Before Pei Jingshu could even look, her younger sister grabbed her arm.
Pei Jingshu's younger sister is named Pei Enshu. She just started high school this year. She is half a head shorter than her older sister, has a round face, big eyes, and wears a ponytail that swings back and forth behind her head when she runs.
She grabbed Pei Jingshu's arm and clung to it, tilting her head back with a fawning expression.
"Sister, did you bring me a gift when you came back from France?"
Pei Jingshu gave her an annoyed look. "I did bring it, but I don't anymore."
Pei Enshu's expression froze for a moment, then her lips trembled, and her voice changed tone: "No—"
She clung to Pei Jingshu's arm and shook it twice, almost squatting down, before Pei's mother patted her on the shoulder.
"Alright, alright, your sister's luggage is all at the hotel, she didn't bring it over," Pei's mother said irritably.
Standing on the steps, Mr. Pei's expression had relaxed a little when he saw his eldest daughter return.
But upon hearing the word "hotel," his face fell again.
"He went back to Daegu but didn't go home; instead, he opened a hotel." His tone was heavy, as if he were talking about something very serious. "Anyone who didn't know better would think he'd been kicked out."
Pei's mother patted his shoulder helplessly. "Alright, the child just got back, so say less."
Mr. Pei snorted and said nothing more.
The family went inside. Pei's father and Pei Enshu went to the kitchen to bring out the dishes, while Pei's mother took Pei Jingshu upstairs.
Pei Jingshu's bedroom was small, with a single bed, a desk, and several faded posters on the wall.
Pei's mother closed the door, turned around, and her expression became somewhat subtle.
Pei Jingshu was puzzled when she heard her mother ask in a low voice, "You two, didn't...?"
Pei Jingshu's face flushed instantly, and she waved her hands anxiously, "No! Mom, what are you thinking!"
Pei's mother sighed regretfully, as if she had missed something very regrettable.
Then she sat down on the edge of the bed, patted the spot next to her, and gestured for Pei Jingshu to sit down.
"Your boyfriend," Pei's mother said, her tone casual but her gaze serious, "Is it Cheng Che from Xia Country?"
Pei Jingshu gave an awkward laugh, "Mom, how did you know?"
Pei's mother tapped her head speechlessly. "I go online too. There's so much news about him in China. Nineteen years old, top scorer in the Xia Country college entrance Zhuangyuan, student at the top university, and tennis Champion. These past few days he won some French Open Champion, the news is everywhere."
She paused for a moment, then looked at Pei Jingshu with a strange expression.
That look in his eyes, a mixture of "You actually kept this from me" and "My daughter is quite capable."
Pei Jingshu felt uneasy under her gaze and shrank back, saying, "Mom, don't look at me like that."
Pei's mother chuckled, "I never thought my daughter would know how to date younger men."
Pei Jingshu's face flushed red instantly, and she angrily slapped her mother's arm. "I'm only three years older than him! And he still calls me 'Nuna'!"
Pei's mother smiled and raised her hands in surrender:
"Okay, okay, three years older, 'a woman three years older is like a gold brick.' I'm complimenting you. I've seen that guy's profile, he's outstanding. I'm just worried you might not be able to handle him."
Pei Jingshu pursed her lips, not replying, but the tips of her ears turned red.
Pei Enshu's voice came from downstairs. "Mom! Sister! Dinner's ready!"
Pei's mother stood up, patted her skirt, and walked towards the door.
As he reached the door, he glanced back at Pei Jingshu and added:
"Bring him back for me to see when you have time. I'm going to show him off to others. He's such an excellent son-in-law."
Pei Jingshu blushed and nodded, her voice very soft, "I understand."
At the dinner table, Pei Enshu sat opposite Pei Jingshu, her chopsticks barely touching the food, but her mouth was already chattering away.
"Sis, what does your husband look like? Is he even better looking than on TV? How tall is he? Is he really good at tennis? He--"
"Just eat, and stop talking," Pei's father interrupted her, placing a piece of meat in her bowl. "Eat your food."
Pei Enshu opened her mouth, glanced at her father, then at her mother, and finally at her sister, before closing her mouth.
Pei Jingshu and her mother exchanged a glance. Neither of them spoke, but the corners of their mouths twitched slightly.
Back at the hotel, Cheng Che had just finished showering when his phone lit up with a row of messages.
All of them were voice messages sent by Pei Jingshu.
Her voice came through the receiver:
"I'm home. My sister kept asking me all sorts of questions, but my dad shut her down."
After listening, Cheng Che smiled and replied, "Back to the hotel."
He lay in bed and opened the system panel.
[ Stamina Trial - Phase Two: Crowned with All Grand Slam Titles. Objective: Win all four Grand Slam titles ( Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, US Open ). Current progress: 2/4.]
Two more are needed.
Wimbledon is in early July, US Open is in September.
If we win Wimbledon and then the US Open, the second stage will be complete.
He then flipped to the Charisma Trial section.
[ Charisma Trial - Phase One: Global Visibility. Current Progress: Approximately 7,000,000/10,000,000.]
Three million is still needed.
The price rose significantly after winning the French Open, but the rate of increase has slowed down.
Tennis has limited public attention, and it's difficult to advance further based solely on competitions.
He has to think of another way.
Just as I was getting annoyed, my phone rang.
Qin Lie opened it.
" Cheng Che." Qin Lie's voice was excited, half an octave higher than usual, "LV just contacted me. They've invited you to the LV 2026 Fall/Winter Haute Couture special launch show. Not just to watch the show, but to attend. Their president personally requested the invitation."
Cheng Che was taken aback.
Louis Vuitton's Fall/Winter Haute Couture show is one of the most prestigious events in the global fashion industry. Attendees are either global brand ambassadors or top celebrities from various countries.
His current title is Asia-Pacific Brand Ambassador, which doesn't make him qualified to attend a haute couture show.
But if the LV president personally names it, that's a different story.
"When?"
"One week later. Paris," Qin Lie said, "Before Wimbledon. The timing is perfect."
Cheng Che thought for a moment.
Global fashion media will be there, so the exposure will be significant.
That might be able to fill part of the three million shortfall.
"Okay," he said, "I'll go."
"Okay," Qin Lie replied on the other end of the phone, then his tone turned serious. "Oh, right, there's one more thing. You need to go back to China tomorrow."
"Return to China?"
" Porsche and Apple are pressing hard, wanting to make an official announcement before Wimbledon. The legal team has already reviewed the contract details; all that's left is your signature. You fly to Capital City tomorrow, sign the contract the day after tomorrow morning, and then fly back to South Korea in the afternoon. It won't interfere with you spending time with Pei Jingshu." Qin Lie paused, his voice tinged with barely suppressed smugness. " Porsche offered 28 million for a three-year contract, totaling over 100 million. Apple offered 22 million for two years. Together, that's 50 million in the first year. That's significantly higher than what they initially quoted; they all know your current value."
Cheng Che raised an eyebrow.
"Okay," he said, "I'll go back tomorrow."