Reborn to Redeem: Their Abusive Love-Chapter 78: Are you the Virgin Mary?

A cool, refreshing breeze blew from high above as dusk settled.

Pei Zhen, dressed only in a shirt, looked somewhat thinly clad for the season. He supported himself with one hand on the back of the sofa, squatting like that. When he fixed his beautiful eyes on Xu Si’s head, there was a captivating allure.

In the darkness, Xu Si blankly stared at the faint outline of his profile and unconsciously said, "I don’t have a habit of being afraid of the dark, so you don’t need to worry."

Pei Zhen turned his head. The arm she was leaning on bent for a moment before he lifted his fair hand and touched her chin with the ring that symbolized power, saying, "Mm, it’s me who’s afraid."

Xu Si didn’t evade the subtle touch. Recalling the man’s actions of walking blindfolded that day, she asked in return, puzzled, "You’re still afraid of the dark?"

"Not exactly," Pei Zhen replied, his dark lashes lowered. He closed his eyes, his voice somewhat faint yet sincere. "I’m afraid that you might be afraid of the dark."

His tone was casual, yet he uttered the gentlest of words. Though somewhat convoluted, his enunciation was clear.

"..."

A warmth spread through Xu Si’s heart. She couldn’t quite define the sensation and quietly buried her face, remaining silent.

She had thought this topic would just quietly pass.

Suddenly, Xu Si reached out to cup his cheek and said, "Thank you, Azhen."

"Mm, you’re welcome."

The silvery-white strands of his hair cascading over his shoulders reflected the enchanting moonlight, the corners of his lips imperceptibly curving upward.

The distant lights couldn’t penetrate the villa. The servants’ footsteps were light as they moved throughout the mansion, seeking the cause of the sudden blackout.

No one will come here, she thought.

The inky blackness shielded them from view. This is the perfect opportunity to be alone with Pei Zhen, Xu Si mused, remembering the question she had wanted to ask that day. It’s a good chance. But to suddenly bring up the past might be too abrupt; I’m afraid it would drive him crazy.

After carefully considering her words, Xu Si began to chat casually with Pei Zhen, feigning idleness.

"Were the wontons this morning tasty? I spent a long time making them; I kneaded each piece of dough by hand."

It was truly a topic brought up out of idleness, without any underlying intent.

Pei Zhen tilted his head and glanced at her for a moment, then lightly shifted his gaze, a touch of amusement seemingly playing on his lips.

"Mm."

"Why just ’mm’? Don’t you have any other adjectives? I didn’t even taste a single one; I gave them all to you."

Listening to such a complaint, Pei Zhen casually and humorously replied, "They were quite good. I suggest you make some for yourself next time."

"If they were good, then I’ll make them for you again," Xu Si said, her eyes narrowing into a smile. After a moment, she heard his voice, as pleasant and deep as always.

"Heh... sure. It’s rather nice that I’m the only one you’re tormenting."

The latter part of his sentence was too quiet for Xu Si to hear.

The atmosphere became exceedingly pleasant and harmonious.

A few brief exchanges drew them closer, as if nothing had changed from four years ago—no separation, no barriers, only familiarity.

In that instant, Xu Si found herself almost longing for the past, wishing things could always be this way. But is it possible? she wondered. No, it isn’t, she knew.

Therefore, not wanting to waste such an atmosphere, Xu Si, with clear purpose and ample patience, nestled on the sofa. She began to stir up new topics, discussing the past, the future, and Hong Kong Island.

Pei Zhen seemed interested in her life, occasionally adding a few words of his own.

When the conversation unwittingly shifted to the Underground City, and the timing seemed right, a faint smile touched Xu Si’s lips as she smoothly brought up the question that weighed on her mind:

"Could you tell me why you left in the first place? Outsiders are generally ostracized here; how did you manage to get through it?"

Her words were tender and gentle, blending into the night.

She couldn’t see Pei Zhen’s facial expression and anxiously awaited his answer.

Leaning on the sofa, Pei Zhen showed an ’as expected’ expression. He hesitated for a second before answering, "When I was first sent here, I fought in boxing matches in Gambling City. After helping the city win a few times, I established my own identity. After that, I didn’t face much ostracism anymore."

His tone was flat, his emotions indecipherable.

He seems to have some reservations, Xu Si thought, intentionally ignoring my first question. He’s offering only fragments, skirting the main issue as he casually glosses over four years of suffering.

Xu Si seized upon a crucial point; something clicked in her mind. "Who sent you here?"

He curved his lips but remained silent, unwilling to answer. Xu Si saw she couldn’t get anything out of him.

She suddenly turned her head and posed another question. "Fine, if you won’t tell me, do you know if there’s an ’X’ organization in the Underground City?"

The light in the room grew fainter.

The distant watchtower seemed to be swallowed by the night. Serene moonlight sprinkled atop the Blue Eucalyptus, its smooth leaves shimmering with a silvery sheen.

Pei Zhen’s throat tightened, and his complexion paled.

His bewitching features turned cold and serious as he precisely lifted her chin with his wrist. His chilling aura forced Xu Si to meet his gaze.

His tone was hoarse and indistinct. "Tell me, why are you asking this?"

On first hearing, his voice even trembled slightly.

Seeing his strong reaction, Xu Si blinked her thick eyelashes, her red lips smooth. I must be close to the truth, she thought. The rumors are true; this organization has a significant connection to Pei Zhen and Hei Shi.

Looking up, her voice was soft as she said, "Let’s make a deal then. I’m really curious about who sent you to the Underground City. You tell me, and I’ll tell you what I know."

As their gazes locked, he raised an eyebrow. His handsome features were captivating, but his grey eyes were veiled with an emotion Xu Si couldn’t decipher, like a distant, floating glacier in winter.

"You’ve asked twice now. You’re certainly patient, even proposing a trade. Do you want to know that badly? Even if I’ve already punished that person, you still want to know?"

"Of course," Xu Si said. "I dislike the unknown; it’s an unpleasant feeling. Anyone who hurts me, I must make them pay."

I arranged Pei Zhen’s study tour itinerary so meticulously, she recalled. After so much thought, it seemed impossible for any part of it to go wrong.

Pei Zhen crouched beside Xu Si. After a moment of silence, he slowly pronounced a name, a note of interest in his voice: "Gu Jing of Hong Kong Island’s Gu Family. Tell me, how do you plan to make him pay?"

Xu Si felt a lump in her throat.

If it was Gu Jing, then everything seems to make sense, she thought, methodically piecing the details together. The most likely scenario is that Wen Jiaojiao was diverted by Gu Jing while escorting Pei Zhen. He probably used my supposed assassination as a pretext, which is why Jiaojiao didn’t board the ship and rushed back to look after me. It must have been at that juncture that Pei Zhen either didn’t board the ship or boarded a different one that took him to the Underground City. After all, the Gu Family had connections with the Underground City from early on, so it wouldn’t be strange for Gu Jing to have the means to send Pei Zhen there.

The motive is also clear. By targeting Pei Zhen, Gu Jing knew I would turn Hong Kong Island upside down because of him. This would help pull the Gu Family’s old master from his position, allowing Gu Jing to take over. And by keeping Pei Zhen alive, he’d have leverage over me in the future.

The suppressed anger fermented in the silence.

The more Xu Si thought about it, the angrier she became. Her fingers clenched, her cheeks flushed red, and she ground her teeth, on the verge of exploding with rage.

She slowly turned to look at Pei Zhen, trying her best to restrain her emotions. "Where did you take him?"

Pei Zhen replied, "If you want me to release him, it’s too late now."

"What kind of joke is this?" Xu Si’s eyes were dark with a calm fury. "Beat him. Beat him savagely. I’ll take responsibility if he’s crippled. It’s better if he is, so he can’t come out and cause more trouble."

It was the first time he had seen her reveal her true self, and Pei Zhen found it refreshing.

He couldn’t hold back and, tilting his head back, let out a light laugh. "Alright, as you wish."

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