"When has Miss Fu ever been afraid of stealing someone else's spotlight? This was designed precisely for you. Wear it, and when others see how much thought you've put into it, they'll likely be too lazy to gossip about Zhou Ruyu and me anymore."
Fu Duoduo giggled, "That's exactly what I was thinking! Sacrificing my own image to shield my sister from trouble, isn't that loyal enough?"
Pei Kexin, too lazy to banter further, asked, "Is Gu Wei going?"
"Of course. You're all bringing your partners, what am I supposed to do without him?"
Pei Kexin smiled, "You two are up to something behind my back."
Fu Duoduo sighed, "I wish. Gu Wei is someone I know well, he's rich, and most importantly, he's good-looking. If something were to happen between us, it would save me a lot of trouble, but alas..."
"Alas?" Pei Kexin teased her.
"Alas, you're too shy to ask? Miss Fu, are there times you can't open your mouth? It's rare to see you so deeply in love. Should I take a screenshot and convey it to Gu Wei for you?"
Fu Duoduo, thick-skinned as ever, replied, "Then I thank you in advance."
"Cut out the parts that need cutting, and only show him the nice things I said. You have no idea, my father is desperately forcing me to come home, he's cut off my living expenses. If we get together, and Gu Ge supports me, who will I have to fear?"
Pei Kexin sent an emoji, teasing her for being cunning, and Fu Duoduo sent back a triumphant one.
Their conversation concluded. Fu Duoduo, naturally not wanting to steal anyone's thunder, went to pick out other clothes, while Pei Kexin left work.
She went to the sanatorium first. Before even entering the ward, she could hear her eldest sister and her two daughters from a distance.
They were discussing how best to show filial piety to the old man.
One suggested making fruit puree for him, another wanted to personally stew a nourishing soup, someone else wanted to take him for a walk, and another wanted to tell him stories.
The three of them didn't seem like visitors to a patient, but rather like relatives paying a call, buzzing with activity.
Pei Kexin listened from outside for a while, but couldn't hear Jiang Jingchen's voice. Puzzled as to where he had gone, she finally entered.
Scanning the room, she confirmed he was indeed not there.
She greeted the old man first, then exchanged pleasantries with her eldest sister.
Finally, she casually asked, "Where's A'chen? I don't see him."
Her eldest sister, busy massaging the old man's feet, pointed inside when she heard.
"The bathroom. He just went to wash up because he accidentally got Dad's clothes wet when giving him water. I can't leave, so I asked him to go."
"Kexin, he's here to take care of Dad too, and he's a man. Do you have any objections to me asking him to do some chores?"
Logically, she shouldn't mind.
But he was her newly married husband, and a mere outsider was ordering him to do manual labor?
Wasn't washing clothes the job of a caregiver?
Pei Kexin hadn't realized she was so protective of her own, and her face immediately darkened.
"Hand wash? Why hire a caregiver if you're going to have him wash clothes?"
Her eldest sister realized she was unhappy and raised her head, also displeased.
"What's wrong? Are you angry? It's such a small thing, is it necessary? These are Dad's personal clothes, would you trust an outsider with them?"
Pei Kexin had decided last night that if they didn't give her face, she didn't need to show them any consideration either.
She retorted coldly, "Then there's the washing machine. We wash our clothes in the washing machine, and I haven't seen you being so particular before. The more of a man he is, the less he should be doing such delicate work. Aren't you afraid he'll wash them poorly and irritate Dad?"
Her eldest sister could tell Pei Kexin was upset.
Her elder brother hadn't treated her well yesterday, kicking her out before she could eat. She was taking her anger out on her.
"Oh, are you afraid he'll wash them poorly, or afraid of tiring him out? It's just a piece of clothing. If such a tall, grown man can't handle such a small task, what else can he do? I didn't ask him to die, is it worth making such a scene?"
Pei Kexin hung her bag on the hanger, rolled up her sleeves with a cold laugh, and walked towards the bathroom.
"You're always criticizing others for being useless. I think you haven't served any other purpose besides barking orders."
"Alright, you're the eldest sister. If you feel you're superior to us, I don't want to argue with you."
"We've washed the clothes. We have something to do tonight and might not be back. Please trouble you, eldest sister, to take the two nieces and stay on duty tonight."
"What?"
The eldest sister, upon hearing that she wouldn't be back tonight while she was busy here, stood up abruptly in anger.
"He's just washing a piece of clothing, is it worth getting so angry? Dad, look at her attitude! And not coming back tonight, huh, you think you're so great now, Pei Kexin!"
Pei Kexin ignored her and walked directly into the bathroom. She snatched the clothes from Zhan Jingchen, who was clumsily scrubbing them, gave them a few vigorous rubs, then rinsed them and put them in the dryer.
Linking her arm through his, she turned to the old man.
"Tonight, Zhou Ruyu and his wife are holding their anniversary celebration, and I've been invited. I didn't want to go originally, but since they heard I'm also married, everyone wants to liven things up. I can't refuse."
"Dad, we'll definitely be back late tonight, so it'll be tough on eldest sister today. We'll come again tomorrow."
Zhan Jingchen had spent the entire day here with the old man alone, keeping his edge and serving him attentively. The old man liked him more and more.
He already felt guilty that the family hadn't given Kexin any proper respect for their new marriage. And when his eldest daughter arrived and immediately started making veiled remarks and bossing Zhan Jingchen around, he was, frankly, very displeased.
He knew his own children's character. Kexin had been respectful for so many years. If they hadn't been so unreasonable, she wouldn't have had to fall out with them.
If she wanted to leave, let her leave.
As the two entered the elevator, Pei Kexin released Zhan Jingchen's arm and looked him over, still a little angry.
"Are you alright today?"
Zhan Jingchen felt a sense of vindication hearing her argue with his sister for him.
After all, they were on the same side. It wasn't a waste of his day acting submissively.
In a good mood, he replied, "Don't worry, I didn't cause you any trouble. I'm very good at enduring humiliation, unlike you."
"..." Pei Kexin shot him a sideways glance, thinking: How can this person be so cheap?
It seemed he had no heart, no self-respect, and felt no humiliation.
That made sense. He was someone who would sell anything for money, otherwise, he wouldn't have come to the Pei family. It was a waste of her impulsive defense of him just now.
After calming down for a few seconds, she warned Zhan Jingchen again.
"Have you heard of a masquerade ball? Have you ever attended one? If not, I'll tell you."
"Later, you'll need to buy a mask to cover your face. Everyone will be doing it, so don't be afraid. Do whatever I do, don't speak, and stay by my side the entire time. Remember?"
After boasting about his ability to endure humiliation, he was now going to shut up and be a tool. It was indeed Zhan Jingchen reaping what he sowed.
Exiting the elevator, Pei Kexin tossed the car keys to him again.
"Go to Binjiang South Road, I'll take you to buy clothes."
Following the navigation to Binjiang Road, Pei Kexin first took him to get his hair done.
As soon as they entered, Fu Duoduo's fiery red figure rushed over.
"Kexin, you're finally here! Quick, look, do you like this dress I picked out again?"
She was wearing an old-fashioned, rustic red evening gown, and she spread her arms, turning around a few times in front of them. She stopped and only then noticed the handsome man accompanying Pei Kexin.