Upon arriving in the capital, Shang Huai chose to split his forces into two groups.

The main group escorted Shang Huai's grandparents back to their residence.

Shang Huai personally escorted Pei Zhi home.

Pei Zhi calculated the time and figured Lu Xiuyuan should be home, so she could introduce him.

As Shang Huai followed Pei Zhi into the alley, his expression changed slightly.

As they went further in, their expressions darkened.

Shang Huai never imagined that so many families could be hidden in such a small alley.

Ultimately, Shang Huai had never worried about money since he was a child.

Pei Zhi led Shang Huai to stop in front of a small courtyard. The gate was not closed, and Pei Zhi pushed it open.

Pei Zhi had just stepped inside when Lu Xiuyuan rushed out of the house.

When Lu Xiuyuan saw Pei Zhi, he rushed over and hugged her tightly.

After hugging her, Lu Xiuyuan let go and carefully looked Pei Zhi up and down. Only after confirming that Pei Zhi was not injured did Lu Xiuyuan feel relieved.

Pei Zhicai finally had a chance to introduce Lu Xiuyuan, "This is my good friend, and this is my husband, named Lu Xiuyuan."

Lu Xiuyuan then noticed that there was a burly man standing next to Pei Zhi.

Although Lu Xiuyuan was curious about where Aya had met this man, he didn't ask her right now.

Shang Huai took the initiative to speak, "Just call me A-Huai."

Shang Huai did not reveal his real name, after all, his name was too well-known.

Lu Xiuyuan bowed and said, "I am Lu Xiuyuan. Thank you for your care along the way, Brother Huai."

Shang Huai replied, "I was traveling with Zhizhi, so it doesn't count as taking care of her."

Lu Xiuyuan looked at Pei Zhi with a puzzled expression, "Aya, who is Zhizhi?"

Shang Huai then realized that Pei Zhi must have used a pseudonym when facing Lu Xiuyuan.

Shang Huai quickly explained, "That's her nickname; not many people call her that."

Lu Xiuyuan had doubts. He thought that this Ah Huai was someone Ah Ya had met on the road.

It seems that's not the case.

"Ah Huai, sit here for a while, I'll go buy some groceries and cook for you?"

Shang Huai declined, "No, I'd better go home, otherwise my grandparents will worry."

"Alright, I'll see you out." Pei Zhi didn't need to be polite with Shang Huai.

Pei Zhi greeted Lu Xiuyuan and then stepped forward to lead the way for Shang Huai.

Shang Huai didn't refuse this time, and they made their way through the winding alleyways.

If Pei Zhi doesn't lead the way, it will probably take him quite a while to walk out on his own.

Shang Huai followed quietly behind Pei Zhi, pondering how to bring it up with her.

He couldn't understand why Pei Zhi would choose Lu Xiuyuan.

After Pei Zhi faked her death, among so many men in the world, why was it Lu Xiuyuan?

Shang Huai didn't see any redeeming qualities in Lu Xiuyuan.

Despite their poverty, Pei Zhi was still required to personally buy groceries and cook.

Even when he was with Pei Zhi, he didn't want her to do anything to him.

Upon their reunion, Shang Huai noticed that Pei Zhi's attire had become much simpler.

"Zhizhi, if you have any difficulties, you can tell me."

"Difficulties?" Pei Zhi was a little confused. "What difficulties?"

Shang Huai was afraid of hurting Pei Zhi, but he also didn't want Pei Zhi to live a hard life.

"For example, those on gold and silver."

Shang Huai thought for a moment and continued, "As far as I know, my family should have a few houses in the capital. I can lend them to you to live in, and I won't charge you any money."

“There are too many servants in the Marquis’s mansion. I’ll assign two to serve you.”

Pei Zhi chuckled: "I'm not a young mistress, why would I need servants to wait on me?"

Pei Zhi knew what Shang Huai wanted to say. "Shang Huai, I'm fine as I am now. It's peaceful and ordinary, and I'm quite content."

Pei Zhi isn't someone who can't endure hardship.

Moreover, Pei Zhi didn't think that things were hard at all.

Seeing Pei Zhi's words, Shang Huai didn't say anything more, fearing that Pei Zhi would find him annoying.

Shang Huai was quite dissatisfied with Pei Zhi's choice of this person.

He has no money and doesn't look very good in terms of physique; he probably couldn't even withstand a single punch.

Shang Huai believed that Pei Zhi, having abandoned both him and Xiao Chengci, would likely find a man far superior to them.

At the very least, he shouldn't be weaker than him and Xiao Chengci, right?

As a result, Pei Zhi found this thing?

When Shang Huai left, his face was tense and his mood was very gloomy.

He absolutely could not bear to see Pei Zhi suffer alongside Lu Xiuyuan.

Moreover, Shang Huai observed that Pei Zhi didn't seem to have much genuine affection for Lu Xiuyuan.

Otherwise, she wouldn't have kept her real name a secret from Lu Xiuyuan.

When Pei Zhi returned home, Lu Xiuyuan was chopping vegetables.

Pei Zhi rolled up her sleeves and went over to help.

"That Ah Huai from earlier, was he someone you knew before?"

"We knew each other before, not relatives, but we had a very good relationship."

Lu Xiuyuan nodded. "You saw the person when you went there this time, right?"

Pei Zhi picked through the vegetable leaves: "Found them. They're all doing well. We don't need to go anymore."

"That won't do. We should still keep in touch with our relatives. We'll invite them to come to the capital in the future and we'll treat them to a meal."

Pei Zhi raised an eyebrow slightly: "Us?"

Lu Xiuyuan held Pei Zhi's hand, his expression slightly nervous.

"During the days you've been away from home, I haven't been able to eat or sleep, and I worry about you every day."

Lu Xiuyuan had never felt this way before.

He was afraid that Aya wouldn't come back. What would he do then?

Lu Xiuyuan said hopefully, "From now on, let's never be apart again, okay?"

For these words to come from the reserved Lu Xiuyuan was already quite remarkable.

Pei Zhi smiled and said, "We can talk about the future later. Living well in the present is more important than anything else."

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