When I arrived, Lao Wang and Pei Xianglong were already waiting at the entrance, in front of a dai pai dong (open-air food stall). Lao Wang seemed surprised when he saw me.

With a look of astonishment, he asked, "Lin Che, what are you doing here?"

"Dad called me, said you had too much to drink." I pointed at Pei Xianglong as I answered.

"I'm fine, just had a couple of cups."

"A few more cups and you won't be able to explain it when you get home."

"You can take me back later, and just say you were in a bad mood and we drank together."

"Let me take the blame?" I said with a smile.

"Taking the blame won't help. Your mother has been very dissatisfied with you lately."

Pei Xianglong, who hadn't said anything, walked over and asked, "What about your car?"

"The driver is still here. You guys go ahead." Pei Xianglong pointed to his car.

Hearing this, I immediately stopped a taxi. Lao Wang really hadn't had too much to drink. He got into the car before me, then rolled down the window and said, "Lao Pei, we'll be going then."

"Okay, go ahead."

I also said to Pei Xianglong at the same time, "Dad, I won't let you down."

Pei Xianglong didn't answer. He watched me get into the car before turning and walking towards his own car.

Inside the car, Lao Wang seemed to be in a good mood tonight. As soon as I sat down, he immediately said to me, "Lao Pei called me this afternoon."

"Did you invite him out tonight?"

"It wasn't planned, I called him out on a whim."

"Oh."

"Don't you want to ask what he said to me?"

Just now, I was wondering if Pei Xianglong had told Lao Wang about Pei Shiyu and me, but hearing his words now, I was sure Lao Wang already knew.

"It must be about Pei Shiyu."

"Yes. Although Lao Pei's tone wasn't very good when he called you just now, he has always acknowledged you in his heart. Otherwise, he wouldn't have told me about this today. Of course, the main thing still depends on Shiyu's attitude."

I immediately turned around, looked at Lao Wang, and said, "Why don't you talk to Pei Shiyu again? I think it's going to be hard for me to win her over, and there isn't much time left."

"What? Has Wang Rui arranged your出国 (chuguo – going abroad) for you?"

"Yes, I should be able to leave by the end of the month at the earliest."

"Why didn't Wang Rui mention it to me?"

"I just told her yesterday, it hasn't been confirmed yet." I explained.

"Lin Che, if you can really marry Shiyu, then your life will be perfect."

"Do you think I should give up if she really doesn't want to reconcile with me?"

"Didn't you see her today?"

"Yes."

"What was her attitude?"

"I confessed everything to her, but Pei Shiyu seems to be brushing me off."

"If she really doesn't want to be with you, it doesn't matter if Lao Pei approves. Use a calm approach, and show your masculine charm."

I smiled and asked, "Do you think I still have any charm left?"

"Putting aside the past, why wouldn't you?"

I didn't know what "masculine charm" referred to, but at least it should involve ability and responsibility. Otherwise, just relying on looks is very superficial. The reason Pei Shiyu was able to attract me was also because of her own feminine charm. She had so many things worth learning and admiring. Standing next to her instinctively raised my own standards.

Soon, the car arrived at the door. Lao Wang got out before me, but I didn't get out. I just rolled down the window and said, "Then I'll go back now."

Lao Wang looked at the time and said, "What's the rush? Come in and sit for a while. We still need to discuss the matter between you and Shiyu with your mother."

"Isn't she probably asleep at this hour?"

"No, she won't sleep until I get home. She just sent me a WeChat message asking if I was home yet."

I hesitated a bit, because since my breakup with Pei Shiyu, my mother would lecture me every time she saw me, saying that I was a womanizer like Lin Hai, and didn't know how to cherish relationships.

"Hurry up and get out of the car." Lao Wang urged when he saw I wasn't moving.

After getting out of the car, Lao Wang put his arm around my shoulder like a buddy and said, "In my impression, Shiyu is a relatively introverted child. I was quite surprised when you two got together. How could such an outstanding child have fallen for you..."

Lao Wang suddenly paused, then immediately explained, "It's not that you're not good, it's just that I feel like you two aren't on the same path. She grew up being doted on by Pei Xianglong, and you're the opposite..."

"You just mean you think we're not a good match, but sometimes different growth experiences can be complementary." I interrupted him.

"So it's not complementary now?"

"Probably what they saw in me at the beginning was all interesting things, but now the situation is different. I've already left a stain. If I want to reshuffle my cards, it will take a lot of effort, and I don't have that kind of energy right now."

"Go inside and let your mother figure out a solution."

We were about to go inside when we suddenly heard the sound of a car behind us. Lao Wang and I stopped at the same time and looked outside. We saw Wang Rui getting out of a car. It must have been Shen Yi who drove her back. He was waving goodbye.

"Wang Rui is just getting back." Lao Wang said softly.

"The honeymoon phase." I looked at Wang Rui in the distance and replied.

"Let's go in first."

"Together."

"Then you wait for her. I'll go in first."

"Okay."

I casually replied and kept my eyes on Wang Rui. She seemed to be in a good mood like Lao Wang, humming a tuneless song all the way. When she got a little closer, I immediately said, "Did you have too much to drink?"

"Huh? What are you doing here?" Wang Rui immediately stopped humming and asked in surprise.

"Taking your dad back."

"What happened to my dad?"

"He had dinner with Pei Shiyu's dad, then called me to take him back."

"Did they discuss having children?"

"Don't be ridiculous."

"Are you leaving?"

"I just got here. I heard the sound of the car and waited for you here."

"I went to Shen Yi's house for dinner today. His parents were very hospitable, and I had a few extra drinks tonight."

"I can smell it. The smell of alcohol is hitting my face."

Wang Rui laughed immediately after hearing this and said, "Let's go in. I haven't seen you in a long time."

"I'm too ashamed to come over."

"It's not a big deal, don't take it so seriously."

"I've embarrassed your mother..."

As we were talking, we saw my mother suddenly standing inside. After hearing my words, she immediately interjected, "It's because you're not up to par. I feel sorry for you."

Lao Wang immediately pulled her over and said, "I'm going to make you happy today. Lin Che has something to say to you."

"What is it? At this late hour?"

"Let's sit down and discuss it slowly."

"Did you drink too?" My mother asked, smelling the alcohol on Lao Wang.

"I had a few drinks with Lao Pei, and Lin Che drove me back."

"What's going on? Didn't you say you were breaking off relations with Lao Pei?"

"I can't even break off relations this time." Lao Wang replied, leaning on the sofa.

My mother looked at me with a bit of belated awareness and asked, "Did Lin Che cause trouble again?"

"He caused big trouble." Lao Wang replied with a serious expression.

"Let him solve it himself this time."

"I think you'll have to step in."

Seeing Lao Wang's deliberately mysterious tone, I walked over and sat down next to my mother and said in a slow tone, "I want to discuss something with you."

"Speak, but don't be too stimulating. My heart can't take it."

"Then maybe I shouldn't say it." I looked at her and replied.

"Lin Che, tell her. She can handle good news." Lao Wang said with a smile.

I looked at Wang Rui standing across from us, staring at us. Seeing us beating around the bush, she said for us, "Do you want to be a grandmother?"