After returning inside, Su Chengshan, for some reason, appeared carrying a small black cat. He smiled and said, “Old Master, Miss, I caught this wild cat that’s been stealing our chickens and ducks. Look at it, all sleek and shiny—don’t know how many other people’s poultry it’s eaten.”
Su Jin froze for a moment, then the corner of her mouth twitched slightly. The little black cat was taking the fall for her. “Hmm, alright, Uncle Su, you’re really impressive.”
She stared into the cat’s glassy blue eyes, feeling a tug at her heart. “Uncle Su, let’s keep this cat. Let it catch mice.”
“Ah?”
Su Tingyun watched his granddaughter fondly. “If you like it, keep it then.”
“Alright, I’ll go give it a bath, then take care of it for Miss.” He was about to pick up the black cat, but suddenly it leapt straight into Su Jin’s arms, meowing at her.
Su Jin was startled but carefully lifted her hands and scratched its head. The black cat, clearly enjoying itself, curled up on her arm.
“Heh, this black cat is pretty smart—it recognizes you, Miss. Miss, I’ll wash it and then you can hold it.”
“No need, Uncle Su. You go handle something for me.”
She placed the cat in the living room, picked up a pen, and wrote a report letter, handing it to Su Chengshan. He took the letter and left.
By evening, the neighbors were all talking about how Zhao Fuyuan had been taken away. They said he not only messed around with women but also stole medicine from the hospital, lacked proper skill, ignored doctors’ advice, threatened them, and ultimately caused deaths while shifting the blame onto others.
Upon hearing this, everyone cursed him out, throwing rotten eggs and spoiled vegetables at him.
Su Jin and Su Tingyun finished gathering almost everything that needed to be taken and began organizing clothes and bedding, moving them into their small three-room home. There weren’t many things—just a few quilts and two packs of clothes. Su Chengshan had arranged a cart to transport them.
Once they were mostly settled, the phone in the living room rang.
Su Tingyun and Su Jin weren’t particularly bothered; after all, many people had been calling over the past couple of days.
Su Tingyun picked up and, realizing it was Pei Mingche calling, immediately changed his expression to a cheerful smile. After ending the call, he looked delighted.
“Su Jin, it’s done. The day after tomorrow, you can pack up and move over. Your Grandpa Pei has arranged everything.”
“Ah? So soon? I haven’t even properly spent time with Grandpa yet. Why don’t you just come with me instead?”
Su Tingyun looked at her with indulgence. “You silly child. Why spend time with that old man? You go, choose someone who cherishes you, someone gentle and considerate. My granddaughter should be treasured. Grandpa won’t be there, so take care of yourself. Once you go, don’t come back for now. When the situation stabilizes, you can return. Grandpa will wait here to see you with your husband.”
Su Jin understood that Su Tingyun couldn’t leave, or people might think they had run off with the family fortune. She also knew her grandfather didn’t want her to return immediately, wanting her to have extra protection within the military district.
“Grandpa~” Su Jin clung to the old man’s arm, pouting, her face full of reluctance.
“All right, all right. Grandpa’s here. When you have time, you can come back to see me!”
Su Jin, eyes red, nodded. “Mm.”
Meanwhile, at the Pei residence.
Old Master Pei sat in his grand chair, watching his sons and grandsons return one by one. When they all sat down, he finally spoke.
“You’re all here. I called you back today to tell you something. Our family has a childhood engagement with the Su family.”
Everyone present was stunned.
Pei Wanjun, the eldest son, said, “Dad, what era is this? Childhood engagements? This is the new society; marriage is free choice.”
“Stop talking nonsense. Back then, if Su Laodi hadn’t saved me from the pile of corpses, along with you all…”
Pei Wanjun’s wife, Chen Lan, interrupted, “Alright, eldest, don’t argue with your father. Let him finish. He’s been thinking about this for years, and now that he’s brought it up, we must take responsibility. After all, our family initiated it first; we owe them.”
“Exactly, your mother’s right. This marriage, I insisted upon it, saying the two families must unite.”
Pei Wanjun’s youngest son, Pei Wanqian, nodded. “Yes, yes, Dad’s right. But… who will this marriage fall to?”
The unmarried children and their parents held their breath.
Pei Mingche glanced at everyone. “There are only a few people in the house. It falls to Yu’an and Yucheng—they’re unmarried.”
The eldest daughter-in-law and second daughter-in-law felt a jolt hearing their children’s names.
Fourteen-year-old Pei Yuning timidly said, “Grandpa, I’m not married either.”
“Hair’s not even fully grown yet, wanting to get married? Focus on your studies first.”
Pei Yu’an, hearing Grandpa scold his brother, choked a little on his saliva and whispered, “Grandpa, I can’t marry, I already like someone.”
Upon hearing this, Pei Mingche’s face darkened. “Why didn’t you speak sooner?” He then turned to Pei Yucheng.
The rebellious Pei Yucheng raised an eyebrow. “My dad’s right. What era still has childhood engagements? I won’t marry—whoever wants to, can marry themselves.”
Pei Wanjun glared at Pei Yucheng; if he won’t marry, then so be it—no need to discuss.
Pei Yucheng’s mother, realizing the marriage would fall to her son, quickly spoke. “Dad, Yucheng is right. He’s a battalion commander at twenty, with a bright future ahead. If he married that capitalist heiress, his prospects would be ruined. We shouldn’t ruin our son for the sake of repaying a debt.”
Her words froze the room, making Pei Mingche’s face even darker.
He sneered, “Fine, I’ll just add a note to his files. Let’s see what future he still has.”
Chen Lan, seeing her husband angry, quickly intervened. “Old man, don’t be mad, I’ll explain.” She then looked at the eldest daughter-in-law. “Don’t speak recklessly. The Su family donated their vast fortune to the state—they are progressive and patriotic. As for the marriage, we’ll wait for Su Jin to arrive and see how she chooses. Except for Yuxi, who’s married with a child, the other three have no escape.”
Pei Yuning’s eyes widened. “Grandma, Grandpa just said my hair isn’t even fully grown!”
Chen Lan glanced at her little grandson, thinking that Su Jin definitely wouldn’t pick him. “Mm, I heard that. You’re still young, but that doesn’t mean you won’t grow up.”
Pei Mingche agreed wholeheartedly. “Exactly, just as your mother and grandmother said. In a couple of days, Su Jin will arrive. You three put down your work and come with me to welcome her.”
Without waiting for the children to respond, he left with his wife.
Pei Yucheng watched the old man leave and got up to leave as well, with Pei Yu’an following.
Yu’an looped his arm around Yucheng’s neck with a pleading smile. “Brother, good little brother, my lifelong happiness depends on you. I like someone, so I can’t marry Su Jin. I’ve been childhood sweethearts with Qiu Ci since we were little—my whole life, it has to be her. Good little brother~”
Pei Yucheng, annoyed, pushed his hand away. “Whoever wants to marry, marry. I won’t. I don’t plan to marry in my life. Also, aren’t you too old for her? Xie Qiu Ci is only eighteen; you’re already twenty-three.”
“Uh…”