QTIMP -Chapter 119 Character Persona – Money Loving (Part 29)

Previously, Si Qiu didn’t know him well and still thought he might be Pei Jingzhou’s rival. But now, seeing him like this, she truly didn’t want to show any trace of disdain.

Some people, however, always seem capable of lowering the baseline of human intelligence.

Si Qiu took the tea the butler handed her and splashed it straight onto his face. With a faint smile and a critical gaze, she looked Pei Jiutian over from head to toe.

Then she turned coquettishly to Pei Jingzhou and said, “Brother Jingzhou, you are the future heir of the Pei family and also this man’s elder brother. You can’t just let him act however he wants as a family member and as your younger brother. After all, he is so uncultured, tasteless, bad-tempered, and of low intelligence—it’s easy for him to drag down the family’s level.”

She picked up Pei Jingzhou’s teacup again, lightly skimming the froth off the surface. “As the older brother, the firstborn, you must discipline him when necessary. Throughout history, discipline has raised filial sons and good people. You can’t be stingy with your effort and let him rot like trash.”

The sound of the teacup hitting the floor drew everyone’s eyes to Pei Jiutian’s contorted face. “You b*tch, who are you calling trash?”

Si Qiu didn’t show any obvious anger; her smile only grew brighter. “Although I am an orphan, my parents had firm political convictions. I was raised and educated by state institutions. My values are correct, my studies are good, and my political record is clean, which has nothing to do with your insults. As for your own background…People are like this: the more they lack something, the more sensitive they are about it. I can understand that.”

That one remark hit the mark—Pei Jiutian’s mother had been in the flesh trade. Si Qiu never discriminated against anyone for that, she simply couldn’t stand Pei Jiutian as a person.

So she struck exactly where it hurt.

As expected, he couldn’t handle the provocation. He raised his hand to slap Si Qiu. They sat facing each other, separated by about two meters.

In just two large steps, he closed the distance—but before his hand could land, Pei Jingzhou kicked the chair across from him.

The chair toppled over, and before he could get up, Pei Jingzhou stepped on his chest. Then came a barrage of slaps and punches to his face.

Pei Tai first stepped back, then rushed forward to grab Pei Jingzhou’s waist.

“Pei Jingzhou, what do you mean by this? Attacking your own younger brother like this? Father, look closely—this is the heir you chose. He hasn’t even done anything yet, and he’s already trying to annihilate us father and son!”

At this moment, Pei Jingzhou simply stared coldly at them. Si Qiu noticed his hand trembling slightly and reached out to cover it with her own.

Feeling the faintly cool warmth, Pei Jingzhou’s body stiffened and then gradually relaxed. His demeanor softened a little.

All of this happened under the watchful eyes of Old Master Pei and Uncle Lin. Old Master Pei didn’t intervene in the conflict between Si Qiu and Pei Jiutian, nor in the clash between Pei Jingzhou and Pei Tai.

When everyone’s gaze finally focused on him, he slowly set down his teacup and looked at Uncle Lin. “Is the food ready? If it’s ready, let’s eat!”

Uncle Lin respectfully bowed, “Old Master, rest assured. Everything has been prepared. We’re just waiting for everyone to take their seats.”

The Old Master stood up, lightly tapping his cane. “Then let’s begin the meal!”

The atmosphere immediately calmed on the surface, but each person carried an invisible anger in their hearts. The meal was eaten coldly and quietly.

After finishing, the Old Master turned to Si Qiu and said, “The previous courtyards have all been renovated. Later, someone will take you to see if they match your earlier expectations.”

Si Qiu had managed most of the courtyard renovations herself, which was why the Old Master phrased it that way. But the real purpose was to drive her away, leaving him alone to speak with Pei Jingzhou.

Si Qiu understood this and willingly accepted his arrangement. Touring this sprawling mansion, she noticed that every detail had been carefully arranged. The estate reflected its original grandeur.

The pavilions and towers, the flowers and trees, the winding corridors—all of it gradually soothed her mind.

She should buy herself a courtyard like this someday—not necessarily this big, just two or three sections deep.

Then, with careful renovation, it would be far more comfortable than an apartment. After all, apartments nowadays were still a bit small. She could keep flowers, plants, cats, dogs—things that were inconvenient in a high-rise.

Tomorrow, when meeting government and military officials, she could mention procedural matters—not because she wanted trouble, but because her own indifference made things awkward for others.

Old Master Pei then had Pei Tai accompany Pei Jiutian to apply medicine, while he brought Pei Jingzhou to the tea room. The two sat at the tea table, and Pei Jingzhou carefully prepared Da Hong Pao tea, following proper procedures. The Old Master set his cane aside.

A faint clinking sound rang out. Seeing his eldest grandson across the table unmoved, he cleared his throat.

“Jingzhou, I know your father has gone too far over the years. I also made mistakes back then. Our Pei family grew too quickly, drawing attention from all sides. One of your aunts and two uncles passed away in succession, so your father was spoiled and harsh. He didn’t even want to hold a wedding at the time. I insisted he go through with it, and that’s how you were born. I promised him that as long as you were born safely, I would no longer interfere in his affairs. Everything he has done since is my responsibility as his father. I failed, and instead, I let little you bear the burden. The Pei family legacy will eventually be yours. I don’t care about filial piety; I only hope you don’t let him spend his old age in despair. As for your younger brother, he’s foolish. The Pei family is large enough; one more mouth won’t matter. You also don’t want that girl to feel that you are cold and heartless, judging others by yourself and drifting away from her, do you?”

Pei Jingzhou felt a mix of sadness, embarrassment, and faint indifference. Finally, he looked deeply at the Old Master, then lowered his head, pouring tea from the pot into a cup and offering it to him.

“Grandfather, if you transfer all your shares to me, I will agree to the two conditions you mentioned. As long as these two do not threaten the lives of me or my family, I will let them live out their lives freely.”

He took a sip from his cup. “But the premise is this: first, you must transfer the shares to me; second, they must behave themselves.”

He emphasized these two points. The Old Master understood his meaning. Just a few days ago, Pei Jingzhou’s car had been tampered with. Because he was cautious, nothing happened.

It was also easy to catch the father and son in the act, which is why Pei Jingzhou and his driver acted today. The Old Master didn’t say anything—he just stored up this chance for him to vent.

As for Pei Jiutian taking action, it was because he knew the Old Master had transferred some shares to him again. Unable to tolerate it, the father and son moved first.