WBSGVS Chapter 41 V1

Pei Mingjiang sighed silently, realizing he had made a miscalculation.

He had thought that he was helping his grandson keep Fu Qingli, but in reality, it was Fu Qingli who had trapped his grandson. However, it wasn’t a complete failure; after nearly ten years of nurturing, as long as Fu Qingli softened towards Ah Yue, towards himself, and the Pei family, it was uncertain who was trapping whom.

Today, her demand for an apology was simply a way to gain more confidence in her future life within the Pei family.

Even if she was a genius, when compared to the wealth and status that the Pei family could offer, she would still be tempted. After all, how could one explain the fact that the Pei family, engaged in real business, had employed so many talented youths?

Now, as long as Fu Qingli had a reason to make peace, she would possess more than she could imagine.

Pei Mingjiang moved closer to the screen, his humble and kind face bearing a hint of a bitter smile. “Ah Li, I’m sorry. I, your grandfather, am a rough man. When I first met your grandfather, I was being deceived while working for someone, and he helped me get my money back. I’m not as clever as your grandfather. If no one tells me, I don’t know, and I had no idea you suffered so much!”

Fu Qingli smiled as she faced him, tilting her head slightly, revealing a hint of innocent curiosity. “Did you just not notice?”

Pei Mingjiang remained calm, showing no signs of change. “Of course! Otherwise, I wouldn’t have allowed you to suffer so much. You know your grandfather has always valued you. I never inquire about Ah Yue’s grades, but I check yours every month and even call your teachers.”

He laughed helplessly. “Unfortunately, now that you’ve grown up, you no longer need your grandfather. When it came to your final grades, I waited for a long time, and when I finally called your teacher to ask why she hadn’t sent me your results, she told me she had changed her number. That’s when I found out you had changed your number.”

Look at him, what a good man!

Everything seemed to be the original owner’s fault—who told her not to speak up? I’m just a rough man; if you don’t say anything, how would I know you were wronged?

Look how much I care about you! It’s a shame you don’t appreciate it!

Fu Qingli smiled sarcastically. “Oh really? So Pei grandfather dotes on me so much? Then tell me, how many times do I get sick every year?”

Pei Mingjiang looked at her smiling face, momentarily stunned, feeling a bit strange. He blinked and then saw that her smile still carried that hint of sarcasm. He replied awkwardly, “Well, you get sick two or three times a year. You’re prone to colds and fevers when the seasons change.”

Fu Qingli replied indifferently, “But in reality, I get sick more than ten times a year. It’s not just the change of seasons; I occasionally catch a cold when the weather changes, and I forget to wear a jacket. I always call a family doctor to come and give me shots, and you were the one who asked for this, yet you don’t remember. Is this how you show your affection for me?”

Pei Mingjiang was at a loss for words, feeling a bit flustered, beads of sweat forming on his back as he finally lost some of his composure. “I don’t remember. I’m getting old…”

“Oh, so you’re getting old? Does that mean your eyes are blind too?” Fu Qingli asked with a smile.

Pei Mingjiang, feeling a bit embarrassed and irritated, said, “Ah Li!”

Ignoring him, Fu Qingli continued sarcastically, “I understand. Your eyes are blind, so when your granddaughter robs me in front of you, you can’t see and think I’m not wronged. Oh, and you’re not just blind, you’re also deaf! So when your daughter looks down on me, you can just sit there, completely still, thinking your daughter is just chatting with me. Can you hear me now, calling you both blind and deaf?!”

Seeing Pei Mingjiang’s face grow increasingly difficult to read, Fu Qingli only smiled. “Don’t get angry! Didn’t you say you didn’t know anything? How could you know I was scolding you when all these things happened right under your nose? Pei Mingjiang! You truly are the most disgusting and hypocritical person I’ve ever seen!”

Pei Mingjiang clearly understood. It was the first time he had been confronted like this, his face turning red with a mix of anger and embarrassment. The excessive rage caused pain in his chest. He clutched the fabric of his chest with his right hand, nearly losing grip of his cane with his left. He glared at her angrily, wanting to retort, but he couldn’t match Fu Qingli’s quick wit. All he could stammer was, “You! You!!”

“I’m just speaking the truth!” Fu Qingli scoffed. “You said my grandfather saved your life and just now claimed he helped you recover the money you were deceived out of. Given such kindness, is this how you choose to adopt me? Where do you get the nerve to say you love me?!”

After saying this, Fu Qingli took a moment to rest, drinking from the water she had prepared in advance to soothe her throat. She smiled sweetly, “Do you know why I didn’t come to see your group’s hypocritical apologies in person? Because I wanted to record it! If this video gets posted online, don’t you think your company’s stock will plummet?!”

Hearing this, Pei Mingjiang felt a bit calmer. “Even if it drops, as long as we release some positive news, the outcome will still be the same. Ah Li, you’re still a bit naive about this.”

Just a video, even with all this, during the apologies, they hadn’t named anyone specifically. If it’s released, the Pei family only needs to deny it, manage public relations, and use some internet bots to create confusion. In less than two days, this matter will fade away without a trace.

What he would lose would be just a bit of money.

However, a trace of coldness hid in Pei Mingjiang’s eyes. While this would not greatly impact the Pei family’s reputation, once the information was out, Lin Hengzhi would surely find out. No matter how quickly he acted, the massive Pei family would attract attention from all corners, including adversaries who would deliberately stir the pot.

If Lin Hengzhi knew about this, his hopes for the autonomous driving core technology would likely be dashed.

Fu Qingli was aware of this too, but she pretended not to understand, feigning disbelief. “What if I try it out? If you continue to provoke me, I’ll just post it online, maybe buy some trending searches. While you’re not paying attention, your whole family might just go viral!”

Pei Mingjiang’s brows twitched violently, his heartache intensifying. Shocked and furious, he shouted, “You dare!”

Fu Qingli’s response was to hang up the video call, showing no reluctance.

At this point, Pei Mingjiang realized what was happening. From the moment Fu Qingli changed, perhaps she had lost her attachment to the Pei family!

For a moment, Pei Mingjiang regretted it deeply, feeling as though his intestines had turned green. In his excitement, he overlooked the fact that the video could be recorded.

The company was his lifelong investment, and he was determined to obtain autonomous driving technology. If he lost it, the Pei family would decline in that aspect. Moreover, if Lin Hengzhi decided to retaliate, given his status in the research community, acquiring patents would be extremely difficult for the Pei family in the future!

Yet the more profitable sectors of the Pei family all required core technological support.

Pei Mingjiang rapidly analyzed the consequences in his mind. Upon considering the far-reaching effects, he felt as though a knife was cutting into his heart. The veins on his forehead bulged, and his heart, already under immense strain, could no longer bear it. Everything went dark before him, and he was about to collapse.

Outside the door, Uncle Wei, who had sensed something was wrong, rushed in and saw this scene. He was so frightened that his heart nearly stopped. He quickly approached to support him. “Quick, prepare the car!”

The doctor had warned him before that his condition was already quite poor, and he needed to take good care of himself. If something happened again, he might have to stay in the hospital for an extended period!

That same day, news of Pei Mingjiang’s hospitalization was published in the financial news.

The Pei family’s stocks plummeted again, this time hitting the limit down.

This was Pei Mingjiang’s third hospitalization. In Chinese culture, it is said that bad luck does not come in threes. At this point, many people began to doubt whether Pei Mingjiang could endure.

Anyone who slightly cared about the situation of the Pei family knew that under the management of Pei Rong, the Pei family continued to shrink in profits by approximately five percent each year, even with Pei Mingjiang’s support. For a company valued in the hundreds of billions, that was a significant loss.

However, the market value of a listed company is relatively inflated; the actual liquid assets are another matter. Regardless of the aspect, it is certain that the Pei family is on a downward trajectory.

Perceptive individuals are beginning to give up, yet Pei Mingjiang is still alive. His occasional guidance and decisions can still yield substantial profits, which is why many have not given up hope.

He has been hospitalized three times now, and his health is genuinely failing. Once Pei Mingjiang dies, Pei Rong is ineffective, and Pei Xiyue, the third generation, has yet to mature into anything; no one knows what he will become. The Pei family is in trouble.

Qingli naturally sees this. She has medical knowledge and realized during her last encounter that Pei Mingjiang’s health had already deteriorated significantly after being angered twice. To be cautious, she left the Pei family, fearing she wouldn’t get another opportunity like this.

This encounter today is the third time she has prepared for it, marking her official break with the Pei family.

Previously, she had not acted because she was waiting for the right moment. When Qingli first arrived in this world, the original owner’s situation was bleak. In such circumstances, a girl with poor academic performance and unremarkable looks—who was destined for an ordinary future—was not likely to confront the Pei family. Their main concern would only be their relationship with Lin Hengzhi.

If they twisted the facts, they could even portray themselves as the victims, as emotional abuse is invisible.

The Pei family’s servants have all signed confidentiality agreements and undergone training; they wouldn’t speak carelessly for her, as offending the Pei family would turn them into debtors.

But now there is a genius, one who has been wasted for years yet can rise in just a few months. Her future is bright, especially since this brilliance is connected to Lin Hengzhi, who the Pei family has high hopes for in the same industry.

In comparison, the name Fu Qingli holds a different weight in the hearts of every Pei family member.

How much it matters depends on their greed.

This apology came unexpectedly for Qingli, yet it was within reason. Pei Mingjiang is indeed such a person—greedy and without boundaries.

For the interests Qingli currently holds, and for future benefits, he chose to compromise.

However, in his estimation, a girl who is unaware of her strong backing would never truly choose to abandon such a powerful support system as the Pei family.

Especially since she still has the young man she once admired so much; with a nod, he could become her fiancé.

A girl with somewhat weak willpower and no knowledge of her circumstances might just nod her head. Sometimes, a girl’s affection matters more than anything.

But Qingli is not that girl. The original owner is also fully aware of everything; how could she possibly agree?

Even if she once had feelings, those are long gone.

So when Pei Mingjiang proposed engagement, Qingli did not reject him outright but rather gave him the illusion that would lead him to lean toward a decision.

When she refreshed her phone, another report appeared in the financial news: [Pei Mingjiang, founder of Pei Corporation, accepts an interview—]

This was to prove he was still alive.

The report featured a photo mainly showing Pei Mingjiang’s face as he lay in a hospital bed. He was smiling, and although his condition did not look great, his spirit seemed reasonably good, suggesting he still had a long time ahead.

However, Qingli noticed a heart monitor in the upper right corner of the photo. Observing his expression more closely, she saw that his lips were pale with a hint of cyanosis. If not examined closely, it would be difficult to tell, but now that the camera was exceptionally clear, she noticed.