With her words, Pei Kexin was left speechless by him.
After a pause, she said, no longer wanting to argue with him.
"We're drinking at dinner, so if you're still drunk, don't drink later. I'm here."
"Just eat more and talk less, act like a mute."
Seeing her tone soften again, Zhan Jingchen found her interesting, thinking she actually had a good heart.
He couldn't help but tease her again: "Can I take that as you actually care about me?"
Pei Kexin: "..."
Zhan Jingchen changed his clothes, freshened up, and they went downstairs.
Dinner wasn't ready yet, and the men had gone somewhere, leaving only a group of women having a tea party.
Seeing them come down, Zhan Jingchen still smelled of alcohol, but he had changed into clean clothes, looked energetic, his features handsome, and he stood tall and elegant.
Pei Kexin sat on the edge of the sofa, and he followed, sitting on the armrest beside her, exuding a stylish and pleasing aura that made the women's eyes light up.
The eldest sister, who had no sons, seemed to like looking at him more.
"Oh, Achen, you're young indeed, sobered up so quickly?"
Zhan Jingchen leaned against her, hugging Pei Kexin, and smiled.
"Not at all. I drank so much at noon, how could I sober up so fast?"
"It's just that my treasure is back. She said it was impolite for me to sleep alone upstairs, so I rushed down to accompany everyone."
"I apologize if I offended anyone at noon with my poor alcohol tolerance. Please bear with me."
The second sister-in-law picked up the conversation.
"I say, you can date if you want to, but having a low alcohol tolerance won't do. You're not worthy of her based on that alone."
"Kexin comes from a sales background. She used to drink with clients, and all-nighters followed by hangovers were common. We'll be relying on you to help her more in the future. If you can't even match up to your wife, that won't do."
Those who understood knew she was praising Pei Kexin for her dedication and hard work for the company, while those who didn't might have thought she was mocking her.
"Your wife often drinks with men outside, stays out all night, and doesn't come home,呵呵."
Regardless of her intention, Zhan Jingchen looked at Pei Kexin with a pained expression upon hearing this.
He suddenly pinched her chin, lifted her face, and they kissed in front of everyone.
"You've worked hard, my dear wife. You've sacrificed so much for our family and career, it hasn't been easy for you."
"With me to cherish you from now on, you'll surely feel better. I'm sorry I came back late."
Everyone: "..."
Pei Kexin had unexpectedly given away her first kiss, and in front of everyone. Although her heart skipped a beat and pounded, she couldn't show it.
She could only pretend to accept their affectionate display and meet his gaze.
"Thank you, husband, for understanding. With your care, I'll definitely be more relaxed from now on. I'm grateful to have you."
Zhan Jingchen rubbed her face with his thumb. "It's my honor. I love you."
As they were showing off their affection, the butler suddenly came to deliver a message.
"Master and Eldest Young Master are back. Madam, shall we prepare to serve dinner?"
Upon hearing this, everyone stood up.
The eldest sister said, "They're back. I wonder how things are at the hospital. Who will be on duty tonight?"
Everyone got ready for dinner, washing their hands and going to the restroom, but no one answered.
Zhan Jingchen followed Pei Kexin towards the dining room and asked in a low voice.
"How is your family divided? Do people have to take turns watching the老爷子 day and night?"
Pei Kexin replied, "Don't talk, you'll understand when you see later."
"...Isn't that stating the obvious? What I mean is, should I show some initiative?"
Pei Kexin glanced at him. "What do you think?"
"..."
As they were talking, the eldest brother entered the room.
Pei Kexin proactively greeted him. The eldest brother looked exhausted, taking off his jacket and handing it to a maid as he walked.
"Why are you home? Isn't the company busy?"
Another person who thought she shouldn't have returned so early.
Zhan Jingchen was truly speechless.
Pei Kexin smiled, not daring to complain.
"It's busy. But I thought family matters were more important, so I came back early today."
The eldest brother glanced at Zhan Jingchen beside her.
"What family members? Are you referring to him?"
Zhan Jingchen: "..."
Is that not allowed?
After all, today is their wedding anniversary! Not only did no one offer blessings, but they were also complaining about the bride not working overtime!
What kind of bizarre family is this?!
Pei Kexin still spoke gently, "For him, but also for Father. Although he just joined our family, he should still show filial piety. I plan to..."
"Mm. It's rare for you to have this awareness."
The eldest brother sat down in his usual seat and said expressionlessly.
"Since you want to show filial piety, let him take care of Father at the hospital from now on. He's idle anyway, and everyone else is quite busy."
"..."
Zhan Jingchen was indeed idle, he had time.
But to say that others were not busy was simply lying with his eyes open.
Zhan Jingchen couldn't help but sigh inwardly again, this family didn't treat Pei Kexin as a person at all.
No wonder she had to pay for a live-in son-in-law.
To work so hard and diligently, only to be driven away like a dog, he felt indignant for her!
Those who went to wash their hands returned to their seats one by one, and dinner officially began.
Before starting, the eldest sister suggested that since Zhan Jingchen had just joined the family and hadn't enjoyed himself enough at noon, he should toast the eldest brother twice tonight.
Zhan Jingchen stood up.
"I have a poor alcohol tolerance, and I drank too much at noon. I also have to go to the hospital to take care of Father tonight, so I really dare not drink anymore."
"I apologize, Eldest Brother. May I toast you with tea instead of wine? We're all family, and I'm sure Eldest Brother can understand."
Before the eldest brother could respond, Pei Zongrui, upon hearing this, was displeased.
"Whether one can drink or not is a matter of attitude. It's his first day here, what's the meaning of toasting with tea?"
"Besides, isn't my aunt here? She has a very good alcohol tolerance..."
Zhan Jingchen was about to say that his aunt was also going to the hospital tonight, but Pei Kexin interrupted him.
"Zongrui is right, whether one can drink or not, the intention must be expressed. Today is a great occasion, it's inappropriate not to drink a couple of toasts. He can't drink, so I'll do it for him. Come, Eldest Brother, I..."
"Drink, drink, drink! What else do you people know besides eating and drinking?"
The eldest brother not only didn't respond to Pei Kexin's words but suddenly flew into a rage.
He slammed his hand heavily on the table, startling everyone around.
"Father worked hard his whole life, and now he's old and useless, lying in the hospital alone. Instead of rushing to take care of him, you're dragging me into drinking? Are you all human?"
"I've raised you all these years for nothing, it seems. Not a single one of you is worry-free! At a time like this, you still have the mood to celebrate a wedding? If this gets out, our family will be seen as heartless, wouldn't that be a joke?"
Pei Kexin's determination not to leave the Pei family, and that it wouldn't be so easy to be driven away if she did, was seen through.
Finally, someone had revealed it.
Pei Kexin's heart was like being cut by a knife.
Although she had experienced such scenes many times and should have expected it, she couldn't help but feel disappointed at this moment.
It was too obvious.
The Pei family didn't treat her as a person, and their intention to drive her out at any moment was too clear.
Even though today was supposed to be a joyous occasion for her.
She should have made a harder choice earlier.
It was fine as it was now. If they were heartless, then she would be unrighteous in the future.