Cheng Xuelin came out of the kitchen with bowls and chopsticks, and Pei Wang happened to see him.

“Look at Cheng Xuelin, he’s braver than you now.”

“He dares to stay by Pei Zhi’s side, work for Pei Zhi, and protect Pei Zhi.”

"Heh." Du Lei glanced at Cheng Xuelin and burst out laughing.

"Ah Wang, is he braver than me?"

"If Cheng Xuelin really had any guts, he wouldn't have worked with Pei Zhi for half a year, and they were still just in a superior-subordinate relationship."

"Who said that? I..." Cheng Xuelin retorted, wanting to say something.

After a long time, Cheng Xuelin stammered and couldn't give a coherent explanation.

Okay, Cheng Xuelin admits that Du Lei is right.

Currently, he and Pei Zhi have no relationship beyond being colleagues at the company.

"What, besides business, do you have any other contact with Pei Zhi?"

Du Lei's tone was too harsh, but Cheng Xuelin couldn't refute it.

Du Lei pointed at Cheng Xuelin and spread his hands, "Look, he's the one among us who spends the most time with Pei Zhi."

"If he doesn't dare to take the initiative, how could I?"

Cheng Xuelin denied it, saying, "It's not that I'm afraid."

"Pei Zhi is my boss now. If I rashly pursue her and it doesn't work out, wouldn't it be awkward when we get along in the future?"

Du Lei: "You really look like a duck."

Cheng Xuelin's face darkened slightly, while Pei Wang didn't understand.

Why is it said that Cheng Xuelin resembles a duck?

Jiang Qingyuan, who brought the soup out of the kitchen, explained considerately, "He's just being stubborn."

Pei Wang suddenly realized what was going on, and then burst out laughing.

Cheng Xuelin was reluctant to speak ill of Pei Wang, but he showed no mercy to Jiang Qingyuan.

"What, why are you all mocking me? At least I can stay by Pei Zhi's side."

"If anything happens to her, I can keep you informed."

Pei Wang tried to smooth things over: "Alright, alright, let's eat quickly, the food's getting cold."

Pei Wang said he wouldn't drink beer, and he really didn't.

He took a cup, poured a bowl of water, and stood up, holding the bowl.

"There are a few things I'd like to tell you in advance."

Seeing Pei Wangdu so serious and focused, the others immediately stood up as well.

"Regardless of who ends up with Zhizhi in the future."

"Or perhaps we just weren't meant to be, but I've always considered you all as family."

"After all, so many things have happened in the years since Zhizhi left. If it weren't for you, I really wouldn't have been able to get through it all by myself."

Pei's eldest brother is alright if you ask him to do some physical work, but for the rest, you can't rely on him.

A few years ago, the garment factory was doing well, and many bosses were envious and caused Pei Wang a lot of trouble.

"Stop being so indecisive, you're a grown man." Du Lei clinked his wine bottle against Pei Wang's.

“I know your character perfectly well. No matter who Zhizhi finds later, she will never surpass you in my eyes.”

Pei Wang patted his chest and said, "We've been brothers for so many years, it wasn't for nothing."

Du Lei was actually quite moved when he heard Pei Wang say that.

Du Lei sighed, "If Pei Zhi were like you, cherishing old friendships, that would be wonderful."

Cheng Xuelin: "If Zhizhi really cherishes old feelings, Jiang Qingyuan is still in line in front of you, it's not your turn."

Du Lei snorted in frustration and clinked glasses with Pei Wang.

Cheng Xuelin originally didn't want to drink, but seeing that Du Lei and Jiang Qingyuan both looked dejected, he decided to drink.

Cheng Xuelin couldn't resist either and opened a bottle of beer.

They didn't dislike Pei Zhi; they liked her too much.

The person she had been longing for for so long, Pei Zhi suddenly returned.

Do they want to be with Pei Zhi?

Of course I want to, I want to think about it like crazy.

But they didn't dare. They even felt that it was already good enough to see Pei Zhi occasionally.

They dared not hope to live with Pei Zhi.

As long as Pei Zhi is still alive, they will be content as long as they can see her often.

There was no way around it; those years without Pei Zhi were truly a living hell.

I have no idea what kept me going.

Pei Zhi had no idea that these people had a meal together behind her back.

Even if Pei Zhi knew, she wouldn't care.

Pei Zhi has been extremely busy these days.

Now that her business was finally settled, Pei Zhi wanted to buy some things and go back to the village to visit her parents.

Pei Zhi always felt somewhat indebted to her parents, who had aged considerably.

After she returned, she was busy starting her own business.

Neither her parents knew how to use a cell phone, so her older brother always had to call her.

Then, knowing she was busy with work, we chatted briefly before hanging up.

Pei Zhi bought a lot of things, food for the elderly, food for the children, and things for her older brother and sister-in-law, which filled the trunk.

Pei Zhi didn't say goodbye to anyone; she drove back to the village all by herself.

Although the village roads have improved a lot compared to the previous dirt roads, they are still full of potholes.

Pei Zhi rushed home around dinnertime, and her family was eating.

My older brother went out to drive his car, and my sister-in-law was feeding the baby with a bowl when she heard the sound of a car outside.

The eldest sister-in-law quickly called out, "Mother, there's a car outside. I guess it's either Xiao Lin or Xiao Jiang."

When Pei Wang comes home, he shouts loudly even before he's at the door, as if afraid people won't know he's back.

Every time Du Lei came, he would come with Pei Wang.

So the eldest sister-in-law assumed that the person who came this time was either Xiao Lin or Xiao Jiang.

Otherwise, the two of them came together.

Pei's mother wiped the water off her hands. "Aren't they taking a break today? Why did they come over?"

As soon as Pei's mother finished speaking, Pei Zhi pushed open the courtyard gate.

When Pei's mother saw Pei Zhi carrying large and small bags, she was still a little taken aback.

The eldest sister-in-law quickly put down her bowl and chopsticks and came over to help Pei Zhi carry her things.

"Zhizhi, why didn't you let me know you were coming back?"

Pei Zhi let her sister-in-law take the tonic from her hands, saying, "I've finished my work, so I'll go back to the village to take a look."

Pei's mother's eyes reddened with emotion, "It's good that you're back, it's good that you're back."

"Next time you come back, call your older brother in advance so Mom can prepare some good food for you."

Pei Zhi shook her head, "No matter what my mother and sister-in-law do, I eat it with great relish."

Pei's mother laughed and scolded him, then welcomed Pei Zhi into the house.

Pei's mother instructed her eldest sister-in-law to go to the kitchen and fry an egg for Pei Zhi.

For lunch today, we just stir-fried two vegetarian dishes and steamed an egg for each of the two kids.

Pei's mother couldn't bear to eat the eggs laid by the chickens at home.

We'll save it for when the eldest son of the Pei family comes back, to help him recover.

Before Pei Wang got divorced, every time Pei Wang returned to the city, he would bring some things with him.

Every time Cheng Xuelin and Jiang Qingyuan came, Pei's mother would give them some food so they could cook it for breakfast, as it was nutritious.

Pei Zhi looked at the fried eggs, didn't say much, picked up her chopsticks and started eating.