After finishing the call, Pei Xianglong had already taken out half a bottle of baijiu from the liquor cabinet. It was just ordinary high-proof liquor.

Clearly, he wasn't very particular about alcohol and didn't try to put on airs in front of me because of his status. I appreciated that about him.

The two wine glasses were quite elegant, small and exquisite. After pouring them full, I placed one in front of him. "I'll toast to you. Thank you for supporting me."

"Mm, it's good that you know how to be grateful."

"If I really marry Pei Shiyu, will you live with us?"

"Let's talk about that later. Settle her first."

"I believe Pei Shiyu will definitely marry me." After downing a glass of wine, I found myself speaking more assertively.

"Shiyu took her previous relationship very seriously. I'll be honest today. Compared to that Shen Yi, you're far behind. As for why she would end up with you, I think the main reason is that you look a bit similar. Confidence is a good thing. The reason I'm supporting you is also for Old Wang's sake."

"Old Wang is Old Wang, and I am me. I hope you see me for who I am. Old Wang and I aren't related by blood, and his business is his own."

"You have the right attitude. You have to be ambitious in life. I said I won't interfere in your relationship, and I mean it."

Pei Xianglong is a very trustworthy person. Every time I chat with him, I admire him a little more. That might be the only thing we have in common.

Pei Xianglong drank the baijiu in his glass, and after I finished mine, I lit a cigarette and heard him say, "Do you think it's better to stay by my side or continue with the restaurant business?"

He had invited me before, but at that time, I wasn't with Pei Shiyu yet. Now that he brought it up, it was indeed tempting because it would also allow me to be with Pei Shiyu.

I thought for a moment and replied, "I already promised my mom that I would study hard and take over. It's what my mom has built up over decades. If I don't take over, she'll have to continue working hard."

"Listen to me. Keep a few stores and sell the rest if you can. The money from the sales can also be invested in our company. Since you've chosen to be with Pei Shiyu, you should try to lean towards our side. My son Shi'ang is gone, Xiaolong is still young, and I'm getting old. You can stay by Pei Shiyu's side and learn slowly. You won't be treated unfairly."

"Whether I'm treated unfairly is beside the point. If I really were to come over, I'd have to discuss it with my family."

If I could really work with Pei Shiyu, I'd be quite willing. Although I don't know much about senior government affairs, at least I have some experience in this industry.

When Wenwen called me, we were almost finished with our drinks. She only came to the foot of the building, took a taxi. As I walked down, I saw her carrying several bags from afar. As soon as she got closer, she said to me, "There was a fight in the restaurant at noon."

"What happened?" I asked with some uncertainty.

"It was that person you treated to a meal. He drank for hours and then went around looking for you. Auntie went up to persuade him to go home early, but he cursed at her, and said some terrible things."

I was quite angry when I heard that, but I said without changing my expression, "Don't bother with people like that. He took care of me in prison before. It was just a coincidence that we ran into each other today. It's good that he's gone."

Wenwen suddenly said excitedly, "What's good about it? He said he's going to bring people to smash the place tomorrow."

"Don't worry, I'll handle it. I'll be there tomorrow," I reassured her.

"Auntie is really worried. Xiao Wu almost beat him up."

"Just ignore him if you see him in the future."

"It's a restaurant. Can we not let him in?"

"I'll call the police if he causes trouble again."

Wenwen still looked apprehensive when she left. People like that are more or less scoundrels. Their so-called sense of brotherhood is just causing trouble. Now that I'm in society, I can't deal with people like that anymore. It was just a coincidence that we ran into each other today. If he frequents the restaurant, my identity will be exposed, which is really a headache.

When I took the boxes upstairs, Pei Shiyu was also in the living room. When she saw me, she asked in surprise, "Why are you back again?"

I put down the packed food boxes and pointed to the wine glasses on the table. "I had a drink with Dad. I ordered some dishes you like to eat. Eat more."

"No appetite."

"Eat some. You've been saying you have no appetite lately, which has made me lose my appetite too. It's rare to have something ready-made today," Pei Xianglong said, looking at her.

I stopped myself from saying anything. Her lack of appetite might have something to do with being pregnant. My eyes were fixed on Pei Shiyu's flat stomach. Before long, our little baby would be growing there. I realized that I had never looked forward to anything as much as this moment. My emotions suddenly became very high. The feeling of being a father turned out to be so exciting.

I pressed Pei Shiyu into the dining chair and placed her favorite dishes in front of her one by one…

"The elderly should be taken care of first."

I smiled, looking at Pei Xianglong's childlike side. I wondered if he would be as happy as I was when he found out that Pei Shiyu was pregnant, or would he be furious?

I immediately put away my smile, guessing he wouldn't be. He had already invited me to join the company, which meant he approved of me as a person. The arrival of a child would instead add a bit of joy to the family.

At this moment, I was very willing to make Pei Shiyu's pregnancy public. I looked up at Pei Shiyu. She was picking up chopsticks to eat a vegetarian dish. Pei Xianglong was, as he said, an old man, and Pei Shiyu was pregnant. In such a family atmosphere, I was honored to have become their pillar.

Before I left, Pei Xianglong once again asked me very seriously, "Think carefully about what I mentioned. As a man, you should be able to distinguish between the advantages and disadvantages."

"What is it?" Pei Shiyu looked up at us curiously and asked.

"Dad wants me to go to work at your company. What do you think?" I casually threw the question to her.

"Not being a chef anymore?"

"Aren't I asking for your opinion?"

"The engineering side can be handed over to Lin Che, you manage the trade, and I'll be responsible for the overall project," Pei Xianglong said with a clear division of labor.

"Going? Worthy? This tattered cloak." I hummed again.

"Decide for yourself."

"If I decide, I'll be on equal footing with you. I'm the Engineering Department Manager, and you're the Trade Department Manager. Looking at the current situation, your task is more difficult."

Pei Shiyu didn't answer, eating while seeming to consider something. I put on my shoes and closed the door directly. The surprises I had received today were enough for me to digest. Thinking that I could be a father this year if everything went smoothly, it was undoubtedly a heavy stroke in my life, which had always been without family warmth.