Chapter 39 He Struck First

He immediately took Yu Youchu by the shoulders and turned to leave; he couldn't be bothered to entangle himself with this man any further. Besides, staying here a minute longer would only be a second injury to Yu Youchu.

Shen Wang’s eyes were bloodshot with rage: "Haha... I suppose you’ve had your eye on Little Yu for a long time, haven't you? You sanctimonious hypocrite!"

"That’s still better than being a beast in human clothing like you."

Hearing no retort from Pei Jiayin, Shen Wang felt like a cat whose tail had been stepped on. As the two walked away, he unleashed a torrent of impotent, furious abuse.

Pei Jiayin helped Yu Youchu into the car, closed the door, and locked it with a firm press of a button before turning back toward Shen Wang.

Yu Youchu didn't understand what he was doing and rolled down the window: "Pei Jiayin? What are you doing?"

Pei Jiayin didn't respond, merely giving her a look that told her not to worry.

"What are you doing?"

Shen Wang sneered, "Did I hit a sore spot? You can't stand me, so you want to beat me up, is that it?"

Pei Jiayin leaned in and whispered something. They were too far apart, and his voice was too low, so she couldn't hear a word. Then, Shen Wang let out a curse and swung a fist directly into Pei Jiayin’s face.

Yu Youchu was so shocked her jaw nearly dropped; she immediately tried to open the door to break up the fight. But Pei Jiayin had anticipated this, locking the door beforehand, leaving Yu Youchu to watch them glare at each other helplessly.

Pei Jiayin spat out a mouthful of blood, prodded the injured side of his mouth with his tongue, grabbed Shen Wang by the collar, and slammed a fist into him with his right hand.

Shen Wang, caught off guard, had his head whipped violently to the side. The disparity between the two was clear; Shen Wang’s punch was nothing compared to Pei Jiayin’s. Every time a blow landed, Yu Youchu felt her heart tighten in alarm. She could only call out Pei Jiayin’s name from inside the car, terrified that someone would get seriously hurt.

Pei Jiayin didn't stop until he had landed several more punches, leaving Shen Wang bruised and swollen. Shen Wang was in too much pain to speak, clutching his stomach as he slumped against the steps behind him.

Seeing that was enough, Pei Jiayin made a call: "Jinyang Hotel. I’ve beaten someone up; come and take him to the hospital."

While Pei Jiayin was on the phone, Yu Youchu caught sight of the purple bruise on the corner of his mouth. Her stern expression faltered, and she couldn't help but chuckle.

Pei Jiayin noticed her laughing and, with a mischievous glint in his eyes, raised his voice: "Yes, he struck first."

As he said this, he cast a smile toward Yu Youchu. Now, it was Yu Youchu who couldn't laugh.

"That black-hearted, manipulative man..." she muttered helplessly.

After hanging up, Pei Jiayin got into the car. Shen Wang squinted at the departing vehicle, a flicker of malice in his eyes.

"Your injuries..." Yu Youchu couldn't help but look at Pei Jiayin. Although Shen Wang’s punch hadn't been as aggressive as his, it still looked alarming.

"Just a minor injury."

Pei Jiayin turned his head away, not wanting her to see it. But Yu Youchu stared at him stubbornly, refusing to back down.

"How is this a minor injury? If you’d damaged your teeth, you’d be in a world of trouble." She stood with her hands on her hips.

Pei Jiayin had to compromise: "I'll have the housekeeper send over some ointment."

"It’s so late; don't bother her. Just drop me off when you pass a pharmacy, and I’ll buy some." Yu Youchu checked her phone for nearby pharmacies; there was one just ahead.

"What did you say to Shen Wang just now?" Why did he attack him the moment he heard it? Yu Youchu turned on the navigation and told Pei Jiayin to follow the directions.

"Nothing important." Pei Jiayin’s eyes darkened.

What he had actually said was that he was about to win her over, and that Shen Wang should disappear immediately. How could he let Yu Youchu know that? If she knew about his calculated maneuvers, she might be scared away.

"Fine, if you don't want to say it, don't. Your injury is what matters," Yu Youchu said, pressing her lips together.

Pei Jiayin felt the air pressure in the car drop significantly. She was angry. The thought occurred to him instantly.

"You..."

"Do you have any idea how dangerous it was to lock me in the car just now? If you had seriously hurt him, I wouldn't have been able to pull you away."

Pei Jiayin’s words were caught in his throat by Yu Youchu’s outburst.

"I knew what I was doing. Or is it... that you still feel sorry for your little ex-boyfriend?" Pei Jiayin laughed at himself. Was he just being delusional?

"How could I possibly be worried about that scumbag Shen Wang?" Yu Youchu took a deep breath, frustrated by Pei Jiayin’s denseness. "I was worried about you!"

"Even if you have money, you’re just a middle manager at a company, and you got in through connections. If you had really crippled him, what would you have done if Shen Wang refused to let it go?"

So, in her eyes, he was just a middle manager with some money? Pei Jiayin couldn't help but smile.

Seeing him smile, Yu Youchu’s anger flared again.

"But I made sure he struck first." Pei Jiayin’s voice carried a faint hint of amusement; he was in a very good mood. That line about her being worried about him had made him feel like he was walking on air.

Hearing this, Yu Youchu was speechless: "I suppose your brain is still functional enough to keep yourself out of trouble."

Listening to her grumbling beside him, Pei Jiayin had only one thought: This punch was worth it.

"And you? Did you get hurt anywhere?" Pei Jiayin pulled the car over.

"Just a little swelling, it’s nothing." Yu Youchu was about to open the door to buy the medicine, but Pei Jiayin stopped her: "I’ll go."

Yu Youchu looked at him skeptically: "Do you even know what to buy?"

"I have that much common sense." He tapped her head lightly and got out of the car.

As he walked away, Yu Youchu took off her bracelet, carefully inspecting it for any damage before tucking it into a hidden compartment in her bag. Judging by Shen Wang’s reaction, this bracelet couldn't have been cheap. It had nearly been crushed by him just now; she’d better keep it safe and not wear it anymore.

Pei Jiayin returned quickly, holding the correct medicine.

"Looks like my worrying was in vain."

Pei Jiayin nodded without speaking. In truth, he hadn't known exactly what to buy, so he had just shown the wound to the clerk, who had handed him the best remedy.

Yu Youchu took the medicine and flipped through the contents, only to notice that the person beside her hadn't started the car. She looked up, puzzled: "Why aren't we moving?"

Pei Jiayin stared blankly at Yu Youchu’s bare wrist, then started the engine without changing his expression.

After a long while, she heard him ask: "Why aren't you wearing it?"

Yu Youchu realized he was talking about the bracelet.

"It was almost crushed by Shen Wang earlier. I’m afraid I’ll be careless and knock it around, so I put it away. This bracelet shouldn't be cheap, right?"

If you don't feel sorry for it, I certainly do. Yu Youchu had no intention of putting it back on.