Marked by My Stepbrother

Pei Qingqing's face grew uglier by the minute, so angry that she was gritting her teeth, about to slap down with her palm.

But before she could land the hit, her wrist was tightly grabbed by Wen Mian.

Meeting her gaze, Pei Qingqing felt a chill all over.

"Pei Qingqing, I warn you, I'm not the Wen Mian that used to be pushed around anymore. If you have any sense, it's best to not provoke me; otherwise, I won't mind going all out against you and the Pei Family! Let's see whether losing me, Wen Mian, is worse, or whether your Pei Family losing an eldest daughter is worse!"

Wen Mian's words resounded with determination.

Startled, Pei Qingqing's face turned deathly pale, and she was as quiet as a chicken.

After shaking off her grasp, Wen Mian turned and walked towards the entrance.

Behind her came the voice of Pei Qingqing, unsettled yet trying to sound defiant—

"Wen Mian, don't get too smug! Do you think my brother really cares about you? He's only playing with you, and he's had someone in his heart for a long time! If he finds out what you did today in the bathroom, ruining the Pei Family's reputation, he definitely won't let you get away with it!"

Wen Mian slightly tilted her head, revealing a cold sneer.

"Sure, go tell him. Let's see if your wonderful brother will let me off the hook!"

She paused, then added another sentence.

"Speaking of reputation, perhaps it's you, Miss Pei, who will be embarrassed. On the night of the engagement party, your fiancé drooling over another woman. Guess if you'll become famous in the circle of socialites?"

Just that one sentence drained all the color from Pei Qingqing's face.

Wen Mian laughed even more heartily and left the club.

Leaving Pei Qingqing standing there, her little face twisted to the extreme.

"Very well, you sharp-tongued Wen Mian! I really want to see if you can still be so arrogant tomorrow!"

After taking a cab home, Wen Mian was exhausted.

She sank into the soft sofa and heaved a deep sigh.

Attending that party not only failed to gather any clues about her parents but also left her with a bellyful of anger.

Just as she was feeling particularly upset, her phone suddenly rang.

Seeing the number on the screen, Wen Mian's breath hitched.

Calming her emotions, she answered the call with trembling fingers.

"Hello? Mr. Pei."

On the other end, the middle-aged man spoke kindly.

"Mianmian, have you gotten used to being back in the country?"

Wen Mian suppressed the coldness in her eyes and hummed an acknowledgment.

Having not seen him for a long while, Pei Jianguo was still as falsely genial and polished as he was five years ago.

Wen Mian steadied her spirit, causing her long, feather-like eyelashes to flutter for a moment.

But she could tell, Pei Jianguo was circling around, pressing her to return to the Pei Family as soon as possible.

"Since you're back in the country, you should come back to live with the Pei Family soon."

Wen Mian snorted coldly and did not respond.

Pei Jianguo's urging became even more evident.

"The Pei Family has raised you, and you must never forget this kindness. It's only natural for you to return to your roots now that you're back in the country. Moreover..."

Inside the silent receiver, only the sound of Wen Mian's heavy breathing could be heard.

"Moreover, if you come back, we can take better care of you."

Locked firmly in the name of concern.

Such smooth maneuvering, truly fitting of the Pei Family's patriarch.

"Take care of me?"

Her voice was sultry, her lips carried a smile, but her eyes did not share the sentiment.

If the old man were in front of her, he surely would have been angered to the point of feeling blocked in the chest.

"Yes, the family has found a good match for you. The Qin Family of Rongcheng is not bad; come back soon to get engaged, and then we won't have to worry about you anymore."