Around four in the afternoon, I started getting restless, hesitating about whether to accept President Li's invitation. I was almost completely immersed in my current state, just hoping to go abroad as soon as possible. After some thought, I compromised with myself and decided to go.

Around four-thirty, President Li sent the address. I saw that it was the same restaurant we used to frequent. Maybe it was for convenience, which really made it a reunion.

I deliberately went a little late, wanting to arrive after Pei Shi Yu. I waited until after five before leaving, and with the traffic, I didn't arrive until six.

I pushed open the door and went straight in. Unexpectedly, Pei Xianglong was also there, sitting next to Pei Shi Yu. Directly opposite them was an empty seat, probably reserved for me.

President Li saw me first and immediately stood up, saying, "Lin Che, you're late. Come and sit down."

I calmly walked straight to the seat, pulled out the chair, and just as I was about to sit down, President Li suddenly pointed to a young man and said, "This is my son."

Then he looked at his son and said, "Xiao Qi, this is Uncle Lin Che."

I heard his son call out shyly, "Uncle."

It then occurred to me that I had forgotten to bring a gift, so I immediately said awkwardly, "I'm sorry, I forgot the gift. Xiao Qi, tell Uncle what you like, and I'll get it for you."

At this time, President Li said without any reserve, "Tell him boldly, and let this uncle buy it for you."

"No need."

I replied with a smile, "It's okay, I'll buy whatever you like and send it directly to your house."

After the pleasantries, I finally looked at Pei Xianglong, then filled my glass with wine and walked to his side, saying, "I'll toast you."

I thought Pei Xianglong would refuse, but he cheerfully picked up his glass and clinked it with mine. I downed it in one gulp.

After sitting down, I began to take a good look at everyone present. Not many people were invited, not even enough to fill a table. There were a few who were probably President Li's employees. Finally, my gaze landed on Pei Shi Yu. After so long, the first thing I noticed was that she had gained weight, quite noticeably so. It seemed she was doing pretty well after separating from me.

As I was looking at her, her eyes inadvertently met mine. She seemed very calm and then immediately looked away. Pei Shi Yu's reaction made us seem very distant. Fortunately, the dishes started coming one after another, and President Li smoothed things over, saying generously, "Shi Yu, help yourself."

I saw that she didn't answer directly, but just gave a gentle smile.

Tonight felt very restrained to me, and this was the first time I felt like I didn't know how to handle such an occasion. As for Pei Xianglong, I saw him wanting to talk to me several times, but in the end, he didn't take the initiative to speak to me. And me, because of Pei Shi Yu's attitude, I didn't want to appear too eager.

Halfway through the meal, Pei Xianglong received a phone call. After he finished the call, he immediately stood up and said, "Xiao Li, I have something to do and have to leave first. You guys take your time. Xiao Qi, congratulations."

Then he rushed out like a gust of wind, his figure quickly disappearing before us. Just as I was about to look away, he suddenly came back in and pointed directly at me, saying, "You, come out for a moment."

"Okay." I immediately stood up.

Pei Xianglong walked very fast, very urgently. He didn't stop until we reached the parking lot outside. Then he stared straight at my face and, after a long while, asked me, "What have you been doing lately?"

"I might be going abroad at the end of the month, so I've been idle at home recently."

"Just leaving like that?" Pei Xianglong looked very surprised.

"Going out to study is not a bad choice. It can increase knowledge in various fields."

"Do you know why I called you out here?"

"No, I don't." I shook my head in reply.

"There's something I don't know if telling you is right or wrong," Pei Xianglong said hesitantly.

"To me, you can say anything, even scold me. As for the things between me and Pei Shi Yu, I know the fault lies with me."

"Don't mention the past. The things in front of us are more troublesome."

"What is it? Just tell me," I said curiously.

"But Pei Shi Yu doesn't want me to say it."

"Does it have anything to do with me?"

"If it didn't have anything to do with you, why would I bother?"

I didn't reply, figuring that if Pei Xianglong wanted to tell me something, he would naturally do so. If he didn't want to say it, there was no use in pressing him.

At this moment, he suddenly leaned close to my ear and said, "Pei Shi Yu is pregnant. You see how you're going to handle it."

I was indeed shocked, and then I asked a little woodenly, "My child?"

"Careful, or I'll punch you."

I immediately explained, "We've been separated for so long, it did take me by surprise."

"Surprise what?" Pei Xianglong stared into my eyes and asked.

"If the child is mine, then it should be more than three months old. Does Pei Shi Yu want to give birth to it?"

"What do you think?" Pei Xianglong suddenly looked like he wanted to get angry.

"What I mean is, it's been so long, why didn't she tell me? I have the right..."

Before I could finish speaking, Pei Xianglong immediately shouted at me, "You have no right! Pei Shi Yu doesn't want you to know at all. I'm telling you this, do you know what my intention is?"

"I know."

Perhaps Pei Xianglong's intention was to just give me a hint, so he looked like he wanted to leave. As soon as he turned around, I immediately called out behind him, "Dad, thank you."

He immediately stopped and replied, "I can only help you this far. You have to sort out the rest yourself. Otherwise, calling Mom won't help."

"It's difficult, but I'll try my best." As soon as I finished speaking, Pei Xianglong had already gotten into the car.

As for me, I didn't immediately go back inside. I continued to stand outside and lit a cigarette. The sudden news had thrown me into a bit of a disarray. The reason Pei Shi Yu didn't want to tell me, was it that she wanted to hide it from me and raise the child herself? Then the child would become all hers. If Pei Xianglong hadn't revealed such important news to me, she probably would have deliberately kept it from me.

Just before I was about to go abroad, this suddenly happened. If I really leave at the end of the month, I definitely won't be able to handle Pei Shi Yu in such a short time. If that's the case, I won't be able to leave in peace.

In any case, the most important thing right now is Pei Shi Yu's attitude. The calm way she acted tonight makes me feel like it'll be difficult to even strike up a conversation with her. Just as I was about to turn back, I suddenly heard familiar footsteps. I immediately looked ahead and saw Pei Shi Yu walking this way, followed by President Li, who seemed to be trying to persuade her to stay. But Pei Shi Yu said without looking back, "I'm leaving first. You go back in."