“Mom, don’t worry. Pei Heng and I have both had check-ups. There’s no problem. It’s probably just that he’s too busy and often not home, so it’s taking a bit longer for a baby to come.” It would be false to say I wasn’t touched, but unfortunately, I didn’t have the fortune to continue being her daughter-in-law.
“Your dad and I often see those scandalous news about him and have scolded him many times, but you’re his wife. You need to keep a close eye on him, understand?” my mother-in-law advised me.
Although I knew perfectly well that I couldn’t keep Pei Heng in check, and that he would soon fall in love with another woman, looking at my mother-in-law’s sincere eyes, I still nodded. “Okay, Mom.”
After chatting for a while, I had breakfast with my in-laws and learned that Pei Heng had left early in the morning.
I didn’t pay it much mind. My current attitude toward Pei Heng was simply one of indifference.
After breakfast, I also drove out, heading straight to the hospital to confront Yu Yifan.
Yu Yifan had just finished his rounds and returned to his office when I cornered him. I asked with a fake smile, “Dr. Yu, do you have a few minutes to talk?”
“No,” Yu Yifan replied bluntly, his fair and handsome face devoid of any expression.
“Are you too guilty to face me?” I sat down beside him and began to accuse him. “I asked you to persuade Pei Heng to divorce, but instead you persuaded my in-laws to come to Feng Zhou Yuan. Since when did Dr. Yu become so chivalrous, upholding the belief that it’s better to destroy ten temples than break up a marriage?”
Yu Yifan glanced at me lightly and said flatly, “Uncle and Aunt asked me about Pei Heng’s recent situation with you. I simply answered that you wanted a divorce.”
Hearing this, I really wanted to cause a scene right then and there!
Did this man sacrifice his emotional intelligence for his looks? With so many issues between Pei Heng and me, he had to pick the one about “me wanting a divorce.” What would my in-laws think of me?
Just as I was fuming and rubbing my forehead, Yu Yifan was called away by a nurse. Left alone in the office, I saw his thermos on the desk and immediately fished a lipstick out of my bag and tossed it in.
Might as well poison him to death, I cursed inwardly, then left the hospital in a fluster.
With no job to go to, I wandered around for a bit before heading home. It was lunchtime, and the aroma of food wafted from the kitchen, tantalizing.
Pei Heng and his parents were sitting in the living room. I didn’t know what they had been discussing, but the atmosphere was quite somber. When I returned, my mother-in-law finally smiled. “Zhiyi, you’re back.”
I nodded and sat down beside her. As soon as I did, she grabbed my hand and launched into a tirade at Pei Heng. “Pei Heng, your father and I have made ourselves very clear today. If you keep getting involved with those disreputable women and causing scandals, don’t call yourself our son anymore!”
“Dad, Mom, what is this…?” I looked at my in-laws in shock.
“Zhiyi, I know you’ve suffered in this marriage. Over the years, Pei Heng has shown no sense of responsibility, fooling around everywhere. Only you could put up with him.” My mother-in-law sighed. “Give him one more chance. Your father and I will supervise him together.”
Did my in-laws get this anxious just because Yu Yifan mentioned I wanted a divorce?
In my previous life, I never realized how much they valued and liked me. By the time Pei Heng brought Wei Lan to the Pei family, he was already determined to divorce me, and no amount of persuasion from them could change his mind.
Pei Heng sat across from me with a cold expression, his eyes devoid of any warmth. He must have believed that all of this was carefully orchestrated by me.
Even though I had presented the divorce agreement last night, it wouldn’t change his mind.
“Mom, Dad, don’t worry. Most of the rumors about Pei Heng are actually false—just superficial interactions in the business world. I trust him,” I said understandingly.
My father-in-law then spoke up, “Zhiyi, you’re a sensible and well-mannered girl. It’s good that you understand and trust Pei Heng, but we’ve all seen how he’s treated you over the years. Don’t be too good to him. Sometimes, men can be ungrateful.”
“Exactly. The more you treat them well, the more they take it for granted and fail to cherish it. What they can’t have and what they’ve lost are always the best,” my mother-in-law agreed with her husband.
I was both touched and amused by my in-laws’ earnest advice on how to manage a husband.
But Pei Heng’s face had turned completely dark.
“Dad, Mom, I understand,” I nodded obediently.
Just then, Liu E approached. “Madam, the meal is ready.”
My mother-in-law glanced at Liu E and praised, “The food you make smells wonderful.”
I smiled meaningfully. “Aunt Liu’s cooking is excellent. I’ve already gained two pounds from it. Mom, you should try her dishes more often in the future.”
“I’ll be heading back in a couple of days. How will I have the chance to try them more? But you—you’re too thin. You really could stand to gain a little more weight,” my mother-in-law said to me as she made her way to the dining area.
I really wanted to tell her that there would indeed be plenty of opportunities in the future.
It was a rare family gathering for a meal, but Pei Heng remained extremely aloof. I chatted and laughed with my in-laws, keeping the atmosphere relatively harmonious.
Suddenly, Pei Heng’s phone chimed. He opened it, glanced at the screen, and then his gaze swept over to me, looking at me strangely.
I was a bit baffled but didn’t pay it much mind.
It wasn’t until after the meal, during the afternoon break, that Pei Heng came to my room and showed me a photo. “Did you put this there?”
“Xu Zhiyi did it.”
It was a photo Yu Yifan had sent to Pei Heng, along with an accusation.
A lipstick was soaking in the tea inside a thermos, looking utterly out of place.
I admitted it. “Yes, I did. Who told him to tattle to your parents?”
“Xu Zhiyi, have you been possessed lately?” Pei Heng put his phone away, narrowed his eyes, and studied me. “What exactly are you trying to do?”
In the past, I had almost no interaction with his group of friends—we simply didn’t click.
Now, I was even throwing lipsticks into Yu Yifan’s thermos!
“I’m not possessed. I’ve just come to my senses,” I explained calmly. “Pei Heng, I’ve already given you ten years of my youth and emotions. Since you’ll never like me or give me any response, isn’t it only right for me to live my own life? I don’t want to suppress and force myself like I used to.”
“You think liking me for ten years was oppressive and forced? Then why didn’t you give up earlier?” Pei Heng pressed aggressively, his refined and handsome features tinged with a chill.
“I’ll give up whenever I want to!” I retorted, growing somewhat angry.
The atmosphere froze for a moment. Pei Heng stared at me for a long time, as if I were a stranger to him.
After a brief standoff, it ended with Pei Heng leaving. I breathed a sigh of relief, slumping onto the bed, feeling hollow inside.
That afternoon, as soon as Pei Heng left, I followed him out the door and went to “Yujian.”
Wei Lan was always there every time I visited, but on that particular day when I had made plans with Yu Yifan, she happened to be absent. It was truly peculiar.
“Sister Xu, the usual black coffee?” Wei Lan always wore her hair in a high ponytail at work, giving off a refreshing vibe. She treated every customer with great warmth and a sweet smile.
“Not today. Do you have any sweeter coffee recommendations?” I asked with a slight smile.
“Of course! Both cappuccino and macchiato are great options. They give you a sweet feeling, just like being in love,” Wei Lan cheerfully explained.
After a moment of thought, I ordered a macchiato.