Extreme Pampering

In the following days, Shen Zhiyi saw Pei Yu more often due to Qin Xiaoran; she had lunch with him every day, naturally, Qin Fang and Fu Songzhi were also there.

In this school, there wasn’t anyone who didn’t know Pei Yu; Qin Fang and Fu Songzhi were similarly notable figures. Her sudden inclusion in this clique, as a newcomer, stirred up much private discussion, with many feeling she was basking in Qin Xiaoran’s light.

But Qin Xiaoran had known Pei Yu for so many years, and yet the total number of times they had eaten together didn’t add up to as many as this week alone.

"Brother Pei Yu has changed lately," Qin Xiaoran said, resting on the desk, "He’s become strangely tolerant. Before, whenever I wanted to eat with him, he’d find me annoying and wouldn’t let me tag along."

Shen Zhiyi was doing her problems and blinked upon hearing this, "Aren’t you two on good terms?"

"Yeah, we are," Qin Xiaoran smiled, "but Brother Pei Yu is like that with everyone; it’s no use even if you’re close with him. Haven’t you seen Qin Fang being snubbed every other day?"

"Maybe he’s just too tired lately," Qin Xiaoran mused to himself, "He’s had a rough time being tormented by Father Pei, and his third brother has been giving him trouble recently, too."

Shen Zhiyi, focused on her workbook, had her train of thought abruptly interrupted and couldn’t help but ask, "Why?"

"Uncle Pei values him and wants to groom him; naturally, his other brothers and sisters are jealous and always pick fights with him. It’s pretty common."

Qin Xiaoran didn’t think much of it; kids from their kind of families were accustomed to such issues.

Yet Shen Zhiyi seemed a bit distracted.