"When has Miss Fu ever been afraid of stealing someone else's spotlight? This was designed for you. Wear it. If others see how much thought you put into it, they’ll probably be too lazy to gossip about Zhou Ruyu and me anymore.”
Fu Duoduo giggled, "That's exactly what I thought! I'm sacrificing myself to take a hit for my sister. Isn't that loyal enough?”
Pei Kexin didn't want to chat more with her. “Is Gu Wei going?”
“Of course. You all are bringing your significant others. What am I supposed to do if I don’t bring him?”
Pei Kexin smiled. “You two are up to something behind my back.”
Fu Duoduo sighed. “I wish. Gu Wei is known, he's rich, and most importantly, he's good-looking. If I could have something going on with him, it would save me a lot of trouble. It's a pity…”
“A pity?” Pei Kexin teased her.
“A pity you don't dare to speak up? Miss Fu, you actually have times when you can't open your mouth? It’s rare for you to be so deeply in love. Should I take a screenshot and pass it on to Gu Wei for you?”
Fu Duoduo, with her thick skin, replied, "Then I'll thank you in advance.”
"Delete the parts that need to be deleted, and only show him the nice things I said. You have no idea, my dad is desperately pushing me to come home and has cut off my living expenses. If we become a couple, and Gu Ge supports me, who would I be afraid of?”
Pei Kexin sent a sticker, criticizing her for being cunning. Fu Duoduo sent back a proud one.
The conversation came to an end. Fu Duoduo, naturally, didn't want to steal the spotlight and went to pick out other clothes. Pei Kexin left work.
She went to the nursing home first. Before even entering the room, she heard her eldest sister and her two daughters from a distance.
They were discussing how to show filial piety to the old man.
Someone suggested making fruit puree for him, another wanted to personally stew a nourishing soup for him, someone wanted to take him for a walk, and another wanted to tell him stories.
The three of them didn’t seem like they were visiting a patient, but rather visiting relatives, carrying on a lively discussion.
Pei Kexin listened for a while outside, but she never heard Jiang Jingchen's voice. Puzzled about where he had gone, she finally entered.
Scanning the room, she confirmed he wasn't there.
She greeted the old man first, then made pleasantries with her eldest sister.
Finally, she casually asked, "Where's Achen? I don't see him.”
Her eldest sister, busy giving the old man a foot massage, pointed inside when she heard the question.
"The bathroom. He accidentally wet Dad’s clothes while giving him water. I can't leave, so I asked him to go wash them.”
“Kexin, we’re all here to take care of Dad. He’s a man, is it okay with you if I ask him to do some chores?”
Logically, she shouldn't mind.
But he was her husband, whom she had just married. Should an outsider order him to do menial labor?
Weren't washing clothes the job of the caregiver?
Pei Kexin hadn't realized she was so protective of her own people before. Her face instantly turned grim.
“Hand wash? You’re making him wash clothes and you hired caregivers for what?”
Her eldest sister realized she was unhappy and raised her head with annoyance.
“What’s wrong? Are you angry? It’s such a small thing, is it worth it? These are Dad’s personal clothes, would you feel comfortable giving them to an outsider?”
Pei Kexin had decided last night. If they weren’t going to give her any face, she didn’t need to show them any consideration anymore.
She retorted coldly, "Then there's the washing machine. We wash our clothes in the washing machine, and I don't recall you being so particular. The more of a man he is, the less he should do such delicate work. Aren't you afraid he'll wash them poorly and irritate Dad?”
Her eldest sister could tell that Pei Kexin was upset.
Her elder brother hadn't treated her well yesterday and had kicked her out without letting her eat. She was taking her anger out on her.
“Oh, are you afraid he’ll wash them poorly, or afraid he’ll get tired? It’s just a piece of clothing. If such a tall man can't handle such a small task, what else can he do? I didn’t ask him to die, is it worth showing me such a displeased face?”
Pei Kexin hung her bag on the coat rack, sneered, rolled up her sleeves, and walked towards the bathroom.
“You’re always nitpicking at others, but I think you haven’t contributed anything other than giving orders.”
“Enough. You are the eldest sister. If you think you’re superior to us, I don’t want to argue with you.”
“We’ve washed the clothes. We have something to do tonight and might not be back. Please trouble Eldest Sister to take the two nieces to take the night shift today.”
“What?”
When her eldest sister heard she wouldn't be staying the night and would be out while she was busy, she got up angrily.
“I just asked him to wash a piece of clothing, and you’re throwing such a huge tantrum? Dad, look at her attitude. And she’s not coming back tonight? Hah, you think you’re so great now, Pei Kexin!”
Pei Kexin ignored her and walked directly into the bathroom. She snatched the clothes from Zhan Jingchen, who was clumsily scrubbing them, rubbed them vigorously, rinsed them, and put them in the dryer.
Linking her arm through his, she turned to the old man.
“Tonight, Zhou Ruyu and his wife are celebrating their anniversary, and they’ve invited me. I didn’t want to go at first, but since they heard I’m married, everyone wants to make it lively. I can’t refuse.”
“Dad, we'll definitely be back late tonight. Eldest Sister, please bear with us today. We'll come again tomorrow.”
Zhan Jingchen had spent the entire day here with the old man alone, restraining his sharp edges, and serving him attentively. The old man liked him more and more.
He already felt guilty that his family hadn't given Kexin any proper treatment for their wedding. His eldest daughter had come in and immediately started subtly attacking, ordering Zhan Jingchen around, and frankly, he was displeased too.
He knew his own children's characters. Kexin had been respectful for so many years. If they hadn't been so unreasonable, she wouldn't have had to fall out with them.
Let her go if she wants to.
As they entered the elevator, Pei Kexin let go of Zhan Jingchen's arm and looked him over, still somewhat angry.
“Are you okay today?”
Zhan Jingchen felt vindicated hearing her argue for him.
After all, they were on the same side. It wasn't a waste for him to act meek all day.
Feeling quite pleased, he replied, “Don’t worry, I didn’t cause you any trouble. I’m very good at enduring humiliation, unlike you.”
“…” Pei Kexin glanced at him, thinking, *Why is this person so cheap?*
It seemed he had no feelings, no self-respect, and couldn’t feel humiliation.
Of course, he was someone who would sell anything for money. Otherwise, he wouldn't have come to the Pei family. It was a waste that she had impulsively stood up for him.
After calming down for a few seconds, she warned Zhan Jingchen again.
“Have you heard of a masquerade ball? Have you ever been? If not, I’ll tell you about it.”
“Later, you’ll need to buy a mask to cover your face. Everyone will be doing that, so don’t be afraid. Do whatever I do. You don't need to say anything, just stay by my side the whole time. Remember?”
He just finished saying he was good at enduring humiliation and then was about to shut up and be a tool. It was Zhan Jingchen's own doing.
As they exited the elevator, Pei Kexin tossed him the car keys again.
“Go to Binjiang South Road, I’ll take you to buy clothes.”
Driving with the navigation, Pei Kexin first took him to get his hair done.
As soon as they entered, Fu Duoduo's fiery red figure greeted them.
“Kexin, you’re finally here! Look, do you like the dress I picked out again?”
She gracefully turned around in an old-fashioned, earthy red evening gown, spreading her arms. As she stopped, she noticed the handsome guy accompanying Pei Kexin.