They faced off for a good while, and Pei Shiyu showed no intention of backing down. From this, it could be seen that Pei Xianglong spoiled her rotten. He said he was going to beat her, but in reality, he couldn't win an argument with Pei Shiyu. He was just so angry that he pointed his finger at her.

I didn't try to mediate because I didn't know which side to take. Logically, Pei Shiyu was helping me speak. If I helped Pei Xianglong, I'd definitely be asking for trouble, and he'd likely vent his anger on me. So, being a smart bystander was the best option.

"I want to get married."

Pei Shiyu took advantage of Pei Xianglong's stammering to suddenly say something bold. Not only was her father taken aback, but even I stared at her with wide eyes...

"Who are you marrying?" Pei Xianglong asked calmly.

"Whoever is willing to marry me."

"Is my, Pei Xianglong's, daughter so casual?"

"In your eyes, I always have been, so it's exactly what you want."

"When did I say that?"

"You just said it."

Pei Shiyu was acting a bit childish at this point, and I could tell she was deliberately trying to provoke her father. I almost took it seriously.

Even so, the smile in my eyes was almost overflowing. Their bickering was not only funny but also had a slightly heartwarming feeling.

"What are you laughing at? I didn't say I was marrying you."

Pei Shiyu suddenly turned her attention to me. I had been wearing a cheeky grin, but the next second, I immediately wiped it off and said, "I didn't agree either."

I thought my answer was humorous, but Pei Shiyu's personality didn't seem to understand. As she was about to change her expression, I quickly changed my tune and said, "Just kidding!" I said loudly.

"What's all the commotion? I'm still here!" Pei Xianglong suddenly barked.

Pei Shiyu, as if determined to argue with him, completely ignored him and asked with a straight face, "Are we still eating or not?"

"Eat...eat..."

I answered quickly and invited Pei Xianglong, "Uncle, let's go, let's eat together."

"If he goes, I'm not going."

"Originally, I didn't want to go, but if you don't want me to go, I'll insist on going." Pei Xianglong retorted.

This was where Pei Shiyu was clever. She had accurately grasped her father's personality. Speaking contrary to him really worked.

And he was more eager to leave than anyone else. After he went out, I couldn't help but laugh and say, "Your trick works so well. It's rare to see such a childish side of your dad."

"He's always been an old kid in front of me."

"Thank you for your confession earlier. I'm happy to marry you," I continued from our previous topic.

"Can't you tell the difference between a true statement and a false one?" Pei Shiyu asked as she put on her shoes and looked up at me.

"I can tell the difference between true and false."

Even if Pei Shiyu was really joking, I wanted to take this opportunity to confess my feelings as a way to acknowledge our relationship. Whether she admitted it or not was no longer important. If someone really hated someone else, I wouldn't bring up such a sensitive topic.

When I went out, Pei Xianglong hadn't gone far. He was just waiting by the elevator door. When he saw me come up, he glared at me with a look of dissatisfaction. I responded with a smile and said, "Relationships depend on fate. Besides, we're both getting on in years. If you have any requests, just let me know."

"Is this a matter of requests? All I want is the right attitude."

"I thought you weren't too keen on me before, so I didn't dare to say anything. If I had known you didn't object, I would have told you directly."

"Did I say I didn't object?"

"It's normal to object. I know Pei Shiyu is your treasure. You wouldn't want to part with her, no matter who it is. I understand how a father feels. I must have a son in the future, so I don't have to feel the way you do now."

I deliberately took a big step forward in the conversation. Although I wasn't highly educated, I had experience in negotiation. In this respect, I thought even Pei Shiyu couldn't compare to me. People have a natural talent and subconsciousness that gives them certain ways of thinking.

"You're thinking quite far ahead."

Pei Xianglong's tone softened. I had always had the right attitude, except for that one lie I told when I first returned to the country. He didn't really reject me. I smiled and replied, "You have to seize love when you meet it. I really didn't expect to meet such a good woman, and she happens to be your daughter. I know I have many shortcomings, but I also have many strengths, such as being very loyal..."

"Loyal to the point of giving up your life, that's called being brainless!" Pei Xianglong shot down my self-praise.

At this moment, Pei Shiyu was also walking towards us. We stopped talking at the same time. I had a feeling that I would get along well with him because we both had a common similarity, which was valuing loyalty and righteousness.

At the beginning of the year, I had only taken him to the hospital when he wasn't feeling well, but now he had completely changed his impression of me. This kind of personality suited me very well. I believed that if we really became a family, we would have endless topics to talk about, and I would be willing to submit to him.

"Where are we going to eat?" Pei Shiyu asked as she approached.

"Didn't we already decide?"

"I didn't agree."

"I've already booked a table. Isn't it great? If we don't introduce them, we can also take the opportunity to observe her character."

"Observe who?" Pei Xianglong was a little confused by our words and looked at me to ask.

"My mom. We're going to eat at her restaurant tonight, the one we went to last time. You even got a membership card. We can use up the money in it," I explained.

"You're saying you're treating us with my money?"

I immediately reached into my pocket for my wallet and said, "I'm not short of money. I'll pay in cash. If that's not enough, I'll use Huabei."

My generous gesture brought a mocking laugh from Pei Shiyu, "You have to use Huabei to treat us to a meal?"

"I was just kidding."

"Is joking suitable for me?"

After Pei Shiyu asked, I stared at her seriously this time and then gave a very resolute answer, "It's really not suitable. Your biggest shortcoming is that you lack a sense of humor..."

Before I could finish speaking, my phone suddenly started playing its ringtone. I saw that it was Wang Rui. The message I sent earlier had finally gotten a response. As soon as I answered, Wang Rui's questioning voice came from the other end of the line, "Why didn't you reply to my message? Is this your attitude when you're treating someone to a meal?"

"Who has time to stare at their phone all the time? Where are you?"

"I'm still at the company, waiting for you to contact me."

"Then just go straight to Mom's restaurant. We've already left."

At this moment, Wang Rui lowered her voice on the phone and asked, "You really brought him out?"

"Yeah."

I only responded with a single word. In the narrow space of the elevator, that was all I could say. I was a little boastful when I spoke to Wang Rui earlier. I was afraid that if I said too much, I would reveal my lies.

"You should get going too. It won't even take us half an hour to drive there. You can call Li Rui too. It'll be more lively with more people."

"We're already together." Wang Rui hung up the phone after saying that.