Outside the Pei family villa, Lin Tongze smoothly made his way out of the Pei residence, with Pei Shaoyin trotting behind him.
"Brother Lin, wait for me!"
Lin Tongze turned back to look at the girl catching up, his expression softening slightly. "What's wrong?"
Pei Shaoyin reached him, still catching her breath. After steadying herself, she said, "Brother Lin, where are you staying now? How can I contact you? How do I find you?"
Lin Tongze had left Yanshi for so many years, and she had always asked her father about his whereabouts, but her father never wanted her to know.
She had waited so many years, and finally, he was back.
This time, she wouldn't let him slip away so easily.
Seeing the girl before him drenched in sweat from running, Lin Tongze let out a soft sigh and handed her a handkerchief from his suit.
"I've been in Yanshi, at the Lin Group," he said.
Pei Shaoyin took the handkerchief he offered and smiled, revealing her adorable dimples.
"Can I come find you anytime?"
Lin Tongze nodded. "Anytime!"
With that, he turned and left.
He disliked the Pei residence—this house filled him with disgust.
Watching him leave with a dazed look, Pei Shaoyin slowly turned around.
In the hall.
Lin Tongze's sudden appearance had cast an odd tension over the previously lively atmosphere.
Some began quietly inquiring about Lin Tongze's relationship with the Pei family, while others recounted his years of development in France.
Old Master Pei was furious. His already weathered face now carried a chilling coldness, making him look somewhat terrifying.
Turning to Pei Shaoze and Second Master Pei, he said coldly, "You two, come with me!"
Then, he turned and headed straight for the villa in the back courtyard.
Su Banxia had no interest in Pei Shaoze's family affairs, so she didn't ask.
Pei Shaoze looked at her and said, "Find something to eat on your own, and don't..."
Wander off.
Before he could finish the last two words, Old Master Pei turned back and looked at Su Banxia standing beside Pei Shaoze. "Miss Su?"
Su Banxia was startled and nodded slightly.
"Mm-hmm!"
"You come along too!"
Old Master Pei said.
Su Banxia's hands and feet went weak, and her heart skipped a beat. No way!
Could it be that her matter with Lin Tongze had already reached the old man's ears so quickly?
At a loss, she looked at Pei Shaoze, who also seemed confused as he stared at the old man.
Without further explanation, the old man led them to the villa in the inner courtyard.
The old man lived alone in a separate villa. Once inside, Su Banxia was trembling with nerves.
She didn't dare look around at all.
Old Master Pei sat on the living room sofa and looked at Su Banxia. "Miss Su, how old are you this year?"
Su Banxia was taken aback. Why the sudden question about age?
"Twenty-six," she replied, feeling uncertain.
The old man nodded, furrowing his brow as he scrutinized her. She was good-looking, with an elegant demeanor, but she lacked a bit of presence.
Still, that was fine. A woman like this, by Pei Shaoze's side, would be excellent for managing the household.
"What are your plans for the future?" the old man asked again, his gaze still fixed on Su Banxia.
Unable to figure out what the old man was up to, Su Banxia decided to be straightforward. "I work by Mr. Pei's side. Dingsheng is an excellent platform, and I plan to develop my career there."
Old Master Pei hummed in acknowledgment, seemingly satisfied with her answer.
Pei Shaoze had been puzzled about why the old man had called Su Banxia in, but now, hearing these questions, he understood.
This was about bringing Su Banxia into the Pei family.
After a pause, the old man looked at Su Banxia. "Are your parents doing well?"
Though the Su family wasn't a prominent household, they were a scholarly family.
Old Master Pei had never been fond of dealing with scholars, but having a daughter-in-law from a scholarly background wouldn't be bad.
After all, any family would want a cultured wife.
Su Banxia, of course, had no idea that Old Master Pei had mistaken her for the daughter of the Su family in West City. She smiled faintly. "My parents have already..."
Before she could finish, Pei Shaoze cut in. "You should head to the hall first. Check on YinYin and make sure she doesn't cause any trouble. We have things to discuss."
Pei Shaoze didn't know about Su Banxia's parents, but he knew that if she said more, trouble would follow.
After all, Su Banxia wasn't the daughter of the Su family in West City.
Su Banxia was taken aback, but sensing the tense atmosphere, she left the villa in confusion.
Knowing he was trying to protect Su Banxia, Old Master Pei shot Pei Shaoze a glare. "When did Lin Tongze return to Yanshi? Why hasn't anyone mentioned this to me?"
Second Master Pei, holding the box Lin Tongze had given him, shook his head. "I had no idea about this at all."
Only Pei Shaoze knew. Both of them turned to look at him.
Pei Shaoze merely said flatly, "I just found out too."
They were brothers after all, and he didn't want to get too involved in family matters.
...
In the hall, Su Banxia came out from the inner courtyard villa. She saw people either chatting in groups or women gathered together discussing their jewelry.
Not interested in joining in, she wandered around, grabbed a plate of pastries, and found a quiet corner to eat.
Yan Xin had spotted her earlier. Seeing her hiding in a corner, leisurely eating, he walked over and nudged her. "What did the old man call you in for?"
Su Banxia looked up at him, continued eating, and said between bites, "It was a bit strange. He asked about my age and my parents. I'm confused too, not really sure."
Yan Xin let out an "oh." So it seemed Pei Shaoze's decision to investigate the Su family in West City wasn't without reason.
But Su Banxia wasn't the Su family's daughter.
Not far behind Su Banxia, Ye Lan and Ye Hengtian overheard her words. Ye Lan looked at Ye Hengtian in confusion. "Why would Uncle Pei ask about Su Banxia's age and parents?"
Ye Hengtian narrowed his eyes slightly and looked at Ye Lan. "When a parent picks a daughter-in-law for their son, those are the two most important things."
Ye Lan didn't get it at first, but then it clicked, and her eyes widened. "Uncle Pei is planning to bring Su Banxia into the Pei family?"
Ye Hengtian hummed in response. "It's not impossible."
Ye Lan was on the verge of breaking down. "Why? What's so good about Su Banxia? She's an old woman with two kids, no family background. What right does she have to enter the Pei family?"
The more she spoke, the more aggrieved she felt.
Ye Hengtian frowned, also puzzled. Su Banxia had ties to Lin Tongze. He had initially thought Su Banxia was trying to get close to Pei Shaoze to obtain something Lin Tongze wanted.
But now, was this part of Lin Tongze's plan? Or had Su Banxia's intentions changed?
Or was it just the Pei family's unilateral idea?
Ye Lan didn't think that far. Staring at Su Banxia, her eyes filled with hatred, wishing she could tear her apart.
If she couldn't have something, no one else should.
Suddenly, she stood up and rushed toward the inner courtyard.
Ye Hengtian frowned and quickly grabbed her. "Lan'er, what are you doing?"
"I'm going to tell Uncle Pei that Su Banxia is a slut. She already has two kids and still seduces Brother Shaoze. I'm going to tear off her mask!"
Ye Lan's mind was consumed with the thought of Su Banxia meeting a miserable end.
Ye Hengtian paused, then looked at her. "How do you know Su Banxia has two kids?"
"I saw it when I was driving that day. She has two kids, twins!"
Ye Lan's tears were already falling.
With that, she broke free from Ye Hengtian's grip and headed for the inner courtyard.