Bei Yao followed Zhao Zhilan into the house. Bei Licai was silently watching TV, while little Bei Jun was working on test papers Zhao Zhilan had dug out for him. He squirmed restlessly as if sitting on pins and needles, his eyes constantly drifting toward the kitchen.
Carrying the fish and vegetables inside, Bei Yao met Pei Chuan's gaze as he looked up.
She blinked, her eyes glistening, and flashed him a smile. The tension in his heart from her earlier departure instantly melted away, and he couldn't help but curve his lips upward.
The meal was prepared by Pei Chuan, who had put great care into it with the intention of pleasing Bei Yao's parents.
Zhao Zhilan couldn't find any fault with it and broached the necessary topic: "Have you decided on a wedding date?"
Pei Chuan set down his chopsticks and said, "We'll follow your advice."
If Zhao Zhilan had any dislike, it wasn't directed at Pei Chuan himself—she knew he had done more than enough. It was just that her daughter, raised as precious as treasure, had always been her priority, and no one could easily overcome such a emotional hurdle.
After hearing Bei Yao's earlier words, Zhao Zhilan had somewhat come to terms with it.
Zhao Zhilan said, "Tomorrow I'll have your birth dates matched to pick an auspicious day. It'll likely be next week, so time is a bit tight. Many things haven't been prepared yet, so the next couple of days might be busy. As for your side, Captain Pei and the others should be notified, and invitations for friends need to be written in advance. After the wedding, Yao Yao still has to return to classes."
Hearing "Captain Pei," Bei Yao couldn't help but glance at Pei Chuan.
Pei Chuan hadn't been in contact with Pei Haobin for many years. Worried he might be upset, Bei Yao was relieved to see him exceptionally calm: "I'll notify them. The day after tomorrow, I'll take Yao Yao over for a meal."
After all, with both parents still alive, it was impossible not to inform them for an occasion like marriage. Living in society, one can't be a solitary creature. For their generation of parents, at least the wedding should maintain both face and propriety.
Zhao Zhilan sighed.
After dinner, Bei Yao stayed at her parents' home, while Pei Chuan returned to his original apartment, which he had asked Jin Ziyang to repurchase earlier and had freshly decorated.
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, he looked down at City C's nightscape, which wasn't particularly bustling, dotted with lights below. He thought of Pei Haobin, whom he hadn't seen in years, without much emotion in his eyes.
The wedding was scheduled for next Tuesday.
Before that, Pei Chuan had to take Bei Yao to the Pei family home.
He picked her up in the morning, and Bei Yao felt nervous beforehand. It wasn't that she hadn't met Uncle Pei before, but it was her first time in this new capacity.
Pei Chuan gently brushed the hair away from her cheek, his thumb softly stroking her face: "Don't be afraid. I informed him in advance—we're just going for a meal."
She nodded, hesitating for a long time before asking him, "Pei Chuan, did you know you have a younger brother?"
Pei Chuan nodded faintly, his gaze tender as he looked at her: "Don't worry, I'm not bothered by it anymore."
Now that I have you, it seems all past grievances can be forgiven.
The most uncomfortable person during the meal wasn't Pei Chuan. Unwilling to eat at the Pei residence, he had reserved a private room at a nearby restaurant.
When Pei Chuan brought Bei Yao in, Pei Haobin and the others were already there.
As the door opened, Pei Haobin looked over.
After all these years, Pei Haobin had changed significantly. Once straight-backed in his youth, his hair was now half white, and his face showed signs of aging. When Pei Chuan entered, his eyes fell on his eldest son, and he rubbed his hands uneasily.
Pei Haobin then looked at Bei Yao, offering an awkward and nervous smile: "Please have a seat, Bei Yao."Pei Chuan pulled out a chair for Bei Yao, and they sat down at the table.
Cao Li held a four-year-old child in her arms—her son, Pei Jiadong. The night before, his mother had told him that today he would meet an older brother who would one day take his money.
Pei Jiadong’s bright, curious eyes stared at this "brother."
The brother was much older than him and hadn’t even glanced his way the entire time. Pei Jiadong felt a little disappointed.
Bai Yutong was also present. When she had learned the news yesterday, she could hardly believe that her stepbrother had actually managed to marry Bei Yao. She thought Bei Yao must be blind—her stepbrother had been to prison and was physically disabled, yet Bei Yao was still willing to marry him! If she had Bei Yao’s face, she could marry anyone she wanted! Countless men would be lining up to marry her!
The atmosphere at the table was quiet. As the meal was nearly over, Pei Haobin carefully took a card out of his coat and said cautiously, "This is... from your mother. She’s abroad and couldn’t make it to your wedding. This is for Yao Yao."
Pei Chuan replied, "No need."
The air grew still for a moment.
Pei Haobin felt an indescribable ache in his heart. Slowly, he took out another card. "This is from your father."
Cao Li gritted her teeth in anger.
She knew that the two cards combined amounted to nearly a million yuan! A million! She had never seen so much money in her life! Now it was all being given to Pei Chuan for his wedding, almost emptying their family’s savings.
Pei Chuan’s expression remained indifferent. Without responding, he took a tissue and gently wiped the corner of Bei Yao’s mouth.
Pei Haobin knew Pei Chuan’s stubborn nature meant he wouldn’t accept it. He pushed the cards toward Bei Yao. "Yao Yao, this is a token of our affection. Starting a new family requires funds. I can’t do much for you, but please accept this."
Bai Yutong was furious. Cao Li had known Pei Haobin would give money, but Bai Yutong hadn’t.
She had initially taken pleasure in her stepbrother’s misfortune—fresh out of prison, he surely had no house, no car, and no job. So what if Bei Yao was beautiful? She’d still have to endure a hard life. But she never expected Uncle Pei to offer money! And it must be a significant amount—perhaps even enough for that cripple to buy a house.
Bei Yao shook her head. "Thank you, but we’ll manage the finances ourselves."
Pei Haobin’s heart sank. He turned to Pei Chuan and said, "I know I’ve failed you as a father. Let me be clear: I’ve made a will, and everything will go to you and Bei Yao in the future. If you need any help now, just tell me. I’ll do my best. These are your belongings. If you don’t want them, I’ll donate them to the state."
Pei Chuan said, "Go ahead and donate them."
Cao Li couldn’t stay silent any longer. "This is the money your father saved his entire life! Donating it is outrageous! Besides, you haven’t even bought a house or a car yet. With this money, at least your life would be easier."
Pei Chuan’s gaze shifted to her, briefly passing over the child in her arms before settling coldly on Cao Li.
Pei Chuan said, "I’ve already bought a house for Yao Yao in City B. We can pick up the car tomorrow. I have a job and can support Yao Yao. There’s no need for you to worry."
Bai Yutong exclaimed, "Are you kidding? You have a house in City B?"
A house in City B! Even back in 2013, that would cost several million. Was Pei Chuan lying?
Pei Chuan shot her a cold glance, and Bai Yutong instinctively shrank back.
Pei Chuan placed a business card in front of Pei Haobin and softly asked Bei Yao, "Are you full?" Bei Yao nodded. Only then did he take her hand and walk out the door.Pei Haobin stared blankly at the business card, too shocked to speak.
Pei Jiadong suddenly jumped off his stool and ran toward the door, his voice crisp and clear: "Brother!"
The air grew still.
Pei Chuan lowered his gaze, his eyes calmly sweeping over the very short child.
Pei Jiadong was frightened and took a step back. He just really liked his brother.
Cao Li hurried over, pulling her son away as if Pei Chuan might cut off her child's legs at any moment.
Pei Chuan said nothing and left with Bei Yao.
Cao Li's heart still raced with fear. The man's gaze was too cold, making her feel timid. As she carried her son back, she saw Pei Haobin staring at the business card, his eyes red. Cao Li glanced at it and exclaimed in disbelief: "First Scientific Research Institute, Pei Chuan?"
This... this was a scientist!
Bai Yutong was dumbfounded.
How could it be! How could he be a scientist? Didn't he go to prison? Then... the house and car were real!
Pei Haobin wiped his face. Both he and Jiang Wenjuan had been wrong.
Terribly wrong.
They thought this child's life was ruined, but it turned out he could be so outstanding—his future was no less than anyone else's. This silently revealed how ridiculous they had been back then.
Yet time had passed, and they were destined to owe him for a lifetime.
A lifetime of unease, living in constant anxiety.
~
Bei Yao gently squeezed Pei Chuan's hand. That "brother" had deeply affected him; she had felt him stiffen at the time.
She asked: "Are you unhappy?"
Pei Chuan held her hand in return: "No."
He wasn't unhappy, just unsure how to describe the feeling—a child connected by blood, a healthy child. Pei Jiadong's affection was obvious, but Pei Chuan didn't like him.
Pei Chuan had been that healthy and lively as a child, back when he was still very clever. Coincidentally, Pei Jiadong was almost four years old now, the same age Pei Chuan had been when he lost his lower legs.
If that incident hadn't happened, Pei Chuan's growth would have mirrored this child's.
He just felt somewhat dazed, as if seeing his own self from many years ago.
But it was only a fleeting moment of distraction. He would no longer involve himself in the Pei family's affairs. He had his own family now.
Bei Yao remembered the business card and asked curiously: "What did you give Uncle Pei?"
She had been sitting too far away to see what was written on it.
Her eyes sparkled. Without a word, Pei Chuan took out another card and handed it to her.
He felt unusually nervous, recalling what she had said on the plane years ago, and silently watched for her reaction.
Bei Yao stared in astonishment: "Are you a scientist?"
"Mm."
She blinked, hardly able to believe it. After a long moment, she stood on her toes and gently kissed his cheek: "Pei Chuan, you're amazing."
A scientist! An honor many people never achieve in their lifetime!
Bei Yao was the most shocked of all. Heaven knew in the original course of events, Pei Chuan was "Satan"!
Feeling the soft touch on his cheek, Pei Chuan said nothing, but the tips of his ears turned slightly red.
Bei Yao might not know, but there was no compliment more pleasing to a man than a woman praising him as amazing.
It was as if all the suffering over the years had finally been rewarded. He whispered: "Focus on your studies. I'll take care of you."
Bei Yao smiled and nodded: "Then I'll leave it to you, Mr. Pei!"
He pressed his lips together, a smile appearing in his eyes, piercingly sweet.
The wedding was arranged in a hurry, so Bei Yao couldn't have her wedding dress custom-made and had to choose one from a bridal shop.
After several busy days, the wedding day finally arrived.The invitations Pei Chuan sent out were all carefully handwritten by him. In his youth, he had only three friends: Jin Ziyang, Zheng Hang, and Ji Wei.
Zheng Hang was genuinely surprised that Pei Chuan was getting married so soon, but then felt happy for him. Pei Chuan had faced countless hardships along his journey.
Their wedding was held in a chapel. Before the bells rang, Bei Yao held onto her father’s arm.
Even a man like Bei Licai couldn’t hold back his tears.
He said, "Yao Yao, be happy. If he ever mistreats you, tell your dad."
A father, a presence like his, remains silent and steadfast as a mountain throughout his life, yet always stands guard over you.
Bei Yao’s eyes welled up with tears. In her growth, Bei Licai had been quiet and unassuming, yet he was never absent.
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