Pei Yuening, still petting the cat, answered without thinking, “Maybe it went to hide in the restroom.”
No sooner had he spoken than a low, amused voice came from his side. “Ho, taking advantage of my absence to make up stories behind my back?”
As he spoke, a strong arm wrapped around Pei Yuening’s neck.
Startled, Pei Yuening forced a laugh, instantly turning his tone pleading and polite. “Third Brother! You’re back? I-I was just trying to lighten the mood.”
At that moment, the old master’s voice rang out, “Rascal, what are you doing? Go greet Xiao Jin properly.”
Pei Yucheng glanced casually at Su Jin and nodded once, signaling a greeting in his own way. He had no interest in girls with soft, delicate looks. “Just went to do some good deeds. Time to go, or the food at home will get cold.”
When he had been sizing up Su Jin, she had been observing him in return.
As Pei Yuan’an had described, the man before her had sharp, well-defined facial features, as if carved with precision. His eyes were deep, scanning her with habitual scrutiny.
His entire presence exuded a natural nobility and a calmness honed through countless trials. Compared with the gentle-looking Pei Yuan’an, she was more drawn to this one.
The old master shot him a glance. “Rascal.” Then he turned to Su Jin. “Xiao Jin, don’t take this rascal seriously.”
Su Jin smiled at the old master. “Grandpa Pei, no, he’s fine.”
Hearing this, Pei Yucheng’s brow furrowed slightly, his deep gaze fixed on Su Jin’s calm expression, trying to read something from it.
The old master laughed heartily. “Let’s go home. Xiao Wang, drive.”
The car drove for about an hour, and the closer they got to the estate, the more tranquil and solemn the surroundings became.
At the estate gate, the guards stood with rifles, straight and alert. Upon seeing the old master, they snapped to attention and gave a perfect military salute.
When their eyes fell on Su Jin, they waited for the old master’s nod before letting her pass.
Inside the estate, the atmosphere grew lively. Whistles blew faintly, and the laughter of children could be heard.
People in uniform and family members moved about, all greeting the old master respectfully.
The car slowly stopped in front of a two-story house with a courtyard. Pei Yuening jumped out, holding the cat. The black cat’s eyes remained fixed on Su Jin in the car.
Pei Yuan’an, carrying the luggage, followed, giving Pei Yucheng a glance before exiting, but Pei Yucheng ignored him.
Frustrated, Pei Yuan’an hurried to open the car door for Su Jin.
“Thank you,” Su Jin said as she stepped out.
As soon as her foot touched the steps, the door opened, and an elderly woman with white hair came out. Seeing Su Jin, her expression softened immediately. “So this is Xiao Jin! Come in quickly!”
Su Jin bowed slightly. “Grandma, hello. Sorry to trouble you.”
The old lady smiled and took Su Jin’s hand. Her hands were so soft she hesitated to hold them fully, finding them unusually precious. “Not a trouble at all. Grandma’s been waiting for you every day.”
This was only their second meeting; the first time, Su Jin had still been in swaddling clothes. How quickly time had passed—now she had grown into a graceful young lady.
Pei Yuening darted forward, proudly showing the little cat. “Grandma, look! Isn’t this cat adorable?”
The old lady glanced at it, pretending to scold, “Adorable? It’s all black, like a lump of coal. If your mother saw you holding a fluffy animal, she’d scold you again.”
Su Jin couldn’t help but tug the corner of her mouth.
Seeing this, Pei Yuening raised his voice. “Grandma! This is Sister Su’s cat!”
The old lady paused, looked carefully at the cat, and completely changed her tone. “Ah, this is brought by Xiao Jin? My, my eyesight must have fooled me. Seeing it up close, it’s really precious. The fur is glossy, and those eyes, blue—so rare! So beautiful!”
She reached out and gently petted the cat’s head. The black cat lowered its head and allowed her to stroke it.
Pei Yuening was stunned by the sudden change. “Grandma, didn’t you just complain about it?”
Pei Yucheng, still holding Pei Yuening by the neck, said, “Haven’t you noticed? Grandma wasn’t talking about the cat, you dummy.” With that, he stepped inside first.
Su Jin looked at him deeply, then quickly explained to the old lady, “Grandma, Tuan Tuan is very well-behaved. It doesn’t run around or make a mess. It’s very clean and won’t trouble you.”
The old lady waved her hand. “No trouble at all. The little cat is clever, and I like it very much. Come, let’s go inside.”
Following them, Pei Yuan’an carried the suitcase, smiling. His grandmother’s reactions were indeed quick.
As for his mischievous brother—he had been told to cultivate a bond with Su Jin, yet he ran off faster than a rabbit.
Well, in his heart, he felt his brother couldn’t escape.
Once the Pei family entered the house, many neighbors began gossiping:
“Did you see that? Director Pei personally brought his three grandsons to pick up that girl. She’s so delicate and beautiful. Who could she be?”
“Who knows? That was quite the scene. Director Pei must really care about her. He didn’t even attend the last military district meeting personally. That girl must be very important. Even the usually cold-faced Battalion Commander Pei Yucheng went too. Rare sight!”
“Seriously, that girl looks so lively and fair-skinned, speaks politely, and has good temperament—not like the girls around our estate. I haven’t heard of relatives like her in the Pei family before.”
“Oh, I think I know. Could this be the girl for Pei Yuan’an? I just saw him opening the car door for her.”
“Impossible! I heard the second son has a childhood sweetheart… Could it be her?”
“Who knows? Let’s ask Sun Limei when she comes out. Anyway, the girl went home with the old master, carrying her suitcase. She’s definitely staying with the senior couple in the main house.”
“…”