Endless Fall

172 Stealing the Pei Family’s Money

“Are you not?”

“I am.” He whispered into her ear, “As long as I’m alive, my feelings for you won’t change.”

“Okay.” Lin Jiao interlocked her fingers with his.

Most promises in the world would turn into bubbles, but she was willing to trust Pei Zhi this once and give him enough time to prove it.

“Jiaojiao.” Lan Ying sat opposite them. “Where are you planning to spend the New Year this year?”

“On Dad’s side.” Her choice was different every year, but Lan Ying had always respected her choice.

“What about your grandfather?”

“They’re about to reconcile.” Lin Jiao briefly explained what happened a while ago. “He’ll go to the countryside to pick up Grandpa next week.”

“That’s good.” Lan Ying knew that Lin Hongyuan had been tormented by guilt and naturally hoped that they could reconcile.

She did not talk about this topic anymore. She mainly wanted to talk to Pei Zhi and get to know him better.

When they were about to leave, she and Xue Taiyao stuffed a lot of things into his car and asked him to bring them back for his family.

Pei Zhi smiled and accepted the couple’s kindness.

He drove Lin Jiao back to Red Maple Forest. Just as he changed into slippers, he received a call from Pei Qisheng.

“Yao Qianning came to the old residence.” His unexpected words made Pei Zhi stop in his tracks.

“What’s she there for?”

Pei Qisheng looked at the car driving away and slowly explained what happened.

Yao Qianning came to visit in the evening.

When she entered the house with a pile of gift boxes, Pei Zhen was playing chess with Chu Kui. “Uncle Pei, I’m here to see you.”

Hearing the voice, Pei Zhen turned around to look at her.

He gestured for Yao Qianning to sit down. “Qianning, I’m already so old. It’s more suitable to call me Grandpa.”

Yao Qianning did not meet Pei Zhen often.

“Have you had dinner?” She placed the gift boxes on the coffee table and sat on his right.

“Yes.” Pei Zhen picked up a piece and continued playing with Chu Kui. “Why isn’t your father here?”

“He has business to take care of and can’t leave at the moment.”

Yao Qianning chatted with him for a long time, from his physical condition to his hobbies and interests. Chu Kui started to have a headache.

He couldn’t stand it anymore and changed the topic to Pei Zhi to prevent her from nagging. “Old Pei, is Pei Zhi coming back tonight?”

“No.”

“Does he still live in Red Maple Forest?” With Chu Kui taking the lead, Yao Qianning also started asking about Pei Zhi.

“Yes.” Pei Zhen answered bluntly, then he said to Chu Kui, “He should be on a date now.”

“A date?” The smile on Yao Qianning’s face froze for a moment. “Is he in a relationship?”

“He’s been dating for months.”

“Really? Brother Pei even said before that he wanted to develop a relationship with me. I didn’t expect him to be in a relationship.”

Pei Zhen still looked indifferent. “Did he say that? Why didn’t I know?”

“He said so to my father.”

“Your father must be mistaken.” He picked up the teacup and took two sips. “Pei Zhi is not someone who likes to make promises.”

Yao Qianning’s expression stiffened.

She didn’t have any evidence to prove that Pei Zhi did. She smiled awkwardly and said, “I just didn’t expect him to be in a relationship so quickly.”

“He’s already 30 years old.”

“Thirty is still considered young.” She paused for a moment before asking curiously, “Did you introduce his current girlfriend to him?”

“No.”

“Have you seen her?”

“We met her grandfather in the countryside.” Chu Kui shook his head and clicked his tongue. “Her grandfather is a farmer and is very rough.”

“Her grandfather was here?”

“That’s right. He was here to beg.”

“Don’t be so mean.” Pei Zhen added, “That old man looks quite pitiful.”

“Is her family poor?”

“Quite so.” Chu Kui gestured. “There is a hole this size in his house.”

Yao Qianning showed her disdain on her face.

She pretended to be worried and said, “Grandpa Pei, you have to be careful.”

“What for?”

“She might have designs on the Pei family’s money.”

“Indeed.” Chu Kui thought about it seriously. “I think we should get them to hold the wedding first.”

Pei Zhen nodded. “Alright.” He placed a piece on the chessboard. “I’ll ask that old man tomorrow.”

Yao Qianning was no longer smiling.

She looked at them and asked in confusion, “Grandpa Pei, what do you mean?”

“I want a daughter-in-law to spend time with me.”

“Aren’t you afraid that she will steal the money?”

“In any case, Pei Zhi is capable.” Pei Zhen did not care about money at all. “I believe he can earn it again.”

“Who is stealing our money?” Pei Qisheng asked curiously as he entered.

“Qianning said that Pei Zhi’s girlfriend wants to steal the Pei family’s money and asked us to keep an eye on her.”

“I said it’s possible that she will do it.”

“How did you come to that conclusion?”

Pei Qisheng’s gaze was very oppressive. Yao Qianning stammered for a long time but could not say a word.

Seeing that her face was red, Chu Kui continued, “Did Pei Zhi make a promise to her?”

Pei Qisheng frowned when he found out what happened.

“No.” He said bluntly, “Even if he’s single, he won’t like someone like you.”

“Why… why?”

“You’re not his type.”

Yao Qianning tightened her grip on her knee.

She refused to admit that she was inferior to that woman. Even if she was already sobbing, she still wanted to retort, “I don’t believe you.”

“If he’s interested in you, why doesn’t he even have your WeChat? Qianning, you don’t have to lie to yourself.”

On account that she was his friend’s daughter, Pei Qisheng did not say anything too harsh.

However, his words still hurt Yao Qianning.

“Not having my WeChat doesn’t mean anything.” Just as her tears were about to fall, she stood up and said goodbye, “I’ll visit you another day.”

Her departure did not affect Pei Zhen from playing chess.

He fiddled with the chess pieces calmly. “Qisheng, your friend’s daughter is too scheming.”

Pei Qisheng understood what he meant, so he called Pei Zhi immediately.

He told the story from beginning to end to Pei Zhi before adding, “In my opinion, she will try her best to see Jiaojiao next.”

“I won’t give her a chance.”

“Can she find Jiaojiao’s address in Ming Xin Mansion?”

“She won’t be able to find anything soon.” Pei Zhi hung up and sent Qu Shao a WeChat message.

Seeing that he was standing by the window without moving, Lin Jiao, who was nestled up on the sofa, slowly approached him.

She hugged him from behind. “What’s going on?”

“I was dealing with an annoying fly.” Pei Zhi held her slender hand and pulled her into his arms. “Why aren’t you doing your skincare routine?”