Under all those watchful eyes, the boy in He Xiu’s arms grew increasingly embarrassed. He Xiu finally bent down, setting him gently on the ground, and gave Wen Chuming a subtle nod.
Worried that Qi Ji might stumble, he even reached out to steady him.
A few steps away, Pei Yusheng’s gaze burned into the hand resting at the boy’s side, as if he could scorch it just by looking.
What gnawed at Pei wasn’t just He Xiu’s actions—it was Qi Ji’s reaction. Having spent so much time with the boy, Pei knew better than anyone how cautious he could be.
He had spent so long gradually closing the distance, only to discover now that someone could approach and embrace Qi Ji so intimately without provoking any resistance.
And the moment this person appeared, the boy reverted to calling him “Mr. Pei.”
Jealousy flared uncontrollably, threatening to overwhelm Pei’s reason.
He couldn’t accept it.
Pei stepped forward, reaching to pull Qi Ji back from He Xiu’s side. But as soon as he moved, He Xiu’s men instinctively positioned themselves defensively.
Four of He Xiu’s subordinates were burly, imposing figures, always on alert against any potential threat to their leader. Had He Xiu not stepped forward earlier, Qi Ji wouldn’t have had a chance to get close.
Qi Ji himself was bewildered.
His impression of He Xiu was frozen at the time when he was a returning squad commander two years ago. Later promotions involved classified positions, which had never been mentioned in letters, and he hadn’t asked.
Yet now, just stepping slightly closer made the scene feel like a street fight might break out.
Thankfully, the rain lowered visibility and most pedestrians hurried past, paying little attention. What surprised Qi Ji even more was that Pei Yusheng’s behavior was unusual—though he had just recognized a long-lost friend on the street and knew He Xiu was his subordinate, his attitude toward He Xiu was openly hostile.
Even the aura of authority Pei had exhibited during Qi Ji’s protection resurfaced.
This only made He Xiu’s men more alert, while He Xiu himself remained unaffected.
He raised a hand to halt his tense subordinates and studied Pei Yusheng. Suddenly, he asked, “What’s your relation to Lieutenant General Pei Xiaoying?”
Hearing the name, Pei’s fury subsided slightly. He croaked, “He is my uncle.”
It had been a momentary surge of emotion, not true irrationality; hearing this, he should have realized that.
“You’re Colonel He Xiu?”
He Xiu nodded.
Qi Ji’s curiosity spiked. So, Mr. Pei and He Xiu actually knew each other?
Sensing his confusion, He Xiu explained, “Lieutenant General Pei was my former superior. When I was rehired, it was he who signed the paperwork.”
Pei’s expression darkened slightly.
Though Qi Ji had come with him, his instinct was to seek answers from He Xiu rather than Pei.
Still conversing with He Xiu, Qi Ji only then realized the connection, and his amazement grew.
A lieutenant general, no less.
Influenced by He Xiu and his own fascination with the military, Qi Ji knew a bit of context: there were only a little over a hundred lieutenant generals in the country. Any one of them boasted distinguished service and renown.
So Mr. Pei’s uncle was one of them—the family really was impressive.
After explaining to Qi Ji, He Xiu turned to Pei. “So you’re the one my old superior mentioned would come to pick me up?”
Pei glanced at Qi Ji before saying, “Yes. I’m Pei Yusheng.”
“Second Young Master Pei?”
Hearing the title, He Xiu gave Pei a more thorough look.
“You were formerly part of the Divine Arrow unit in B City?”
Pei nodded.
Even He Xiu’s subordinates’ expressions shifted slightly.
“Long Tao mentioned you,” He Xiu said. “He said that three years ago, the team you led ended the three-year winning streak of the Sky Wolf unit at the national competition.”
Pei’s tone was calm. “Colonel, you flatter me. It was Long Tao’s praise.”
Returning to such formal matters, his composure was restored.
The two shook hands—finally meeting properly, albeit belatedly.
“An honor,” He Xiu said.
“Likewise,” Pei replied.
Qi Ji watched, noting the politeness and measured distance between them. Yet the earlier tension lingered, adding a subtle edge to the atmosphere.
He still couldn’t understand why Pei had looked so furious earlier, only now realizing He Xiu had indeed become stern and serious with age.
Qi Ji’s attention returned to Wen Chuming.
He Xiu had noticed him too. After shaking Pei’s hand, he asked, “You were also in Divine Arrow, weren’t you, Wen Chuming?”
Wen Chuming responded respectfully, confirming He Xiu was his superior. His presence was even calmer and more composed than in photographs, quietly magnetic.
Pei added, “He’s my deputy.”
Together, they presented a striking contrast.
Qi Ji thought: one like the sun, one like the moon.
He Xiu nodded. “You probably have many questions.”
Pei frowned. “Two years ago—”
“Wen Chuming’s situation is a bit special,” He Xiu interjected. “We’ll discuss it later.”
Knowing this wasn’t the place to pry, Pei refrained from further questioning.
“I was originally heading to the Pujiang Hotel to pick up the colonel, didn’t expect you’d arrive early.”
“Traffic was better than expected, so I arrived ahead of schedule. Just wandered nearby for a bit,” He Xiu replied, glancing at Qi Ji. “By the way, Second Young Master and Qi Qi know each other?”
At the mention of “Qi Qi,” Pei’s brow furrowed again. His anger had subsided but not vanished.
The only time he’d called Qi Qi that was when the boy had mistaken him for his father.
To He Xiu, Pei’s tone remained restrained. “I’m a friend of Qi Ji.”
He Xiu asked, “But just now, didn’t Qi Qi call you Mr. Pei?”
Qi Ji nodded. “I work at Mr. Pei’s company.”
Though the address was correct, Pei found little solace.
“How coincidental,” He Xiu mused, ruffling Qi Ji’s soft hair. “Thanks to Second Young Master for looking out for Qi Qi.”
Pei forced a small smile, saying nothing.
“It’s still raining, and this isn’t convenient. Once the colonel is done here, let’s return to the hotel to talk.”
He Xiu agreed.
As Pei prepared to have Qi Ji come over, He Xiu asked, “Give me your current number. Free tonight?”
Qi Ji, unaware of Pei’s movement to intercede, nodded.
“Alright. I have a meeting this afternoon; we’ll contact you tonight.”
They exchanged numbers. He Xiu offered to escort Qi Ji.
Pei interjected: “Qi Ji came with me. My car is here; no need to trouble the colonel.”
“Oh?” He Xiu glanced at him and asked Qi Ji, “Then why were you standing in the rain earlier?”
Though directed at Qi Ji, Pei instinctively clenched his fists.
“I wasn’t holding an umbrella,” Qi Ji explained.
He then apologized to Pei: “I’m sorry, Mr. Pei. I didn’t protect the strawberries, and they got wet.”
Pei frowned, not even glancing at the bouquet. “Are you okay?”
Qi Ji blinked. “I’m fine.”
The bouquet remained with He Xiu’s men. He Xiu glanced at the strawberries Pei had purchased and asked, “Second Young Master bought these?”
Indeed, they were a bit damp. Though strawberries aren’t ruined by water, the accompanying flowers and wrapping were affected.
He Xiu instructed his men, “Buy another one.”
The strawberries had clearly sparked nostalgic memories. He Xiu added, “I remember Qi Qi loved strawberries as a child, right?”
Before Qi Ji could answer, he changed his mind: “Buy two. And see if there are other strawberries—get a few more for Qi Qi.”
Pei’s face grew darker than the rain-soaked bouquet.