When Will My Childhood Sweetheart Marry Me?-Chapter 211: Flirt with One?

In the Capital for seven days, apart from the unpleasant incident on the first day at the art gallery, they had a great time for the rest of their visit.

Jiang Shuyao wasn’t much of a foodie, but when she got to Wangfujing, she practically couldn’t move from all the cravings. The place was a gathering of gourmet snacks from all over the country. Used to the spicy hot pots in Rong City, trying Peking duck and southern fried meatballs in a foreign country made her realize that they could be just as perfect without chili.

From childhood to adulthood, she had traveled to many places, but because of her parents’ jobs, staying in one place for a continuous seven days felt as extravagant as a dream.

In the past, whenever they traveled far, Ms. Zhu’s phone would always ring, and Old Jiang was never away from his computer, even their hotel stays were rushed with punctual wake-ups and packing, as if taking her out during the summer and winter breaks was merely a duty to fulfill.

The only saving grace was that her parents’ serious attitude towards work influenced her to be diligent and persevering in her studies. She strived to do things well for each age stage, at least until she had her own independent source of income.

On the day before New Year’s Eve, the two hurried back to Rong City.

Uncle Li drove carefully and, with the traffic congestion, it took a full forty minutes from the airport to Yasong Residence.

Pei Yan carried her luggage up the stairs but didn’t intend to come in.

"Are you going back to the villa first?"

Jiang Shuyao asked and then immediately felt it was redundant.

On a day meant to celebrate family reunions for the Spring Festival, of course, he would be with his family. Surely, he wouldn’t be spending it at her place like last year, joining in their festivities?

That thought crossed her mind but suggested something else.

Pei Yan pulled her into a corner, lowered his head, and gently kissed her forehead, "Tomorrow evening, I’ll come over to accompany you and buy some stuff."

"What stuff?"

"Gifts to honor your future in-laws."

She stared at him, dumbfounded.

After a moment, she managed, "You suddenly turning so filial might be too much for them; take it slow."

Pei Yan didn’t understand, "What do you mean by slow? Teach me."

Jiang Shuyao coolly said, "Just like before, come empty-handed; lounge on the couch like a lord, have my mom fussing over you, and sending me to wait on you, and then get Old Jiang to cook a table full of dishes to treat you."

The corridor fell silent for a few seconds.

He scratched his chin, "Am I really that bad?"

"Be confident, drop the question mark."

Good grief.

Pei Yan chuckled and pinched her cheek, "You’re getting sharper at this. Who taught you?"

"No need to learn from anyone; it’s normal to get better at certain things as you grow older."

She said seriously, and then he lifted her chin with his hand.

His handsome face enlarged, and the distance between them shrank suddenly.

"What are you doing?"

Such impropriety right outside her home, how rampant.

Pei Yan, staring at her thick, curled eyelashes, asked softly, "Has your skill at charming people improved?"

She faintly heard footsteps coming from behind her own door.

Ms. Zhu was at home.

And she was probably about to go out to throw out the trash.

Jiang Shuyao hastily pushed the person in front of her, "Stop joking and let go."

"I’m not joking, really, Princess."

He paused, "Charm someone?"

Damn it.

She struggled fiercely and stepped back two paces.

The timing was perfect.

The security door opened the next instant, her mother stepped out holding a garbage bag, and was startled and pleased to find the two in the corner.

"Why didn’t you two come in when you got back?"

Jiang Shuyao’s throat was tight, and before she could figure out how to respond, the guy next to her spoke first.

"Mom."

Zhu Yun looked toward Pei Yan.

He seemed to ponder for a bit, as if it was hard to start speaking.

Then, mustering all his courage, he sincerely and earnestly requested, "Can I remove the ’gan’ character from the front?"

Ms. Zhu: "..."

Jiang Shuyao: "..."

Before her mother could react, Jiang Shuyao quickly dragged the lunatic into the elevator and frantically pressed the button for the first floor.

Her actions were too rough, hardly like her usually calm demeanor.

Pei Yan leaned lazily to one side, slowly unwrapping a piece of chewing gum and tossing it into his mouth.

"Don’t get so worked up, the property management old man will want a word with you later."

"Shut up!"

The elevator doors opened, and Jiang Shuyao, expressionless, pushed him out without a second glance and reached over to press the close button.

"How heartless, Princess."

That annoying face slowly disappeared in the closing crack of the door, giving her an immense headache.

Her mother was still unaware of their relationship, but she probably guessed most of it.

Initially, she thought if her parents didn’t ask, she would pretend it never happened, but the guy had disrupted her perfect plan.

Twenty years old, and yet why was his skin so thick?

So frustrating.

Jiang Shuyao felt a fire in her throat, really wanting to call him and scold him again.

As expected, upon entering the house, her mother’s meaningful gaze was immediately cast on her.

But she didn’t ask about her and Pei Yan.

Instead, she directly steered the conversation to the trip to the Capital.

She asked about how she felt winning the award, whether she had fun, and if she intended to move to the Capital after graduation.

Regarding the last point, Jiang Shuyao had really thought about it; the Capital was where her dreams began, and even though she had given up initially, it was still hard to let go.

But many things depended on the opportunity, as the ancients said, "things will develop naturally when conditions are ripe," what the future held was uncertain, let’s wait and see.

Compared to last year overshadowed by the pandemic, although people still couldn’t visit each other’s homes as before this year, the spirits of the populace noticeably brightened.

On New Year’s Eve, fireworks were forbidden at Yasong Residence. Pei Yan drove over, picking her up to go to the villa to set off fireworks.

As soon as she entered, Uncle Pei’s big red envelope fell from the sky, followed by a burst of hearty laughter.

The red envelope was both big and thick.

Jiang Shuyao held the red envelope tightly in her embrace, her small face flushing red, "Thank you, Uncle Pei, I wish you health, success in everything, and abundant fortune in the new year."

Tsk.

"Such a sweet talker."

Though it was a compliment, coming from a certain person, it seemed to carry a different tone.

Pei Donghan pointed at the rascal speechlessly, "What’s there to be sour about, with your disrespectful demeanor, I don’t even want to give you a penny."

Tch.

Pei Yan scoffed and turned away, as if he cared.

The father and son bickering had become a daily routine. In a daze, Jiang Shuyao found another red envelope stuffed into her arms.

"Yaoyao, take this, Uncle is giving you a double portion this year."

"..."

Was this what they called reaping the fisherman’s benefits?

Jiang Shuyao couldn’t help but laugh and cry.

Wishing elders well during the New Year was almost a skill every child from any family would possess from a young age.

But clearly, Pei Yan was an exception; he didn’t need to wish anyone a happy new year.

Was it disdain?

Did he look down on the money?

In the large clearing, Mr. Pei was squatting in front of a row of fireworks, tinkering around, and Jiang Shuyao cautiously approached, "Shouldn’t you take some safety measures? What if you get blown up?"

He smiled nonchalantly, "If I die, you’ll just be a widow, what else can you do?"

"Pei Yan!"

Jiang Shuyao clenched her teeth in anger.