"Nian’an, come stay with us too,"
No sooner had Pei Yicheng spoken than Xu Nian’an refused, "No way, with all this stock in the shop, how can it be left unattended?"
"Second Brother, there’s a door," Xu Nianhua reminded him.
"Little sister, you go ahead, I’m a grown man, I can keep watch here without trouble," said Xu Nian’an indifferently, looking toward Pei Yicheng, "You take little sister home first, it’s very cold. Make sure she gets some rest early."
"Okay," Pei Yicheng didn’t refuse, and had stood up to put a scarf and gloves on Xu Nianhua, as if he feared she would catch a chill.
Xu Nian’an, still concerned, escorted Xu Nianhua to the car. Clutching Pei Yicheng, he whispered a warning, "Yicheng, although I agree with you two dating, you absolutely must not take advantage of my sister. You’re just dating, you’re not married yet."
"Am I that kind of person?" Pei Yicheng cleared his throat, his earlobes slightly reddening. Xu Nian’an’s words made it seem as if he had done something to Nianhua.
"How are you not? I’m a man too," Xu Nian’an said with pursed lips, "Facing the girl you like, I don’t believe you have no thoughts at all?"
Xu Nian’an scrutinized Pei Yicheng skeptically. Though he had never dated, he hadn’t eaten pork but had seen pigs run.
Especially his eldest brother, right after he got married, seemed to wish he and his wife were conjoined twins; even before, at home, he had accidentally walked in on his brother kissing his sister-in-law several times.
In the dorm, sometimes his classmates would even talk about things more excessive. Not having dated didn’t mean Xu Nian’an was ignorant about these matters.
"Brother Cheng, why does your face look a bit red? Are you feeling unwell?" Xu Nianhua looked at Pei Yicheng with concern, reaching out to feel his forehead, then touching her own, muttering, "You don’t seem to have a fever."
Pei Yicheng’s face grew even redder; when her somewhat icy hand had touched his forehead earlier, his heart had felt as though it was about to leap out of his chest. Luckily, the road was empty at this time, with no people or cars in sight.
"I’m fine," Pei Yicheng answered quickly, focusing all his attention on driving, racing home. Pei Yicheng, using home as an excuse, made for his room as soon as they arrived, not lingering like he had for the past few days, seemingly wanting to chat until the conversation could go no further.
Could there be something wrong?
A thought flashed through Xu Nianhua’s mind, but she didn’t dwell on it, yawning as she washed her face and feet. After a tiring day, she longed to fall asleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.
Leaning against the door, Pei Yicheng’s mind kept revisiting Xu Nian’an’s words,
"Facing the girl you like, I don’t believe you have no thoughts at all?"
Pei Yicheng sighed helplessly. He was a normal man, how could he possibly have no thoughts? However, he had always restrained himself and never showed it.
Especially since they confirmed their relationship, Pei Yining had been very considerate and thoughtful in giving them plenty of private time. Every time he finished talking with Xu Nianhua under the flowers and the moonlight, he found it hard to calm his emotions for a long time afterward.
The fifteenth day of the first lunar month, the Lantern Festival. The passing of the Lantern Festival also marks the end of the New Year’s celebrations, a holiday highly valued by everyone.
The shop, unlike the previous day, wasn’t as busy, giving Xu Nianhua and her brother a much-needed break.
"Little sister, I’m going to find Ban Chuan to see if his sister is willing to come," said Xu Nian’an, seeing the shop was not busy. Ban Chuan’s family lived in a village nearby Ningbei.
"Second Brother, be careful," Xu Nianhua advised him and then continued to busy herself in the store.