Volume One, Chapter Six: I heard the steward in the east district is reliable; otherwise, let's go with this one.

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Pei Lin was wondering why the medicine he had slipped into the tea hadn’t taken effect yet when the steward came to say that Pei Xi was feeling unwell and wanted to rest first. Pei Lin nodded and leisurely poured himself a full cup of tea, taking a small sip, though the calculating gleam in his eyes was unmistakable.

“Hmph, good nephew, your second uncle’s power isn’t so easily taken,” he muttered. “Still dreaming of being the hero who saves the beauty? I think you’d better just rest!”

The tea didn’t contain any lethal poison, only an agent that caused stomach cramps and spasms—one cup’s worth could make someone suffer for two hours, not to mention Pei Xi had drunk two cups.

But thinking of the special dishes he had ordered from the kitchen, Pei Lin also instructed someone to fetch a doctor to check on Pei Xi and, at the same time, to secretly administer an antidote.

After all, without the main players, the real drama wouldn’t be interesting.

When dinner began, Pei Lin looked at Pei Xi’s pale face and politely expressed his concern before having someone serve him a bowl of chicken soup.

“I heard from the steward that you’re feeling under the weather. Try this—it contains plenty of beneficial traditional Chinese herbs.”

Indeed, it was beneficial—just mixed together, it became poison.

As soon as the soup was placed before Pei Xi, Xu Qingning covered her mouth and gagged.

“Quick, take it away!”

Only after the entire dish was removed did Xu Qingning lean softly against Pei Xi’s shoulder.

“Second uncle, I’m truly sorry. I’ve been vegetarian for a while now, and the smell of meat really makes me sick…”

Which effectively condemned the entire meal. Pei Lin clenched his chest in anger, thinking of the ingredients he had added.

Two sickly weaklings!

Yet, he forced a smile and said, “It’s nothing, just food. If you want to eat anything later, just say the word.”

Since they wouldn’t eat, Pei Lin was about to get up and leave but was stopped by Xu Qingning.

“Second uncle, normally after a meal, the elders present the newlyweds with a wedding gift.”

“Pei Xi told me that even if you’re only like a father to him, the gift should come from you. What do you think?”

Pei Lin hadn’t prepared any gift at all, but hearing Xu Qingning say this, he couldn’t refuse.

“Oh, I totally forgot! Tell me what you want, anything I have, I’ll give you!”

He had assumed Xu Qingning was just a girl who might ask for some luxury goods at most, but to his surprise, she immediately asked for something substantial.

“I’m not familiar with the customs of old noble families, but even ordinary families have to have a car and a house when they get married.”

“Qingning thinks that nothing beats money. I heard land in the east of Pei family city is valuable and retains its worth. If not, then maybe that!”

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“You! Ha, niece-in-law, it’s best to be practical in life.”

Xu Qingning laughed heartily. “Second uncle, you’re joking. If you gave me a small villa in the east, then if one day Pei Xi and I have a fight, at least I’d have somewhere to stay!”

“Just one villa?”

“Otherwise, I can’t exactly ask for land in the east, can I? You really like to joke, second uncle!”

Pei Lin immediately relaxed. He had thought a girl from an ordinary family wouldn’t have such big ambitions.

If she had wanted something more, he would have suspected Pei Xi was trying to use this gift as a pretext to wrest power from him.

In a good mood, he even gave Xu Qingning a car, telling her to go to the garage and pick whichever she liked.

“Alright! Thank you, second uncle! I’ll go with Pei Xi and have him help me decide.”

Pei Lin waved his hand. “Go ahead. Come back for dinner when you have time.”

Once they left, he snorted coldly. “There’s plenty of time ahead. You’ll regret this later!”

Xu Qingning didn’t care what old Pei Lin thought. Just the thought that she wouldn’t have to suffer in a hospital tonight like before, and had a car to choose from in the garage, made her extremely happy.

Humming a little tune as she walked, Pei Xi rubbed her hair and said, “That happy, huh?”

“Of course!”

Xu Qingning glanced at the steward leading the way, stood on tiptoe, and whispered in Pei Xi’s ear, “I just snatched a house and a car from old Pei Lin. I couldn’t be happier!”

“If Qingqing likes cars, I can give you one too.”

Xu Qingning looked at Pei Xi. “You dummy, if you give me one, isn’t that still our money? Little Pei, how can you be so bad at managing our life?”

After saying that, she snorted and hurried ahead, ignoring him.

So she didn’t notice the particularly tender look Pei Xi cast her way.

Words like “we” and “our life” warmed Pei Xi’s heart indescribably.

Qingqing, maybe you do care about me a little?

Pei Lin had thought that given Xu Qingning’s greedy nature, she’d pick some flashy car that looked expensive.

So he had arranged for several of the cars to be rigged with listening devices, and some even had their brakes sabotaged.

But he never expected Xu Qingning to choose an SUV.

“Tch, looks powerful!”

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Xu Qingning opened the car door, effortlessly leapt in, and settled into the driver’s seat.

“Pei Xi, get in quick. I’ll take you out for a spin!”

After fastening her seatbelt, she revved the engine and told the steward to bring the property certificate later, then sped off.

The night breeze was cool, but that didn’t stop Xu Qingning from rolling down the window to feel the wind’s breath.

Taking advantage of the Pei family’s old mansion being on a hill with no obstructions around, she floored the gas pedal.

When they drove down the mountain, Xu Qingning parked by the roadside and jumped excitedly on the spot.

“Ah! So thrilling!”

Pei Xi leaned on the front of the car, smiling. “I didn’t expect our Qingqing to have such skills.”

Xu Qingning wiggled her fingers. “Hehe, Little Pei, you haven’t even seen half of what I can do!”

“Let’s go get the property certificate! My big villa awaits!”

“Wait.” Pei Xi caught her hand and slowly leaned in. “Qingqing is so happy, it’s making me a little restless.”

Though the atmosphere was charged with growing affection, Xu Qingning wrapped her arms around his neck and whispered in his ear, “Pei Xixi, you’re out of character.”

Saying that, she pushed him away, opened the car door, and slid in.

“Little Pei, five seconds to get in, or you’re spending the night at the foot of the mountain!”

The warmth of her breath still lingered in his ear, but she was already gone. He could only smile and shake his head before climbing into the car.

All night long, the only one nearly driven mad was Pei Lin.

Not only had his poison failed at dinner, but he had also given away a house and a car for free to Xu Qingning.

Clutching the property certificate, he wanted to tear it to pieces but then thought it was just some insignificant trifle.

That was all Xu Qingning was capable of—he’d make her and Pei Xi pay back twice over when the time came!

Perhaps his malice was too strong; Xu Qingning sneezed, rubbed her nose, and rolled up the window.

Damn it! It must be that old Pei Lin secretly cursing her. If she caught a cold, he’d surely be cursed right back!