"The contract is very clear,"
"Clear about what?"
"About our relationship."
Zhan Jingchen knew what she meant. Seeing that she had misunderstood, he deliberately teased her.
"I know, husband and wife. As a man, you wouldn't... say anything in advance, I don't mind, but you have to..."
Pei Kexin grabbed a pillow and threw it at him. "What nonsense are you talking about?"
Zhan Jingchen caught it steadily, blinking his innocent big eyes.
"What am I saying? Didn't you say..."
"Jiang Jingchen, does your mouth hurt if you're not obnoxious for a moment?"
As they were bickering, the phone in her bag buzzed.
Pei Kexin, who had intended to scold him properly, had to temporarily stop.
She took out her phone, and it was Fu Duoduo calling.
She answered, and Fu Duoduo's cheerful voice came through.
"Bride, what are you busy with? It's your wedding night, after all. I didn't expect you to be in the mood to answer my calls, hehe. Did I disturb you?"
Another smart mouth asking for trouble, Pei Kexin replied impatiently.
"If you knew you would disturb me, why did you still call?"
Fu Duoduo was momentarily speechless.
"What the heck, are you serious? Gu Wei said you and that person weren't... Holy cow, the iron tree has bloomed, Pei Kexin, you're not... "
Pei Kexin had no mood to listen to her rambling. "Do you have something to say? You're calling so late to tell me this? If not, I'm hanging up."
"Are these trivial matters?"
Fu Duoduo exclaimed with exaggerated tone.
"My dearest best friend, the iron tree has bloomed, it's truly a cause for celebration. I'm so excited just thinking about it. I know you're in a hurry, but please be patient and let me say a few more words."
"Um, cough, you're inexperienced, how is he? I'm telling you, if you don't plan to have children yet, then you must... I'll give you a suggestion..."
Zhan Jingchen was listening beside her, and Pei Kexin almost spat out a mouthful of blood.
"Thank you, Sister Fu. It's so late, and you're worrying too much. Are you done? If you're done, I'm really going to 'bloom,' and you should worry more about yourself when you have time!"
Fu Duoduo almost burst out laughing on the other end of the line. "Don't, don't, don't hang up in a hurry, I haven't said the important thing yet."
Pei Kexin rolled her eyes at her through the air. "I'm especially tired today. If you have something to say, hurry up. Are you annoying or what?"
Fu Duoduo finally became serious.
"Tomorrow night is that person and Xia Tiantian's first wedding anniversary. They're inviting everyone to help give Xia Tiantian a surprise. Are you going?"
So that was what she was calling about...
Pei Kexin's heart sank. She sat down at the foot of the bed, striking a strong and domineering, "big sister" pose.
"Did he ask you to tell me?"
Fu Duoduo: "He didn't specifically mention you, he just said the date is special and hopes everyone will come... Several people have already expressed their willingness in the group chat. You used to be close with Xia Tiantian, and I'm afraid that if I don't tell you and you're not there, those gossipy people will start talking about you again."
Pei Kexin knew this all too well.
In high school, she, Xia Tiantian, and Zhou Ruyu were the closest.
Zhou Ruyu often showed her attentiveness, and Pei Kexin had been moved. She thought they were just one step away from confessing, but before graduation, rumors of him and Xia Tiantian started circulating.
Pei Kexin was greatly shocked and distanced herself from them.
When they got married earlier, all their classmates attended, except for her, who used the excuse of being busy and didn't go.
She heard that it had already caused quite a bit of speculation at the time. If she didn't go again now...
It was just Zhou Ruyu; she no longer cared.
There were millions of men in the world, and she, Pei Kexin, was not lacking. She wouldn't have remained single for so many years because of him.
Even if she had been moved by him in her youth, she didn't want to be criticized repeatedly because of him now.
So, with almost no hesitation, she replied.
"Since I have time, and my old classmates are inviting me, why wouldn't I go? Can I bring a date? Tell Zhou Ruyu that I'll bring a date tomorrow."
After hanging up Fu Duoduo's call, the annoying day finally ended.
Pei Kexin got up, smoothed her hair, and walked towards the bathroom.
"I'm going to take a bath and remove my makeup now. Jiang Jingchen, you're a smart person. I hope that by the time I come out, you'll be sleeping honestly on the floor."
It was clear that she was truly tired, and with too many unpleasant things happening today, Zhan Jingchen was sensible and didn't want to upset her further. He gave an OK gesture, rummaged through the closet, found a quilt, and threw it onto the carpet.
On their first night as a married couple, they each slept on the bed and the floor, and so it passed.
The next morning, Pei Kexin was woken up on time by her biological clock.
She first went out to check on the old man, then came back to kick Zhan Jingchen.
He was drowsy but quick, opening his eyes and sitting up instantly. "What is it?"
"Get up."
"What time is it?"
"Just get up when I tell you to, stop talking nonsense. Fold up the quilt and put it away carefully, lest someone sees it."
Zhan Jingchen got up to fold the quilt.
Since he hadn't brought any pajamas or changing clothes, he had slept in just his underwear last night.
At this moment, he emerged from the covers.
His broad and firm chest, long and powerful legs, and the unexpectedly dazzling sight of a certain part of him that appeared in the morning light, stunned Pei Kexin.
Heaven knows, in her life, besides on television, this was the first time she had seen such a scene.
With just one glance, she was so embarrassed that she quickly averted her gaze.
"You, why aren't you wearing clothes when you sleep?"
Zhan Jingchen thought she was faking it.
She was an adult of a certain age, especially a beautiful woman like her who must have been pursued by many people. Who didn't know who? Was it necessary to be like this?
"I know my body is good. If you want to look, just look. I won't charge you."
Pei Kexin: "Who wants to look at you? If I look too much, I'm afraid I'll get sore eyes. And you praise your own body, you're truly self-obsessed."
"Naturally." Zhan Jingchen shamelessly put on his clothes in front of her. "Otherwise, would Miss Pei Kexin have fallen in love with me at first sight?"
"Do you have a misunderstanding of the term 'love at first sight'?"
Zhan Jingchen buttoned his shirt and raised an eyebrow. "No matter what, the identity of Pei Kexin's ex-husband is confirmed."
"After we divorce, Miss Pei is not allowed to avoid me then."
With both of them dressed, Pei Kexin got down to business and assigned him the task of taking care of the old man today.
"Call me if anything happens. I'll pick you up after work tonight."
Thinking about the call last night, he asked knowingly, "Pick me up? We're not staying here tonight? Where are we going?"
"We'll see then. You stay here honestly and don't cause trouble."
The two helped the old man get up and wash, acted like a loving couple in front of him, and then Pei Kexin went to work.
The day passed quickly as she dealt with affairs. As it was nearing the end of work, Fu Duoduo sent her a photo via WeChat.
"Zhou Ruyu is quite the showman. He's having a masquerade ball tonight. Do you think I'll be too flashy if I wear this?"
She sent a photo of a backless, short crimson evening gown, which was very bold and exaggerated in style, but suited her personality.
Pei Kexin looked at it and felt that standing next to her, she would be overshadowed like a country bumpkin. It was good.