Pei Heng took a deep breath and bowed respectfully toward Jing Meng.
No words were needed; Pei Heng's attitude explained everything.
A robot could indeed possess Dual Soul Cores!
"Jing lass, you are young, but your skills are quite impressive!" Old Master Pei patted Jing Meng on the shoulder and laughed heartily.
Jenny watched Jing Meng actually solve the impossible problem and gain immense favor in front of Old Master Pei. She felt as though the jealousy in her heart was about to swallow her whole.
Her gaze shifted to Old Madam Pei standing beside her, and a flash of calculation crossed her eyes. She spoke to the matriarch with feigned nonchalance. "Old Madam, it seems Miss Jing truly is capable. I had heard rumors before that Miss Jing was merely enjoying the fruits of others' labor, but it must have been someone trying to blacken her name."
The speaker acted indifferent, but the listener took it to heart.
Old Madam Pei looked at Jing Meng on the stage again, chatting happily with the Old Master. She found the girl increasingly distasteful. "A country girl... today was nothing more than a fluke."
Jenny was delighted to hear that the matriarch had a poor impression of Jing Meng. She immediately pretended to be understanding while subtly continuing to slander Jing Meng, eroding any remaining goodwill Old Madam Pei might have had.
Although Jing Meng didn't know exactly what the two were whispering about, judging by Jenny's earlier behavior, it was impossible for her to be saying anything good.
She didn't know why this woman was so hostile toward her, but she noted that she needed to be on guard the next time they crossed paths.
Just as she was lost in thought, someone suddenly pulled her into a warm embrace. She looked up and found it was Pei Shiyi.
"There are so many people here, let go of me quickly," Jing Meng struggled slightly, feeling out of place.
Pei Shiyi heard the irritation in her voice and knew she was annoyed. He immediately loosened his grip, allowing her to break free and step back a few paces as she wished.
"I'll take you back." Pei Shiyi pinched the bridge of his nose, secretly regretting his impulsive move.
Jing Meng nodded, her gaze darting around.
At that moment, Pei Chengyi walked over, looking at Jing Meng with a warning glare.
"Miss Jing is a smart person. You should have heard the old saying: 'Trouble comes from the mouth.' I hope Miss Jing understands that one should stay silent when it is time to be silent, lest you end up dead without knowing how it happened."
Jing Meng let out a cold laugh. She knew Pei Chengyi was here to intimidate her regarding Pei Gong. She flashed a provocative smile. "And if I don't agree, how exactly do you plan to silence me?"
Pei Chengyi hadn't expected Jing Meng to dare talk back to him after he had been so direct. His face darkened several shades.
As the two stood their ground, Pei Shiyi's brow twitched.
It seemed this banquet was destined to be anything but peaceful.
Since he was the one who brought her, Pei Shiyi stepped forward to block Pei Chengyi's line of sight.
Facing Pei Chengyi, Pei Shiyi no longer restrained his aura. His intense, overwhelming pressure was enough to make others want to drop to their knees.
In the face of Pei Shiyi, Pei Chengyi's arrogance suddenly seemed lacking. "You really have developed some backbone, haven't you? All for the sake of a woman!"
"Mengmeng is my fiancée. Attacking her is the same as opposing me."
His voice wasn't loud, yet it sent a tremor through the hearts of everyone listening.
Pei Shiyi was stating his position clearly. If anyone dared to move against Jing Meng in the future, he would not show them any mercy!
Seeing Pei Shiyi show him so little respect, Pei Chengyi stumbled back two steps, his face turning livid.
Regardless of how ugly Pei Chengyi's expression became, Pei Shiyi remained indifferent.
He then kept a protective arm half-around Jing Meng and led her away from the banquet, leaving nothing behind but a cold, distant silhouette.
Jenny watched with wide eyes as Pei Shiyi left with another woman, her face turning dark with rage.
Seeing Old Madam Pei's sour expression, Jenny intentionally said with feigned pity, "Miss Jing is so lucky. To think that President Pei would go so far for her..."
She didn't finish the sentence, but Old Madam Pei naturally finished the thought Jing Meng was intentionally driving a wedge between the family members.
A flash of ruthless, murderous intent flickered in Old Madam Pei's eyes. She wished for nothing more than to be rid of Jing Meng immediately.
Jenny naturally saw this. she pretended to be concerned and asked, "Old Madam, are you alright? Do you feel unwell anywhere?"
"I'm fine. These old bones of mine are still sturdy."
Old Madam Pei was snapped back to her senses by the voice. Looking at Jenny's worried face, she found the woman more and more pleasing to the eye. She felt that a well-bred lady like Jenny was the only suitable choice to be Pei Shiyi's wife.
As for Jing Meng, she didn't want to see that jinx for the rest of her life!
While Old Madam Pei was fuming, Pei Gong was in no better a mood nearby.
Pei Chengyi was his grandfather, yet Pei Shiyi had publicly humiliated him.
If it weren't for the power backing Pei Shiyi, how could Pei Gong have endured the humiliation of seeing his grandfather insulted!
"Tsk, tsk. Looking at Shiyi, he really has fallen for that woman. You know, this is the first time he's ever stood up for a woman."
The third brother of the Pei family appeared out of nowhere, adding fuel to the fire.
He wasn't finished. With a sigh of mock pity, he added, "It's a pity. If you were stronger than him, it would be hard to say who would be dealing with whom."
After the third brother finished speaking, he noticed Pei Gong's expression growing even colder, and he felt immensely satisfied.
Having achieved his goal, the third brother didn't linger. He gave Pei Gong a mocking smile and walked away without looking back.
As the storms continued to brew at the banquet, Jing Meng sat in the car. Noticing that the route didn't seem to lead back to the villa, she asked softly, "Where are we going now?"
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