As soon as the plane landed, Pei Shiyu's phone rang. She answered it and immediately started speaking in English. I hugged Xiao Long and simply walked ahead.

At the arrival gate, I saw a woman about the same age as Pei Shiyu greeting us.

She shouted quite loudly, "Xiao Long!"

I leaned over to Pei Shiyu and whispered, "Xiao Long's aunt?"

"Yes, she said she'd pick him up right away. I haven't told Xiao Long yet, I don't know if he'll cry. I can't force him if he doesn't want to."

"You should have discussed it with Xiao Long beforehand. Who would want to go to a strange place all of a sudden? Especially since he's so young."

"They talked on the phone yesterday, but she didn't explain it clearly."

I didn't say anything because the woman came up to us. I handed Xiao Long over to her. The child seemed very familiar with her and hugged her neck excitedly.

"Xiao Long, who is this?" the woman asked, pointing at me.

"Uncle."

"Oh, Auntie thought he was your aunt's boyfriend."

I just smiled. It was hard to answer at this stage. I was only half sure of Pei Shiyu's feelings, and I wouldn't rashly make any grand statements. Pei Shiyu beside me was the same. She greeted the woman very kindly, then softly asked, "I wonder if he'll cry tonight? I didn't tell him."

"He shouldn't, he used to sleep with me all the time."

"Why don't you ask him first?"

Xiao Long suddenly replied, "I won't cry."

It seemed Xiao Long had understood what we were saying. Children seem to be naturally close to their aunts. I don't know if it's because aunts have a shadow of their mothers, or if it's just that Pei Shiyu's personality isn't as likeable.

With Xiao Long's decision, we exchanged pleasantries and she left the airport with Xiao Long. It suddenly became quiet. I originally thought being alone with Pei Shiyu would increase the chances of developing our relationship, but it wasn't the case. Without the child as a buffer, I didn't know what to say. There was a sense of tension mixed in, a feeling of not yet being confirmed.

Pei Shiyu had brought two suitcases, one of which was Xiao Long's, which had already been taken away. I pushed the two suitcases and asked with a smile, "Want to sit? I'll push you."

Pei Shiyu didn't indulge my childish idea, but unexpectedly touched my arm and asked, "Aren't you cold? You're wearing so little."

"If I have your warmth, even the coldest weather becomes warm."

Since I had thoughts about Pei Shiyu, this was the first time she had spoken to me in such a caring tone. I immediately dropped my awkwardness, and Pei Shiyu let out a long sigh.

I turned my head and said, "Xiao Long is gone, but you don't have to show it so obviously. When are you going to pick him up?"

"It's been a bit annoying taking care of him all this time. It's not that Xiao Long is not well-behaved, but you always have to watch over him when he's by your side. I have no freedom at all," Pei Shiyu said with a sigh.

"I can relate to that. Those few days you went to Milan, I originally wanted to go to a bar with Wang Rui, but it turned into what you saw. Two drunks could only drink and chat in the room. The foreign romance went down the drain."

"Can't you live without women?"

"I haven't touched a woman in five years if you count both sides. If I really couldn't live without them, I wouldn't be so self-disciplined," I explained exaggeratingly.

Pei Shiyu replied very guardedly, "Don't treat me like prey. You can't even speak a sentence of English, yet you're thinking about foreign romances."

I said without any reservation, "What kind of language exchange do you need for a one-night stand?"

"Don't talk about such pointless topics in front of me in the future."

I drawled, "Understood, I'll make the nutritious meal you like."

As soon as I finished speaking, I asked her curiously, "How many boyfriends have you had?"

"I don't know."

"Too many to count?"

"Is that strange? A thirty-year-old woman should have at least five if she doesn't have ten!"

I replied nonchalantly, "I've only had one. You're much more impressive than me. Of course, you have the capital to be so awesome."

I didn't mind how many boyfriends Pei Shiyu had had at all, but I didn't know if she had had a fling with a foreigner. If she had, I really shouldn't go to her house, unless there was no future between us. Otherwise, I'd just be demeaning myself.

Xiao Long's aunt had driven over, but we needed to walk to a designated spot to take a taxi. I pushed the suitcases and chatted with Pei Shiyu a lot along the way. The topic of boyfriends stopped abruptly because I suddenly lost the desire to continue the conversation. After all, I might be going to a foreigner's house tonight, and I was too embarrassed to ask the question directly. I didn't want to be led along by Pei Shiyu without knowing what was going on. After analyzing it, I would definitely be left out again tonight.

After getting in the car, Pei Shiyu and I sat in the back together. My eyes were fixed on the outside. It was my first time here, so I was definitely admiring everything with a curious gaze.

It wasn't until we entered a bustling area that I asked, "Where are we going now?"

"First, we'll find a place to stay and settle our luggage."

"And then?"

"Where do you want to go?" Pei Shiyu asked back in a very accommodating tone.

"What's the most prosperous place in New York?"

"Want to go to Times Square?"

"New York also has a Times Square?"

"Yes, it's called New York Times Square. You're treating tonight. You've been eating and living for free for so many days, you must feel bad about it."

"I haven't spent all the Euros I brought."

"You came well prepared."

"Youxiang gave them to me. He's my half-brother from a different father, whom I just recognized."

I don't know why, but whenever I brought up family matters, Pei Shiyu usually didn't take the initiative to respond. Was it related to her relationship with Lin Yang, or was it because the concept that President Li had instilled in her before was too rigid? It seemed like she was no longer interested in my family situation at all.

I stopped this topic and asked, "Aren't you going to the foreigner's house tonight?"

"I'm going tomorrow. Tonight, we're on our own. It's also the most relaxing night."

"For me, every day is relaxing. As long as it's not boring."

"Don't you have any ambition for the future?"

"Who says I don't? In the future, I'll be a big shot in the catering industry. I'm not kidding. Just wait and see!"

"How did you think of doing catering?" Pei Shiyu rarely cared about my work.

"Since you asked, I'll tell you the truth. The restaurant is opened by my mother. There are chain stores in many cities. The one you went to last time was one of them. In the future, I'll be in charge of managing it. I also want to look for business opportunities while I'm abroad this time and see if there's room for development abroad?"

"Take care of the domestic market first. It's not too late to develop the foreign market after you've mastered commercial operations."

Pei Shiyu's tone was the same as my mother's, but I really had this idea.