The Pei residence was enormous.
There was a long path winding through the property. Outside the compound stood a grand gate, reminiscent of the entrances to noble estates in ancient times.
Two stone lions flanked the gate, their weathered appearance suggesting they had been there for many years.
The gate itself was made of blue porcelain and rosewood, too narrow for cars to drive through. There was a dedicated parking lot outside, where Pei Shaoze parked his car.
As Su Banxia got out of the car with him, she could see that the lot was filled with luxury vehicles, presumably all belonging to guests attending the birthday banquet.
Several attendants were busy receiving guests. One of them approached Pei Shaoze and greeted him, "President Pei, you're here!"
Pei Shaoze hummed in acknowledgment, glanced around, and asked, "How many guests have arrived?"
"More than half!" the attendant replied.
Pei Shaoze hummed again and said, "Take good care of them."
Then he took Su Banxia's hand and walked straight through the gate.
She walked beside him, struggling a bit in her high heels, moving slowly. Fortunately, Pei Shaoze was gentlemanly this time, holding her arm and matching her pace.
Just as they entered the gate, a black Lincoln pulled into the parking lot and came to a stop.
An attendant walked over to the car, smiled politely, and said, "Sir, may I see your invitation?"
The driver handed the invitation to the attendant. After checking it, the attendant asked, "Is there anything I can do for you?"
The driver glanced at the man in the back seat. The man shook his head, so the driver turned to the attendant and said, "No, thank you."
Seeing this, the attendant didn't press further and went to attend to other guests.
The Lincoln driver looked at the man in the back seat and asked, "President Lin, when should we go in?"
Lin Tongze's gaze was fixed on the Pei family's gate, his eyes landing on the vermillion doorframe. A hint of malice flickered in his dark eyes.
After a long pause, he finally said in a low voice, "Wait."
The driver nodded and said no more.
Su Banxia and Pei Shaoze entered the Pei residence. The compound had a classical feel. Upon entering, they didn't see buildings right away but instead a winding, shaded path lined with flowers and plants.
It was the blooming season, and flowers were everywhere, a breathtaking sight.
As she walked, Su Banxia couldn't help but exclaim, "President Pei, this place of yours could rival a royal palace."
Pei Shaoze glanced at her. "The Qing Dynasty fell three hundred years ago."
Su Banxia pouted and continued admiring the scenery.
After about ten minutes, they passed a fan-shaped stone archway. Curious, Su Banxia looked at Pei Shaoze and asked, "What's over there?"
"The study," Pei Shaoze replied generously. "The books in that building are older than those in the city library. They were collected by Pei ancestors—classics and many out-of-print works."
Su Banxia could only sigh in amazement.
After walking a bit further, she couldn't help but ask, "Where's the banquet being held?"
"The main hall," Pei Shaoze answered.
He took her hand and continued forward.
Su Banxia genuinely felt that the Pei residence was far more interesting than many famous historical sites in Yanshi.
After another stretch, they seemed to reach the main hall. Hearing voices, Su Banxia looked up and saw it—the main hall.
Although the layout of the Pei residence imitated ancient architecture, the actual buildings were quite modern.
It was a villa in a traditional ethnic style, two stories high. The first floor appeared to be a grand, spacious hall, luxuriously decorated with tasteful elegance rather than ostentation.
Outside the hall was a garden, separated by a swimming pool with strikingly blue water.
Su Banxia wondered: with such a large pool, did the Pei children all learn to swim from a young age? Otherwise, wouldn't it be unsafe?
"Don't zone out," Pei Shaoze said, noticing her wandering thoughts as she looked around.
As they were about to enter the hall, he gently reminded her.
Su Banxia snapped back to attention and followed him inside.
The hall was already filled with many guests. Several Pei family members were greeting people. When they saw Pei Shaoze enter, some came over to say hello.
After exchanging a few pleasantries, Pei Shaoze took Su Banxia's hand and led her through the hall to the back of the villa.
As they walked further in, Su Banxia felt a sense of being limited by poverty. Behind the main villa were several more villas.
Each one was modest in size but distinct in style and design, all exquisitely luxurious.
Su Banxia was stunned. She couldn't help asking, "Why are these villas built separately?"
Pei Shaoze led her toward one in the middle, explaining as they walked, "The Pei residence houses all the descendants of the Pei family. I'm not the only grandson; there are uncles and nephews, each with their own villa."
Su Banxia nodded and looked around. She counted five villas.
Looking at Pei Shaoze, she asked, "Which one is yours?"
Pei Shaoze pulled her along, glancing at a villa ahead that had a European style.
Su Banxia immediately said, "You live here?"
Pei Shaoze nodded. "Mm."
Then he led her inside.
The villa's door had a fingerprint lock. He pressed his finger against the panel, and the door opened.
He took Su Banxia inside.
Su Banxia thought to herself: if he didn't come here regularly, probably no one else could get in.
Then she thought about his villa in One City, One Mountain, and sighed slightly.
Comparing that place to this one, the villa in One City, One Mountain seemed rather modest.
Though, for Su Banxia, she might never afford a villa like that in her lifetime.
Still, in comparison, it was humble.
As for the Pei family villas, there was no need to mention them—she probably couldn't afford one in several lifetimes.
Indeed, the gap between the rich and the poor was like a galaxy apart.
Su Banxia sighed.
Hearing her sigh as he led her into the villa, Pei Shaoze turned back to look at her, raising an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
Su Banxia remarked, "Truly, the rich are different."
Seeing her like this, Pei Shaoze couldn't help but smile. "You can come and stay here. Stay as long as you like."
Su Banxia smiled but said nothing more.
Suddenly, she thought: if the Pei family ever discovered the existence of Guo Guo and Su Hao, she probably wouldn't stand a chance against them.
Though, for the children's future, letting them return to the Pei family and receive their education and upbringing might be the best choice.
But she only had her two children. Without them, she didn't know how she would spend the rest of her life.
Seeing her lost in thought, Pei Shaoze assumed she was pondering something again.
He looked at her and said, "Stay here and don't wander off. If anything comes up, call me."
Su Banxia looked at him and blurted out, "Where are you going? You're not planning to lock me up here and keep me as a hidden lover, are you?"
Pei Shaoze found this both amusing and exasperating. "You're overthinking it. Even if I wanted to keep a hidden lover, I wouldn't hide you in the Pei residence. I'm going to see the old man. If you want to come with me, you can."
Su Banxia immediately shook her head. Why would she go see his father?
Smiling, Pei Shaoze left the villa.
Su Banxia wandered around the villa, looking at everything since she had nothing else to do.
She strolled through Pei Shaoze's room and saw he still hadn't returned.
Looking up at the second floor, curiosity got the better of her, and she decided to head up the stairs.
She was already familiar with the villa in One City, One Mountain, but the layout here was completely different, which piqued her interest.
Usually, when people liked something, they tended to make everything around them match.
But Pei Shaoze's two villas were clearly not the same.