Xu Si felt somewhat regretful. "Really, you won't have a drink? I made it myself. It tastes quite nice; it's a floral tea that helps with sleep."
The living room's lighting had been deliberately set to be very bright. More than ten antique-style wall lamps lined the room, bathing every corner in a warm, dusky yellow glow. The warmth from the fireplace filled the air, making it feel unlike the cold of midwinter.
Pei Zhen looked at Xu Si's downcast eyes. It was unclear which of her words had moved him, but he picked up the honey floral tea, tilted his head back, and drank down most of it, sip by sip.
The floral tea wasn't overly sweet and had a slight astringency from the flower petals. Yet, it was the sweetest flavor he had tasted in a while.
"You don't like it?" Xu Si's gaze fell on the remaining half cup of floral tea, a surprised look on her face.
"It's not that I don't like it; it's quite delicious." Pei Zhen smiled, his eyes crinkling as he looked at her. He seemed to remember something and asked, "But, has Auntie been very busy recently? Have you not been sleeping well?"
For a moment, Xu Si felt bewildered—that familiar feeling, as if she were seeing the Pei Zhen from their first meeting in a past life.
Back then, he had said something similar, sitting lazily with crossed legs at a square table surrounded by a crowd, only his tone had been colder then, a forceful, almost aggressive, declarative statement.
—— "Miss Xu, have you not been sleeping well, to suggest such terms to me?"
The living room was quiet enough to hear a breath.
The crisp crackle of firewood pulled Xu Si from her memories. She shook her head slightly. "It's alright. I'll have guests tomorrow, but it's nothing important. If you don't enjoy their company, you can avoid them."
Pei Zhen's gaze swept over her face, then to her fingers—reddened from where she had been pinching them—as they rested by her side, taking in her momentary lapse of attention.
Ah. Through him, who was she really seeing?
He curved his lips tenderly and, not forgetting to respond, said, "Alright."
Xu Si raised her eyebrows. Talking with him was surprisingly comfortable. He responded to every statement and addressed every matter.
If she hadn't known what Pei Zhen would become in the future, she might have believed he was always like this.
She couldn't help but wonder: if he had always had such a good temper from the beginning, how could his personality have become so paranoid and crazed in the future?
Just then, a servant brought in a shopping bag from a department store delivery, having just organized its contents, interrupting her thoughts.
The servant took out several lipsticks, unboxed them, opened each tube, and arranged them on the table for Xu Si to inspect. In a gentle and delicate voice, she said, "Miss, these are the lipsticks you specially ordered from overseas two months ago. Which one would you like to use tomorrow?"
The high-end, velvet-lined gift box was imprinted with the intricate logo of a luxury brand. She glanced at them briefly, and her eyes stung.
The lipstick shades were bizarre. At least to Xu Si's current taste, they were utterly strange.
The exposed lipstick bullets were all fluorescent orange-reds, matte grayish-pinks, garish rose-purples, and other such ghastly shades. Applying them would undoubtedly look tacky and unsophisticated, yet they had perfectly suited her taste at eighteen in her previous life.
Xu Si silently pressed her lips together, resisting the urge to grimace, and closed the box, as if afraid of being further assaulted by the atrocious taste of her past.
After a long moment, she finally spoke. "There's no need. Please take them away."
The servant blinked, puzzled, but immediately carried the lipstick box away.
Xu Si massaged her aching temples and turned to look at Pei Zhen. He was sitting on an armchair, quietly reading a book. When he noticed her gaze, he looked up and asked, "Auntie doesn't like those lipsticks?"
"I used to like them, but not anymore," Xu Si looked down, casually picked up the newspaper beside her, and remarked in an offhand manner, "If you ever give lipstick to a girl in the future, don't choose colors like these. You could ruin a sincere relationship."
It was just a casual remark, but Pei Zhen seemed quite interested. "Then what kind should one give?"
Xu Si pondered for a moment and answered seriously, "Well, if the girl has a gentle personality, you should give a fresh, light tangerine shade. If she's more fiery, then go for a bold, true red. It also depends on skin tone. In any case, ask the sales assistant at the counter which shade sells the best. As long as the color is suitable for daily wear, there shouldn't be any major problems."
She paused and then added with a laugh, "However, when it comes to shades, you probably don't have to worry too much. You're good-looking, so whatever color you choose, girls will likely appreciate it."
She spoke with such conviction, as if it were the most natural thing in the world. Pei Zhen arched his eyebrows, listening attentively. A faint smile touched his lips when he heard the latter part.
He had heard many similar remarks, yet this one particularly caught his attention.
He didn't have time to feel shy. A subtle, prickling itch spread across his arm. He smoothly picked up his book, laid it flat over his palm to cover his hand, and lowered his head to continue reading.
Xu Si flipped through the newspaper, casually recounting some social news to him, mostly about criminal activities.
For instance, a man named Wang from Litchi Alley, to vent his anger, drove his car into his competitor, killing him.
Then there were those who started hacking at each other in the street over a mere joke... and so on.
After recounting two or three examples, she narrowed her eyes slightly, took a sip of the bittersweet floral tea, and said nonchalantly, "That's too extreme, don't you think, Pei Zhen?"
Pei Zhen looked up and nodded. "Yes, you're right."
"Take this rivalry, for example. If it's not a matter of life and death, there's no need to kill someone to vent anger, right?"
"Yes, Auntie is absolutely right."
Xu Si, holding the newspaper with an enigmatic smile, said, "Pei Zhen, you're a good student and clever. You're bound to be extraordinary in the future. If many people follow you one day, remember to be a reasonable person, alright?"
"Alright." Pei Zhen lowered his eyes, answering quickly.
His voice grew fainter, betraying his distraction.
Xu Si sensed something was amiss and glanced at the wall clock. "It's getting late. Are you tired?"
"No, I'm looking at a problem I don't quite understand."
"Then you focus on that. I won't disturb you," Xu Si said with a smile, her gaze soft and fluid, as she relaxed and continued reading the newspaper.
The young man's eyes crinkled slightly. "Auntie, if you want to chat, please feel free. I don't mean to brush you off. Of course, that's assuming you're not tired and still wish to talk."
His words warmed her heart.
She had never met anyone so considerate. During their time together, she felt he was accommodating her in every way, as if he were patiently adjusting to her level.
It was a very subtle feeling.
She had said all she needed to, making her point, and didn't want to disturb his reading any longer. So, she shook her head slightly. "I'm not tired, but you should go back and rest."
"Alright." Pei Zhen glanced at the clock and stood up, his eyes clear and bright. "Goodnight, Auntie. You should also rest early."
Xu Si nodded slightly. Watching his retreating figure, she suddenly noticed something. Pei Zhen walked with a very distinguished posture. His movements were powered from his core, revealing a muscular upper back, a narrow waist, and long legs.
Hmm... He must have received special training.
It's said that old-money families in Europe and America place great importance on posture and deportment. Not only are girls taught to maintain a proper stance, but boys are also rigorously trained to cultivate a gentlemanly bearing.
Having grown up in such an environment, Pei Zhen indeed possessed a distinctly different aura.