After the two waited for a car, they quickly arrived at Pei Chuan’s home.

All this time, no one knew where Pei Chuan lived. Even Pei Haobin still didn’t know to this day.

Pei Chuan lived in a garden-style apartment building. The location wasn’t particularly good—it was quiet—but quite close to the old residential complex, just about ten minutes by car.

The apartment building had twenty-five floors in total. Pei Chuan lived on the top floor.

He took out his key to open the door. Seeing her expectant expression, Pei Chuan paused, using one second to mentally verify there shouldn’t be any dirty socks or men’s underwear in his home.

He opened his door. Bei Yao needed to change shoes.

Only then did Pei Chuan think of this issue.

He was just about to say, no need to change, just come in like this. Unexpectedly, when he turned around, this girl had already kicked off both her little snow boots.

Enthusiastically adorable.

His gaze fell on her feet—those feet were much smaller than his palm, wearing fluffy sky-blue socks. Because the floor was cold, her toes curled. Pei Chuan gritted his teeth and bent down to find his own slippers for her to wear.

He never had visitors at home, so the concept of having spare items was foreign to Pei Chuan.

Pei Chuan didn’t take off his own shoes—he wore a prosthetic and couldn’t let her see.

Bei Yao didn’t notice when he gave her his shoes that the veins on his arm bulged slightly.

For someone without a lower leg, what Pei Chuan minded most about his outward appearance were probably his pants and shoes.

They were very large men’s slippers. He was always skilled at concealing his emotions, lowering his eyes so she couldn’t see the forbearance in them.

Bei Yao was very happy—when told to change, she changed. His shoes were too big. When Bei Yao put them on, it was like a child wearing adult shoes.

His heart filled with indescribable bitterness, yet Pei Chuan couldn’t help but watch her expression.

Under the crystal lamp in the living room, her eyes were illuminated very brightly, glistening, filled with happiness.

There was no disgust or concern on her face, and she didn’t press him about why he didn’t change shoes.

His tense muscles suddenly relaxed somewhat.

Innocent and adorable had its advantages—at least it wasn’t the pretended concealment and magnanimity of adults.

Her voice was crisp, like lightly plucking a wind chime. “Pei Chuan, your home is so big and so empty. You didn’t put up couplets or buy lanterns?”

“Mm.”

She said again, “Can I sit down?”

Pei Chuan said, “Yes.”

She sat down on the sofa.

Pei Chuan’s apartment was indeed quite large—over 140 square meters. With just him living there, it seemed cold and deserted. The furniture was all in cold black, white, and gray. The only bright color was the young girl in tender yellow clothes on the sofa.

He felt somewhat awkward.

Bei Yao said, “The box has dumplings that my mom and I made. You need to put them in the refrigerator.”

Pei Chuan followed her instructions and put them in the refrigerator. When he turned back, he saw that girl’s eyes bright and sparkling. “Are you cold? I’m not cold anymore. Let me give you back your coat.”

He reached out to take it but didn’t put the coat on, setting it aside on the sofa. After she’d worn his coat, it carried a faint girlish fragrance.

The young girl’s eyes were dewy, shyly saying, “Um, that… can I hug it?”

He turned his head—a gray diamond-shaped throw pillow. He occasionally used it to support his neck. He hadn’t had time to have it washed yet.

He fell silent. Bei Yao blinked and said, “I can’t?”

Pei Chuan felt somewhat resigned, saying with difficulty, “You can.”

She happily hugged it. Although it wasn’t cute and was quite ugly, it was even softer than imagined.

The emptiness of Pei Chuan’s home was truly cold—not a single potted plant, and even the curtains were dull, heavy gray fabric. He was someone without life’s pleasures. In the past when home, he would watch the news or read books, rarely playing games. He didn’t keep pets. In the past, in over 140 square meters of space, he was the only living thing. Pei Chuan also didn’t eat snacks, so naturally it was impossible for him to buy New Year goods like Bei Yao’s family.

His home didn’t even have fruit.

When Pei Chuan realized his cabinet only had a few packs of cigarettes, he couldn’t help but look at her.

He was so boring—she definitely wouldn’t stay long.

Bei Yao pointed at the largest, most special room. “What’s that used for?”

Even the door was different—it looked hard to open.

Pei Chuan’s fingers tightened, terrified she would want to tour it. If she insisted on touring, he… he simply had no way to refuse. He said quietly, “Work.”

“Oh.” Fortunately Bei Yao didn’t make things difficult for him. She pondered—Pei Chuan’s source of livelihood was definitely a secret.

Bei Yao said, “Did you watch the Spring Festival Gala last night? Two of the sketches were especially good.”

How could Pei Chuan watch that? He said, “No.”

“Then shall we watch the rerun together?”

“…Mm.”

He accompanied her watching TV. This year’s Spring Festival Gala had a female star singing in bel canto, magic tricks were brought to the screen for the first time, yet the comedy sketches were exceptionally wonderful.

She explained spoilers to him. “In a moment that robot will suddenly jump out, and then the male lead will realize he was tricked.”

“How did they make the dove appear? Where is it hiding?”

Pei Chuan’s voice was low and hoarse. “In the hat.”

Seeing Bei Yao look at him, Pei Chuan pressed his lips together and said, “Magic doves are white spotted doves with trimmed tail and wing feathers. When they slide out from the pocket, you grab them with your hand.”

Bei Yao responded woodenly, “…Oh.” She’d asked casually, originally wanting Pei Chuan to marvel along with her. She hadn’t expected him to seriously expose the magician’s trick.

Pei Chuan had killed the conversation, his expression gloomy.

Bei Yao’s face turned bright red from holding back laughter.

Pei Chuan only belatedly understood. In his life there had been no playmates. When he got older, Bei Yao’s deskmate wouldn’t be him anymore either. No one accompanied him talking or playing games. He wasn’t good at getting along with girls—these soft and delicate creatures—he didn’t know how to make her happy.

Bei Yao’s phone rang.

It was Bei Licai calling.

Bei Licai said, “Yao Yao, are you still at Fang Mingjun’s house? Come back to eat soon.”

Pei Chuan looked up at her.

Her phone volume was loud, and Bei Licai’s voice wasn’t quiet either. Bei Yao covered the receiver, her pink cheeks bright red, wanting to find a crack to crawl into and hide.

Pei Chuan heard! He definitely heard she was supposed to go to Minmin’s house.

Bei Yao’s small face flushed completely, the color spreading all the way to her ears. She said, “Dad! I’ll come back right away.”

Pei Chuan lowered his eyes.

After she hung up, Pei Chuan calmly asked, “Who?”

He… he didn’t hear.

Her pounding heartbeat finally calmed down. She said softly, “My dad, telling me to come home.”

Because it was New Year, they had to eat a reunion dinner. He knew she couldn’t stay long.

Pei Chuan went to the bedroom and found a black scarf he hadn’t worn yet, along with clean gloves in the same color. He handed them to her. “I haven’t used them. They’re very clean.”

She took them, her almond eyes lifting to look at him.

Pei Chuan said, “Go home.”

Bei Yao nodded. “Then can I come find you next time?”

Pei Chuan said, “I like peace and quiet.”

He saw those almond eyes blink once—those dewy eyes, moisture about to spill out.

His heart ached. He almost changed his words.

However, Pei Chuan remembered the weight of that bag of money Auntie Zhao had sent. What meaning was there in stealing a moment of happiness? Besides delaying her future and having people like Director Zhang misunderstand their relationship, it held not half a benefit for her.

He couldn’t give her anything. Even when she came to visit on New Year, he couldn’t even make her happy properly.

If he betrayed the promise he’d given to Auntie Zhao and the others, then what? One day when Auntie Zhao and the others found out, they would educate her, would lay everything out to tell her. Let her know about his filthy feelings and avoid him from far away?

At least now, he could still do good things for her within his ability, fulfill her other requests.

Bei Yao was furious.

Oh, coming to find someone on New Year’s, and he found her noisy! Found her noisy!

If he didn’t talk, should she also not talk, and then the two of them just stare at each other?

This extremely hateful person wrapped the scarf around her without touching even a single strand of her hair, and escorted her downstairs.

All along the way she was as quiet as a little quail.

Bei Yao didn’t wrong herself—she put on the gloves too. After all, she’d given a gift. Her dumplings were made very carefully. Pei Chuan was so infuriating—she wouldn’t stoop to his level.

Pei Chuan knew she was sulking.

Her anger, however, was a blade falling into his heart, cutting him painfully.

This time their luck was good—the car home came quickly.

His gaze stayed on her the whole time, deep and wordless.

Bei Yao didn’t know why, but she suddenly thought of classmate Chen Yingqi saying he didn’t miss Minmin.

Before getting in the car, she turned around.

“Pei Chuan.” She said, “Look, I can also not be noisy. If I’m not noisy, can I come play?”

Under her soft gaze, Pei Chuan felt suppressed anger and despair.

He was completely helpless, at a loss.

Pei Chuan’s throat ached. He said hoarsely, “Mm.”

So she smiled again, adorable and vivid.

After she got in the car and left, Pei Chuan knew he had broken faith again and again. If the day came when Auntie Zhao and the others got angry, he would kneel before them.

~

When Bei Yao got home, the fragrance of food wafted from inside the house.

Little Bei Jun said, “Sister, you went out without taking me! I’m angry!”

At his age, he was at the most clingy stage for little children.

However… bringing Bei Jun along to deliver dumplings to Pei Chuan—how could Bei Yao possibly do that?

Zhao Zhilan smacked Bei Jun on the bottom. “Stop making a fuss! Sit down properly and eat. Don’t cling to your sister. Do you know how annoying you are? Your destructive power is astonishing.”

Bei Jun was overcome with sorrow. He must be like Uncle Yao said—a child picked up from the trash can.

Bei Yao couldn’t help but laugh.

Zhao Zhilan said, “Eat, eat. This little brat—if you don’t discipline him for three days he’ll tear the roof off. Never mind him. If you want to play with Minmin, just play. Don’t worry about him.”

Zhao Zhilan had just finished arranging the chopsticks when she noticed the scarf and gloves Bei Yao was wearing. “Are those gloves and scarf from Minmin’s house?”

Bei Yao: “…”

Zhao Zhilan said, “If they lent them to you, you should wash them and return them.”

Bei Licai came out after washing his hands. Hearing this, he also instinctively looked at his daughter’s gloves and scarf.

To Mama Zhao and Bei Yao, those gloves and scarf were simple and plain. In appearance they were no different from something randomly bought at a street stall—only the edge had an embroidered K.

However, Bei Yao didn’t know there was an aesthetic in the world called straight man aesthetic.

Bei Licai often read newspapers and occasionally looked at magazines. He didn’t talk much, but he knew quite a lot. For instance, men’s luxury goods.

Bei Licai had never seen them in his life, only in magazines, but that didn’t prevent him from recognizing them.

He suppressed his excitement. “Let Dad see that scarf.”

Bei Yao didn’t understand why, but could only steel herself and hand it to him.

“This is KING. Zhilan, what has the Fang family been doing these past two years to have become so wealthy?”

Zhao Zhilan was also confused. “Huh? What?”

“This scarf costs several thousand yuan.”

Bei Yao: “…”

Zhao Zhilan said suspiciously, “That can’t be right. How is that possible? How could their family casually let Yao Yao bring something like this back?”

You have to know Zhao Zhilan’s entire savings were just… forty thousand yuan.

Ha! Telling her a several-thousand-yuan scarf was lent to her daughter to keep warm—how could that be possible? And even if Zhao Xiu’s family suddenly got rich, they couldn’t have gotten rich this fast.

Bei Licai also found it strange. Old Fang was a teacher—had his family suddenly become so well-off?

Bei Yao also hadn’t expected that the dumplings she’d exchanged for this—something Pei Chuan had simply said was “clean and unused”—would be so expensive.

She definitely had to return them to Pei Chuan, but under her parents’ suspicious gazes, she could only take them back.

Bei Yao was almost in tears and could only say, “These are… fake, imitations, the kind from street stalls that cost ten or twenty yuan.”

Bei Licai wanted to say something more, but Zhao Zhilan said, “Really, you talk nonsense without having seen the real thing, acting like an expert. Alright, let’s eat. Don’t I understand? I even have a fake one of that thing, what was it? LV! Right, that one—thirty yuan!”

Bei Licai was speechless.

Bei Yao shoveled rice into her mouth, not daring to lift her head.

Thinking of those few words in the diary, she thought with a headache: during this year when she wasn’t watching Pei Chuan, what kind of incredible illegal activities had he been doing?