The moment Pei Xi hugged He Chuzhou, their closeness alerted him to how tense the other was.

“What’s wrong?”

He turned his head, following He Chuzhou’s gaze. Before his eyes had time to focus on the phone, He Chuzhou had already strode over and turned off the video call.

Pei Xi: “ ? ”

Pei Xi: “Chuzhou…..what were you watching?”

He Chuzhou feigned calmness: “Huh? It was nothing. I just clicked on a video randomly and closed it because it was too silly.”

Pei Xi nodded with a hum.

He Chuzhou thought he’d fooled him, and was about to breathe a sigh of relief when he heard Pei Xi speak again: “I understand that you had a hard time on your business trip and need to watch some videos to relax, but I don’t agree with you doing it in the study. Perhaps it’s more appropriate to do it in the bathroom, where it’s convenient to clean up after relaxing. Don’t you agree?”

He Chuzhou didn’t get it: “Why would I need to watch videos? What would I clean up —”

He Chuzhou: “……”

He Chuzhou: “? ? ? ”

He Chuzhou was flabbergasted: “That’s not it! I don’t have those. I was just watching something casually and turned it off because it was too noisy.”

Pei Xi nodded in understanding: “En, I get it.”

He Chuzhou met his sincere eyes: “……”

“Okay, I’ll be honest.”

He Chuzhou couldn’t hold it back. Between being misunderstood and laying his cards on the table, he had no choice but to choose the latter: “I just had a video chat with my parents.”

Pei Xi hadn’t expected this: “Ah?”

He Chuzhou: “Did you want to say hello to them?”

Pei Xi said blankly: “Should I not?”

He Chuzou: “After the scene of you warmly thanking me just now?”

Pei Xi: “What scene—”

Pei Xi: “……”

Calling it the rise and fall of fortune was the perfect interpretation of the study room at this moment.

He Chuzhou looked at Pei Xi’s silently lowered eyes, the tight corners of his mouth, and the red tips of his ears, and knew he’d made the right bet.

As expected, Pei Xi’s talent for hitting dizzying straight shots only applied to him. If the target was someone else, he had the habit of shrinking himself down like a shame plant.^[1]

“It’s okay,” he comforted intimately. “You moved really quickly. They might not have seen clearly.”

Pei Xi frowned: “But wasn’t it too rude?”

He Chuzhou waved an uncaring hand: “It wasn’t. Besides, I hung up the phone. If anyone was rude, it was me. You can’t be blamed.”

What’s more, given the current situation, they probably didn’t care about politeness.

Even in the face of these words, Pei Xi’s upbringing had engraved in his bones that one did not hang up the phone on one’s elders. Since they were husband and wife, Pei Xi should share half the responsibility for He Chuzhou’s actions.

Thus, he told He Chuzhou to call back, greet the two elders, and apologize to rectify the current situation.

“Just forget it.”

No matter how brave He Chuzhou was, he would never dare lay down his cards in front of his parents: “They’ve already gone to have afternoon tea in the garden.”

Pei Xi: “They can still answer the phone.”

He Chuzhou said decisively: “They can’t.”

Pei Xi: “Why not?”

He Chuzhou: “Because…..because it’s our family’s tradition to eat duck heads for afternoon tea, and they can’t answer the phone with both hands occupied.”

Eating duck heads for afternoon tea?

Why this particular thing?

Pei Xi was dubious. He was going to say something, but a burst of music sounded abruptly in the living room.

When he heard the ringtone of Pei Xi’s cell phone, he felt as if he’d been granted amnesty, and smoothly changed the subject: “Go answer your phone first.”

When Pei Xi turned around and went out, He Chuzhou could finally breathe a sigh of relief. He picked up his phone to take a look. The members of their family group chat numbered only four in total. In just five minutes, the messages had reached 99+.

He Aiyue: [ohmygodohmygodohmygodohmygod]

He Aiyue: [Boss He, have you silently accomplished something big?! You’re so awesome, ah!]

He Aiyue: [So cool! So awesome!]

He Aiyue: [I’ll never call you unenlightened again, you’re really a modern man! What should I call that person? Sister-in-law? Or Brother?]

……

He Jiangchuan: [That was President Pei, young President Pei, am I right? Chuzhou, what are the two of you…..?]

He Jiangchuan: [Are you in a relationship, or…..?]

He Jiangchuan: [But no wonder you don’t like to come home and have dinner with us anymore, hehehehe]

……

Chu Yuelan: [He Chuzhou, you little brat, ah. You said there was no rush when I asked you to come back for a blind date, but you’re actually doing something like this in private? Did you hide it out of shame?]

Chu Yuelan: [Don’t imitate others who fool around outside. You have the ability to hide someone at home, but can’t send your mom a video, huh? Coward.]

Chu Yuelan: [You’d better give me a reasonable explanation /smiley face]

……

He Aiyue: [Ge, please say something. I’m a little scared of the atmosphere here.]

He Aiyue: [/shaking and trembling.jpg]

He Jiangchuan: [Son, ah, just give an explanation. Don’t make your innocent old father and your sister suffer, ah.]

He Jiangchuan: [/very important, give it to us straight.jpg]

He Yuelan: [Are you trying to be clever here?]

He Aiyue: [/shaking and trembling.jpg]

He Jiangchuan: [/shaking and trembling.jpg]

He Aiyue: [/shaking and trembling with excitement.jpg]

He Jiangchuan: [But haven’t you and Pei Xi always had a bad relationship? Why are you…..hehehe.]

He Aiyue: [Dad, you don’t understand, this is called a love-hate relationship, where rivals become young lovers. It’s very popular nowadays. We young people all love to watch it!]

He Aiyue: [I love it so much!]

……

What was all of this?

He Chuzhou’s eyes hurt from looking at it. Just as he was thinking about how to handle this difficult and unexpected situation, Pei Xi hurried in with a helpless and flustered expression: “Chuzhou, my grandpa has been admitted to the hospital with high blood pressure!”

*

*

Pei Xi’s grandfather didn’t live in Wancheng, and it took four hours to drive there without traveling by highway.

Pei Xi didn’t speak the whole way there. He just kept checking the time and reading the information with anxiety and insecurity written on his face, which made He Chuzhou wring his hands for him.

“Don’t worry, no news is good news.”

The light dimmed as they entered a tunnel. He Chuzhou reassured him: “Don’t be too anxious. Since he sought medical treatment in time, there definitely won’t be any problems.”

Pei Xi nodded, but his expression didn’t improve much and his pallor hadn’t recovered. His pale and worried face was reflected in the car window.

If the mentality of those involved could be adjusted with one or two words, there wouldn’t be such stress and anxiety.

It wasn’t until they exited the tunnel that his eyes brightened as he received news that his grandfather’s condition had stabilized, and he was being moved to the general ward.

The nerves that had been tense this whole way finally relaxed completely, and he leaned back into the seat with cold hands and feet as his lingering fear slowly eased.

There was still an hour left. He Chuzhou told him to take a nap and rest, and that he would let him know when they arrived.

Pei Xi closed his eyes, but He Chuzhou knew he wasn’t asleep. The small movements of his hands continued, revealing his anxiety.

An hour later, the car drove into the hospital’s underground parking lot.

The two found the elevator to the inpatient department and took it directly to the 8th floor. The senior ward was the closest to the end of the corridor. There was still a long way to go.

Pei Xi wasn’t in his right mind at the moment, and He Chuzhou was unsure if he should go with him.

But when his grip started to loosen on the hand he was holding, Pei Xi noticed immediately and looked up at him.

His clear eyes revealed a fragile and helpless dependence. He Chuzhou felt as if he’d been shot right in the heart, and before his brain could catch up, his hand was already holding this person’s tighter.

The senior ward also had only one person in each room, so He Chuzhou caught sight of the old man resting in bed as soon as he stepped inside.

He appeared frail in stature and had a kind-hearted look to him. Although he seemed weak and spiritless due to physical discomfort, his expression was stunned when he saw Pei Xi, and he became visibly happy again.

“Our Xinxin has come?”

The grey-haired old man always treated his favorite grandson as a child who needed to be coaxed: “Did Sister Zheng call you? I already told her you’re usually busy, and to not bother you and make you worry.”

Sister Zheng was the Shen family’s housemaid, and was also the first to discover Shen Congfeng’s abnormal state and send him to the hospital.

Pei Xi sat in a chair next to the bed and held Shen Congfeng’s withered hand: “I told her not to hide the state of your health from me. Besides, how can you claim everything is fine when you’re in the hospital?”

Shen Congfeng chuckled cheerfully: “I’m fine, ah. I just passed out while eating. It’s nothing serious.”

Pei Xi knew all too well the old man’s tendency to make light of things, and didn’t take his words seriously at all: “Did the doctor say anything?”

Shen Congfeng: “Pretty much the same thing as my last checkup, that I should take my blood pressure medication on time, maintain a light diet, consume less chili pepper and salt, quit smoking and drinking, and control my weight.”

Memorizing this carefully, Pei Xi asked again: “Where’s Uncle? Why didn’t he send you to the hospital?”

Shen Congfeng: “Your uncle is working out of town.”

Pei Xi: “Didn’t you call him?”

Shen Congfeng: “I called him, he’s on his way back and will get here before dark. But you came all the way here, did it delay your work?”

Pei Xi shook his head: “It didn’t.”

Shen Congfeng patted his grandson’s hand helplessly. Only then did he notice that there was someone in an inconspicuous spot near the door: “Xinxin, is this a friend of yours?”

Pei Xi looked back at He Chuzhou and said to He Congfeng: “Have you forgotten? This is He Chuzou.”

“Chuzhou?” Shen Congfeng repeated, unable to recall this person. “This…..?”

He Chuzhou had initially hoped the old man wouldn’t notice him, and let him leave as unobtrusively as he’d come. What luck. He could only bite the bullet: “Grandpa, I came with Xinxin to see you.”

Shen Congfeng was stunned once more when he heard what He Chuzhou called Pei Xi. He couldn’t help that when his eyes fell on him, they were somewhat searching and appraising.

But before he could take his measure, Pei Xi spoke again: “I’m married. Chuzhou is my husband, don’t you remember?”

He Chuzhou: “……”

He just knew it.

“Ah?” Shen Congfeng was astonished. He never suspected that they had this kind of relationship, not to mention that he hadn’t heard any news of Pei Xi getting married, nor that he was even in a relationship: “You’re…..married?”

Pei Xi nodded. He was about to say more, when He Chuzhou hastily cut him off: “Xinxin, when we came in, didn’t the doctor tell us to go get the medicine later? 

Pei Xi thought about it and stood up at once: “Then I’ll go now. Chuzhou, you help by staying with Grandpa.”

It just so happened that he wanted to go find Sister Zheng and ask her carefully about his grandfather’s situation.

One of the three people left, and the ward grew quiet. There was also a subtle change to the atmosphere.

Shen Congfeng was still unable to digest the news that his good grandson had gotten married without saying a word. But the old man had been good-tempered all his life, and even though he was surprised, his tone was still mild: “It’s Chuzhou, right? You and Xinxin…..when did you get married?”

He Chuzhou had originally planned to explain the entire matter to him after sending Pei Xi away.

He could see that Pei Xi and his grandfather were very close, and he believed that if he hid it, Pei Xi would be very angry when he found out.

It was just that when he met the old man’s kind and inquiring eyes, everything he wanted to say got stuck in his throat.

The old man had high blood pressure. He could bear the news that his grandson had gotten married, but he might not be able to bear the news that his grandson had gotten in a car accident and had side effects after a head injury.

Pei Xi had kept it secret before, likely because he didn’t want the old man to worry. How could he expose it at this time?

After much thought, his words turned into a sigh of resignation when they reached his lips.

Forget it.

He walked over and sat in Pei Xi’s seat. He selected an apple and started to peel it, saying in a modest and natural tone: “Not long ago, we got the certificate abroad. We haven’t had the wedding yet. We originally wanted to tell you, but we’ve been busy during this period, so we put it on hold.”

“Ah, so that’s it. That Xinxin also said no business was delayed by coming over, but I knew he was bluffing me again.”

Shen Congfeng grinned, then sighed a moment later: “Very good. I feel relieved knowing there is someone by Xinxin’s side.

He Chuzhou was taken aback at the speed of his acceptance. He even slowed down his apple peeling and raised his eyes: “You can rest assured. Isn’t there anything else you want to ask me?”

Shen Congfeng: “Such as?”

He Chuzhou thought: “Such as…..my character, hobbies, temperament, family background, whether I can promise to treat Xinxin well. Things like that.”

In fact, he didn’t know what questions should be asked. He was just prepared to answer the old man honestly no matter what he asked. He remembered all his family’s ID numbers, and could call up a lawyer to sign a guarantee on the spot.

“Silly boy, can a person’s character be learned just by asking?”

Shen Congfeng laughed, looking at this young man who wore an open and upright expression. His sincerity, casualness, and straightforwardness matched his family’s Xinxin well.

“There’s no need to ask anything.” He said with a smile, “I watched Xinxin grow up. I know him, and I believe in his discernment.”

He Chuzhou was a little surprised: “He grew up with you?”

“That’s right.”

When Shen Congfeng spoke of the past, it was unknown if there was more tenderness or distress in his cloudy eyes.

“His parents divorced early on. Neither had time to take care of him when they first separated, so they sent him to me, and he lived with me for a long time.”

“But then his mother went abroad, and his father came to pick him up.”

“Not long after that, I heard the news that his father had remarried. The wedding was held late, when Pei Yansong’s second child was almost two years old.”

Second…..child…..?

He Chuzhou immediately recalled something, and his eyebrows moved slightly. “Xinxin’s half-brother? Is his name Pei Zhen?”

When he saw Shen Congfeng nod, He Chuzhou’s heart felt unspeakably strange.

It turned out not to be a memory fabricated out of confusion. What Pei-calico had confided in him was most likely true.

Shen Congfeng let out a sigh: “After Xinxin was taken away by his father, I didn’t see him again for a long time. I only knew from phone calls that his father was very strict with him and urged him to learn a great many things. I felt sorry for him, but at the time, I just thought his father was doing it all for his own good.”

“But a few years later, I accidentally heard that his father had sent Xinxin away when he was just entering high school. Just because his younger brother didn’t like him, his father decided to transfer him to another city, where he stayed alone for almost three years.”

He Chuzhou’s smile gradually faded as he held the handle of the knife. His face darkened, and for the first time in his life, he was repulsed by someone he had never met: “Was he not allowed to go back during the New Year and holidays?”

“It was said that Pei Zhen’s state was very unstable at the time and they dared not let Xinxin return, for fear of agitating him again.”

Shen Congfeng closed his eyes. His aging face was filled with self-blame and regret: “Maybe I shouldn’t have let Pei Yansong take Xinxin away from me in the first place, or took him back myself when he told me how exhausted he was.”

“Three years is such a long time. He had a home, but couldn’t go back to it, and there was no one to ask how he was doing. It makes me sick just thinking about it.”

“Even though I asked his uncle to send me there to accompany him until he finished his university entrance exam, until he got to university and no longer needed this old man, I couldn’t make up for those three years.”

“Just like his carefree childhood, the lively, outgoing Xinxin could never come back.”

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[1] A really cool plant that retracts its leaves when touched. ⮐

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Chapter 40 << Table of Contents >> Chapter 42