Chapter 507: What I Like Is You, the Person, Not External Things

The moment she heard the word "invitation," He Zhixuan's temper flared. "Cheng Yuan," she demanded irritably, "are you that eager to push me onto someone else?"

Huh?

Cheng Yuan was taken aback. "Senior Sister, what do you mean by that?"

"Cheng Yuan, stop playing dumb! I told you yesterday that Pei Yuanbin somehow got his hands on an invitation and is using it to threaten me! Do you want to see me fall into his clutches that badly?"

Cheng Yuan hurriedly explained, "Senior Sister, that's not what I meant at all. I was asking if the person I arranged to deliver the invitation ever got it to you."

He Zhixuan was utterly exasperated.

'This Cheng Yuan... Why is he still spouting such nonsense?'

"Cheng Yuan, even though we were never a couple, I paid close attention to you back at Luocheng Medical University. I know your family's situation perfectly well. You really don't need to pretend to be some big shot in front of me! I like you for who you are, not for worldly things like power and wealth."

Cheng Yuan smiled bitterly and shook his head. 'Why won't Senior Sister believe me?'

'He wasn't that same naive kid from their university days anymore.'

"So, the invitation wasn't delivered after all," Cheng Yuan said. "Old Xue is so unreliable! Senior Sister, just a moment. I'll ask Old Xue about it. I promise I'll get you a satisfactory answer on this matter!"

He Zhixuan was getting angry. "Cheng Yuan! Can't you understand what I'm saying? Can we please stop talking about the invitation?"

"Uh... okay. If Senior Sister doesn't want me to mention it, I won't."

Her expression softened slightly. She warned him with a very serious tone, "Cheng Yuan, you've offended someone you absolutely can't afford to provoke. Listen to me and leave Gui City immediately! Don't take the high-speed train or go to the airport or the bus station. It would be best to get a ride-share. It doesn't matter if it costs more; saving your life is what's most important."

Cheng Yuan was speechless. 'Does Senior Sister really have to be this terrified?'

"Senior Sister, I'm not leaving. I promised I would help you through this, and I won't leave until you've successfully broken off your engagement. Where are you now? I'll come find you."

"Cheng Yuan, I know you mean well, but listen to me. Go into hiding for a few days. Once this whole thing blows over, you can come back and help me!"

With that, He Zhixuan hung up the phone.

Her words might have sounded reassuring, but inwardly, she was desperate. Cheng Yuan could hide for a few days, but she was running out of time!

Her uncle had already sent her a text threatening to take back her clinic!

'Once she lost the place that gave her a foothold in life, what would she do?'

***

Meanwhile, after leaving Huichun Hall, Cheng Yuan found a deserted spot and placed the Eagle-shaped Pottery Cauldron into the Jade Pendant Space.

Listening to the dial tone, Cheng Yuan smiled bitterly and shook his head. 'What will it take for Senior Sister to believe me?'

Instead of calling her back, Cheng Yuan dialed Divine Doctor Xue's number and asked, slightly displeased, "Divine Doctor Xue, have you handled the matter I entrusted to you?"

Divine Doctor Xue replied respectfully, "My assistant went to the He Family villa and personally handed the invitation to Miss He's fiancé."

Cheng Yuan rolled his eyes in annoyance. 'So that's what happened?'

'That Pei Yuanbin is unbelievably shameless!'

'To think he'd use the invitation meant for Senior Sister to threaten her?'

Heh...

"Alright, I understand."

Just as he hung up, a call from Zhou Shilong came in. The corners of Cheng Yuan's mouth curled up slightly. 'I was just about to call him. What a coincidence!'

"Shilong, I was just about to call you."

"What are your instructions, Third Martial Uncle?"

"Investigate Pei Yuanbin for me. I want everything on him. Also, look into He Zhixuan's He Family."

"I'll have people look into it immediately and get back to you as soon as possible, Third Martial Uncle."

"Shilong, was there something you needed?"

"Please forgive me, Third Martial Uncle. Shilong reported to the Young Master that you can appraise Magical Artifacts. The Young Master was very interested and would like to invite you to a reception."

'The Young Master?'

'So that would be Second Brother's son.'

Under normal circumstances, Cheng Yuan might have been interested in meeting this nephew of his, but right now, he was busy.

"Forget about the reception. If fate allows, we'll talk about it in the future."

Zhou Shilong sounded a bit anxious. "Third Martial Uncle, the reception organized by the Young Master isn't just any party—it's a small-scale exchange meet for Magical Artifacts. Only the most powerful and influential figures in Qian Province are qualified to receive an invitation. Perhaps... you could reconsider?"

'An exchange meet for Magical Artifacts?'

'Interesting.'

Cheng Yuan immediately changed his mind. "My grand-nephew is inviting me because he wants my expert opinion, isn't that right?"

"Your perception is sharp, Third Martial Uncle."

"Alright then, I'll go meet my grand-nephew. Is the reception in the afternoon or evening?"

"This afternoon. Is that convenient for you, Third Martial Uncle? If not, we can postpone it until this evening."

"There's no need for that. This afternoon is fine."

"Are you still at Huichun Hall, Third Martial Uncle? I can have Shaofeng come and pick you up."

"No need. I'll get there myself."

***

「The Lin Family Villa.」

Pei Yuanbin's expression was as black as ink. Ever since he became the president of the Pei Group, countless women had thrown themselves at him.

This was the first time Pei Yuanbin had ever gone out of his way to pursue a woman so aggressively!

But with He Zhixuan, he had been completely rebuffed!

"Uncle, if Zhixuan is truly unwilling to agree to this marriage, then let's just forget it. We can discuss the Tier-2 distributorship for the Lingxi Health Beverage some other time."

With that, Pei Yuanbin turned to leave!

He Zhixuan's uncle, He Guosheng, quickly stopped Pei Yuanbin. He had fought hard to get a piece of the pie that was the Lingxi Health Beverage business, and he wasn't about to lose it so easily!

"Yuan Bin, don't be so hasty! Zhixuan is a bit willful, but rest assured, I will make her change her mind! I've already taken back her clinic. She'll come begging to me soon enough!"

Speak of the devil.

He Guosheng's phone started ringing. He shook it smugly. "See? Zhixuan is calling me back."

Pei Yuanbin's expression softened, and he sat back down.

He Guosheng put the call on speakerphone and snapped, "Zhixuan, if I hadn't taken back your clinic, would you have ever planned on calling me again? Do you even have any respect for me as your uncle?"

He Zhixuan's pleading voice came from the other end of the line, "Uncle, are you really going to be this ruthless? Do you have no regard for our family bond at all?"

"As long as you agree to marry Yuan Bin, I'll give you more than just a small clinic—I'd even give you the entire He Group! Zhixuan, stop being so willful."

"Uncle, you're forcing my hand! I will never give up what is rightfully mine! I suggest you give up on that idea, because I will absolutely never marry Pei Yuanbin!"

He Zhixuan hung up, leaving He Guosheng and Pei Yuanbin trembling with rage.

"Uncle, it seems you can't handle Zhixuan either. I'll be taking my leave!"

He Guosheng stopped Pei Yuanbin again and said sinisterly, "Zhixuan is indeed stubborn. But, Yuan Bin, you could always start with the people close to her... like her best friend, Liu Ruyan."

Pei Yuanbin's eyes lit up. 'How could he have forgotten about Liu Ruyan?'

'If all else failed, he could have Liu Ruyan trick Zhixuan into a meeting. He'd create a situation that couldn't be undone, and then Zhixuan would have no choice but to submit!'