Chapter 28: Trust

The burlap curtains weren’t very transparent, so when the morning sunlight poured in, it didn’t seem as bright as usual. It was hazy and dim.

Pei Yuan woke up before Bao Ning. He pinched the bridge of his nose and slowly opened his eyes.

His mind was still foggy. When he first saw the chaotic mess in the room, he frowned briefly. Then, upon spotting Bao Ning sleeping against the wall, yesterday’s memories came flooding back.

His brow twitched slightly, and a dangerous glint appeared in his eyes.

What happened yesterday had been an accident. Normally, he would never allow someone to succeed so easily. But for some reason—perhaps due to the damp, rainy weather—the poison in his body had seemed to flare up. Normally it was just his left leg that hurt, but now the pain had spread throughout his body. It was a dull, hidden pain, pulsing beneath the fascia, constantly throbbing.

The pain itself wasn’t unbearable, but it did distract him. Coupled with the sound of rain, he hadn’t noticed someone outside the window.

It wasn’t until he smelled a faint scent that he suddenly snapped awake. With no weapon nearby, he smashed a teacup and threw the shards. He managed to hit the intruder, who fled.

But he had realized it too late. The drug was strong—he could feel his emotions slipping out of control even then, which was why he had forced Bao Ning to leave. At the time, he hadn’t realized it was an aphrodisiac, but he already felt overwhelmed by his emotions.

He knew exactly what kind of person he was. If he truly lost control, not even ten Bao Nings could stop him.

He didn’t want to hurt her—more than that, he didn’t want her to see him in such a disgraceful state.

But what happened after that…

Pei Yuan turned to look at Bao Ning.

She looked exhausted and restless in her sleep. Sitting upright with her head lolling awkwardly to the side, it was a very uncomfortable position. Perhaps because of the cold, her hands were tucked into her sleeves and resting on her stomach. The thin blanket only covered her to the knees. She was curled up, pitiful and small.

Pei Yuan’s gaze fell to her hands—delicate and pale, with fragile bones. He didn’t even dare press too hard on them. They looked like they’d snap with the slightest pressure.

His heart softened. Reaching under the blanket, he touched her foot—it was cold.

He moved closer, one arm wrapped around her waist, the other cradling her knees, and gently pulled her into his embrace.

With one arm supporting her back, his other hand held her feet, rubbing them to warm them up.

Bao Ning stirred. Her eyelids felt heavy, hard to lift. Her whole body ached—especially her neck, which felt stiff, like she’d slept wrong.

She didn’t dare move, but the discomfort made her raise a hand to rub it, hissing in pain. Just then, a voice beside her said, “Why were you sleeping like that instead of lying down properly? Hurts now, doesn’t it?”

The next moment, a pair of strong hands began massaging her neck and shoulders. The voice asked gently, “Can I press a little harder? Can you handle it?”

Bao Ning fully woke up.

Pei Yuan’s face was right in front of hers, his narrow eyes fixed on her with a calm and slightly amused expression. She didn’t know if it was her imagination, but today he seemed… softer than usual.

“I’m asking you something.” Pei Yuan pressed a bit harder with his thumb. Bao Ning yelped, instinctively covering her neck, eyes tearing up from the pain.

That’s when she realized her awkward posture. She was curled up in Pei Yuan’s arms like a little shrimp—no wonder she’d been cold earlier and now felt hot.

She came to her senses and quickly tried to wriggle away, but Pei Yuan pinched her ankle gently, stopping her. “Where are you going?”

Bao Ning didn’t know what to say. She felt embarrassed, while Pei Yuan acted as though nothing had happened, calm and unbothered.

He tugged on her ankle to pull her back. “Stop struggling. Your bones are brittle—if they snap, don’t blame me.”

Bao Ning, desperate to get away, ignored his warning. The tighter his grip, the more flustered she became. The memory of last night came flooding back, and in a panic, she lifted her leg and kicked him.

Pei Yuan had a wound on his palm. The impact made him suck in a breath and loosen his grip. Like a slippery fish, Bao Ning wriggled free, then sat cross-legged across from him, clutching her legs tightly, afraid he’d pull her back again.

Pei Yuan knew he had scared her yesterday.

Thinking of that, his tone softened as he beckoned to her, “Come sit in front of me. I’ll massage your neck. If you don’t loosen it up, it’ll hurt for another three or four days.”

Bao Ning quickly replied, “It doesn’t hurt!” She avoided his gaze and tried to get off the bed to find her shoes.

The floor was a mess. She had thrown her shoes off somewhere last night and couldn’t find them now. Frustrated, she gave up, stepping barefoot onto the floor, trying to leave.

“There are porcelain shards. What if you cut your foot?” Pei Yuan frowned and barked, “Come back!”

Bao Ning jumped at his sharp tone and froze in place.

Pei Yuan realized he had been too harsh. He sighed, moved to the edge of the bed, grabbed her hand, and pulled her down beside him. In a low voice, he asked, “Why do you keep running away? Hmm?”

He gently traced her soft palm, coaxing her, “I won’t hurt you.”

Bao Ning looked up and swept her eyes around the wrecked room. The window he’d ripped off was lying on the ground, and the sturdy redwood shelf near the door had a gaping hole in it.

She shivered.

At first, when she’d just woken up, all she could think of was how embarrassed she was from what she’d done for Pei Yuan yesterday. It was private, and she was shy about it. But now, a faint fear crept in.

She remembered the way Pei Yuan had looked yesterday—his eyes full of stormy rage, like he was ready to tear her apart. He had yanked her through the window so effortlessly, like picking up a chick.

Bao Ning suddenly realized: Pei Yuan was a man—physically strong and dangerous.

He was no longer the sickly invalid lying in bed when they first met, the one who went along with whatever she said—eating what she cooked, wearing what she chose.

In reality, she was the one being handled however he liked.

Her thoughts spiraled. What happened yesterday might have been an accident, but who could guarantee there wouldn’t be more “accidents” in the future? This time, Pei Yuan had restrained himself—but what about next time? Could she be sure he wouldn’t hurt her?

He was, after all, a man of unstable moods—one moment liking something, the next moment hating it.

When he’s happy, he treats her gently—but who knows what might happen if he’s not.

Pei Yuan had never truly given her a sense of security.

Just like now—he sat right in front of her, yet Bao Ning couldn’t even guess what he might say next. Would he praise her? Scold her? Or just coldly point at the door and tell her to go cook?

Bao Ning felt disheartened.

“What are you thinking?” Pei Yuan had been watching her for a while. Seeing her sit there obediently and silently, he couldn’t help himself and reached out to lift her chin.

Bao Ning opened her mouth but couldn’t get a word out.

Pei Yuan chuckled, “It’s only been one night—how did you turn into a little mute?”

“…No…” Bao Ning pressed her lips together, but then suddenly remembered something more important: who was that person from last night? Even though the night had passed and she remained unharmed, just thinking about it still made her uneasy. She grabbed his sleeve and asked, “Do you have any enemies?”

Pei Yuan immediately understood what she meant, and his expression turned serious.

He said coolly, “If I really counted them, my enemies could take three days and nights to list.”

Bao Ning, recalling the dark things in his past, didn’t know how to respond.

Pei Yuan said, “Though I have many enemies, very few actually dare to make a move on me—especially with such low-level tricks.”

Bao Ning frowned. “I don’t get it. Even if someone wanted to harm you, why use that kind of thing?”

“If I’m not wrong, they intended to use Soft Tendon Powder. There are only two kinds of incense circulating in the black market: one is aphrodisiac incense, often used in brothels. The other is Soft Tendon Powder, common in shady inns. Either this person got tricked and bought the wrong one, or he made a mistake himself. But no matter which it is, he’s an idiot.”

Bao Ning stared at him, stunned by how logically he explained it all.

She asked, “Among all the people you know, who do you think could have done this?”

Pei Yuan replied coldly, “I don’t associate with idiots.” One sentence shut down all the questions Bao Ning had left.

“And besides,” he added, “that person’s reaction wasn’t sharp—clearly not a professional killer.” He tapped his knee thoughtfully and suddenly threw out a question. “Say you were the one last night who lit the wrong incense—how would you kill me?”

He coaxed gently, “Speak boldly, don’t be afraid.”

Bao Ning replied, “I’d wait until you were asleep—worn out and vulnerable. Easier that way.”

Pei Yuan asked, “Why wouldn’t you choose to just escape?”

“Because I want to kill you.” Bao Ning looked surprised by his question. “After this, you’d be on high alert. It won’t be easy next time. Better to take the chance now.”

Pei Yuan laughed and patted her head. “You can figure this out, but that guy couldn’t. Just shows how stupid he is. Maybe he panicked. Or maybe he wasn’t truly committed to killing me. And if we think even more carefully—why didn’t my enemies come for me when I was most sick and weak? Why now?”

Bao Ning nodded slowly, half-understanding. She went back over the people they’d encountered lately. They had mostly stayed in this small courtyard. Aside from her family and Pei Yang, they hadn’t met anyone else—except…

She looked stunned. “Could it be Young Master Feng? But why would he do that?”

Pei Yuan said, “You always need to guard against people. Whatever his motive, he’s the most suspicious right now. Be on alert.”

Bao Ning nodded, still finding it hard to believe. Pei Yuan took her hand and gently squeezed it.

“Bao Ning,” he said, “a human heart is scarier than a ghost’s. You never know what’s hiding beneath someone’s surface. You don’t know what might drive them, what they might do. So never, ever trust someone easily.”

His sudden solemn tone caught her off guard. Bao Ning felt strange, and without thinking, she asked, “Then… can I trust you?”

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