In the military jeep, Pei Mingche looked at the three grandsons in the back seat, all unwilling to move. He patted the car door and said, “What’s with the long faces? Cheer up, or whoever drops the ball, don’t blame me for dealing with the stick when we get back.”
Pei Yuan sighed and straightened up. In his heart, he silently prayed that Su Jin wouldn’t take a liking to him! If that happened, he couldn’t imagine how miserable his life would become.
He glanced at Pei Yucheng, still looking pitiful, but Pei Yucheng didn’t even give him a glance. With his arms crossed and eyes shut, he looked as if he were asleep.
Pei Yuening first looked at his older brother, then at his cousin, trying to guess what they were thinking, but came up blank. He scratched his head.
When the car neared the train station, the old master wanted to get out, but Pei Yucheng stopped him. “Grandpa, it’s better if you stay in the car. Otherwise, Xiao Wang will get nervous.”
The driver, Xiao Wang, showed no change in expression, his eyes carefully scanning the surroundings.
Pei Mingche, aware of his status, stayed in the car. “You three, get out and go greet Xiao Jin.”
The three reluctantly got out. Once off the car, Pei Yuening saw a strikingly beautiful girl on the platform, carrying a leather suitcase with a black cat perched on top. Its eyes were an extraordinary blue.
He quickly told his grandfather inside the car, “Grandpa! Grandpa! I think I just saw that capital lady!”
Hearing this, Pei Mingche scowled and shouted at him, “What nonsense are you talking about? Call her sister—call her sister! If I hear you say that again, five kilometers of off-road back at home!”
Pei Yuening hurriedly nodded. “Yes, Grandpa, I understand.”
“See her, see where she is, and go fetch your Sister Xiao Jin. The three of you together.”
Just as he finished speaking, Pei Yucheng, seemingly seeing something, dashed in the opposite direction.
“Ah, Cheng…” Pei Yuan was stunned. That kid ran off—what if Su Jin liked him? His mind was in chaos, but his younger brother dragged him along to meet Su Jin anyway.
Pei Yuening’s attention was caught by the black cat. In the sunlight, it gleamed beautifully. He wanted to pet it. He loved fluffy animals and had once wanted a puppy, but his mother refused, complaining about the mess.
His eyes sparkled as he reached for the cat’s tail, but it hissed at him. “Sister, your cat is so cute!”
Seeing he posed no threat, the black cat lazily stretched on the suitcase, its blue eyes fixed on him with a hint of pride.
Su Jin nodded lightly. “Yes, thank you,” and ignored him thereafter.
Pei Yuan, having composed himself, stepped forward. “Hello, comrade. Are you Comrade Su Jin?”
Hearing her name, Su Jin turned to look at him. “Yes, that’s me.”
Pei Yuan then introduced himself formally: “Comrade Su, I am Pei Yuan’an, and this is my brother, Pei Yuening.”
Noticing his brother still staring at the cat, he nudged him. “Grandpa specially instructed us to fetch you. He’s waiting in the car. Let’s go over.”
Realizing this, Pei Yuening sweetly called to her, “Sister Su, your suitcase must be heavy. I’ll help you.”
Before Su Jin could reply, he lifted her suitcase with one hand while cradling the cat with the other.
Su Jin froze for a moment, then watched Pei Yuening hand the suitcase to his brother and start petting the cat herself.
Pei Yuan, now holding the suitcase, wanted to nudge the younger brother who was walking ahead with the cat. “Comrade Su, shall we go?”
“Yes.”
Pei Yuan felt his heart race, wanting to speak to her, but he couldn’t gauge Su Jin’s personality.
Noticing his hesitation, Su Jin said, “If you have something to say, just say it.”
Hearing this, Pei Yuan became even more nervous. Taking a deep breath, he carefully said, “Comrade Su, I’m really sorry. Actually, I already have someone I like. I thought I should tell you first, otherwise I’d feel guilty.”
Su Jin’s brows moved slightly. She nodded knowingly, her tone calm: “I understand. I heard that among the three single Peis, one is you, one your brother… and the other? What’s his situation?”
For his own sake, Pei Yuan didn’t hesitate to praise Pei Yucheng, speaking openly: “The other is my brother as well. He’s twenty this year. Comrade Su, I’m not boasting—he really is talented and handsome. Most importantly, he’s extremely capable. At such a young age, he’s already a battalion commander. By his ability and merit, he could rise even further, but his age holds him back in terms of seniority.”
Whether boasting or truth, Su Jin found herself somewhat intrigued by this brother.
“Does he have any hobbies?” she asked casually.
Pei Yuan’s eyes lit up. Acting like a matchmaker, he gushed, “He likes reading, especially military-related books. Also, he cooks incredibly well—I was lucky to taste it once. Comparable to a state-run restaurant chef. I joked that if he left the military, he could cook professionally in a restaurant.”
Su Jin’s expression remained calm, though her eyes reflected some interest.
Pei Yuan was about to gauge her reaction to Pei Yucheng when their grandfather called out. He hurried to lead Su Jin over.
Su Jin greeted Pei Mingche gracefully, “Grandpa Pei, hello. Sorry to trouble you.”
“小 Jin, don’t mention trouble. Consider this your home from now on. Long journey, right? Let’s get in the car,” he said kindly, studying the young woman.
Her eyes were clear and bright, demeanor natural and graceful. He approved, thinking she suited his rascal of a grandson, Yucheng. He still felt that having Yucheng marry her would be ideal—but it depended on her.
Seeing Su Jin get into the car, he suddenly felt something was off. About to tell Xiao Wang to drive, he realized Pei Yucheng, the rascal, hadn’t returned yet. He turned to his two grandsons, “Where’s Ah Cheng?”