The Heiress's Game

After Pei Yan returned from Yunzhou, he lost a lot of weight.

At the dinner table in the Pei family's old mansion, Pei Xinzhi sat in the main seat, with Madam Pei sitting opposite him.

Pei Yan sat to his father's right, with a bowl of thick, white fish maw soup in front of him. He stirred it a couple of times and then put down his spoon.

Pei Xinzhi picked up a piece of steamed grouper with his chopsticks, without looking at him.

"I've already reached an agreement with your Uncle Gu regarding the Gu family. Both sets of parents are very satisfied, and the marriage is basically settled."

You've met Gu Yunjin several times; she's perfect in every way, and a great match for you.

Pei Yan did not respond, but Madam Pei took over the conversation. Her tone was much gentler than her husband's, but gentleness is still a blade.

"Ayan, Mom knows what you're thinking."

But what happened in Yunzhou is over; let bygones be bygones.

Now you should settle down and try to find more opportunities to ask Yun Jin out.

—Eating, visiting exhibitions, going out to sea—young people don't need their mothers to teach them how to date, right?

The Gu family is also waiting for our response.

"I will not marry."

Pei Yan's voice was very low.

"I've told you before, I only want Jin Wei. If you won't let me marry her, I won't get married."

Pei Xinzhi's chopsticks stopped in mid-air, not in anger, but with the certainty that "I knew you would say that."

He placed his chopsticks on the chopstick rest, picked up a napkin to wipe the corner of his mouth, then leaned back in his chair and looked at Pei Yan with a calm gaze.

"Don't say such things to a child. You won't marry Gu Yunjin."

Who can you marry? Jin Wei? Your mother and I don't agree. She can't even get into the Pei family.

Why do you think we've been holding back for so many years? It's to give you time to think things through.

"I've thought it through very clearly."

"You haven't thought this through at all." Pei Xinzhi's voice was still not loud.

"If you really think it through, you should know that there was never a second option in this matter from the very beginning."

You've been with Jin Wei for ten years, and I've never stopped you—because I know you'll have to come back and face reality sooner or later.

You are the son of the Pei family. You enjoy the resources provided by the family, live in a house under the Pei family's name, drive a car under the Pei family's name, and do business under the Pei family's name.

When you introduce yourself to outsiders, the first title you always use is Pei Yan—this "Pei" is the debt you owe to your family.

Do you think you can just keep this surname and ignore the responsibilities that come with it?

Pei Yan's Adam's apple bobbed; he wanted to refute, but found he couldn't.

He is Pei Yan, and everyone in the investment circle knows him—the second young master of the Pei family. But if you strip away the "Pei" in his name, what is left of him? He himself doesn't dare to think about it.

Madam Pei sighed, her tone softening, and walked over to place her hand on Pei Yan's shoulder:

"Ayan, Mom knows you're upset. But you have to understand, you and Jinwei were never meant to be together from the start."

If you like her, we don't object.

But marriage isn't just about liking someone; you need to form a marriage alliance, marry into a family of equal social standing, in order to gain a foothold in your social circle.

Do you think your dad married me because he liked me? Ask your dad.

Pei Xinzhi picked up his wine glass, took a sip, and remained silent, which was taken as tacit agreement.

Madam Pei continued, "Feelings can be cultivated after marriage. But social standing is something that cannot be cultivated."

Marrying Gu Yunjin would benefit your career, as both families know each other well and can complement each other's resources. Marrying Jin Wei—what can she offer you?

"I don't need her to give me anything."

"You need it." Madam Pei removed her hand from his shoulder.

"You say you don't need it now because you've never lost it."

Go ask those who started from scratch what life was like for them before they had family protection.

Ask them if love can put food on the table. Do you think your current suffering is real suffering?

"Once you truly leave the Pei family, you'll know what real suffering is."

"Ayan," Pei Xinzhi said, his tone softening slightly.

"I'm not forcing you. I'm just telling you a fact—you can marry Jinwei, as long as you can accept the consequences."

But you need to think this through, because the consequences won't just be yours, but hers too.

She's been with you for ten years. Although we haven't accepted her, we've never made things difficult for her.

"If you insist on marrying her, your mother and I will no longer be polite."

Pei Yan understood what his father meant.

The Pei family won't do anything to Jin Wei, but they also won't protect her anymore.

Jin Weiyun's parents, her job, everything about her.

"I see."

"I will ask Gu Yunjin out."

Then Pei Yan turned and walked out of the restaurant. The butler peeked out from the side hall, glanced at him, and then withdrew.