Chapter 37: Pretending to be poor, rich second generation (6)

“What’s wrong with you now?” Tong Ling seemed genuinely puzzled by Pei Jing’s sudden change in demeanor and responded in a tone reminiscent of toxic masculinity, “I finally get home after such hardship, and you insist on causing trouble?”

“Trouble…” Upon hearing this word, Pei Jing felt his lungs about to burst from anger. “You think I’m causing trouble? Is that what you believe?”

Tong Ling furrowed her brows. “Look at yourself right now - where has your etiquette and composure gone? Your constant shouting is making my ears ache.”

Exhausted, Pei Jing rested his forehead in his hand. “How am I bothering you… Do you even realize how much pain I’m in?”

“Pain?” Tong Ling asked skeptically. “What kind of pain?”

Pei Jing momentarily thought his girlfriend was showing concern, but then she uttered, “If you’re in pain, just drink more warm water.”

“Qu Ling!” Pei Jing slammed his hand on the table and abruptly stood up. “Are you doing this deliberately?!”

Tong Ling’s patience was wearing thin, her expression turning cold. “Pei Jing, you really should take a look in the mirror. I didn’t want to say this, but you’ve truly gone too far.”

“Do you realize how unattractive your appearance has become?” Tong Ling spoke dismissively as she moved to enter her room, clearly unwilling to engage further with Pei Jing.

Pei Jing swiftly grabbed Tong Ling’s hand, “We haven’t finished talking, and our issues remain unresolved. You can’t leave until we’ve discussed this today!”

Tong Ling halted, her expression darkening. “Fine, if you insist on discussing it, let’s be clear.” She opened her purse, took out a compact mirror, and thrust it towards Pei Jing. “First, take a look at yourself. How do you compare to your past appearance? Remember, you’re still Qu Ling’s man; shouldn’t you maintain your looks better? Standing beside me like this is embarrassing.”

Pei Jing glanced into the mirror, slightly taken aback. Indeed, he looked quite different from before - his eyes were sunken with dark circles, complexion sallow, lips pale, perpetually bloodshot eyes lacking any sparkle. Even his hands…they had grown rougher, hardly resembling those of a wealthy young gentleman anymore.

As for his girlfriend… Pei Jing was well aware of how beautiful she was. Since regaining her wealthy status, Tong Ling always opted for the finest clothes and indulgences. With her exquisite makeup and elegant attire, these external enhancements further elevated her overall attractiveness.

Once, they had seemed perfectly matched, but now standing together… why did he feel such a stark contrast between them?

“I hope to come home and see a handsome man, not just a whining, worn-out partner.” Tong Ling glanced sidelong at Pei Jing. “With you looking like this, how can I maintain any interest?”

“Fine,” Pei Jing responded with a grim expression. “You’ve made it clear—you’re late coming home because you’ve lost interest in me. But if you truly have no interest, then why… why do you still want me every day?”

The relentless nightly demands from his girlfriend were precisely what made Pei Jing’s life so arduous. He had relied on their emotional bond before, never anticipating that her feelings towards him could change so abruptly!

“Aren’t all men the same in the dark?” Tong Ling pursed her lips dismissively. “As long as everything functions properly, it’s good enough.”

“You—!” Pei Jing was taken aback by his girlfriend’s words. “How can you utter such shameless statements?! Isn’t it inappropriate for adults to discuss these topics?” Tong Ling rolled her eyes at him. “Shameless? The real issue is being unable to openly talk about it. If I didn’t still need you, why would I bother coming every day?”

“Considering our past relationship, I’ve repeatedly given you chances,” Tong Ling clicked her tongue. “Otherwise, with your inadequate performance, why would I endure it each night?”

As soon as he heard his girlfriend say “inadequate,” Pei Jing’s face turned pale.

These words struck deep fears within him. Every night, he exerted great effort just to change his girlfriend’s perception of him. Despite giving his all, it seemed he could never fully satisfy her.

His head throbbed severely, vision flickering like static, and Pei Jing felt a burning sensation in his stomach and chest. Lowering his head, several drops of blood trickled from his nose again.

“You’re…?” Tong Ling displayed a look of disdain while grabbing tissues from the table and handing them over. “Have you been frequently getting nosebleeds lately?”

Pei Jing stuffed the tissue up his nostrils, raising his voice with a tone full of resentment, “For whom am I suffering these nosebleeds?”

“To satisfy you, I’ve been drinking those nourishing soups every day, leading to excessive buildup that causes frequent nosebleeds!”

Tong Ling muttered, “So useless. You should have more self-reliance; why rely on external aids for your health?”

Angry, Pei Jing retorted, “Can’t you just comfort me instead of saying such infuriating words?”

“Do you know how long it’s been since I had a decent night’s sleep? Those soups make me feel nauseous; often, they leave me wanting to vomit! With poor sleep, insomnia, and constant fatigue, I still strive to create a comfortable living environment for you by cleaning daily and cooking meals. It was you who said our home needed this touch!”

“All my efforts, for whom? Yet you criticize me, calling me ugly…” Pei Jing’s voice grew increasingly filled with hurt and bitterness. Reflecting on his recent sacrifices, tears unconsciously welled up in his eyes. “Qu Ling, how could you treat me like this!”

M577 watched, astounded, and muttered to itself, “How quickly has the male lead changed like this?”

M577 didn’t forget to check the plot deviation monitoring device; at that moment, the deviation stood at only 5%. Despite the complete transformation of the male lead’s personality, it had minimal impact on the storyline. This protagonist was truly beyond repair.

Unlike the once ignorant m577, the current version could now analyze why the plot progression remained acceptable despite the changes.

In the original story, the minor female character pursued extravagant living with lavish habits, and the host surpassed her even more in extravagance. Flaunting wealth in front of the male lead wasn’t just a recent occurrence for Tong Ling.

The original male lead disapproved of the minor female character’s lifestyle changes, and similarly, the present male lead dislikes the host’s ostentatious behavior.

In the original plot, the male lead harbored resentment towards the minor female character, and now this male lead… has become a bitter spouse himself. The collapsed storyline seems drastically altered, yet paradoxically, it also appears unchanged.

As long as the task’s plot remains satisfactory, m577 refrains from any criticism.

“What have I done to you?” Seeing Pei Jing’s numerous complaints, Tong Ling grew discontented herself. “Countless people would envy the life you’re leading!”

“Look, you don’t need to earn money with me around. At night, I’m here as your beautiful companion, and during the day, you can sleep as long as you want. Cleaning this house takes only a few minutes at most. Cooking isn’t just for me; you have to eat too… These tasks are incredibly simple, yet why do they seem so burdensome when you talk about them?

“Or is it that you simply don’t want to do anything and prefer being a freeloader off of me?” Tong Ling’s eyes filled with disdain. “If you truly wish to be a waste of space, I won’t stop you.”

Pei Jing’s heart shattered into pieces. “So you haven’t understood me at all… You can’t see how much I’ve done for you…”

“Irritated, Tong Ling replied, “Fine, fine, fine, it’s all my fault then, okay?”

Tong Ling’s insincere apology only deepened Pei Jing’s distress. “You’re not genuinely acknowledging your mistakes…”

“Hmm, if that’s what you think, then let it be.” Tong Ling initially intended to return to her room but abruptly changed direction, heading towards the door instead. “It seems we both need some time to cool down tonight. Didn’t you say you’ve been having trouble sleeping? Then tonight, you can sleep alone.”

With those words, Tong Ling opened the door and walked out.

“Wait!” Pei Jing tried to stop his girlfriend. “Where are you going at this late hour!”

Outside the door, there was no response.

Pei Jing walked to the doorway, gazing into the deep night and at his girlfriend’s disappearing figure. Overwhelmed with emotion, tears welled up once again.

After leaving the cramped rental apartment, Tong Ling took out her phone and called Pei Qing.

“Can you spare some room for me?” Tong Ling asked softly, “I don’t want to be alone right now.”

Upon receiving this call, Pei Qing responded with both surprise and delight, “If you’re willing, of course I’ll keep you company.”

The relationship between Pei Qing and Tong Ling had steadily progressed; they had held hands, embraced, and even shared kisses. When bidding farewell tonight, Pei Qing felt deeply reluctant to part. It wasn’t that he hadn’t considered asking Tong Ling to stay, but his physical condition always made him hesitant to take that step.

“Just send me your address, I’ll come over,” Tong Ling said.

“I’ll have my driver pick you up,” replied Pei Qing. “It’s late, and it’s not safe for you to travel alone. Find a shop to wait in, and let me know its address.”

Tong Ling reassured him, “You worry too much, it’s perfectly safe.”

Pei Qing earnestly responded, “When it comes to your safety, no amount of concern is excessive.”

Comparing Pei Qing and Pei Jing, even m577 had to admit that the male lead seemed rather inexperienced. And when the driver arrived, revealing Pei Qing unexpectedly waiting in the backseat, it truly felt like a pleasant surprise.

“How did you end up here?” Tong Ling climbed onto the back seat. “We agreed that the driver would pick me up; isn’t it inconvenient for you to come out?”

“I wasn’t at ease,” Pei Qing said as he held Tong Ling’s hand. “Hearing your voice, I could tell you were feeling down. I wanted to be with you sooner.”

Tong Ling leaned back against the car seat and gently rested her head on Pei Qing’s strong arm. “Pei Qing, why are you so good to me…”

“Because when you’re upset, it affects me too,” Pei Qing replied honestly. “When you’re happy, it brings me joy as well.”

“Has anyone ever told you that you have quite a way with words?” Tong Ling asked.

Pei Qing smiled. “No, most people find me stern and unpredictable, with very few able to communicate normally with me.”

“How can that be?” Tong Ling praised him sincerely. “You’re the kindest person I’ve ever met. Without you, I don’t know how long I would have remained trapped in my suffering.”

“It’s wonderful if I could help you.” With Tong Ling’s companionship, Pei Qing had found his emotional state significantly more peaceful during this period. He always believed that their relationship was not one-sided; emotionally, he gained even more than he gave.

The two continued conversing softly throughout the journey, creating a warm and affectionate atmosphere.

Upon reaching Pei Qing’s private residence, Tong Ling observed as Pei Qing, without accepting any assistance, struggled to sit on his wheelchair by himself. Before Pei Qing could stop her, she took initiative and began pushing the wheelchair, saying, “Considering you’ve been so helpful to me, let me contribute at least this much.”

Pei Qing lowered his gaze, his hands subtly tightening around the wheelchair armrests. “I don’t want you to think of me as incapable.”

In the past, when living alone, Pei Qing had managed well enough on his own, believing it would make him no different from others. However, now that he had someone close by whom he desired, he realized…

Those lingering wounds couldn’t be casually concealed just because one wished to hide them. His disability was evident for anyone with keen eyes to see. Aside from striving not to display his limitations, what else could he do?

“Making me discard such thoughts is quite simple,” Tong Ling glanced subtly at Pei Qing’s body, “Just show me through actions.”

Pei Qing jerked his head up, startled. Did he… just hear correctly?

M577 chuckled, 【There it goes again, I knew you wouldn’t spare him.】

[“I’m even starting to suspect you deliberately quarreled with Pei Jing just for variety.”]

Tong Ling responded to the system, “Would you believe me if I said this is to follow the plot?”

m577 replied firmly, [“No way!”]

“Then shut up,” Tong Ling coldly stated. “After all, you’ve already grown accustomed to it; you’re tainted now.”

m577 fell silent, once again finding itself without a counterargument!

Distracted, Pei Qing was gently pushed into the room by Tong Ling. Recalling her earlier words, his face flushed, feeling flustered and unsure of how to react.

He began to doubt whether he was overthinking, perhaps Tong Ling didn’t actually mean what he inferred…

This uncertainty persisted until Tong Ling guided him into the bathroom and even retrieved his nightclothes for him…

“Do you need any assistance?” Tong Ling asked, her expression genuinely concerned. She truly believed that bathing would be challenging for someone with limited mobility in their legs.

Observing that there seemed to be no one specifically attending to Pei Qing’s daily needs, she wondered if he usually managed everything himself, which must have been incredibly arduous.

Clutching his nightclothes tightly, Pei Qing stammered, “N-no, thank you. I can manage on my own.”

“That’s good,” Tong Ling said. “I’d like to take a bath too. Can I wear your nightclothes afterward?”

Pei Qing’s mind felt like it was exploding; the implications of her words…

In a daze, he finished bathing. Over these many years, Pei Qing had grown accustomed to taking care of himself and preferred not having others around. He could manage independently despite the challenges.

Now, surprisingly, facing Tong Ling became somewhat difficult for him. It was precisely because he liked her so much that this moment made him even more uneasy.

Would he disappoint her? Despite regular massages and maintenance, his legs were vastly different from those of a healthy, strong man. When unseen, it wasn’t an issue, but once she saw them…

As Pei Qing pondered, he hesitated to open the bathroom door.

A knocking sound echoed at the door. Having finished her bath in the other room, Tong Ling noticed Pei Qing’s prolonged silence and called out, “Pei Qing? Are you feeling faint in there? If I don’t hear from you soon, I’ll have to ask the housekeeper to open the door.”

Pei Qing hastily responded, “I-I’m fine, just coming out now.”

Unwilling to linger any longer in the bathroom, Pei Qing opened the door. Outside, Tong Ling, clad in men’s pajamas, greeted him with a cheerful smile.

“Good to hear you’re alright. I couldn’t help but worry with you being alone in there.” Tong Ling approached Pei Qing and leaned down, whispering into his ear, “With me by your side, you don’t need to bear so much hardship.”

Pei Qing’s ears flushed, and he placed both hands neatly on his knees, feeling increasingly nervous.

He never expected that beneath the cool exterior of this ice-carved beauty, such a profound change would occur once her emotional barriers were broken. Without that layer of melancholy, she radiated captivating allure, constantly tempting one to succumb to her charm.

“Can I take a look…?” Tong Ling gently rested her hand on Pei Qing’s leg. She knew, despite his outward strength, deep down he harbored insecurities. He never revealed his wounds, and to fully win over this man, it was essential to break through his last line of defense, compelling him to expose all his vulnerabilities.

Pei Qing found himself struggling internally. Whether it be sympathy or pity, he dreaded seeing any trace of such emotions in the eyes of the person he loved.

“In my most heartbroken, helpless, and wretched moments, you were by my side. It’s because of you that I felt I wasn’t alone…” Tong Ling nestled against Pei Qing’s shoulder, softly saying, “I want you to know that you aren’t alone either, no matter what form you take, I can accept it all.”

“Those painful and sorrowful memories, we can bury them together. Please trust me, believe in me, okay?”

How could Pei Qing not trust her? If Tong Ling could overcome her past, then he…

Pei Qing loosened his grip and turned away.

Tong Ling found it amusing inwardly as she slowly rolled up Pei Qing’s pajama pants. Just like his refined and elegant features, his legs were remarkably attractive. They were fair as jade; if not for their strong bones and height, they hardly seemed typical of a man’s legs.

Due to proper care, his muscles had not atrophied significantly, appearing largely unaffected on the surface.

Gently touching the warm and smooth skin, Tong Ling began massaging from his ankles all the way up to his thighs. Throughout this process, there was no discernible response from these legs.

Pei Qing’s limbs lacked sensation; they truly were paralyzed.

As Tong Ling massaged him, Pei Qing shifted his gaze back to her. Seeing her silent demeanor, he said, “I’ve tried various treatments, but none have been effective. It’s likely that I’ll spend my life confined to this wheelchair. Whether you dislike it or cannot accept it, I understand.”

Pei Qing knew this moment would eventually come. His disability could not simply vanish, and if his personal suffering became shared pain between two people, he preferred to retreat to his original distance, suppressing any unwarranted hopes.

“We can continue as friends,” Pei Qing said slowly, swallowing his bitterness. “Let’s consider my pursuit of you merely as playful banter between friends. You don’t need to feel obligated or compromise; everything can remain as it was.”

“Friends?” Tong Ling frowned instantly at Pei Qing’s words. “Can pursuing someone be dismissed as mere playfulness? After I’ve decided to accept you, you want us to retreat back to just being friends?”

At the time, Pei Qing had pursued Qu Ling with fervent passion. In his impoverished life, this was the first person he genuinely liked and desired to have by his side.

He believed himself worthy enough for her and showcased all his strengths accordingly. However, as their relationship grew closer, reaching a point where they could be like any ordinary couple, he suddenly felt a timid urge to withdraw.

Pei Qing’s heart skipped a beat, his voice sounding dry as he replied, “If that’s what you want… I can…”

In truth, this would have been enough for Pei Qing; his desires were never extravagant.

“I’m not willing,” Tong Ling raised an eyebrow, lips curving into a smile. “A friendship won’t suffice. There are too many things I wish to do with you; simply remaining friends wouldn’t satisfy me.” She lowered her head, resting it on Pei Qing’s knees under his watchful gaze, and chuckled softly. “It’s okay if you can’t move; you just need to obediently listen to me.”

Pei Qing’s eyes widened, seemingly losing his ability to speak. He remained frozen, his mind going completely blank.

Pei Qing couldn’t fathom how he had allowed such absurdity to occur, his face betraying a hint of shame.

“I’ll go fetch some liniment to massage your legs.”

Just as Pei Qing was about to wheel himself out, Tong Ling hastily stopped him.

“Are you sure you want to leave like this?” At that moment, Pei Qing’s aloof and authoritative demeanor had completely vanished, replaced by flushed cheeks that made Tong Ling’s heart flutter. “Don’t move; have your butler bring the liniment instead. Also, it might be better to switch to another wheelchair.”

Pei Qing acquiesced to each suggestion, subsequently following Tong Ling’s instructions…

After they both composed themselves, Pei Qing found himself unable to utter even a single “no” in front of Tong Ling anymore.

“A-Qing,” with their relationship deepening, Tong Ling began using a more intimate nickname for Pei Qing, “there’s something I need to tell you.”

Pei Qing gazed at Tong Ling tenderly, overwhelmed by the abundance of happiness today seemed to bring. The past pains appeared to fade away, and regardless of what Tong Ling said, he wouldn’t wish to part from her now.

“What is it?” Pei Qing asked softly.

Tong Ling gently caressed Pei Qing’s cheek, “I’ve been keeping a lover.”

At this revelation, m577 could no longer hold back its shock: [Cough! Who would say such a thing under these circumstances? Host, get a grip!]