After receiving their marriage certificate, Pei Chen and Liang Zhiyi were eager to share the good news with their parents first. Then, they posted a picture of the certificate in their small group chat.
Although everyone knew they were bound to get married sooner or later, now that it was official, the group was still thrilled and sent their congratulations.
Zhi Mian: “Wow, congratulations! Wishing Zhizhi and our class monitor a lifetime of happiness!”
Ji Fei’er: “Whoa, that was fast! 9999! Pei Chen, congrats on marrying the cutest Zhizhi! You better treat her well!”
Liang Tongzhou: “@Pei Chen, brother-in-law, it’s okay, you can bully my sister all you want.”
Liang Zhiyi saw the message and playfully scolded: “Get lost! What are you saying? Are you taking his side?”
Liang Tongzhou: “What? I’m firmly on my brother-in-law’s side.”
Liang Zhiyi: “Haha, your girlfriend is my best friend. Don’t think I can’t deal with you!”
Ji Fei’er: “Liang Tongzhou, you better watch yourself [smiling].”
Xuan Xia: “Hey, hey, hey! With all of you showing off your love here, how am I supposed to survive??? Man, I just woke up and that bright red certificate hurt my eyes. I’ve been watching these two flaunt their love for ten years since sophomore year, while I’ve been single for ten years! Where’s the justice in that?”
Ji Fei’er laughed mercilessly: “Xuan Xia, you’re just too picky. It’s not like no girls are interested in you.”
Xuan Xia: “It’s not about that. I just haven’t found the one that makes my heart race. Sigh, I guess Fatty and I are destined to be single forever.”
Fan Gao: “@Pei Chen @Zhiyi, congrats on getting your certificate! @Xuan Xia, knock it off, don’t curse me! You can stay single alone, I’m finding myself a girlfriend.”
Xuan Xia: “Oh yeah? Can you even manage that?”
Fan Gao: “Hey, a man’s got to have dreams, you know.”
Ji Fei’er: “Don’t worry, Fatty. When the right time comes, love might just find you. After all, they say even pigs can fly if they’re in the right place.”
Everyone else: “Hahaha…”
As the group continued to joke and laugh, Pei Chen turned to Liang Zhiyi and asked, “Should we pick a time to treat them to a meal?”
He smiled and added, “After all, they really helped me out when I was pursuing you.”
In fact, the whole beach outing back then was a plan designed by those friends to bring them closer together. The friendship between the seven of them started from that trip, and even during the time when Pei Chen and Liang Zhiyi were apart, the friends had played a big part in getting them back together.
With a smile, Zhiyi nodded, “Of course, we definitely need to thank them properly.”
“How about we treat them to dinner tonight?” she asked.
“Let’s pick another date; we already have plans for tonight.”
“What plans?”
He turned his gaze to meet hers, a smile lighting up his eyes. “You’ll find out tonight.”
—
After work in the evening, Pei Chen took Liang Zhiyi out for dinner. Afterward, he drove her to the Hai’an Yunhua Residential Area in the city center.
Hai’an Yunhua is one of the most luxurious residential areas built in recent years, located in the heart of the city. It sits adjacent to the Lincheng TV Tower across the river, surrounded by high-end shopping districts and the CBD. The location offers the most bustling urban landscape and panoramic city views, with land prices so high they seem gilded in gold and silver.
The car pulled into the underground garage. After getting out, he took her hand and led her to the elevator.
As the elevator ascended, Liang Zhiyi, still in a daze, asked, “Why are we here? Are you taking me to meet a friend?”
Pei Chen smiled softly, “What kind of friend do you think?”
She was even more confused. “How would I know…”
He chuckled and gently patted her head.
When the elevator reached the top floor, they stepped out and approached a door. Liang Zhiyi was expecting him to knock, but instead, he pressed his fingerprint against the scanner. With a beep, the door unlocked and swung open.
“Wait…”
Before she could react, he smiled and said, “Zhizhi, this isn’t someone else’s home. This is our marital home.”
She was stunned.
Marital home?!
Pei Chen explained that he had been saving up for this house ever since he graduated. As his company, Chengzhi Tech, grew and went public, he bought this penthouse villa last year, intending it to be their home after marriage. He had taken out a small loan from the bank, but he estimated that it would be fully paid off within two years.
As they entered, the lights illuminated a grand living room with a six-meter-high ceiling. The curtains slowly opened to reveal a 270-degree floor-to-ceiling curved window, offering a sweeping view of the bustling cityscape and river. In the morning, sunlight would flood the entire living room, and looking up, there was an unobstructed view of the blue sky, seemingly within reach.
The villa’s decor was a blend of wood and marble, exuding a rich texture. The first floor housed the living room, dining room, kitchen, wine cellar, gym, and more.
A white spiral staircase led up to the second floor, which was mainly reserved for the bedrooms, guest rooms, nursery, game room, study, and a large walk-in closet that Pei Chen had specially prepared for her.
The walk-in closet was its own little world, with two levels to store all her favorite clothes and accessories. He truly treated her like a princess.
Going up one more level, there was a rooftop garden and a swimming pool, a tranquil and elegant haven away from the world. The villa also had an elevator, so in the future, when Pei Yongxia visited, going up and down would be no problem.
After touring the entire villa, Liang Zhiyi was in shock. “Pei Chen, when did you set all this up? How did I not know anything about it?”
“It’s been under renovation since last year. After a few more months of airing out, it’ll be ready to move in.”
Looking around, she realized that such a place must have cost a fortune. “Why did you buy such a luxurious house…”
Pei Chen said that she was born into a wealthy family, and of course, she deserves to live in such a villa. However, he wanted his precious girl to always be treated like a princess, never having to lower her standard of living just because she married him. After all, this was going to be their home for the rest of their lives, so it had to be perfect.
“Zhizhi, do you like it here?”
Standing by the floor-to-ceiling window, Pei Chen wrapped his arms around her, his voice a low murmur in her ear.
With her eyes reflecting the neon lights outside, they sparkled as she looked up at him, her nose tingling with emotion. “Yes, I love it.”
Noticing the sudden catch in her voice and her slightly reddened eyes, he was momentarily stunned, his brow furrowing slightly. “What’s wrong? Why are you crying?”
She shook her head, wrapping her arms around his waist and leaning into his chest. The warmth and sweetness in her eyes deepened as tears welled up. In a soft voice, she murmured, “I’m just so touched. Why do you love me so much?”
As soon as she said it, she realized how sentimental she sounded, and while still feeling moved, she also felt a bit shy. She let out a small, embarrassed sound and quickly buried her slightly flushed face in his chest.
Pei Chen couldn’t help but chuckle softly at this, pulling her even closer as he ran his hand through her smooth, long hair. He leaned down to kiss her small ear, whispering, “What silly things are you saying? If I don’t love you, who else would I love?”
Her eyes curved into a smile as his gentle voice reached her ears. “Zhizhi, before you came into my life, I had almost no joy. Sometimes life felt so bitter that I thought there was no hope. But you changed all of that.”
Pei Chen paused, his voice thick with emotion, as his eyes grew misty. “It was only then that I realized that even someone like me deserves to be loved so unconditionally and passionately.”
Hearing this, her eyes grew warm with emotion.
“I used to think life was unfair, wondering why I had to go through all those hardships. But then, I met you.”
If he had chosen to follow Gong Qinxin and not stayed in Lincheng for school, he might never have had the chance to meet Liang Zhiyi. It was as if it was all meant to be.
“If I could live my life over again, I would still choose the same path.”
He wasn’t afraid of going through all that pain and suffering, as long as it led him to her.
Moved by his words, Liang Zhiyi hugged him tightly. “Pei Chen, let’s stay in love forever.” She wanted to be with him forever and always.
Pei Chen gently held the back of her head, looking deeply into her eyes, his gaze filled with boundless love. “Okay.”
She smiled and turned her gaze back to the view outside the window, her shoulders being held close. “Zhizhi, from now on, we’ll live here. This will be our home.”
With tears glistening in her eyes, she nodded and smiled, “Yes, our home.”
—
Since the marital home had just been renovated, they would have to wait a while before moving in. Fortunately, the wedding wasn’t happening too soon, so Liang Zhiyi could take her time adding any furniture she wanted.
When Liang Zhiyi found out that Pei Chen had taken out a loan from the bank, she insisted on covering that part of the expense. At first, Pei Chen naturally refused, but she was firm in her stance: “Since it’s our home, why should you bear the cost alone? Besides, we’re married now—what you pay is what I pay.”
Pei Chen had already covered 80% of the cost, so her contribution wouldn’t be much. By paying off the loan, they could avoid interest, making them both feel more at ease. When Liang Tianming and Zhong Xinrou learned about this, they also offered to cover the remaining amount. After all, money wasn’t an issue for any of them.
With this, Pei Chen agreed, and the house was soon fully paid off.
Time quickly passed, and they found themselves in the new year.
As the year-end approached, work at the company became overwhelming, and the newlyweds temporarily threw themselves into their jobs.
On the 29th day of the lunar month, after finishing up at work, they finally began their holiday.
That evening, the two were heading to Liang Zhiyi’s grandmother’s house to celebrate the Little New Year. In the morning, Liang Zhiyi joined Pei Chen on a trip to his old home in Yongyuan Mountain.
In previous years, he had always gone alone to buy some mountain delicacies for the New Year. This year, she wanted to join him, so they spent the better part of the day shopping and returned with an abundance of high-quality local specialties, all natural and nourishing.
As they drove back to Lincheng in the evening, Zhong Xinrou called Liang Zhiyi to say that she and Liang Tianming had already arrived at her grandmother’s house and that they should head straight there.
After hanging up, Liang Zhiyi turned to Pei Chen, “Peipei, I think my aunt will be there tonight. If she says anything unpleasant, please don’t take it to heart.”
Pei Chen smiled faintly, “I know. It’s okay.”
Liang Zhiyi couldn’t help but feel angry as she recalled how Pei Chen had been treated by her aunt when he brought over New Year’s goods that winter break.
Seeing her upset, Pei Chen knew she was still indignant on his behalf. He gently patted her head and reassured her, “Zhizhi, it doesn’t matter anymore. What she thinks of me now is irrelevant.” He truly didn’t care.
She remained silent.
Even if he didn’t mind, it didn’t mean she would just let it go.
A little while later, they arrived at their destination. After getting out of the car, they walked into the villa. Once they changed into house slippers at the entrance, they saw the lively scene in the living room where Liang Tianming, Zhong Xinrou, and her aunt and cousin from the Zhang family were already seated.
Hearing the sound, Mrs. Zhang turned her head and saw the two of them. She was momentarily stunned, and then her gaze shifted to Pei Chen, her eyes still filled with disbelief.