Chapter 291: Chapter 289 Shameful But Effective

She was practically speaking through gritted teeth when she said that sentence.

In their circle, it was quite normal for drama crew members to become couples.

And those who had husbands and still cheated on the side were not in short supply.

So if Pei Huai had a liking for Lu Zhaozhao, it didn’t seem to be something that would shock anyone.

But given Sun Qian’s attitude, she seemed to have some… feelings towards Pei Huai…

Bai Qing, being an outsider, had no interest in Sun Qian and certainly did not want to gossip about her intentions.

All that mattered was that she did not cause trouble for him on the set.

Meanwhile, Lu Zhaozhao, who had been taken away by Pei Huai, had followed him to a secluded corner.

“Brother Pei, how is my fourth brother doing?” Before Pei Huai could speak, Lu Zhaozhao had already blurted out the question.

She remembered on the night of the charity banquet, it was Pei Huai who had taken Xia Wenyan away when he said he was feeling unwell.

After that, they hadn’t returned.

She guessed that Pei Huai had taken care of things concerning Xia Wenyan.

Pei Huai’s lips moved slightly, and in the end, he couldn’t help but sigh, “His body is fine, but it’s hard to say about his mental state.”

“…”

Pei Huai’s words stunned Lu Zhaozhao, as if she suddenly understood something.

Xia Wenyan had been drugged and then taken away by Pei Huai. His body was fine now, so…

Lu Zhaozhao pursed her lips and leaned in closer, lowering her voice to ask, “Brother Pei, did you guys…”

“No, no.” Pei Huai was like he’d been scalded, but when he tried to explain, he didn’t know how to put it into words.

Indeed, he hadn’t done anything substantial with Xia Wenyan, but if it involved using his hands…

Did that count?

The thought alone gave Pei Huai a headache.

He shouldn’t have been so impulsive the day before. Seeing Xia Wenyan’s pitiful state broke down his defenses.

And then the next day, the guy had vanished without a trace.

Not taking calls, not replying to texts.

It would be a lie to say he wasn’t anxious.

Pei Huai thought it over and realized the only person he could turn to was Lu Zhaozhao.

Seeing the dejected look on his face, Lu Zhaozhao raised her hand to pat his shoulder, “Brother Pei, do you know that a double negative equals a positive?”

“…”

Pei Huai’s gaze silently met Lu Zhaozhao’s, and in the end, he said nothing.

Sensing his mood, Lu Zhaozhao let out a soft sigh, “I’m not very clear about what my fourth brother’s attitude is exactly, but I suggest you don’t pursue him too eagerly. Give him some time to think. You know how my brother’s mind works.”

As long as Xia Wenyan didn’t feel the need to rebel, he would probably be able to persuade himself quickly.

Either to continue being brothers with Pei Huai or to continue with Pei Huai as…

Pei Huai’s dark pupils drooped; he realized that what Lu Zhaozhao was suggesting was probably the best solution.

But he was afraid.

Afraid that Xia Wenyan would really see through his feelings and then keep his distance from him.

Although he had met all sorts of people in the entertainment industry, he had never considered such matters.

His actions the day before may have pushed Xia Wenyan even further away.

Noticing Pei Huai’s crestfallen appearance, Lu Zhaozhao hesitated before speaking softly, “Brother Pei, you don’t have to be so pessimistic. Knowing my fourth brother’s personality, I think it’s more likely he’s avoiding you because he feels he did you wrong and is ashamed to face you.”

Lu Zhaozhao could see the nature of the relationship between Xia Wenyan and Pei Huai.

The feelings Xia Wenyan had for Pei Huai were much deeper than what Pei Huai believed.

He had plenty of fair-weather friends around him, but she had never seen Xia Wenyan so clingy with anyone before.

Pei Huai seemed somewhat skeptical, “Really?”

He gave a wry smile.

“How about this, Brother Pei, give him some time to cool off, and if you still can’t see him, I’ll help you make your presence felt, how does that sound?” Lu Zhaozhao couldn’t stand to see such a good-looking “sister-in-law” looking so downcast.

After all, her heart was set on helping her fourth brother.

And if it weren’t for Xia Wenyan blocking disaster for her yesterday, Pei Huai and her fourth brother wouldn’t have ended up like this.

A glint of light suddenly flashed in Pei Huai’s eyes, he had only asked Lu Zhaozhao about Xia Wenyan’s situation but didn’t expect Lu Zhaozhao would offer to help him.

He knew Xia Wenyan cared a lot about his little sister, and indeed, things would be much simpler with Lu Zhaozhao’s help.

He knew what he was doing was shameful.

But effective.

“Then I’ll leave it in your hands.” Pei Huai relaxed a little, raising his hand to ruffle Lu Zhaozhao’s hair, “Brother Pei can only rely on you now.”

Lu Zhaozhao silently gave Pei Huai a thumbs-up gesture, winked, and said, “Who said I still have to rely on Brother Pei to mingle in the circle in the future, right~”

“You…”

Pei Huai’s expression softened considerably as he looked at Lu Zhaozhao.

Backed by Song Group, with XJ Group’s people holding the fort, Lu Zhaozhao could do as she pleased in the entertainment industry without anyone saying a word.

To her, he was just an actor after all, even if he had connections, they were limited.

Her words were merely meant to comfort him.

Pei Huai had to admit, Lu Zhaozhao was truly an exceptional little sister.

Even if he could no longer stay by Xia Wenyan’s side in the future, he would protect his little sister in his place.

In his past life, he refused to accept the subordinates left by his mother’s family out of pride.

This time, he wouldn’t make the same mistake.

Only those with the ability had the capital to rebel.

Sometimes, dirty work could be solved with just a word.

There was no need for him to dirty his hands.

Moreover, he needed to protect Xia Wenyan for a long and enduring time, so he naturally couldn’t get involved with such dirty affairs again.

Pei Huai felt much more at ease, his gaze toward Lu Zhaozhao gentler, “Focus on your filming, and remember to call me if there’s any trouble, I can still handle these minor matters in the circle.”

“Mmm, take care, Brother Pei.”

“Alright.”

After watching Pei Huai walk away, Lu Zhaozhao took out her phone and sent a message to Xia Wenyan.

[Brother, do you have time this afternoon?]

After sending the message, Lu Zhaozhao put away her phone.

At the same time, on the other side of the phone, Xia Wenyan, who was sitting in the Xia Family’s living room, glanced at his slightly vibrating phone. Just as he was about to pick it up, he felt a chill.

He weakly withdrew his hand and silently sat back down.

“Spill it, who among you is going to pick up Avril this time?” Within the living room, Wen Qingyu’s gaze swept over the three brothers sitting opposite her, her tone icy.

The Three Xia Brothers exchanged glances, each well-aware of the others’ feelings.

Avril was the granddaughter of a friend of their grandfather, claiming to visit China for tourism, but actually for matchmaking.

That spoiled miss could be described as Xia Wenjin 2.0. Every time she visited the Xia Family, they would avoid her if they could.

To their dismay, this annoying woman was still chasing after them even after they returned to the country.

The mere thought was aggravating.

Before, their family had a Xia Wenjin, and when the two of them were together, competing and outshining each other, it deflected some of her attention.

Xia Wenjin was never at a disadvantage, always ensuring Avril left empty-handed. It was also because of her that Avril couldn’t stay at the Xia Family for long each time she visited. But now what to do?