Pei Yicheng brought a multitude of gifts, including fine selections of tobacco, alcohol, and tea, as well as edibles, drinkables, and various other items. A mound of presents piled up in the living room, resembling a small hill.
Quietly glancing at these gifts, Xu Nianhua whispered, "Yicheng, are you giving gifts or did you move the store to my house?"
The mountain-like stack of gifts included a wide variety of items, which to the uninformed might look like the opening of a general store.
"I would’ve liked to move the entire store here, but the car was too small," Pei Yicheng seriously contemplated.
If Pei Yicheng wasn’t worried about frightening the Xu family members, he would have wished to use Xu Nianji’s usual delivery truck to haul the gifts.
Xu Nianji had only recently become aware of the situation and now, looking at Pei Yicheng thinking of his little sister being whisked away by him, his heart felt particularly heavy. However, upon further serious consideration, recalling how well Pei Yicheng had treated the Xu family, not to mention his own protection of his little sister a few days ago, Xu Nianji felt that, compared to her being with some stranger, being with Pei Yicheng wasn’t so unacceptable.
Ji Ying was the most delighted, eagerly preparing a rich luncheon. She was very happy with the multitude of gifts Pei Yicheng brought not because of their monetary value, but because of the importance Pei Yicheng placed on the event and on Xu Nianhua.
The round table was laid out with a sumptuous lunch, looking as if it were the New Year celebration.
"Qinghe, who are you scowling at?" Ji Ying softly hissed through gritted teeth next to Xu Qinghe’s ear.
"If I’m unhappy inside, am I not allowed to show it?" Xu Qinghe’s original praise for Pei Yicheng vanished the moment he learned of his involvement with his daughter, finding fault with everything about him.
"If you objected, why didn’t you say so earlier when he showed up at the door?"
Ji Ying warned, "Don’t you go overboard."
Xu Qinghe responded grumpily. By the time he returned to the table to eat, his expression had finally improved somewhat. Pei Yicheng, acknowledging Xu Qinghe’s displeasure, earnestly made a promise then and there that all his money, all his assets, would belong to Xu Nianhua in the future. If he ever mistreated Xu Nianhua, he would leave without a penny.
"What, did my Nianhua only have eyes for your money?" Xu Qinghe said with irritation, yet his face softened, Pei Yicheng’s attitude was sincere. He was the sort of man whose word was his bond, ready to give away all his wealth and assets to Nianhua. This was far more genuine than any grand vows and pledges.
Pei Yicheng clarified immediately, his gaze falling on Xu Nianhua next to him, saying, "I just want her to know that if I ever fail her, she can make me leave with nothing at any moment."
His voice, clear and distinct, reached her ears like thunderclaps, striking right at her heart. Was he not afraid she might take all his possessions and leave?
Xu Nian’an voiced her inner doubts, asking, "Yicheng, aren’t you afraid that my little sister might run off with all your money?"
"If that day ever comes, it must be because I wasn’t good enough."
Pei Yicheng stated emphatically that if the day ever came when Xu Nianhua left him, it would indeed be his fault for having let her down.
"Yicheng." Xu Nianhua’s heart felt warm. If it weren’t for her parents being there, she would have felt an urge to rush into his arms.