The sweet and envious look made Pei Kexin feel that if she didn't hold Zhan Jingchen's arm in time, she would be hurting their fans' hearts.
The two, appearing loving but with no affection between them, linked arms and left, feigning affection.
As they walked out of the shop and into the bustling aisle, passersby, regardless of gender or age, couldn't help but cast admiring glances as they passed.
It was as if a celebrity couple was out on the street, and everyone was feasting their eyes.
Zhan Jingchen felt even more confident under the attention.
"It seems we're quite compatible. Meeting your family should be no problem."
Pei Kexin sneered, "Do you think the Pei family is so easily impressed? That anyone can fool them by just bringing a pretty face? Be humble, don't let your guard down."
Zhan Jingchen smoothly drove all the way to the hospital.
It was called a hospital, but it was actually a high-end private sanatorium.
They parked the car, picked up the tonics, and went up hand in hand. Pei Kexin told Zhan Jingchen.
"The patient in bed is my father. Although he's a bit old, his status is still high, and everyone respects him. If you can say something, say it. If not, just shut up and pretend to be calm. Don't try to be clever and spout nonsense. Remember?"
"Mhm."
"I have a high seniority in the family. Later, someone might call you Uncle, or Brother-in-law. No matter who calls you, just respond. Make fewer unnecessary movements."
"Understood."
"You're not allowed to call me 'baby' anymore, and never again!"
"..."
Seeing his lack of response, Pei Kexin pinched his palm with her fingernail. "Do you have an opinion?"
Zhan Jingchen calmly took her hand back into his palm, raised both their hands together, and gently blew on the spot she had pinched.
"How dare I. I'll listen to everything you say, won't I?"
The fourth floor arrived in an instant.
The moment they stepped out of the elevator, Pei Kexin's face immediately broke into a smile. She tightly clasped Zhan Jingchen's fingers and playfully pushed open the door of the first room on the corner.
Before they even entered, a cheerful voice called out.
"Dad, Ah Chen and I are here to see you. How are you feeling today?"
As the door opened, a clean and comfortable hospital bed came into view. A tall, thin man with a head full of silver hair was sitting up on the bed.
The bedside tables on both sides were filled with flowers and fruits.
As the door opened wider, several well-dressed men and women appeared on both sides of the bed.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on the doorway. Before Zhan Jingchen could guess who was who, Pei Kexin pulled him into the center of the room.
"Dad, I brought him."
"Didn't I already tell you that I'm dating a college classmate? He was studying abroad before and couldn't come back, so I couldn't bring him to see you. This time, as soon as he heard you were ill, he immediately took leave and rushed back."
"Dad, we just got our marriage certificate this morning. He said that as soon as he graduates, he'll return to the country to be with me, to take care of you with me, and never leave. Do you like it?"
Zhan Jingchen smiled elegantly. After listening to her, he respectfully bowed to the old man.
"Hello, Dad. I'm sorry I'm late. I haven't fulfilled my filial duties and made you suffer."
"I will never make such a mistake again. Please forgive me and Kexin's oversight. Thank you, Dad."
Pei Kexin said she had a boyfriend, and then suddenly they were married.
An incredulous voice sounded from behind.
"What? Little Aunt, you're married?"
"Impossible! Isn't this too sudden? You were single yesterday, and suddenly you got your certificate today? And he's a live-in son-in-law..."
"I don't believe it. Show me the marriage certificate!"
The speaker was an adult man, about the same age as Pei Kexin.
Hearing him call Pei Kexin "Little Aunt," Zhan Jingchen understood her seniority and was somewhat surprised.
Pei Kexin, however, was used to his shouting. She deftly reached into her bag to get the certificate.
As she took it out, she softly explained to Zhan Jingchen.
"This is my elder brother's son, Pei Zongrui. He's currently interning in the company's technical department."
"Here, take a look. He's genuinely just returned from abroad, and he'll be living with us for the next month. Hurry up and call him Uncle."
Pei Zongrui took the certificate and flipped through it, looking shocked.
"No way, Pei Kexin. To cling to our family, you really have a scheme, marrying yourself off like this??"
This child speaks so harshly.
However, no one around reprimanded him. Only the old man sitting on the hospital bed coughed twice.
The old man had late-stage lymphoma and had just undergone surgery a few days ago.
He had a tracheotomy, his entire neck was bandaged, and he couldn't speak. To cough so forcefully indicated a lot.
In the entire Pei family, only he cared about Pei Kexin. With this cough, Pei Zongrui could only shut up.
Pei Kexin quickly glanced at Zhan Jingchen, and the two of them rushed to help the old man calm down.
Seeing their solicitousness, Pei Zongrui couldn't stand it anymore. He rolled his eyes and handed the certificate to his eldest aunt beside him.
The old man was eighty-four years old, and his eldest daughter was already over fifty.
The eldest aunt took the certificate and flipped through it with her fingers, which were painted a bright red. She said sarcastically.
"Jiang Jingchen? Which Jiang? There aren't many prominent people surnamed Jiang in Nancheng."
She disliked his background?
Zhan Jingchen silently cursed the blind old woman in his heart: You blind old hag, you don't even know Jiang Nan Fang?
Pei Kexin was very gentle in front of them. "He's not from Nancheng."
"Oh? Not from Nancheng? Then where is he from?"
The old man had already recovered his breath.
Zhan Jingchen stopped patting his chest and respectfully straightened up, looking at the woman and asking Pei Kexin.
"Kexin, who is this..."
"Eldest Sister."
"...Eldest Sister... I am from Beicheng. I attended primary and secondary school in Beicheng, and university in Nancheng."
The young man is truly handsome. If he hadn't met Pei Kexin, he would have been quite suitable as a son-in-law for me.
The eldest sister raised an eyebrow and sized him up. "From Beicheng? Are your parents still in Beicheng?"
"My parents had an accident two years ago and are no longer alive."
"...So you are now an orphan?"
"Yes."
"Anyone else?"
"I am an only child."
The eldest sister couldn't help but turn her head and exchange glances with her two younger brothers.
Pei Kexin found an orphan to be her live-in son-in-law. This move is ruthless!
As long as the old man is alive, and she doesn't leave the Pei family, no one can kick her out.
To stay in the company and divide the assets, this little fox is really putting in a lot of effort!
Not knowing what to do with her, everyone could only be jealous of her.
"Our Pei family's door cannot be entered by just anyone. Kexin, Dad worked hard to raise you for so many years. Although you're not his biological daughter, he's always treated you well. To get married without his consent for such a big matter, aren't you showing him too little respect?"