Don’t Covet the Beautiful System!! - Chap 26
Pei Qingyuan wasn’t used to close contact with animals. He found out that the cat was making a fuss in his arms and he returned Hua Hua to Ji Tong with some helplessness.
Ji Tong smiled at this particularly humane cyber cat. He lowered his head, poked the cat in the face and said proudly, “Don’t compete for favor.”
As the host’s most trustworthy and reliable system, how could a newcomer cat have the same treatment as him?
He emphasized in a low voice, “Just call him Hua Hua, call him Hua Hua, call him Hua Hua.”
Hua Hua: “……”
He hung his tail that wasn’t a flower at all and decided not to compare himself with the stupid person in front of him.
Pei Qingyuan pretended that he didn’t see the strange behavior of his system trying to bicker with his cat. He thought about what form he wanted Ji Tong to become.
He hoped that Ji Tong could see the same scenery as himself every day.
Turning into a sword was a good choice, but this unfortunately wasn’t ancient times.
Pei Qingyuan didn’t have many personal belongings. The only thing he carried on a regular basis every day was his school bag. Among them, his phone seemed to be the most suitable thing for Ji Tong but it couldn’t be taken out in public. It could only be kept in his bag.
He couldn’t let Ji Tong become his clothes, right?
He sweated while playing basketball at night, so it shouldn’t be appropriate.
Pei Qingyuan thought for a long time but couldn’t think of anything. He simply asked Ji Tong’s opinion. “Do you have any favorite form?”
Ji Tong became more energetic when speaking of this.
His eyes lit up. He conjured up a drawing from somewhere and handed it to Pei Qingyuan attentively.
“I previously made some small designs for the host.”
This was an idea he had many days ago. Ever since coming up with this idea, he had designed several drafts alone.
Pei Qingyuan took the drawing with a surprised expression. He thought that rather than worrying about it himself, he might as well respect the preferences of the system.
He was just about to agree when his eyes fell on the very complicated drawing and he suddenly hesitated.
It was a huge hemispherical object with four long mechanical arms with a complex design that extended from the lower end, seemingly with retractable grippers.
He asked in a confused manner, “This is… what is it?”
“Can’t you tell? It is a big bowl with legs!” Ji Tong declared proudly. “I have absorbed a lot of mechanical knowledge and the finished product is absolutely in line with the current level of the world’s scientific and technological development. It won’t be rejected by the center.”
The system couldn’t show too many abnormal abilities or states in front of ordinary people, such as flying brooms or transforming into a living person. This made it easy to cause the collapse of the worldview, so the daily form of the system couldn’t be too outrageous.
Pei Qingyuan: “……”
A large bowl with legs.
His worldview collapsed and reorganized again.
The profound ideas of artificial intelligence were definitely beyond the understanding of human beings.
Pei Qingyuan tried hard to look away from the mysterious drawing and said in a seemingly calm manner, “Let me think about it again.”
Ji Tong heard a very tactful refusal from the host’s pretend calm tone.
The dream of being a long-legged bowl was shattered.
The loose straps slipped down like his mood. Ji Tong slumped on the sofa with a dazed face and glared at Hua Hua, who was curled up in a melancholy ball.
The warm yellow light illuminated the two beings on the sofa, like a wonderful dream.
Pei Qingyuan watched from the side and somehow reached out to rub Ji Tong’s soft, short hair.
The snubbed Hua Hua meowed in a slightly aggrieved manner. Pei Qingyuan had to stop the movement of wanting to retract his hand and also carefully touched Hua Hua’s head.
Hua Hua immediately narrowed his eyes in satisfaction and swung his tail.
Ji Tong criticized him in a low voice. “Childish!”
Hua Hua: “Meow meow meow!” You are childish!
The soft moonlight outside the window poured into the house like a fog.
Pei Qingyuan was slightly in a trance as he remembered the fairytale-like photo again.
This moment also looked like a fairytale.
He casually touched the phone in his pocket which vibrated again while thinking about what to do now.
He seemed to be the only adult in the family and could probably be regarded as the head of the family.
The clock on the wall was pointing at 10 o’clock in the evening.
What should ordinary people do at 10 o’clock in the evening?
Pei Qingyuan wasn’t very skilled when thinking about this question.
He wasn’t too certain given the busy day. “Is it time to take a shower and go to bed?”
Ji Tong, who was forming a ball on the sofa, became stunned when he heard this. He pondered on it for a moment before suddenly becoming excited again. “It makes sense. It is time to take a bath!”
After receiving the approval of his family members, Pei Qingyuan relaxed and a strong sense of responsibility inexplicably rose in his heart.
“Before I go to school tomorrow, I will think about the daily form that suits you.”
Every day’s time was precious and couldn’t be wasted.
Ji Tong nodded again and again. He completely forgot the disappointment about the long-legged bowl proposal being rejected. He took the cat into his arms with one hand and tugged the corner of the host’s clothes with the other hand. Then he rushed into the bathroom in a hurry.
“Ruan Ruan, we will go take a bath!”
“We…?”
“That’s right. Host, you are responsible for extending a helping hand in a timely manner,” Ji Tong said in a serious manner. “I want to see if Hua Hua and I will fail when we take a bath and touch water. After all, our bodies are both generated out of thin air and should be different from normal humans or cats.”
Hua Hua’s eyes suddenly widened in horror.
“Meow meow meow meow!” Host, save me!
As a result, his apparently smart owner agreed thoughtfully. “It should be tested.”
“Let’s wash the cat first,” he added deliberately.
Hua Hua: “!!!”
I can’t stay in this home!
The hour hand ticketed toward 10 o’clock sharp.
On the other side of the city, a huge mansion was also brightly lit.
Not long after the grand coming of age party ended, there was still a lively atmosphere in the air.
Pei Yan unbuttoned the top button of his shirt a bit tiredly. He had smiled cautiously in the midst of the delicate sense of confinement all night and now it was finally time to relax.
His body might be tired but he felt an indescribable satisfaction.
Tonight, he was surrounded by the favor of his parents, grandfather and all his guests. He received birthday gifts that were completely unimaginable in the first 17 years of his life. There were so many expensive things that he almost had the illusion of being in heaven.
In addition to being excited, Pei Yan couldn’t help thinking. Did Pei Qingyuan also receive such gifts for 17 years?
The deep resentment of being robbed of a happy life quietly rose.
Fortunately, there was someone around him who understood his feelings.
Xiang Jinyang, who was sitting next to him in a well-dressed manner, looked at the list of gifts recorded by the maid with interest. He chatted with Pei Yan lazily, “Your adoptive mother went back very late, right?”
Pei Yan nodded. Then he saw undisguised mockery appear on Xiang Jinyang’s face.
“It seems he won’t have a happy birthday today.”
Xiang Jinyang didn’t say a specific name but both of them knew who he was referring to.
His tutor had taught Pei Yan the etiquette of speech and behavior. He wasn’t allowed to say aggressive words in public, nor could he openly show real and strong emotions.
Therefore, Pei Yan could only acquiesce in his heart. He felt a trace of happiness at Xiang Jinyang’s contemptuous expression.
“Thieves always have to pay the price.” Xiang Jinyang said casually. Then his eyes suddenly lit up. “I remember that this sports car is very good. Xiao Yan, hasn’t Uncle Pei already given you a more expensive one?”
“Yes, but I can’t drive and my mother hasn’t arranged for me to learn yet.” In the process of getting along with this good friend, Pei Yan had long been accustomed to such generosity. “If you like it, take it.”
“Great, I can finally change cars and drive to school.” XIang Jinyang immediately placed a hand affectionately on his shoulder. “Next time, I’ll take you for a ride.”
Pei Yan smiled and talked to him, chatting about the trivial matters and gossip that happened at school. This was until the group of adults talking in the distance dispersed. Among them, the white-haired and energetic Pei Huaishan called Pei Minghong away. The atmosphere between the two of them didn’t seem that harmonious.
What was his grandfather going to say to his father?
The smile on Pei Yan’s face froze and gradually faded.
In a corner far away from the crowd, the over 40 years old Pei Minghong frowned a bit impatiently. He raised his hand the moment he stopped to look at his watch. “Dad, what’s the matter?”
Pei Huaishan’s eyes immediately widened. “What type of attitude is this?”
Pei Minghong didn’t give in when faced with his father’s dissatisfaction. “Dad, I’m really busy. I have several investments in place and there is an international meeting to be held tonight. Today is Xiao Yan’s birthday and I have delayed many things.”
Tiredness was shown in his sharp eyebrows and eyes. He wasn’t very interested in today’s huge birthday party. He wasted time here to appease his wife’s mood so she could stop making trouble.
Pei Huaishan looked at his son, who only had work in his eyes, and sighed. “Today is also Qingyuan’s birthday.”
“He isn’t my son.” Pei Minghong was unmoved. “His mother will celebrate his birthday.”
“His mother came here to participate in Xiao Yan’s party!” Pei Huaishan exclaimed angrily before asking, “Which one of you called her?”
“I don’t know.” Pei Minghong showed his usual indifference. “It was probably Xiao Yan.”
Pei Huaishan was furious. “You should hold this woman accountable. She ruined the lives of two children. How can she appear here in such a dignified manner?”
“It isn’t like our Pei family can’t afford to raise two children. Let this irresponsible mother be punished as she deserves and Qingyuan can still be raised by us!”
Pei Minghong raised his hand to look at his watch again. He was obviously indifferent to this set of statements that he had heard many times in recent days. He said bluntly, “Pei Yan interceded for her, saying it wasn’t easy for her. What can I do?”
“Besides—” His eyes flashed with slight irony. “At least this proves he is emotional, unlike the other one, whom I’m not deeply familiar with.”
Pei Huaishan stared at his son’s cold expression and didn’t say anything for a long time.
“Qingyuan is a good boy. “He sighed. “It is you who didn’t treat him well since he was a child. I am also to blame for not teaching you well and making you what you are now.”
Pei Minghong didn’t like his words and retorted. “I don’t think there is anything wrong with me. Do I want to be like you? It is this day and age and you are stuck on the so-called self-sufficient industry. Dad, your vision is outdated and you can’t see people clearly. Fortunately, I didn’t listen to you or I would be guarding the hills and planting trees like you.”
The contradictions and differences between the father and son had a long history. Pei Minghong’s tone was full of lofty pride. “At least from the perspective of the company’s market value, I have proven that I am more successful than you. So stop treating me like a child and telling me what to do.”
“Besides, I have made preparations.” He changed his tone and said lightly. “Qingyuan is indeed a smart child and might have some achievements in the future. At that time, he can still be a child of the Pei family. He is still surnamed Pei and that woman promised not to let him change it.”
Pei Huaishan stared at him in astonishment.
He always thought that Pei Qingyuan didn’t change his name out of some nostalgia for the Pei family. He didn’t know that this was Pei Minghong’s request.
He had nothing to say about this selfish, utilitarian and stubborn son.
“Xiao Yan can’t stay with the two of you any longer!”
Pei Huaishan trembled with anger. He left this last sentence in disappointment and walked away.
Seeing this, the eavesdropping Pei Yan quickly lowered his head and retracted behind a corner.
His hands were soaked in hot and humid sweat and the words he heard just now rang through his mind repeatedly.
His grandfather really missed Pei Qingyuan and even wanted him to stay in the Pei house.
By the way, what did his grandfather’s last words mean?
He suddenly remembered the message he just received from Luo Xiuyun. She said that Pei Qingyuan had run away from home and refused to answer her calls. She didn’t know what to do.
Where did Pei Qingyuan go?
Was it related to his grandfather?
He returned to the hall in a state of confusion and saw Pei Huaishan frowning while saying something to Ye Lanting.
Seeing him return, his mother showed a gentle smile and beckoned to him. “Yan Yan, come here. Grandpa has something to say to you.”
Pei Yan walked over worriedly. Countless thoughts that panicked him filled his mind, but he didn’t dare to show it.
Pei Huaishan’s eyes were complicated as he saw Pei Yan’s meek and well-behaved expression. He asked softly, “Do you want to live with your grandfather?”
Pei Yan looked at his grandfather unexpectedly and repeated cautiously, “Live… together?”
“Yes, Grandpa is old and I’m afraid of loneliness. I want to get along with you more.” Pei Huaishan persuaded him with a kind face. “Just live with Grandpa for a few months and you can often go back to see your parents.”
He hadn’t been back in China for long but he was keenly aware that this child was quietly changing.
He saw that Pei Yan didn’t have Pei Qingyuan’s tenacity and early wisdom. Instead, he had a naivety and fragility that was out of place in this family.
Pei Huaishan didn’t want his ill-fated grandson to eventually grow up to look completely different from when he first came here.
In the past, Pei Huaishan had been busy with work, even though these businesses with weak profits and heavy assets weren’t worth mentioning in Pei Minghong’s eyes. There were fewer words exchanged between father and son and the gap got bigger and bigger. In addition, the grandfather and grandson were separated by generations and there were many family matters that weren’t easy to interfere with.
By the time Pei Huaishan was completely aware of his son and daughter-in-law’s wrong education methods, the taciturn Pei Qingyuan had already passed his childhood that should’ve been happy. This had always been a hidden pain in Pei Huaishan’s heart.
The other child had just arrived and there might still be time to save him.
Pei Minghong also returned to the room after finishing a work call. He heard his father’s words and didn’t protest. He just raised an eyebrow while feeling that his father’s whim was really in vain.
Faced with this unexpected invitation, Pei Yan was at a loss. He instinctively glanced at his mother, whom he usually got along with the most.
Ye Lanting noticed his gaze and smiled. She reached out a hand, fastened the button he had loosened and said gently and decently, “Yan Yan, you have to look presentable.”
She looked at the collar that had returned to order with satisfaction and said softly, “Mom loves you very much and Grandpa loves you too. You can decide by yourself.”
The elegant smell of his mother’s perfume brushed his neck, reminding him of the days and nights in a spacious room.
His grandfather loved him and would ask him how life was in the Luo family. He would touch Pei Yan’s head and ask him what gift he wanted.
His mother loved him and hired him the best teachers, so he could receive the most comprehensive education. She hoped he could become a better person.
His mother only loved him alone, but his grandfather had more than one grandson in his heart.
After he was taken by his grandfather, would the vacant position next to his parents be filled in by Pei Qingyuan?
Was his grandfather paving the way for Pei Qingyuan?
Pei Yan wasn’t sure.
His family members surrounded him, extremely far yet close. He lowered his eyes, afraid he would waver. He was unwilling to look into anyone else’s again and just whispered, “I have been separated from my mother for too long…”
He chose his mother.
Like a spring breeze blowing the turbulent fate, he finally found a definite path.
Pei Minghong gave him a rare smile and turned to Pei Huaishan. “Dad, is it okay? I didn’t stop you.”
Ye Lanting glanced at him disapprovingly. “Minghong, how can you talk to your father like that?”
Then she smiled earnestly at Pei Huaishan. “Dad, Yan Yan just came home and is currently very clingy to me. I’m afraid he isn’t willing to part with me. If you are free, you can come back to the house to eat at any time.”
Pei Huaishan didn’t answer. His gaze wandered around the seemingly happy family in front of him for a long time before he sighed. “It’s okay. If you miss Grandpa, tell me. Grandpa will always be there.”
Pei Yan didn’t know the deep meaning behind this sentence. At this moment, he released his tightly clenched hands and nodded obediently. “Thank you, Grandpa. I will definitely come to see you often.”
The affectionate and polite words made Ye Lanting smile approvingly at her son. Pei Mind took out his phone again and distracted himself in an open manner.
Only Pei Huaishan looked a few years older. The housekeeper waiting on the side hurriedly handed over his crutches that weren’t used often.
“I am old and can’t control you any longer. Everyone has their own lives.”
He seemed to be talking to himself. Then he turned to look solemnly at his son, who was bent on profit. “Minghong, I still don’t want you to make the plate so big. It takes time and sweat to wait for a tree to grow up. What God gives you is subject to interest.”
Pei Minghong didn’t even look up. He held his phone and hurriedly walked out, “Dad, don’t worry. I only collect other people’s interest.”
Pei Yan thought his father and grandfather were talking about business and didn’t listen attentively. He let it slip lightly past his ears.
The dazzling light above his head fell into his eyes, as if it would never go out, illuminating the imaginary future with incomparable brilliance.
The next day, Xiang Jinyang got up early in the morning. He excitedly played with the brand new car keys and urged Pei Yan to go to school.
Xiang Jinyang hadn’t studied at Chengde Private High School at first. It was said that Ye Lanting originally wanted him to come to this expensive private high school to take care of her son. However, Pei Qingyuan had been in the same school as him for three years during middle school and refused. This became the catalyst for him to hate Pei Qingyuan.
Now he had a good relationship with the new young master of the Pei family and naturally went to school together. They could be companions.
Xiang Jinyang was one year older than Pei Yan. He had already obtained his driver’s license and his driving skills were good. He persuaded Ye Lanting to let the driver rest and let him drive Pei Yan in the new car to school.
Ye Lanting watched the two children go out side by side with a smile. She wanted until the sound of the engine completely disappeared before taking back this fake smile.
After the birthday party last night, Luo Xiuyun called her suddenly and asked her eagerly if she knew Pei Qingyuan’s whereabouts.
How could she know?
Ye Lanting was about to coldly hang up the phone. Then she heard Luo XIuyun say that Pei Qingyuan suddenly moved out and she stood the perfunctory words that were about to come out.
How could a child who had just become an adult think about moving away?
Where did he get the money and courage?
Ye Lanting clearly knew that the money in Pei Qingyuan’s card hadn’t been touched after he left and he hadn’t taken away any valuables from the Pei house.
Pei Qingyuan might be working part-time but how much money could he save with a part-time job on weekends at a small bakery?
Ye Lanting immediately thought of the child whose origin was unknown.
She remembered the rare smile on her husband’s face just now and his increasingly busy state recently. This caused her heart to be full of doubts again.
Therefore, she suppressed her emotions and pretended to comfort the other person. “Qingyuan moved out? Don’t worry, I’ll ask someone to check for you.”
This was the first time Luo Xiuyun heard her patient tone. Luo Xiuyun couldn’t say anything and just thanked her again and again.
Ye Lanting hung up the phone in an expressionless manner. She stood there for a long time in a daze before slowly returning to her luxurious and spacious bedroom.
On the big bed behind her, her husband, who seldom stayed at home, was already asleep.
She stared at him for a moment. Then she silently sat down in front of the dressing table and calmly removed the delicate makeup on her face.
It was a long, sleepless night.
Ye Lanting remembered the private investigator saying that the child seemed to go to the gymnasium of the 2nd High school every night to find Pei Qingyuan, who was training on the basketball team.
She had seen the only photo of the child. He was smiling and eating cheap bread. At first glance, he didn’t look at her husband. But after looking at it for a long time, she felt like there was a shadow of her husband everywhere.
Ye Lanting didn’t want to toss and turn over a photo that might be distorted.
She wanted to confirm it with her own eyes.
Today was the first day that school started after the holidays.
She should officially go to school and care about this former son.
The always elegant and dignified woman got up from the table and walked to the bedroom, where she fell silent again.
She wanted to choose a suitable outfit for today.
A new car with shiny paint sped around the street corners, startling the birds parked in the trees.
Xiang Jinyang held the steering wheel firmly. Wind blew in through the open sunroof, messing up the hair of the two teenagers and bringing in the coolness and comfort of the morning.
In the sound of the whistling wind, Xiang Jinyan remembered the conversation between Pei Minghong’s family last night. His eyes were full of interest as he suddenly asked, “Xiao Yan, Chengde will be holding the Cultural Exchange Week this month. Do you want the school to invite him over?”
Chengde was a well-known private school in the province and regularly held cultural exchange weeks, inviting some students from other schools to come and participate.
Pei Yan didn’t react immediately. “What?”
“Pei Qingyuan is a big celebrity in the school, before and now.” Xiang Jinyang smiled. “Inviting him to come to Chengde to revisit and see his past friends again must be a very memorable birthday gift.”
This time, Pei Yan heard his words clearly and he heard the obvious malice even more clearly.
He was silent for a while before asking, “Will the school agree?”
“Of course, it is a trivial matter like choosing an exchange school. Your father can just say it casually.” Xiang Jinyang teased. “Don’t you know that your father has shares in Chengde? Young Master.”
These words made the remaining hesitation in Pei Yan’s heart suddenly disappear.
The sunlight in front of him was extremely bright and the pedestrians far behind outside the car window were small and contemptible.
His breath was suffocated and he gradually sank into this irresistible wind.
“…Okay.” Pei Yan answered briefly. “I’ll ask my friends at the 2nd High School first.”
He quickly took out the phone. He let go of the apprehension and anxiety from last time and simply opened the dialog box with Lin Zihai.
He wanted to know how Pei Qingyuan was doing at the 2nd High School.
The phone hidden in the bag silently lit up before slowly darkening.
However, the owner of the school bag wasn’t sitting in his seat.
It was the 10 minutes after the morning self-study period and the classroom was filled with an unusual restlessness.
The first class was about to start soon, but Lin Zihai didn’t race against time to do questions as usual. Instead, he sat in the last row of the classroom and chatted with his classmates.
“…I went to the office to deliver the homework just now and Teacher Zhou looked very happy. It seems that our class has reached a new high for this monthly exam results. Some students have a particularly high year ranking.”
He secretly glanced at the seat next to him as he spoke.
Pei Qingyuan wasn’t affected by the enthusiastic atmosphere of the class in the slightest. He was calmly reading the book in his hand as usual.
The only difference was that he wore a watch today. The appearance was very handsome and the lines were clean and smooth. The watch body was a high-end black.
As Pei Qingyuan was reading, he glanced at the watch on his wrist from time to time, turning a blind eye to the noise around him.
Lin Zihai couldn’t believe it.
Today, class was basically to report the grades and go over the papers. Why wasn’t he worried at all?
Wasn’t he afraid of losing face after receiving his scores?
The classmates chatting with him listened to him and looked envious. “The number one person in the class must be you. You are so powerful, unlike me. I will probably be beaten when I receive the papers and go home tonight.
Lin Zihai pretended to be modest. “It shouldn’t be me. When answering that day, I made a mistake when answering the multiple choice questions of the mathematics exam. I don’t know who is so powerful.”
This time, the math paper was so difficult but he only made one mistake in the multiple choice questions. He must be the first in the class with a record high score!
The close Pei Qingyuan was still indifferent and played with his watch calmly.
What was so special about this new watch? It was pretty good-looking and he had never seen a similar style, but why keep looking at it?!
Lin Zihai secretly gritted his teeth. As a result, the handsome watch seemed to glimpse his expression. It actually flashed light very regularly. A shining white light flowed and it looked very technological.
“You only got one wrong?” The classmate who didn’t realize he was showing off was surprised. “I seem to only be certain about one… It’s over, I’m gone.”
Lin Zihai inexplicably felt that he was being ridiculed by this cool watch and immediately stepped up his efforts. “Not necessarily. I don’t know if I did it wrong. After all, the difficulty is so high this time.”
This time, there was finally movement from Pei Qingyuan.
He still had no expression on his face. Only the corners of his lips were slightly raised, as if he was smiling.
At this subtle smile, Lin Zihai was forced to think about the two wrong questions that were pointed out by Pei Qingyuan in the past.
…So angry.
His expression was grim as he decided to throw a straight ball. “Speaking of which, I don’t know how the class monitor’s grades are? Perhaps the first in the grade this time is the class monitor?”
The other students looked over curiously.
Pei Qingyuan, who was directly named this time, finally looked away from his watch toward the chattering study committee member.
Outside the window, the smiling English teacher was walking briskly through the corridor with a stack of thick papers, about to enter the classroom.
Before the class bell rang, under Lin Zihai’s expectant eyes, Pei Qingyuan opened his mouth as Lin Zihai wished. His eyes were clear when he spoke and his tone was indifferent.
“You are disturbing my watch.”
