Qiao Chuchu faintly caught a familiar scent.
It was the fragrance of lavender fabric softener.
She groggily opened her eyes, and the first thing she saw was Pei Buxian’s face leaning close to hers.
His platinum-blonde hair was soft and unstyled, with his bangs naturally falling, making him look like an innocent puppy, staring intently at her.
Thinking she was dreaming, Qiao Chuchu reached out and poked him: “Seventh Brother?”
Pei Buxian took the opportunity to grab her hand and press it against his cheek, gently nuzzling into her palm.
Feeling his warmth, Qiao Chuchu finally realized this wasn’t a dream.
She tried to pull her hand back, but Pei Buxian held on tightly, interlocking their fingers with a firm, almost domineering grip.
She blinked in confusion: “Why are you here?”
“You said you missed me,” he replied casually, though his gaze was intense. “So I came.”
Qiao Chuchu was stunned and opened her mouth to speak, but Pei Mu and Pei Ci pulled Pei Buxian aside, muttering irritably, “Don’t act like you’re the only one who came.”
They both rushed to Qiao Chuchu’s side, their eyes sparkling as they looked at her: “Aren’t you surprised to see us?!”
Qiao Chuchu’s gaze shifted between them, and she covered her mouth in disbelief: “You two came too?”
Pei Mu and Pei Ci nodded in unison: “You said you wanted to see us, so we booked tickets right away!”
Pei Ci poked the corner of her swollen eye: “You missed us so much you cried yourself to sleep.”
Pei Mu smirked mischievously: “How about a big hug to show our love?”
They sandwiched her between them, squeezing her tightly like a cookie in a sandwich!
Qiao Chuchu: “!”
Pei Fengnong grabbed them by the collars and sternly warned: “Stop fooling around!”
He tossed them aside like unruly kittens!
Pei Mu and Pei Ci, now dangling like scruffed cats, protested: “Who’s fooling around? We’re just showing concern for Qiao Chuchu!”
Ignoring them, Pei Fengnong sat by Qiao Chuchu’s bedside and asked bluntly: “I saw you crying during the video call. Are you still upset?”
He was tense, not wanting to miss any subtle change in her expression: “If you’re still sad…”
He tentatively wrapped his arms around her: “You can cry on my shoulder.”
Qiao Chuchu buried her face in his chest, about to relax, when Pei Fengnong was suddenly pulled aside.
Pei Youchuan’s broad frame enveloped her as he pulled her into a tight embrace!
Qiao Chuchu’s face collided with his firm chest: “…”
Pei Youchuan held her firmly, glaring at Pei Fengnong, who looked annoyed: “That’s enough. What do you know about being gentle with someone?”
Qiao Chuchu looked up at Pei Youchuan, confused.
Her face was pale, her eyes swollen like walnuts, and she looked utterly exhausted.
He frowned, gently pinching her cheek: “Are you an idiot? If you wanted me by your side, you could’ve just called me. Did you think I wouldn’t come?”
Qiao Chuchu, her cheek still pinched, mumbled: “But you’re all so busy. You specifically told me not to disturb your work.”
“That was in the past,” Pei Youchuan grumbled, rubbing her cheeks up and down: “You can always call me when you’re sad.”
Qiao Chuchu’s eyes widened in surprise: “Really?”
Pei Youchuan raised an eyebrow, his tone gruff: “No, I actually hate you. But do you know what I hate even more?”
She blinked: “What?”
“I hate it when you cry,” Pei Youchuan said, pulling her into his chest again: “You look so ugly when you cry.”
Qiao Chuchu: “?”
Pei Che pulled Pei Youchuan aside and sat down in front of Qiao Chuchu: “Let me check your blood pressure.”
Qiao Chuchu stared blankly as Pei Che took out an electric blood pressure monitor.
[What’s going on? They’re all taking turns without letting me speak!]
Ignoring her confusion, Pei Che confirmed her blood pressure was normal and said calmly: “You don’t need to stress over things. We’ll handle them for you.”
She withdrew her hand, puzzled: “But I never said why I was upset.”
[Why do they act like they already know what’s bothering me?]
[It’s like nothing escapes their notice.]
The others exchanged uneasy glances, avoiding her gaze for fear of revealing too much.
Only Pei Che kept his eyes on Qiao Chuchu.
Her eyes were like a misty morning, filled with a mix of confusion and curiosity, silently asking for an explanation.
He leaned down, meeting her gaze.
Qiao Chuchu instinctively leaned back.
But Pei Che cupped the back of her head, forcing her to meet his intense stare: “What’s there to say? You were crying, weren’t you?”
Qiao Chuchu was stunned.
Pei Che moved closer, his tone cold and unyielding: “You were crying like the world was ending on the phone. Of course, we had to come and take care of you.”
Qiao Chuchu: “…”
[Ugh, I can’t stand it when Second Brother gets all dark and brooding like this.]
She closed her eyes.
[I can’t even look at him when he’s like this.]
Pei Che snorted, watching her tightly shut eyes.
Qiao Chuchu felt the tension in the air, and suddenly, her eyelids felt warm.
It was as if something had lightly brushed against them—a fingertip or perhaps a kiss.
She opened her eyes in shock, meeting Pei Che’s deep gaze.
His expression was neutral, but the atmosphere around him had shifted from tense to relaxed, a faint smile playing on his lips as he stood up and made way for Pei Yuan.
Pei Yuan leaned over to tuck her blanket in and asked gently: “Should I bring your meal here so you can eat in bed?”
Qiao Chuchu quickly shook her head: “No, no, no! This is Lou Tingsi’s room. I can’t eat here.”
Lou Tingsi chuckled from the side: “It’s fine. I don’t mind.”
“But I do!” Qiao Chuchu insisted, looking at Pei Yuan: “Big Brother, don’t worry. I’m feeling much better just seeing all of you!”
She secretly gripped the edge of the blanket, feeling a little happy.
[My family is so wonderful!]
[Even though there’s some distance between us, I can tell they still see me as family. They’re always willing to help me, but I don’t really need their help. Just seeing them is enough to make me feel brave, even if there’s a serial killer waiting for me outside.]
[Because I have my family!]
Tears welled up in her eyes, and she blinked them away, smiling brightly at Pei Yuan: “Thank you for coming, Big Brother. Really, thank you.”
Pei Yuan was momentarily stunned, then pulled her into a tight embrace.
She buried her face in his chest, surprised: “Big Brother?”
Pei Yuan held her tighter and tighter: “Don’t thank us.”
His handsome face was clouded with worry: “Protecting you is my duty. No matter what’s happened between us, you can always rely on me in this regard.”
He stroked her hair: “I’m your big brother. Always will be.”
Qiao Chuchu’s nose tingled, and she felt like crying again. She nodded: “Yeah!”
[I know.]
She hugged Pei Yuan tightly, her gaze growing determined.
[I’ll protect my family, my friends, and myself! I’ll live well!]
Qiao Chuchu perked up, full of energy, and hopped out of bed: “Alright, I’m recharged! I’ll go freshen up. You all wait for me in the living room!”
Pei Yuan watched her head to the bathroom, murmuring to himself: “So she still relies on me.”
A proud smile crept onto his face: “Just one word from me, and she’s back to her usual self.”
Pei Youchuan: “? Big Brother, sometimes you really overestimate yourself.”
Pei Buxian glared at Pei Yuan, his voice low: “No way. Little Eight was happy because of me.”
Pei Mu and Pei Ci stepped forward to argue: “It couldn’t have been you! It was us twins. We hold a special place in her heart, you know?”
Pei Fengnong sneered: “Ha! If she cheered up because of you two, that would be a joke.”
Pei Che pinched the bridge of his nose, annoyed: “Stop arguing. Let’s head to the living room. We have things to discuss.”
Lou Tingsi nodded: “This way.”
The men filed out of the room.
Song Yu, who had been quietly hiding in the corner, unnoticed: “…”
She hugged her assault rifle, feeling as lost as a monkey abandoned in the desert.
No wonder Miss Qiao looks at our boss like he’s just another guy.
She’s surrounded by so many handsome men!
Miss Qiao really lives the good life, huh?
