Chapter 58: Pei Yanlin: Spare Me Some Dignity

"Y-y-you're trying to murder me!" She pouted, pointing a grievance-laden finger at Pei Hexuan, her wide eyes innocent and round.
"You're overthinking it. This is your reward for helping break the manor's formation." Pei Hexuan was slightly taken aback before being amused by her train of thought, the underlying tension in his heart easing somewhat.
"We can forget about that. Who told me to take your Pei family's ancestral sword in the first place?" Because of that sword, she had become entwined in karmic ties with the Pei family. If she accepted any more payment, that damn Heavenly Dao would probably figure out some new way to bring misfortune upon her.
Innocent Heavenly Dao: I was merely following the rules, how am I a damn Heavenly Dao? Besides, that ten-out-of-ten lightning strike was entirely your own doing; what did it have to do with me?
"Since you can't accept Dad's money, how about this one?" Pei Yanlin held a bank card between his index and middle fingers, raising an eyebrow at Bai Qianzhou.
"Y-y-you! I treated you like a buddy, I saved you and preserved your innocence, yet you're trying to harm me too!"
Bai Qianzhou instantly switched into full dramatic mode, covering her mouth with one hand while pointing at Pei Yanlin with the other. Her aggrieved expression made it look as though Pei Yanlin were a heartless scoundrel who had jilted her.
"What buddy? I am your second older brother! And can we please stop talking about that so-called preserving of innocence? Have some mercy on my pride. Besides, this is the money for serving as your bodyguard the other day. Fifty thousand was the agreed sum—don't you want it?" Pei Yanlin's voice carried a hint of helplessness and playful teasing.
As Pei Yanlin waved his hand, Bai Qianzhou's eyes lit up instantly. She fixed her gaze on the bank card in his hand, looking just like a little kitten staring at a fish suspended in mid-air, full of longing and eager anticipation.
"Pei Yanlin, I advise you to hand my money over right now. Otherwise, I'm going to draw a circle on the ground and curse you."
Following the movement of the bank card with her eyes, Bai Qianzhou uttered threats toward Pei Yanlin.
"Handing it over, handing it over, you little money-grubber!" Pei Yanlin laughed as he handed the bank card to Bai Qianzhou. She took it with both hands and gave it an enthusiastic kiss. This was her very first massive fortune!
Pei Yanhui and Pei Yanxing exchanged glances and nodded silently. It seemed they had all figured out this older sister's favorite hobby.
"Older Sister, what was that story about saving Second Brother's innocence?" Both Pei Yanhui and Pei Yanxing looked expectantly at Bai Qianzhou.
"Oh, that? Let me tell you guys..." Energized, Bai Qianzhou prepared to dish the gossip to Pei Yanhui and the others.
"Wait a minute, little sister, let's not talk about this anymore!" Pei Yanlin lunged forward and clamped a hand directly over Bai Qianzhou's mouth.
Unable to speak, Bai Qianzhou immediately started wrestling with Pei Yanlin.
"Qianzhou, see if you might be able to go check on that child anytime soon." Pei Hexuan knew Bai Qianzhou must be exhausted from just finishing up her work at the Pei estate, but over on the other side, a human life was hanging in the balance.
"We can go right now." Bai Qianzhou released Pei Yanlin's ear and stood up. The other three—one large and two small—quickly stood up as well.
"What do you guys think you're doing?" Bai Qianzhou asked, looking at them in puzzlement.
"We're coming with you to take a look, of course." Pei Yanlin blinked innocently, his face full of eager anticipation and excitement.
"My friend, with a misfortune-prone destiny like yours where your luck has been borrowed, wanting to crowd around and watch every single bit of excitement is going to get you killed. And you two, don't play with someone who has such a death wish."
Bai Qianzhou cast a disdainful look at the fellows who were eagerly preparing to tag along for the excitement.
Upon hearing this, Pei Yanhui and Pei Yanxing simultaneously shifted their feet, stepping a bit farther away from Pei Yanlin.
"You two, now that you have an older sister, you're not even going to put your second brother in your eyes anymore, are you?" Pei Yanlin chased after his two younger brothers, threatening to hit them, but they ended up running much faster than he did.
Bai Qianzhou looked at the three childish figures and, amidst Bailu's parting reminders, stepped out of the house alongside Pei Hexuan.