My Husband

If my dad meets you tomorrow, decides you are a jerk, and tries to force me to go back with him... would you dare to snatch me away?

Chen Zhi looked at Pei Ningxue, who was in his arms with a serious look in her eyes, and suddenly laughed.

He reached out and pinched her chin, his thumb rubbing against her delicate lips.

Pei Ningxue, in this life you will only have me as your man. You cannot run away.

Pei Ningxue looked at him for two seconds, then suddenly leaned in and bit his chin.

She did not bite hard; rather than a bite, it felt more like she was stamping a seal on him.

You know what is good for you. She let go, climbed off Chen Zhi's lap, and stretched. Let us go, President Chen.

Where to?

Is today not our top-secret statutory holiday? Barefoot on the carpet, Pei Ningxue turned and raised an eyebrow at him. Staying at home is so boring. I want to go shopping, just the two of us.

Half an hour later.

Chen Zhi casually threw on a gray hoodie and a pair of loose sweatpants. Pei Ningxue dug out a matching white hoodie, paired it with slim light blue jeans, and slipped into a pair of canvas sneakers.

Her long hair was casually tied into a high ponytail. She wore no makeup, yet she was so elegantly beautiful that it was hard to look away.

Where is the car? Pei Ningxue looked left and right.

Chen Zhi did not say a word, but pulled out a bicycle from who knows where.

Chen Zhi got onto the seat, propped himself up with one foot, and patted the small mudguard over the back wheel. President Pei, get on.

Pei Ningxue's eyes widened. You want me to sit on this?

What? Used to riding in Rolls-Royces, so you look down on our green mode of transportation? Chen Zhi deliberately provoked her. If you are scared to ride it, forget it. I will go for a spin by myself.

Who says I am scared!

She walked over, turned sideways, and carefully sat on the back seat. The moment she steadied herself, Chen Zhi pushed hard on the pedals, and the bicycle shot forward with a whoosh.

Ah! Chen Zhi, slow down! Pei Ningxue cried out in fright, her hands instinctively wrapping around Chen Zhi's waist.

The breeze blew against their faces, carrying a slight chill, but it blew away all their worries.

Chen Zhi purposely navigated through the narrow old hutongs.

Gray bricks and tiles, mottled red-painted doors, old men sunbathing in doorways, and the occasional tabby cat darting out.

The bicycle bumped along the stone-paved paths.

At first, Pei Ningxue was tense and stiff, but gradually, she relaxed.

She pressed her cheek against Chen Zhi's broad back, listening to the wind whistling in her ears.

Chen Zhi! she suddenly shouted.

What! Chen Zhi replied into the wind.

Ride faster!

Chen Zhi laughed, his legs pushing hard as the bicycle zipped rapidly through the alleys.

Pei Ningxue's crisp laughter echoed through the hutongs.

Right now, she was not the eldest daughter of the Pei family, she was not the CFO of Deep Space Technology, and there were no headache-inducing sisters to deal with.

At this moment, she was just an eighteen-year-old girl holding the boy she liked, running wild in the Beijing spring.

The bicycle finally stopped at the entrance of a bustling pedestrian street.

The two pushed the bike, blending into the bustling crowd.

Chen Zhi went to a roadside stall and bought two skewers of candied hawthorn, handing one to Pei Ningxue.

Pei Ningxue bit through the crisp, sweet sugar coating. The sourness made her squint, but she could not resist taking a second bite.

They walked and browsed along the way, finally ducking into an old shop selling handmade woven goods.

The shop was not big, its walls covered in various delicate knotwork and fabric crafts.

Tending the shop was a white-haired old grandmother, wearing reading glasses and knitting behind the counter.

Pei Ningxue took a liking to a pair of red safety-knot bracelets, holding them up to examine.

You have great taste, young lady, the old grandmother set down her knitting and looked at them with a smile. I wove these myself for safety and peace. You newlyweds are so good-looking; standing together, you look like you walked right out of a painting.

Chen Zhi was just about to explain that they were still students.

But a sweet voice came from beside him.

Thank you, grandma. Pei Ningxue did not correct her. She naturally linked her arm through Chen Zhi's, her eyes curving into a smile. My husband treats me very well. We will take these safety knots.

Chen Zhi turned to look at Pei Ningxue.

The girl's side profile looked exceptionally soft under the dim shop lights. That phrase my husband rolled off her tongue so naturally, without the slightest hesitation, as if they really had spent most of their lives together in this alley.

Chen Zhi squeezed her hand, pulled out his phone, and scanned the QR code to pay.

By the time they came out of the boutique, the sky was gradually darkening.

Without realizing it, they had wandered over to Shichahai.

The afterglow of the sunset spilled over the sparkling lake, the weeping willows on the bank swayed in the wind, and the neon lights of the distant bar street began to flicker on.

Pei Ningxue leaned against the white marble railing, still holding her half-eaten candied hawthorn, staring blankly at the lake.

What are you thinking about? Chen Zhi walked up beside her.

I was thinking... Pei Ningxue turned her head and looked at Chen Zhi. It would be great if time could just stop at this moment forever.

Chen Zhi did not speak. He just put his hands behind his back and, like a magic trick, suddenly brought them out.

A bouquet of red roses.

The petals still bore crystal-clear water droplets, looking delicate and vibrant.

He had bought them at a roadside flower shop just a moment ago while Pei Ningxue was distracted watching a clay figurine maker.

For you, my love. Chen Zhi held the flowers out to her.

Pei Ningxue stared blankly at Chen Zhi. For some reason, her eyes suddenly turned red.

Why are you just standing there? Do you not want them? Chen Zhi teased her. If you do not want them, I will throw them in the lake.

Do not you dare! Pei Ningxue snatched the roses and hugged them tightly to her chest.

She lowered her head and sniffed their fragrance.

The next second.

Amidst the bustling tourists, under the very last gleam of the setting sun.

Pei Ningxue suddenly stood on her tiptoes, looped her arms around Chen Zhi's neck, and kissed him without any hesitation.

She gently bit at Chen Zhi's lips. She had given him her heart years ago, and now she was giving him her everything.

Perhaps this was how it would be for the rest of her life; there was no escaping it now.

Passing tourists turned their heads to look.

It was not until Pei Ningxue was out of breath that she went limp in Chen Zhi's arms.

Chen Zhi. She leaned against his chest, her voice trembling slightly.

Yeah.

Remember this, I am your wife. Pei Ningxue gripped his clothes tightly. Tomorrow, even if my dad points a gun at you, you cannot hand me over.

Do not worry. Chen Zhi rubbed her head. His tone was light, but it carried a fierce determination. No one takes away a woman who has entered my Chen family's door.

The two held hands and slowly walked back.

The backup work phone in her bag suddenly let out a short vibration.

Pei Ningxue had deliberately turned off her personal phone before going out today, but this backup phone was specifically for receiving the most urgent business messages.

She stopped walking, took out the phone, and glanced at it.

Chen Zhi leaned over to take a look.

It was a text message from Pei Dongcheng's personal secretary.

President Pei, the Chairman lands at Daxing Airport tomorrow morning at nine. Please be sure to pick him up on time.

Chen Zhi took hold of Pei Ningxue's hand.

"Let's go, Mr. Pei." Chen Zhi smiled. "Let's head back and rest up. Tomorrow, I'm going to pay a visit to my father-in-law."