The sweet and envious look made Pei Kexin feel that if she didn't hold Zhan Jingchen's arm promptly, she would be hurting the hearts of their fans.
The two walked away, arm in arm, putting on a show of affection despite their strained relationship.
As they exited the shop and strolled through the bustling corridor, passersby, regardless of gender, age, or background, couldn't help but cast admiring glances their way.
It was as if a celebrity couple were out on the town, and everyone was secretly enjoying the spectacle.
Zhan Jingchen, in particular, felt more confident with all the attention.
"It seems we're quite compatible. Meeting your family should be no problem."
Pei Kexin sneered, "Do you think the Pei family is that easily impressed? That anyone can fool them with a pretty face? Be humble and don't let your guard down."
Zhan Jingchen smoothly drove the car all the way to the hospital.
It wasn't just any hospital, but a high-end private sanatorium.
After parking the car and gathering the gifts, they walked in hand in hand. Pei Kexin briefed Zhan Jingchen.
"The patient in bed is my father. Although he's a bit older, he still holds a high position and is respected by everyone. Say a few words if you can, but if not, just stay quiet and act composed. Don't try to be clever or speak out of turn. Remember?"
"Yes."
"I have a high seniority in the family. Later, people will call you 'uncle-in-law' or 'brother-in-law.' No matter who calls you, just respond. Try to avoid unnecessary actions."
"Understood."
"Don't call me 'baby' anymore. You're never allowed to call me that again!"
"..."
Seeing his lack of response, Pei Kexin pinched his palm with her fingernails. "Do you have an objection?"
Zhan Jingchen calmly held her hand, brought their joined hands to his lips, and gently blew on the spot she had pinched.
"How dare I. I'll do as you say, is that alright?"
The fourth floor arrived in no time.
The moment they stepped out of the elevator, Pei Kexin's face lit up with a smile. She tightly clasped Zhan Jingchen's fingers and playfully pushed open the first door on the corner.
Before they even entered, her cheerful voice announced, "Dad, Ah Chen and I are here to see you. How are you feeling today?"
As the door swung open, a clean and comfortable hospital bed came into view. A tall, thin man with a head full of silver hair was sitting up in bed.
The bedside tables on both sides were filled with flowers and fruits.
As the door opened wider, several well-dressed men and women appeared on either side of the bed.
Everyone's gaze was fixed on the doorway. Before Zhan Jingchen could even guess who was who, Pei Kexin pulled him into the center of the room.
"Dad, I've brought him."
"Didn't I tell you before that I was dating a university classmate? He was studying abroad and hadn't returned, so I couldn't bring him to see you. This time, as soon as he heard you were sick, he immediately took leave and rushed back."
"Dad, we just got our marriage certificate this morning. He said he'll come back after graduation to be with me, take care of you with me, and never leave. What do you think?"
Zhan Jingchen smiled elegantly. After she finished speaking, he bowed respectfully to the old man.
"Hello, Father. I apologize for being late. I haven't fulfilled my filial duties and caused you suffering."
"I will never make such a mistake again. Please forgive me and Kexin's transgressions. Thank you, Father."
Pei Kexin went from having a boyfriend to being married all of a sudden.
A voice filled with disbelief erupted from behind them.
"What? Little Aunt, you're married?"
"That can't be right! This is too sudden! You were single yesterday, and today you're married? And a live-in son-in-law..."
"I don't believe it. Show me the marriage certificate!"
The person speaking was an adult man, appearing to be around Pei Kexin's age.
Hearing him call Pei Kexin 'Little Aunt' made Zhan Jingchen realize just how high her seniority was, which surprised him somewhat.
Pei Kexin, however, was accustomed to his outbursts. She nimbly reached into her bag to retrieve the certificate.
As she took it out, she softly explained to Zhan Jingchen.
"This is my eldest brother's son, Pei Zongrui. He's currently interning in the company's technical department."
"Here you go. He's genuinely just returned from abroad and will be living with us for the next month. Hurry up and call him 'Uncle-in-law'."
Pei Zongrui took the certificate and flipped through it, his face etched with shock.
"No way, Pei Kexin! To stay with our family by any means necessary, you really are cunning. You just married yourself off like this??"
The boy spoke so rudely.
However, no one around rebuked him. Only the old man on the hospital bed coughed twice.
The old man was suffering from advanced lymphoma and had undergone surgery a few days prior.
A tracheotomy had been performed, and his entire neck was bandaged. He couldn't speak, but a cough this forceful indicated something.
In the entire Pei family, only he cared about Pei Kexin. With this cough, Pei Zongrui could only shut up.
Pei Kexin hurriedly glanced at Zhan Jingchen, and the two of them, one on each side, rushed to help the old man calm his breathing.
Seeing their solicitous attention, Pei Zongrui became even more unbearable. He rolled his eyes and handed the certificate to his eldest aunt.
The old man was eighty-four years old, and his eldest daughter was already over fifty.
Upon receiving the certificate, she flipped through it with her bright red-painted fingers and said sarcastically,
"Jiang Jingchen? Which Jiang? There aren't many prominent people surnamed Jiang in Nancheng."
Thinking he looked down on him for his background?
Zhan Jingchen silently cursed this blind old woman in his mind: "You blind idiot, you don't even know Jiang Nan Fang?"
Pei Kexin was exceptionally gentle in front of them. "He's not from Nancheng."
"Oh? Not from Nancheng? Then where is he from?"
The old man had already recovered his breath.
Zhan Jingchen stopped patting his chest and respectfully straightened up, looking at the woman and asking Pei Kexin,
"Kexin, who is this..."
"Eldest Sister."
"...Eldest Sister... I am from Beicheng. I attended primary and secondary school in Beicheng and university in Nancheng."
The young man looks truly good. If he hadn't encountered Pei Kexin, he would have been quite suitable as my son-in-law.
The eldest sister raised an eyebrow and scrutinized him, "From Beicheng? Are your parents still in Beicheng?"
"My parents passed away in an accident two years ago."
"...So you're an orphan now?"
"Yes."
"Anyone else?"
"I'm an only child."
The eldest sister couldn't help but turn her head and exchange glances with her two younger brothers.
Pei Kexin found a man with no parents to be a live-in son-in-law. This move is quite ruthless!
As long as the old man is alive, and she doesn't marry out of the Pei family, no one can kick her out.
To cling to the company and share the assets, this little vixen is truly going to great lengths!
Unsure of how to handle her, everyone could only express their envy.
"The doors of our Pei family cannot be entered by just anyone. Kexin, Dad worked hard to raise you all these years. Although you're not his biological daughter, he's always treated you well. To get married without his consent on such a big matter, aren't you being a bit too disrespectful to him?"