Pei Jing also saw Zhi Xia and waved to her to come over.
Zhi Xia thought for a moment. With Pei Jing around, Pei JianGuo probably wouldn't dare hit her, so she slowly walked over.
She cunningly stood a step behind Pei Jing to be able to quickly hide behind him if the other party tried to attack her.
But as soon as she got into position, she heard Pei Jing say to Pei JianGuo, "What are you still standing there for? Have you forgotten what I just told you? From now on, she is your auntie. Don't you know to respect your elders?"
Upon hearing this, Zhi Xia instantly became excited. Her eyes shone as she glanced at Pei Jing before settling on Pei JianGuo, eagerly anticipating his response.
She couldn't deny that she was relishing in her newfound power.
Under Pei Jing's gaze, Pei JianGuo was furious yet helpless. In a very low voice he responded, "Yes, I do."
"You know but still don't call her?" Pei Jing continued.
"Auntie, I'm going to work now," Pei JianGuo called out before quickly turning to leave. From his voice it was apparent he was both indignant yet didn't dare make a scene in front of Pei Jing.
"Have a good day, nephew," Zhi Xia added fuel to the fire, waving to show her friendliness.
Pei JianGuo walked even faster. If it wasn't for maintaining his adult composure, he probably would have sprinted away.
There's a saying, too much joy leads to sorrow.
Zhi Xia was grinning from ear to ear but when she turned to Pei Jing, her smile instantly froze and she awkwardly hid her smug expression.
"Happy?" Pei Jing raised an eyebrow at her.
Zhi Xia laughed awkwardly a couple times before explaining, "I didn't mean it like that. It's just that he bullied me first, so I couldn't help but relish seeing him get his comeuppance."
It wasn't that Zhi Xia cared about appearances. In the end Pei JianGuo was Pei Jing's nephew. She had heard that in her previous life, he had left all his assets to Pei JianGuo, showing how much he treasured this nephew.
Mocking him in front of Pei Jing when she was only able to do so thanks to his power probably wasn't appropriate. She didn't know if he would get angry.
Zhi Xia had no idea how adorable she was being. Pei Jing only sighed thinking about what had transpired between them.
This girl was still a child at heart, yet was already pregnant. Now the pregnancy didn't show, but later, who knew what would happen.
His profession meant he couldn't always be by her side. Could she manage on her own?
They weren't even married yet but Pei Jing was already worrying about their future life.
"Right, I heard that yesterday Pei's Grandpa hit you. Are you okay?" Zhi Xia didn't know if she was truly concerned about him or just changing the topic. In any case, it was because of her that he got hurt.
"I'm fine, don't worry about me. He was just angry at the time and it looked worse than it was. He didn't actually hit hard." Just as the old lady had guessed, it was all for show.
Regardless of who was at fault, as the groom's side and with a life-and-death friendship with the An family, the Pei family had to take the blame to save Zhi Xia's reputation.
"What about you? Is your body okay? Why are you running around outside instead of resting at home?"
Pei Jing rapid-fired several questions at Zhi Xia, leaving her confused. "I'm fine. Granny said to come see you."
"That works out well, saves me a trip to come get you," Pei Jing said. "Did you bring your household registration? I'll take you to the neighborhood office first for an introduction letter, then we can get our marriage certificate."
"It's still at home," Zhi Xia said, annoyed. She had been preoccupied with sending off Fourth Brother today and forgot she needed her registration to get married.
"You said you had to file a report here. Is that done?"
Pei Jing nodded and glanced at Zhi Xia's stomach. "Then let's go back and get your registration first. If you feel unwell at all, tell me right away, don't endure it."
Zhi Xia's pale complexion yesterday had been somewhat frightening. Knowing she was already pregnant, Pei Jing couldn't help but suck in a breath, blaming himself for not looking after her better during the day.
As Zhi Xia sat behind him on the bike, she thought for a moment then grabbed his clothes.
They were going to get married. Barring accidents, they would spend their whole lives together.
So being overly distant would be difficult for both of them.
An ZhiAng had left, so the only ones home were Zhou Nan and Wen Qing.
At the door, Zhi Xia said, "I'll go in by myself. Wait out here for me."
Pei Jing immediately understood her meaning and advised, "There's still the wedding banquet. You can't get married without letting them know. If you don't want to tell them, shall I go in and apologize?"
Although the two families' elders had reconciled, sneaking off to elope without telling the bride's parents still felt inappropriate to Pei Jing. This was also his first marriage so he lacked experience. He should have properly visited them first and obtained consent before applying for the certificate.
Startled by Zhi Xia's pregnancy, outwardly he was calm but the prospect of suddenly becoming a father had him on tenterhooks.
"I didn't say not to let them know. I just want to try sneaking off to get married, see what it feels like. Isn't it exciting?" Zhi Xia blinked mischievously. "Just wait out here for me, don't come in."
Zhi Xia was very clear that since in their eyes she couldn't compare to An MeiYun, she didn't need them anymore either.
If not for her registration still being there, she wouldn't have come back at all.
When Zhi Xia went in, Wen Qing was napping and Zhou Nan was inside. She directly said, "I'm back to get my registration, I need it for something."
"Oh, I'll get it for you." With An ZhiAng gone, the house felt different to Zhou Nan. Seeing Zhi Xia return, she didn't think much of it and assumed it was for work matters.
Household registrations in the 1970s were still paper-based and handwritten. Zhi Xia took out her page and returned the rest to Zhou Nan. "I'll hold onto this page myself, it'll be more convenient if I need it later."
"That's fine, just keep it safe and don't lose it," Zhou Nan told her and asked, "Zhi Xia, Fourth Brother is also gone and MeiYun's engagement is called off. When are you coming home?"
Being home alone taking care of a child, the house no longer had its former liveliness. She felt like something was missing.
Zhi Xia was silent for a moment. "Let's talk about it later."
She was about to get married and might leave Jincheng after.
She had no intention of coming back here. She would need to make that clear later.
"Okay okay, go take care of your work matters first, that's most important." Zhou Nan said happily.
When Zhi Xia walked out the front door, her previously cheerful expression was gone.
They went to the neighborhood office for a certification first before applying for their marriage certificate.
At that time, the one yuan marriage certificate was still exorbitantly priced, so most were common law marriages with few having actual certificates.
Zhi Xia gave Pei Jing her household registration page since they needed to update the information. His special status also made things slightly more complicated.
Worried being out too long would strain Zhi Xia physically, and also concerned about Pei Jing's injuries, they returned immediately after finishing their errand rather than lingering outside.
