CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 186 Tell me, will you agree?

Chapter 186: Chapter 186 Tell me, will you agree?

Pei Liyan gazed at Qiao Rui, who finally couldn’t stand it any longer and was about to speak up for the Qiao Family.

With an expressionless yet handsome face, Pei Liyan calmly looked at Qiao Rui. "What do you want to say?"

Qiao Rui really wanted to muster the courage to talk about the investment, but when the words reached her lips, she didn’t say them.

She changed the topic and said, "If I go to Liancheng, do I need to wear a dress to attend your friend’s engagement party?"

Pei Liyan was taken aback, squinted, and looked at Qiao Rui, meeting her big, clear eyes.

It was quiet as if for a century, then he curled his lips mockingly and said, "Of course."

Qiao Rui stared at his angular face, the quiet depths of the man’s eyes, and the faint mockery at the corner of his lips, understanding that he knew what she wanted to say.

But his cleverness lay in his pretending not to know.

Qiao Rui tugged at her lips. "Then how many dresses should I prepare?"

"Two will be enough." Pei Liyan was patient, waiting for her to speak.

He was curious to see when Qiao Rui would ask him for money.

But, she didn’t.

She smiled and said brightly, "Okay, I’ll prepare two."

Pei Liyan remained silent.

Qiao Rui said, "Go upstairs, I’m fine now."

Hearing this, Pei Liyan’s brows instantly furrowed, and his eyes darkened ominously.

The suddenly heavy atmosphere seemed to envelop the entire hall in frost.

Qiao Rui was startled too, wondering why his expression had suddenly changed, as if someone owed him something.

She hadn’t even asked for money yet, and already he looked like this—if she really asked, he’d probably devour her.

Qiao Rui blinked, saw his reaction, and turned to leave.

In times like these, it was much better to avoid confrontation.

She wouldn’t provoke trouble.

But, as the man saw her leaving, he immediately said in a stern voice, "Stop!"

Qiao Rui heard his deep and cold voice, stiffened instantly, turned back to look at him, and asked, "Do you need something else?"

Pei Liyan frowned deeply, "No!"

Seeing his dark countenance, Qiao Rui curved her lips. "Geez, you scared me."

"What are you afraid of?" Pei Liyan’s voice was deep, his gaze intense.

"I’m afraid of your gloomy mood," Qiao Rui responded, her bright eyes twinkling as she looked at him.

Pei Liyan’s eyes churned, a dark emotion flickering in them, somewhat dangerous. "Gloomy mood?"

"Yes, like how you are now, a bit dismal, scarier than visiting a grave," Qiao Rui said, then smirked again, "Seeing you like this, I’d rather not disturb you."

She was ready to make a getaway.

Now was the time to leave, or she’d be a fool.

"Stop!" Pei Liyan called out to her again.

Qiao Rui was getting impatient. "What is it?"

"I didn’t let you go, you can’t leave!" Pei Liyan said coldly, looking at her.

Qiao Rui stopped, turned to face him, and said, "You said it!"

The man’s eyes shifted slightly, clearly catching the hidden meaning in her words.

His gaze wandered and landed on the girl’s face. The sunset light filtered through the window, casting a halo on her fair face, as beautiful as a heroine in an old movie.

Pei Liyan looked at her, his heart stirring.

The next second, he walked toward her, stopping half a meter in front of her.

His voice was slightly hoarse, "Do you want to talk to me about the Qiao Family’s issue?"

Taken aback, Qiao Rui knew the discussion was inevitable, but his directness still surprised her.

"Indeed, I wanted to talk about it," Qiao Rui lowered her head, avoiding the man’s eyes.

The man’s gaze shifted slightly and he asked again, "Investment?"

Qiao Rui nodded, then raised her eyes to meet his sharp and discerning gaze.

"Yes, my grandfather wants you to continue investing, but I know you wouldn’t agree, which is why I couldn’t really bring it up," Qiao Rui acknowledged somewhat self-aware.

"Why can’t you really bring it up?" Pei Liyan asked back.

"Because it’s not worth four to eight billion," Qiao Rui shrugged, laughed mockingly, "So, speaking is useless."

"But you still spoke," Pei Liyan pointed out in a deep voice.

Qiao Rui nodded, muttering, "Yes, speaking feels like a relief."

"Aren’t you going to try to convince me for the Qiao Family?" Pei Liyan kept a close watch on her, as if trying to read her emotions.

"No, this time I really wanted to convince you, but the Qiao Family is a bottomless pit, and I don’t think fleecing you is appropriate," Qiao Rui said self-mockingly, "After all, you’re not obligated to help."

"What will you do if I refuse?" Pei Liyan asked again.

Qiao Rui replied, "I’ll think of another way, grandfather said he would kick out a few uncles this time."

"Kicking them out won’t solve the Qiao Family’s issues," Pei Liyan said gravely, "The Qiao Family is now rotten from the inside out; changing the operational circumstances requires drastic reforms, otherwise, no one can turn the tide."

"What about hiring a professional manager?" Qiao Rui knew everything Pei Liyan said was true, so she couldn’t argue, but still wanted to hear his opinion.

"It’s too late."

Qiao Rui paused, hesitated for a moment, and said nothing.

"If I were to make a deal with you, would you agree to it?" Pei Liyan spoke again.

Qiao Rui’s heart instantly tensed, her anxiety indescribable.

Her eyes flickered, not daring to meet his gaze, constantly avoiding eye contact.

Pei Liyan suddenly reached out, his long hand hooking under Qiao Rui’s chin, his warm breath cascading down, warming her pale face.

Her face instantly turned red.

"Tell me, would you agree?" he asked again.

Qiao Rui pursed her lips, gazing at the man’s divine-like handsome face, somewhat dazed.

Her mind went blank at that moment.

But at the critical moment, she still asked, "What kind of deal?"

She wasn’t sure if what she was thinking was the same as what he was thinking.

Pei Liyan looked at Qiao Rui, his gaze clear, "Exactly what you’re thinking, I want your willing heart."

Qiao Rui staggered, her eyes dodging. "I’m not worth that much money."

"Because you’re unwilling," Pei Liyan saw right through her thoughts.

Qiao Rui didn’t avoid it, "Yes, I’m unwilling."

Unwilling to turn her already ambiguous relationship with him into something even more complicated.

Once it became a transaction, things would change.

And then, she might regret it.

Pei Liyan, who had been holding her chin, suddenly let go, stepping back to stand a meter away.

A completely normal social distance.

He slipped his hands into his pockets, returning to his casual posture.

Qiao Rui looked up at him.

Suddenly she heard him say, "I can invest eight billion."