"What are you talking about?" Pei Nian and Qin Yu walked side by side on the playground, the sunlight shining on them, and they laughed especially happily.
"It's great that the two of them are together, what do you mean by being struck by lightning!"
"Yes, that's wonderful." Qin Yu squinted his eyes. "The Second Young Master and Miss Bai are a perfect match in every way. They have similar family backgrounds, equally outstanding appearances, and their families are old friends. Moreover, they share the same hobbies. It's not a bolt from the blue, but a match made in heaven!"
"Hmm, that's more like it."
"It seems the Second Young Master has emerged from that dark period?"
"I guess so." Pei Nian sighed softly. "Life has to go on, and people have to look forward."
"Yes, we can't get stuck in the past; people need to learn to save themselves!"
Pei Nian was taken aback. Qin Yu may have spoken without thinking, but his words had truly touched her heart.
She couldn't help but recall the past; after escaping that village, she had been depressed and withdrawn for a long time. For a teenager, that experience was too cruel. She wanted to save herself, but didn't know how.
Pei Nian bit her lip hard, the pain bringing her back to her senses.
It's strange, lately I keep thinking about the past—a past that I've almost forgotten.
"Hey, what are you daydreaming about?" Qin Yu turned to look at her.
"It's nothing," Pei Nian forced a light laugh. "By the way, why are you everywhere? Shouldn't you be busy at the company right now?"
"That means we're destined to meet!"
"Well……"
"Forget it, I'll try to avoid making jokes like that in the future. Your partner is a special forces soldier, what if he really pushes me too far and starts shooting me with a machine gun?"
"Qin Yu!"
"Really, I'm not kidding anymore!" Qin Yu laughed so hard he almost fell over, then tried his best to look serious. "To be honest, my father-in-law asked me to come to the school to see you today."
"What?"
"Let's have lunch together. My father-in-law would like to thank you in person!"
*
The atmosphere at lunch was exceptionally pleasant; there was none of the cutthroat formality typical of officialdom, but rather a warm, family-like atmosphere.
Mr. Shao Zhiheng was approachable and exuded personal charm. Qin Yu and Shao Xiaofei, along with Qin Nuan, were a happy family of three.
Pei Nian saw the smiles on everyone's faces. There were no reporters here, no need for a show, but she felt that their smiles were all genuine.
Qin Yu would even thoughtfully remind Shao Xiaofei not to eat shrimp to avoid an allergic reaction.
It seems he is slowly accepting his wife.
Pei Nian smiled knowingly; she liked seeing everyone happy and content.
"Miss Pei, this toast is for you."
Pei Nian was taken aback, only to see that Shao Zhiheng had already stood up. She hurriedly put down her chopsticks, picked up her wine glass, and bowed slightly.
"Sir, you are too kind! I will toast you instead."
“No,” Shao Zhiheng smiled kindly, “You’ve helped me a lot, how could I not be grateful? My campaign has come this far thanks to the charity school project, and the children from the mountainous areas you brought are the most important part of this project!”
"That's right, that's right." Qin Yu wiped his mouth and laughed, "Pei Nian, don't be so polite with my father-in-law, you can accept this drink!"
Shao Zhiheng looked kindly at her. "Then I'll drink first as a sign of respect."
Pei Nian smiled gently and drank the wine in her hand in one gulp.
The atmosphere became increasingly harmonious, and Qin Nuan would occasionally run up to Pei Nian and snuggle up to her, calling her "Auntie" in a sweet and coquettish voice, asking her auntie to feed her.
"Nuan Nuan, don't be so disrespectful!" Shao Xiaofei hurriedly grabbed her daughter.
"No," Qin Nuan rested her head on Pei Nian's arm, "I just love Auntie!"
"Haha!" Shao Zhiheng put down his wine glass. "To be honest, at first glance they really do look like aunt and niece, both with delicate features. I hope our Nuannuan can also have Miss Pei's calm and composed temperament in the future."
Pei Nian blushed slightly, "You flatter me, sir."
"Nuan Nuan always told me she had a beautiful aunt, and I thought..."
Before Shao Zhiheng could finish speaking, Qin Yu coughed twice.
Shao Xiaofei realized what was happening and quickly gave her father a meaningful look.
Only Pei Nian was in the dark and didn't understand what they meant.
"Thought...what?"
Shao Zhiheng's smile froze for a moment, then he changed the subject, "Heh... I have one last election left. If an outstanding student representative can be present then, that would be the best."
Qin Yu immediately chimed in: "Yes, there are a few children who have left a particularly deep impression on me. They are very talented in learning and cherish the opportunities they have now. They will definitely be useful talents in the future."
Is there such a person as Ding Cheng?
"Of course!"
Pei Nian's hand holding the chopsticks trembled slightly. "What, you all know Ding Cheng? That boy... does he have any special qualities?"
Qin Yu didn't notice her expression and continued, "That child is very smart. I've been to the school a few times and interacted with him a few times. He's very tactful in his dealings with people. However... he has a kind of mature for his age. I guess he's had too many hardships in his life before, which forced him to mature early."
"He must be eleven or twelve years old, right?" Shao Xiaofei asked. "But he looks only eight or nine. He's malnourished. It's really pitiful."
"Pei Nian, what's wrong? Eat more vegetables."
“Oh…” Pei Nian nodded, trying to gather her chaotic thoughts.
"Hey," Qin Yu whispered to her, "Don't let the fact that this hotel is only four-star fool you. It has a lot of specialty dishes that you can't find at Huo's Hotel!"
Pei Nian forced a smile and placed a piece of flower cake on her plate.
After the meal, everyone said goodbye, and she prepared to leave alone.
But as she reached the hotel entrance, she saw a figure flash by in the distance. She froze, her mind going completely blank!
Time has made that figure even more hunched, but it has not washed away the sense of filth about him.
Pei Nian suddenly took two steps back, as if her ears were blocked from all external sounds; she could only hear the pounding of her own heart.
Ding Daming...
That's Ding Daming!
She almost shouted it out.
She staggered forward, chasing after him, but Ding Daming had already entered the hotel. Pei Nian stared blankly in the direction he had disappeared, her legs weak. She took a few steps back, leaned against the wall, and gasped for breath.
Hadn't she already left that village far behind? Didn't she sever herself from the past the moment the plane took off?
But why won't this person let her go?
Pei Nian took a few deep breaths, forcing herself to calm down. At that moment, she suddenly thought of Ding Cheng!
Could it be...?
Ding Cheng is A Ye, and this trip to Yangcheng was orchestrated by Ding Daming? Does Ding Daming want to ruin her?
Pei Nian clutched her head in anguish, crouching by the roadside. The sunlight was blinding, yet she hugged her shoulders, shivering uncontrollably…
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