I Want a Lifetime with You
Chapter 220

"So Yan knows about this too? I'm the only one that's clueless?"

Ning Xin immediately knew that Fu Heng was heading into the blind alley with his bull-headed thoughts. She felt the beginnings of a throbbing headache as she tried to placate her husband, "Heng, don't be mad. I've done nothing, and Xiu was just coming for a visit."

"Is that so?"

Ning Xin was an artless person, but Fu Heng was too clever to let her pull the wool over his eyes. He narrowed his eyes and glared at Pei Jingxiu. Pei Jingxiu was poised as calmly met Fu Heng's gaze. "Heng, Xiu is our guest. On top of that, he is Yan's friend!"

Fu Heng glanced at Ning Xin and finally dropped the hostility. Then, he shifted his gaze towards Ning Xi, "This is..."

"Xi, come and meet your uncle!"

"Uncle!" Ning Xi maintained her distant demeanor as she greeted Fu Heng politely. Oddly, her faint aloofness made a good impression on Fu Heng. At least she was not a calculating girl that would scheme against Ning Xin. "Where are Yan and Nuan?"

"The little couple went for a walk." Ning Xin smiled, "That's it, stop pulling the long face. Don't you know me? Do you think anyone can force me into doing something that I'm unwilling to?" Her words soothed Fu Heng's nerves, but he still gave Pei Jingxiu the cold shoulder.

Fu Heng had no prejudice against Pei Jingxiu, but he was concerned about Pei Jingxiu's reputation and the fact that he was fostered by the Ning family. He was mindful that Pei Jingxiu was a man of high aspiration a true go-getter.

Meanwhile, Ning Xin and Fu Chengyan were strolling around the neighborhood, "Yan, you said Pei Jingxiu was adopted by the Ning family. How come I never heard about this?"

“That's normal, since only a handful of people know about this." Fu Chengyan reflected, "In fact, I need to thank aunt, otherwise I wouldn't have even met Pei Jingxiu. His relationship with the Ning family is complicated, so you need not treat him as a member of the Ning family."

"Alright, got it. And about the girl that Pei Jingxiu brought along today, Ning Xi, she seems to be a meek person. She's a child of the Ning family, but Pei Jingxiu came to Jiang City to meet Aunt Ning instead of bringing her back to the Ning family in Sheen City. Isn't it weird? I don't understand!"

"Pei Jingxiu knows what he's doing. Bringing Ning Xi to visit Aunt Ning is a safe bet. Actually, Pei Jingxiu spent his childhood alongside Aunt Ning, just like me."

"Really?" Shi Nuan was surprised, "Then aunt Ning must be a very nice person because you and Pei Jingxiu respect her a lot."

Fu Chengyan nodded in agreement, "Aunt Ning is a wise woman. Uncle had gone through a whole lot of twists and turns to marry her."

"I think it's time we head back!" Shi Nuan pointed at her watch, "What should we have for lunch today? There are six of us - uncle, Aunt Ning, Pei Jingxiu, Ning Xi, you, and me."

"Don't worry, I've instructed Zhou Zheng to prepare some fresh ingredients. It's all set!"

"Yan, you always have everything planned out." Shi Nuan clung to Fu Chengyan's arm and peered up at him, "I want to eat braised fish head."

"Check!"

"What about Sichuan boiled beef?"

"Check!"

"And braised eggplant?"

"Yes, your wishes are granted!"

"Yan, you're the best!"

Fu Heng had already returned when the couple got back. Surprisingly, the atmosphere in the living room was harmonious.

Pei Jingxiu and Fu Heng were playing chess with Fu Chengyan precious chess set.

Fu Chengyan raised his brow as he walked toward them with Shi Nuan, "Where did you replace it?"

Pei Jingxiu narrowed his eyes, "Chengyan, how could keep such a nice chess set to yourself?" The origin of the chessboard could be traced back to the Ming Dynasty. It was well preserved because it was made out of fine wood coupled with anticorrosive materials.

Fu Chengyan had bid it with a sky-high price from an auction in the capital. It had been kept in his collection all this while, but thanks to Pei Jingxiu and Fu Heng, it finally saw the light of day.

Fu Chengyan was not a miser; he simply glanced at the heated game and the two chess players. It seemed like Pei Jingxiu had met his match; it was a diamond cut diamond.

Both of them demonstrated different chess styles; Fu Heng was an aggressive player while Pei Jingxiu was more of a forbearing player. There was a touch of tension in the air; every move on the chessboard was perfectly calculated, and both players were trading off pieces over a multitude of other possibilities.

On the other hand, a relaxed and easy-going atmosphere surrounded Ning Xin and Ning Xi.

Ning Xin had always been a calm person, and she enjoyed taking her time.

She was sieving through the tea leaves while warming her tea ware. Then, she infused the tea leaves and swirled them with a teaspoon in a slow circular motion. She was pleased when she saw Ning Xi imitating her motions. "Xiu said you received western education when you were abroad. I replace that you have a strong grip on your composure."

"Thank you for the compliment, aunt."

Ning Xi paused and greeted Shi Nuan as she approached them, "Sister-in-law."

"Relax, you can call me Shi Nuan. Xi, how old are you?"

"Twenty-three," Ning Xi replied. Shi Nuan raised her brow, "I'm two years older than you, you can call me Nuan if you prefer.”

"Nuan!" Ning Xi had open up and became more talkative as compared to when she just arrived at the house. Shi Nuan responded with smile and joined their tea-brewing. "Nuan, you're skilled in brewing tea. Have you learnt it before?"

"Yes, I learned it from my grandpa when I was little." Shi Nuan smiled and handed Fu Heng and Pei Jingxiu the freshly brewed tea, "Uncle, Pei Jingxiu, do have some tea!"

"Thank you!" Fu Heng took a sip and nodded in satisfaction. "Yan indeed has a lovely wife."

Shi Nuan smiled, "It's quite late now. Uncle and Pei Jingxiu, you guys should stay for dinner! I'll prepare it right now."

"I'll give you a helping hand!" Fu Chengyan followed Shi Nuan into the kitchen. Fu Heng smiled with delight as he gazed at the lovely couple. "Seems like Yan finally got a taste of love." It was Fu Heng's turn to make a move; he moved his piece intuitively and was no longer taking aggressive steps.

Pei Jingxiu paused for a second. His eyes bore into Fu Heng's and chuckled, "Yes, he's a different man when compared to his old self a few years ago. He's become more compassionate."

"Yes, he seems to be more caring!" Fu Heng said. He smiled when he noticed the game ended up in stalemate after Pei Jingxiu made his move,. "Oh, you turned the tide! I'm beginning to regain hope for the younger generation. Shall we have one more game?"

"Of course!" Pei Jingxiu nodded and started setting up the chessboard.

In the meantime, Shi Nuan and Fu Chengyan were busy preparing dinner in the kitchen. An hour later, dinner was ready. Shi Nuan came out of the kitchen in her apron to serve the last dish-spicy chicken. "All of you, wash your hands and get ready for dinner."

"Alright!" Ning Xin placed her teacup down, "It smells so good! I didn't know that you are so good at cooking!"

"Actually, Yan is the head chef and I'm just his sous-chef. Uncle, Aunt Ning, you can wash your hands here."

All six of them enjoyed the meal as well as the joyous moments. Although Shi Nuan claimed that Fu Chengyan was the one preparing the meal, Fu Heng and Ning Xin knew that Shi Nuan was just being humble. She was a likable lady and the perfect match for Fu Chengyan. They were relieved and felt as if a huge weight had lifted off their chests.

After dinner, Pei Jingxiu left with Ning Xi while Shi Nuan and Fu Chengyan took a stroll outside. Fu Heng and Ning Xin headed upstairs to the guestrooms, which had been cleaned and prepared by Shi Nuan beforehand.

Ning Xin finished showering and was holding her towel. Fu Heng helped Ning Xin rub her hair dry, "Shi Nuan is a nice lady and it seems like Yan's feeling for her are genuine."

"Yan takes all of his relationships seriously. I think he has a clear-sighted sense of when he should move on. Unlike some of you who constantly hold on to the past." Regardless of the trace of similarity of Shi Nuan's features with that woman, Ning Xin was pleased to acknowledge Shi Nuan as her nephew's wife.

Fu Heng smiled and nodded, "I might have worried too much. In that case, we'll temporarily keep it from the Fu family. We all know my father's temper, and only Yan knows how to deal with him. Whereas Yan's parents..." Fu Heng was perturbed whenever he thought of Fu Sheng and Song Zhenyan.

Ning Xin was well aware of Fu Heng's worries, "Years have passed since that incident, so you shouldn't keep dwelling on the past. In fact, you have nothing to do with it."

"You're right. We'll cross the bridge when we get there! We'll stay here for the time being since you're unwilling to face Song Zhenyan in the Fu clan mansion."

"I couldn't agree more. And I can meet Xi more often. Xiu promised that he would visit us every once in a while during his stay in Jiang City." Ning Xin glanced furtively at Fu Heng and continued, "Xiu is a poor kid - he lost his parents and the Pei family overnight. Fortunately, he survived against all odds. Heng, don't worry, Xiu won't harm me."

"Mm!" Fu Heng could tell that Pei Jingxiu respected Ning Xin a lot. He didn't care if Pei Jingxiu ruined the Ning family. All he cared about were Ning Xin and their child - Pei Huan.

A dead silence blanketed the car on their journey back home. Ning Xi could no longer maintain her façade as a timorous girl. As if a switch had been flipped, she regained her usual coolness, "So this is why you brought me here? To meet her?"

Pei Jingxiu glanced at her out of the corner of his eyes and remained mute. However, the answer to her question was plain to see.

Ning Xin was slightly annoyed, "She's a kind woman, and I can see that you respect her very much. But now you're taking advantage of her kindness, don't you think it's cruel to her?"