Chapter 1695: Beiping Old Dreams: The Beauty Actor Overwhelms the Big Shot 10

The Pei Family, a clan that stands firm in turbulent times, although they support Pei Yinnian in each pursuing their own business, still gather at the old residence every month.

Normally, the only ones living in the Pei residence are Pei Yiqing's biological parents, Pei Jianzhong and Xu Liu.

Pei Yinnian's parents died early, and he treated his uncle and aunt as his own parents; this is also why, in the later plot, even though Pei Yiqing is unforgivable, Pei Yinnian still barely manages to spare their family's lives.

Jin Chen was unfamiliar with the old residence; upon alighting, he saw A Si waiting at the old residence's main gate. As soon as the car stopped, A Si came up and said, "Mr. Jin, the family head is waiting for you inside."

Knowing he would meet Pei Yinnian's family today, Jin Chen was unsure of their attitude toward actors, so he changed into a less form-fitting long robe, appearing more composed and splendid than his usual alluring self. The servants in the old residence stared, realizing he was the actor the family head had recently been promoting, and they watched in surprise as he followed A Si inside.

Just as Jin Chen approached the main hall, he heard an unpleasant low reprimand; he did not stop his steps, merely restraining his smile a little, and walked in under the doubtful or curious gazes of those present.

"Mr. Pei."

Pei Yinnian sat angrily on the chief seat's sofa; upon looking up at the approaching Jin Chen, he slightly relaxed his furrowed brows and extended his hand.

Jin Chen took his hand and sat beside him, glanced at Pei Yiqing kneeling on the floor, lifted the hot tea from the table and brought it to Pei Yinnian's lips, saying, "Don't be angry, have a sip of tea to calm down."

Pei Yinnian gathered his gaze, drank the tea following Jin Chen's motion, then took the cup and set it down.

Pei Yiqing was astonished to see his brother's angry expression change in an instant!

He involuntarily gave the unfamiliar beauty a grateful and astonished look.

"Uncle, this is the person I told you about."

Pei Yinnian wanted to give Pei Yiqing a cold shoulder to make him angry enough to fall ill, but instead turned to introduce Jin Chen to his uncle and aunt, whom he had long been curious about.

"Old Master Pei, Madam Pei," Jin Chen greeted, polite and courteous, not at all like an actor but rather like a distinguished guest paying a visit.

Pei Jianzhong and his wife exchanged a glance and smiled, saying, "These years we've always worried that Yinnian is busy with business and can't take proper care of himself; now that you attend to him by his side, we can finally relax."

They had certainly investigated Jin Chen's background, but since Yinnian has made an exception to let him stay by his side, they couldn't really say anything.

Those in business care most about profit; although actors have low status, if one truly becomes a celebrated performer, it's not a bad thing for the Pei Family.

Jin Chen still wore a smile; regardless of how the Pei elders viewed him, it was enough to get along politely.

Anyway, in the future, it will be his wife who shares his daily life.

"Mr. Pei, who is this again…"

Jin Chen deliberately steered the conversation back; Pei Yinnian glanced at his tearful, aggrieved younger cousin kneeling on the floor and said, "Pei Yiqing, my younger brother, just two years older than you."

Having said that, he couldn't help but lower his voice to scold, "I haven't even said anything yet, and you're already crying nonstop."

Xu Liu adjusted her outer shawl, furrowed her elegant brows, and admonished, "Tell me, after being abroad so long and returning, you haven't helped your brother with anything, yet you first took up with our Pei Family's arch‑rival—what kind of conduct is this?"

Pei Yiqing protested aggrievedly, "But I didn't know; after being in Shanghai for so long, I've already fallen for Bofeng."

"Bofeng isn't yet the head of the Xiao Family; what's wrong with our free love?"

"Cough cough cough…"

Just as his words fell, Jin Chen, who was sipping tea, choked on it, looking uncertainly at Pei Yinnian and said, "Mr. Pei, your brother couldn't be referring to the Xiao Family's Young Master, could he?"

Seeing Jin Chen so surprised, Pei Yinnian then recalled that at the Weiyang Xiyuan there seemed to be another actor promoted by Xiao Bofeng.

He nodded, accepting Jin Chen's words: "It's Xiao Bofeng."

Jin Chen took a mutual deep breath, then looked at Pei Yiqing with eyes hinting at caution and complexity, "But the Xiao Family's Young Master already has someone—Beiping's celebrated performer Xu Nanchun… It's said the Xiao Family's Young Master once bought out a venue for half a month for Xu Nanchun, inviting Beiping's citizens to listen to his performances."

"Moreover, he is deeply fond of Xu Nanchun; everyone knows Xu Nanchun belongs to the Xiao Family's Young Master."

In the original plot, Xiao Bofeng concealed this very well; only when Pei Yiqing's affection had become deep-rooted and inescapable did he learn of Xu Nanchun's existence.

By telling him this in advance, Jin Chen also served to warn him.

But the warning was too much; poor Pei Yiqing, who had just rushed back by boat and hadn't even eaten before kneeling for half an hour, heard this and instantly turned pale, swaying on the verge of collapse, nearly fainting right there.

Xu Liu was greatly startled; still caring for her own child, she hurriedly sent someone to summon the old residence's doctor.

Jin Chen: "……"

He sat up straight like a well‑behaved child; beneath his worried expression he secretly thought this young master was far too fragile.

"That scared me!"

After finally bringing the fragile young master back to his senses, even Pei Yinnian's anger dissipated somewhat, though he still kept a stern face, occasionally twirling the Buddhist beads in his hand.

Jin Chen drew attention, his gaze falling on the sunk‑wood Buddhist beads; he sniffed them doubtfully.

"Strange, why don't I reject this scent?"

"Could it be because my wife has been playing with it too long?"

"But not rejecting it is one thing; he sits beside me, and my wife is toying with another piece of sandalwood—what's going on?"

Jin Chen quietly took hold of Pei Yinnian's fingers, sitting closer, appearing to lack any sense of security.

Pei Yinnian did not refuse, gently pinching Jin Chen's fingertips and said softly, "If you want to rest, let A Si take you to the rear courtyard."

In the past, after Jin Chen finished a performance, he would cling to him, saying he wanted to accompany him in rest, refusing to let go for half a day.

Jin Chen, however, shook his head: "No, I'm not tired today."

Pei Yinnian lifted his gaze to glance at Jin Chen, but said nothing.

Pei Yiqing lay sobbing in Xu Liu's embrace, only gradually recovering after a good while, then followed them to lunch with a somewhat dazed look.

Although Xu Liu felt sorry for her son, who had finally returned, the pearl market's business was equally important; after lunch she changed into a women's suit and went to discuss business.

At the dining table, Pei Yiqing bit his chopsticks in a daze, watching his father offer comfort before soon leaving; his wandering gaze then fell again on Pei Yinnian and Jin Chen.

After all, gossip overcame fear and sorrow; taking advantage of the elders' absence, Pei Yiqing whispered, "Brother, who is this gentleman beside you?"

Pei Yinnian placed a chopstickful of vegetables that Jin Chen disliked onto his plate; seeing Jin Chen eat it with a sullen face, his expression eased considerably.

Seeing Pei Yinnian silent, Jin Chen could only introduce himself to Pei Yiqing.

Upon hearing that he knew Xu Nanchun, Pei Yiqing gave a thoughtful nod, then let the topic drop.

Just as they finished lunch, A Si came up to report: "Family head, the Old Master says the warlord affair requires your presence; he's waiting for you at Drunken Fragrance Residence."

"Understood."

Pei Yinnian nodded indifferently, about to rise when Jin Chen suddenly grabbed him, turned his head to look at him, and covered his lips with a kiss, also catching the youth's grievance in his eyes.

These past few days, the time spent accompanying him has indeed been less.

Pei Yinnian became soft-hearted, allowing Jin Chen to indulge in a long bout of fondling and light kisses, holding the person and gently patting their back, "It won't be long; I'll return soon."

"The Fragrant Incense Dwelling……is unclean; when you return, don't get any perfume on you, I don't like it."

Jin Chen, the spoiled and arrogant Xiao Yaojing, with a lazy, low voice tinged with some melancholy, said, "I'll wait for you to come back for dinner; you can't accompany me this afternoon, but can you tonight?"

Upon saying that, Pei Yiqing, who was still drinking soup, suddenly spat it out, trembling as he looked at Pei Yinnian, waiting for him to get angry.

"Okay." Pei Yinnian raised his eyebrows slightly, actually not refusing.

Jin Chen then released the person, his kissed lips showing a hint of color, he lifted the bowl and continued to sip the soup slowly.

Pei Yiqing foolishly wiped dry the soup, "Wow..."

This person, to his older brother, is definitely different!

Even the evening time can be kept!