novelraw Chapter 141: Does President Pei Have a Girlfriend?
Chapter 141: Does President Pei Have a Girlfriend?
Du Shanqi entered the courtyard and, upon seeing her, showed a face of amazement.
"Zhizhi, you look so beautiful."
She walked over, helped her up from the low stool, and circled around her, "Truly a beauty without any flaw at every angle, you look good no matter how you view it."
"Grandma, the hairstyle you designed for Zhizhi is also a success." Saying this, she gave Granny Du two thumbs up.
Hearing her sincere praise, Granny Du beamed with joy, her face full of smiles, lovingly looking at these two lovely young women.
"Zhizhi, help me see if there’s anything on my dress that needs adjusting."
Su Lingzhi walked around her, adjusted her collar, "Okay, our Sister Shanqi also looks great."
Su Lingzhi curiously asked, "How did you manage to bun your hair yourself?"
"After practicing a lot, you become skillful." Du Shanqi pulled her into the room, "Come, I’ll put some light makeup on you."
After a bit of bustling around, they were finally ready to go out.
As they were heading out, they happened to run into Pei Xu walking over, carrying a large bag of items.
Su Lingzhi politely greeted him, "President Pei."
Pei Xu was startled, almost not recognizing her, "Are you two going out to have fun?"
"Yes."
Seeing they were going out, Pei Xu asked, "I came to deliver some gifts to your grandparents, are they home?"
Du Shanqi replied, "My grandpa and grandma are home, you can see them inside. I’ll take Zhizhi and go first, won’t be keeping you company."
"Go ahead."
With just a simple encounter, Du Shanqi led the way to the adjacent alley, chatting with her along the way about how things have been.
The alley with blue bricks, the courtyard gateway, and red lanterns complementing each other, many old craftsmen displayed various toys and ornaments.
Their ancient costumes drew much attention along the street alleys.
Du Shanqi bought two rabbit lanterns from a stall, handed one to her, generously saying, "If you see anything you like, just tell big sister, big sister will pay."
"Then I won’t be polite."
"Please, don’t be polite with me."
She had been to this market before, but it had been a long time since the last visit, and today happened to coincide with the Mid-Autumn Festival, which felt refreshing to her.
Then, Du Shanqi took her into a clay sculpture shop, bought her a clay rabbit, took several photos of her, let her experience the Mid-Autumn atmosphere in the alleys, and only returned home when it was dark.
At that time, her grandma prepared a table full of dishes, and the whole family of her uncle had returned, setting up an offering table in the courtyard, burning incense and worshipping the moon.
Her cousin’s child was always around them, especially clinging to Su Lingzhi, the reunion dinner was lively, drinking osmanthus wine and enjoying the moon in the courtyard, with a warm, bustling human touch.
Su Lingzhi glanced at the time and took out her phone to send a message to Fu Yinli.
[Can you save some stomach for tonight?]
The message was sent, and the reply came almost immediately: [Okay]
"Zhizhi."
Hearing her grandma calling her, Su Lingzhi quickly put away her phone and followed the voice, "Grandma, what’s up?"
Granny Du handed her a basket and instructed, "These are the mooncakes we made this morning, along with some pastries and wine, take them over for Pei Xu to try."
"Okay." Su Lingzhi didn’t hesitate at all.
Compared to here, the house next door seemed especially quiet. Although the lights were on, there was no sound.
Su Lingzhi knocked on the door and waited outside for a while.
When the door opened, Pei Xu’s expression paused slightly.
Su Lingzhi handed the basket to him, "My grandma prepared this for you, wishing you a happy Mid-Autumn Festival."
Pei Xu didn’t take it but said to her, "Come in and sit for a while."
"Would it be inconvenient?"
"It’s just me at home."
Su Lingzhi froze for a moment, recalling what her grandma had told her in the morning about Pei Xu’s family’s situation, she stepped over the threshold and followed him inside.
A tray was set in the courtyard, and Su Lingzhi placed the basket on the table, saying to him, "These are the mooncakes we made this morning, I think they taste quite good."
"Sure." Pei Xu invited her to sit down, then took a piece from the basket and took a bite.
"How is it? Is it good?"
Pei Xu turned to look at her, nodded, "Good."
Su Lingzhi opened the bottle of osmanthus wine, poured it into two cups, picked up one, and handed it to him, "This osmanthus wine was also brewed by my grandma."
Pei Xu took a sip, "It’s good, too."
Perhaps because they had undergone similar experiences, her grandparents had warmed her heart, and she used that warmth to empathize with him.
Su Lingzhi leaned against the back of the chair, gazing at the bright moon in the sky.
In the past, in the Su Family, she lived a life of luxury and did not involve herself in any chores, and it was only today that she truly understood the meaning of simple pleasures in life.
The lights in the courtyard quietly fell on her body, her ancient costume highlighting her elegance, like a delicate glass flower, evoking a desire to cherish her.
Pei Xu withdrew his gaze from her and came back with two items, first handing her a thin blanket, "Cover up, it’s cool in the evening, don’t catch a cold."
Su Lingzhi took it and covered herself, thanking him.
Then, Pei Xu handed her a clay rabbit he was holding, "I saw this at the entrance of the alley today, consider it a return gift."
Su Lingzhi politely refused, "Sorry, I don’t accept return gifts, besides, I didn’t prepare anything for the festival for you either."
A hint of a shadow crossed Pei Xu’s gentle face, as he retracted the clay rabbit and placed it on the table.
Noticing his dejection, Su Lingzhi asked, "President Pei, do you have a girlfriend?"
His gaze met hers, with a slightly complex expression.
"I’m being presumptuous, if..."
"I have a girlfriend." Pei Xu candidly replied, then added, "We are very close."
Su Lingzhi immediately felt relieved, her eyes moved away from him, momentarily at a loss for words.
Pei Xu let out a light laugh, "I am nice to you because your grandparents asked me to take care of you, I see you as a little sister, with no ulterior motives."
Though openly said, relieving her concerns, Su Lingzhi somewhat wished to find a hole to hide in.
It wasn’t her fault for asking so clearly, she was just afraid of someone feeling jealous once he found out.
Pei Xu changed the subject, asking, "Did you have fun today?"
"Yes." Su Lingzhi nodded, just then, her phone alarm went off, she explained, "I set an alarm to prevent myself from staying out too late."
Saying this, she stood up from the chair, bidding farewell, "I have work tomorrow, I’ll head back first."
"Aren’t you staying at your grandparents’?"
Su Lingzhi shook her head, "I’m not."
Pei Xu offered, "I’ll take you home then."
"No need to trouble you, I have plans." Su Lingzhi waved to him, "President Pei, see you tomorrow."