Chapter 28: Keeping the Appointment

“Is this really from you?” Fang Yuan cared little about so-called lucky stones; what truly mattered to him was whether the previous package had also been sent by Pei Xi.

“Of course, my name’s right on it,” Pei Xi replied loudly.

“Then was that last delivery also from you?” Fang Yuan asked, his tone growing serious.

“The last one? No, I’ve only sent you this,” Pei Xi’s voice suddenly softened, and Fang Yuan, listening on the other end, thought he heard a man’s voice mixed in.

Before he could finish speaking, Pei Xi hung up.

They had arranged to meet at eleven o’clock for lunch, in a nearby five-star restaurant. Since the lucky stone was a gift from Pei Xi, Chong Chong insisted Fang Yuan wear it. Reluctantly, Fang Yuan tucked the hideously colored stone into his pocket.

Pei Xi, ever attentive, sent a car early to pick him up.

When the luxurious, imposing vehicle stopped in front of Fang Yuan’s apartment, Manager Xue’s face lit up with excitement.

“Fang Yuan, the driver says he’s here for you.” When Fang Yuan came down, Manager Xue hurried over at a trot.

“Yes, I know,” Fang Yuan replied curtly.

To Manager Xue, this young man was admirable in every way but one: he spoke as if words were precious.

Hmm, not good—this habit needs to change…

Fang Yuan felt as if he were climbing into the car under a blaze of scrutiny. Though his neighborhood was decent, it wasn’t exactly bustling. The arrival of such a gleaming, gilded car inevitably drew attention.

Whether by coincidence or Pei Xi’s careful planning, their cars arrived at the hotel entrance one after another.

“My dear daughter, is this your friend?” Old Master Pei had never met Fang Yuan before; naturally, he didn’t know the man standing before him, whose presence felt prickly and out of place.

“This is my boyfriend, Fang Yuan. Fang Yuan, this is my father—just call him Old Pei. It’s his favorite nickname,” Pei Xi said, slipping her arm through Fang Yuan’s, her demeanor demure and affectionate.

Fang Yuan sensed Old Pei casting a resentful look his way, then noticed Zheng Hao, who had accompanied them, also gazing at him.

But Zheng Hao’s eyes brimmed with sympathy and pity, as if he were looking at a stray puppy or kitten.

And that chubby fellow—why was his gaze so complicated?

Ever since Pei Xi declared Fang Yuan to be her boyfriend, the expressions of the three men opposite him had turned strange.

Could anyone explain what was happening to Fang Yuan? He felt as if he were being used.

Was it too late to regret?

“What did you just say? Who did you say he was to you?” Old Pei’s tone was unreadable, but his words were slow and deliberate.

At last, Fang Yuan understood. Well played, Pei Xi—she had used him as a shield, throwing him into the fire.

“He’s my boyfriend, Fang Yuan,” Pei Xi said fearlessly. Fang Yuan, however, feared for his life.

Seeing Old Pei’s dark, piercing gaze, Fang Yuan realized he was up against a formidable adversary.

“You’re called Fang Yuan?” Old Pei seemed to be addressing Fang Yuan, but in truth, he was questioning the two useless men beside him. This man, now Pei Xi’s boyfriend, stood before him unscathed.

Faced with Old Pei’s skepticism, Zheng Hao and Fat Dahai immediately lowered their heads, a sight Fang Yuan caught plainly.

It looked as though he’d been ensnared by Pei Xi—no wonder she’d given him a lucky stone, as if he were destined for misfortune.

Yet Fang Yuan was not one to cower. Since he was now in the line of fire, he’d confront it head-on.

“Old Pei, I’m Pei Xi’s new boyfriend. If there’s anything I fail at, please don’t hold it against me,” Fang Yuan said politely, making sure to include Pei Xi in his words.

He said “new boyfriend,” deliberately implying he wasn’t Pei Xi’s first. The message to Old Pei was clear: don’t focus too much on me; look further ahead.

Indeed, upon hearing this, Old Pei glanced at Zheng Hao and Fat Dahai, who now shot Fang Yuan pleading looks.

Fang Yuan pretended not to notice. If blame was to be assigned, let Pei Xi shoulder it; this was her idea.

While waiting for their meal, Old Pei deliberately sat beside Fang Yuan, separating him from Pei Xi and ignoring all questions of seniority or seating.

“Fang Yuan—hmm, that name sounds quite decent. Where are you from? What do your parents do?” Old Pei asked, prying for details.

“It’s just me. Wherever I go, that’s my home,” Fang Yuan replied smoothly.

He had intended to say his parents had passed away, but realized that wasn’t accurate—it was himself who had disappeared. Yet he couldn’t say that outright, so he settled for ‘just me, wherever I go is home.’

Old Pei seemed to detect something amiss. Perhaps this boyfriend was an impostor; maybe his daughter had hidden the genuine article and brought in a stand-in to fool him.

To verify whether Fang Yuan was real or fake, Old Pei had plenty of methods.

Regardless, the presence of this “boyfriend,” genuine or not, displeased Old Pei. And when he was unhappy, he ensured those around him were equally unsettled.

So, was he about to unleash his next move?

“Our little Xi has been spoiled by me since she was young. In the future, if she ever does anything wrong, I hope you’ll be tolerant. If you really can’t stand it, come to me—here’s my phone number.” As he spoke, Old Pei handed over a satellite phone.

Anyone unfamiliar would have thought the old man was holding a vintage cell phone.

People only used such extravagant communication devices in remote, uninhabited areas. But Old Pei carried his satellite phone everywhere.

For someone of his status, it wasn’t overly extravagant, but as Fat Dahai would say, it was certainly ostentatious.

Fang Yuan immediately recognized the luxury of Old Pei’s satellite phone. During his missions with the professor, they sometimes went to desolate places, and their unit would equip the team with a single satellite phone.

But Old Pei’s device was far superior to any they had ever used.