"This February," Pei Yicheng answered, fearing that Xu Qinghe might get mad at Xu Nianhua. He explained, "We wanted to wait until our relationship was more stable before telling uncle and auntie. Please don’t be angry, if there’s any fault, it’s all mine, and it has nothing to do with Nianhua."
Pei Yicheng gripped Xu Nianhua’s hand tightly and continued, "It was wrong to keep it from you, but my feelings for Nianhua are absolutely sincere."
Xu Nianhua couldn’t stand to see Pei Yicheng take all the blame. She said with her head lowered, "Mom and dad, I’m at fault too."
"No, it was my idea to keep it a secret in the first place." Pei Yicheng, fearing Xu Nianhua would be scolded, hurriedly took all the responsibility upon himself.
Both were trying to shoulder the blame.
Ji Ying watched this scene with delight. Although they were not yet husband and wife, they would eventually be, and if they kept blaming each other, they would surely end up arguing sooner or later.
Xu Qinghe frowned with displeasure and said, "You two stop fighting. After all is said and done, if I, as a father, still blame you for keeping secrets, then it would be my fault."
Xu Nianhua exchanged a clandestine glance with Pei Yicheng and then lowered her head again, appearing contrite.
Their understanding of each other left Xu Qinghe undecided whether to scold them or to say something else. What’s done was done, and as a father, he couldn’t just forcibly separate them. His gaze fell on Pei Yicheng, sizing him up. Aesthetically speaking, Pei Yicheng was truly the most handsome young man Xu Qinghe had ever seen.
Even Xu Qinghe himself often praised how excellent Pei Yicheng was, especially before his leg injury had healed. He thought Pei Yicheng, who studied courses at home and traded medicinal herbs, had a small fortune of his own. And when it came to the Chili Sauce Factory, Pei Yicheng’s help to the Xu Family was undeniable.
Suddenly, Xu Qinghe looked at Pei Yicheng with suspicion, wondering if Pei Yicheng had set his sights on his daughter from that time.
In the hospital room, a pensive silence lingered. Xu Nian’an, too, stood to one side in silence.
Ji Ying knew that Xu Qinghe must be feeling troubled, feeling sorry for his daughter who was stolen away by someone else’s boy. He thought it was appropriate to warn Pei Yicheng. Although their family was not wealthy, their daughter was cherished.
Xu Nianhua felt nervous, unsure how her father would react.
Pei Yicheng looked forthrightly at Xu Qinghe, allowing him to scrutinize him. His hand, firmly clasped with Xu Nianhua’s, showed no intention of letting go and also declared his stance, that no matter what, he would never give up.
Time seemed to stretch on before Xu Qinghe’s voice was heard again in the eerily quiet hospital room.
"Yicheng, you saved Nianhua, and our entire Xu Family is very grateful to you, but remember, each matter is to be settled on its own merits. If you dare bully Nianhua, I..." Xu Qinghe paused and said, "Our whole family will never let you off."
Xu Qinghe’s words carried a clear warning.
"And me too," Xu Nian’an immediately chimed in, raising his fist. Even if he couldn’t win in a fight, he wouldn’t just watch his little sister get mistreated, not unless he was dead.
Pei Yicheng pressed his lips into a smile and said nothing more. Some things didn’t need to be constantly spoken about; they needed to be put into action.
If he were ever to mistreat Nianhua, it wasn’t just the Xu Family who wouldn’t forgive him. He wouldn’t be able to forgive himself either.
"It was in February this year," Pei Yicheng answered, fearful that Xu Qinghe might get angry at Xu Nianhua, he explained, "We wanted to wait until our relationship was more stable before telling the uncle and auntie. Please, don’t be angry with us, If there is any fault, it’s all mine, and it has nothing to do with Nianhua."
Pei Yicheng held Xu Nianhua’s hand tightly as he continued, "It was wrong to keep it a secret from you, but my feelings for Nianhua are absolutely sincere."
Xu Nianhua couldn’t bear to let Pei Yicheng take all the blame alone; she said with her head bowed, "Mom and Dad, I am also at fault."
"No, it was my idea to keep it a secret first," Pei Yicheng, afraid that Xu Nianhua would be scolded, quickly took all the responsibility onto himself.
The two of them competed to take all the blame upon themselves.
Ji Ying watched this scene, extremely pleased. Although they were not yet husband and wife, they would eventually become so. If they always pushed the blame onto each other, they would inevitably argue sooner or later.
Xu Qinghe’s face was dark, he said discontentedly, "You two stop arguing. No matter what you say, if I, as a father, still blame you for keeping it a secret, then I’m the one at fault."
Xu Nianhua exchanged a quick, furtive glance with Pei Yicheng, then immediately bowed her head again, showing a well-behaved and remorseful attitude.
Their tacit understanding made Xu Qinghe wonder whether to scold them or say something else. What’s done was done, and he, as a father, certainly couldn’t just tear them apart. His gaze fell on Pei Yicheng, scrutinizing him. In terms of appearance, Pei Yicheng was indeed the most handsome young man Xu Qinghe had ever seen.
Even Xu Qinghe himself often praised how outstanding Pei Yicheng was, especially before Pei Yicheng’s leg injury had healed. He appreciated that Pei Yicheng studied at home and traded in medicinal herbs on his own, obtaining some savings. When it came to the Chili Sauce Factory, Pei Yicheng’s help to the Xu Family was undeniable.
Suddenly, Xu Qinghe looked at Pei Yicheng with suspicion. He thought, Could it be that Pei Yicheng had set his sights on his daughter even back then?
In the hospital room, a silent atmosphere lingered. Xu Nian’an stood aside, also keeping his mouth shut.
Ji Ying knew that Xu Qinghe was feeling upset, distressed that his beloved daughter was being whisked away by someone else’s bratty kid. She felt it was right to warn Pei Yicheng. Their family might not be wealthy, but their daughter was precious to them.
Xu Nianhua’s heart was pounding, unsure of how her father would react.
Pei Yicheng looked forthright, allowing Xu Qinghe to scrutinize him. His hand held Xu Nianhua’s tightly, giving no indication of letting go, and it also made clear his attitude, that no matter what, he would not let go.
After who knows how long, Xu Qinghe’s voice rose again in the quiet hospital room.
"Yicheng, you saved Nianhua, and our entire Xu Family is very grateful to you. However, one thing is one thing, if you dare to bully Nianhua, I..." Xu Qinghe paused, then said, "Our whole family, we absolutely will not let you off the hook."
Xu Qinghe’s words were a clear warning.
"And me too," Xu Nian’an chimed in immediately, at the same time raising his fist. Even if he couldn’t win in a fight, he would not stand by and watch his little sister be bullied – not unless he were dead.
Pei Yicheng pursed his lips and smiled without saying a word. Some matters did not need to be spoken about incessantly; they needed to be acted upon.
If he ever bullied Nianhua, it wouldn’t just be the Xu family he wouldn’t be able to face. He also wouldn’t be able to forgive himself.