Fu Chenxuan came back and saw Jiang Xiaoyue leaving. He frowned and looked at Guoguo, "What was she here for?"

Guoguo shook her head blankly. She didn’t know, "She said a few words and then left." Anyway, it was baffling. She didn’t even know what the purpose of the visit was.

When Fu Chenxuan arrived, he had already asked a waiter for a glass of water and placed it on the table, "Take your medicine first."

Guoguo felt a bit awkward, she might be the only one who ended up needing digestive tablets.

After dropping Guoguo home, Fu Chenxuan left directly. Just before, Fu Shuyi had called him to pick her up. Fu Shuyi had a car, a gift from Shen Junyu for her eighteenth birthday, but she disliked driving to school and usually took a taxi home. Since Fu Chenxuan was back, she took to ordering her brother around.

"Shuyi, are you going home today?" Seeing Fu Shuyi packing up, Lu Yimeng asked curiously.

Fu Shuyi nodded and stuffed a delicate little box into her bag. Fu Hengyi’s birthday was the day after tomorrow, and naturally, she planned to go home, especially since tomorrow was Saturday and there was no class. She might as well go home early.

"Are you still going to work part-time this weekend?" Fu Shuyi had previously found a part-time job and left every day after class.

"Not anymore. I’ve already told the boss that I won’t be going from now on."

"That quick?" Lu Yimeng was surprised.

"Yeah, I’ve earned enough money." She had just wanted to buy Fu Hengyi a birthday gift with her own earnings, and now that it was bought, there was no need to continue with the part-time job. After all, when it came to pocket money, she was quite wealthy.

Lu Yimeng’s gaze darkened a bit. That was the life of a wealthy daughter—treating part-time jobs like playthings, working when they wanted, and stopping when they didn’t. Even if they did nothing, they could still live a life of luxury, not like her, who had to rely on herself for everything.

Her family was just an ordinary salaried-class family, not affluent, but not poor either. Yet, compared to Fu Shuyi, she felt like a poor peasant. Her expenses were high, and she needed to work part-time jobs to help cover living costs.

"By the way, Yimeng, I have a set of Charming Color toner and moisturizer that I’ve just opened. I used it once, but it doesn’t suit me. Do you want it?"

"If you really don’t mind, I’d be happy to have it."

Fu Shuyi had sensitive skin and had to be very cautious with the skincare products she used. Her items were usually brought over from abroad specifically for her by Fu Chenxuan or Shen Junyu. This set of Charming Color was purchased by herself at a mall.

Fu Shuyi handed over the skincare set, "I really only used it once." She was worried that Lu Yimeng might find it off-putting; she wasn’t keen on giving away used items unless she felt it was wasteful to throw them away.

Lu Yimeng accepted it, "Thank you, Shuyi, I was just about to run out of moisturizer."

Seeing that she didn’t mind, Fu Shuyi’s face lit up with a smile. She was about to speak when a call from Fu Chenxuan came in. He had arrived downstairs.

"My brother’s here to pick me up; I need to go."

Hearing this, Lu Yimeng’s eyes flickered, "I’ll go down with you, I was about to head to the cafeteria."

The two of them went down together. Fu Chenxuan’s car was parked in front of their dormitory, and he was standing by the car on a phone call. When he saw Fu Shuyi come down, he ended the call and took her bag.

"Brother Fu, hello." Lu Yimeng stood in front of him and greeted him politely.

Fu Chenxuan nodded with a smile, then told Fu Shuyi, "Hurry and get in the car."

"Then Shuyi, Brother Fu, I’ll be off," Lu Yimeng said, noticing that Fu Chenxuan seemed to have no intention of speaking to her.

Fu Shuyi waved at her, "Bro, I’m famished, let’s rush home to eat."

Fu Chenxuan frowned, "You didn’t eat lunch again?"

"No time, I had to rush a paper at noon. I barely finished it in time."

"Couldn’t you do it on the weekend?"

"It’s due tonight. The weekend would be too late." Fu Shuyi started looking for something to eat as soon as she got into the car. Her brother usually kept some snacks in the car. Seeing this, Fu Chenxuan pulled out a few chocolates from his pocket and tossed them to her, "Where have you been these past few days?" Since it was due today, it clearly wasn’t assigned just today.

Fu Shuyi tore open the wrapper, "I was working part-time. Daddy’s birthday is coming up soon, and it happens to fall on a weekend this year, so naturally, I had to prepare a gift."

"Did you spend all the money I gave you?"

"No, buying gifts with the money you guys give me isn’t sincere. It’s more meaningful to use the money I earned myself." Fu Shuyi bit into the chocolate, "Hey, this tastes different from the one I had before. Bro, where did you buy this? Do you have more? I want to send some to Sister Guoguo."

"I’ve already given some to her. We have more at home. If you like it, take it with you to school."

The two returned home, well past dinner time, but Fu Hengyi had delayed dinner knowing his daughter was coming home today.

"Daddy, I’ve missed you. Have you missed me?" As soon as she stepped through the door, Fu Shuyi ran toward Fu Hengyi and threw her arms around his, acting coquettishly.

Fu Hengyi immediately showed a tender smile, stroked his daughter’s hair, "I’ve missed you too. Are you hungry? Let’s eat quickly."

"Daddy, have you and mom eaten yet?" Fu Shuyi didn’t forget to care for her parents.

"No, we were waiting to eat with you."

"Daddy, don’t wait for me in the future. You two go ahead and eat," Fu Shuyi felt guilty.

Fu Hengyi patted his daughter’s shoulder, "It wasn’t for long. Come on, let’s eat." Then he finally turned to his son, "Have you eaten?"

Fu Chenxuan chuckled. He had been inside for quite a while before his father noticed him; was his presence really that unnoticed? However, having grown up accustomed to his father’s preference for daughters over sons, Fu Chenxuan merely internalized his complaint and let it go.

"I won’t eat; I’ve already had dinner with Guoguo and Brother Hao."

"Then go get your mother to come out for dinner," Fu Hengyi said, hearing his son had already eaten. He completely let go of the matter; after all, you’re grown up, I shouldn’t need to worry about whether you eat or not.

Shen Qinglan was in her studio. Recently, she’d been spending a bit of extra time there. Seeing her son had returned, she put down her brush and quickly glanced at his face. Hmm, he seemed in a better mood than the last few days.

"Mom, dad says to come out for dinner," Fu Chenxuan said, beaming with a smile. Ever since he was a child, he loved to smile, and that hadn’t changed as he grew up. This was one of the reasons why the elders all liked him.

Shen Qinglan followed her son out. "Have you eaten?"

"I have."

"Even if you have, won’t you still accompany mom for a bit?" she asked.

When his mother requested, Fu Chenxuan naturally wouldn’t refuse. He sat down at the table to accompany his parents. He wasn’t hungry and didn’t eat much, mostly serving food for Fu Shuyi. He would have liked to serve his mother too, but his father was too diligent; his mother’s bowl was never empty.

"Is Shuchen coming back tomorrow or the day after?" Fu Chenxuan asked, partway through dinner. The day after tomorrow was Fu Hengyi’s birthday, and Shuchen would definitely return for it, not just Shuchen but all the younger members in Beijing.

"He said he’ll be back tomorrow evening." Fu Shuyi chimed in; she had texted him a few days ago and only got a reply this afternoon.

Since starting military school, Fu Shuyi felt that her brother had become the epitome of elusive. Her brother was like this even as a military school student. She had heard that in their father’s youth, he’d often go months without returning home, and even years before marrying her mother. She could appreciate the hardships of a military wife.

In Fu Shuyi’s heart, her father was her hero and the person she admired most. But her mother was undoubtedly her deepest love and the person she respected the most.

On Fu Hengyi’s birthday, the Fu Family home was bustling. Traditionally, since Fu Hengyi’s birthdays didn’t fall on holidays, there would be no celebration or just a simple meal with the family. This year they were lucky to coincide with a holiday, and so naturally, they decided to celebrate properly. The guests didn’t include Fu Hengyi’s colleagues but did include Han Yi, Jiang Chenxi, Gu Yang, and a few other young members of their families.

Due to the close relationship between the elders, the younger generation from these families got along very well, having grown up together. Except for a few studying abroad who could not return, it was as if everyone had come.

"Uncle, happy birthday." The first to arrive was Shen Junyu’s eldest daughter, Shen Qing. She was a year older than Fu Shuyi and Fu Chenxuan, and also at a military academy, but had been allowed to train with a unit early due to her excellent performance. It was nearly half a year since she had been home; if not for Fu Hengyi’s birthday, she probably wouldn’t have returned.

Shen Qing looked a lot like Wen Xiyao but had a temper much like Shen Qinglan’s; very detached. Maybe because of their similar temperaments, Shen Qing felt particularly close to Shen Qinglan, even closer than her own mother Wen Xiyao.

Shen Qinglan was the person Shen Qing admired most, taking precedence even over Fu Hengyi. There was an interesting story behind this.

Perhaps it was due to being around soldiers from a young age, but Shen Qing was filled with passion for the military. The Shen Family being a military family, they wouldn’t oppose their child following in their footsteps. For Shen Qing back then, the person she admired most was her uncle Fu Hengyi, the highest-ranking and formidable soldier she often heard tales of his valor.

However, one time when she visited the Fu home, she happened to witness a sparring match between Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi. She was shocked to find her aunt able to go head to head with her uncle, and later learned that not only was Shen Qinglan exceptional in hand-to-hand combat, but her marksmanship was extraordinary too. After begging Shen Qinglan to take her to a shooting range, Shen Qinglan became her idol and goal, striving to match Shen Qinglan in everything she did.

To be honest, Shen Qing wasn’t always as detached as she is now. It’s unclear if it was Shen Qinglan’s influence, but she certainly grew to become more like her.

Fu Hengyi was quite fond of her. Although Shen Qing’s opportunity to train with a unit came early and her excellent abilities played a part, her uncle Fu Hengyi also went to some trouble for her.

Shen Qing respectfully kowtowed to Fu Hengyi, and with her leading the way, not one of the children was absent in showing their respect, including Fu Chenxuan bowing to his own father.

Fu Hengyi helped Shen Qing up and had her sit next to him. She seemed a bit tanned from her half-year with the unit, but it wasn’t very noticeable.

"Are you adjusting well to life in the unit?" he asked.

Shen Qing responded with earnestness, as if delivering a report, "I’m adapting very well. I really enjoy the life there."

Fu Hengyi knew somewhat about her life in the unit, but hearing it directly from Shen Qing was naturally more detailed.

"Brother, do you think if I were to apply for the military academy now, daddy would love me a little more?" Fu Shuyi asked Fu Chenxuan in a low voice, watching Fu Hengyi chatting warmly with Shen Qing. There was no hint of jealousy in her tone.

Fu Chenxuan chuckled, "Wasn’t it you who didn’t want to go at first?" Fu Hengyi and Shen Qinglan had always respected their child’s wishes, and at the time, Fu Shuyi herself didn’t want to attend the military academy.

"But it’s not too late to regret it now, just tell Daddy, and he will definitely find a way."

Fu Shuyi laughed, "I’m just joking." Although she wasn’t against being a soldier, she wasn’t really interested in it either.

Pei Hao arrived a bit late today, and by the time he came, it was almost dinner time. "Brother Pei Hao, why are you only coming now?" Fu Shuyi was the first to notice him.

Pei Hao walked towards them, "There was a bit of a traffic jam on the road."

Fu Chenxuan looked at Pei Hao with slightly furrowed brows, "Brother Hao, you look a bit pale, are you not feeling well?"

Pei Hao touched his face and chuckled lightly, "No, I’ve just been too busy with work these past two days and haven’t rested well, does my complexion look that bad?"

"It looks somewhat pale."

"That must be due to lack of rest." Pei Hao said dismissively.

Fu Chenxuan, who often experienced the same thing, patted his shoulder with complete understanding, "Brother Hao, work is important, but you also need to take care of your health."

Pei Hao smiled and nodded, then went over to wish Fu Hengyi a happy birthday.

After the banquet, everyone gathered to chat. Although they were in touch on regular days, opportunities to gather like this were very rare.

Fu Chenxuan got up to get some water from the kitchen, but just as he reached the kitchen doorway, he saw Pei Hao seeming to take medicine, and his step faltered, "Brother Hao, are you feeling unwell?"

Pei Hao calmly swallowed the pill in his mouth, "No, I’m just taking some vitamins." He then picked up the bottle on the glass platform and shook it, which made Fu Chenxuan, still concerned, take a look—it was indeed vitamins.

"Brother Hao, you’ve become so health-conscious now?" He was even taking vitamins.

Pei Hao smiled helplessly, "No choice, I’m getting older and often have to work late, if I don’t take some vitamins my body won’t hold up."

Hearing this, Fu Chenxuan nodded in total agreement, "Makes sense, I should also take some." As he said this, he reached to pour a few pills into his hand, only to have the bottle taken away by Pei Hao.

"These vitamins aren’t something you can just take at random, you should go to the hospital and let a doctor check what you are lacking and then you can supplement accordingly, that’s the effective way."

Pei Hao naturally put the bottle back into his pocket and then slung his arm over Fu Chenxuan’s shoulder as they walked out, "Come on, let’s go have a good chat with them. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen them."

Since the chance was rare, a few of the younger people agreed to go out together after the birthday banquet. They went to the exclusive VIP room of Charming Color.

"Brother Pei Hao, why are you sitting here alone?" Guoguo noticed that Pei Hao was exceptionally quiet that evening, sitting alone in the corner while everyone else was singing.

Pei Hao raised his hand to rub his forehead, "Just watching you guys have fun."

"You should sing one too, otherwise Gu Zhiheng will be the only one singing," Guoguo said. Gu Zhiheng was the son of Gu Yang and Tao Ran, only fifteen years old this year, a minor, and the youngest among their group of children. Next was Shen Junze’s son, who was seventeen this year and currently studying abroad.

"How come you haven’t sung tonight either? Why don’t you go up and sing a couple of songs?"

Guoguo chuckled, "My throat’s a bit sore."

Upon hearing this, Pei Hao frowned, "What happened?"

"That day playing bungee jumping, I screamed too hard, and I hurt my vocal cords a bit, but the doctor said it’s no big deal, will be fine in a few days."

No wonder Pei Hao felt Guoguo’s voice was off today, so that was why.

"Brother Pei Hao." Guoguo called out, looking hesitant, and Pei Hao watched her with a smile, "What’s wrong? If you’ve got something to say, just say it."

"The other day, I was eating with Brother Chenxuan and ran into Jiang Xiaoyue. She told me she’s getting married."

After saying this, Guoguo’s face became a bit flushed; she was somewhat nervous, worried that Pei Hao would think she was trying to provoke him even though there was indeed that little ulterior motive.

Guoguo didn’t know what kind of feelings Pei Hao had for Jiang Xiaoyue, but since she decided to get married, she must like the person, right? If you knew your beloved had found someone new so quickly, would it make you sad? If you realized you weren’t that important to them, could you let go of them sooner?

Guoguo admitted that she was being a bit scheming at this moment, but after saying it, she regretted it faintly and didn’t dare to look into Pei Hao’s eyes, worried he might see through her.

However, Pei Hao didn’t have much of a reaction. Even knowing that the other party was getting married, his expression remained indifferent, but upon seeing Guoguo with her head lowered like a child who had done something wrong, his eyes were filled with a smile, which to him appeared a bit cute.

Unable to wait for Pei Hao’s reaction, Guoguo felt increasingly uneasy and couldn’t help but look up at him, only to meet Pei Hao’s smiling eyes, she was taken aback, "Brother Pei Hao, aren’t you sad?"

Pei Hao laughed, like a spring breeze caressing one’s face, "What’s there to be sad about? I’ve already broken up with her. A man getting married and a woman getting married are unrelated matters. Whether she gets married or not is her freedom."

Guoguo stared intently into his eyes, trying to decipher his true emotions from them, but her skills weren’t up to par. She couldn’t make anything out and eventually gave up.

Seeing her look of dejection, Pei Hao couldn’t help but raise his hand to pat her head, as if she were a pet dog. Guoguo, slightly annoyed, swatted his hand away, "Brother Pei Hao, why do you and Brother Chenxuan always like to treat me as if I’m a pet to be petted?"

Pei Hao chuckled softly, pinching her cheek, "How can you be so adorable?"

A flicker of desolation passed rapidly through Guoguo’s eyes. Adorable, you think I’m adorable but I haven’t seen you fall in love with me.

**

Jiang Xiaoyue came out of the obstetrics and gynecology department, holding a pregnancy test report in her hand. She looked at the results, unsurprised, and the corners of her lips lifted slightly, evidently in a good mood.

The wedding was already set, and being pregnant at this time was a joy on top of joy, a good thing indeed. She had met her fiancé after breaking up with Pei Hao, and the two had fallen in love at first sight, quickly becoming a couple. Just half a month into their relationship, they settled on a wedding date.

Through her fiancé, Jiang Xiaoyue had tasted the flavor of love, and the slight resentment she held for Pei Hao had vanished without a trace. Thus, when she saw Pei Hao at the hospital, she even took the initiative to greet him, "Pei Hao, long time no see."

Pei Hao held a report in his hand. Hearing someone call him, he looked in the direction of the voice and saw Jiang Xiaoyue. He smoothly put the report into his pocket and wore a faint smile, "Long time no see."

"You’re here to see a doctor?" Jiang Xiaoyue asked curiously.

Pei Hao hummed an affirmation, "Got a cold, came to get some medicine. What about you?"

"Oh, I’m pregnant, came for a check-up." Jiang Xiaoyue spoke quite openly; since she had moved on, there was no need to hide anything.

Pei Hao was momentarily taken aback, "Congratulations."

"Thank you." Jiang Xiaoyue said with a smile, and between them, there was none of the awkwardness typical of ex-lovers, but more like that of friends bumping into each other, "Do you have time? I want to talk to you, um, just for ten minutes."

Pei Hao nodded, and the two made their way to the hospital’s garden.

"Pei Hao, my wedding is on the tenth of next month. Will you come?" Jiang Xiaoyue extended the invitation.

"If you and your fiancé don’t mind." Pei Hao didn’t refuse.

"What’s there to mind? If we can’t be boyfriend and girlfriend, we can still be friends. I’ll send you an invitation when I get a chance." Jiang Xiaoyue spoke frankly, and Pei Hao, of course, didn’t make a fuss and accepted.

"Pei Hao, actually I’ve always had a few questions in my heart, and I want to ask you. Will you answer me?"

"You ask."

Jiang Xiaoyue pursed her lips, tilting her head slightly as if organizing her thoughts, "Why did you agree to date me then? Don’t tell me it was because you liked me, I know you didn’t."

"Since you know I didn’t like you, why did you agree to date me?" Pei Hao countered her question.

Jiang Xiaoyue pursed her lips with a smile, "Because you were a good catch, whether it was your personal attributes or family background, and I had a good impression of you. I thought that feelings could be cultivated, perhaps after spending some time together, you would start to like me."

She did not hide the materialistic mindset she held back then, and this candidness actually made Pei Hao see her in a new light.

"And you, why did you agree to date me? If I’m not wrong, the girl you liked was named Han Nanyan, right?"

"Because you were suitable," Pei Hao said succinctly, without elaborating on what specifically made Jiang Xiaoyue suitable.

Jiang Xiaoyue didn’t press further; some questions, when answered too clearly, can be hurtful. Ignoring that question, she asked another one that interested her more, "If my parents hadn’t caused that scene back then, would you have really married me?"

This was a question that Jiang Xiaoyue had come up with after settling on her wedding date, and she’d been looking for an opportunity to ask Pei Hao. Now that the chance had arrived.

Pei Hao’s gaze darkened, "Sorry."

Jiang Xiaoyue chuckled, knowing the answer, "I accept your apology. However, Pei Hao, if you really like Han Nanyan, you should confess to her sooner. I think she’s quite nice, and it seems like she really likes you too. If you two got together, I would wish you well."

"Thank you," Pei Hao replied, bringing up Guoguo, his eyes instantly softening.

"I have to go now, but remember to come to my wedding." Having her doubts resolved, Jiang Xiaoyue took her leave. However, after Pei Hao left, she didn’t head home. Instead, she returned to the hospital; she remembered the direction Pei Hao had come from.

Leaving the hospital, Jiang Xiaoyue’s face grew somber, not expecting that Pei Hao’s reason for not being with Han Nanyan was because of this.