Chapter 27: Mistaken Identity...

There were many similar headlines.

A nurse from the intensive care unit even gave an interview to a public account, saying with envy in her eyes, "Oh! A favored son of heaven and a king among men like President Fei, yet he loves his wife so much that he is willing to risk his own life. It is truly enviable! And do you know? When he was brought in, he kept grabbing our hands and asking repeatedly, 'Lu Tian, my wife, she's still alive, she's still alive, right?' That kind of anxiety and heartbreak could never be faked."

The television playing the interview was turned off.

Li Yanchen walked in with a plate of sliced pineapple and handed it to her. "Want some?"

For the past three days, she had been staying at a nursing home in the southern suburbs to hide away and find some peace.

The phone on the nightstand lit up; it was a barrage of insults and humiliation from Mrs. Fei and Fei Zi. The gist of it was that Fei Jing had nearly lost his life because of her, that he was still not out of the danger zone, and that Lu Youyou had been diligently taking care of him day and night. Meanwhile, she, the legitimate Mrs. Fei, had gone missing—she was simply heartless and incorrigible!

"Not going to block them?"

"It’s not time to burn bridges yet. Besides, they are just unimportant dogs barking; I don't care." Lu Tian closed her laptop. She had just been in an online meeting with Lawyer Wang and had received some firsthand information.

Li Yanchen speared a piece of pineapple and held it to her lips. "Pineapple is rich in nutrients, such as..."

"Thank you for saving me many times, but are we that close?"

For a man of his kind, perhaps once a woman has been deeply hurt, she develops PTSD and can no longer trust or let her guard down. Her tone was cold as she cut straight to the point: "Based on a pilot's daily salary, I will pay you a gratitude fee of three times that amount, totaling 132,000. Give me your bank account number, and I will transfer the money to you."

Just an hour ago, Lu Tian had been speculating whether he was the head of the Li family she was looking for. But after Lawyer Wang obtained a photo of Li Yanchen and conducted a background check, it was a pity to find that it was likely just a coincidence of surnames that had led the media to spread such grand misunderstandings.

"You investigated me?" His tone was one of clear dissatisfaction.

Lu Tian shrugged and opened her banking app. "Only to confirm one thing, nothing more."

"I am not short on money, nor do I accept money from women. Goodbye." The door slammed shut with a loud bang.

It was obvious that he was angry. But why? Two strangers, meeting over and over again. Either it was premeditated, or there was an ulterior motive. But regardless of which it was, she would keep her distance. After all, a man with an agenda from the very beginning is not worth it!

The unpleasant interaction ended poorly.

When Lu Tian returned to the Fei estate, Fei Jing, who had discharged himself against medical advice, came stumbling down the stairs and pulled her into a tight embrace, as if terrified of losing her forever.

"Wife, please don't misunderstand. I took Lu Youyou out that day because I didn't want you to have to deal with that scoundrel! But then you suddenly appeared, and things completely spiraled out of control!"

He always had a thousand and one excuses to whitewash his actions. It was as if everyone else in the world was at fault, and only he, President Fei, was clean and the most innocent of all.

Lu Tian smiled, though it didn't reach her eyes. "The disappearance of that scoundrel—was that your doing?"

One of the pieces of information shared by Lawyer Wang was that the man who had survived the fire had mysteriously vanished while in the hospital.

Fei Jing's phoenix eyes turned cold. His thin lips curled up in a terrifying, calm manner. "Sweetheart, those who follow me prosper, and those who oppose me perish. Since he dared to lay a hand on you, I will make him pay back tenfold, a hundredfold!"

Within a day, a headless corpse was found in a mud pit. All limbs had been severed. The man's distinct features had also been destroyed in an extremely brutal manner, his cartilage broken and twisted into the most shameful of shapes.

At Jiahe Law Firm, Lawyer Wang was trembling with fear. "Ms... Ms. Lu, that scum who impersonated the Northern European Li family is dead. Even his family in Jinggang have disappeared one by one. This is too terrifying; it must have been President Fei. Should we... should we..."

"I will not give up! Lawyer Wang, do you not want that seven percent profit from the Fei Group anymore?"

"This..." People are always greedy.

Lu Tian stood up. The heavy scent of medicine on her masked her perfume, only barely suppressing it. She said, "Tonight, at the Christie's auction in Jinggang, members of the Northern European Li family will definitely be there. I will find a way to make contact."

As night deepened, Fei Jing wore an old-school Italian handmade suit. From the moment they left the estate until they entered the venue, he held Lu Tian's hand at every moment, unwilling to let go.

The distinguished guests were all envious, showering them with praise. "President Fei is young and accomplished, and he is so devoted to his wife. Mrs. Fei, you must cherish such a good man."

"Exactly! Mrs. Fei, President Fei is known for keeping himself chaste in this circle; he doesn't even allow hostesses to get close to him, ha ha ha..."

A few reckless rich second-generation heirs chimed in. Fei Jing was surrounded by the crowd, nodding occasionally, appearing unapproachable. Lu Tian, however, stood on the sidelines like a spectator; she was there, but she hadn't listened to a single word.

It was Lu Youyou, attending as the second daughter of the Lu family, whose eyes were burning with such jealousy that they were fixed on her—she was impossible to ignore.

"I'm going to the restroom; I'll be back in a moment." Not wanting to attract too much attention, she took the opportunity to slip away to look for the people from the Northern European Li family.

Lu Tian told Fei Jing and turned toward the restroom reserved for special guests.

As soon as she entered, Lu Youyou's hostile voice pierced the air. "Do you really think you've won? You're just a barren old woman. President Fei stays with you only because he doesn't want to ruin his public image. Don't be delusional enough to think this is true love!"

As the founder and chairman of the Fei Group, Fei Jing's marriage indeed could not afford a single flaw.

"So, if you are the one in true love with Fei Jing, why sell the luxury goods he bought you and replace them with fakes?" Lu Tian glanced sidelong at the Hermes bag on Lu Youyou's wrist. A very convincing imitation!

The young girl was startled, quickly hiding the bag behind her back. She retorted, "What are you spouting nonsense for? This bag was bought for me by my man! Lu Tian, are you trying to sow discord just because you can't have what you want?"

"Say whatever you like. Anyway, the dirty business between you and Fei Jing has nothing to do with me."

Lu Tian was annoyed and prepared to find a quiet place to catch her breath.

Lu Youyou chased after her, her little chin held high, sneering, "Give it up, Lu Tian. Do you think I can't see how much you love Fei Jing? Otherwise, why would you cling to him even after knowing he cheated? A pathetic sycophant, that's all you are!"

"What exactly are you trying to say?" She felt like hitting someone.

Lu Youyou said smugly, "I want to say, dear Mrs. Fei, do you believe that any auction item you set your eyes on tonight, your beloved husband will willingly hand over to me? Especially this one."

The picture of the imperial green jade bracelet was one that had been sold when Lu Zhi squandered the family fortune. It was also an heirloom her mother had inherited from her grandmother. Its significance wasn't in its value, but in the fact that her mother had truly loved and cherished it while she was alive.

Returning to the auction hall, Fei Jing walked toward her, unusually excited. "Wife, your mother's bracelet has been found; it's among the auction items. I will definitely win it back for you, at any cost!"