Pei Yining said, hastily giving Xu Nianhua a desperate look towards the entrance of the kitchen.
"Right, this is delicious," Xu Nianhua picked up the thread of Pei Yining’s words, saying, "We had some at noon, it tasted great, I’ll go heat it up now so we can have a bit tonight."
"Yes, yes, yes." Pei Yining nodded repeatedly, carrying the plate of rolled donkey snacks back to the kitchen, scared of her brother settling scores after the autumn harvest.
Her brother didn’t like Wan Hongxing, she knew that, and he never touched anything given by Wan Hongxing.
"Yicheng, do you want to take a shower first? Dinner will be ready soon."
Xu Nianhua beamed a radiant smile, her heart aching as she thought of him losing his mother at the tender age of ten.
"It’s hot, I’ll shower later, just washing my hands is fine," Pei Yicheng tried hard to make his expression gentler, afraid of frightening Xu Nianhua.
"Okay then, go wash your hands quickly."
Xu Nianhua didn’t ask further, simply hurrying him to wash his hands for dinner.
"My brother, he didn’t say anything, did he?"
Pei Yining steamed the rolled donkey snacks and, seeing Xu Nianhua walk in, asked worriedly.
"No, doesn’t your brother like rolled donkey snacks?" Xu Nianhua inquired.
Worried about being scolded, Pei Yining answered distractedly, "It’s alright, I like them."
"Don’t worry, your brother won’t scold you. He’s not unreasonable!" Xu Nianhua comforted her, patting her shoulder and saying, "Hurry up with the bowls and utensils, I’ll bring out the food."
"Okay." Pei Yining thought that since it was already , being afraid was useless, so she decisively carried out the bowls and utensils.
"Brother, do you know what Nianhua said today? She said, ’Choose a city to grow old in, meet someone to go white with.’ Nianhua wants to be with you till your hair turns white."
Pei Yining hurried to share Xu Nianhua’s words before the scolding began, reinterpreting the intent behind Wan Hongxing’s visit; as she spoke, she glanced at Pei Yicheng’s face, hoping he would consider Nianhua’s feelings and let go of the issue with Aunt Wan visiting the house.
"I don’t need her to meddle in my affairs," Pei Yicheng pursed his lips, silently repeating Xu Nianhua’s words in his mind. The displeasure he felt due to Wan Hongxing’s visit slowly dissipated.
"Aunt Wan is just concerned about you."
After saying her piece, Pei Yining discreetly stuck out her tongue and turned to help in the kitchen.
The dinner spread was still abundant; Xu Nianhua had prepared watermelon juice, a vivid red, seeds thoroughly removed.
"Brother, do you want some?" Pei Yining asked, trying to please Pei Yicheng.
Pei Yicheng raised an eyebrow, eyeing the lavish meal, and felt the impulse to have some alcohol.
Pei Yining immediately went to fetch the alcohol.
Pei Yicheng had his drink, while Xu Nianhua and Pei Yining shared the watermelon juice, everyone eating slowly. By the time they finished dinner, Pei Yining and Xu Nianhua both realized something.
"Is my brother drunk?" Pei Yining quietly inquired while washing dishes.
Xu Nianhua said uncertainly, noting that Pei Yicheng’s face indeed looked a bit flushed with drunkenness.
"Then, I’ll go upstairs first, and I’ll leave my brother to you."
Pei Yining quickly finished up her tasks and went upstairs, also taking water with her. She thudded up the stairs, stopping after a few steps to say, "Brother, Nianhua, I’m off to sleep, I won’t come down tonight."
With that, Pei Yining hurried upstairs. Right next to her room was a restroom, perfect for taking a bath, after which she planned to stay in her room and not come out.