Tian Xin nodded eagerly at Pei Che: "Yes, yes, of course!"
She pulled her dazed younger brother behind her: "After you!"
Pei Che strode ahead with Qiao Chuchu in a domineering manner.
Qiao Chuchu glanced back at the siblings and whispered, "Why did you reject them like that?"
Pei Che tightened his grip around her waist. "I could tell Tian Shan likes you. What if that kid turns out to be another unreasonable, gasoline-throwing beast? We can't leave any room for trouble."
Her confusion vanished instantly, and she gave him a thumbs-up. "Makes sense! You always know how to nip problems in the bud!"
"Because the world is still a dangerous place," Pei Che said, glancing back at the dejected Tian Shan before leaning close to her ear. "You need to know who loves you most in this world, who would never hurt you. Everyone else's kindness is just an illusion."
His gaze softened, as if wrapping her in a tenderness reserved only for him.
Qiao Chuchu bead at him. "I know who would never hurt —you're definitely one of them."
Seeing her certainty, Pei Che felt a warm ripple in his chest. He turned his head and t Tian Shan’s resentful stare.
With a aningful smile, he silently challenged him.
Tian Shan sensed the provocation and gritted his teeth.
Pei Che then looked back at Qiao Chuchu. "You should take my hand first."
She pulled away slightly. "Isn’t that too much? You already made it pretty clear earlier."
Pei Che studied her stiff posture. "If you avoid touching now, others might think we’re not that close. And if soone gets the wrong idea, they might still bother you."
Qiao Chuchu’s lips twitched, thinking he was overreacting. "No way. Tian Shan wouldn’t do that. I’ve talked to him a few tis—he’s not like that. Don’t assu the worst about people; it’s disrespectful."
[He’s just a shy, introverted guy.]
Pei Che’s eyes darkened as he averted his gaze. "Fine. But I just wanted everyone here to know you’re taken. If so creep is watching us, they’ll co for first—throw gasoline on , whatever. As long as you’re safe."
Qiao Chuchu tensed instantly. "No way!"
[I’ve been burned before—I can’t let my family suffer the sa!]
Without hesitation, she grabbed his hand. "I don’t see the connection, but I won’t let you get hurt like that!"
A glimr of amusent flickered in Pei Che’s eyes as he glanced at their clasped hands. "Chuchu, you’re squeezing too hard. You’re that worried about ?"
She snapped back to reality and loosened her grip. "Sorry, I just… still have so trauma. I’ll let go now."
But before she could, Pei Che seized her hand firmly.
His warm, dry palm enveloped hers, rubbing and kneading it like a cherished toy.
"I know you care about ," he murmured, his voice low and pleased.
His gaze locked onto hers, brimming with possessiveness. "I need you to protect too. Without you, I wouldn’t survive."
Despite his words, he carried himself like a wolf leading her into his territory, his smug satisfaction evident in every glance.
Qiao Chuchu: "..."
[He doesn’t seem like he needs protecting at all. More like he’s teasing .]
Still, she held his hand tighter. "Let’s go."
The gasoline incident had left deep scars.
Even after all these years, the sight of soone holding a bottle made her heart race—especially if they had feelings for her.
So she might as well play along.
Pei Che lifted his chin like a proud peacock, letting her lead him away.
Tian Shan watched, crestfallen, until Pei Che shot him another aningful look.
To his surprise, Pei Che didn’t seem annoyed—he looked delighted. "Thanks."
Tian Shan: "?"
Why was he thanking him?
Half an hour later, Qiao Chuchu finished browsing the art exhibition and prepared to leave.
But Pei Youchuan appeared at the entrance. "Well, well, if it isn’t our dear Chuchu! What a coincidence~"
Qiao Chuchu blinked in surprise. "Pei Youchuan? What are you doing here?"
Pei Youchuan wore a casual white T-shirt, his denim jacket tied loosely around his waist. "Because my ti’s up."
?
[Ti? What ti? What are they talking about?]
Noticing she was wearing pants, Pei Youchuan effortlessly hoisted her over his shoulder. "Let’s go!"
Caught off guard, she nearly yelped and smacked his back. "What are you doing?!"
[This guy just loves carrying around, huh?!]
Pei Youchuan grinned shalessly. "You walk too slow. This is faster."
She frowned. "Where are you taking ? Isn’t Pei Che coming?"
She turned to Pei Che, who stood at the exhibition entrance, waving unhappily. "See you tonight, Chuchu."
[? Why isn’t Pei Che coming?]
Pei Youchuan’s expression darkened. He abruptly pulled her into his arms and tossed her into the air!
Qiao Chuchu shrieked. "Ah!"
He caught her smoothly, smirking. "From now on, Qiao Chuchu, the only na you’re allowed to say is mine—Pei Youchuan. If you ntion anyone else, I’ll keep flipping you like a pancake."
Qiao Chuchu: "????????"
[What kind of nonsense is this?!]
He stuffed her into the passenger seat and buckled her in.
Pei Youchuan blasted music from the car speakers, singing loudly.
"I’ll fly forward, I’m a rose waiting for love~ Buds of affection hidden in my heart~ If you give true comfort~ I’ll bloom just for you!~"
He ran a hand through his hair, flashing her a smug grin. "So, Qiao Chuchu, do I look good? Check out my new tan—healthy, right?"
Qiao Chuchu stared at him like he’d lost his mind. "...Sure."
After parking, Pei Youchuan turned to her, his gaze intense.
"Between and Pei Che, who’s better-looking?"
Qiao Chuchu: "?"
[How do you even compare them? Pei Che is the refined, restrained type, while he’s like a wild panther overflowing with unchecked energy.]
Pei Youchuan raised a brow. "So… ?"
Qiao Chuchu: "When did I say that?"
His tone turned dangerous. "Then I’m not good-looking?"
His tanned hand gripped her arm, as if threatening to toss her again.
Qiao Chuchu: "...You’re more… handso."
Pei Youchuan froze, then burst into laughter, his earlier nace vanishing like crashing waves. "Ohhh, I see!"
He scratched the back of his head, grinning like an idiot. "So that’s how you see ! My bad—wrong word choice."
Qiao Chuchu forced a smile. "Yeah, you’re super handso."
Pei Youchuan flexed his arms overhead. "Like this?!"
She nodded half-heartedly. "Sure!"
He shifted his pose, showing off his muscles again. "And like this?"
Qiao Chuchu clapped enthusiastically, her applause a rapid patter: "So handso, so handso!"
Pei Youchuan promptly stripped off his shirt, proudly displaying his eight-pack abs!
He asked eagerly, "How about now? Still handso?!"
Qiao Chuchu: "?"
Without hesitation, she smacked him over the head!
"Put your clothes back on, you!"
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