Chapter 4: Let Your Brother Watch Over You

As soon as Pei Baoyuan spoke, not only were the two men in the livestream stunned, but the chat feed also momentarily fell silent.

“Xiao Xing, you are not at fault; those who bully you without reason are. If others can't help you, then you must help yourself. Life is yours alone, and you must bravely fight for the kind of life you want.”

After Pei Baoyuan finished, Zhao Kang, who had momentarily stumbled over his words, quickly recovered and tried to soften the situation: “Sister Baoyuan is right, Xiao Xing, you’re not wrong. But I still suggest you seek help from your teachers and parents since we’re students after all...”

“Zhao Ge,” Pei Baoyuan interrupted, “I think a high school student about to become an adult is fully capable of resolving and bearing responsibilities for their issues. Xiao Xing sought help from her parents and teachers, but since the problem remains unresolved, it means their approach was superficial.”

“Without resources or background, to avoid being bullied, one must first become strong—just like in society.”

[The supporting female character is right. Xiao Xing has approached her teachers more than once, but the teachers only gave the bullies a cursory reprimand, which only made them worse next time.]

[Coming in and getting hit with a hearty dose of encouragement—how can you not support her?]

“Thank you, Sister Baoyuan, and thank you both, brothers.” Xiao Xing’s voice still carried a hoarseness from crying. “I know what I must do now. I will strive to live my life better.”

Zhao Kang asked, “Sister Baoyuan, your advice to Xiao Xing to look ahead is very sensible. Have you ever faced similar experiences in your own life?”

“No.” Pei Baoyuan stared directly at the chat feed. “I simply don’t believe in fate. Whatever you want, you must fight for it yourself. Man makes his destiny.”

Their first recording was completed without any major issues.

After turning off the camera, Chu Yunbo sighed with relief. “What you just said really scared me—I almost thought the first episode was going to end in disaster.”

Pei Baoyuan shrugged, unfazed. “I only speak the blunt truth. Irresponsible parents? My advice is don’t have children if you can’t raise them well; it spares them from suffering.”

Pei Baoyuan stepped out of the recording studio and noticed that her dressing room was crowded.

The crew automatically cleared a path when they saw her. On either side of the dressing room door stood flower baskets overflowing with red roses, some placed on the floor, others on tables.

On the makeup table, the roses were arranged in a heart shape, with a jewelry box and a card placed in the center.

Inside the jewelry box lay a teardrop-cut yellow diamond necklace.

The card’s message was handwritten to show sincerity—Huo Yanci’s childish handwriting looked utterly out of place on such a high-quality card, making it rather comical.

“Who is this Host Pei, that she can partner with Teacher Zhao right from the start?”

“Judging by her attire, she can’t be some rich heiress, right?”

“Pei’s looks definitely attract admirers. Wonder which rich young master has taken a fancy to her—what a lavish gift.”

Pei Baoyuan tore up the card and turned to the crowd gathered at the door. “There are too many flowers for me to handle. If anyone wants some, feel free to take them home. They’re perfect for viewing or even for baths.”

“So many... You’re really giving them all away?”

Pei Baoyuan nodded. “If you like them, take them all.”

[I think the supporting female character is a bit disdainful?]

[The old supporting character treasured whatever the male lead gave her like a precious gem, but the current one refuses everything!]

[Remove the 'think' and replace 'a bit' with 'very' in the previous comment.]

[Doesn’t anyone find the male lead a bit of a scoundrel? He gives gifts to the supporting female while sending the exact same ones to the female lead.]

Pei Baoyuan watched the chat with interest before tossing the necklace into some corner of her jewelry box to gather dust at home.

She, Pei Baoyuan, was blessed with good family, education, and looks—everything impeccable. The Huo family only had a foothold in the capital through marriage alliances. What part of Huo Yanci was worthy of her, or of wearing a cuckold’s hat?

Most of Huo Yanci’s crowd were wealthy second-generation heirs who spent their days drowning in clubs. Pei Baoyuan secretly despised mingling with them, but since Huo Yanci frequented these places often, she had no choice but to appear uninvited.

She grabbed Huo Yanci’s hand as he raised a glass and handed him a cup of milk. “Your foot’s still not healed—you shouldn’t drink alcohol.”

Everyone laughed.

“Brother Ci hasn’t had anything kids drink in years!”

“...”

“You don’t understand,” Huo Yanci pulled Pei Baoyuan closer. “This is Yuan Yuan caring for me.”

Another round of teasing followed.

Pei Baoyuan asked, “Where’s your girlfriend today?”

No one answered, and everyone followed her gaze to Huang Zhenyu.

Huang Zhenyu froze.

Oh no! He almost forgot he had a girlfriend!

“She’s... filming! Didn’t expect Sister-in-law to remember her, what an honor, haha.”

“I thought you two broke up. Since you haven’t, bring her out next time.”

Huang Zhenyu laughed nervously, thinking, ‘Bring her out? Hopefully never again in this life.’

Unwilling to have any physical contact with Huo Yanci, Pei Baoyuan excused herself for some fresh air.

But in the hallway, she bumped into her older brother and Ke Xianbo, followed by a group of sharply dressed executives.

“Brother,” Pei Baoyuan approached.

Pei Zongnian was dressed in a sleek black suit, his tie undone, but his shirt buttoned meticulously to the top—a stark contrast to the youthful Ke Xianbo beside him, who seemed from another world.

A warm gleam appeared in Pei Zongnian’s eyes, though his tone remained stiff: “When did you get back?”

“Last Friday. Two years without seeing each other—did you miss me, brother?” Pei Baoyuan blinked.

Pei Zongnian frowned.

Ke Xianbo joked, “Sister Baoyuan rushed back on Huo Yanci’s birthday—that’s true affection.”

Hearing herself called ‘Sister Baoyuan’ made her heart skip a beat. Without the second half of the sentence, she might have believed him.

She shot Ke Xianbo a glare, warning him not to be sarcastic.

Pei Zongnian suddenly understood and lowered his voice to ask, “Did you come with Huo Yanci?”

[Ah~ Ah~ Big brother looks so handsome! Ah~ Ah~ I’m swooning...]

[Doesn’t anyone else feel Pei Zongnian sounds like a caring robot?]

[And he dresses so ascetically, buttoned up tight—is he trying to stop me from peeling off his clothes? Such a chaste robot brother~]

Pei Baoyuan nodded quietly, avoiding her brother’s gaze.

The ‘chaste robot brother’ image was so vivid in her mind she feared bursting into laughter right then and there.

He really saved her life, that robot brother!

Pei Zongnian’s “Be safe” combined with Ke Xianbo’s muffled laughter echoed in her ears.

Pei Baoyuan: ?

Pei Zongnian: ?

Ke Xianbo: ...

The siblings exchanged confused looks, and Ke Xianbo cleared his throat, suppressing his laughter as he said seriously, “Brother Pei, rest assured. With me watching them, nothing will go wrong. I promise Sister Baoyuan will get home safe and sound.”

Pei Baoyuan looked utterly puzzled.

Who asked you to say all that nonsense? Who asked you to watch over me? You’re the biggest troublemaker here!

The worst part? Her brother actually acknowledged it!

Big brother, open your eyes! This is Ke Xianbo—the notorious sharp-tongued troublemaker of Harbor City!

Pei Baoyuan’s silent screams went unheard by Pei Zongnian, who strode off with his entourage, leaving her and Ke Xianbo staring at each other.

“Why are you hanging out with my brother?”

“Can’t you tell? We’re discussing business.”

With such a casual tone and attitude, Pei Baoyuan didn’t believe a word.

She put on a cold face. “You can leave. I don’t need you watching me.”

Ke Xianbo smirked. “Oh, then I guess your brother will have to watch over you.”