raised her eyebrows, set down her teacup, and sized him up from head to toe. Her eyes curved slightly as she spoke, her words as cool as her gaze, her tone drawn out a bit. "How come I remember you bullied my child?"

Chen Shihua hung his head, looking guilty. Then, seemingly recalling something, he tried to change the subject with a laugh.

"I was clueless as a kid. I’ve already apologized to Brother Pei. Anyway, Miss Xu, to meet is fate. Let me introduce you to my elder brother."

He stood up cheerfully and persistently dragged his elder brother over from another table.

Obviously, he was alone and struggling against Xu Si’s sharp gaze, so he sought an ally.

They were both women, but Xu Si was much fiercer than the young women usually around him; a mere glance from her made him feel a chill.

Chen Shihua hadn’t forgotten the story of how Xu Si had once beaten up his eldest cousin without a word of warning. He was genuinely afraid of getting hit himself.

Chen Shihua’s elder brother was very cultured, and despite his dissatisfaction with his brother’s behavior, he still gave him face.

He bore some resemblance to Chen Shihua; it was clear that he too had once been a pampered young master, but as he grew up, he learned to wear a mask.

Surprised at the fearful demeanor of his younger brother and learning of Xu Si’s identity, a sudden understanding flashed across his eyes. He extended a clean hand and smiled slightly. "Miss Xu, I’m Chen Shijiang. I didn’t expect my brother to have such a fateful connection with you. Had I known earlier, we should have made an effort to visit more."

Xu Si put down her honey tea, her lips curving into an ambiguous smile as she stood up to shake hands. "Hello, it’s a bit of fate indeed, and it’s not too late to socialize now." It was a very business-like exchange.

The instant their fingers touched, Xu Si inexplicably felt a gaze appear out of nowhere, intently staring at her. This sensation was identical to the one she’d felt back in the Gambling City of the Underground City, yet she couldn’t pinpoint its source.

She frowned slightly. The sense of unease in her heart grew—she constantly felt as if someone was secretly watching her every move.

So, she only held his hand for a second before withdrawing her fingers as if pricked by a needle.

Chen Shijiang didn’t seem to mind; he just looked at Xu Si deeply and then, with a smile, asked, "Miss Xu, what brings you here?"

Xu Si replied, "The Sanlian Chamber of Commerce has asked me to come and have a look."

Chen Shijiang followed the implication of her words, guessing that the Sanlian Chamber of Commerce might want to win over Xu’s Real Estate. He smiled understandingly. "Sitting alone is still just sitting. Why not join us for a discussion? I heard Xu’s Real Estate has acquired a new parcel of land, and construction started today. The Mr. Chen who sold you the land is my great-uncle. Perhaps in the future, we could have more collaborations."

Xu Si didn’t decline and spent the morning drinking tea with them.

During this time, someone complained, "It seems today we won’t be seeing..." Before the person could finish, they were interrupted, and the conversation quickly shifted to another topic.