Weisheng Yucan and Biehe exchanged a glance, their eyes flickering toward Qiao Chuchu, their lips curling into faint smiles as they continued to guide her through the venue.
Pei Youchuan followed behind, arms crossed, muttering in annoyance, "Look how happy she is. We’ve always protected her, but she’s never been this happy with us!"
Pei Yuan watched as Qiao Chuchu stepped onto the stage, his brows furrowed with worry. "As long as she’s happy," he said softly. The thought of Qiao Chuchu having once died under a shower of sulfuric acid and a flurry of knives made his palms sweat and his breath tighten. "Nothing matters more than her happiness today."
Pei Youchuan paused, recalling what Qiao Chuchu had just been through, and fell silent.
The Pei family stood below the stage, their eyes fixed on Qiao Chuchu.
Qiao Chuchu stood beside Weisheng Biehe, handing him a pair of scissors.
Biehe cut the string of a numbered balloon, watching it rise into the air before a new one descended.
Qiao Chuchu smiled warmly. "Happy birthday, Mr. Biehe!"
Weisheng Biehe’s lips twitched into a subtle smile, his tea-colored eyes filled with her reflection.
Pei Buxian, witnessing the picturesque scene of the two, suddenly burst into tears, covering his mouth as he sobbed, "Wuwuwu..."
His six brothers shot him disapproving looks. "Why are you crying?"
Pei Buxian, tears streaming down his face, choked out, "I can’t imagine how I’d feel if one day Qiao Chuchu fell in love with soone else, standing on a stage in a wedding dress with another man."
The six brothers rolled their eyes in unison. "Are you stupid? That day will never co."
Pei Buxian sniffled, looking at them. "But she’s never liked us. What if she falls for soone? What if she threatens to die unless she can marry them?"
The brothers: "?"
Qiao Chuchu noticed the seven of them and happily walked over, lifting her skirt. "Brothers!"
The seven looked up at her.
Bathed in the stage lights, her earlier anxiety had vanished, replaced by a radiant smile as she ran toward them. "You have no idea how much I’ve been looking forward to seeing you!"
Pei Yuan gazed at Qiao Chuchu as she ran toward him, his eyes glinting like shards of gold. "That day will never co," he declared confidently, reaching out to her. "I’m the head of the Pei family. She won’t marry anyone. I an what I say."
Qiao Chuchu jumped off the stage, landing securely in his arms.
He held her waist tightly, patted her back gently, and then handed her over to Pei Che.
Pei Che examined her carefully. "Are you okay?"
Qiao Chuchu exhaled deeply. "I wasn’t doing so well earlier, but seeing you all has made feel much better."
Pei Youchuan pushed forward, masking his concern with a teasing grin. "Qiao Chuchu, you can’t do without us, can you?"
She shrugged playfully. "Of course not. Without you backing up at such a big event, I’d be lost."
Qiao Chuchu winked mysteriously. "Having you around makes feel at ease, like I’m at ho."
Then her expression faltered, and she covered her mouth.
[Oh no, did I say too much? Will they think I’m being clingy? Will they think I’ve developed feelings for them and push away?]
Pei Fengnong chuckled, patting her head with a look of fondness. "You’re always like this at big events—so nervous. That’s why one of us always has to accompany you."
Pei Mu and Pei Ci nudged Pei Fengnong aside, standing on either side of her. "We’re different. There are two of us."
Pei Buxian, still teary-eyed, shoved a dog into Qiao Chuchu’s arms. "And I have a dog."
Qiao Chuchu cradled the West Highland Terrier, her heart lting as she lifted it up, staring into its dark little eyes. "I don’t need all of you. Just leave the dog. Dogs are always loyal and loving!"
The seven frowned in unison. "Who said it’s just the dog?"
Qiao Chuchu paused, thinking for a mont. "Oh, right. A cat would work too."
The seven: "?"
Lin Qing pushed through the group, slinging an arm around Qiao Chuchu’s shoulders. "Chuchu, how are you feeling? Are you okay?"
Qiao Chuchu smiled. "Much better~ How about you? Did you resolve the issues with your family?"
Lin Qing laughed carelessly. "My dad refuses to admit that the people he sent were there to kill . But I found a gun in his bodyguard’s possession. He claims it was for my protection."
Qiao Chuchu grew wary. "Did you believe him?"
Lin Qing sneered. "Not a chance."
Qiao Chuchu frowned. "What about your dad? What’s he doing now?"
Lin Qing grinned. "He’s quite free now. He’s a vegetable."
Qiao Chuchu: "?"
That’s... free?
Lin Qing bead. "What can I say? He never took care of his health. He had a brain hemorrhage during our argunt and fell into a coma."
Qiao Chuchu was stunned. "What about your dad’s illegitimate child?"
Lin Qing’s eyes curved into crescents. "His mother took him abroad. I told her the story of my dad’s ‘white moonlight’ who loved skydiving. For so reason, when I ntioned that she only ca back from skydiving nine out of ten tis, she started trembling and said she’d leave the country imdiately, never to return."
Qiao Chuchu’s lips twitched.
[Isn’t that just a straight-up threat?! Lin Qing, you’re truly the queen of manipulation!]
Lin Qing smirked, wrapping an arm around Qiao Chuchu’s waist. "So I owe you thanks this ti. I’ve prepared a gift for you, and you’ll receive it soon."
Qiao Chuchu blinked in surprise. "What kind of gift? Skydiving?"
Lin Qing burst out laughing, playfully swatting her bottom. "You’re never allowed to skydive. You’ll find out what the gift is soon enough."
With that, she walked away confidently.
Lou Yuejue, as if taking the baton in a relay, hurried over to Qiao Chuchu. "Sister!"
Qiao Chuchu’s eyes lit up. "Yuejue, thank you for standing up for earlier."
Lou Yuejue stood with his hands behind his back, looking up at her proudly. "My dad said it’s only right to protect the person you like. I like you, so I’ll protect you!"
Qiao Chuchu crouched down, amused. "Really? You like ?"
[Does that an the character I’ve been rooting for likes too?!]
[I’m so happy!~]
Lou Yuejue’s cheeks flushed slightly as he nodded solemnly. "Yes."
He pulled a piece of paper from his pocket and handed it to her with both hands, speaking earnestly. "I want to exchange sothing with you."
Qiao Chuchu took the paper and unfolded it. "Huh? Is this... ?"
It was a beautiful sketch, even more stunning than she was in real life, adorned with delicate roses.
Lou Yuejue’s na was written on it.
He pointed at the drawing. "I’ve been learning art recently. My teacher asked us to draw the person we most want to see, so I drew you."
Qiao Chuchu’s eyes widened in astonishnt as she stared at Lou Yuejue.
[This is so romantic!]
The seven Pei brothers crowded around, equally stunned by Lou Yuejue.
Lou Yuejue, dressed in a crisp suit, his short hair slightly curled, his delicate face tinged with pink, tilted his chin up and formally invited her, "I want to exchange the drawing I made while thinking of you for one you make while thinking of . Can you think only of ? Then I’ll keep yours, and you’ll keep mine. Is that okay?"
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