CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 125: Prefer Death to Submission

Chapter 125: Chapter 125: Prefer Death to Submission

Elder Pei didn’t get angry at being crowded out but simply reminded, "Don’t forget, Qiao Rui is from the Qiao Family, not just a monk but also Buddha."

Elder Madam Pei smiled gently, "Now, she has become Liyan’s lawful wife. A daughter married off is like water splashed out. The benefits that the Qiao Family has reaped from the Pei Family over the years are inestimable, and Qiao Zhenshan is well aware of that."

"Being aware is one thing, but if you handle matters without discretion, you’ll be criticized," Elder Pei said gravely.

Elder Madam Pei snorted coldly, "Who can criticize me for disciplining the wife of the Pei Family’s heir?"

Elder Pei spoke evenly, "Discipline isn’t suppression."

"There’s no need to preach to me, I know what I’m doing," Elder Madam Pei said as she picked up a soup spoon and started to eat, ignoring her husband’s words.

Elder Pei glanced at the maid standing beside him and asked, "Which secretaries accompanied Liyan on his trip this time?"

"In response to Elder Pei, it’s said that he brought Assistant Fang and Secretary Si."

"Fang Mo and Si Ran?"

"Yes."

"He didn’t bring Qiao Xiang, huh." Elder Pei’s gaze turned to Elder Madam Pei.

Madam Pei glanced sideways at him, "Qiao Xiang just joined the company and still doesn’t quite understand the whole company’s workflow. From her attitude yesterday, I believe she will work diligently."

"Could she stay in the company if she didn’t work diligently?" Elder Pei counter-asked.

Elder Madam Pei’s brows furrowed, "What’s the matter with you today? Why are your words so prickly?"

"And I’d like to ask you the same thing. Why do you trouble me with every word you say?" Elder Pei frowned. "Aren’t you the one looking for trouble without reason?"

Elder Madam Pei couldn’t be bothered with her husband any longer; after finishing her meal, she still had to go see Qiao Rui.

That damn girl, locked in the secret room, neither crying nor making a fuss, and still sleeping so comfortably, truly infuriating.

At eight in the morning, Madam Pei was already in front of the screen watching the surveillance footage.

It wasn’t very clear on the screen; although there was infrared, the room looked black and white with the lights off.

Qiao Rui was still lying down, occasionally turning over but without any struggle, not crying or making a fuss.

"Has it been like this the entire time?" Elder Madam Pei asked.

"Yes, Madam Pei, the young mistress has been sleeping, occasionally turning over."

"Hasn’t she turned on the lights?"

"No."

Elder Madam Pei was perplexed. "At one o’clock in the afternoon, I’ll personally go to the secret room."

"Yes!"

Liancheng.

Top floor of the Four Seas Building.

When Pei Liyan got up, it was already eleven in the morning.

As he exited his room, Si Ran saw him and immediately stood up, "President, did you have a good rest?"

"It was alright," Pei Liyan said in a deep voice. "Any news from Qingcheng?"

Si Ran nodded. "The young mistress has been locked in the secret room at the old residence, it’s been twenty-two hours now, no food has been delivered."

Pei Liyan’s expression was stoic as he sat down at the dining table.

Si Ran served him the food, the ready-made meal just needed a brief warming before being brought to the table.

After hearing the news, Pei Liyan said nothing.

Si Ran glanced at him, saw no instructions, and passed him the chopsticks.

Pei Liyan took them and ate quietly.

At this moment, Fang Mo returned.

Seeing that Pei Liyan had gotten up, he immediately entered, speaking respectfully, "President, Mr. Song Xun sent an invitation, requesting your presence at tonight’s banquet."

Pei Liyan nodded. "He notified me before, what time tonight?"

"Half-past six."

"Got it." Pei Liyan continued to eat.

Fang Mo glanced at Si Ran.

Si Ran shook his head at Fang Mo.

Fang Mo looked back at Pei Liyan.

Just then, Pei Liyan looked up at the two of them and said sternly, "What do you want to say?"

Fang Mo immediately said, "President, the lady is still locked up, don’t you want to make a call over there?"

Pei Liyan looked up, his handsome face suddenly darkening.

Fang Mo got a fright, "I apologize, President, I overstepped my bounds."

It was then that Pei Liyan spoke, "Since you’re aware, go cut some onions in the kitchen; I feel like eating onion rings."

Fang Mo was stunned.

Pei Liyan gave him another stern look.

"Yes, right away!" Fang Mo hurriedly went to the kitchen.

This Four Seas Building in Liancheng was Pei Liyan’s personal property, the entire top floor belonged to him, and whenever he traveled to Liancheng, Fang Mo and Si Ran would stay with him here.

Though Fang Mo was a good cook, cutting onions was bound to make him cry.

So, a few minutes later, Si Ran turned to look towards the direction of the kitchen, only to see Fang Mo with red rims around his eyes and a few tears spilled out, looking particularly miserable.

Si Ran lowered his gaze, not daring to speak.

Although their boss hadn’t said much today, his demeanor was decidedly icy.

Fifteen minutes later, the onion rings were ready, and Fang Mo brought them to Pei Liyan, speaking respectfully, "President, the onion rings are ready, please give them a try."

Pei Liyan looked at him impassively, sending a clear message that should he not behave or speak unnecessarily, there would likely be similar punishments in the future.

Pei Mansion.

One o’clock.

Elder Madam Pei arrived in the secret room on time.

As the door opened, the lights were switched on by the bodyguard.

The room immediately lit up.

Qiao Rui frowned slightly, adjusting for a moment before sitting up and crossing her legs on the bed, looking towards the doorway at the elderly lady.

Her expression was calm and composed, silent, just looking indifferently at the old lady.

Someone brought a grand armchair and placed it in the middle of the room.

Elder Madam Pei sat down in the chair, leaning back, exuding a formidable presence.

She said, "Locked up for a day and a night without food or drink, is it bearable?"

Qiao Rui answered indifferently, "Thanks to your kindness, it has been bearable."

Elder Madam Pei laughed coldly, "Well, have you realized your mistake?"

"I truly don’t know my mistake," Qiao Rui replied with the same phrase. "Elder Madam Pei is only locking me up to make me submit, but as I’ve said before, I’d rather die than comply."

"Rather die than comply?" Elder Madam Pei looked at Qiao Rui coldly, surprised that after being locked up for a day and night without food or drink, the girl had not a hint of begging for mercy.

She had thought that today Qiao Rui would admit her wrongs.

But now, it seemed unlikely.

"Yes," Qiao Rui repeated herself, "if Madam Pei wants me to submit, I advise you to give up on that idea. I am not wrong."

"Is that so?" Elder Madam Pei took it as simple stubbornness, snorted coldly, "Then continue to be locked up here. No food, no drink. In two days at this time, I’ll come back and see if you’re still speaking the same way."

Qiao Rui said, "As you wish. My stance remains the same, I don’t believe I’m in the wrong."

Elder Madam Pei, boiling with anger, declared coldly, "We’ll talk then, and see whether it’s your stubbornness or the Pei Family’s rules that are stronger."

Qiao Rui spoke calmly, "It seems the Pei Family’s rules are not really rules at all, just tyranny."

Elder Madam Pei was slightly shaken, turning to look at Qiao Rui.

She too looked back calmly, without avoiding her gaze, quite unflinchingly.

"Lock her up and we’ll talk again in two days," Elder Madam Pei dropped the words and had the secret room door locked before she left.