"Yining, Nianhua went to learn from experience, why did you also go with her?" When Pei Yicheng got home in the evening, he found out that Pei Yining had also gone to the Su Family.
"Why can’t I go? I was there to learn about photography too!"
Pei Yining said it righteously, "Brother, I even wanted to tell you something, but since you don’t want to hear it, forget it!"
Pei Yining puffed her cheeks, muttering under her breath: Anyway, that guy from France is pretty handsome too.
"Clarify that." Pei Yicheng’s eyebrows instantly raised.
Pei Yining glanced at the light upstairs, knowing that Xu Nianhua was taking a shower; she leaned back in her chair, gazing up at the starry sky, all the while looking like she would keep her mouth shut.
"Next month’s allowance, double."
At Pei Yicheng’s words, Pei Yining’s eyes lit up instantly; she pursed her lips, trying hard to hold out a bit longer to appear more formidable—as if she didn’t covet the offer of a doubled allowance!
Seeing how anxious her brother looked was rather amusing.
"Next month’s film, I’ll pay for it."
Pei Yining agreed promptly, having bottled up what she had to say for so long, now spilling it all out like a stream of beans—she recounted the day’s events in detail, and also mentioned how Karl had looked at Xu Nianhua many times and even made a point of chatting with her.
"I think, that Karl doesn’t have the right look in his eyes when he sees Nianhua; he might be trying to poach you, wanting to abduct my sister-in-law!" Pei Yining said earnestly, and upon seeing Pei Yicheng’s unreadable expression, she added, "That Karl is quite handsome."
"Is he as handsome as your brother?" Pei Yicheng glanced at her sideways.
Pei Yining gave it some thought and then said, "My brother is handsome."
Pei Yicheng’s lips curved slightly.
"Brother, but, that Karl, he’s really witty; he even made Nianhua laugh." Pei Yining lied through her teeth—she couldn’t understand a word Karl said, let alone judge how witty he might be.
Pei Yicheng’s gaze lowered as he peeled sunflower seeds, lining up the kernels on a plate into a small pile, with a calm and unhurried demeanor that made Pei Yining feel anxious. She said, "Brother, how can you be so unconcerned!"
"I trust Nianhua," Pei Yicheng answered without even looking up.
Pei Yining: "But I don’t trust that Karl."
"Brother, you won’t go back on your word about my allowance and the film, will you?" Pei Yining stared at Pei Yicheng, afraid he might change his mind.
Pei Yicheng couldn’t even be bothered to spare her a glance.
"Heh, I knew it—my brother is a man of his word. Once he says something, it’s set in stone and no chasing can change it," Pei Yining belatedly realized her question was a bit foolish—her brother had always been a man of his word, never going back on what he said.
"Brother, I’ll go see if Nianhua is done with her shower."
Pei Yining said, and hurriedly scampered upstairs.
"What’s going on here?" Xu Nianhua had just finished showering and saw Pei Yining running out of breath and couldn’t help but ask.
"Nothing, my brother was just looking for you; I’m off to shower," Pei Yining said and then entered her room.
Xu Nianhua, now in pajamas and drying her hair, headed downstairs. In the yard, where the lights were off, Pei Yicheng sat seriously peeling sunflower seeds.
"Don’t you feel like something’s missing when you eat sunflower seeds like that?" Xu Nianhua sat down next to him, her gaze falling upon that half plate of seeds, thinking that eating sunflower seeds without spitting out the shells seemed a bit soulless.