Qi Ji was momentarily dazed by He Xiu’s questions. “Ah…? No, Mr. Pei didn’t hurt me.”
Hearing this, He Xiu finally calmed down a little. But he still couldn’t wrap his head around it. “Qi Qi… how did you end up with him?”
Qi Ji flushed at the question, but facing the older brother who had watched him grow up, he briefly recounted the whole process: the two confessions, and Pei Yusheng’s unexpected response.
“After learning that Mr. Pei might be ill, I thought a lot. In the end, I realized… if there’s something you truly want, you have to go after it,” Qi Ji said softly.
“So I didn’t hesitate anymore…”
He Xiu listened in silence, his expression complicated. When he last came to S City, he had discussed Pei Yusheng and Wen Chuming with Qi Ji. Back then, he had a vague premonition that his newly reunited younger brother might be taken away. He never expected that premonition to come true so quickly—and so unprepared.
Moreover, from Qi Ji’s reaction, it was clear he had firmly decided on Pei Yusheng. He Xiu, who had watched Qi Ji grow up, knew that once the boy was certain about something, it was almost impossible to change his mind.
He Xiu exhaled silently. Though he understood, he still worried that Qi Ji might get hurt. Having dealt with the Pei family before, he knew their power and influence. The difference in their family backgrounds was enormous; if Pei Yusheng ever treated Qi Ji unfairly, Qi Ji wouldn’t even have a way to defend himself or walk away.
How could He Xiu just blindly give his blessing?
Despite the turmoil inside, his face remained calm. He said only: “In that case, let’s find a time to have Second Master Pei join us for a meal.”
He wanted to clear the air with Pei Yusheng but didn’t want to trouble Qi Ji. Qi Ji agreed without hesitation. Once back, he told Pei Yusheng, who consented.
The dinner was set for the next evening at the Pujiang Hotel, chosen by He Xiu. Since it was a Friday and they had daytime work, Qi Ji came with Pei Yusheng from the office. By the time they arrived, He Xiu was waiting in the lobby.
Seeing Qi Ji, He Xiu’s usually stern expression softened. “You doing alright? It’s really hot today.”
Qi Ji shook his head. “It’s fine—the car was cool. Brother, I’ve finished work, so this weekend we can go out together.”
Pei Yusheng stood quietly behind Qi Ji, listening without interrupting. When Qi Ji tried to turn and make space for the greeting, he noticed Pei Yusheng’s gaze on He Xiu’s hand resting on his shoulder. He didn’t understand the look, but instinctively froze.
Seeing Qi Ji’s sideward gesture, He Xiu finally turned his attention to Pei Yusheng. “Second Master Pei, good to see you again.”
Pei Yusheng returned the nod politely. “Captain He, long time no see.”
Qi Ji stood between them, sensing a strange tension—reminding him of their first meeting, when the atmosphere had been equally tense. He remembered that after a sparring match at the martial club, they had grown closer. Why did it now feel like they were back to square one?
Before he could ponder further, He Xiu led him into the private room. Pei Yusheng followed a step behind.
The Pujiang Hotel was first-class; the decor and dishes were top-notch. The three sat and ordered six dishes plus two soups. He Xiu also remembered Qi Ji’s love for strawberries and had ordered a jar of homemade strawberry preserves.
The food arrived quickly, filling the table. Though the hotel specialized in local cuisine, He Xiu had chosen mostly dishes Qi Ji liked, leaning slightly toward northern flavors.
Qi Ji ate with delight, especially enjoying the strawberry preserves. The sweetness and unique aroma surpassed fresh strawberry juice. He quickly polished off over half the jar, and He Xiu happily ordered another.
With two full jars, Qi Ji quietly focused on eating, speaking little. He Xiu didn’t want to disturb him.
In fact, Qi Ji seemed the only one fully concentrating on the meal. Without his chatter, the private room became quiet except for the faint clink of utensils.
Though aware of Qi Ji and Pei Yusheng’s relationship, He Xiu didn’t mention it once, nor did he converse with Pei Yusheng much. It wasn’t until most of the meal was finished that he finally asked, “Second Master, any plans tonight?”
Pei Yusheng, peeling shrimp for the boy who was slowing down, looked up. “No. Why, Captain He?”
He Xiu smiled. “No reason, just that last time in S City, I was impressed by that martial club. I’ve been thinking about it since.”
“Now that I’m finally here, I wonder if you’d like to go again?”
His words were careful; to an outsider, it sounded like a casual request to revisit the club. Only Pei Yusheng could tell he was asking to spar.
Pei Yusheng responded calmly, “Sure. It’s rare for you to be interested, so naturally, I’ll accompany you.”
He then glanced at his watch. “It’s still early—we can head over directly.”
Though both spoke casually, He Xiu noticed something amiss with Qi Ji. “Qi Qi? What’s wrong?”
Pei Yusheng also noticed and looked down—his face immediately turning graver than He Xiu’s.
Qi Ji was silently crying.
No sound escaped him, but big tears poured from his eyes, falling heavily and making one’s heart ache. He hadn’t cried for a long time, yet after agreeing to go to the club, the tears came suddenly. Both men’s hearts skipped a beat.
Pei Yusheng hurried to wipe his face, gentle despite the urgency. “What’s wrong, Qi Qi? Don’t cry—it’s okay.”
Qi Ji let him, continuing to sob. His eyes were red, full of tears, his lower lip bitten raw, yet he clung tightly to Pei Yusheng’s hand, afraid he would leave.
“Tell us what’s upsetting you, okay? It’s fine—we can talk about anything,” Pei Yusheng coaxed softly.
After a while, Qi Ji sniffled and whispered, “Sir… don’t go…”
He held onto Pei Yusheng’s clothes as if terrified of being abandoned.
“I’m not going anywhere. I’m right here,” Pei Yusheng reassured, though he couldn’t shake the feeling that something was off.
He Xiu watched the scene, frowning. His gaze fell on the glass of strawberry preserves. It was untouched except by Qi Ji.
He sniffed it carefully and opened the jar, realizing: “There’s alcohol in this?”
The strawberry preserves had been made with alcohol, giving them a special aroma. The concentration was low and masked by the strawberry scent, so Qi Ji hadn’t noticed.
He Xiu finally understood.
Pei Yusheng, still comforting Qi Ji, looked over as He Xiu shook the jar. “Qi Qi is drunk.”
Pei Yusheng frowned. “But why is he crying?”
He Xiu relaxed a little. “This is how he is when he drinks. He doesn’t make a scene—he just clings to people and cries when he thinks they’re leaving. You can’t stop it.”
When Qi Ji was little, He Xiu had once cooked chicken wings using beer instead of cola. Qi Ji, hungry and drawn by the aroma, had followed and clung to him, crying until He Xiu took him to the hospital.
It was the same with the strawberry preserves. Though low in alcohol, Qi Ji had drunk two jars and gotten drunk. He remained quiet until Pei Yusheng moved his hand away, and he thought he might be left alone—then the tears came.
Hearing this, Pei Yusheng reassured him again: “I’m not leaving.”
Looking down, Qi Ji’s eyes were still wet, his lower lip red from biting. Once he held Pei Yusheng’s hand, he finally stopped crying, obedient and secure.