Reborn to Redeem: Their Abusive Love
Chapter 33: Premeditation

Chapter 33: Chapter 33: Premeditation

A shooting incident occurred once again at the Xu Mansion. The police arrived remarkably fast. Butler Ge contacted more bodyguards overnight to stand guard around the Xu Family estate, and Anshi also rushed over.

Everyone knew they were deliberately targeted. The only explanation offered, however, was that "someone was hunting nearby, and their gun went off accidentally." Fearing Xu Si wouldn’t believe it, they even claimed to have apprehended the culprit in the nearby woods. A man, appearing simple and honest, was handcuffed with gleaming silver cuffs, apologizing to Xu Si with a shamefaced expression.

"I’m terribly sorry. I was just trying to shoot a bird and didn’t expect the shot to hit your house."

It was an obvious lie, riddled with holes.

Xu Si grew even more curious about who had orchestrated this shooting.

Anshi’s expression was grave as he asked if she wanted to continue investigating.

Xu Si nodded, her voice calm. "Of course, we must investigate. In business, it’s either you try to ruin my turf, or I try to take yours. If I backed down and didn’t dare to act because of something like this, I might as well sell the company and take up farming."

She understood this principle perfectly: in the business world, if you yield once, you’ll be forced to yield every time.

Consequently, she became even busier and had to submit another request to the school to delay her return. Given the complexities surrounding powerful families, the school quickly approved her request.

Fortunately, this coincided with the summer vacation. Pei Zhen, being an exemplary student representative, had accompanied the school to a month-long Summer Training Camp. He hadn’t witnessed the shooting.

Xu Si didn’t tell him about it, nor did she call him back. He was usually tired enough as it was; there was no need to burden him with more worries.

With Pei Zhen away, she could discuss the incident with Anshi anytime and anywhere, without having to maintain her image.

Anshi stood by the sofa, analyzing the situation. "We don’t have any conflicts with other real estate enterprises. I hired a private detective to investigate their activities, and none of them had any contact with the supposed perpetrator."

"However, I discovered a factory near one of their shopping malls. Its gates are always tightly shut, which seems a bit strange."

Xu Si’s expression remained cool as she leisurely sipped her tea. "In that case, please have someone investigate further and find out what that factory produces."

Anshi nodded.

But he didn’t actually hold out much hope.

It was just a factory, and its operations didn’t conflict with the interests of Xu’s Real Estate. There was no reason for them to stage an incident as a warning.

Nor did it likely possess the capability to orchestrate all of this.

Their suspicions leaned more towards the powerful families on Hong Kong Island. With the announcement of new policies, the already profitable real estate industry had become even more heated, and many were eager to claim a share. Even the Wen Family had acquired numerous plots of land along the coast and constructed many hotels. Investigating all this would take a considerable amount of time.

However, construction at the site didn’t halt. Minor, troublesome incidents occurred from time to time, but they were all manageable. Xu Si stationed some enforcers to guard the area, and these trivial issues gradually subsided.

Thanks to the increased number of bodyguards maintaining a twenty-four-hour watch, the Xu Mansion also returned to a state of calm.

「When Pei Zhen returned.」

Xu Si said nothing. Butler Ge had also instructed the servants not to gossip.

If not for the faint dark circles under Xu Si’s eyes, a result of her being overworked and sleep-deprived, the young man might genuinely have noticed nothing amiss.

He silently took in every change.

When Xu Si finished her work and emerged from the study, he emulated her earlier actions. He went to the kitchen, prepared an enticing cup of honey-flower tea, and brought it to her, replacing the bitter coffee at her side. His eyes were gentle yet perceptive.

"Auntie, have you been very tired lately? You haven’t been sleeping well, have you?"

Xu Si took a sip of the tea. It had a familiar, subtle sweetness. The floral fragrance filled her senses, clearing her mind and soothing her perpetually taut nerves.

"It’s alright, not too busy. Did you enjoy the Summer Training Camp?"

Pei Zhen smiled. "Yes, it mostly involved physical activities like mountain climbing. But the teacher said it would count towards academic credits, and I took first place."

First place again.

Xu Si raised an eyebrow, thought for a moment, then smiled. "That’s truly impressive. How about I take you to the beach in a few days then?"

It should have been a reward he would have greatly appreciated.

But upon hearing this, Pei Zhen simply smiled at her and slowly shook his head.

"If it will make you even busier, Auntie, then let’s not go. I hope you can get some proper rest."

It had indeed been an incredibly busy time for her.

Xu Si had planned to push through, working overnight to finish her tasks so she could take him.

But he seemed to perceive her intentions. His refusal was quite direct.

Xu Si’s expression softened slightly. "Aren’t you disappointed?"

Pei Zhen added some hot water to her tea. His clear, refined grey eyes met hers directly, revealing no emotion other than concern.

"Not at all. Besides, I have many things I need to do."

Xu Si’s interest was piqued. "Oh? What sort of things?"

Pei Zhen’s gaze seemed to look into the distance, his voice earnest. "Many things. I want to work even harder, become stronger and more capable, so I can be useful and help you, Auntie."

Xu Si paused for a moment, then suddenly smiled.

She knew Pei Zhen wasn’t merely saying it. Even if no one had told him what had transpired, the atmosphere had become palpably tense, and someone as perceptive as Pei Zhen couldn’t possibly have failed to notice. Moreover, he had always been diligent, more self-disciplined than anyone Xu Si had ever encountered.

However, she didn’t divulge the details because of this, instead choosing to follow his line of thought.

"Then have you thought about what you want to do after you come of age?"