novelraw Chapter 1371 - 269: Life’s Hardships, Wishes Fulfilled (Part 1)
Chapter 1371 - 269: Life’s Hardships, Wishes Fulfilled (Part 1)
The old man couldn’t take it, so after sitting for a while, he went to rest. Only a few people were left in the living room.
Pei Ying smiled and said, "Qinghan, Ji Yunya is also from Jiangzhou. You both grew up in the same place, so you could be considered hometown folks."
Pei Qinghan smiled slightly. Although his smile was gentle and pleasant, it always carried a kind of aloofness that kept people at a distance. His eyes didn’t look at anyone, and his voice was as mesmerizing as a poppy.
"I’ve heard of Miss Ji’s great name, but I’ve never had the chance to meet her."
So, they don’t know each other?
Pei Xinyi didn’t believe it. With a woman’s intuition, there was definitely something going on between them. Pei Qinghan had enormous influence in Jiangzhou, and Ji Yunya was the most distinguished socialite in Jiangzhou. It was impossible for them not to have crossed paths. The more they pretended not to know each other, the more likely there was an issue.
Her gaze shifted between the two, and she suddenly smiled and said, "Yunya has quite the reputation in Jiangzhou, and Qinghan, you are also a remarkable figure there. You two really make a perfect match. It’s a pity you didn’t end up together." Then she sighed and shook her head.
Pei Qinghan’s smile remained unchanged, but in the depths of his clear gaze, a swift glint of coldness flashed by. "Cousin-in-law, even joking has its limits. It doesn’t matter for me, but Miss Ji is about to get engaged. Have you thought about what kind of trouble your words might bring her?"
Pei Xinyi’s smiling face froze, and her hand under the sleeve tightened slightly. What did Pei Qinghan mean by this? Was he really defending Ji Yunya?
But looking at his expression, he seemed righteous and sincere, as if he truly cared about Ji Yunya’s reputation. What gentlemanly demeanor.
Pei Ying frowned and scolded, "You’re a grown-up now. Can’t you watch your mouth and know what to say and what not to say?"
Pei Xinyi quickly slapped her own face and forced a smile. "Mom is right, I was just being careless for a moment. Yunya, don’t hold it against me..."
Yunya gritted her teeth slightly and smiled sweetly and obediently. "I won’t hold it against Fourth Aunt, after all, it was an unintentional remark. But when a falsehood becomes truth, rumors can harm, so be careful of eavesdroppers. If someone with ill intentions spreads it, my reputation is a small matter, but it would be a great offense to tarnish the Yan Family’s name."
The implication was that if rumors of her and Pei Qinghan were spread, it would be Pei Xinyi’s big mouth that spread it, and then all the blame would fall on her.
Pei Xinyi forced a stiff smile, feeling a dark resentment inside. The sharp-tongued little girl had put a big label on her.
The more they tried to distance themselves from each other, the more Pei Xinyi felt there was a major issue between them.
"Just remembered something I need to do. You all continue, I’ll be right back." Pei Ying got up and left, and Pei Xinyi, feeling embarrassed, also found an excuse to leave.
For a moment, only Yunya, Yan Xing, and Pei Qinghan were left in the living room.
Pei Qinghan had a distant expression, holding a cup of tea and drinking it.
The atmosphere was a bit quiet for a moment.
Yan Xing, trying to find something to say, remarked, "I didn’t have a chance to talk to you at the spring conference last time. I didn’t expect you to be Fourth Aunt’s nephew. Should I call you uncle by rank? Yet, uncle sounds so distant, maybe just dropping the title and calling you by your name is better...."
Pei Qinghan smiled, "Uncle, huh, that makes me sound old...."
Yan Xing’s eyes sparkled with stars. Even the way he spoke was so gentle, she couldn’t take it anymore...
"So, uncle, are you really from Jiangzhou? How come I never saw you before? Why did you, being from the Pei Family, grow up in Jiangzhou?" Yan Xing said as she dashed to the other side, sitting where Pei Ying had just been, propping her chin in her hands, examining this man up close. The more she looked, the more fascinated she became. How can a man’s skin be so good? Such long and dark eyelashes, he was like a piece of warm, translucent jade, making her itch inside, wanting to grab him.
"So many questions, which one should I answer first?" Pei Qinghan said with a smile, a kind of indulgence that adults have towards a child’s antics, yet there was somehow a subtle detachment. Yan Xing didn’t know how to describe it. The person was clearly sitting right in front of her, obviously within reach, but gave the illusion of being far away, like a wisp of smoke veiled in mist.
"Then answer them one by one, I have a lot of patience." Yan Xing’s smile was innocent and bright, her eyes twinkling with expectant light, just like a child waiting for an adult to hand out candy.
Yunya watched the two of them, sighing inwardly. Thankfully, Yan Xing alleviated the awkwardness, otherwise, Yunya wouldn’t know how to handle herself. Pei Ying and Pei Xinyi, that mother-in-law and daughter-in-law pair, were even more nauseating than Lu Yuke. Were they testing her on purpose or what?
Pei Qinghan’s gaze seemed to inadvertently sweep over Yunya, calm as a cloud, answering with a gentle smile, showing exceptional patience yet muddled the concept of the questions. Yet the silly Yan Xing didn’t notice, listening with great interest, though her eyes stayed fixed on Pei Qinghan’s thin lips. Watching them move, she marveled at how beautifully formed they were, how pleasant his voice was. As for what was said, Yan Xing really didn’t pay attention...