Zheng Wanwan drove her small sedan, occasionally glancing at the rearview mirror. Pei Lan sat steadily in the back seat, a cigarette held between his fingertips, the window lowered halfway. Though he hadn’t said a single word, he conveyed “displeasure” to the extreme.
Pei Lan lowered his narrow, elongated eyes, exhaling smoke. He knew full well that Wanwan was married, yet he still gave her roses early in the morning.
Zheng Wanwan felt the atmosphere was stifling, so she took the initiative to speak: “I might be home a bit late tonight. Remember to have the driver pick you up after work.”
“It’s fine, I can wait.” Pei Lan’s voice was somewhat hoarse, deep beyond measure.
Zheng Wanwan gripped the steering wheel. She hadn’t done anything wrong, so why did she feel like she’d been caught having an affair within her marriage…
The car stopped at the school gate. Pei Lan adjusted his glasses and said in a deep voice, “Wife, drive safely.” With that, he opened the door and got out.
Pei Lan treated others with humility and courtesy, possessing an elegant temperament. Yet beneath the surface, he carried an imperceptible wildness—like a tamed lion that, though obedient, would never lose its innate ferocity.
But he was highly skilled at disguise; few knew this side of him.
Zheng Wanwan watched Pei Lan’s retreating figure. It was clear he was very popular at school—before he even entered the campus, numerous students were already greeting him.
After entering his office, Pei Lan picked up the transparent glass cup on the desk. He still had over an hour before his class.
He had just brewed his tea and turned on his computer when the office door opened. Pei Kaixin plopped down onto the sofa, his body slouched, looking like he hadn’t fully woken up.
“Even when I was in school, I never suffered like this,” he said in a low, husky voice, though his tone was extremely languid.
Pei Lan’s slender fingertips tapped on the keyboard.
The only reason Pei Kaixin could drag himself out of bed this morning was thanks to his wife’s feather duster.
Pei Kaixin propped himself up on his legs and looked at Pei Lan. Seeing his grim face, lips pressed into a thin line—others might not notice, but as his older brother, he could tell at a glance: “Who got on your nerves so early in the morning?”
Pei Lan raised his head, casting a gloomy gaze at Pei Kaixin, his resentment even heavier than his brother’s.
“You were gone for three years—it’s normal to swallow some grievances.” After saying this, Pei Kaixin simply lay down on the sofa, draping one leg over the backrest. He could probably guess who was responsible.
Pei Lan said in a deep voice, “If someone sent roses to your wife, what would you do?”
“Dig a hole and bury him.” Pei Kaixin closed his eyes after speaking.
The way these two university professors communicated seemed to have reverted to primitive times…
Pei Lan took off his glasses and wiped them. He glanced at his phone set aside, then ultimately chose to send a text message to his assistant.
Zheng Wanwan had rhinitis, and the scent of the flowers this morning had been so strong. Although he’d fed her medicine before she left, he still felt somewhat uneasy.
When it was time for class, Pei Kaixin turned his head to look at his younger brother, dressed in a suit and holding a teacup, and his brow furrowed.
Pei Lan straightened his attire, then walked out of the office.
Pei Kaixin rubbed his soft hair and checked the time—five more minutes. So he lay back down again.
Peaceful…
“Good morning, class. Today, we’ll cover Section Four of Chapter Four: Burial Archaeology.” Pei Lan stood at the podium, his tall frame bending slightly as he held the mouse in his left hand and began the lecture.
The students below listened attentively—with only fifty of them, any whispered conversation wouldn’t escape Pei Lan’s ears.
The atmosphere of Pei Lan’s class was relaxed and pleasant. Occasionally, he’d crack harmless jokes—like when he talked about how to deter tomb robbers, making the students chuckle despite themselves.
Pei Kaixin happened to pass by and snapped a photo, sending it to Zheng Wanwan: “Sister-in-law, inspection complete. He’s teaching normally.”
Zheng Wanwan was drinking water at that moment. She glanced at her phone and nearly spat out her drink. How did Pei Kaixin know she was simply being a thirsty admirer…
Pei Lan wore a gray suit, his long, straight legs looking especially striking in the tailored trousers. He had silver-rimmed glasses on, a gentle smile at the corners of his mouth—elegant and refined.
Anyone with particular tastes would feel their heart race just looking at him through a screen, screaming internally…
Zheng Wanwan put away her phone and headed toward the training ground. Fifty newly recruited security personnel were standing at attention in the scorching sun.
“What kind of company is this? A lousy security job and they’re this strict?” With the instructor away, someone in the crowd started grumbling.
Zheng Wanwan walked over with a smile. Though she managed the company, she never carried an air of superiority, nor did she use her position to intimidate others.
She let her abilities speak for themselves.
The group noticed a gentle-looking woman in athletic wear approaching them. She made a gesture and then stood before them.
An hour later, the woman before them showed no sign of complaint—not even a single unnecessary movement.
“Who is she?”
“No idea. Decent figure though…”
The summer wind blew hot against their faces. Some people had already had enough, lifting their shirts to wipe the sweat from their faces.
Zheng Wanwan blinked her beautiful eyes as sweat slid down her delicate cheeks, dripping off her chin. She had been training since she was six or seven—this level of intensity was effortless for her.
Another hour passed. At least twenty of the fifty couldn’t hold out any longer, clamoring for water, while some simply found a shady spot and sat down.
“We came to find a job, not to risk our lives.”
“What kind of crappy company is this? They only said there’d be training when we signed up—didn’t say it’d nearly kill us.”
But there were still some, like Zheng Wanwan, who didn’t complain. Their backs stayed straight, standing as still as pine trees—clearly trained before.
“You lot—what are you doing? Why are you sitting down?” The instructor was a man around thirty, muscular, his physique clearly visible even through his short sleeves.
A few people sat on the steps drinking water, wiping the sweat that kept dripping down with the hems of their shirts: “We quit. What a crappy company.”
The instructor frowned: “In that case, consider your internship failed. Go to finance, collect half a day’s pay, and you can leave.”
The few people said some unpleasant things, complaining that it was just a lousy security job with way too many demands—what was wrong with this place.
Others in the group began feeling dissatisfied too, and leaving now meant they could still get half a day’s pay…
“Miss, what are you doing here?” The instructor walked over to Zheng Wanwan and lowered his voice.
Zheng Wanwan blinked politely in acknowledgment but didn’t answer.
Half an hour later, the coach blew his whistle, signaling everyone to take a break—they could use the restroom or grab some water.
Zheng Wanwan stretched her ankles and wrists, then glanced at the coach standing off to the side. He’d been rooted there since just a moment ago, likely trying to shield her from the sun.
“Brother Chen.” Zheng Wanwan’s voice was naturally soft and gentle—even when she tried to sound stern, that’s all it amounted to.
Chen Li’an turned to look at her. “I was just about to call you—and here you are.” He jerked his chin in a direction.
Zheng Wanwan turned around, facing the man sitting on the ground, still chatting and laughing. “You. Internship not passed. Go to the finance office and collect your morning wages.”
The man froze for a second. “What for? I didn’t do anything.”
“Sorry, but with your character, you can’t pass the internship.” Zheng Wanwan’s face turned cold in an instant.
Chen Li’an stood quietly to the side, watching. Zheng Wanwan might be gentle, but she had no tolerance for dirt in her eyes.
The man stood up. “The hell—who do you think you are?!” After standing under the blazing sun for three hours, his temper was already frayed, and being told out of nowhere that he’d failed his internship made him want to throw a punch.
While Zheng Wanwan had been standing up front earlier, this man had been behind her, muttering that her round backside meant she’d bear sons, and that a woman showing off among men clearly had ulterior motives.
His voice was low, but Zheng Wanwan had heard every word. Someone with that kind of character would never make it into the company.
“And you.” Zheng Wanwan turned her gaze to another man.
The two were cut from the same cloth.
Everyone’s eyes were on Zheng Wanwan now—pretty face, gentle voice, but no one expected her to be this assertive.
“Pfft, who does she think she is, coming here to play tough guy?” The other man spat on the ground, face twisted with displeasure.
Chen Li’an’s expression darkened. These people had all passed the interview screening—wasn’t this a slap in his face?
Zheng Wanwan had been perfectly polite up until now, but she raised her hand and pointed at Gate No. 1 of the training ground. “Get out.”
“Fuck you.” The man swung a fist at her.
Zheng Wanwan sidestepped the blow, her fingers catching his wrist and deflecting his strength in one motion. She followed through with an elbow, and the man stumbled back two steps, clutching his jaw.
“Beautiful!”
Someone in the crowd shouted. The move was clean and sharp—anything less and it wouldn’t have landed so perfectly.
Chen Li’an stepped forward, grabbed the man by the back of the neck, and dragged him out.
“Ow—”
The man was still holding his jaw as he spoke.
The other man, seeing this, didn’t dare say another word.
Zheng Wanwan clasped her hands behind her back, turned around, and slipped back into her gentle smile. “Everyone’s worked hard. The cafeteria has fruit prepared—if you don’t mind, you’re all welcome to come try some.”
The remaining forty or so people got to their feet. The man who’d shouted “Beautiful” walked up to Zheng Wanwan.
“You must be Sister Wanwan, right? Brother Ming recommended you—he was my squad leader back in the day.” He wiped his hands on his clothes, then extended one toward her.
Zheng Wanwan shook his hand. “Hello.”
The man was clearly a bit nervous. “My name’s Qi Yu. I’m twenty-five, two years younger than Brother Ming. My parents are still alive and well, and I’ve got a younger sister.”
Zheng Wanwan smiled. “Go get some fruit, or it’ll be gone.” She pulled her hand back, leaving faint red marks on her fair skin.
“Wanwan, I’ll head over first then.” Qi Yu said as she took out her phone and sent a message: “Brother Ming, can you send me Sister’s WeChat?”
Zheng Wanwan helplessly shook her hand—why was her grip so strong…
“Miss, that person just now had a dislocated jaw and has been sent to the infirmary. Sorry, we didn’t catch it during the interview…” Chen Li’an looked at Zheng Wanwan, having heard that her husband had been gone for three years without returning.
Zheng Wanwan nodded slightly. She was about to go take a shower—the smell of sweat on her was making her uncomfortable.
Chen Li’an followed beside Zheng Wanwan: “Miss, um, about the flowers this morning—did you receive them?” He hadn’t expected her to come today.
“My husband signed for them. Thank you—he said they were beautiful and has already put them in a vase.” Zheng Wanwan rubbed her nose after speaking. So the flowers were from him…
Chen Li’an froze: “Your… your husband is back?”
“Where else would he go?” Zheng Wanwan looked at Chen Li’an with confusion. He had pursued her before she even got married.
Whether it was grilled cold noodles or wilted roses, he was so hopelessly straightforward it was unbearable, so she had politely declined.
For the following two weeks, Pei Lan bought her grilled cold noodles every single day, to the point where she now can’t stand the smell…
Thinking of Pei Lan, Zheng Wanwan furrowed her brow. He never seemed to have a very big heart.
Chen Li’an stood still, then sighed: “What’s so good about him? He’s had you cursed at for all these years. I don’t care that you’ve been married before.”
At thirty with no partner—some people simply didn’t want one, but Chen Li’an clearly wasn’t one of them…
Zheng Wanwan ignored him and went straight to shower. Sometimes she wondered whether the training ground should also work on emotional intelligence.
After class, Pei Lan discussed blue-and-white porcelain with his students, then returned to his office.
Pei Kaixin lounged lazily on the sofa, holding a thermos cup. He took a sip and spat out several goji berries: “In today’s class, a student showed up in slippers with just a notebook to write in. I’m really worried about their mental state.”
Pei Lan took off his grey suit jacket, the grey vest hugging his lean waist. He placed his wristwatch on the table and picked up a clear teacup to take a sip…
“Who sent flowers to sister-in-law?” Pei Kaixin was usually too lazy to talk much, but he had no choice—his younger brother was just a brooding type, and the job of lightening the mood fell entirely on his shoulders.
The eyes behind Pei Lan’s glasses visibly darkened. He blew on the tea leaves in his cup and said in a calm voice: “Have you read the Book of Jin, Biography of Wei Guan? Emperor Sima Zhong.”
“Just say it was sent by an idiot and be done with it…” Pei Kaixin rubbed his eyes as he spoke. One of his eyes had been injured and only regained vision a few years ago.
Pei Lan took out his phone and glanced at it. Zheng Wanwan used to love clinging to him—she’d send him at least fifty messages a day.
But now, half a morning had passed and she’d only sent two words: “Thank you.” The assistant must have delivered the medicine.
Seeing Pei Lan looking so grim, Pei Kaixin took out his phone and sent Zheng Wanwan a voice message: “Sister-in-law, are you free tonight? Let’s grab dinner together.”
Pei Lan put down his phone, his gaze landing on Pei Kaixin’s phone. He’d sent the message—ten minutes had passed, and Wanwan still hadn’t replied to him.
In less than a minute, Zheng Wanwan’s voice came through Pei Kaixin’s phone: “Sure, bring sister-in-law along, my treat.”
Pei Kaixin held his phone, typing out messages.
Pei Lan looked at his own phone: “…”
But soon, Pei Lan received a text reply from Zheng Wanwan: “Nice butt, very pleasing to the eye, thanks.” It was quickly retracted, though.
Zheng Wanwan was eating watermelon, wishing she could smash her phone. She had meant to send it to Pei Kaixin, but it went to Pei Lan instead…