CEO's Ugly Flash-Marriage Wife Hides So Many Identities
Chapter 31 An Acquaintance Briefly Met

Chapter 31: Chapter 31 An Acquaintance Briefly Met

Jin Fei was taken aback, momentarily stunned, then hurriedly said, "President Pei is joking."

"Who told you I was joking?" Pei Liyan said coldly: "You’d better know where to draw the line!"

Jin Fei was startled again and hesitated before replying, "My intention is straightforward, Mr. Pei—hoping that with your influence, our partners could extend the cooperation period by half a year to give Rui Qing a chance."

"Jin Fei, if Rui Qing died, you would be the biggest beneficiary of the postponed half year, wouldn’t you?" Pei Liyan challenged.

Jin Fei was shocked, then shook her head. "No, our company is the biggest beneficiary."

"Heh, your company has countless artists; one less Rui Qing won’t make a difference. However, she’s the only artist in your hands who can stand on her own. You’re squeezing her for every last drop of her effort," Pei Liyan bluntly pointed out Jin Fei’s thoughts.

Jin Fei was somewhat surprised; she had not expected Pei Liyan to advocate so strongly for Rui Qing.

Since he was advocating for Rui Qing, could it be that feelings had developed after sleeping with her for one night?

She hesitated slightly, pondering how to speak so as to seek Pei Liyan’s help without angering this man.

It seemed a bit difficult.

Jin Fei gave an awkward smile and said, "I’m just harboring a fantasy, what if Rui Qing is still alive?"

Pei Liyan narrowed his eyes—still alive?

That woman, the one who had taken advantage of him—if she was still alive, he would settle that score properly.

Jin Fei explained earnestly again, "After all, Rui Qing is the most profitable artist in my hands. Although I seek to maximize profits, her life is of the utmost importance. I also want to fight for time for my little star, Rui. If our sponsors abandon us, by the time she returns, her career might have already fallen into a slump."

Pei Liyan glanced at Jin Fei, his gaze sweeping across her face, and a hint of understanding flashed in his eyes.

He was perceptive about people and naturally realized that Jin Fei was a businessperson to the bone.

Although she was an agent, she was quite skilled at extracting value from artists.

Pei Liyan casually remarked, "Those words of yours sound more noble than the previous ones."

"They are nothing but the truth," Jin Fei said.

"Why didn’t you say that earlier? There was no need to beat around the bush!" Pei Liyan said, his voice lazy and devoid of his earlier hostility.

"Please, Mr. Pei, help out," Jin Fei said again, more sincerely.

"It’s not that I can’t help." Pei Liyan said grimly: "There’s something I need you to tell me truthfully."

"Just say the word, Mr. Pei, and Jin Fei will hold nothing back and tell all," Jin Fei also put forward an honest front.

Pei Liyan’s gaze swept across her face, a sharp light flickering in his eyes as he said word by word: "On the night of the art festival, the drink that Rui Qing had—did you tamper with it?"

Jin Fei’s complexion changed, and she immediately shook her head in denial: "Not I, Mr. Pei. Even if I had ten times the courage, I wouldn’t harm our own artist."

"I think you have not just ten times the courage, but a hundred," Pei Liyan sneered coldly. "On the day of the art festival, the water Rui Qing drank was given to her by you, right?"

"No," Jin Fei shook her head again. "Before the evening gala began, I received a call from the company to handle some urgent matters. I left without even saying goodbye to Rui Qing."

Pei Liyan didn’t speak; he silently observed Jin Fei, his gaze so piercing it caused unease.

Jin Fei met his gaze without avoiding it; on the contrary, she appeared quite open.

"So, has Mr. Pei found out that the water Rui Qing drank that night was problematic?"

Pei Liyan’s sharp gaze lifted as he coldly asked, "Playing dumb?"

"I truly didn’t, President Pei. I wouldn’t dare play dumb in front of you," Jin Fei seriously said: "Although I am also puzzled why Rui Qing was with you in the presidential suite that night. But with the way you’ve been questioning me now, I understand—she was set up."

Pei Liyan saw the dawning realization in her expression, his eyes filled with frost.

"I really don’t know, President Pei. I just looked at the hotel surveillance and knew you two spent the whole night together, I truly don’t know anything else," Jin Fei reiterated.

Pei Liyan looked at her for a while before speaking solemnly, "You’d better not be lying to me. Otherwise, I’ll make sure you can’t get by in Qingcheng."

"Of course!" Jin Fei immediately nodded. "If I’ve lied to you, not only would I not get by in Qingcheng, but I’d also be inviting a terrible fate upon myself."

Outside.

Song Muyu looked back at Qiao Rui.

Qiao Rui’s gaze was pensive.

They had been there for a while and were honestly surprised to overhear these words.

Song Muyu silently inquired, "Should we knock?"

Qiao Rui nodded, and then extended her slender hand to knock on the door.

She was currently acting as Song Muyu’s assistant.

Naturally, knocking was something Qiao Rui took upon herself.

Song Muyu stood by, waiting, maintaining a high posture.

As the knocking sounded, Pei Liyan frowned, clearly displeased.

Jin Fei said, "It might be Song Muyu. She’s a good friend of Rui Qing’s, and she’s very anxious about what happened to Rui Qing."

Mentioning Song Muyu, a flicker of recognition passed through Pei Liyan’s eyes, and a scene from that night at the KTV surfaced in his memory.

That girl named Ruirui sang wonderfully, with first-rate vocal skills and a sweet voice.

Pei Liyan’s gaze lingered, but he said nothing.

Jin Fei hurriedly stood up, walked to the door, and personally opened it.

Qiao Rui stood at the door, and upon seeing her, Jin Fei was visibly taken aback by her presence.

Qiao Rui nodded slightly, then quietly stepped back.

Song Muyu stepped forward and said, "Sister Jin."

"Muyu is here, and who is this?" Jin Fei asked as she looked at Qiao Rui.

"This is my friend, Ruirui. She just graduated and isn’t doing anything at the moment, so she’s temporarily assisting me," Song Muyu said.

"Oh, I see." Jin Fei glanced at Qiao Rui and smiled, "I’m discussing something with Mr. Pei here. You go wait for me in the next room, and I’ll come find you once we’re done."

Song Muyu nodded, her gaze inadvertently glancing inside.

Pei Liyan happened to look up and saw her, speaking indifferently, "Since Miss Song and Miss Rui have arrived, why not come in and join the conversation?"

Song Muyu hadn’t expected Pei Liyan to invite her to stay.

Her gaze imperceptibly shifted, briefly touching Qiao Rui’s face.

Qiao Rui remained composed.

Jin Fei was a bit surprised, not quite understanding Pei Liyan’s intentions.

Song Muyu looked inside and said lightly, "Mr. Pei, what a coincidence."

"It’s no coincidence. I specifically came for Rui Qing’s matter," Pei Liyan was forthright.

"Is that so?" Song Muyu stepped in, "Since Mr. Pei is here for my friend’s sake, I’m curious as to why exactly you have come for her."

"Obviously for her future," Pei Liyan stated implicity: "After all, Miss Rui Qing and I have met before."

Met before?

Song Muyu sneered inwardly: It was nothing more than a one-night encounter.

"Is that so? This brief meeting has inspired Mr. Pei to stand up for my friend. Anyone clueless might think Mr. Pei admires my friend," Song Muyu didn’t hold back at all.

Pei Liyan’s gaze grew severe, seemingly unwilling to engage with Song Muyu.

His eyes settled on Qiao Rui’s face.