Chapter Seventy-Nine: Xu Zihan’s Older Sister?

When Peng Dongli suddenly knelt down, Xu Yuqing was taken aback. She stared at him for quite a while before snapping out of it, hastily gesturing for him to stand up.

“What are you doing? Get up, quickly!”

“No, I won’t! I won’t stand up unless you forgive me.”

Zhang Mingyang looked at his senior brother kneeling and was full of admiration, thinking, Senior brother is truly something! This method not only eases the awkwardness but also leaves the other party flustered and unable to press further.

“A master indeed!”

Just as Xiao Wan finished brewing tea and turned around, he caught sight of the scene. Surprised, he asked Zhang Mingyang, “Aren’t these two strangers? Why are they both kneeling?”

Zhang Mingyang replied in a low voice, “They just had a little quarrel, it’ll blow over soon. No need to bother.”

“Oh, oh.”

“Are you getting up or not?” Xu Yuqing glanced at the people around them, noticing everyone whispering about her, making her feel acutely embarrassed.

“If you forgive me, I’ll stand up,” Peng Dongli pleaded.

“Fine, fine, I forgive you—now get up!” Xu Yuqing reached out to help Peng Dongli up.

“Have you truly forgiven me?” Peng Dongli resisted, still seeking confirmation.

Xu Yuqing quickly signaled to Zhang Mingyang for help in pulling Peng Dongli up.

Seeing the situation, Zhang Mingyang realized that if his senior brother didn’t get up soon, they’d really make a spectacle of themselves.

“Senior brother, she’s forgiven you. Come on, get up!” Zhang Mingyang grabbed Peng Dongli’s shoulders and forcefully hauled him up.

“If you don’t get up, everyone will think you’re proposing.”

Hearing Zhang Mingyang’s whispered warning, Peng Dongli shot up, waving his hands to the crowd, “It’s nothing, just a minor misunderstanding. Please, enjoy your tea.”

With that, everyone returned to their seats, continuing to drink tea.

As the crowd dispersed, Xu Yuqing sat the two men down at the table, her expression stern. “What exactly are you two trying to do?”

Zhang Mingyang smiled and replied, “My senior brother simply wanted your forgiveness. Our little bet was just out of curiosity.”

“Curiosity?”

Xu Yuqing sipped her freshly brewed tea and said, “When you discuss me in private, why don’t you think about seeking my forgiveness then?”

Peng Dongli replied with a wry smile, “It’s all my fault, truly. I apologize.”

“Is an apology enough? If apologies solved everything, what need would there be for the police?”

Seeing that Xu Yuqing still wouldn’t forgive him, Peng Dongli gritted his teeth and prepared to kneel again.

Xu Yuqing, seeing this, quickly grabbed his arm and pulled him up.

In her haste, she got too close, and Peng Dongli immediately felt the softness pressed against him, his cheeks flushing red.

Xu Yuqing noticed his sudden blush and was puzzled for a moment, then realized her own gesture had been too ambiguous and quickly pushed him away.

Zhang Mingyang, watching their exchange, couldn’t help but laugh.

“Junior brother, what are you laughing at?”

Zhang Mingyang pointed at them, still laughing. “You two seem well matched, perfectly suited.”

“Matched, my foot!” Peng Dongli blurted, flustered. “I’m already married! If my wife heard you say that, she’d skin me alive!”

“You’re married?” Xu Yuqing teased, “I’m curious, what sort of woman would take a fancy to you?”

Peng Dongli grew indignant. “Say what you want about me, but leave my wife out of it! And what’s wrong with me? I don’t smoke, don’t drink, don’t hang out at bars or sing karaoke. Apart from being busy at work, do I really have any faults?”

As he spoke, Peng Dongli glanced at Zhang Mingyang, blinking twice, hoping for support.

Catching his senior brother’s cue, Zhang Mingyang quickly agreed, “Exactly! My senior brother is unmatched when it comes to character and conduct. I really can’t compare.”

Xu Yuqing gave Zhang Mingyang a look of disdain. “You can’t compare? If you’re like this, how much better could he really be?”

Realizing he’d said the wrong thing, Zhang Mingyang hurried to explain, “What I mean is, my senior brother outshines me in every aspect—not just me, but his colleagues and friends, too.”

“See?” Peng Dongli said proudly, “My junior brother may be nothing special, but he never lies.”

“I…!” Zhang Mingyang felt insulted.

“Enough, enough!” Xu Yuqing interrupted them. “Let’s leave it at that. I’ve had my revenge, and we’re even now.”

Relieved, Peng Dongli broke into a grin. “Xu… Xu Yu… Miss Xu, we’ve met through conflict, but next time you return to Earth, contact me—you pick the place, I’ll pay, and I’ll make a formal apology.”

“Alright!” Xu Yuqing replied easily. “Let’s do it in Jiyang. Come find me at my home.”

“You’re from Jiyang?”

Xu Yuqing nodded, “Yes, my family’s been there for generations.”

“That’s wonderful!” Peng Dongli pushed Zhang Mingyang forward. “My junior brother’s family is also from Jiyang.”

Upon hearing this, Xu Yuqing’s tone changed. She spoke softly, “If you’re from Jiyang, then you must know North China United University?”

Zhang Mingyang nodded, “Not only do I know it, I’m currently a student there. My senior brother used to be as well.”

“Oh?” Xu Yuqing hadn’t expected to meet a fellow townsman and two alumni in such a place.

“What’s your major? Do you know Xu Zihan?”

Hearing the name Xu Zihan, Zhang Mingyang immediately felt uneasy. He answered, “I’m in the energy department. I’ve heard of Xu Zihan, but I’ve never met her.”

“Energy major?” Xu Zihan grew excited. “Then you must know someone in your department whose online name is ‘Campus Heartthrob of Class 2038’?”

Zhang Mingyang thought, Oh no! That’s my online name! Seeing Xu Zihan’s fierce expression, he sensed there was some connection, and knew he absolutely couldn’t tell the truth.

“No impression—I don’t really talk to people in my department.”

“Bang!”

Xu Zihan slammed the table, her voice icy. “Next time I go back, I must find this person. If he dared abandon my sister, I’ll break his third leg!”

Zhang Mingyang nearly jumped in fright, grateful he hadn’t confessed. He hadn’t realized Xu Yuqing was Xu Zihan’s older sister! When did I abandon Xu Zihan? Wait—when was I ever with her?

Peng Dongli, observing Zhang Mingyang’s expression, seemed to have guessed something. He leaned over and whispered, “Junior brother, could you be that heartless man?”

Zhang Mingyang froze, then quickly replied, “No, not me! I don’t even know her!”

Watching Zhang Mingyang’s reaction, Peng Dongli was now certain he was indeed that heartless man.