Bei Yao followed Zhao Zhilan into the house. Bei Licai sat watching TV without making a sound. Little Bei Jun was working on practice problems Zhao Zhilan had found for him, his bottom fidgeting as if pins had been scattered beneath it, unable to sit still, his eyes constantly drifting toward the kitchen.

Bei Yao carried the fish and vegetables inside. Pei Chuan looked up, meeting her eyes exactly.

She blinked, her eyes dewy, flashing him a smile. The tension in his heart that had built up after she left immediately dissipated, and he couldn’t help bending his lips into a smile too.

This meal was made by Pei Chuan. He deliberately tried to please Bei Yao’s parents, putting in great care.

Zhao Zhilan couldn’t find anything to criticize. Business had to be discussed: “Have you decided on the wedding date?”

Pei Chuan set down his chopsticks and said: “We’ll follow your wishes.”

Actually, if Zhao Zhilan had to say she disliked something, it wasn’t that she disliked Pei Chuan as a person—she knew he’d done enough. It was just that her daughter, raised as precious as treasure, was naturally seen as important. No matter who it was, it would be very difficult to get past this barrier in her heart.

Having heard Bei Yao’s earlier words, Zhao Zhilan’s heart had softened somewhat.

Zhao Zhilan said: “Tomorrow I’ll match your eight characters and have someone pick an auspicious day. It’ll probably be next week—the timing is a bit rushed. There are many things we haven’t had time to prepare, so these next few days will probably be busy. On your family’s side, you’ll have to notify Officer Pei and them at least. Write invitations in advance for which friends to invite. After the wedding is finished, Yaoyao still has to return to class.”

When she heard “Officer Pei,” Bei Yao couldn’t help looking up at Pei Chuan.

Pei Chuan hadn’t been in contact with Pei Haobin for many years. Bei Yao worried he’d feel bad, but Pei Chuan was only exceptionally calm: “I’ll notify them on that side. The day after tomorrow I’ll take Yaoyao over for a meal.”

After all, both parents were alive—for something like a wedding, there was no way not to notify them. Living in society, one couldn’t be a solitary creature. For parents of their generation, at least the wedding had to maintain face and dignity.

Zhao Zhilan sighed.

After dinner, Bei Yao had to stay home. Pei Chuan stayed in that original apartment building. He’d had Jin Ziyang buy this house back in advance and had it newly decorated inside.

He stood before the floor-to-ceiling window looking down. C City’s night couldn’t be called prosperous, lights dotting below his feet. He thought of Pei Haobin, whom he hadn’t seen in many years, his eyes not holding much emotion.

*

The wedding was set for next Tuesday.

Before then, Pei Chuan had to take Bei Yao to the Pei family once.

He came to pick her up in the morning. Before going, Bei Yao felt somewhat nervous. It wasn’t that she hadn’t seen Uncle Pei before, just that with this current status, it was the first time.

Pei Chuan brushed aside the hair by her cheek, his thumb gently stroking her face: “Don’t be afraid. I told him in advance—we’re just going for a meal.”

She nodded, hesitating for a long while before asking him: “Pei Chuan, do you know you have a younger brother?”

Pei Chuan nodded faintly, his gaze upon her gentle: “Don’t worry, I’m not bothered anymore.”

Now that I have you, it seems all the past can be forgiven.

The most uncomfortable person at this meal wasn’t Pei Chuan. He didn’t want to eat at the Pei household, so ultimately they reserved a private room at a nearby restaurant.

When Pei Chuan brought Bei Yao in, Pei Haobin and them were already there.

As soon as the door opened, Pei Haobin looked over.

So many years had passed—Pei Haobin had changed greatly. When he was young, his back had been ramrod straight. Now his hair was already half white, his face somewhat aged. As soon as Pei Chuan entered, his gaze fell upon his eldest son, his hands rubbing together uncomfortably.

Pei Haobin looked toward Bei Yao again, revealing an awkward and nervous smile: “Bei Yao, please sit.”

Pei Chuan pulled out a chair for Bei Yao and sat down at the table.

Cao Li held a four-year-old child in her arms—her son Pei Jiadong. Last night his mother had already told him that today he would meet an older brother who would steal his money in the future.

Pei Jiadong’s bright eyes looked curiously at this “older brother.”

This brother was much bigger than him, yet from start to finish hadn’t looked at him once. Pei Jiadong felt somewhat disappointed.

Bai Yutong was also there. When she learned the news yesterday, she found it hard to believe that this stepbrother had actually married Bei Yao. She thought Bei Yao must be blind—stepbrother had been to prison and his body was also disabled, yet Bei Yao was still willing to marry! If she had Bei Yao’s face, who wouldn’t be good to marry! Countless people would scramble to wed her!

The dinner table was very quiet. When the meal was almost finished, Pei Haobin took out a card from his jacket, saying carefully: “This is… from your mother. She went abroad and can’t come to your wedding. This is for Yaoyao.”

Pei Chuan said: “Not necessary.”

The air quieted for a moment.

Pei Haobin felt an indescribable discomfort in his heart. He slowly took out another card: “This is from Dad.”

Cao Li ground her teeth in anger.

She knew—the two cards together totaled nearly one million! One million! She’d never seen so much money in her lifetime! Now it was all given to Pei Chuan for marriage—their family’s savings were nearly emptied.

Pei Chuan’s expression was indifferent, not responding. He pulled out a napkin and gently wiped the corner of Bei Yao’s lips.

Pei Haobin knew Pei Chuan’s personality wouldn’t accept it. He pushed them toward Bei Yao: “Bei Yao, this is Uncle and Auntie’s goodwill. You need funds to establish your new household. Uncle can’t do much for you—please accept this.”

Bai Yutong was furious. Cao Li knew Pei Haobin would give money, but Bai Yutong didn’t know!

She had originally been gloating—this stepbrother had just gotten out of prison and now definitely had no house, no car, no job. So what if Bei Yao was beautiful? She’d still have to live a hard life. Who’d have thought Uncle Pei would take out money! That money definitely wasn’t little. Maybe even enough for this cripple to buy a house.

Bei Yao shook her head: “Thank you, but regarding money, Pei Chuan and I will find a way.”

Pei Haobin’s heart felt bitter. He said to Pei Chuan: “Dad knows he’s wronged you. Let’s speak plainly today—I’ve made a will. In the future, the money will all be yours and Bei Yao’s. If you need any help now, tell me anytime. Dad will definitely try his best to help. These things are yours. If you don’t want them, I’ll donate them to the country.”

Pei Chuan said: “Then donate them.”

Cao Li couldn’t sit still: “This is money your dad saved his whole life—what kind of talk is donating it! Besides, you haven’t bought a house or car yet. Taking the money would at least make things easier.”

Pei Chuan’s gaze swept over, passing over the child in her arms, then landing on Cao Li, his eyes somewhat cold.

Pei Chuan said: “I’ve already bought Yaoyao’s house—in B City. The car can also be picked up tomorrow. I have a job. I can support Yaoyao. You don’t need to worry anymore.”

Bai Yutong said: “What are you joking about? You have a house in B City?”

A house in B City! Even in 2013, that would cost several million. Pei Chuan was bragging, right!

Pei Chuan gave her a cold glance. Bai Yutong instinctively shrank her neck.

Pei Chuan took out a business card, placing it before Pei Haobin, and asked Bei Yao softly: “Are you full?” Bei Yao nodded. Only then did he pull Bei Yao up and walk toward the door.

Pei Haobin’s gaze fell upon the business card in a daze, too shocked to speak.

Pei Jiadong suddenly jumped down from his stool and ran toward the door, his voice crisp: “Big brother!”

The air grew very quiet.

Pei Chuan lowered his eyes. He looked at the very short child, his gaze quietly sweeping over Pei Jiadong.

Pei Jiadong was frightened and took a step back. He just really liked his big brother.

Cao Li hurried over, holding her son and backing away, as if Pei Chuan would sever her child’s legs the next moment.

Pei Chuan didn’t speak, taking Bei Yao and leaving.

Cao Li’s heart still pounded with lingering fear. The man’s gaze had been too cold, making her heart grow timid. Holding her son as she returned, she saw Pei Haobin staring at the business card, his eyes reddening. Cao Li glanced over and said in a lost voice: “First Scientific Research Institute, Pei Chuan?”

This was… a scientist!

Bai Yutong was dumbfounded.

How could this be! How could he be a scientist? Hadn’t he been to prison? Then… the house and car were all real!

Pei Haobin wiped his face. He and Jiang Wenjuan had both been wrong.

Absurdly wrong.

They thought this child’s life was ruined, but actually, he could be this outstanding, his future not inferior to anyone’s. This silently told them how ridiculous they had been back then.

Yet times had changed—they were destined to owe him for a lifetime.

A lifetime without peace, living in constant anxiety.

~

Bei Yao gently squeezed Pei Chuan’s hand. That call of “big brother” had touched Pei Chuan greatly—she had felt him stiffen then.

She said: “Are you unhappy?”

Pei Chuan squeezed her hand back: “No.”

He wasn’t unhappy, just didn’t know how to describe that feeling. A child who shared his bloodline, a healthy child—Pei Jiadong’s affectionate intent had been obvious, but Pei Chuan didn’t like him.

Pei Chuan had been that healthy and lively when he was little, and he’d been very smart then too. Coincidentally, Pei Jiadong this year was nearly four years old, exactly the age when he had lost his lower legs.

If that incident hadn’t happened, Pei Chuan’s growth trajectory should have been like this child’s.

He was just somewhat dazed, as if seeing himself from many years ago.

But it was only a moment of daze. He wouldn’t concern himself with anything from the Pei family anymore. He now had a family of his own.

Bei Yao thought of that business card, somewhat curious: “What did you give Uncle Pei?”

She had sat far away and hadn’t seen the words on it.

Her eyes were bright. Pei Chuan said nothing, taking out another card to show her.

He rarely felt nervous, thinking of what she’d said on the plane that year, silently watching her reaction.

Bei Yao was stunned: “Are you a scientist?”

“Mm.”

She blinked, somewhat unable to believe it. After a long while, she stood on tiptoes and gently kissed his cheek: “Pei Chuan is amazing.”

A scientist! An honor so many people couldn’t obtain in a lifetime!

Bei Yao was actually the most shocked person. Heaven knew that in the original trajectory, Pei Chuan had been “Satan”!

Pei Chuan felt the soft sensation on his cheek. He didn’t speak, but his ears turned slightly red.

Bei Yao probably didn’t know—there was no more moving phrase than a woman praising a man as amazing.

As if in an instant, many years of suffering had been rewarded. He said softly: “You study well. I’ll support you.”

Bei Yao smiled and nodded: “Then I’m counting on Mr. Pei!”

He pressed his lips together, a smile appearing in his eyes, heart-piercingly sweet.

The wedding was rushed. Bei Yao’s wedding dress couldn’t be custom-made—they could only pick one at a bridal shop.

After several busy days, the wedding day finally arrived.

The invitations Pei Chuan sent out were all carefully written by him. In his youth, he’d only had three friends—Jin Ziyang, Zheng Hang, and Ji Wei.

Zheng Hang was truly somewhat surprised he was getting married so quickly, but then felt happy. Pei Chuan’s journey had truly held too many difficulties.

Their wedding was in the chapel. Before the bells rang, Bei Yao held her father’s arm.

Even a man like Bei Licai couldn’t help his eyes reddening.

He said: “Yaoyao, be happy. If he bullies you, tell Dad.”

Daughter, Dad’s existence is to be silently like a mountain for a lifetime, yet forever protect you.

Bei Yao’s eyes stung. Bei Licai had been silent and unobtrusive throughout her growing up, yet had never been absent.