After greeting everyone politely, Pei Lan sat down between Zheng Tianming and Zheng Wanwan. The household auntie, quick on her feet, brought him a set of chopsticks and a bowl.
Before anyone else could speak, Zheng Lin opened his mouth first: “Your mother and I had already discussed it—we planned to have Tianming take us in the afternoon to avoid the crowds, but it turns out Tianming went on his own.”
Zheng Tianming was eating his meal; he had no idea this had even been arranged.
“Dad and Mom really do dote on me—you knew the morning crowd would be too much for me to handle socially.” After speaking, Pei Lan rose, picked up the liquor bottle, and poured half a glass for Zheng Lin, then half a glass for Tianming, who also drank, and finally half a glass for himself.
Ye Yuncheng sometimes wondered which side of the family his silver tongue came from, but the shrewdness was certainly inherited from his father—full of holes like a lotus seed pod.
Zheng Lin smiled.
“You should drink less. Isn’t Wanwan trying to get pregnant?” Feng Xi sighed inwardly. Since her son-in-law had put it that way, it would be unreasonable for her to keep a stern face.
Zheng Tianming raised his glass and looked up: “Wasn’t she going to—”
Pei Lan reacted quickly, clinking glasses with Zheng Tianming directly: “Your sister did originally want to wait until her career was stable, but we’re not getting any younger, and she’s changed her mind.”
He forcibly turned “Wasn’t she going to get a divorce?” into “Wasn’t she going to wait until her career was stable?”
Zheng Wanwan tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She regretted telling Zheng Tianming now—she’d scared him half to death. She rarely lied to her mother.
“Once Wanwan has the baby, your father and I can retire. Then the two of us will stay home and look after the little one—we won’t bother with company matters anymore.” After speaking, Feng Xi picked up a piece of sweet-and-sour pork and placed it in Ye Yuncheng’s bowl: “Don’t fight me over it.”
“We live right upstairs and downstairs—I wouldn’t fight you over it. I’m just envious that you get to retire.” Ye Yuncheng said, then looked at her own good-for-nothing son, her teeth itching with frustration.
Other families’ children would fight tooth and nail over inheritance rights, turning brothers into enemies. But her two sons? It was like holding a ticking time bomb—nobody wanted it when it was offered.
Pei Lan took a sip of his liquor, leaned slightly to the side, lowered his voice, and said in a serious tone: “We can have the child later, but I hope my wife will give me the process sooner.”
Zheng Wanwan’s face flushed crimson. She reached under the table and pinched Pei Lan’s thigh through his suit pants. How dare he spout nonsense in front of so many people?
However, Zheng Tianming, sitting nearby, hadn’t even heard what Pei Lan had muttered, let alone anyone else.
Pei Lan’s eyes carried a warm smile. He wouldn’t be that tactless. He raised his glass of baijiu and downed it in one go.
But to everyone else, they just looked like a couple flirting.
“Drink less.” Zheng Wanwan couldn’t help but remind him when she saw Pei Lan drinking one glass after another.
Zheng Tianming’s face was also flushed from drinking: “Sis, I rarely get to come home—what’s wrong with letting him drink with me a little?” With that, he refilled Pei Lan’s glass to the brim.
Feng Xi shot Zheng Tianming a glare: “You’re not young anymore. It’s precisely because you’re so irresponsible that you can’t find a wife.”
Zheng Tianming drank his liquor. If he hadn’t made that one wrong step back then, he wouldn’t just have a wife—his kids would already be running around.
Pei Lan had been plied with quite a lot of alcohol, and in the end, Zheng Wanwan had to press down on Zheng Tianming’s hand as he was pouring: “No more. He still has to go teach at school tomorrow.”
Pei Lan’s expression didn’t change at all, as if the alcohol hadn’t even touched him.
“Alright, stop drinking.” Feng Xi said as she stood up. Zheng Lin had also drunk quite a bit—his son had won an award in the military, and the more he talked, the more animated he became, the corners of his mouth lifting the whole time, seemingly without any fatigue.
Pei Lan stood up, and as he was leaving, he told his father-in-law they should go fishing together sometime.
He hadn’t taken more than two steps down the stairs before he started toppling sideways, and it was fortunate that Zheng Wanwan reacted in time.
“You can’t hold your liquor, so why show off?” Zheng Wanwan said, exasperated. Pei Lan’s full weight was pressing down on her, making it hard to even walk.
Pei Lan, drunk, spoke in a hoarse voice: “Afraid your parents won’t like me and will take my wife away.” As he spoke, he struggled to straighten himself up.
Zheng Wanwan let out a sigh. Pei Lan had never been able to drink since he was young—Zheng Tianming had clearly done it on purpose. He knew full well and still let him go along with it.
Pei Lan had to get home, after all, since he needed to go to school to teach his students tomorrow, and part of his materials were still at home.
Once they were in the car, Zheng Wanwan loosened his tie and unbuttoned the top buttons of his shirt for him.
“Wife.” Pei Lan rested his head on Zheng Wanwan’s shoulder, calling her name over and over in that hoarse voice, yet refusing to say anything else.
The warmth mixed with the smell of alcohol sprayed against her neck. Zheng Wanwan felt as if she were already drunk without having taken a sip. She leaned back against the seat, her gaze drifting dimly out the window.
Outside the car window, neon lights flickered. Zheng Wanwan’s heart sank to the bottom. She didn’t dare accept Pei Lan again—what if he disappeared once more?
She would go mad, she would die…
This distance was enough. At least she wouldn’t have to live in constant fear of losing him again someday.
When they got home, Zheng Wanwan helped Pei Lan into his room. The decor was black and white with no other ornamentation, and on the nightstand sat a book on archaeology.
Pei Lan lay on the bed, gripping Zheng Wanwan’s wrist: “Wife, how about your husband coaxes you to sleep?” His voice grew increasingly hoarse, and from the look on his face, it wasn’t hard to tell he was feeling unwell at the moment.
“No need.” Zheng Wanwan said as she pulled her hand back. There was no hangover remedy at home, so she’d have to have a delivery person bring some over.
Pei Lan propped himself up with one hand on the bed and wrapped his other arm around Zheng Wanwan’s waist: “Wife…”
Zheng Wanwan was typing on her phone and glanced down at him. She’d never seen him like this before—he was always so proper and composed, even their kisses were things she had to initiate.
“I want to coax you to sleep.” Pei Lan said, removing his glasses and planting a light kiss on Zheng Wanwan’s body through her clothes.
Zheng Wanwan took a deep breath, then let it out in a long exhale. Even in this state, how was he still thinking about coaxing her to sleep?
“Let go of me first.” Zheng Wanwan could barely breathe from his embrace, wondering where he got such strength from.
Pei Lan lay on the bed, his glasses tossed carelessly aside.
Zheng Wanwan crouched down to take off his shoes.
Pei Lan felt his belt was uncomfortable but couldn’t undo it. Zheng Wanwan slapped the back of his hand, then pulled his belt off and threw it on the floor.
Next came the suit jacket. Pei Lan probably felt hot, so he tried to unbutton his shirt, and Zheng Wanwan had to help him.
What Zheng Wanwan hadn’t expected was that Pei Lan’s body was covered in scars, crisscrossing in every direction. Some of the raised scars clearly showed missing flesh that had slowly grown back over time due to lack of timely medical treatment.
Pei Lan’s muscles were lean and his lines well-proportioned, but his waist and abdomen were covered in scars. Zheng Wanwan’s fingertips traced over the raised tissue.
“Mm—”
Pei Lan let out a heavy, labored breath.
Zheng Wanwan leaned over and ran her hand behind him—sure enough, his back was also covered in raised scars. What on earth had he been doing these past three years?
Why, even pushed to this point, would he still refuse to say?
Pei Lan wrapped his arm around Zheng Wanwan’s waist and flipped her over beneath him, his narrow, deep-set eyes already consumed with desire.
Zheng Wanwan pressed her hand against Pei Lan’s chest: “You’re so heavy, you’re crushing me.” Her legs were pinned and she couldn’t move at all.
Pei Lan’s warm, gentle hand settled on Zheng Wanwan’s waist. He knew she didn’t like the smell of alcohol, so he didn’t kiss her lips—instead, he kissed her chest through her clothes, greedily wanting all of her.
Zheng Wanwan struggled at first, but eventually she simply gave up, because she realized that Pei Lan wouldn’t hurt her—even his kisses were through the fabric of her clothes.
The scorching heat of their breath pressed against each other until both of them were gasping for air.
“Pei Lan!” Just as Zheng Wanwan let down her guard, Pei Lan managed to find the zipper on her dress…
Pei Lan’s voice was low and heavy: “Relax, trust me.”
A thin layer of sweat had formed on his forehead—it looked like he was restraining himself with every ounce of willpower.
“Trust you for what? You’re pressing right against me!” Zheng Wanwan struggled as she spoke, only to find that the more she struggled, the faster his hands moved.
“You bastard!” Zheng Wanwan retracted her earlier thought—Pei Lan wasn’t incapable of hurting her; rather, he was so drunk that he couldn’t find the right spot.
Pei Lan leaned down, his lips brushing against Zheng Wanwan’s ear: “Wife, am I a bastard or not—didn’t you already know that long ago?” With that, he pressed forward.
A sudden wave of warmth made him let out a low, muffled groan.
Zheng Wanwan shoved hard at Pei Lan: “Don’t you dare…”
If the fire got stoked, Zheng Wanwan couldn’t guarantee what would happen. She wasn’t young anymore—doing something out of line wouldn’t be that surprising.
“Fine, I promise you—I’ll let you cuddle me to sleep.” Zheng Wanwan took a step back, clamping her legs tightly together. The man who was always so proper and refined was now throwing a drunken tantrum with her.
Pei Lan braced himself on the bed, his eyes rimmed with red, his voice hoarse beyond recognition: “Wife, you have to keep your word.”
What else could she do if she didn’t? Knock him out and make a run for it?
Pei Lan rolled over, his body landing heavily on the bed—he had used every ounce of strength to hold himself back…
Zheng Wanwan sat up: “Wait for me a moment.” With that, she returned to her own bedroom, opened the drawer, and took out two pills to swallow.
As she drank water, tears fell in big droplets into the cup. She didn’t know why she was crying, nor why she felt so miserable.
She wiped her tears away, and the moment she stepped out of the bedroom, her expression had changed.
Just then, the doorbell rang. Zheng Wanwan went to the front door to pick up the hangover remedy delivered by the courier, then poured a glass of warm water and returned to the bedroom.
Pei Lan was leaning against the headboard, waiting for her.
“Stop staring. Take the medicine.” Zheng Wanwan brought the pill to Pei Lan’s lips: “If you know you can’t hold your liquor, then don’t drink so much.”
Pei Lan took the hangover pill and patted his thigh.
Zheng Wanwan climbed onto the bed and rested her head on his leg. But when she turned over, she nearly got hit in the face: “You…”
“It was taken from you.” Pei Lan said matter-of-factly.
Zheng Wanwan had no choice but to turn back around.
Pei Lan’s large hand massaged her head gently.
Whether it was the medicine taking effect or Pei Lan’s massage being soothing, Zheng Wanwan fell asleep before long.
Pei Lan’s lips pressed against Zheng Wanwan’s cheek as he slowly lowered her onto the bed. Even he found the smell of alcohol on himself unpleasant.
Zheng Wanwan curled up on the bed, her long, curled lashes trembling slightly under the bedside lamp light. She wasn’t sleeping peacefully.
After coming out of the bathroom, Pei Lan turned off the bedside lamp and went into the study. There were still some things he needed to investigate.
When Zheng Wanwan woke up, it was seven in the morning. She stretched, reaching for her phone, only to realize she was being held tightly by Pei Lan.
Pei Lan kissed the back of Zheng Wanwan’s neck. “Good morning, wife.”
“I wonder—are all university professors like you?” Zheng Wanwan was starting to worry about the nation’s young flowers.
Pei Lan picked up his glasses and put them on, speaking in a low voice, “Wife, everyone has a different personality. I only teach the coursework.” With that, he got up to wash up.
Zheng Wanwan returned to her own bedroom. She casually tied her hair into a high ponytail and put on a black tracksuit. Zheng Tianming rarely came home, so it would be a shame not to put him to work.
The Zheng family had a large training facility. Anyone who wanted to join the company had to go through strict screening—though they were paid during the training period, of course.
Failing meant not passing the probation period.
When Zheng Wanwan was little, she would run off to the training ground whenever she had free time, learning techniques like martial arts and boxing. Despite her gentle appearance, she had once competed in fighting tournaments and even won awards.
So, never judge a book by its cover.
When Zheng Wanwan came out, she saw Pei Lan wearing a gray suit. She had to admit, it suited his temperament quite well. The only incongruous thing was that he was wearing an apron…
“Wife, have some porridge before you go.” Pei Lan said as he brought out the side dishes from the kitchen.
Zheng Wanwan walked over to the dining area and glanced at it. “How virtuous of you. After we divorce, you’ll definitely be popular.” She stirred the porridge with her spoon a couple of times.
Pei Lan didn’t say anything. He was the one who had provoked her, so all he could do was listen to whatever she said.
“Wife, I have a gathering with my colleagues tonight. I might be home a bit late.” Pei Lan took off his apron and adjusted his glasses.
Zheng Wanwan drank her porridge, ignoring Pei Lan. He was a grown man—was she supposed to worry he couldn’t find his way home?
She hadn’t kept tabs on him even during their honeymoon phase, let alone now.
Pei Lan looked at Zheng Wanwan, his voice warm and gentle. “Wife, do you have any special work plans today?”
Zheng Wanwan’s eyes curved into a smile as she looked at Pei Lan. “It’s a secret.” She picked up some cold dishes with her chopsticks.
So that’s why he was proactively reporting his whereabouts—he was waiting to ask about hers. Well, she wasn’t going to tell him…
A hundred pounds of body weight, two hundred pounds of defiance.
“Wife, I have a bit of a headache. Would it be convenient for you to drive me to school?” Pei Lan knew that whether Zheng Wanwan was heading to the company or the training ground, she would pass by Arts University on the way.
Otherwise, he wouldn’t have added to her troubles.
Zheng Wanwan finally understood Li Mirui’s—Auntie Li’s—frustration. She was the mother of Zheng Wanwan’s best friend, Xu Mengyu.
Xu Mengyu’s father had the childhood nickname “Baa Baa.” He was a domineering CEO who handled matters with swift decisiveness and could kick a man into paralysis with one blow. But in front of Auntie Li, he would act like a spoiled child, weak and utterly incapable of taking care of himself.
Zheng Wanwan felt that Pei Lan hadn’t learned the good things at all—he’d picked up all the “fine qualities” of the older generation.
“Fine. Then eat quickly.”
The moment Zheng Wanwan finished speaking, the doorbell rang. She got up to answer it, and a huge bouquet of flowers appeared right in front of her face.
She sneezed several times in a row, and her voice instantly changed. She had rhinitis and couldn’t stand such a strong fragrance.
Pei Lan had actually forgotten even this. Zheng Wanwan accepted the flowers with a hint of disappointment, and right in front of Pei Lan, she tossed them onto the dining table with a sour expression.
Pei Lan pushed up the glasses on the bridge of his nose, his voice much deeper than usual: “Who gave these to you?”
Zheng Wanwan was stunned. She took a closer look—the flowers were actually from a male colleague!
…