Inside Pei Zhengnian’s office.

“Commander, what is going on with Pei Zhengwei? The film has been sent out, so why hasn’t he left? Why is he still staying in the capital? Could he have another mission?”

Sun Xuelin’s tone was full of doubt.

Pei Zhengnian also found it strange.

Logically, after getting his payoff, Pei Zhengwei should have left the capital as soon as possible to avoid detection. But the way he was acting now, it looked more like he was waiting for his next order.

He frowned, flipping through the surveillance reports sent by his team members. Suddenly, a line caught his attention: “On February 3rd, during working hours, Pei Zhengwei visited the office of Lei Zhenhua, the head of the Red Armbands, and they talked for about an hour.”

Lei Zhenhua?

Pei Zhengnian’s heart skipped a beat.

If Pei Zhengwei was getting close to Lei Zhenhua, could it be that Lei Zhenhua already knew about his and Lei Mingyuan’s identities?

No, he had to find a chance to meet with Lei Mingyuan as soon as possible and tell him the truth.

Pei Zhengnian stood up. “Sun Xuelin, keep an eye on Pei Zhengwei. Report any movement immediately. I am going to Beijing University to have a chat with Lei Mingyuan.”

But before Pei Zhengnian could even walk out the door, the phone on his desk rang.

It was Father Pei calling, his voice carrying a trace of an imperceptible smile: “Lao’er, your grandfather, grandmother, and mother have returned to the capital.”

What?

The coat in Pei Zhengnian’s hand dropped to the floor with a thud.

The wound on his shoulder had not fully healed, and the exhaustion on his face had not faded. If his family saw him like this, they would definitely worry.

Especially Shen Nanchu…

“When will they arrive?”

Pei Zhengnian’s voice was a bit tight.

“They got off the train at 3 PM. I reckon they have already arrived at the house in the hutong.” Father Pei’s voice held a teasing tone. “What? Afraid your wife will see you like this and make a fuss because her heart aches for you?”

Pei Zhengnian smiled bitterly. “Dad, stop making fun of me. If worse comes to worst, could you just tell them I went on a business trip? I will see them when my injury gets a bit better.”

“A business trip?” Father Pei snorted. “Do you think your wife will believe that?”

Pei Zhengnian fell silent.

He knew Shen Nanchu too well. If the lie was exposed, the consequences would only be worse.

“Alright, stop struggling.”

Father Pei’s tone softened.

“I will cover for you with your mother. I will just say you have been busy with work lately and have not rested well. As for your wife, I believe she will understand you.”

Hanging up the phone, Pei Zhengnian sat in his chair and took a deep breath.

He stood up, picked up the coat from the floor, and put it on carefully, trying his best not to let the wound on his shoulder touch the fabric.

He adjusted his collar in front of the mirror and rubbed his cheeks with his hands, trying to make his complexion look a little better.

Leaving the office, Pei Zhengnian walked in the direction of his home.

On the way, his mind kept spinning with how to explain things to Shen Nanchu.

Should he confess about the wound, or hide it for a while longer?

He knew Shen Nanchu was not the fragile type of woman, but he still did not want her to worry.

When he reached the entrance of the hutong, Pei Zhengnian saw the figures at the door of his house from afar.

Shen Nanchu was wearing a red sweater, holding a rag and wiping the doorway, while Pei Yunzhou was sweeping the floor with a broom.

After buying this courtyard house, it was uncle Jiang Jie who helped find people to knock down the walls and connect the rooms.

Now, with a simple cleaning, it was fit to live in.

Later on, they just needed to renovate and buy furniture.

Seeing Pei Zhengnian, Shen Nanchu wore a teasing smile on her lips.

“Commander Pei, you’re back? I thought I’d have to go and pick you up!”

Pei Zhengnian quickly went up to her with a flattering smile on his face.

“Work has been a bit busy lately, so I’m back late. Let me handle these small chores.”

“Where is Anchen?”

Shen Nanchu dodged him.

“Anchen is in grandmother’s arms, fast asleep.”

“I don’t need your help. I can do it myself.”

“Save yourself from tearing your wound open.”

Pei Zhengnian looked a bit unnatural and sheepish.

“You… you know everything?”

“What do you think?”

Shen Nanchu gave Pei Zhengnian a look that said ‘figure it out yourself’.

Back inside the house, Mother Pei quickly pulled Pei Zhengnian to sit on the sofa, looking him up and down.

“Zhengnian, why have you lost so much weight? Your complexion looks terrible too. Is work too exhausting?”

“Mom, I’m fine. I’ve just been a bit busy lately and haven’t rested well.”

Pei Zhengnian said with a smile, trying his best to look relaxed.

Grandmother Pei wanted to hand the baby in her arms over to Pei Zhengnian. “Our Little Anchen must have missed his dad too, right?”

As a result, Shen Nanchu swiftly took him instead.

“Daddy just got back. Let Daddy rest first, Mommy will hold you.”

Compared to Pei Zhengnian, little Pei Anchen obviously preferred being held by Shen Nanchu.

Holding Pei Anchen, Shen Nanchu sat next to Pei Zhengnian and secretly rolled her eyes at him.

She noticed that when Pei Zhengnian drank water, his left hand kept supporting his shoulder, and his movements were very stiff.

At a glance, it was obvious his wound had not healed yet.

Serves him right for acting tough!

During dinner, Shen Nanchu scooped a large bowl of bone broth for Pei Zhengnian.

“Drink more. You are what you eat, it’ll nourish you.”

Pei Zhengnian took the bowl, feeling warm in his heart but also somewhat guilty.

He knew that paper could never wrap fire; the truth would come out eventually. He had to find an opportunity to honestly confess his mistakes to Shen Nanchu.

After dinner, Shen Nanchu coaxed Pei Anchen to sleep. When she returned to the room after taking a shower, she saw Pei Zhengnian sitting by the table holding a document, but he wasn’t reading it; he was just frowning.

She walked out of the room again and returned shortly after, carrying a medical kit.

“Take off your clothes.”

Pei Zhengnian’s body stiffened. He slowly raised his head and looked at Shen Nanchu.

“Wife, I’m sorry, I…”

“Take off your clothes.”

Pei Zhengnian unbuttoned his coat, finding it inconvenient to raise his arm.

Shen Nanchu’s mouth twitched fiercely. She stepped forward and helped him take off his clothes.

When the last layer of thermal underwear was removed, the bandages underneath were revealed. Although the bloodstains had been treated, a faint red color could still be seen.

“I injured my shoulder during a mission a while ago, and it hasn’t completely healed yet. I was afraid you would worry, so I didn’t tell you.”

Shen Nanchu didn’t say a word, her hands moving swiftly to change the dressing and bandages for this foolish man.

“I’m sorry, Nanchu.”

Pei Zhengnian apologized with utmost sincerity.

“I didn’t mean to hide it from you on purpose; I just didn’t want you to worry. Don’t worry, the doctor said it will fully heal in a while.”

Shen Nanchu glared at Pei Zhengnian.

Fully heal?

If she hadn’t had the system look after him and spent her resentment points to exchange for a recovery potion, would this dog of a man have healed so fast?

She was almost angered to the point of laughing.

“Fine, then you can step out of this house once you’re fully healed.”

“Ah…”

Pei Zhengnian’s eyes were full of dismay.

“Is that a no?”

Shen Nanchu raised her eyebrows slightly.

“Yes, yes, yes, absolutely.”

Pei Zhengnian didn’t dare to argue.

Anyway, they had a telephone installed at home.

Working from home was fine too; he could keep his wife and children company while he was at it.

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep