The country had recently been heavily promoting some emerging projects.
Hu Fanghai was the main person in charge of these projects.
Plenty of people wanted to hook up with Hu Fanghai’s connection, but he rarely agreed to meet anyone. Who would’ve thought he’d show up at Qichen’s Ant Market?
This immediately drew a lot of attention.
Many people overheard Hu Fanghai’s words and couldn’t help turning to look at Shen Ju.
Some didn’t know Shen Ju’s identity until Guan Muya spoke up and introduced him as his little brother.
His little brother?
No wonder the watch ended up in the little brother’s hands.
But giving the watch to his brother—and now Hu Fanghai had seen it. Who knew what he was really thinking?
Someone even realized that maybe Guan Muya had bid so high on the watch just to regift it to Hu Fanghai. After all, from what they’d heard, Hu Fanghai was a mechanical watch collector who was passionate about all sorts of timepieces. Perhaps young Master Guan had been trying to butter him up? But now it seemed like things had gone awry…
Others could think of that, and so could Pei Yan.
He instinctively glanced at Shen Ju, not wanting him dragged into this mess—especially since Shen Ju might not even grasp all the twists and turns.
“It’s because Big Bro loves watches that he gave it to me.”
Shen Ju’s voice rang out matter-of-factly, his little face beaming with pride and smugness. “This is proof of how much he loves me, so I put the watch on display, just waiting for people to ask about it.”
“Too bad everyone who comes over just asks if it’s for sale, instead of why I’m displaying a ‘Not for Sale’ item. That way, I could tell them about the meaning behind this watch, the touching story of the separated twins reuniting, and finally drop that my big bro bid it at auction and handed it straight to me—because I’m his most beloved little brother!”
Shen Ju nodded to himself, his eyes sparkling as he looked at Guan Muya, then at Hu Fanghai. “You’re the first one to ask the right question, so how about this—I’ll give you a felt one for free!”
Hu Fanghai couldn’t help chuckling, pointing a finger at Pei Yan.
“But if I remember right, it was Young Master Pei who asked that earlier?”
“Hey, why’d you expose me?”
Shen Ju rubbed his nose sheepishly. “I just wanted to butter you up a bit.”
“As for my Pei-ge, I’ll make it up to him later.”
Hu Fanghai burst out laughing and clapped Guan Muya on the shoulder. “Little Guan, your little brother’s adorable. Pretty great, actually.”
Guan Muya’s face actually softened into a rare smile as he looked at Shen Ju, tempted to reach out and ruffle his hair.
In the end, he held back with a nod. “Yeah, my little brother’s great.”
Hu Fanghai turned back to Shen Ju. “Alright then, since you’ve insisted so kindly, I can’t refuse. I’ll shamelessly pick one.”
He pointed. “That felt watch right there.”
“I’ll put it in my collection when I get home. It’ll mean something special.”
After that, Hu Fanghai and Guan Muya headed off to browse elsewhere. Before leaving, Guan Muya finally gave in and ruffled Shen Ju’s hair.
His grip was strong, leaving Shen Ju’s head wobbling. When he finished, Shen Ju’s hair was all fluffy.
996 hesitated: [Sigh, Host… ]
[I know, Brother 996.]
Shen Ju’s tone was a bit weak: [I’ve been trying my best to play the role… but the Task Energy Bar didn’t go up, right?]
[Is it because I was basically speaking up for Big Bro?]
[Eh, not exactly. You did meet the criteria, but it still depends on the feedback…]
996 sounded super depressed: [I just don’t get it. Is human favoritism bottomless? You acted like such a spoiled rich kid—… Or was that supposed to be spoiled rich kid vibes? How come they seem to love it?]
[Uh.]
996: [Do we need to act even more bratty?]
[Were you too clever just now?]
[I thought it was pretty brainless…]
“Hey—”
A voice cut in suddenly.
Pei Yan raised a brow at Shen Ju, arms crossed. “Guan Shen Ju, don’t you owe me an explanation?”
“Your little act was way too calculating, wasn’t it?”
Shen Ju opened his mouth.
996 yelped: [It went up! The Task Energy Bar rose this time!]
[Whoa, 19% now!]
[Though the Protagonist Gong and Shou interactions still give bigger boosts.]
[Eh, normal, I guess.]
But Shen Ju pressed his lips together, looking at Pei Yan with uncertainty.
“Pei-ge, I…”
Jian Yi, who’d been silent beside him, frowned too. He glanced at Shen Ju, then at Pei Yan, as if about to speak up.
The next second, Pei Yan suddenly grinned.
“So, where’s my compensation? Hand it over already.”
He extended a hand toward Shen Ju.
At the same time, he focused intently, trying to catch if that “996” System would say anything more.
All he heard was 996 humming off-key nonsense.
[Whoa, what’s going on~ These twists keep coming out of nowhere, boosting progress when we least expect it~~ Hehe~~]
Looks like it wasn’t dropping back down.
Pei Yan lowered his gaze slightly, hiding the flicker of thought in his eyes.
Then he looked back at Shen Ju, quirking a brow with a smile. “What, still dazed? Don’t wanna compensate me? I didn’t say a word earlier.”
“I do! I’ve got compensation!”
Shen Ju blurted out, then let out a breath of relief.
So Pei-ge was just joking.
He smiled back at Pei Yan, about to say more—
“Pei Yan, is that you?”
Two people approached from nearby. Pei Yan turned to look.
Jian Yi sighed inwardly.
This just won’t end.
He picked up a needle and started poking at the felt: poke, poke, poke.
The newcomers were a guy and a girl, about Pei Yan’s age.
“It really is you.”
Zheng Su walked over with Sun Yuqing. She’d been looping her arm through his but pulled her hand back the moment Pei Yan turned.
“What a coincidence. Didn’t expect to see you here.”
Sun Yuqing greeted Pei Yan too.
Shen Ju eyed them curiously. Zheng Su was kinda handsome in a boy-next-door way, but Sun Yuqing was straight-up gorgeous—pure and innocent, probably school flower material back in the day.
He’d heard Ant Market’s open day invited not just parents but alumni too.
Like how Pei Yan had been personally invited by the principal.
These two didn’t look like parents—old Qichen students?
Pei-ge’s classmates?
Sure enough, Zheng Su spoke up next: “I figured you wouldn’t show at something like this. It’s been years since we last saw each other, right? Not since high school graduation.”
Pei Yan just hummed faintly.
Nonchalant.
“You and Yuqing haven’t seen each other in ages either. I remember you two were both in student council—hailed as the golden boy and jade girl, weren’t you?”
Zheng Su glanced at Sun Yuqing, then at the hand she’d withdrawn, before turning back with a fake smile. “You didn’t know? Yuqing and I are dating now—”
Sun Yuqing pinched his arm, feigning shy coquettishness. “You’re still on probation, you know.”
“Fine, fine.”
Zheng Su grinned. “So when will you make it official? Soon, right?”
“Hey, President, why don’t you put in a good word for me with Yuqing? You two used to be pretty close.”
“You’ve got it wrong.”
Pei Yan’s reply was brutally direct. “I didn’t even know she was dating you.”
Implying they weren’t in touch at all—how could they be “close”?
Sun Yuqing’s face paled instantly.
Even Zheng Su wasn’t thrilled with Pei Yan’s attitude.
This response, this reaction—it means he doesn’t give a damn?
So I just monologued for nothing?
Zheng Su’s eyes darted around, spotting something. “Hey? That kid over there your nephew? The one doing phone screen protectors?”
“I walked by earlier—he was muttering curses, something about tri-fold screens being a pain to apply. The customer was probably another student, didn’t dare complain.”
“Makes sense. He’s the Pei Family’s only grandkid generation now—who’d dare mess with him?”
“Pei Yan, you here today for your nephew too?”
Zheng Su smirked maliciously. “Gotta butter him up?”
“I remember your mom passed away ages ago, and you—”
“Ah!!”
A ridiculously exaggerated yelp cut Zheng Su off.
He whipped around, frowning.
Shen Ju held up the felting needle innocently, blinking. “Sorry, Uncle, I think I pricked my hand.”
Uncle?
Zheng Su’s mouth twitched. Pricked your hand? Did you or didn’t you?
Too lazy to argue with a kid, he glared at Shen Ju and turned back to Pei Yan. “I remember your mom—”
“Ow!!”
“…”
Interrupted again, Zheng Su nearly choked on rage and glared at Shen Ju. “What now?!”
Shen Ju sucked on his finger. “Wanted to check if I’d really pricked it, so I did it myself. Ow, it hurts.”
“…”
Zheng Su took a deep breath, turned back to Pei Yan.
“You—”
“Wah!”
Once, twice, three strikes and you’re out!
Zheng Su whipped around furiously. “You—”
“Uncle, you gonna curse me out?”
Shen Ju’s voice boomed louder than his: “Uncle, are you gonna curse me?!”
It drew stares from nearby students.
Guan Mulin, Han Chengfeng, and the others noticed too, frowning as they approached.
“What happened?”
“What’s going on?”
“Shen Ju, who’s cursing you?”
Han Chengfeng even pointed. “Him?!”
Zheng Su: “…”
Fuck! I haven’t even said shit!
Don’t piss off seniors on their turf.
Zheng Su knew—he’d been one.
He took a deep breath, then another. A wise man doesn’t suffer losses right in front of him. He swallowed his words, fuming and frustrated, and left.
Guan Mulin and Han Chengfeng had stalls to mind, but nodded at Shen Ju before going.
“Call us if anything.”
Shen Ju waved them off.
Then turned back to Pei Yan.
Pei Yan’s face was expressionless.
Even cold.
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