Ji Huaiyu seized the opportunity from Si Ruohan’s words to tease Guan Xinyue:
“Xinyue, you and Ah Jin have been together for years now. When are we going to celebrate your wedding?”
Ji Huaiyu was joking. It had already been more than four years since graduation, and they still hadn’t married. Didn’t they always say love is stronger than gold? By now, they had probably played enough—some people their age already had kids running around.
Si Ruohan tugged at the corner of his mouth.
“Yeah, when are we going to celebrate your wedding? Be careful, or I might just overtake you!”
He had already overtaken them—he even had a child—but he hadn’t said a word.
Pei Xi noticed his expression. It seemed he had said it casually, without a trace of sadness, smiling as he looked at her.
Had he truly let go?
Si Ruohan saw Pei Xi watching him and smiled even more, playing with her fingers under the table.
Guan Xinyue hadn’t expected Si Ruohan to say that and froze for a moment, not responding.
Song Shaojin said, “I also want to get married soon, but Xinyue’s family disagrees. They want to keep her a few more years. Anyway, we’re still young. Just wait two more years!”
Guan Xinyue’s mouth opened slightly. That had been something he said back when they had confirmed their relationship in college. Now, at their age, he was still saying that?
Pei Xi quietly sipped her tea, observing silently.
Girls’ youth is short. They were already twenty-seven, almost thirty—did they really feel young?
High-risk pregnancy, anyone?
Some men really had no idea what they were saying.
Ji Huaiyu had been about to say more, but seeing Guan Xinyue’s sour expression, he shut his mouth.
At that moment, the dishes arrived, and they decided to focus on eating.
Si Ruohan noticed the large shrimp on the table. Knowing seafood was good for pregnant women, he picked up a pair of gloves and began peeling them.
Once peeled, he naturally placed them in Pei Xi’s bowl. She gave him a sweet smile.
This guy had read some books, knew what was good for pregnant women, and had even had Liu Ma buy a big batch of shrimp.
Shrimp were Pei Xi’s favorite—they weren’t spicy, but she liked them nonetheless.
Guan Xinyue watched Si Ruohan peel shrimp for Pei Xi while her own boyfriend showed no initiative. Bitterness filled her heart.
Si Ruohan had always been considerate—she had realized this years ago. But not every boyfriend was so attentive. The care she once enjoyed now belonged to someone else, and she knew there was no going back.
Pei Xi picked up a shrimp Si Ruohan had peeled and fed it to him.
“Here, eat this too.”
Si Ruohan glanced at her and opened his mouth, smiling, to take it.
Ji Huaiyu let out an exaggerated, “Ehh?!”
The couple’s public display of affection was simply overwhelming.
“I’m telling you, Ah Han, could you tone it down a bit? Some of us are still single! Can’t you think of our feelings?”
Si Ruohan laughed. “Then hurry up and find someone too!”
Guan Xinyue tensed, gripping her chopsticks tightly as she watched them.
Suddenly, she turned to Song Shaojin.
“Shaojin, didn’t we just say that once Ah Han came, we’d toast the two of them together?”
Song Shaojin nodded.
“Yes, we should toast. Come on, Ji Huaiyu, pour the wine.”
The wine was beside Ji Huaiyu.
He seemed to remember just then, prompted by Song Shaojin.
“That’s right, Ah Han, such a big occasion today—you must drink a few. Sister-in-law, feel free!”
With that, Ji Huaiyu stood up and poured wine for everyone himself. They hadn’t asked the waiter to do it.
Bai Minglang covered his cup with his hand and glanced at Ji Huaiyu.
“I’ll substitute with tea.”
Ji Huaiyu paused.
“Oh, right, I forgot you’re a doctor.”
Technically, he shouldn’t drink either, but since he was on leave, he could have a little.
He moved past Bai Minglang to pour for the next person.
When it came to Pei Xi, she didn’t stop him, but just as Ji Huaiyu finished pouring, Si Ruohan placed the cup in front of him. The cup in front of Pei Xi remained her original tea.
Guan Xinyue was displeased.
“Ah Han, that’s a toast for both of you. Isn’t it a bit odd for you to drink alone?”
Si Ruohan looked up at her.
“Pei Xi doesn’t drink. What’s wrong with me drinking for her? Besides, I didn’t bring a driver, and Pei Xi will need to drive home later. I’ll drink.”
He had already asked Pei Xi. She had a driver’s license, and since he knew there would be drinking tonight, he intentionally didn’t bring a chauffeur. He wanted her to practice driving while the baby was still small and the roads safe.
Pei Xi focused on eating, letting Si Ruohan take care of everything.
Si Ruohan said, “If you don’t want to drink, Ah Jin can drink for you. We’re all friends here. No one’s forcing you.”
Ji Huaiyu nodded.
“Exactly, no one will force you. Look at Ah Ming, he substitutes tea for wine.”
Song Shaojin glanced at his girlfriend, lifted her cup, and said,
“If you don’t want to drink, say so earlier. Fine, I’ll drink this for you.”
Ji Huaiyu clapped his hands.
“Alright, everyone, raise your glasses. A toast to Ah Han and sister-in-law—may they be together forever!”
Si Ruohan bringing Pei Xi here to meet them meant he was serious, not casually showing off. Everyone, even if hesitant, offered congratulations.
Pei Xi drank tea instead of wine, while Si Ruohan downed two cups, his face calm. Ji Huaiyu and Song Shaojin kept toasting him occasionally.
Pei Xi watched him carefully, making sure he didn’t get drunk. He smiled at her and whispered that he was fine, but she rolled her eyes silently.
This wine was nothing compared to the business drinks he had to endure. They all knew their limits.
Besides Ji Huaiyu, everyone was busy and hadn’t gathered for a long time. Once together, conversation flowed freely.
Pei Xi stayed quiet, eating calmly. No one asked her anything, and Si Ruohan noticed every time her gaze lingered on a dish—he would pass it over, refill her soup, or serve her more.
She focused on eating and drinking, soon feeling full. She had eaten a whole bowl of rice, two bowls of soup, and plenty of dishes. The food was delicious and satisfying.
Si Ruohan saw her pat her stomach and smiled.
“Are you stuffed?”
Pei Xi shook her head.
“No, not stuffed, but full. The food here is delicious. We should come again.”
Si Ruohan nodded.
“Next time, I’ll definitely bring you here.”
Ji Huaiyu, seeing Pei Xi enjoy the food, generously said,
“Sister-in-law, as long as you come, we’ll give you a discount.”
Si Ruohan asked, “Why not free?”
Ji Huaiyu replied, “You’re already so rich, why save money for you? That would be insulting, CEO Si!”
Guan Xinyue looked at Pei Xi eating so much, forcing a fake smile:
“Miss Pei, aren’t you worried about gaining weight? Girls should pay attention to their figure.”
Pei Xi sighed inwardly—she just wanted some peace, but there was none.
Si Ruohan spoke gently to her.
“Don’t listen to her. She’s talking nonsense. You’re just fine. Health is what matters most.”
Pei Xi’s figure was perfect—curvy where she should be, slim where necessary. Si Ruohan felt he could never get enough of holding her.
He had only planned to come and have a meal with them. Later, when Guan Xinyue suggested singing, Si Ruohan refused.
“I’ve worked all day. I’m tired, don’t want to stay up late. You all go if you want. We’ll leave first.”
It was almost Pei Xi’s rest time. She couldn’t stay up late now that she was pregnant.
With Si Ruohan refusing, Ji Huaiyu and Bai Minglang also declined. Bai Minglang, in particular, had done surgeries all day—exhausted—and finally had time to eat with them. Staying up late after that was out of the question.
It was Pei Xi’s first time driving such a luxury car. Her nerves were tense.
Si Ruohan smiled beside her. “Relax. Traffic isn’t heavy, and the roads are wide. Just go slow.”
Pei Xi said nothing, staring ahead.
Finally home, she let out a sigh of relief.
“Finally home! I’ll never drive again—it’s terrifying.”
She had worried a car might suddenly appear from the side.
Si Ruohan smiled, unbuckled her seatbelt, and patted her cheek.
“Alright, I’ll get you a driver next time. Wherever you want to go, just let the driver take you.”