Abstinence Pei, don't be too sweet when chasing your wife

The Pei family’s New Year atmosphere began at five in the morning in the airport cargo area.

Pei's father's special assistant Zhou Ming braved the cold wind and checked the list in front of the cold chain vehicle. The white air he exhaled wrapped around the paper and made a rustling sound.

"Two boxes of Australian Wagyu M9 beef; three pounds of Hokkaido sea urchin, freshly caught that day; and twenty pounds of small potatoes grown by farmers near the ruins that Fanxing mentioned, with the mud on, as you requested."

The truck door opened and white mist instantly filled out. Zhou Ming quickly handed over the constant temperature box, and his fingertips shrank when they touched the wall of the box.

"Boss Pei specifically instructed that the Wagyu beef be kept at 0-4°C, the sea urchin be wrapped in three layers of crushed ice, and the baby potatoes be packed separately to avoid getting any mud rubbed off—Miss Fanxing said that stewing with mud on makes them more delicious."

The freight forwarder smiled and nodded, "Your preparations are even more detailed than a state banquet."

Zhou Ming didn't respond, but he sighed in his heart - President Pei had specially video-called the farmer last night to confirm that the small potatoes were the same variety that Gu Fanxing had eaten in the cafeteria at the ruins last time. He also asked his assistant to go to the farmer's house three times before deciding on the 20 kilograms. He didn't even allow the mud to be washed off, for fear that the earthy smell would be lost.

At the same time, warm lights were turned on in the kitchen of the Pei family villa.

Mother Pei was wearing an apron embroidered with daisies and was asking a famous Cantonese chef for advice via video on her phone. The chef on the screen was wearing a snow-white chef's hat and holding a spatula in his hand, explaining patiently.

"Mrs. Pei, if you want to steam cured meat without making it greasy, you should first soak the cured meat in rice water for two hours to remove the fat. When steaming, place a layer of fresh lotus leaves under it to absorb the fat and impart a fresh fragrance."

"You are right,"

Mother Pei quickly asked the housekeeping aunt to write it down in a notebook, pointing her fingertips at the ingredients arranged on the chopping board.

"I've also prepared some soft tofu that Xingxing loves. I want to make a tofu soup. Do you think it would be better to add dried scallops or dried shrimp?"

"If Miss Fanxing prefers something lighter, dried shrimps are more delicious and won't spoil the original flavor of tofu."

As soon as the old master finished speaking, Pei Ma immediately asked the aunt to replace the dried scallops with dried shrimps and reminded her repeatedly.

"Don't add onions, ginger, or garlic to any of the dishes. Xingxing can't eat them. The seasoning should be lighter."

After hanging up the video, Pei's mother stared at the osmanthus cake in the refrigerator in a daze again.

She asked someone to order this from a time-honored Suzhou restaurant. Every morning, she asked the housekeeper to steam two pieces to test the taste. Yesterday, she felt it was not sweet enough, so she asked the chef to add osmanthus honey overnight. It is now wrapped in a three-layer insulation box, for fear that the taste of other ingredients will be tainted.

"Mom, you've almost turned this osmanthus cake into a tribute."

Pei Luochuan rubbed his sleepy eyes and walked into the kitchen, holding a copy of "Archaeological Notes of Pre-Qin Sites" wrapped in a soft cowhide cover.

"I asked a friend at the library to get this rare copy, so I specially wrapped it in a book cover. I'm sure Xingxing will like it."

Mother Pei took the book, stroked the delicate leather surface with her fingertips, and suddenly smiled.

"You're quite thoughtful. Oh, and tell your brother to bring the pot of daisies from the Starry Tent. Even though there are new ones on the windowsill in the guest room, she's used to her own, and it would make her feel more comfortable bringing them home."

Pei Luochuan had just taken out his cell phone when he saw Grandma Pei coming down the stairs carrying a carved wooden box with a brass lock polished to a shine.

"Grandma, what treasure is in here?"

He leaned over to look curiously, and saw the old man gently open the box. Inside lay a light green jade pendant with a small daisy carved on it, and the edges had been polished by time to a smooth jade-like consistency.

"This is the item my mother-in-law gave me when I married into the Pei family."

Grandma Pei wiped the jade pendant carefully with a soft cloth, her voice gentle.

"The last time I video-called Xingxing, I saw she always wore a simple silver bracelet. Thinking this jade pendant is warm and nourishing, I carved a daisy that she likes. I'll give it to her when she comes to wear it, to keep her safe."

Mother Pei came over to take a look, and her eyes suddenly felt hot.

"Mom, this is our family heirloom, and you're just going to give it to Xingxing like that?"

"Heirlooms should be given to family members," Grandma Pei smiled and put the jade pendant back into the box.

"Xingxing is Luonan's daughter-in-law, a member of the Pei family, so it's perfect for her. I also asked the embroidery workshop to make her a set of pajamas using the cotton and linen material she likes, in the same pattern as the guest room curtains. You can go and see if the size is right."

As he was speaking, Pei's father came back from outside, still cold, holding a tablet in his hand. When he opened it, he saw a detailed traffic route map.

"Luonan and the others are leaving on the morning of the 27th. I asked Zhou Ming to arrange a car, so there's less traffic and more space. Each car is equipped with hand warmers, hot ginger tea, and Xingxing's favorite red bean paste buns - I had the pastry chef steam them this morning and put them in an insulated box, so she can eat them when she gets hungry on the way." He pointed to the red circles on the route map and said, "Traffic jams are common in these sections. I've contacted the traffic police, and they'll be there to help ease the flow and ensure a smooth journey. We've also replaced the crystal chandeliers at home with small warm yellow lights, similar to the lighting in her dormitory at the ruins, to prevent her from feeling self-conscious."

Pei Ma suddenly grabbed his hand.

"Are we being too formal? Xingxing is a very honest child, don't put pressure on her."

Pei's father was stunned for a moment, then laughed and teased.

"You're right. The police car cleared the way and then withdrew. Let Luo Nan drive on his own. It's more comfortable."

In the afternoon, the housekeeping team began to decorate the living room.

The precious oil painting on the wall was temporarily replaced with a photo of the ruins scenery that was saved from Gu Fanxing's circle of friends and was printed into a large frame.

The antique vase on the coffee table was replaced with a blue and white jar for pumpkin seeds, with light beige cushions placed next to it - exactly the style that Gu Fanxing liked.

Even the tableware on the dining table was replaced with custom-made ceramics with small daisies printed on them.

Mother Pei repeatedly reminded her, "Handle it with care. If Xingxing likes it, give her another set when she leaves."

In the evening, Pei Luonan called via video. Gu Fanxing on the screen was packing up his archaeological notes. On the windowsill of the tent behind him, a pot of daisies was prominently displayed.

"Mom, we're leaving early tomorrow morning,"

Pei Luonan smiled and said, "Xingxing even specially sorted out the notes of the ruins and said he wanted to tell you the story of the excavation."

Pei's mother quickly came to the front of the screen, her eyes so gentle that tears could be dripping from them.

"It's cold on the road, so don't save on the heating. Just tell Luo Nan what you want to eat. Everything is ready at home. There are new pajamas on the second layer of the guest room closet. If they don't fit, Mom will change a batch."

Gu Fanxing looked at Pei Ma's super enthusiastic look and her cheeks turned slightly red.

"Thank you, Auntie. You've taken so much trouble."

"Don't worry, we're so happy you can come."

On the morning of the 27th day of the twelfth lunar month, the Pei family's door opened early.

Mother Pei stood at the door, clutching the cashmere scarf she had prepared for Gu Fanxing, and looked towards the intersection from time to time.

Grandma Pei was sitting on a rattan chair inside the door, holding a wooden box containing the jade pendant in her arms.

Pei's father and Pei Luochuan stood nearby, occasionally talking in low voices, but their eyes couldn't help but drift towards the intersection.

A familiar car horn sounded in the distance, and Mother Pei straightened up instantly, her eyes lighting up.

Pei Luonan's car was approaching slowly, looking particularly friendly in the morning light.

Gu Fanxing got out of the car holding Daisy, wearing the light beige coat that Pei's mother had sent her in advance.

Mother Pei walked over quickly, gently wrapped the scarf around her neck, and carefully fixed the corners.

"Are you cold on the way? Come in, I made you some ginger tea to warm you up."

Grandma Pei also walked over slowly and handed the wooden box to her: "Child, this is a little gift from grandma, you can wear it and play with it."

Gu Fanxing looked at the daisies and red lanterns all over the yard, then looked at the smiling family in front of her, and her eyes suddenly became hot.

She didn't expect that the Pei family had already incorporated her preferences into every detail, and were quietly waiting for her return with the atmosphere of fireworks filling the courtyard.

Pei Luonan gently held her hand and whispered, "See, I told you they would like you."

Gu Fanxing nodded vigorously and suddenly understood - a true wealthy family is never about piling up gold, silver and jewelry, but about putting a person into your heart, carefully thinking about her preferences, quietly erasing all discomfort, and leaving only the warmest fireworks.

What Gu Fanxing didn't expect was that a bigger surprise was waiting for her.