Everyone chimed in, "I think so. That's how it is, isn't it? For him to even think of getting close to Chun Chun Jie? He should look at himself first."
With the crowd watching with amusement, they observed Peng Fei. To their surprise, he still had the mood to go out.
Not long after Chun Chun Jie left, he changed into a handsome outfit, threatened everyone to stay put, and then locked the door before leaving.
Although he had no desire to see Wang Li, he had already promised her and borrowed so much money; he had to give her some assurance.
After not seeing each other for several months, Wang Li had become even more beautiful.
She had a new hairstyle and wore clean, neat clothes. When she saw Peng Fei, her eyes were filled with light.
Thinking that Peng Fei would surely pay for this meal, Wang Li thoughtfully chose an affordable restaurant.
They ordered one meat dish and one vegetable dish, along with a bowl of rice each, and sat down.
Peng Fei had brought paper and a pen in advance. While waiting for the dishes, he wrote her an IOU and solemnly pressed his fingerprint on it.
Wang Li felt it was rather pointless.
"We've known each other for so long, can't I trust your character? Do you need to write this?"
Peng Fei said, "It's best to do things properly. Who knows what the future holds? Take it. I'll repay you as soon as possible."
Wang Li had no choice but to accept the IOU and asked him with a smile.
"Forty thousand yuan is not a small sum. How do you plan to repay me as soon as possible?"
Her question stumped Peng Fei.
With only a few days left until the New Year, he hadn't even sent money home for the holidays. Now he was heavily in debt, and he truly didn't know how he would repay her.
"After the New Year, I'll work hard to find a job. Don't worry, no matter what I do, even if it's in installments, I'll repay you as soon as possible."
Wang Li said, "That's not what I meant. Why do you overthink things so much? If I was afraid you wouldn't repay, I wouldn't have lent you the money in the first place. I'm just trying to help you find a way because you seem to have no ideas."
"How about this, I have many WeChat groups for part-time jobs. I'll pick a few for you when I get back and recommend them. You can start with those. It's like riding a donkey while looking for a horse; take your time, no rush."
Peng Fei was very grateful to her. Wang Li was truly a very, very good girl, but unfortunately, he couldn't be with her.
Peng Fei knew Wang Li had feelings for him, and he didn't want to lead her on.
"Wang Li, I need to tell you something."
Wang Li drank her tea, looking at him with a smile.
"Why so serious? Go ahead and say it."
"I found my wife."
"Cough, cough, cough..."
Wang Li choked on her tea.
"You found her? When? Where? What is she doing now? Have you reconciled?"
Peng Fei found it inconvenient to disclose details.
"In short, I found her. I wanted to let you know that you are a very, very good person, and I don't deserve you. You should find a boy who is suitable for you, and don't be so good to me."
The light in Wang Li's eyes gradually faded. She understood why Peng Fei had come to see her today.
"You came out today just to tell me this? Alright, I understand."
Peng Fei apologized, "Don't be angry, I..."
Wang Li paused for a moment and sighed.
"I'm not angry. Actually, this is quite good; it proves in a way that you are a very responsible person in relationships."
"But what you think is your business, and what I think is mine. I can't interfere with you, and you have no right to interfere with me."
"I think since your wife chose to leave you back then, she must have had her reasons. Given your current situation, she might not accept you again in the future. Anyway, I don't mind. If she doesn't want you, you can come to me. I'll always welcome you."
Peng Fei had nothing to say and could only turn his head towards the window with a deep expression.
The meal was mostly dominated by Wang Li's talking. After finishing it somberly, Peng Fei had to leave.
Wang Li was somewhat reluctant. "I'll be sleeping at home all day during the holiday, it's so boring. If you have time in the future, can I still look for you?"
"I meant, if I find suitable part-time jobs, I'll recommend them to you. Will you have time to come out?"
Peng Fei said, "If it doesn't take up too much time, like an hour or two today, then it's fine."
Wang Li smiled happily again. "Okay, I'll try my best to find some for you and call you when I do."
Upon returning home, Peng Fei retreated to his room and buried himself in work.
He reverted to his cold and stern demeanor, becoming quite irritable with everyone. He would yell and curse like a tyrant at the slightest disagreement, making him incredibly annoying.
Next door, Zhan Jing Chun was not in a much better state.
She hadn't expected Peng Fei to be the type of man who changed his tune once he got what he wanted.
He had previously made solemn promises that he had nothing going on with Wang Li, yet he had publicly embarrassed her in front of her sister and brother-in-law.
She really wanted to confront him for an explanation, but her pride wouldn't allow it.
What happened between them the night before last wasn't Peng Fei's initiative; she was the one who had been foolish enough to throw herself at him.
It seemed no man would refuse something offered on a platter, and that cheap, readily available things weren't worth cherishing.
This was a lesson Peng Fei had taught her.
Zhan Jing Chun lost all hope in love, feeling she wasn't destined for it.
It seemed that while God had blessed her abundantly in family relationships, she was destined to suffer more in love.
Her ex-boyfriend and Peng Fei had thoroughly shattered her beautiful illusions about men, and she truly wouldn't fall in love again.
Tian Tian and Chen Dong Yang felt distressed seeing her dejected state.
However, matters of the heart were something that one had to figure out for themselves; others couldn't help much.
The only thing Tian Tian could do was take her to see a psychologist.
Zhan Jing Chun felt she didn't need to see a psychologist; she knew where the problem lay.
As the saying goes, "When the heart is free from love, the spirit naturally flourishes." Now that she had given up on love, she probably wouldn't be so anxious and possessive anymore.
Tian Tian wanted to stay with her for a couple of days, but Zhan Jing Chun didn't want that.
She needed solitude.
Tian Tian suggested she move to a different place, but she didn't want that either.
The best way to solve a problem was to face it directly.
Since she no longer harbored any illusions about Peng Fei, there was no need to avoid him.
Even if they met every day, she wouldn't feel any stirrings of emotion for him; that would be true strength.
Tian Tian and Chen Dong Yang had to leave Nanshan Villa. Before leaving, they told her to call them if anything came up.
Zhan Jing Chun took some melatonin, pulled the covers over her head, and went to sleep.
The next morning, she was woken up by the still lively sounds from next door.
Was it already daylight?
A sense of melancholy lingered in her heart; it had only been a day, but it felt like half a lifetime had passed.
The training next door had resumed. Listening to Peng Fei's voice, it seemed to be the same as always, unaffected.
Zhan Jing Chun didn't feel like smiling or crying, just a faint thought.
People who are carefree live truly happy lives.
She got up to paint. Today, she felt inspired, and her strokes were clear.
After an unknown amount of time painting, she heard a woman's voice from next door. It turned out to be Wang Li.
For Peng Fei's sake, she had contacted many part-time jobs overnight and was eager to contact him first thing in the morning.
Peng Fei thought, might as well go all the way. To completely dispel Zhan Jing Chun's misunderstanding, let her come.