Chapter 47

Chapter 47

Why did he bring him back to Grandma's house?

"Careful getting out."

Pei Qingji opened the car door, walked around to the other side, and carefully helped Cheng Yuan out of the car.

Coming back to Grandma's place so suddenly—he wondered how she'd react when she saw him.

Cheng Yuan stared at the lit-up house, his lashes fluttering slightly.

He'd called Xiao Ling and the others just a few days ago, saying he'd be back soon.

Actually, he wasn't sure he could come back—he figured Pei Qingji wouldn't agree.

After all, last time he went to Grandma's house, Pei Qingji had seemed really angry.

Pei Qingji got out, opened the trunk, and pulled out a few carefully wrapped gift boxes.

"I got Grandma a few things—that okay?"

He met Cheng Yuan's eyes and spoke carefully.

Like he was afraid of upsetting him.

After all, he hadn't visited Grandma even once when she was in the hospital. The memory filled Pei Qingji with guilt.

Cheng Yuan's eyes flickered, but he said nothing and headed toward the courtyard.

Pei Qingji paused, realizing that meant yes. A flicker of joy crossed his eyes, and he hurried to catch up and walk beside him.

The house was old and worn, with a gravel path out front and a narrow concrete drive that only fit one car.

Last time Pei Qingji picked up Cheng Yuan, he'd only stopped at the entrance and never gone in.

This was his first time inside.

As soon as they walked in, someone came running over.

Then a bright female voice rang out.

"Brother An."

The girl ran over with a big smile. Remembering what happened last time, she linked her arm through Cheng Yuan's.

"Why're you back?"

Cheng Yuan hadn't expected Xiao Ling to be here, which meant Brother Zhou was probably around too.

He smiled lightly. "Yeah, just wanted to come back and see everyone."

Pei Qingji stood nearby, his brows furrowed.

He recognized that voice—it was the same girl from when Cheng Yuan was on the phone last time.

They were clearly close—Cheng Yuan even had a hint of a smile in his eyes.

He'd never been that close to Cheng Yuan—Cheng Yuan wouldn't even let him touch him.

Xiao Ling hadn't noticed at first, but then she suddenly spotted someone else standing next to Cheng Yuan.

She blinked a few times, rubbed her eyes, and her voice shot up with excitement.

"Holy crap! You... y-you're Pei Shen, right?"

"I never thought I'd get to see a living legend in person."

"Um... I'm like, your biggest fan—can I get your autograph?"

She even let go of Cheng Yuan's arm in her excitement.

Pei Qingji watched, surprised she was his fan. His frown eased a little, and his mood lifted.

A small smile tugged at his lips. "Sure, got a pen?"

Xiao Ling was so excited she nearly screamed. Her words came out all jumbled, and when she realized she didn't have a pen, she bolted back inside to grab one.

"Don't go anywhere, wait for me—I'll grab one."

She didn't question their relationship at all, totally lost in the thrill of meeting her idol.

Pei Qingji turned to him. "Is this your sister?"

Cheng Yuan gave a soft "Mm."

"Your actual sister?"

He didn't remember Cheng Yuan having a sister at all.

Cheng Yuan didn't elaborate.

Xiao Ling frantically searched for a pen. When she couldn't find one, she yelled to the man cooking in the kitchen.

"Bro, got any blank paper?"

"What do you need paper for?"

Zhou asked.

Xiao Ling was thrilled just thinking about it, and her voice dropped to a mysterious tone.

"Bro, Brother An's back."

"Oh, and he brought someone with him—guess who?"

"Stop being so mysterious," Zhou said, frowning.

Xiao Ling refused to tell him.

"You'll see soon enough."

Grandma came out of the house when she heard them talking, her voice soft.

"What's going on? You two fighting again?"

"No, no, Grandma—it's An'an, he's back."

"An'an..." Grandma's eyes widened at the name, her voice trembling as she hurried to ask.

"Where is he?"

"He's right outside."

"Don't move, I'll go get Brother An."

This was the first time Pei Qingji was meeting Cheng Yuan's grandmother.

"Grandma."

Grandma froze for a second, then a smile spread across her face.

"Xiao Pei, what brings you by? Aren't you swamped with work?"

Pei Qingji was a little taken aback and glanced at Cheng Yuan.

Cheng Yuan didn't react. Instead, he walked over to Grandma, slowly breaking into a smile, and said softly.

"Grandma, I'm home."

"Oh, you..." Grandma's voice trembled, her eyes welling up, almost on the verge of tears.

"Alright, enough of that. It's almost time to eat. Xiao Pei, come sit down too."

Xiao Ling had been searching everywhere for paper when she suddenly overheard their conversation and it clicked.

Xiao Pei—wasn't that the name of Brother An's boyfriend?

Xiao Pei, Pei Qingji.

She thought for a second, then it hit her.

How did she not realize?

She thought it was just a coincidence that they had the same name.

Brother An's boyfriend was actually her idol—this was too good to be true, right?

And the baby in Brother An's belly was her idol's too?!

Brother Zhou suddenly snorted coldly, his tone extremely unwelcoming.

Xiao Ling was stunned for a long moment.

"Bro, you knew all along—why didn't you tell me?"

Pei Qingji stepped forward, lifting the gift box.

"Grandma, I'm late. I'm really sorry I didn't come see you at the hospital."

"These are for you—some supplements that are good for seniors' health."

"You didn't have to bring anything!" Grandma said with a polite smile.

Back when she heard her grandson say he was going to marry someone, she'd also done some digging on Pei Qingji.

All she knew was that his family was well-off; she didn't know much more than that.

She hadn't approved at first, but seeing how much her grandson liked him, she let it slide.

Later, she found out that her grandson's in-laws were the chairman of the hospital where he worked.

At that time, she'd fallen seriously ill and urgently needed money for treatment. An'an's career was just starting to take off then, and almost all the money he made went to her medical bills.

It still wasn't enough.

Then one day, out of the blue, he told her the hospital said there was some kind of promotion and the fees wouldn't be that high.

There had to be something going on there.

His in-laws ran a pharmaceutical company that held a major position in the global pharma industry.

In comparison, their family was just average.

Knowing this, Grandma felt a bit worried—after all, the gap in their social standing was huge.

It wasn't that she thought her grandson wasn't good enough for him; it was that she was afraid the other party might treat An'an carelessly or look down on him.

Grandma said, "You must be hungry, Xiao Pei."

"Come on, come on, let's eat first, let's eat first."

They brought the food to the table.

Grandma kept piling food onto their plates, saying very politely.

"Come on, Xiao Pei, eat up."

Pei Qingji looked at the shrimp in his bowl, feeling at a loss for the first time, a warmth spreading through his chest.

He was a little stunned, then smiled.

"Thanks, Grandma."

Cheng Yuan kept his head down, eating quietly, occasionally saying a word or two. Pei Qingji could tell his mood wasn't as heavy as it was at home.

Pei Qingji took just one bite, put down his chopsticks, and asked softly.

"Do you eat shrimp? I'll peel some for you."

Before Cheng Yuan could even reply, he grabbed a few shrimp, peeled them one by one, and dropped them into Cheng Yuan's bowl.

Then he picked up a few slices of fish, carefully picking out every bone, before putting them in his bowl.

He barely ate anything the whole meal, spending all his time peeling shrimp and deboning fish for Cheng Yuan, his movements super careful.

"There shouldn't be any bones left, but be careful when you eat—there might be a few I missed."

Cheng Yuan pressed his lips together and took a bite of the fish.

Pei Qingji kept watching his expression, looking nervous.

"How is it? Any bones?"

Grandma watched this scene, her eyes full of emotion.

Oh my god, this is too much—I never thought I'd live to see something like this.

Xiao Ling was internally stomping her feet in excitement.

"Eat well." Brother Zhou frowned, his face cold, and lightly tapped her hand.

"Oh."

"Brother An, have you two thought of a name for the baby yet?" She couldn't help asking curiously.

Cheng Yuan's body stiffened.

An awkward silence fell between them.

Pei Qingji couldn't help but look up at him, his thin lips pressed tight.

The baby was only four months old; he hadn't thought of a name yet, nor had he even considered one for the future.

He pursed his lips and said, "He... is still young."

Pei Qingji hid the loneliness in his eyes.

"Right, only four months." Xiao Ling scratched her head and grinned sheepishly.

After dinner, they grabbed stools and sat in the yard, chatting and looking at the moon.

The light from the doorway spilled out, casting long shadows on everyone.

Xiao Ling was a riot; she told funny stories from school that had everyone cracking up.

Cheng Yuan's brow relaxed, and a smile crept onto his face.

A cool evening breeze blew in.

Cheng Yuan shivered as he sat in the chair.

Seeing this, Pei Qingji immediately took off his jacket and draped it over him, his voice full of concern.

"You feeling better?"

Cheng Yuan felt the weight on his shoulders, turned his head in surprise, then lowered his gaze and pressed his lips together.

Pei Qingji was only wearing a thin shirt underneath, but he still gave his jacket to him.

Seeing this, Grandma suddenly called Pei Qingji over.

"Xiao Pei, come with me for a moment."

Everyone looked over, confused.

Pei Qingji was caught off guard for a second, then stood up and followed her.

She called him into the room, closed the door, and then spoke.

"My An'an has been through a lot since he was little. He's kind-hearted, but he's also naive and easily fooled."

"Grandma, I might sound harsh, but I have to say something."

"If you like our An'an, you need to cherish him. Our family really isn't as well-off as yours."

Even though she didn't know what had happened to An'an, after all these years, she could still tell if her grandson was happy or not.

The boy thought she didn't know anything, but she'd never called him out on the lies he often told.

Grandma's tone grew heavier and more serious.

Author's note:

None