"Yining, don’t teach bad habits to the kids," Xu Nianhua’s face instantly turned red.
"How am I teaching bad habits to the kids? I’m telling the truth."
Pei Yining wished everyone knew that Xu Nianhua was her future sister-in-law, her designated sister-in-law, so that nobody would dare to have designs on Nianhua.
"I know now, Brother likes her and is going to marry her in the future," Pei Yijian said with an air of an adult.
Pei Yining nodded with a beaming smile and affirmed, "Exactly."
"Then Sister, you’re really amazing."
Pei Yijian gazed at Xu Nianhua with an admiring look. To him, his brother was incredibly impressive. Even though his brother seldom came home and looked quite terrifying, he knew that his brother was the best. He would forever remember how his brother had appeared out of nowhere, chasing away the other kids when he was in a fight.
"Am I not impressive?" Pei Yining looked at Pei Yijian with a hint of jealousy.
Pei Yijian immediately said, "Sister, you are also amazing. The photos you take are the most beautiful."
Although he was a boy, his words were exceptionally heartwarming.
Pei Yining’s smile was radiant. She liked it when people praised her photography skills.
"Auntie Wan, I’m going to pour myself a cup of tea and cut some fruit," Pei Yining stood up to pour tea, and Pei Yijian eagerly followed, saying, "Sis, I want to eat watermelon."
"Okay, watermelon it is. I’ll cut it for you."
Pei Yining’s hand rested on Pei Yijian’s shoulder, reflecting the close relationship between the siblings.
"Yining, let me help you," Xu Nianhua stood up, wanting to follow.
Pei Yining gestured with her hand and said, "Nianhua, you sit and rest for a bit. I’ll be right back."
"I heard from Yining that you’re about to accompany Professor Fei to receive foreign guests?" Wan Hongxing’s voice was as gentle as a mild spring breeze, her smile benevolent, very different from the forced tenderness of Fang Yue. Wan Hongxing’s gentleness was innate, radiating warmth, irresistibly inviting closeness and trust.
"I’m just going along to learn. I have to thank the professor for this opportunity to see more of the world," Xu Nianhua humbly replied. The recent conversation between Pei Yining and Pei Yijian made her feel a bit embarrassed and shy, but then she thought about it – at twenty-one, it was normal to be dating. It was perfectly natural for men to marry and women to wed.
"It’s because you have the ability and talent that you can go along with Professor Fei to learn," Wan Hongxing’s voice remained gentle, like a warm breeze.
Xu Nianhua smiled and modestly responded, "Maybe I’m just lucky."
Seeing her so humble without a trace of pride, Wan Hongxing’s impression of her improved further. She smiled softly and said, "Although Yicheng and I haven’t spent much time together, once he is sure about something, he won’t change his mind for anything. Since his mother passed away early, he has been very independent since childhood."
"Nianhua, I know it might not be my place to say this, but I still want to," Wan Hongxing’s soft voice carried determination as she looked at Xu Nianhua, enunciating each word, "It’s often said, ’sincerity begets sincerity.’ You wouldn’t let Yicheng’s heartfelt earnestness be hurt, would you?"
"Auntie Wan, there’s also a saying I’ve heard, ’To harm others is to first harm oneself.’" Xu Nianhua remained unfazed under Wan Hongxing’s scrutiny, her conscience clear, and she said, "To choose a city to grow old in, to meet someone to grow old with – such love, I believe, should be the aspiration of all women, right?"