Although there were some ups and downs, Bai Tao finally managed to help Pei Shi celebrate his birthday. Pei Shi did not show much emotion regarding this birthday, but Bai Tao’s intuition told her that the man was actually quite happy.

After all, he received the dog he had been longing for as a birthday gift, so how could he not be happy?

Speaking of the dog, that night, Bai Tao urgently called a psychological counselor and did some self-psychological preparation. Only then did she gradually calm down, trembling as she touched the stairs and went downstairs.

Perhaps to ensure that the puppy could stay, hoping Bai Tao would truly accept it, Pei Shi stayed patiently by her side throughout the entire process, almost not leaving her for a moment.

“I’ll stand between you and the dog, and I’ll hold the leash. If you get scared, I’ll take the dog away immediately. The dog won’t touch you.”

He glanced at Bai Tao and then hung up a call again.

“Isn’t that an important call?” Bai Tao pointed at Pei Shi’s phone, “This person named ‘Lawyer Gao’ has called you five or six times in a row, right? You’ve declined all of them.” She spoke understandingly, “If you have an urgent matter, you can…”

Before Bai Tao could finish her sentence, Pei Shi interrupted her with a low but decisive voice, “During the time you’re getting used to the dog, I won’t answer any calls.”

After he finished speaking, he somewhat unnaturally added, “It’s not that urgent.”

Bai Tao nodded, and then once again, as if facing a formidable enemy, began “bonding” with the dog. Fortunately, with Pei Shi there, Bai Tao indeed felt much more at ease. The dog was also quite well-behaved. Gradually, Bai Tao’s previously tense emotions began to relax, and she didn’t seem as scared or resistant to the dog anymore.

However, after letting go of her worry about the dog, Bai Tao looked at Pei Shi, who was standing in front of her, and a new worry arose—

On Pei Shi’s birthday night, what if he made certain demands…

Just thinking about the subtle hints in the little essays she had read before made Bai Tao feel uneasy. She immediately stopped being afraid of the dog, after all, Pei Shi was scarier than the dog.

Bai Tao decided to take the initiative. On Pei Shi’s birthday night, it wouldn’t make sense not to express anything, so she grabbed Pei Shi’s hand and forcibly turned him to face her.

“Husband!” Bai Tao stared into Pei Shi’s eyes with a deep expression. She looked at him earnestly and passionately, then stood on tiptoe and quickly kissed Pei Shi on the lips, “Happy birthday!”

“I know what you’re expecting tonight, but as you can see, I overcame an incredible psychological fear to give you this dog. So right now, I’m extremely exhausted, mentally drained, and unable to handle any more stimulating emotions or experiences…” Bai Tao blinked and looked at Pei Shi suggestively, “Husband, you understand, right?”

Pei Shi frowned.

Bai Tao patted his shoulder with a serious expression, “Besides, we’re not in our twenties anymore. We need to take care of our bodies. You know why eunuchs in ancient times lived so long? Because they were abstinent. Modern people, with issues like staying up late and environmental pollution, are prone to kidney deficiency, which affects sperm quality. We haven’t had children yet. For the sake of our future baby, we need to improve sperm quality, so our baby can win at the starting line!”

Bai Tao faced Pei Shi’s gaze and continued boldly, “And you see, you drank red wine tonight. Drinking affects sperm quality, so tonight… let’s forget it! It’s better for you to cultivate yourself for a while! Also, last time, we used up the three-month quota! Remember?”

After finishing her speech, Bai Tao didn’t wait for Pei Shi’s reaction. She quickly pretended to yawn, “Oh, I’m getting so sleepy. I can hardly keep my eyes open. I’ll go to sleep first…”

With that, Bai Tao swiftly fled, her agile movements showing no signs of sleepiness.

Pei Shi stared at her retreating figure, almost laughing in frustration.

He had ignored important calls and stayed with her to help her overcome her fear of dogs, only to be rewarded with this? This?

Marriage really could be suffocating.

Pei Shi expressionlessly took out his phone and called Lawyer Gao back. For men, only dedicating time to work would always yield equal returns.

“Mr. Pei!” As soon as the call connected, Lawyer Gao’s apologetic voice came through, “Sorry for disturbing you so late…”

“Is there an issue with the listing materials?”

“No, it’s about Mrs. Pei…”

Pei Shi frowned and almost instinctively said, “We’re not getting a divorce.”

“I know, I know.” Lawyer Gao laughed, “Your relationship is so good; how could you divorce! It’s just that a media company slandered Mrs. Pei for having an affair, and you asked me to handle the evidence and the lawsuit. Today, that company contacted me, saying they have inside information and want to talk. What do you think?”

“No talks.” Pei Shi sneered, “Bai Tao would never cheat. Proceed with the lawsuit, no leniency for defamation.”

When Bai Tao sneaked downstairs to retrieve her phone, this was what she heard.

Pei Shi’s voice was cool, almost stern without emotion, but in Bai Tao’s ears, it sounded tender and doting.

She had only come down to secretly get her phone but unexpectedly overheard such a heartfelt statement from Pei Shi!

This man truly believed in her! Even in the face of his sister’s accusations, he chose love! Stood firmly by her side, protecting her unwaveringly!

When Bai Tao got back to her bed, her heart was still pounding from Pei Shi’s words. She even felt a little reckless urge to bang her head against the wall for Pei Shi…

From now on, she must treat Pei Shi better!

Such a good man was rare these days!

Thinking about how she had been so defensive against Pei Shi, Bai Tao felt a pang of guilt for the first time—Although she had transmigrated, this body was indeed hers from five years in the future. She was already Pei Shi’s wife, completely refusing to fulfill her marital duties while forcing him to stay celibate, which was quite unfair.

Moreover, Pei Shi was handsome, well-built, and had a perky butt that looked both lean and strong… Sleeping with him wouldn’t be a loss. From what she had recorded in her memo, the user experience seemed quite good… Maybe someday…

The more Bai Tao thought, the redder her face became. Images not suitable for minors flashed through her mind. In the end, she stuck a cold patch on each cheek, turned on the speaker, played a Buddhist chant, and gradually calmed down to sleep.

*****
She had a great night’s sleep, and since the next day was a weekend, Bai Tao woke up naturally.

Pei Shi had left a note informing Bai Tao that he would be out in the morning to handle some financial matters related to the company’s listing.

Adequate sleep brings happiness, love brings joy, and marital trust brings relaxation. Bai Tao almost hummed a song as she went to the kitchen. Just as she finished frying an egg, the doorbell rang.

Bai Tao ran to the door, her mood instantly souring. Standing outside was an unwelcome guest she did not want to see—Pei Fei.

Pei Fei stood at the door with a sinister expression, almost as if a sign on her face declared her intention to cause trouble.

But Bai Tao was not afraid of her now. Pei Shi loved her so much that he would undoubtedly support her if she clashed with Pei Fei. It was time for Pei Fei to get a good beating!

What was there to wait for? Let Pei Fei in, then! Close the door! Beat the dog!

Pei Fei was indeed there to provoke. As soon as she entered, she began to mock, “Oh, Bai Tao, your mental fortitude is truly impressive. Even now, you shamelessly stay in my brother’s villa. Do you really want to make headlines for infidelity and be kicked out under everyone’s watch?”

Bai Tao remained calm, “Pei Fei, even though you’re Pei Shi’s sister, you can’t just say whatever you want. Otherwise, even family can be sued. Besides, this is my home. If you keep talking nonsense, I’ll have to ask you to leave.”

“You knew, didn’t you? Your ex-boyfriend Zhong Xiao just returned from abroad yesterday. I came today to see if I could catch you two in the act!” Pei Fei rolled her eyes, “You haven’t even divorced my brother yet, and you’re already being photographed by the media for cheating. I’m just here to set things right for you adulterers!”

Nonsense! She had no idea what nonsense Pei Fei was talking about! She hadn’t been in contact with any ex-boyfriend! She was innocent!

But the more Pei Fei slandered her, the calmer Bai Tao became. She glanced at Pei Fei and said, “Since I married Pei Shi, our relationship has been great. He’s willing to do anything for me. Right now, I’m his Achilles’ heel. If you deliberately try to ruin our relationship, be careful that Pei Shi might cut ties with you forever.”

“Bah! My brother doesn’t like your type at all! You think he would do anything for you? My brother prioritizes his career over emotions. What would he do for you?”

The calmer Bai Tao was, the more agitated Pei Fei became, “My brother hates women like you! Always flirting around. I’ve known you for so many years, since school, and you’ve never behaved! How many rumors were there about you? Always with this guy or that guy, no moral compass, messing around with guys who have girlfriends! And even after marrying my brother, you haven’t stopped! Haven’t let go of your ex-boyfriend!”

Hearing this, Bai Tao also got angry, old grudges and new grievances rushing up, “What do you mean I don’t behave? I never dated anyone in school, never flirted with anyone! You accused me of seducing your boyfriend and hit me without any proof! And now you still don’t apologize, turning the tables on me?”

This was the trigger for the bad blood between Pei Fei and Bai Tao. Mentioning this, Pei Fei stubbornly refused to admit any fault, “I had foresight. Years ago, I knew you would harm my brother, put a green hat on him, so I hit you in advance! Was I wrong?! Do you remember what it felt like to get slapped by me?”

“Did I not make the green paint bright enough?” Bai Tao gritted her teeth, “Luckily, Pei Shi came too quickly that time, or you’d have not only turned into the ‘Hulk,’ but also gotten a good beating from me!”

Pei Fei glared at Bai Tao, “Who do you think you can beat? Think you can take me?”

Time changes many things, but some feelings never fade, like the “bond” between Bai Tao and Pei Fei, which not only remained unchanged but became even stronger over the years.

This grudge had to be settled.

Bai Tao also got angry, “I’ll beat you! This time Pei Shi isn’t here, let’s see who’ll clean up your mess!”

“You have no charm, no taste, finding a cheating boyfriend. He cheats, and you blame the mistress, not the jerk. If you cling to a rotten egg like it’s a treasure, think it’s a preserved egg, that’s on you!”

Being cheated on was Pei Fei’s life’s shame. Bai Tao hitting this sore spot enraged Pei Fei. Though Bai Tao’s words were true, she couldn’t refute, and in anger, grabbed a cushion from the sofa and threw it at Bai Tao.

The cushion was light, and Bai Tao easily dodged it, but—

It was about respect! About dignity! About the bottom line!

Bai Tao’s eyes reddened with anger, “You dare hit me?!”

Fighting in her own home was a declaration of war!

Recalling the slap she endured in the past, Bai Tao’s eyes flashed fiercely, “This time, I’ll teach you a lesson. Hitting means being ready for a counterattack!”

…

*****