Chapter 128

After a moment of silence, perhaps because I hadn't made myself clear, the atmosphere became somewhat dull. Pei Shi Yu didn't say anything further, staring intently at the computer as if engrossed in her work.

I stood by the window for a while, looking at the scenery outside, then turned to fix my gaze on Pei Shi Yu. Her hair was unkempt, appearing a little messy, but to me, it made her look even more feminine. In the air-conditioned hospital room, she was wearing only a beige V-neck sweater, and her house slippers weren't fully on, her left foot resting on her right. Her whole demeanor seemed relaxed and casual.

"Why are you staring at me?" Pei Shi Yu asked without looking up.

I walked over and asked curiously, "How did you know I was watching you?"

She finally raised her head, met my eyes, and said, "I smelled stubbornness."

I knew what she meant. I stood behind her and naturally touched her long hair with a very gentle gesture, a stark contrast to my attitude towards Lin Hai.

I moved a chair and sat opposite Pei Shi Yu, taking the initiative to speak. "Lin Hai made a very bad impression on me. I think having a normal father-son relationship will be very difficult, especially since the things he says to you are all nice, but when he's alone with me, he's a completely different person. Besides, I dislike people who try too hard to please."

"What does he have to gain by trying to please us?"

"That's just his nature."

Pei Shi Yu suddenly closed her laptop, placed her hands on it, and said, "I think you're very prejudiced and don't analyze the cause and effect of things. He used to be a bit ingratiating towards us, I admit that, but now that Lin Yang is gone, what good would it do him to try to please us? Look at him now, does he still have the desire to make money? He's just trying to find some comfort psychologically to get through his most difficult days. To him, you're like a difficult son to tame. If he's nice to you, it's not right, and if he's not nice to you, you say he's being biased. Today, he completely set aside his pride to communicate with you. A person's goodness isn't determined by whether they're good to you or bad to you. It's not that simple. As an outsider, I wouldn't say he's a qualified father, but he's not as bad as you think. I've already said what I needed to say last time. There's nothing that can't be forgiven between family members. The first to let go is the bravest. You keep saying he's nothing, but you insist on treating him the same way. I think you're too narrow-minded."

Since I've known Pei Shi Yu, this was the most she had ever said at once, and it suddenly made me understand the meaning of her words, teaching me to learn to think about others. It no longer mattered who was right or wrong. I needed to let go of my preconceived notions and comfort Lin Hai, who had just lost his son.

I stared intently at Pei Shi Yu. Setting aside my conflict with Lin Hai for the moment, her character in my heart rose to a new level. She had said so much; if I were to argue with her, it would be ignorant.

I just looked at her, saying nothing, but in my heart, I applauded her. Pei Shi Yu, seeing my silence, asked, "Still don't understand?"

"I understand," I replied simply and decisively.

"Whether you admit it or not, your roots are with him. Now, as the only pillar of the family, you have to support that family. You don't need to pay too much attention to his wife. If her attitude towards you is bad, that's her problem. Just do what you should do. It's definitely more comfortable to be confrontational than to reconcile. Your dad is actually quite helpless with you. The worse you treat him, the more he'll think it's your mom making you do it."

Pei Shi Yu gave me a lesson today, but I still held my own views on some things. Regarding Lin Hai's wife, I didn't think it was necessary to do that. A woman who had no blood relation to me, her meanness towards me hadn't changed.

"His wife is actually quite pitiful too. She was strong her whole life, but what did she get in the end..."

I immediately interrupted, "This is God's punishment for destroying other people's families."

Pei Shi Yu smiled and suddenly shifted the topic to me. "So, you must be loyal to your family in the future. Don't let bad things be passed down to you."

"Don't worry, that will never happen. To say nothing else, your words just now are on a completely different level than Lin Yang's mom. With a woman like you by my side, I can't help but succeed."

"I'm hungry," Pei Shi Yu suddenly said.

I looked at the time. It was almost three in the afternoon. I immediately put on my coat and asked, "What do you want to eat?"

"I want something sweet. Just buy whatever you think is good."

I was stunned for a moment, realizing that in all the time I'd known her, I hadn't learned much about Pei Shi Yu's tastes. She was different from others. It seemed like the foods she liked were always changing, not fixed preferences.

Just as I was about to ask for clarification, Wang Rui called. I answered and asked, "Guess what I'm doing right now?"

"How would I know? Are you with Shen Yi?"

"Wrong. I'll give you another chance." Wang Rui sounded very happy.

"Are you taking the wrong medicine? How would I know where you're going?"

"Youxiang is back! I'm on my way to Pudong Airport right now."

"You didn't mention it last night. Why did he suddenly come back today?"

"He said he wanted to give us a surprise."

"It is for you, not for me." I replied disappointedly.

"You're so ungrateful. He came back early especially for you."

"For me?"

"Aren't you getting engaged? Mom told me last time he'd be back early. I didn't expect it to be so soon."

I looked at Pei Shi Yu as she was now and smiled, saying, "The bride-to-be is in the hospital. Do you think this engagement can still happen?"

"It's only a few days off. Are you going to see you tonight?" Wang Rui suddenly asked in a low voice.

"Then I have to ask Pei Shi Yu. Maybe she thinks she looks too scruffy right now and doesn't want you to come."

"Bring her back first."

"Okay, drive carefully." It was rare for me to care about her.

As soon as I ended the call, Pei Shi Yu asked curiously, "Who's coming over?"

"Youxiang, my mom's son, Wang Rui's younger brother."

"The one studying in Germany?" Pei Shi Yu asked, looking at me.

"Yeah, I think he's a pretty good guy, much nicer than Lin Yang," I explained.

"Did he graduate?"

"I'm not sure. He's here specifically for our affair."

"I don't think I can be discharged this weekend, can I?"

"If you can't be discharged, we'll postpone it for a few days. Originally, it was just a gathering between the two families, but Wang Rui said it was our engagement. So, should you get ready?"

"I said you can decide about the wedding."

With Pei Shi Yu's gentle voice in my ears, I opened the door and walked out.