Upon meeting Pei Lanlan in person, Cheng You realized Fang Yunbao's description hadn't been an exaggeration.
She had gained so much weight that her original facial features were indiscernible. Her skin was sallow and mottled with age spots, and she looked nothing like someone living a normal life.
However, according to Fang Yunbao, Pei Lanlan shouldn't have become this overweight.
Under Cheng You's scrutinizing gaze, Pei Lanlan lowered her head and turned sideways.
"What do you want with me?"
Chen Qin handed over the items, "I've come to apologize to you."
Pei Lanlan was confused. "Why apologize to me?"
Chen Qin gave a wry smile. This kind girl never held grudges.
"You might have forgotten, but I shouldn't forget what I said. I'm sorry, Lanlan. I shouldn't have spoken to you like that before. Your father hitting me was justified."
Pei Lanlan stared for a long moment before a sliver of memory emerged from her confused mind.
It felt like many years had passed; how could he still remember?
Pei Lanlan's long-numbed heart seemed to be injected with a trickle of warmth.
She hadn't expected that someone would feel guilty for hurting others.
She smiled and shook her head, "Brother Chen, I've heard such words too many times. I stopped caring long ago."
Her battered heart could no longer distinguish which wound was left by Chen Qin.
"You don't need to give me this. This watch... I can't wear it."
Pei Lanlan looked down at her own arm, which she felt was as thick as Cheng You's leg.
Hearing this, Chen Qin felt even more heartbroken.
For a moment, he didn't know what words could comfort her.
"Brother Chen, is there anything else?"
Chen Qin then remembered the main reason for their visit. "It's like this, I heard you're getting married."
Mentioning marriage, Pei Lanlan's face showed no hint of joy.
She nodded numbly, "Yes, the wedding date is approaching. Do you want to come for the banquet?"
Chen Qin and Cheng You exchanged glances, an indescribable sense of sorrow washing over them.
"Lanlan, you can't marry Qiu Yingxun. That guy is a scoundrel, utterly depraved! He's even involved with his stepmother. After you get married, he'll definitely not treat you well."
Pei Lanlan was somewhat surprised that Chen Qin had come for this reason.
She didn't like Qiu Yingxun either; she always felt his gaze towards her was calculating.
It wasn't like he was looking at a partner, but more like a commodity being assessed for value.
She said with a bitter smile, "I don't care about that. A person like me, what right do I have to be picky?"
That kind of inferiority complex, a result of years of devaluation, was etched into her very bones.
"Thank you, Brother Chen. You don't need to mention this to my father. As long as someone is willing to marry me, I'll be very happy."
At this point, Chen Qin didn't know what else he could say.
After a long silence, Cheng You finally couldn't help but ask, "Although it might be presumptuous, I still want to ask, have you seen a doctor?"
Pei Lanlan froze, not understanding what she meant.
"I'm not sick..."
"But your obesity isn't normal."
It was as if a wound had been poked, and Pei Lanlan's face turned deathly pale.
Very few people had spoken to her so directly.
She lowered her head in embarrassment, not intending to answer Cheng You.
"Thank you for your kindness, but I don't need to go to the hospital."
Cheng You thought she might have hurt her pride and was about to explain when an angry voice interrupted, "Chen Qin, what are you doing at my house?! Get out!"
Before Cheng You could react, she saw Chen Qin being forcefully pushed out and falling to the ground.
"Pei Kesheng, what are you going crazy about?!" Chen Qin shouted angrily.
Pei Kesheng sneered, "You come to my house looking for my daughter. What are your intentions?"
Chen Qin retorted without backing down, "You still know she's your daughter? Look at who you've chosen for her! You're willing to marry off your child to such a beastly scumbag?"
"She's my daughter, you don't need to meddle!"
Qiu Yingxun arrived soon after and, seeing the scene, understood what had happened.
However, judging by Pei Kesheng's expression, Chen Qin hadn't succeeded.
"Cheng You, you're really going all out to slander me," he said mockingly.
Cheng You gave him a cold glance. "Is it slander?"
Pei Kesheng said sternly, "Boss Cheng, whether it's slander or fact, this marriage is set! Even if you don't bless it, you shouldn't try to disrupt it!"
Cheng You questioned sharply, "Isn't your daughter's happiness important?"
"With me as her father, she will not be unhappy!"
Pei Kesheng was confident he could control Qiu Yingxun, which was his backing.
Cheng You scoffed, "How old are you? How long can you live? How many years can you protect her?"
Pei Kesheng grunted, not answering her.
Chen Qin tugged at Cheng You. "Let's go. We're not getting involved in this anymore!"
It was a thankless task, and the other party didn't appreciate it at all.
Cheng You's expression was wistful. This matter had reached a dead end, with no solution.
Before leaving, she saw Qiu Yingxun's triumphant gaze, which made her feel incredibly stifled.
Pei Kesheng already knew what he had done. It wasn't that he didn't believe it, but he didn't care.
This was Qiu Yingxun's confidence.
Because Chen Qin had come, Pei Kesheng's anger lingered, and he had no mood to discuss wedding banquet matters with Qiu Yingxun.
"You go back first! Don't worry, the wedding banquet will proceed as scheduled, and the date for obtaining the marriage certificate will not change. But I warn you, if you dare to mess around outside after marrying my daughter, I'll break your legs!"
Qiu Yingxun quickly agreed, "Father-in-law, I will absolutely not fail Lanlan!"
Pei Kesheng had heard this phrase too many times; he didn't believe it anymore.
He didn't want to hear Qiu Yingxun repeat this sentence; he just wanted to see his actions.
After sending Qiu Yingxun away, he led Pei Lanlan into the house and said gently, "No matter what they told you, don't take it to heart. Dad will protect you."
Pei Lanlan looked at him blankly. "Dad, that young lady said my obesity is abnormal and asked if I had seen a doctor."
She found it difficult even to go out, only wanting to escape the strange looks from others. She certainly didn't want to go to the hospital for a check-up.
Even if she went, they would only say, "Obesity isn't a disease. You brought it on yourself by eating too much, who can you blame?"
Pei Kesheng pondered for a moment and asked, "Was it Cheng You who said that?"
"Cheng You? That young lady is Cheng You?"
Pei Lanlan didn't go out, but she had heard Cheng You's name in the newspaper.
She seemed to possess her own radiance, effortlessly drawing attention.
So Cheng You was not only capable but also so beautiful.
The envy in Pei Lanlan's eyes stung Pei Kesheng's heart.
He thought, what if it really is an illness?
"Lanlan, would you be willing to go to the hospital for a check-up with Dad? Just this once. You'll be getting married to Yingxun soon and will have children. You wouldn't want your child to be like this, would you?"
Pei Lanlan's gaze dimmed. She had never really considered having children herself.