Fang Hui changed the subject: “I noticed you didn’t bring much back with you. In a little while, come shopping with us, and you can pick up some clothes and jewelry for yourself.”
After all, now that the marriage alliance was in place, Pei Er represented the Pei family’s image. She would inevitably have to interact with the Zhou family in the future, so she ought to dress respectably.
Pei Er glanced at the Steinway piano, then suddenly made a request: “I want a piano too.”
Fang Hui’s tone grew impatient. “What do you need a piano for? Jia Jia is still young—I was thinking of having her learn piano to cultivate her character. You’re already grown…”
Before she could finish, Pei Er cut her off.
“Can’t afford it?”
Fang Hui: “This piano was custom-made. If you really want to play, Jia Jia only practices on weekends anyway—you can use it any other time.”
When Pei Jia heard that her piano was being given away, she immediately threw a fit, crying out urgently: “Mom, this is MY piano!”
“Jia Jia.” Fang Hui scolded lightly. “You’re a big girl now. Don’t be unreasonable.”
Pei Jia had been doted on her entire life and had never been scolded by her mother before. She was instantly overcome with grievance, her lips trembling and tears welling up in her eyes.
“Fine.” Pei Er extended her hand. “Give me the key.”
Seeing Fang Hui toss her the key to the music room, Pei Jia couldn’t hold it in anymore. She pointed at Pei Er and cursed: “You wicked woman! Get out! This isn’t your home!”
She charged forward, raising her foot to kick Pei Er’s shin.
Pei Er sidestepped, and Pei Jia’s kick landed on empty air. She tumbled forward with a thud and hit the ground.
“Ow—!”
Sprawled on the floor, she lifted her head and burst into loud, wailing sobs.
Pei Er wore an innocent expression, turning to Fang Hui as if seeking help, and struck first: “Mom, the way she spoke to me… it really breaks my heart.”
“Enough. Say less—this is getting out of hand.”
Fang Hui’s face darkened as she hurriedly helped Pei Jia up, checking anxiously whether she was hurt.
“Mommy, waaaah… she’s bullying me…” Pei Jia sobbed pitifully, throwing herself into Fang Hui’s arms in accusation.
“There, there, don’t cry. We won’t stoop to her level.” Fang Hui gently rubbed her knee. “Does it hurt?”
“It’s all her fault!” Pei Jia pointed at Pei Er. “She’s bullying me!”
Pei Er: “Have you heard the story of the boy who cried wolf? Little kids shouldn’t lie—otherwise, when I actually do bully you, no one will believe a word you say.”
“Mom!”
“Alright, let’s ignore her. Let’s go.” Fang Hui soothed Pei Jia as she walked out of the room.
The music room fell silent.
Pei Er stood still, her chest feeling stuffed with a sponge, swollen and suffocating.
She walked over to the piano and pressed a single key with one hand, her brows furrowed and eyes lowered. She let out a self-deprecating laugh.
Fang Hui had no idea whether she could even play the piano. And as for this piano that belonged to Pei Jia—she hadn’t truly wanted it anyway.
She just felt uneasy. Unsettled.
Pei Er did know how to play the piano.
When she was little, she lived with her grandmother in the old house. Her grandmother would teach her piano hand over hand, teaching her to read sheet music.
When she played, her grandmother would hum the tune beside her—slow, calm, and gentle.
Her grandmother always said she wanted to live a long life—long enough to see Er Er grow up, get married, and have someone to rely on. Only then could she rest easy.
Thinking of her grandmother, Pei Er couldn’t hide the loneliness on her face. Pei Jia was right—this home had never belonged to her.
When her grandmother passed away, her home was gone with her.
Fang Hui spent the better part of half an hour soothing Pei Jia. When they came out, Pei Jia’s gaze at Pei Er was filled with even more hostility and wariness.
Pei Er ignored her anger and, as if no one else were there, opened the rear door and got into the car.
Pei Jia stood outside the car, glaring viciously at Pei Er, let out a huff, then turned and plopped sulkily into the passenger seat.
What Pei Er hadn’t expected was that when the car pulled over at the roadside, she spotted Zhou Yi’s blue sports car.
Fang Hui said: “Elder Zhou’s birthday is in a couple of days. Go with Zhou Yi to pick out a gift for him—show a little sincerity.”
Pei Er was shooed out of the car by Fang Hui. The blue Lamborghini glided smoothly up to her, the window rolled down, and Zhou Yi turned to look at her, raising an eyebrow.
Pei Er got into the passenger seat, buckled her seatbelt, and asked: “Where to?”
“SKI.”
SKI was a top-tier luxury shopping center.
Zhou Yi pressed down on the accelerator, casually holding a cigarette between his lips.
He had been ordered out by his family too—using the excuse of buying a gift for the old man to force him and Pei Er to bond.
Seeing that Pei Er remained silent, Zhou Yi broke the icy atmosphere and spoke up: “Come with me to a gathering tonight.”
“No.” Pei Er refused flatly.
“Don’t worry, it’s not some shady party. It’s a business networking event—everyone there is a big name in the new tech industry.” Zhou Yi said matter-of-factly. “I happen to need a date.”
Pei Er: “Doesn’t Young Master Zhou have plenty of dates?”
Zhou Yi didn’t bother to hide it, saying with complete confidence: “Those are just for fun. I can’t bring those women to a serious occasion.”
Pei Er didn’t want to respond to any of that. It just felt like a waste of time, a waste of life.
“There’s no need to look so bitter about this, is there? Haven’t I told you from the start—cooperate properly, each fulfilling their obligations, and that’s what’s best for both you and me.”
Pei Er couldn’t help but roll her eyes and scoff disdainfully. “The one who benefits is you. What do I get out of it?”
Zhou Yi was a playboy who roamed the dating scene with ease; winning a girl’s favor was nothing more than gifting clothes, jewelry, and handbags.
When they arrived at the shopping mall, he first took Pei Er to a top-tier luxury fashion boutique.
A female sales associate came forward to receive them, especially enthusiastic.
“Young Master Zhou, you’re here! Do you remember me? I’m Sinuo, a friend of Meimei’s. We met at Young Master Wang’s swimsuit party last time.”
Zhou Yi walked over to the lounge area, sank onto the sofa, and lazily crossed his legs. He pointed at Pei Er. “Bring out all your latest pieces and let her try them on.”
Sinuo turned and gave Pei Er a once-over, a hint of hostility in her eyes.
The girl before her looked very innocent—how could she possibly compare to Luo Meiwei’s seductive charm? Why had Young Master Zhou suddenly changed his taste?
Pei Er was standing in front of a sky-blue floral mermaid-tail dress, staring at it blankly.
She felt a little dazed. Slowly, she raised her hand and touched the pattern on the hem, her gaze dimming with a trace of melancholy.
This dress—Shang Zhixing had once given her an identical one.
There was no particular reason, he said. He happened to see it while passing by, thought it would suit her perfectly, and bought it.
Back when she was with Shang Zhixing, he had never been stingy about giving her gifts.
When she was seventeen, he made a casual remark, saying he would take care of her. Later, he actually spent real money to support her—it wasn’t a joke.
Shang Zhixing’s treatment of her, from seventeen to nineteen, was the gentle care of an older brother toward the girl next door; from nineteen to twenty-one, it was a man’s desire and indulgence toward a woman.
The shift in that dynamic was initiated by Pei Er herself.
She was the one who first fell for that proud, aloof, and arrogant Young Master Shang.
At an age of innocence, purity, and a heart full of unspoken feelings, meeting a man like Shang Zhixing—gentle, handsome, mature, highly intelligent, and immensely charismatic—was, for any young girl, a direct strike to the soul.
He was the one who made her heart race.
Their first kiss happened when she was drunk, unable to restrain herself, and he didn’t push her away. In a blur, everything changed.
Just as Zhou Yi treated his lovers, Shang Zhixing had once treated her the same way.
When he gave her that dress, she was nearing graduation and had originally planned to wear it on a trip to an island with him.
But they never got to go, and the dress was never worn.