After her shower, Zheng Wanwan sat in the lounge area, her long black hair draped over her shoulders, still half-damp. She held her phone with a faint smile on her lips, and whenever someone passed by and greeted her, she would look up and respond earnestly.
“Wanwan, I got you some milk tea. Don’t all you girls like this stuff?” Chen Li’an said as he handed a cup of milk tea to Zheng Wanwan.
Zheng Wanwan knew exactly what Chen Li’an was getting at. She had already turned him down before, and not long ago she’d told him that her husband was back—but he acted like he couldn’t take the hint.
Chen Li’an’s uncle had served in the same military unit as Zheng Wanwan’s father, and had even been her father’s squad leader.
“Brother Chen, I’m not really into milk tea. I find it too sweet,” Zheng Wanwan said, frowning slightly. She genuinely didn’t care for it.
Chen Li’an sat down beside Zheng Wanwan. “You don’t need to save me money. This milk tea wasn’t expensive—I had a coupon, it was only eight-fifty.”
Zheng Wanwan seriously suspected that Chen Li’an wasn’t just oblivious—he might be missing a few screws. “I really don’t like it.”
“Alright then.” Chen Li’an sat there and finished the milk tea himself in no time. “Do you have time tonight? Let me take you out to dinner.”
Zheng Wanwan’s expression was hard to describe.
“Brother Chen, I have no intention of getting a divorce, so you don’t need to keep your hopes up about me.” Zheng Wanwan felt that this time she had made herself perfectly clear.
Chen Li’an set down the milk tea cup and looked at Zheng Wanwan seriously. “I know you’ve suffered a lot these past three years. Don’t worry—as long as you get divorced and settle down with me, I won’t hold anything against you. We can have two kids of our own then.”
Ugh—
Zheng Wanwan felt like she was about to tear her hair out. Before, he’d just been a bit dense and thick-headed, but now he couldn’t even tell when someone was being nice versus being blunt.
For a moment, Zheng Wanwan didn’t even know what to say.
Chen Li’an reached out his hand, and Zheng Wanwan quickly stood up.
“I’m thirty this year. My mom wants me to start a family soon.” Chen Li’an stood up as well. “Wanwan, don’t worry—whatever others have, I’ll give you too.”
Zheng Wanwan extended her hand and waved it hastily. “No, wait—are you misunderstanding something?” She seriously suspected that when he’d stepped on that grave mound yesterday, he’d bumped into something he shouldn’t have.
“I sent you flowers this morning, and you came right away—doesn’t that mean you feel the same way? I know you’re not divorced yet, but that’s fine. I can wait.” Chen Li’an finished speaking and reached out with his big hand, pulling Zheng Wanwan directly toward his chest.
Zheng Wanwan braced her hand against Chen Li’an and quickly pulled away, heading for the door. “You’ve got the wrong idea. Today is for new employee orientation—I’m the manager, so of course I had to come check things out. And those flowers you sent? I don’t even like them. I have rhinitis, so I can’t stand the smell of flowers.”
Chen Li’an was stunned at first, then his cheeks flushed red quickly—a stark contrast against his tanned skin.
“Sister Wanwan.” Qi Yu stood at the doorway holding a bottle of room-temperature water. “I need to talk to you about something.”
Zheng Wanwan walked out quickly. If she’d known, she wouldn’t have said those polite pleasantries—they’d given Chen Li’an such a huge misunderstanding…
Qi Yu handed the room-temperature water to Zheng Wanwan. “I was passing by and saw that coach bothering you.”
“Don’t mention this to Tianming,” Zheng Wanwan said as she unscrewed the cap and took a couple of sips.
Qi Yu grinned as he looked at Zheng Wanwan. Back when the class monitor said his sister was like a fairy, none of them believed it—they figured a guy as rough as him must have a sister who was just as tough and scrappy.
Who would’ve thought she’d be gentle and incredibly capable?
“Don’t worry, Sister Wanwan.”
Qi Yu stood at 183 centimeters, the sunny, handsome type. His voice was magnetic but not on the deep side.
Zheng Wanwan felt her hair was just about dry, so she casually gathered it and tied it into a low ponytail: “Brother Chen, nothing much going on today, so I’ll head back first.” As she spoke, she glanced at Qi Yu—he’d just sent her a friend request.
Whatever. She might as well accept it.
Qi Yu knew when to back off. He said a quick goodbye and didn’t linger on small talk.
Pei Lan stood at the school gate, waiting from four o’clock until six. The sky gradually darkened. The barbecue stall not far from the school was bustling with noise, and every now and then someone would greet him, asking if he wanted to join them. He declined every time.
Zheng Wanwan woke up and stretched. The curtains swayed gently. After coming back in the afternoon, she’d taken her medicine and lain down. She’d woken up a few times in between, but she hadn’t expected that this time, when she opened her eyes, the sky would already be dark.
“Oh no.” Zheng Wanwan quickly got up and grabbed her phone to call Pei Kaixin. She’d promised to treat him to dinner today.
Pei Kaixin was curled up on the sofa. When his phone rang, he said lazily, “Xiao Bai, get the phone for me.”
That’s right—he couldn’t even be bothered to answer his own calls on a normal day.
A robotic voice came through the speaker. Zheng Wanwan, combing her hair, said, “Brother Kai, sorry about this—I fell asleep and just woke up. Have you and sister-in-law eaten yet?”
Pei Kaixin glanced at the time: “Aren’t you picking up Pei Lan too?”
Zheng Wanwan blinked her gentle eyes. It was already eight o’clock now, and the living room lights were still off. Pei Lan couldn’t still be waiting at the school, could he?!
Before Pei Kaixin could say anything more, Zheng Wanwan exchanged a quick pleasantry and hurriedly hung up.
Phone in hand and bag slung over her arm, Zheng Wanwan braced herself against the doorframe to slip on her heels. He usually got off work around four-something, but surely Pei Lan wouldn’t be foolish enough to stand at the school gate waiting for her.
Pei Lan stood at the school gate, not even looking at his phone, just waiting quietly.
“Professor Lan, why are you still here?” A male student carrying late-night snacks walked by—he’d already eaten two full meals by now. “I bought some stir-fried noodles. Would you like to try some?”
“No, thank you.” Pei Lan’s voice was a bit hoarse.
After the student left, Pei Lan adjusted his glasses. He just stood there. Quite a few people assumed he was some kind of inspector—couples passing by would unconsciously let go of each other’s hands when they walked near him.
Zheng Wanwan drove her little sedan to Aster University. From a distance, she spotted Pei Lan standing there in his suit, looking even more cold and aloof under the streetlight.
After parking the car, she hurried over. What was going on today—she’d ended up dealing with someone so single-minded.
“Lan Ge.” Zheng Wanwan called out before she even reached him.
Pei Lan turned his head, and the eyes behind his glasses softened. He walked over to Zheng Wanwan and said in a hoarse voice, “Wife, have you had dinner?”
Zheng Wanwan glanced at the time. It was 8:30, and he still hadn’t eaten: “What time did you start waiting?”
“Wife, I got off work at four.” As Pei Lan spoke, he reached out and pulled Zheng Wanwan into his arms.
Zheng Wanwan took a deep breath, then said in a helpless tone, “Couldn’t you have had the driver come pick you up?”
She didn’t believe Pei Lan would get stuck on something like this, nor did she think he’d use such a method to pressure her.
Pei Lan’s arm tightened slightly. “I sent a message, but my wife told me to wait. If I’d left, I was afraid she’d come to the school and find no one here.”
Zheng Wanwan remembered now—before she’d gotten home, Pei Lan had sent her a message, and she’d casually replied with “wait.”
“Wife, is your nose feeling any better?” Pei Lan had sent several messages today, but Zheng Wanwan hadn’t replied to any of them.
Zheng Wanwan stopped in her tracks. “Brother Lan, if you really want me to feel better, you should sign the divorce papers.” She couldn’t help wanting to be close to him, but she was also afraid of being hurt again.
Pei Lan was like a master hunter, patiently waiting for his prey to step into the trap he’d laid, only sitting down to savor his meal once the prey had no strength left to struggle.
And she had fallen into such a trap before—left battered and bruised, barely escaping with half her life.
Pei Lan’s eyes dimmed slightly.
Just then, Zheng Wanwan’s phone rang.
Pei Kaixin: “When are you two getting to the hotel?”
Zheng Wanwan quickly opened the car door. “Brother Kai, you and sister-in-law go ahead and order first. We’ll be there soon.”
Pei Kaixin lay on the sofa eating an apple. “Then hurry up—I’ve already ordered the dishes.” With that, he hung up.
Bai Miaomiao walked out of the bathroom barefoot. “Kai bao, what are you talking about? Didn’t you already eat dinner?”
Pei Kaixin’s eyes curved with amusement, but he didn’t answer his young wife’s question.
“Who knows what kind of mischief you’re up to now,” Bai Miaomiao said as she walked over and sat down on the sofa, her hand sneaking a pinch at Pei Kaixin’s waist.
Pei Kaixin raised an eyebrow and said in a low, lazy voice, “If I weren’t mischievous, how else would I have landed such a beautiful wife?”
Bai Miaomiao: “…”
Zheng Wanwan pulled a carton of plain milk out of her bag and handed it to Pei Lan. “Have a sip to tide you over.” A grown man, and still someone had to worry about him.
There was so much food around the school—he could have eaten something while waiting.
“Wife, where did this milk come from? It expired a month ago.” Pei Lan pushed up his glasses and looked more carefully. “Who’s this ‘Li who loves you’?”
Zheng Wanwan gripped the steering wheel tightly. The milk had been given to her by Chen Li’an, who said the cafeteria handed out a carton to everyone every day at noon.
She hadn’t thought much of it and had just tucked it away.
Pei Lan sat in the passenger seat, casting a “plaintive” look at Zheng Wanwan. “Wife, the one who sent flowers this morning seemed to have the same name too.”
The morning flowers were one-yuan-a-stem roses from a flower shop—frankly, not great quality, some with drooping petals or blemishes, but tied together in a bouquet of twenty-odd stems, they looked pretty enough.
“Quite generous with his money.” After saying this, Pei Lan tossed the milk onto the floor. It was expired, so it definitely couldn’t be drunk.
Zheng Wanwan: “…” The way he said that—it sounded oddly strange.
Throughout the drive, Pei Lan didn’t utter a single word. Zheng Wanwan felt like she’d set the car’s AC too low today—it was a bit chilly.
When they arrived at the agreed-upon hotel, Pei Lan got out of the car first.
Zheng Wanwan walked beside him. She’d originally wanted to explain, but on second thought, she figured there was no need.
As it turned out, when the two of them got to the hotel, they discovered Pei Kaixin hadn’t shown up at all—but the dishes had been ordered.
After entering the private room, Pei Lan directly pulled out a chair. Once Zheng Wanwan was seated, he took off his jacket.
“So this is my wife’s little hobby.” Pei Lan set his jacket aside and said half-jokingly.
Zheng Wanwan averted her gaze. “Don’t talk nonsense.” Her ears flushed red as she picked up the teapot, thinking he hadn’t seen that message.
Pei Lan crossed his legs, holding a teacup in his hand. “I remember my wife used to keep saying she was craving me…”
Before Pei Lan could finish his sentence, Zheng Wanwan covered his mouth. “Don’t you dare say it!” She had been young back then—she’d said all sorts of things without a filter.
Back then, she’d lain in bed and texted Pei Lan, saying she wanted to see his abs and that she was dying to get her hands on his body.
Youth was truly something else.
Pei Lan took a sip of tea, watching his wife’s cheeks flush with embarrassment. Unable to resist, he reached out and gently rubbed her earlobe.
“You—”
Zheng Wanwan felt as if an electric current had shot through her entire body, leaving her tingling and numb. Her earlobes were off-limits—that was why every time Pei Lan bent down to whisper in her ear, she would dodge away.
So that’s where her weak spot was…
Pei Lan’s Adam’s apple bobbed as he averted his gaze and said hoarsely, “Wife, I have no objection to you having male friends. But sending you red roses—the symbol of romantic love—when he knows full well you’re married? I find that inappropriate.”
Listen to him—that was Professor Lan for you. Even when furious, he wouldn’t resort to harsh words. He’d only say something was “inappropriate.”
“I’ve already made it clear to him. He thought I was getting a divorce.” Zheng Wanwan leaned back in her chair as she spoke.
Sleeping with the help of medication always left her body feeling unusually drained, and she’d driven the whole way here. She was feeling a bit unwell now.
Pei Lan took Zheng Wanwan’s hand in his, his fingertips tracing gentle circles on the back of it. “We’re not getting divorced.”
“If I’d known, I would have filed for divorce after you disappeared for that year. That way, I wouldn’t have needed your consent—the court would have granted it directly.” Zheng Wanwan tried to pull her hand back as she spoke.
Pei Lan’s warm, large hand tightened slightly. “Thank you, wife, for providing me with material for tonight’s nightmares.”
Zheng Wanwan shot Pei Lan a sharp glare. Even the most improper words somehow sounded proper coming out of his mouth.
“What happened to the injuries on your body?” Zheng Wanwan asked, pouring herself another cup of tea. Her hand still carried the warmth of his…
Pei Lan chose silence.
Zheng Wanwan suppressed her urge and curiosity. Why wouldn’t he just tell her? If he had an unavoidable reason, she could understand.
See—even after being hurt like this, her instinct was still to make excuses for him.
“Wife, this is the one thing I can’t tell you.” Pei Lan finished speaking and leaned in close to Zheng Wanwan. Before she could react, he planted a kiss on the corner of her lips. “But I can guarantee I’ve never done anything to betray you—though my left hand doesn’t count.”
“Stop talking nonsense!” Zheng Wanwan raised her hand and smacked Pei Lan on the shoulder.
Pei Lan watched Zheng Wanwan puff up in anger, her beautiful eyes brimming with shyness, her cheeks flushed with an unnatural rosiness that made one want to kiss her.
Zheng Wanwan saw Pei Lan lean in, and her heart raced uncontrollably. Useless thing, she scolded herself inwardly. She pressed her hand over Pei Lan’s lips. “We haven’t even eaten yet, and you’re already full from kissing.”
“Wife, if I skip the meal, can I kiss until I’m full?” Pei Lan’s deep voice carried a hint of anticipation, his dark eyes gleaming with expectation.
Zheng Wanwan withdrew her hand. “No!” She’d only said that offhandedly.
When the dishes were served, Zheng Wanwan noticed that everything on the table was what she and Pei Lan usually liked to eat.
“Miaomiao said she’d rather gamble with her life than give up having a child with Brother Kai…” Zheng Wanwan sighed as she finished speaking.
Having a child of their own with the person they loved—she had once dreamed of that too.
Pei Lan added some dishes to Zheng Wanwan’s bowl: “My brother can’t afford to gamble.” Then he looked at Zheng Wanwan: “Neither can I.”
“Who said I’d have your child?” Zheng Wanwan turned around with her bowl, shamelessly.
Pei Lan couldn’t help but chuckle softly: “If I lose, I won’t have a wife anymore…”
“…”