Chapter 312 - 312 I Don"t Want to be A Man Next Year
312 I Don’t Want to be A Man Next Year
Pei Xi and Bill looked at each other and mouthed an “oh” at the same time.
Du Meilan patted Xu Mingzhi’s hand, “I’ve met Xingxing’s mother once.”
After saying that, she looked at Xu Mingzhi and shook her head. Xu Mingzhi understood. “It’s good to start over again.”
However, she followed her line of sight and saw Pei Xingxing. She felt that the little fellow looked a little familiar, but today was an important day for them, so her attention was not on him. She couldn’t recall who he was at the moment and didn’t probe further.
Pei Qingshen was full of confidence, “then, I have the permission to release the news? I have at least seven candidates waiting for you!”
Pei Song rubbed his face and sighed, “show the photo to Xingxing first.”
After saying that, he got up and went to the balcony for a smoke.
Pei Shizhan glanced at him indifferently before turning to Pei Huai, “come to the study.”
Pei Huai paused for a few seconds, then got up and followed him to the study.
In the study, Pei Shizhan sat on the sofa and motioned for Pei Huai to sit opposite him.
Pei Huai was still standing, expressionless. It was hard to tell what he was thinking. “I’m okay like this.”
Pei Shizhan shook his head helplessly.
He asked, “I heard that your grandfather introduced Su Ji to you? ”
Pei Huai replied, “sort of.”
Pei Shizhan crossed his fingers and rested them on his lap. A small part of his watch could be seen from his spotless shirt. He had a gentle smile on his face the whole time, “it’s your grandfather’s old habit. He likes to play matchmaker. He’s the victim of a traditional marriage, but he used the same method to introduce me to your mother…”
Pei Huai frowned, “what are you trying to say?
Pei Shizhan stopped talking and did not want to anger him. He said, “Su Ji is nice, but I hope that you can find someone you truly like.”
After he said the last word, he looked up at Pei Huai.
After a few seconds, Pei Huai coldly smiled, “you’re overthinking it.”
Pei Shizhan was all ears and silently allowed him to continue.
Pei Huai replied, “I wanted Su Ji.”
“I also spent a lot of effort to pursue her.”
“Grandpa did the introduction at most.”
“I won’t touch those I don’t like, and I won’t waste decades of other people’s time for nothing.”
The last sentence had a deeper meaning.
Pei Shizhan looked at his son, who was already taller than him, and did not speak for a long time.
**
When Pei Huai came out of the study, Du Meilan had already brought Xu Mingzhi to the study upstairs. The butler said that the two of them decided to work together on a project at the last minute.
Pei Qingshen returned to his room to make a phone call to the families of the daughters of Pei Song who had been waiting for him.
Pei Huai looked around the living room before he found Su Ji.
She was on the balcony with Bill and Pei Song, who were both smoking.
Su Ji was standing opposite of them. The smoke surrounded her, and she seemed to be talking to them.
He frowned, went over, and pulled open the door between the balcony and the room.
The wind was strong today, and the two men were cold, so they didn’t open the balcony window.
“?”
He gave Pei Song a look.
Pei Song held the cigarette in his mouth and raised his hands to explain, “don’t panic. We’re smoking the herbal cigarettes that Su Ji made herself. We’re helping her test the cigarettes.
Bill didn’t usually smoke. He only tried it when he heard that it was a herbal cigarette. “Very good!” He said in broken Chinese.
Pei Huai glanced at the smoky balcony and pulled Su Ji to his side, “what did you find out?”
“A few small issues, ” Su Ji said, “I’ve noted them down.”
Pei Song was a hardcore smoker and gave a few suggestions.
“Then let them stay there by themselves.” After Pei Huai finished speaking, he pulled Su Ji out with one hand and closed the balcony door with the other.
Such a high concentration of herbal smoke might not necessarily be harmless to the body.
Pei Song and Bill silently watched them leave. In a few seconds, their figures were covered in white smoke.
**
Dinner was ready at five in the afternoon.
Everyone was there today, and a large table was filled.
Pei Shizhan looked at Xu Mingzhi and said very politely, “I originally planned to have the meal outside, but considering that Su Ji is a celebrity, it would be inconvenient for her.”
Xu Mingzhi replied, “it’s good to do it at home. It’s lively with many people and better for conversations.”
Pei Qingshen also smiled and nodded. He said a few words, and the two families began to eat.
Pei Qingshen had prepared an extravagant meal. They had already started eating, but the kitchen was still serving the dishes.
A plate of lychee-flavored dessert was served. Du Meilan smiled and said, “Su Ji, try this. I got it in F Land. I heard you like lychees, so I bought the recipe from the Michelin-star chef.”
Su Ji took a big bite out of respect, and her eyes widened, “it’s really delicious.”
Pei Huai looked up at Madam Du, “give me the recipe later.”
Du Meilan smiled.
Xu Mingzhi was nervous before coming over. But after getting to know Du Meilan, she felt that her daughter would not suffer in the future.
However, her gaze then slowly fell on Pei Shizhan.
The servants placed a plate of barbecued Australian beef on each of their tables. Pei Shizhan helped Du Meilian cut the meat in a gentlemanly manner.
He did it so naturally, as if it had become a habit.
After Du Meilan tasted the beef, she commented on the taste.
However, other than that, there was no other interaction between the two.
Xu Mingzhi narrowed her eyes.
Even the astute Xu Mingming could not figure out their dynamic, let alone Su Ji.
When one was taught to behave properly from a young age, one would be good at hiding their true emotions.
Pei Xi, Pei Song, and Pei Huan seemed to be used to this. Only Pei Qingshen was satisfied with the way his son and daughter-in-law got along with each other.
The TV was still on, but not many people were paying attention.
Fireworks began to bloom outside the window.
This was a district filled with wealthy people, and the fireworks were all very extravagant.
After the meal, the older generation stayed at the dining table to drink and chat.
Su Ji and the rest were hanging out in the living room.
Pei Huai was not with her. He was drinking with Madam Xu at the dining table.
Pei Xi was busy sending New Year’s blessings to the bosses of the big entertainment companies. “Su Ji, I’ve sent them. You don’t have to worry about those big companies. We’re giving them too much face.”
“Alright, thank you, Pei Xi.” Su Ji replied.
She watched the fireworks outside the window for a while and then scrolled through her moments.
It was New Year’s Eve, and even the people in the entertainment industry were celebrating.
Huang Huayu had returned to his hometown and posted a photo of his daughter. His daughter was very cute with a sparkler in her hand. When she looked at the camera, she pushed her chin down, but because she lowered it too much, her double chin came out.
Then, she saw a song that Meng Na had written for the new year.
This girl would not let go of any opportunity to show off her creative ability.
After that, Su Ji opened the group chat and wished Meng Na, Pan Lian, and the others a happy new year. Then, they chatted for a while.
Si Jingchuan video-called her. It was a group video call. Xu Ni was also there.
They wished each other a happy new year. Then Si Jingchuan asked her what Madam Xu was busy with. Wen Man sent several messages to Xu Mingzhi, but she didn’t get a reply. Wen Man, who was in a bad mood, began to wonder if she had done something wrong.
Su Ji smiled and said, “Madam Xu is having a drinking contest with my boyfriend. I don’t think she saw it. She said that she would help me test Pei Huai’s alcohol tolerance.”
Si Jingchuan’s video seemed to have frozen. After a long while, he finally said, “no wonder. I’ll tell my mother now.”
A minute later, he came back. “Boss, it’s already the new year. Do you have a New Year’s wish? Tell me, I’ll help you realize it.”
“Be on the Top 50 on Forbes’ list,” Su Ji replied.
Si Jingchuan was silent for a second, “huh? Mom, what’s the matter? I’ll come immediately!”
As he left his again, Su Ji asked Xu Ni, “what wish do you have for next year?”
It was also lively at Xu Ni’s end. Lu Ailian was drinking with her relatives.
Xu Ni usually didn’t like to partic.i.p.ate in this kind of activity.
However, he did have a wish today. Su Ji didn’t know if he was drunk or infected by the festive mood.
He said, “I don’t want to be a man next year.”