Chapter 78: On the third day after being captured while on the run, she fed her grandfather. ...
Grandpa Pei's concerned voice kept echoing in Xie Ruan's ears.
It's so enthusiastic.
Xie Ruan is socially anxious and easily gets nervous when she meets people.
Xie Ruan treated peers, strangers, and even street vendors the same way.
Moreover, it's Grandpa Pei who's in charge of the Pei family.
With a flick of his finger, the Pei family could crush an ant as easily as they could.
Grandpa Pei moved his fingers, and it was the same.
Xie Ruan didn't dare to look up, but Grandpa Pei opened an antique box.
Although Xie Ruan didn't look closely, she could smell the old sandalwood scent emanating from the sandalwood box, which smelled very nice.
Xie Ruan dared not make a sound.
Grandpa Pei opened the box and took out a peace and safety plaque that was carefully wrapped in a handkerchief.
Xie Ruan was still pondering Grandpa Pei's intention in saying he would take everything when she saw Grandpa Pei hand her a "Peace and Safety" plaque wrapped in a handkerchief.
Xie Ruan only snapped back to reality when she felt the heavy weight of the glass-type "Peace and Safety" amulet in her hand.
Wait, that can't be what he meant...
Xie Ruan vaguely remembered that after Pei Zhi's death, because Pei Zhi was an only son, Jiang Zhi used various means to inherit almost all of the Pei family's property.
This naturally includes these jadeite pieces.
Xie Ruan had some recollection of this "Peace and Safety" plaque.
If I remember correctly, this "Peace and Safety" plaque is a pair.
After Pei Zhi died, he fell into Jiang Zhi's hands.
Jiang Zhi took one piece, while the piece that Grandpa Pei had taken naturally ended up in Yu Yin's hands.
And now, this piece of jade, which belonged to the main characters, has actually ended up in his hands?
QAQ! Will Jiang Zhi kill him later in order to get back together?
Xie Ruan dared not speculate on the madness of the novel's world, but the thought of the consequences of provoking Jiang Zhi made her subconsciously tremble.
Xie Ruan's hands trembled.
I almost threw away that piece of glass-type jadeite that was priceless and unavailable.
Help.
This piece of glass is priceless.
Even if Xie Ruan were sold, he couldn't afford one.
Moreover, it is such a transparent species.
There is no second piece in the world that is as perfect as this.
It contains almost no impurities; even the original cotton has been almost completely dissolved by wearing it.
Xie Ruan held the heavy jade pendant in both hands, her hands trembling uncontrollably.
Xie Ruan thought that Grandpa Pei must be thinking that he, the imposter who was pretending to be Pei Zhi's boyfriend, was too ashamed to look up and was about to be scolded.
To everyone's surprise, Grandpa Pei didn't frown or think that Xie Ruan's appearance was not presentable. Instead, he smiled kindly at Xie Ruan's adorable appearance.
You know, Grandpa Pei just had a very fierce face.
Feeling Grandpa Pei's gaze, Xie Ruan lowered her head even further, her soft, timid voice barely audible: "Um, Grandpa, this is too precious, you...you keep it."
Xie Ruan kept her head down, almost unable to breathe.
Unexpectedly, Grandpa Pei handed it to him and said seriously, "Wear it. Pei Zhi has one. You and he will be a perfect pair. I'll be happy to see you wearing them together."
Xie Ruan and Pei Zhi were just business partners, how could Xie Ruan dare to say that? "Well, I'm usually a bit clumsy, I might hurt myself."
Grandpa Pei chuckled, his appreciation for Xie Ruan growing amidst her resistance. "If it's broken, it's broken. They say jade can ward off disasters. If it can protect you from a few scratches, that's a blessing for it. There's no reason in our Pei family not to break anything we've given away. You can even drop it on the ground to play with it, it's fine."
?
Grandpa Pei.
Person, words, no.
Xie Ruan froze completely.
Xie Ruan stood frozen in place, like a piece of wood.
no.
Xie Ruan was somewhat dazed, "Huh?"
Just throw it around and play with it?
He knew the Pei family was wealthy and powerful, but this was still a family heirloom, wasn't it?
Just throw it around and play with it?
Pei Zhi had no choice but to kill him.
Xie Ruan gave a dry laugh: "Let's talk about it when President Pei arrives."
Xie Ruan was so nervous that he dared not move the hot potato in his hand. His nerves were so tense that he did not notice the sudden stiffness in Grandpa Pei's expression when he heard the words "President Pei".
Xie Ruan simply handed it back, saying, "I still prefer to keep these kinds of treasures in their boxes..."
Even if he had a title and status, he wouldn't dare to do it.
Xie Ruan was still waiting for Grandpa Pei's answer.
Unexpectedly, Old Master Pei looked Xie Ruan up and down and suddenly said, "Why are you being so distant?"
?
Xie Ruan was stunned.
Grandpa Pei looked at Xie Ruan: "Xiao Zhi even told you to call him President Pei?"
Xie Ruan's fingers trembled, and she almost couldn't help but drop the jade.
After a long while, Xie Ruan stumbled and steadied the jade pendant in her hand, carefully placing it back into the box. "That...no."
Xie Ruan's cheeks flushed slightly. Why did he subconsciously call him President Pei? "Yes, sometimes I do..."
Embarrassed, Xie Ruan made up a story on the spot: "He always has a stern face. Sometimes I tease him, and then I got used to it..."
Xie Ruan's mind went almost blank. Staring at Old Master Pei's suddenly fierce face, Xie Ruan trembled for a while before she could make up a reason.
Yes, Xie Ruan did not lie.
Although Xie Ruan felt guilty, she still subconsciously puffed out her chest. "Sometimes I call him A Pei, sometimes A Zhi, sometimes... President Pei. It's the kind of thing that happens between young lovers."
What is he saying to the older generation?!
Xie Ruan's cheeks turned even redder.
Xie Ruan suddenly thought of the kind of role-playing games she stumbled upon online.
It's a romantic moment for couples, where one plays the doctor and the other the nurse, or one plays the employee and the other the CEO.
No, the more he explained to Grandpa Pei, the more it sounded like he was talking to the old man about play.
Grandpa was not part of his relationship with Pei Zhi.
He and Pei Zhi didn't have any sex scenes either!
Xie Ruan trembled even more violently.
Why hasn't Pei Zhi arrived yet?
Xie Ruan's mind was filled with thoughts of saving him.
Unexpectedly, Old Master Pei still maintained a serious and tense expression.
Xie Ruan almost thought that Old Master Pei was going to hit him with his cane and ask him if he was a liar.
Unexpectedly, Old Master Pei said, "Does he usually bully you, making you call him President Pei to show his authority? You brat, you're even bullying your wife now."
...
Do men also call their wives "wife"?
Xie Ruan dared not let Old Master Pei move around too much.
He quickly grabbed Old Master Pei, who was about to get up as if he wanted to chase after Pei Zhi.
Xie Ruan hurriedly grabbed Old Master Pei's hand, "That, that, no, no!! I only said that when I was teasing him that he was too busy to see me."
Xie Ruan's voice trembled as she spoke; once a fabricated story is told, countless fabrications must be made up to cover it up.
Xie Ruan was extremely anxious, but Pei Zhi still hadn't arrived. "Grandpa, please don't misunderstand, Pei Zhi is fine."
Grandpa Pei was even angrier: "You brat, all you do is work, work, work! There's no such thing as so much work. I need to spend more time with you, otherwise you wouldn't have found a partner at 24!!"
Is 24 years old really that old...?
Xie Ruan dared not utter a word of complaint.
Old Master Pei seemed to have noticed something and turned his head over.
Xie Ruan kept her mouth tightly shut.
Xie Ruan was still thinking, he was just complaining in his heart, it shouldn't be enough for Old Master Pei to see through him, right?
Xie Ruan's forehead was covered in sweat, but Old Master Pei was still staring at him.
Until Old Master Pei spoke up: "It's okay for ordinary people not to have a partner by 24, but Pei Zhi is different. He has a bad temper, never smiles at people, and although his grades are excellent, a partner still needs to be caring. He doesn't even have any friends, so how can he be caring? At his age, all he has left is his face and the ability to not take good care of a wife. If this drags on, he'll lose all his face and won't be able to find a wife at all. Don't you think so?"
Old Master Pei sat down, seemingly calming down a bit: "It's only because you have a good temper and are willing to accept him like this, otherwise I'm really worried that he'll grow old alone."
Xie Ruan: "..." Is it normal to be anxious about one's appearance at 24?
The domineering CEOs in novels are still handsome even in their forties or fifties.
Isn't there also the story of a single CEO falling in love with a fifty-year-old nanny?
If you're already anxious at 24, how will you survive as a writer at 50?!
Xie Ruan patted her grandfather's hand reassuringly: "Grandpa, don't worry, no matter what, I will never dislike A-Zhi."
When Xie Ruan spoke of A Zhi, she sounded a little awkward. She paused for a moment, still not quite used to calling Pei Zhi such an intimate name in public. "Besides, my relationship with A Zhi isn't just because... I think he's handsome."
Paying money counts, right?
Who cares if the boss who pays the money is handsome or not?
He and Pei Zhi weren't really dating or getting married.
Moreover, Pei Zhi really...
Xie Ruan recalled Pei Zhi's distinct features...
He subconsciously swallowed a mouthful of saliva.
He's really handsome...
besides……
Xie Ruan inexplicably thought of the lingering warmth on her fingers.
Xie Ruan swallowed again.
Pei Zhi also has a great figure.
Unfortunately, he will never be able to enjoy any of these things.
He's not my boyfriend.
Xie Ruan said earnestly, "And... he's a very good person..."
Giving him a large sum of money, how could that not be a good thing?
More importantly...
Xie Ruan pursed her lips: "He is actually a very loyal and affectionate person."
Xie Ruan recalled the plot of the original book. If Pei Zhi was truly heartless, he wouldn't have helped Jiang Zhi. But Jiang Zhi felt it wasn't enough and took everything from him.
Xie Ruan felt that Pei Zhi simply had too few opportunities to experience romance, and as a result, he wasn't as ruthless in his approach to relationships as he was in the business world.
Xie Ruan thought that if Pei Zhi had been on guard against Jiang Zhi in advance, perhaps Pei Zhi would not have died.
Xie Ruan tightened her grip.
All of this clearly has nothing to do with him, this cannon fodder.
After taking the money, he can leave and never return to the main storyline.
but……
He suddenly felt a little wavering.
He didn't seem to really want Pei Zhi to die.
Originally, these things had nothing to do with him.
Xie Ruan trembled, her heartbeat gradually becoming erratic.
He didn't know what was causing this inexplicable panic.
Xie Ruan didn't notice that after hearing what he said, Grandpa Pei paused, then smiled gently as if he had thought of something.
Grandpa Pei recalled Pei Zhi when he was a child. When Grandpa Pei was sick, Pei Zhi couldn't do anything but fold a thousand origami cranes for Grandpa Pei and refused to go to sleep.
In Grandpa Pei's eyes, Pei Zhi has always been a person with feelings.
But no one can see it.
Grandpa Pei's words were merely a test.
But he didn't expect that, besides him, Xie Ruan also saw Pei Zhi's difference.
Grandpa Pei's gaze softened slightly. Grandpa Pei still loved Pei Zhi, but his words were harsh. As a member of the Pei family, he didn't know how to express his feelings to his grandson who had to shoulder everything for the family.
Because the Pei family has a heavy burden, Pei Zhi needs to learn to be independent, to take responsibility, and to support everything. Therefore, Grandpa Pei cannot treat Pei Zhi with the same gentleness he showed Xie Ruan.
Grandpa Pei placed his finger on Xie Ruan's head.
Grandpa Pei was worried that someone might take advantage of Pei Zhi.
But now it seems that Xie Ruan is not that kind of person.
Grandpa Pei rubbed Xie Ruan's head.
Xie Ruan smiled gently.
Grandpa Pei saw only innocence in Xie Ruan's eyes, and his heart was somewhat at ease.
Then, after the door clicked open again, she looked up at Pei Zhi and said calmly, "Why are you only coming back now?"
Grandpa Pei seemed to have just remembered something and asked in a low voice, "Xiao Bao, what's your name?"
Xie Ruan: "Thank you, Xie Ruan."
Grandpa Pei nodded: "Ruan Ruan has been waiting for you for ages, and you didn't even bother to come back sooner!"
Pei Zhi didn't seem angry and nodded, "Yes, I'm late."
Xie Ruan: No way?
Pei Zhi changed his shoes, washed his hands briefly in the bathroom, and then took the ingredients to the kitchen.
Wait?
This isn't right.
? ? ?
Isn't Pei Zhi a pampered young master who never lifts a finger?
Why did you go straight to the kitchen as soon as you came in?
Xie Ruan stood up and watched the boss go into the kitchen. Feeling restless, she wanted to go in too.
But before she could even stand up, Grandpa Pei pulled her back down. "The kitchen is smoky, Ruan Ruan, don't go in. Let him go in. But don't be disgusted, this kid didn't used to cook. The Pei family has always had a housekeeper cook. But there's one rule."
Xie Ruan tilted her head.
Grandpa Pei: "No matter how busy I am, I can't let my wife cook."
Grandpa Pei: "Treat your wife the same way, and treat your boyfriend the same way too."
Xie Ruan had never heard of this phrase before.
Actually, these aren't the family precepts of the Pei family; they were just something Grandpa Pei made up.
Grandpa Pei was only worried that Pei Zhi was usually so cold and didn't even cook, so wouldn't the two of them be even colder?
Xie Ruan is such a well-behaved and beautiful child, and if his grandson misses out, there won't be another one like her. Grandpa Pei can only make up a story in a hurry.
Grandpa Pei stopped Xie Ruan, worried that she might be mistreated if she went to help in the kitchen. So he simply let Xie Ruan stay in the living room.
Grandpa Pei continued, "Ruan Ruan, sit with this old man for a while. Let's chat, talk about your things, or about you and him. Grandpa is very curious."
Xie Ruan never expected that Grandpa Pei, such a cold person, would be so gossipy.
Xie Ruan had not prepared any statements on this matter with Pei Zhi.
Xie Ruan looked up at Pei Zhi, as if seeking help.
Xie Ruan was completely unaware of the cunning look on Grandpa Pei's face as he stared at her.
Xie Ruan stammered.
Pei Zhi paused in his act of peeling the radish.
Pei Zhi leaned lightly against the kitchen door frame and said in a low, magnetic voice, "Grandpa, Ruan Ruan is currently on break. She used to work as a nanny at my villa."
Pei Zhi told the whole truth.
Pei Zhi: "He's still young. I think it's a good idea that he recently quit his job to pursue further education, but it still depends on Ruan Ruan."
?
Why is Pei Zhi so straightforward and honest?
Shouldn't we have given him a perfect identity?
The sole head of the prestigious Pei Group falls in love with his nanny. Even a kind grandfather would be angry, right?
As expected, Grandpa got angry and put his hand down.
Xie Ruan closed her eyes, bracing herself for the storm.
Unexpectedly, Grandpa said, "How could you bear to let him, with his skinny arms and legs, be a nanny? He's still young. Regardless of whether he's your boyfriend or not, you shouldn't take such a young child as a nanny."
Xie Ruan: "..." Is this right...?
Grandpa Pei stood up and tapped his cane, a gesture that almost made Xie Ruan tremble.
Xie Ruan stood up and followed behind Grandpa Pei, afraid that if Grandpa Pei got angry, he would raise his cane and hit Pei Zhi again.
That's the boss, you know.
Xie Ruan dared not let Pei Zhi get beaten up because of her.
Grandpa Pei didn't do that: "What did I say? What are the family mottoes of the Pei family?"
Grandpa Pei: "Help others. Ruan Ruan is applying for a nanny job. Even if it's really difficult, you can still give her some help. She's so young, how can she not go to school?"
Xie Ruan: "..." So that's what you're angry about.
The original owner didn't go to school simply because no one was supervising her, and she became obsessed with following celebrities, so she didn't want to go to school anymore.
Xie Ruan had learned that the original owner could have completed her studies even with student loans or scholarships.
However, the original owner didn't want to study anymore after finishing high school.
...
It really wasn't Pei Zhi's fault.
Xie Ruan even remembered that Assistant Li had asked the same question when the original owner applied for the job.
He said he could help the original owner, but the original owner said that having a job was the real help, so Assistant Li naturally gave up.
Xie Ruan stretched out her hand, "Grandpa, actually, being a nanny is a good job too..."
A monthly salary of 100,000...
Xie Ruan timidly tugged at Grandpa Pei's sleeve: "Being helped is always a burden, especially since I've only worked for a few months and I can support myself and prepare for my college entrance exams."
Xie Ruan really does plan to go to school.
He longed for a peaceful and enjoyable experience of knowledge.
Xie Ruan didn't even realize that her tone had become a little more coquettish.
It wasn't until Xie Ruan showed weakness, looking at Grandpa Pei with pleading, teary eyes, that things changed.
Grandpa Pei seemed to relent, patting Xie Ruan on the shoulder: "That's good, as long as you didn't suffer."
Xie Ruan breathed a sigh of relief.
I don't know why, but looking at Grandpa Pei, I felt a warm feeling welled up inside me.
Xie Ruan's fingers trembled slightly.
It was two hours later when Pei Zhi finished preparing dinner.
Xie Ruan sat down in front of Pei Zhi.
Grandpa was watching me.
Xie Ruan didn't know why, but he felt that his grandfather seemed to still be scrutinizing their relationship.
Xie Ruan didn't know what her grandfather was examining; she just felt that she couldn't move her hands.
Xie Ruan thought she would mess up, but Pei Zhi was very gentle. He added a piece of pork rib from the white radish and pork rib soup and gave it to Xie Ruan, even feeding it to her.
Xie Ruan bit down on the rib with her pearly teeth.
Pei Zhi rarely cooks at the villa, and when he does, he doesn't know how to make elaborate dishes.
Therefore, Xie Ruan's perception of Pei Zhi was always that he was a young master who wasn't very good at cooking, but she didn't expect that the soup Pei Zhi made by himself was so delicious.
Pei Zhi cooked the white radish in the pork rib broth, mixing it with the well-prepared pork ribs, which had no fishy smell at all. The broth gradually melted in the mouth, and its mellow aroma was intoxicating, making one unable to resist chewing the pork ribs.
Rib dislocation is very easy.
Xie Ruan took a bite; the soft, tender texture, with just the right amount of chewiness, spread throughout her mouth.
Each bite fills your mouth with the sweetness of white radish and the tenderness of meat.
It's delicious.
Is Pei Zhi a born chef?
How can it taste so good just from being made casually?
Xie Ruan was completely shocked.
Xie Ruan reminisced about the past.
It seems that when they were at the villa, Pei Zhi often fed Xie Ruan.
But now, in front of Grandpa.
Xie Ruan's ears turned red.
Pei Zhi, however, seemed unconcerned about showing affection in front of his grandfather, picking up one piece of food and then another.
Xie Ruan's breathing became labored.
Pei Zhi seemed to sense something and suddenly moved closer, as if it were commonplace for him to take care of him. He took out a tissue and began to wipe the corner of his lips.
Xie Ruan's breathing stopped.
Xie Ruan caught a faint scent of mint on Pei Zhi's body.
The touch was cool against his delicate skin. Xie Ruan dared not move, letting Pei Zhi gently extend his slender hand and wipe the corners of his mouth, one stroke at a time.
The debris was wiped away.
Xie Ruan's cheeks almost instantly flushed. She didn't dare to imagine how embarrassing she looked, and all she felt was the urge to run away.
Xie Ruan could only silently eat her rice alone, her thin fingers frantically using chopsticks to scoop up the food.
Xie Ruan really wanted to escape from the dining table.
Being fed by Pei Zhi was already embarrassing enough, let alone being in front of Grandpa Pei now...
Xie Ruan's chest heaved violently with each breath.
Just as Xie Ruan was shoveling rice into her mouth, deciding to finish the last bite and run away, she never expected that Grandpa Pei would seem to have sensed something and keep scanning the two of them with his gaze.
Pei Zhi was quite used to this kind of behavior from his grandfather.
As Xie Ruan put down her bowl, she noticed that Grandpa Pei, who rarely does, had placed a piece of pork rib on her plate, and then looked at Pei Zhi with a cold gaze.
The air pressure came on too suddenly.
Xie Ruan didn't dare make a sound and could only carefully gnaw on the ribs.
Xie Ruan dared not get involved in the entanglements between the big shots.
Xie Ruan was still pondering what the two of them were thinking.
Then Old Master Pei looked at Pei Zhi seriously and asked, "Why aren't you and A-Ruan holding hands?"
ah?
Xie Ruan almost thought she was hallucinating.
Grandpa Pei: "You two aren't pretending to be lovers, are you?"
Grandpa Pei: "The more I look at you, the more I wonder, how could Ruan Ruan have fallen for a blockhead like you? Did you kidnap Ruan Ruan?"
-----------------------
Author's note: [shy] Old Master Pei: His grandson has done something worthwhile to have managed to snag such an obedient partner.
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