QTIMP -Chapter 109 Character Persona – Money Loving (Part 19)

Si Qiu had entered the final exam period, the club had entered a busy season, and with the clothing factory booming as the year-end approached, things had been particularly hectic lately.

Pei Jingzhou was even busier than she was, because Old Master Pei planned to return to the country after the New Year. The significance of Old Master Pei’s return was different this time: Pei Jingzhou had purchased a traditional five-courtyard siheyuan.

Because of previous neglect, the property was in a dilapidated state. He spent a fortune, using government channels to source materials and hire workers for renovations.

The goal was to maintain the original authenticity while making the house more convenient and suitable for the elderly. Si Qiu couldn’t just stand by, so she reached out through Qiao Yalan to contact some embroidery artisans and fabric producers from Jiangnan.

Through Luo Baibai in the capital, she also connected with local collectors. In short, it had been a busy time leading up to May, when Old Master Pei returned, and he had refused Pei Jingzhou’s offer to meet him upon arrival.

So Si Qiu accompanied Pei Jingzhou and a group of government officials at the airport to wait. The weather was still cold. Si Qiu wore a high-necked white top, paired with a jade pendant of fine quality.

She wore black dress pants and a pair of small leather shoes, with a calf-length wool coat on top. Her hair was neatly pinned back, without any hair accessories.

The plane landed and the cabin door opened. The bodyguards went down first, followed by Old Master Pei leading the family members. Behind them were secretaries and assistants, then staff, and finally the bodyguards.

Pei Jingzhou stepped forward a few steps, supporting Old Master Pei’s arm, nodded to the middle-aged man beside him, then slightly bowed and said something to Old Master Pei.

Old Master Pei smiled, patted his hand, and began greeting the government officials. After politely declining their welcome banquet, the officials left without insisting.

Then their group got into cars and headed directly to the siheyuan. Naturally, Old Master Pei sat with Pei Jingzhou. Si Qiu had originally planned to take another car, but Pei Jingzhou called her over.

No one said anything about it, but the middle-aged man, frowning, remarked, “Jingzhou, isn’t this arrangement a bit… inappropriate?”

Pei Jingzhou didn’t even bother responding. He first helped Old Master Pei into the car, then called Si Qiu in, before finally addressing the middle-aged man.

“Dad, if you don’t want to come with us, I can have someone take you to a hotel.”

The middle-aged man was so frustrated that he stumbled, supported by a younger man beside him. “Big brother, how can you speak to Dad like that?”

Pei Jingzhou’s gaze swept over him coldly, then he sneered, got into the car, and instructed the driver to leave.

Old Master Pei patted his hand. “Your father has always been like this—unpredictable. You don’t need to argue with him. But Jiutian is not young anymore. I think he shouldn’t just wander around at your father’s mercy. Maybe you can arrange something for him—keeping him busy would be better than letting him remain a pampered playboy.”

Si Qiu lightly twirled her fingers, carefully absorbing Old Master Pei’s words. Deep in Pei Jingzhou’s eyes, a cold glint flashed, but his face remained expressionless.

Since that morning, until now, he had worn this same mask of impassivity, as if a mask had been welded onto his face.

“He overestimates him,” Pei Jingzhou said. “Being a spoiled playboy is only possible because your son supports him. Otherwise, who knows how many times he would have come close to death.”

Old Master Pei didn’t feel embarrassed at all. Instead, he looked at Si Qiu. “So this is the Si Qiu you mentioned on the phone?”

Si Qiu quickly took the opportunity to show a small, slightly shy smile. “Ah, hello, Old Master. My name is Si Qiu.”

“Mm-hmm, good child, good child.” Saying this, he took the box handed over by a middle-aged man and held it in his hands.

“This is a gift I prepared for you when we meet. Jingzhou, I’ll leave you in her care for a while.”

Si Qiu accepted the velvet box. “I dare not refuse such generosity from an elder. Thank you.”

She then put the box away and continued smiling at Old Master Pei. “Old Master Pei, you are too polite. Brother Jingzhou is steady and capable; there’s really nothing I need to take care of. He only mentions you often, saying he’s worried about your health.”

Old Master Pei laughed heartily at this. “You’re quite a sensible child. I heard you did all the interior decoration for the house. It must have been a lot of work for you recently.”

Even though he spoke warmly, notice that he didn’t even ask Si Qiu to change how she addressed him—this shows what he really thinks in his heart.

Fortunately, Si Qiu didn’t mind such things. But a person as experienced as he is, after chatting for a while, he also realized this.

He teasingly glanced at Pei Jingzhou. Seeing his usual expressionless face, Old Master Pei could only shrug helplessly in his heart.

The car stopped in front of a crimson-red gate. The bodyguards got out first, followed by others who slowly entered the courtyard.

The car was then driven by the chauffeur into the parking lot.

By May, the courtyard was already full of greenery. All the scenic setups had been carefully restored by master craftsmen to preserve the original look. Yet because the courtyard was so large, some secluded areas hadn’t been fully tended to yet.

Still, what had been prepared was more than enough to live in. Some people went into the main hall, and the previously idle servants hurriedly served hot tea at the right moment.

“Grandfather, let’s eat a little first. Then you can rest properly. Any matters can wait until after your rest.”

Pei Jingzhou explained the arrangements one by one.

“All right, all right. At this age, I really can’t handle much anymore.”

After the meal, Old Master Pei settled in. As they stepped out, they saw Pei Jiutian leaning against the porch. The name was insisted upon by Pei Jingzhou’s father, Pei Tai.

Back then, Pei Jingzhou’s mother was the only daughter in her family. Both families’ businesses faced difficulties, so they arranged a marriage alliance. Pei Tai agreed.

Once the conditions were settled, the wedding took place. Six months later, Pei Jingzhou’s mother discovered she was pregnant. When she was nine months along, Pei Tai’s mistress came to their home with her own pregnancy.

Her pregnancy was only three months behind Pei Jingzhou’s mother. At that time, Pei Jingzhou’s mother had a premature birth; the baby was healthy, but she suffered lasting health issues. The Wang family then intervened.

After all, she had been the cherished little princess of her family, and Pei Tai was good-looking. He had truly liked her back then, with sweet words, gifts, and plenty of time devoted.

When the bubble of love burst, she couldn’t fully bear it. But at that critical moment for the Pei family, if the Wang family hadn’t helped, Pei family’s business could have collapsed, and whether people survived was uncertain.

In the end, when Pei Jingzhou had just turned one month old, Old Master Pei gave 20% of the company’s shares to the Wang family and 5% to Pei Jingzhou’s mother. This was neither compensation nor a promise—it was a trade for the Wang family’s fortune.

Pei Tai was properly scolded by Old Master Pei. But that only stirred his rebellious side. Despite the mistress accompanying him during the birth, Pei Jiutian’s mother died in childbirth.

The name was insisted upon by Pei Tai. He told Old Master Pei firmly that his mistress had been destroyed by the Wang family.