Chapter 161: Don't Scold Yourself

(1)

Pei Du carried Shu Shu as they continued down the path, his voice returning to normal. He said, "I can't tell fortunes; I only know how to cook."

Oh, so the young master who specializes in making delicious food—shouldn't you be supervising others' work right now? How did you suddenly show up at Rosy Clouds Ridge?

Shu Shu tilted her head, speculating wildly: "Could it be that, besides cooking, you actually have a flash ability?"

……

Pei Du's voice sounded slightly unnatural; after a pause, he earnestly replied, "Since… Yinyin has seen through me, I won't hide it from you."

Yeah, that's right—he really can flash.

Huh.

Shu Shu was stunned for two seconds, then couldn't help teasing: "I think I know why Great Fortune isn't that purebred dog from before—because where there's a master, there's a dog."

"It's also your dog." Pei Du reminded her thoughtfully: "Yinyin, don't scold yourself."

Shu Shu: "……"

Ah, it's over—the beautiful wood really changed!

She asked again: "So, how did you know I was down the slope?"

Shu Shu isn't the type to dig for answers, but right now, regarding this question, she seemed determined to get an answer and wouldn't let go.

Pei Du replied: "I saw Yinyin's rope."

Before taking Shu Shu to the airport, Pei Du helped her take her backpack; her orange climbing rope with a fluorescent marker was hung on the side of the pack.

And when Pei Du asked Shu Shu whether the sunset was beautiful, his position had gradually approached the summit; as expected, he could meet her as she was coming down the mountain.

That was exactly then.

The rescued Xiao Shuang and her friends climbed up; Pei Du glanced at the climbing rope and heard those girls say fearfully:

"It's good we met a kind older sister; otherwise we wouldn't know what to do."

Pei Du didn't hesitate; silently, he opened his backpack and lowered the rope as well.

Shu Shu: "Climbing rope styles are pretty common; if the rope isn't mine, I wouldn't have been down there at all."

Pei Du said indifferently: "Just climb back up."

Even if, meaning there's still a possibility, personally checking once more—even if it turns out empty—this kind of trial and error isn't such a big hassle.

Then he looked, and she was indeed there.

"Pei Du, you care about me, huh." The girl slipped her arms around Pei Du's neck, using a little boost to climb up, leaned to his ear, and softly asked: "Are you—"

"Especially fond of me."

A faint citrus scent drifted from her neck to his nose; Pei Du clearly heard his heartbeat skip a beat, and the hand resting behind her knee instantly tensed.

With a buzz, his mind went blank.

Yet the instigator continued, heedless of his life or death.

"Hmph, a business trip? That's a pretty weak excuse—I thought you'd at least change your story the second time, but I guess I was overthinking."

"Eh, fine, there's nothing to be done—who let me be so beautiful and kind-hearted? I guess I'll just keep playing along with you."

……

Pei Du's steps suddenly stopped in place for just a moment, then he kept walking forward while carrying her.

He pressed his lips, silent, appearing completely calm, as if Shu Shu's words had no effect on him.

Shu Shu's voice was light: "Pei Du, your ears are red."

Pei Du: "……"

Knowing Pei Du couldn't see, Shu Shu kindly added: "It's really red."

Pei Du: "……"

Shu Shu's tone carried a hint of worry: "Now, exposing you—is the timing wrong, Pei Du? Why aren't you speaking? Are you angry? Would you really abandon me here if you got angry?"

She knew full well Pei Du would never do what she said, yet she deliberately asked anyway, and the girl even put on a pitiful act:

"I twisted my ankle, huh—if you don't carry me, I'll have to hop down on one foot, and once I land, my other foot will definitely swell too. Pei Du, would you bear to—"

"I—I have water in my pack; Yinyin, are you thirsty?"

As if he could finally hold back no longer, Pei Du's Adam's apple rolled; his voice, on the verge of breaking, cut off Shu Shu's words.

It wasn't really panic, but a plea—"Yinyin, please spare me."

He still had to carry her down the mountain.

Thirsty.

Shu Shu smirked behind Pei Du for a while, then finally took pity and accepted his surrender, sparing the person whose neck and ears felt red enough to smoke.

Hmph.

Who exactly had been plotting all along? She'd only teased a couple of lines before giving in.

How, how is this so cute.

Then she stayed silent for just five minutes.

Shu Shu switched to interview mode: "Pei Du, why do only your ears turn red and not your face? You know, your skin is so pale that when it reddens it's especially noticeable—just like when you had a fever before."

Pei Du: "……"

Shu Shu: "What does a flushed face feel like? Is it hot?"

Pei Du: "……"

Shu Shu: "Um, I'm a bit curious—can I touch your ears? I'll be gentle."

Pei Du: "……"

Seeing Pei Du not speak, Shu Shu felt a little disappointed: "Well, if not, forget it—I just need to feel sad for three seconds, then later I'll have to hide under the covers and cry myself to sleep, but you don't need to worry about me, I'm being serious."

"……" Pei Du sighed in reluctant agreement: "Let Yinyin touch."

In a moment.

Pei Du felt a light pinch on one side of his earlobe.

It came from the girl's soft, warm fingertip.

He heard her say rather curiously: "Turns out it's hot."

This morning.

Pei Du didn't know how he had managed to carry someone down the mountain; all he knew was that his heart was full.

(2)

According to the latest prediction by astronomers, the comet with a 133‑year orbital period is making its second return since clear scientific observation records began.

A rare meteor shower will arrive at 10 p. m. on the fifteenth of this month; many astronomy enthusiasts will gather at the Bamboo North Observatory that day to witness this once‑in‑a‑century spectacle…

The news audio from the living‑room LCD TV carried over to the dining room; by then, four or five days had passed since returning from Muxia Ridge.

"Bamboo North District?" Shu Shu bit into a shrimp, holding her chopsticks and muttering: "Isn't that just in Jing Shi?"

Opposite the table.

Pei Du, wearing gloves, placed the peeled shrimp into the small dish beside Shu Shu, his gaze quietly falling on the girl's interested expression regarding the meteor shower, and he asked softly:

"Yinyin wants to watch."

"A bit, mainly because I've never seen a meteor shower with my own eyes; I find it novel."

…

The fifteenth of this month, i. e., the day before the weekend meteor shower arrives.

Shu Shu ran over to Pei Du's place, finished dinner, and Pei Du sent her a location link.

Jing Shi Bamboo North District.

After that there was also a door‑plate‑like piece of information: V17.

In Shu Shu's doubtful gaze, Pei Du explained: "If Yinyin wants to see the meteor shower mentioned in the news, she can go here; the door lock code is the same as here."

After a moment of silence, Pei Du said: "That's right, I can't accompany Yinyin there."

That day, he had something he couldn't get away from.

Thinking of this, Pei Du unconsciously furrowed his brows somewhat irritably.

…

The weekend arrived quickly.

Shu Shu, leading Great Fortune by the leash, found a villa according to the door number.

Bamboo North District is situated on higher ground, close to the outskirts of Jing Shi, far from light and air pollution, so it's no wonder the observatory was built here.

Just now, when coming up, the mountain base was crowded with people and vehicles, all here for the supposedly beautiful meteor shower; but further up, toward the villa, it immediately grew quiet, because the private area is off‑limits.

After entering the code, the door opened, the lights came on automatically, illuminating the spotless, ordinary modern interior décor.

Shu Shu untied Great Fortune's leash; the freed dog did not excitedly run around sniffing as expected, but instead shook its head at Shu Shu, as if indicating something.

"?"

Shu Shu half‑believing, half‑doubting, followed the dog to the terrace.

Outside, the night sky was dark and deep; beside the arc‑shaped terrace railing stood a majestic astronomical telescope, while the side table nearby was piled with various snacks and juices.

"Woof!"

Great Fortune barked loudly, as if giving a reminder, then nudged a can under the side table with its nose; Shu Shu squatted down, picked up the can, and saw inside was the beef jerky that Great Fortune usually craved most.

Pei Du uses this specifically to reward all of its obedient behavior.

In the dog's eagerly awaiting eyes, Shu Shu opened the can, gave it a piece of beef jerky; the dog immediately snatched it happily, lay down and began to chew.

Pei Du sent a message: "Has Yinyin arrived?"

Shu Shu replied: "Just arrived."

Pei Du instantly replied: "Good."

Shu Shu curled into the soft sofa and typed: "There's still one hour and forty minutes until we can see the once‑in‑a‑century meteor shower, young master, are you sure you want to miss it?"

This time Pei Du didn't reply again; he must really be busy today.

Shu Shu waited in the chat interface for a while, then, not having received a reply, she switched out and started scrolling on her phone.

…

The tedious wait is undoubtedly boring.

Shu Shu scrolled and scrolled, feeling a bit drowsy; she glanced at the time—there were still thirty‑five minutes until the meteor shower began.

She switched back to Vx, just about to check whether Pei Du had replied to her message—

The doorbell rang.

Great Fortune, which had been lifting its paw to scratch its ear, sprang to its feet, stared toward the door, and wagged its tail happily.

At the same time.

The phone in Shu Shu's hand vibrated.

"Xiao Du: Yinyin, help me open the door."

Shu Shu put down her phone, slipped on her slippers, and walked toward the entryway; she reached out to pull the door, and, puzzled, said: "Why aren't you using the code?"

Before she could finish speaking, Shu Shu fell silent, stunned.

Outside the door.

A young man stood tall and slender, with a jacket draped over his arms, black trousers and a white shirt, his hair brushed back to reveal a strikingly handsome, well‑defined face.

Shu Shu had never seen Pei Du look like this before.

His aura was cold and sharp, already showing the faint hint of an aggressiveness that only those in authority possess.

He seemed to have just hurried out of some formal occasion, a faint scent of wine lingering.

Is this... you still drank alcohol?

Shu Shu quite seriously asked Pei Du, "You didn't drive, did you?"

He uttered two words, answering Shu Shu: "Driver."

"Oh."

…

Balcony.

Shu Shu said: "The meteor shower is still half an hour off."

"Okay."

Pei Du sat on the single sofa on the opposite side—the spot farthest from Shu Shu's sofa.

A gentle night breeze blew.

From Shu Shu's angle, she saw the male student tilt his head back against the chairback, his smooth jawline, and in his neck a protruding Adam's apple as sharp as an ice cube.

His long legs were planted on the floor; not knowing whether he was tired or uncomfortable, he gently furrowed his brows and slowly closed his eyes.

Shu Shu quietly observed for two seconds, then rose from the sofa and went to the kitchen.

She took a quick look around.

The house looked quite new, but the fridge wasn't empty.

Shu Shu found an unopened jar of honey, took the hot water kettle, washed a glass cup, and in a few minutes prepared a cup of honey water, let it cool slightly, then carried it back to the balcony.

Pei Du still maintained that posture, unmoving.

Shu Shu stepped lightly, placed the honey water on a corner of the coffee table, bent down, and observed for a moment.

His eyelashes are so long, spread over his pale skin, indescribably beautiful.

I've wanted to do something for a while.

The girl didn't hesitate, extending her scallion-white fingertip toward his face, her intention obvious, mischievously wanting to touch his eyelashes.

But before she could touch, her wrist was seized in advance.

He woke up.

""

The male student suddenly lifted his eyelids, revealing his jet-black pupils, carrying an instinctive defensive chill, very piercing.

Just like when he had a fever, he recognized the person before him, the warning meaning instantly retreated, but there was a difference: as the warning retreated, his pupil color rapidly deepened.

In the next second, the hand gripping Shu Shu's wrist, together with the arm, pulled back.

Shu Shu's eyes widened, caught off guard, she staggered and fell straight onto Pei Du's shoulder; her hand reflexively sought a support, her waist was encircled, then gently pressed.

One fluid motion.

A few seconds.

Shu Shu's whole person was drawn into his embrace, tight and full of affection.

"Got you."

A low, resonant, pleasant male voice sounded in her ear; he buried his face in the girl's neck, rubbed a bit, and asked somewhat aggrieved: "Yinyin, why won't you hug me yet?"

"Before, you always would."

""

Shu Shu was a bit dazed, moving her hands that hung at his sides.

When had she...?

Shu Shu tentatively spoke: "Pei Du, are you... drunk?"

She wanted to ask if he was okay, but the moment she spoke, she felt the person holding her stiffen all over.

She had spoken, which meant it was real.

""

Shu Shu lowered her head, just meeting Pei Du's gaze; the male student's jet-black eyes fixed on her, as if discerning something, then his deepened pupil color dispersed like mist, restoring clarity.

The hand on her waist suddenly withdrew.

"Yinyin?" his voice tinged with panic: "I..."

Shu Shu: "What?"

After being released, Shu Shu didn't move away from Pei Du; instead, she asked intriguingly: "You want to say you didn't hug me on purpose?"

Pei Du couldn't utter a word, for now it was his turn to be caught red-handed; he had no defense, he had simply offended Yinyin while his consciousness was unclear and without permission.

A flash of obvious regret crossed the male student's eyes; his first reaction was to admit fault, opening his lips: "Sorry."

Then he heard the girl's cheerful voice:

"Sorry for what again?"

Just as Pei Du was about to answer, a light shadow fell before him, a faint citrus scent approached, and a soft touch lightly pecked at the side of his face.

"Not saying you can't hug."