"Why is she giving us gifts? Let me see what it is."
Peng Fei was also curious, and the two stopped in the hallway.
They fumbled open the small red lucky bags and reached in with two fingers to grab.
Oh my god, umbrellas.
The public office had actually given them five umbrellas.
Zhan Jingchun was stunned at first, then burst into laughter.
Peng Fei was rather reluctant to laugh.
"They're wishing us an early birth of a precious child and giving us this? No need, no need, take them back to them!"
Back in the car, the two of them kept looking at their marriage certificate, unable to get enough of it. They wanted to laugh, to share, to let the whole world know they were together.
But they didn't have many friends, and posting on social media only reached a few acquaintances, which felt meaningless. Even their enthusiasm for sharing was dampened.
Zhan Jingchun was not content. She nestled in Peng Fei's arms and cuddled him for a good while, then suddenly thought of someone.
"Peng Fei."
"Hmm?"
"Since today is such a great day for us to get our marriage certificate, shouldn't we inform Wang Li, your former best and only female friend?"
"She helped you when you were at your lowest. She might still have a crush on you and be waiting for you. If you can't repay her with money, you should at least treat her to a meal."
"First, to share our joy and let her share in the good fortune. Second, if she doesn't have a boyfriend yet, I'll introduce some quality guys to her..."
Peng Fei didn't sense anything amiss and replied frankly.
"Okay."
Zhan Jingchun waited. "Then let's call her at noon and see where she wants to go."
Peng Fei handed his phone directly to Zhan Jingchun. "Your birthday is the password. I'm yours now. It's not good for me to call her, you do it."
He even used his own birthday as the password, showing some self-awareness.
Peng Fei had very few contacts in his phone, and Wang Li was found easily.
When she dialed, the other party answered quickly, her voice full of surprise.
"Peng Fei, is that you? You still remember to call me, you really are..."
"How long has it been since we last contacted? Over a year, right? Ever since you entered the entertainment industry, I haven't dared to bother you. How have you been lately?"
"I've been following your news. Was that video a while ago real? What have you been doing lately? Are you free? Do I still have a chance to see you again?"
The fact that they hadn't been in contact for over a year showed how excited Wang Li was.
She started speaking like a machine gun, rattling off a lot of things. Zhan Jingchun couldn't get a word in and had to wait for her to finish.
"Hello Wang Li, I'm not Peng Fei, I'm his partner."
Wang Li was stunned on the other end. After a long pause, she managed to ask.
"Partner? You... is this Peng Fei's phone?"
"Yes, we just got our marriage certificate. He's been doing very well lately. He's always mentioning you, saying you're his benefactor and that you helped him a lot during his most difficult times. He wants to treat you to a meal. Are you free?"
Wang Li agreed in a daze. After hanging up, Zhan Jingchun started the car with a smile.
Peng Fei thought she was going home or to the restaurant early, but they went to a jewelry store instead.
"Since we're thanking her, just saying it isn't sincere. Let's give her a gift."
"The bracelets and necklaces from this brand are all very beautiful. Pick one."
Peng Fei knew Zhan Jingchun was generous. Since they were there, he didn't intend to go empty-handed. The two of them picked out a bracelet together, costing nearly a hundred thousand.
Upon meeting, Wang Li was not only shocked by the gift but even more so by Zhan Jingchun.
"I always used to think, with Peng Fei being so handsome, honest, devoted, capable, and now a celebrity in the entertainment industry, what kind of celestial being would be worthy of him? Seeing you today, I'm convinced."
"It turns out there are fairies not only in the entertainment industry but also by your side. You are truly beautiful. I finally understand why he's so devoted. If it were me, I wouldn't bear to be separated from you either. Can we be friends?"
Zhan Jingchun quite liked Wang Li. She was straightforward, guileless, sunny, and full of positive energy. They could be friends.
After getting their certificate, Peng Fei couldn't wait to get his driver's license.
Every time they went out, his wife was the one driving, and he felt useless.
While he went to practice driving, Zhan Jingchun, bored, submitted her sketches to a competition.
Although it was a professional competition, she hadn't improved at all in the past two years. She wanted to compete with professionals to see how much skill she still had.
Unexpectedly, as she competed, she made it all the way to the finals.
Peng Fei's driving test for the third subject was on the same day as her finals. Whether she would win an award and what place she would get depended on today.
But neither of them took it seriously.
Zhan Jingchun didn't care about the awards or prize money. Painting was about enjoyment; she didn't need it to be tied to material things.
Peng Fei also didn't suggest postponing the test to accompany her, as if he also thought Zhan Jingchun wouldn't win, so there was no need to pay too much attention.
The couple said goodbye and headed in opposite directions.
Zhan Jingchun went to the event venue alone. After waiting for more than three hours, the results were announced, and she had actually won first place...
It was impossible to say she wasn't prepared at all. Even with only a one percent chance of winning, Zhan Jingchun had still dressed up.
She wore black high-waisted wide-leg suit pants, five-centimeter heels, paired with a silk white shirt, her hair tied up. She looked incredibly capable and elegant.
The vice-chairman of the Municipal Painting Association personally presented her with the award. Zhan Jingchun said a few words of thanks, smiled, stepped down, and walked towards her seat.
Just as she took a few steps, a handsome and tall figure suddenly stood up from the crowd.
White shirt, black pants, gentle and refined, with a warm smile.
Zhan Jingchun was stunned.
Her husband was here, Peng Fei had arrived.
Holding a bouquet of sunflowers, his eyes were gentle and clear, as handsome as a male lead from an idol drama. He had arrived so suddenly.
Because she had no expectation whatsoever, Zhan Jingchun was very surprised, and at the same time, very proud.
Because no matter where her husband was placed in a crowd, he was dazzlingly handsome.
She stopped in her tracks, and Peng Fei walked towards her like a prince.
"Ms. Zhan Jingchun, congratulations on your award."
The couple, a perfect match, attracted a lot of attention at the venue. It wasn't until they were outside that Zhan Jingchun remembered to ask him.
"Did you pass the third subject of the driving test?"
Peng Fei was about to lie and say no, but she shoved the car keys into his hand.
"From now on, you are my dedicated driver. Stop talking nonsense and drive me home!"
Peng Fei didn't drive her home. Halfway there, he couldn't go on.
Seeing the hotel invested in by Lu Qingxu, he directly took Zhan Jingchun to check into a room.
On the way, Zhan Jingchun was very curious and kept asking why he was taking her there, but Peng Fei didn't answer.
It wasn't until they entered the room and she was pushed against the wall that she understood his sudden reaction.
"What's wrong? Are you this happy just because you got your driver's license?"
Peng Fei wasn't.
Normally, he was with her every day, and Zhan Jingchun was either in casual home clothes or various dresses, with her hair down and a bare face.
Seeing her today, so professional, so capable, and with such a dominant aura, was a first.
The moment he saw her at the event venue, he was overwhelmed with emotion.
"Chun Chun..."