Chapter 110

In Song Anan's first year as an intern at the hospital, Spring Festival happened to coincide with her few days off. After discussing it with Pei Kuang, they decided to go back and spend the New Year holiday with her eldest brother and sister-in-law.

This was also the first time Pei Kuang visited her family as Song Anan's boyfriend, so it was natural for him to feel nervous. But he acted so calmly that Song Anan didn't notice anything unusual until the night before, when she saw him checking the gifts over and over again.

"What's up with you today? You've been counting these things so many times already," Song Anan asked, puzzled.

Pei Kuang waved his hand and replied, "It's nothing. Just feeling nervous and trying to distract myself."

"Oh," Song Anan uttered in realization. "But you've already met them at the graduation ceremony, right?"

He had been anxious back then too.

Although her eldest brother and sister-in-law didn't join them for dinner that day because they ran into acquaintances at school, it still counted as meeting the parents.

Besides, from what Song Anan observed, they seemed to have a pretty good impression of Pei Kuang, especially her eldest brother.

In fact, before meeting him that day, Song Anan had also been very apprehensive. After all, when their relationship first came to light, her eldest brother was so averse to Pei Kuang that he didn't even want to meet him.

But contrary to expectations, Song Zhenhui was unexpectedly amiable towards Pei Kuang after their meeting. From their conversation, it even seemed like they had been in contact before.

Song Anan was very surprised. How come she didn't know anything about it?

Later when she asked Pei Kuang, he just mysteriously said they had talked on the phone once. No matter how much she pressed, he refused to tell her anything more.

How annoying.

Pei Kuang flicked her nose and said with a smile, "It's different this time. Visiting formally is very different from just meeting."

He wasn't stupid. This time, it was Song Zhenhui and Zhao Ya who took the initiative to suggest to Song Anan that Pei Kuang come over for the New Year. In a way, this was the Song family's tacit approval recognizing his status.

So now, he had to make a gesture in return.

Speaking of gestures, Pei Kuang suddenly remembered something else.

No good, he had to double check those things in the study again.

He got up and ruffled Song Anan's hair, saying, "Be good and go play with Qiuiu. I'm going to take care of some things."

Watching Pei Kuang's departing back, Song Anan scratched her head in bewilderment.

Now what was up with him?

When Song Anan and Pei Kuang arrived at the Song house that evening on New Year's Eve, they happened to make it just in time for the reunion dinner.

There were only four people at the table: Song Zhenhui, Zhao Ya, Song Anan, and Pei Kuang. Song Linchuan could only rush back the next morning.

It really was a coincidence. The crew where he was currently filming had rented an exorbitantly expensive location that just so happened to be on its last day. The crew was busy trying to wrap up shooting, so it couldn't be helped.

But since he would be coming back on New Year's Day, Song Linchuan could still spend a few days at home.

Zhao Ya warmly urged Pei Kuang to eat, "Little Kuang, hurry and try these dishes. Tell me if they suit your taste. Don't stand on ceremony!" Pei Kuang smiled and replied, "Thank you, Auntie. I won't be courteous."

Although not as enthusiastic as Zhao Ya, Song Zhenhui was also quite genial towards him.

Of course, Pei Kuang was adept at social niceties too. He drank quite a lot with Song Zhenhui at the table, fortunately his alcohol tolerance was decent. There was no need to mention Song Zhenhui's drinking capacity, it was honed during his early years in the business world. But now Zhao Ya kept strict control, so he rarely drank nowadays.

The atmosphere around the dinner table was very harmonious.

When Song Zhenhui and Zhao Ya weren't looking, Song Anan winked at Pei Kuang.

See, I told you it would be fine. You worried for nothing, right?

Pei Kuang just smiled lightly, a hint of helplessness flashing through his eyes.

That wasn't what he was nervous about.

After the four finished their reunion dinner, they chatted for a while in the living room on the first floor.

Around nine thirty, Song Zhenhui suddenly stood up and said to Pei Kuang, "Let's talk in the study?"

Song Anan had been eating an orange. Hearing this, her eyes widened in surprise.

"Can't we just talk here? There's no one else around."

Song Zhenhui gave her a look and said, "Some work matters, quite boring stuff. You two definitely won't want to hear it."

Song Anan wasn't stupid either. What work matters could Song Zhenhui and Pei Kuang possibly have to discuss? It was obviously an excuse.

Just as she was about to say something, Pei Kuang nudged her and lightly shook his head.

At this time, Zhao Ya also timely chimed in, "Anan, I'm going to make some desserts later. Come help me in the kitchen."

With their intentions so clear, what else could Song Anan say? She could only obediently nod her head and watch Pei Kuang follow Song Zhenhui upstairs to the study.

After the two men left the living room, Song Anan went with Zhao Ya to the kitchen.

Her sister-in-law was very good at making desserts. Ever since they were young, she and Song Linchuan loved eating them. So taking advantage of both of them being home for the New Year, Zhao Ya planned to make more.

Although she said it was for Song Anan to help out, there really wasn't much she could do, just occasionally grabbing something to hand over.

Song Anan's body may have been in the kitchen, but her heart had long flown away. She was completely distracted, stealing glances outside from time to time.

Seeing her state, Zhao Ya couldn't help laughing and teasing, "Don't worry, your brother can't eat him up."

Song Anan smiled awkwardly, then asked, "Sister-in-law, do you know what my brother wants to talk to Pei Kuang about?"

Looking at her anxiety, Zhao Ya shook her head helplessly.

The two sisters-in-law had always been on good terms. Although they didn't see each other as often in the past two years because Song Anan was abroad, they still video chatted almost every week.

Song Anan rarely kept anything from Zhao Ya, so she also had a general idea about the situation between her and Pei Kuang and was relatively familiar with how they interacted.

To be honest, Zhao Ya was quite satisfied with Pei Kuang.

"Anan, your brother and I have given you and Linchuan a lot of freedom ever since you were young. Whatever you wanted to do, we wouldn't interfere too much. Right?" Zhao Ya asked.

Song Anan paused, then nodded.

Zhao Ya seemed to think of something and tapped her forehead, adding, "Except for that entertainment industry business with Linchuan. Who told that bratty kid to act first and report later."

Then she continued, "In your brother's words, our family has money. You can do whatever you want and don't need to worry about money. Just be happy, and this still applies when it comes to your marriage."

Song Anan stopped for a moment, seeming to sort of understand Zhao Ya's meaning.

"Our only requirement for your other half is that he has good character. Other aspects like family background, we won't mind at all."

Zhao Ya lightly poked her forehead and said, "So what are you still worried about?"

Song Anan scratched her head.

She knew Song Zhenhui wouldn't give Pei Kuang a hard time. But still, she just couldn't help worrying.

In the study on the second floor, Pei Kuang and Song Zhenhui sat facing each other across a desk.

"Do you know what I called you up to talk about?" Song Zhenhui asked.

Pei Kuang nodded slightly and replied, "I can guess."

Song Zhenhui tapped his head lightly, signaling for him to continue.

Pei Kuang considered for a moment, then directly got to the point. "Uncle, I want to marry Anan."

Upon hearing this, even Song Zhenhui was taken aback. "Marry?"

He had only wanted to discuss the couple's plans for the future. He didn't expect Pei Kuang to blurt out this sentence right off the bat.

Having seen too many crooked people and things in the business world, he was suddenly somewhat unaccustomed to such straightforwardness.

But on second thought, when asking a couple in a relationship about future plans, marriage seemed to be the inevitable outcome unless the goal was to split them up.

Pei Kuang lightly nodded his head. "Yes, get married."

He paused, then continued, "I also came this time wanting to ask for your and Auntie's permission in person."

As he spoke, he placed a folder he had taken from his bag before coming up in front of Song Zhenhui.

"What's this?" Song Zhenhui asked, puzzled.

Pei Kuang explained, "It's all the assets I've accumulated over the years. It includes some property and investment funds that I can get notarized under Anan's name."

Song Zhenhui's brows furrowed slightly as he remained silent.

Pei Kuang went on, "Uncle, I know this little bit is nothing to you, but it's everything I have. It's also my guarantee to you and Auntie."

Of course, it was also his promise to Song Anan.

No matter what happens in the future, he would give her his all.

In the empty study.

Song Zhenhui quietly looked at Pei Kuang.

He couldn't help but think back to the phone call he made to Pei Kuang two years ago.

At that time, after Song Zhenhui learned that Pei Kuang was going abroad with Song Anan, he was actually very opposed to it in his heart. After thinking it over, he still called him.

He had been young before, and knew the feeling of being able to give everything for the other person when passionately in love.

But after the passion, how do you make up for the dissatisfaction after the sacrifice, and would you blame the person who made you give up everything recklessly?

An imbalanced love relationship is hard to sustain long term. If you always compromise, it will cause problems.

But when he explained his concerns over the phone, Pei Kuang's reaction was very calm, as if he had anticipated it.

Now when Song Zhenhui looked back, he had to admit that Pei Kuang really understood people's hearts well and was good at being persuasive.

At that time, he didn't hastily say that he wouldn't regret it or anything. Instead, he first briefly introduced his family background, taking the opportunity to show that he wasn't the reckless type who would give up everything.

Because if he was that kind of person, he wouldn't have been able to steadily stand where he was now.

Secondly, he simply and rationally analyzed his current situation in the entertainment industry, proving that going abroad would not hinder his career, but rather appropriately pausing would be more beneficial to his long-term development.

But what really convinced Song Zhenhui were Pei Kuang's final words.

He said: "Uncle, I didn't have much since I was little, but I've always known what's most important to me. Anan is the woman I love, and the family I chose myself. I cherish her."