Chapter 135: and translation of chapter title

(1)

Find someone, keep watch on the sanatorium.

On the road leaving Jing Shi, Zhou Zhi received such an instruction.

Afterwards.

The two went abroad without delay; previously, a joint project between the Pei family and a certain foreign company had reached the stage just before finalization, and Pei Du needed to go personally to the other party's factory to participate in sampling inspection.

It was not unusual for Pei Du to be busy.

Managing such a large conglomerate, it's not enough to just sit in the office every day, wave a hand, and talk strategy on paper; many things often require the decision-maker's personal involvement.

What made Zhou Zhi feel strange was.

Originally, after Director Pei resolved the 'misunderstanding' with the Eldest Young Lady, Director Pei deliberately postponed many schedules in order to free up as much time as possible to accompany the Eldest Young Lady.

But that was just over a week ago.

Director Pei drafted a plan, asking Zhou Zhi to fill it into the schedule.

Zhou Zhi looked at the schedule before him, which was double what it used to be, and he was dumbfounded.

His mind was full of:

What stimulus did Director Pei suddenly receive? He had said he would spend more time with his daughter, yet he turned into a cold money-making machine.

He had never realized that Director Pei was such a money‑loving person……

Zhou Zhi certainly wouldn't think Director Pei was feeling the pang of regret after having given all his assets to the Eldest Young Lady earlier.

Instead, he was thinking:

So this is the mindset of the rich? They can't stand having no assets under their name, otherwise they feel uncomfortable all over.

At the same time Pei Du was on a business trip.

Over in An Shi.

After the competition at the science museum ended and they returned to school, during Monday's morning exercise at San Zhong, the principal stood on the podium and additionally awarded internal certificates, prize money, and prizes to the students who had placed.

As for the prizes, all the students' eyes lit up one after another.

— study machines, head‑set sports earphones, smart wristbands, cervical massagers, electric toothbrushes, mechanical keyboards, and even… a whole set of game consoles!

The students who had placed chose one of these items in order of ranking.

The students of Class 12, Shu Shu and Pei Muyin, were the first to be called.

Shu Shu didn't hesitate for a second and directly snatched the game console.

When it was Pei Muyin's turn, the girl glanced around a bit, as if looking for something, then took the head‑set sports earphones.

She was looking for the prize that matched the game console.

The third was Shi Jin.

Not surprisingly, Shi Jin chose the study machine, which fits everyone's impression of him as a die‑hard study maniac.

After all, not long ago, Shi Jin saved time by skipping meals to study, which caused malnutrition and made him faint on the sports field, and this spread throughout the whole school.

In this competition, Shi Jin's results were quite good.

The teacher in charge of the competition also noticed his talent, likewise approached him, and suggested he join the upcoming league.

After hesitating for three days, Shi Jin agreed.

His agreement meant he wanted to try and take this competition path.

From childhood onward, Shi Jin's studies have always been excellent.

He buried himself in study, striving for good grades, just to see his mother's happy smile.

At first.

Shi Jin felt satisfied, believing this was the value of his life.

But gradually, as his workload increased, he began to feel tired.

But he couldn't say it out loud, for if he did, it would mean his sole value in his mother's eyes was in jeopardy.

He habitually kept silent, and at the same time, no one ever came to ask.

When Shi Jin finally couldn't bear the burden, wanting to unload and seek comfort from his mother, he instead received only harsh criticism from her.

Thus he experienced internal drain, anxiety, repression.

Repressed to the point his emotions became somewhat distorted, he couldn't control himself and used actions to release his inner malice.

For example.

He deliberately did not explain, even though he knew Chu Lian mistakenly thought he was a rich young master, but instead, when he saw Chu Lian playing a terrible hand and getting crushed, and her expectations of him peaked, he mercilessly exposed the truth.

Seeing Chu Lian's face show astonishment, shock, and regret.

He felt a hint of balance.

That kind of mindset: she is even worse off than I am.

Another example.

He deliberately went to ask Shu Shu about the competition questions, monopolizing her time.

He had no other purpose.

Because of this, the only result was that it made Shu Lingchen unhappy.

Of course, there is also the part he is unwilling to admit.

He is jealous and envious.

Shu Lingchen so easily obtained the understanding, guidance, and love that he had dreamed of but never received.

At that time, Shi Jin truly seemed possessed by a devil, and looking back later, he only felt himself to be quite childish and melodramatic.

People feel disappointed because they hold expectations.

On the day he fainted, Shu Lingchen's words served to enlighten Shi Jin.

Looking back on the past.

He actually, all along, has been taking his mother's approval as his life goal.

What he likes, what he wants to do, what his ideal is—he seems to have never considered.

His grades are splendid, but his life is bewildered.

Shi Jin somewhat wants to live for himself.

As soon as the competition ended and the first-place ranking came out, he sent his mother a notification.

Until now, he has received no reply at all.

But Shi Jin no longer stares at his phone, feeling dejected and unable to sleep until midnight; he simply, with a normal expression, takes out the homework for the next subject, picks up his pen, and writes.

…

The principal smiled kindly, handed over the learning device, and Shi Jin received it with both hands.

He turned his body, curved his lips, and faced the congratulations of all the classmates below the stage.

Then his gaze swept over the crowd, seeing Shu Shu and Pei Muyin shove the game console and headphones into Shu Lingchen's hands; the boy held the items, grinning broadly with blissful cheer.

Understanding, guidance, and also love.

It's not only obtainable from outsiders; there's no need to envy, because you can also give it to yourself.

One week later.

Pei Du's business trip ended, and he returned to An Shi.

As soon as the school bell rang ending class, Pei Muyin received a message that her father was already waiting at the school gate.

This time Pei Du's business trip was longer.

No longer distinguishing between single or double days, Pei Muyin always stays at 1600.

Shu Lingchen was so happy he almost wanted to set off firecrackers at home.

In the message Pei Du sent to his daughter, he explained that he would cook dinner today, hoping to invite Shu Shu and Shu Lingchen for a simple meal, thereby expressing his slight apology.

His words were sincere, leaving no reason to refuse.

It makes one feel he is a gentleman father who understands worldly affairs and is reasonable and empathetic.

If Shu Shu hadn't had her disguise peeled off by him.

This person, clearly knowing she cannot refuse any of her daughter's requests.

Under her daughter's soft, limp gaze.

Shu Shu nodded.

…

Walking out of the school gate.

Then he saw the black Bentley parked at the usual spot, and beside it a handsome man.

Before.

Shu Lingchen's gaze at Pei Du kept shifting between bright and dark, like various eye-knives.

But now.

The boy stopped being awkward.

He repeatedly asked his sister Pei Muyin for confirmation, and each time got the conclusion that it wasn't Pei Muyin who had Pei Du come pick him up, take him to the science museum, and prepare sandwiches for him.

The sandwiches were fine, and he hadn't been kidnapped.

So, why then?

A kidnapper's heart is like a needle at the bottom of the sea.

(2)

The Bentley arrived at the residential complex parking lot.

After Shu Lingchen got out of the car, he habitually went to grab his backpack placed on the passenger seat.

But when he went around, he discovered that Pei Du already had two backpacks hanging from his left arm and was holding one in his right hand.

Shu Lingchen carries three backpacks every day; his mother's backpack is fine—it's light, his homework is always finished before school ends, and he symbolically brings two textbooks.

But his sister's and his own backpacks are filled with heavy exercise books, as if carrying seven or eight bricks.

Shu Lingchen doesn't mind the tiredness and feels happy, yet he cannot avoid having to flop onto the sofa to rest after dropping his backpack each time he returns home.

So, why does this person in front of him seem so relaxed when lifting three backpacks together?

He looks so relaxed, and moreover…… elegant!

The underground parking lot lights shine brightly twenty-four hours a day, casting on the man in dark casual attire; his figure is slender and tall, his whole person like a large umbrella full of security, and the backpacks directly become his fashion accessory.

Shu Lingchen: "???"

The black-haired youth immediately sized up Pei Du.

They're not much different in height, right?

He is 1.8 meters tall, while Pei Du seems to have his head a little higher than his own?

Excluding the hairstyle factor.

Shu Lingchen instantly lowered his head to look at Pei Du's shoes—equally not high.

Could it be that he secretly lifted himself with insoles?

Otherwise, he can't think of why Pei Du, when carrying backpacks, looks even more handsome than him.

"Um, could you give me that?"

While brainstorming, Shu Lingchen was about to grab the backpack but failed, hearing Pei Du say: "Help me take down the things from the trunk, there's quite a lot."

Shu Lingchen's attitude toward Pei Du has always been: he doesn't want to owe.

Carrying the backpack is his chore; giving it to Pei Du is equivalent to him "owing" Pei Du, which gives him a slight sense of competition.

But Pei Du said, letting him take things would make it even.

Then we can have this.

Pei Du pressed the car key, Shu Lingchen walked over, waited for the trunk to slowly rise, was about to show off his skills, then froze: "There's nothing at all."

Pei Du at the other end of the car said: "On the left inner wall hook."

Shu Lingchen looked in that direction and saw a plastic bag in a corner, picked it up and opened it to find two bottles of seasoning inside.

They were still the super-small bottle size.

……

This is called, "quite a lot,"?

Didn't you learn your units of measurement well in school!

Shu Lingchen shot Pei Du a doubting glare, but the latter seemed not to receive it, his expression normal as he closed the trunk.

Thus, finally, Pei Du carried three backpacks, and as thanks, Shu Lingchen hooked his pinky around the "quite a lot" plastic bag, walking behind Shu Shu and Pei Muyin as the four went up together.

They arrived at the seventeenth floor.

Putting down the backpacks, taking the plastic bag from Shu Lingchen's hand, Pei Du said: "Thanks for your hard work."

Shu Lingchen gave a dry hehe laugh: "Yeah, my hands almost gave out from carrying."

…

The ingredients for the dishes Pei Du was going to cook had been sent to the kitchen in advance.

After entering.

Shu Lingchen and Pei Muyin went to the living room, directly switched to study mode, took out the problems they hadn't finished writing all day, and asked the younger sister for help.

Shu Shu sat beside them, propping her chin boredly, watching her son and daughter.

At this moment.

Pei Du, having just tied on his apron, walked over in slippers, stopping beside Shu Shu, his voice low and calm: "Muyin mentioned before that your sour cabbage fish slices are delicious; I just bought the ingredients and am in the kitchen, wondering if I could ask for your guidance."

Shu Shu: "……"

For the meal they had at 1702 upstairs, he made all those dishes, she didn't believe he still needed to ask for guidance on just a sour cabbage fish.

Shu Shu intended not to take the bait, curling her lips as she dictated right here: "It's simple: slice the fish thin, wash and marinate it properly, heat the pot, stir-fry ginger and garlic, then fry the fish, finally add the sour cabbage and water, bring to a boil and season."

Pei Du lowered his lashes, fell silent for a moment, then said: "Sorry, I still can't do it; I might need you to personally demonstrate, Shu Shu."

Shu Shu: "……"

Pei Du's request was polite, with nothing unreasonable about it.

But Shu Shu didn't move.

Meanwhile, the son and daughter who were discussing questions lifted their heads in doubt, looking at Shu Shu and Pei Du.

What was originally an unremarkable scene now seemed to take on a strange meaning.

There was nothing to be done.

Shu Shu could only follow Pei Du.

In the kitchen Pei Du entered later, Shu Shu prepared to ask where the fish was, hoping to finish teaching her and slip away quickly, but turning around she saw Pei Du pull back the glass sliding door with his hand.

She almost exploded in anger.

After the incident of being exposed, Shu Shu now has a bit of PTSD about "Pei Du closing the door"!

…

From the moment Pei Du spoke, Shu Shu knew this person had no sincere intention to ask about the sour cabbage fish recipe.

Indeed.

The next second.

She saw Pei Du put on a glove, place the already-prepared fish slices into a container, and add salt, pepper, cooking wine, and other seasonings one by one to marinate the fish, his movements very practiced.

"How has your week been?"

Did he lure her over just to ask this question?

Shu Shu fidgeted with her hands: "Of course I've been eating well and sleeping well."

"Hmm."

The air stayed silent for a few seconds.

Pei Du appeared focused on marinating the fish slices.

Shu Shu couldn't help but say: "Looking for me, is there something? If not, I'll leave first."

Pei Du lifted his gaze, looking at her seriously: "If there's nothing, can't I just come to see you?"

Shu Shu: "……" What kind of answer is that!

"I should have said before, Yinyin, from now on you don't need to avoid me."

Pei Du took off the glove, turned on the faucet, clear water droplets washing over the man's distinct knuckles on his cold white hand back; he slightly arched his straight back, turning his dark eyes toward her.

Shu Shu: "Why are you calling me that again?"

Pei Du, calm: "Here there are only the two of us."

Meaning, rest assured, if there were a third person, he wouldn't call her that.

But is that how the logic works?!

Shu Shu faintly felt something was off.

Although she was the one who got exposed, she felt as if a certain door of Pei Du's had opened.

"Do you remember me saying last week that I went to Jing Shi?"

Pei Du recounted going to the sanatorium to find Pei Qian and ask about Muyin's background; Shu Shu's expression turned serious involuntarily, and Pei Du told her all of his conversations and suspicions with Pei Qian.

He said this while his hands kept moving.

When opening the overhead cabinet to get a bowl, the other hand naturally protected Shu Shu's head.

Pei Du said, this week that people are watching, the sanatorium side shows no abnormalities; however, Pei Qian is cautious—if Zhou Zhi's father were still alive, such a person who knows quite a bit, Pei Qian could not possibly feel at ease leaving that person somewhere he cannot control.

"I could have told Yinyin all this that day."

Shu Shu blinked, her eyes showing doubt.

Hmm, so, how come you didn't tell?

Then.

She then heard Pei Du let out a slight sigh: "Yinyin has never accepted my friend request."

——

Everyone, happy New Year's Eve~

Good night~

I guess some of you have already slept, so then, good morning~