Pei Wanyou swung her legs. “Put me down first.” Even though they were siblings, she had already grown up. If her future sister-in-law saw this, even if she didn’t say anything, she would feel uncomfortable inside.
Bai Yanzhou loosened his arms.
Pei Wanyou’s body dropped downward, as if riding a roller coaster. Her heartbeat instantly quickened, and her first reaction was to wrap her arms around his neck.
Bai Yanzhou glanced down. “Try lying about not finishing your homework again in the future?”
Her studies had always been under his supervision. No matter how busy he was, he would check her homework every day, and he was the one who attended all the parent-teacher meetings.
“Ah, I won’t dare anymore. Put me down first, or Sister-in-law might misunderstand when she sees us.” Pei Wanyou’s earlier reply was quite perfunctory. Who was to blame for her not finishing her homework? But now wasn’t the time to argue.
Bai Yanzhou set Pei Wanyou down.
“With Shushu here, it’s already unfair to her. You should change your temper a bit, be gentler, and don’t be stingy with spending money…” Pei Wanyou followed beside Bai Yanzhou, giving him reminders.
Bai Yanzhou stopped in his tracks and reached out to pinch Pei Wanyou’s delicate cheek. “Have you said enough nonsense?”
Pei Wanyou didn’t understand why Bai Yanzhou suddenly got angry. It was like April weather—changing without warning. Wasn’t she saying good things?
When the two returned to the courtyard, Alma was playing with Shushu, her gaze full of tenderness as she watched the little baby inside chewing on her hand.
How could she be so adorable?
Pei Wanyou thought to herself that since Bai Yanzhou wasn’t good with words, she had to be sweeter: “Good afternoon, future Sister-in-law.”
Bai Yanzhou’s brow furrowed.
Could he just feed this little fool to the sharks in the backyard right now?
Upon hearing the voice, Alma stood up. Her earlobes were slightly red, and her voice was as gentle as she was: “Good afternoon, Miss Pei. It’s been a long time since we last met.” As she spoke, she extended her hand.
Pei Wanyou politely shook hands with Alma. She was still very concerned about the issue with Shushu: “Future Sister-in-law, don’t worry. I’ve already discussed it with my brother. From now on, I’ll take care of Shushu and make sure we don’t disturb your time together as a couple.”
Perfect. This way, she would have a reason to move out with Shushu, let Shushu call her “Mom,” and not interfere with Bai Yanzhou’s happy life. She really was a clever little thing.
If Alma hadn’t been there, her smug tail would have been wagging up to the sky.
Alma looked up at Bai Yanzhou, who gave her a meaningful glance: “…”
A maid entered the courtyard: “Young Miss, Young Master, Miss Alma, lunch is ready.”
At the Bai household, it was customary to prioritize Pei Wanyou; otherwise, the Madam would be displeased upon hearing about it.
Bai Yanzhou bent down and picked up Shushu. “You really should lose some weight.” After saying this, he glanced down at the shorty beside him.
Pei Wanyou tilted her head and glared angrily at Bai Yanzhou. After a moment, she realized what he meant and puffed up with anger. Was he comparing her to Shushu?
Alma was surprised. Although Bai Yanzhou was witty, she rarely saw this “affectionate” side of him.
When they arrived at the dining room, Bai Miaomiao and Si Xiang were seated at the head of the table, with Benson sitting to their right. Alma walked over and greeted them.
“Good afternoon, Uncle Benson,” Pei Wanyou said politely.
Benson’s eyes lit up when he saw Pei Wanyou. “Wanyou has grown so much? In a few more years, she’ll be getting married.”
Bai Miaomiao smiled and reached out her hand. “Marriage is still a long way off. She’s my only precious daughter, and I can’t bear to part with her.”
“Girls, they all have to get married eventually. I have a nephew just two years older than Wanyou; I think they’d be a good match,” Benson said half-jokingly.
Si Xiang poured a cup of tea and said calmly, “My daughter wasn’t born for the purpose of marriage.” He then handed the tea to Pei Wanyou.
Although the other party hadn’t said much, this undoubtedly touched a nerve for Si Xiang. What others did was their business, but not in his family.
Seeing this, Alma chimed in, “Uncle is right. My father is old-fashioned, far behind compared to Uncle. He keeps nagging me to get married.”
“If you marry into our family, you can have such a good father!” Pei Wanyou said while sipping her tea.
Bai Miaomiao smiled and patted Pei Wanyou’s head. “You silly girl, stop playing matchmaker. Your brother has already taken Alma as his god-sister.” She was quite satisfied with this outcome.
It didn’t offend the Sommerfield Family, nor did it sacrifice her own happiness for the sake of interests.
Pei Wanyou’s smile froze on her face. Could someone give her a mouse hole? Forget about eating—she felt like mutating into a mouse right then and there.
Bai Yanzhou felt a sharp pain in his thigh and frowned slightly. She was the one who insisted on thinking that way—was it his fault?
He knew exactly what she was scheming. If he married Alma, she would later take Shushu away under the pretense of doing what was best for him, and then register Shushu under her own name. That way, Shushu could openly call her “Mom.”
Dream on.
Alma chuckled softly. “But I’ll still have to trouble you for a while longer. I received an anonymous threatening letter and feel uneasy. After thinking it over, I realized only Uncle and Aunt could take me in…”
Just as Pei Wanyou was about to speak, a large hand landed on her thigh. She was startled but didn’t dare make a sound.
What kind of occasion was this? Was Bai Yanzhou crazy? What if someone saw them?
She tried to cross her legs, but he stopped her. Where exactly was he trying to touch?
“Our family has few children. I’m glad you can stay,” Bai Miaomiao said, sighing inwardly.
Alma was also a pitiful child, but she sincerely hoped Bai Yanzhou would take his marriage seriously…
If the two truly loved each other and weren’t bound by interests, she wouldn’t stand in their way.
Seeing the change in Pei Wanyou’s expression, Bai Yanzhou subtly moved his hand forward, found the tenderest spot, and pinched it.
How many times had he told her? She never learned.
Pei Wanyou slumped over the table, tears welling up from the pain. Bai Yanzhou was the most detestable person in the universe!
“What’s wrong, Youyou? Are you feeling unwell?” Bai Miaomiao snapped out of her thoughts and glanced at the butler. “Call the doctor up.” She had been fine just moments ago.
“N-no, it’s nothing. My stomach just suddenly hurt,” she replied, then lifted her heel and stomped hard on Bai Yanzhou’s leather shoe!
Bai Yanzhou turned to Pei Wanyou and said earnestly, “Wearing clothes that expose your stomach—I told you to change, but you wouldn’t listen.”
“Youyou, autumn is almost here. You need to keep your stomach warm to avoid catching a chill,” Bai Miaomiao added, glancing at her outfit. “The dress is beautiful. Let’s have the designer come over later and custom-make a few sets for next summer.”
“Your sister is young, but are you young too? Didn’t you think to bring her a jacket?” Si Xiang said, then looked at the butler and gestured with his chin, signaling him to bring the doctor over.
Bai Yanzhou took a sip of tea. When had their precious daughter ever been wrong?
Alma observed the situation closely. As someone skilled at reading people, she realized her previous information had been mistaken—Bai Yanzhou didn’t seem to dislike this younger sister as much as she’d thought.
Fortunately, they were siblings; otherwise, her plans would have been much harder to carry out.
Bai Yanzhou felt the stakes she offered weren’t high enough. She needed to seize every opportunity, even if it meant sleeping with him and having a child—that would secure her position as the head of her family.
As for Bai Yanzhou’s love, she didn’t dare hope for it. She was determined to become the family head, to avenge her mother and younger sister.
They had driven them to their deaths—she would never forget.
After the meal, Benson prepared to leave the Bai residence. He took Alma aside and said, “Whether you can marry into the Bai family is one thing, but you must find a way to get Pei Wanyou to marry your cousin. In a little while, I’ll use a visit as an excuse to bring him over.”
Her father would rather groom his nephew than her, his own daughter, and even had the audacity to think that fool could marry the Bai family’s treasure.
But that was fine—it gave her a chance to remove this thorn in her side.
“Yes, Father,” Alma replied softly.
In the courtyard, Bai Miaomiao patiently reminded Bai Yanzhou, “Your father and I are taking an early flight tomorrow morning. If you’re not sure about your feelings, don’t mistreat the girl. Know your limits.”
Bai Yanzhou held Shushu and said nothing. Did she really think he’d take just anyone?
“Also, while I’m away, take good care of your sister. Her parents aren’t here, so you’re the only family she has nearby.” Bai Miaomiao reached out and brushed a fallen petal from Bai Yanzhou’s shoulder. “You’re my child too. How could I not care for you?”
Bai Yanzhou held Shushu. “You and Dad stay safe. I’ll take care of things here and look after my sister.”
He would definitely take good “care” of her.
“…”
Pei Wanyou lounged comfortably on the recliner. As for catching up on homework, that was a task for the evening. She wouldn’t open her laptop until the last possible moment.
“Little sister.”
Pei Wanyou looked toward the courtyard entrance. Alma had changed her outfit but still looked elegant and gentle, holding a jewelry box in her hand.
“This is just a small token of my affection. I hope you won’t find it unworthy.”
She had moved into the Listening Wind Courtyard, separated from Bai Yanzhou’s courtyard by only a single wall.
“We’re all family now, no need to be so polite.” Pei Wanyou still felt a bit awkward. It was all Bai Yanzhou’s fault for not clarifying things earlier—she had been calling Alma “sister-in-law” all this time.
Alma opened the box, revealing a pair of pink diamond earrings. They were stunning and undoubtedly expensive, likely worth at least three to four million.
Pei Wanyou shook her head. “This gift is too extravagant. I can’t accept it.”
Alma knew very well that only by pleasing Pei Wanyou could she win the favor of the Bai family, bringing her one step closer to Bai Yanzhou.
“I came in such a hurry… Are you looking down on it, little sister?” Alma lowered her head, appearing slightly embarrassed.
That wasn’t what Pei Wanyou meant at all. She reached out her hand. “Then I won’t stand on ceremony.” She smiled warmly at Alma.
This gentle older sister was so much better than Bai Yanzhou.
But what could she give in return? She never took things from others without reciprocating—unless it was from Bai Yanzhou.
As the two chatted, Bai Yanzhou returned holding Shushu. Seeing Pei Wanyou smiling happily and holding a small cake, his expression darkened. “Have you finished your homework?” He glanced at his watch. “I’ll check it before nine.”
Alma turned her head to look at Bai Yanzhou. He was truly captivating; even a single night of passion would not be a loss for her.
Pei Wanyou whined, “I don’t want to! I’m already in college, and you’re still watching me do my homework. It’s so annoying.”
Back in middle school, she thought things would get better in high school. In high school, she thought college would be the answer…
Bai Yanzhou walked over. Pei Wanyou knew he was serious and quickly sat up from the lounge chair. “Fine, I’ll go…”
Alma couldn’t help but smile. The bond between these siblings was truly heartwarming. She and her sister had been close too, but… she would never see her again.
Bai Yanzhou headed straight for the study, showing no intention of acknowledging Alma. Their connection was purely transactional—they weren’t even friends.
As for her suggestion of becoming Shushu’s mother, she should take a look in the mirror. Was she even worthy?
Shushu lay sound asleep in the crib. Bai Yanzhou began his work; he had many responsibilities, far beyond just security matters.
Alma returned to her courtyard. She was a patient person. She needed to figure out Bai Yanzhou’s temperament before taking the next step.
Soon after, a maid entered the courtyard carrying a bowl of wild pigeon soup. She greeted Alma before knocking on the door of the main house.
“Young Miss, the soup is ready.”
Pei Wanyou was nearly asleep in bed. “Ugh, no, I don’t want it,” she mumbled. She had just finished dinner—why would she want soup?
Hearing the noise, Bai Yanzhou stood up. He didn’t have to hold Shushu, but he trusted no one except the maid who had previously cared for the child.
The maid hesitated, unsure what to do, but when she saw Bai Yanzhou emerge from the study, she quickly stepped aside.
Bai Yanzhou had assumed Pei Wanyou was busy with homework and irritable because of it. But when he opened the door, she was clutching a pillow, ready to fall asleep. A moment later, and she would have been out.
Pei Wanyou turned her head and saw Bai Yanzhou glaring at her “ferociously.”
Suppressing his anger, Bai Yanzhou said, “Drink it yourself, or I’ll pry your mouth open and pour it down your throat. Your choice.”
“Why drink soup out of the blue…”
Bai Yanzhou placed Shushu on the bed, pulled Pei Wanyou up, and propped her against himself. The maid took the opportunity to bring the soup over.
“No woman will ever like you if you act like this,” Pei Wanyou said, pinching her nose. She disliked the smell, which seemed to carry the scent of ginseng.
In any case, she didn’t like it. “…”
Bai Yanzhou didn’t release her until she had finished the entire bowl. “As long as you don’t like it, that’s fine.”
“Brother, I like you so much, what should I do? I can’t sleep or eat without you. What would I ever do without you…”
“Ugh—”
She had intended to disgust Bai Yanzhou, but the soup’s taste was too overpowering.
Bai Yanzhou looked at Pei Wanyou with a meaningful expression. “…”
Just then, Si Xiang and the butler entered the courtyard with a doctor. The doctor had taken some time to arrive from the foot of the mountain.
A girl’s stomachache was no trivial matter, and Si Xiang was worried.
Hearing the commotion, Pei Wanyou’s hair practically stood on end. She quickly grabbed Bai Yanzhou’s arm and whispered, “Brother, what do I do? I have a scar on my stomach!”
She had undergone a C-section!
If only she hadn’t used a stomachache as an excuse. She never expected her uncle to remember this.
Bai Yanzhou crossed his legs, propped his hands on the bed, and assumed the posture of someone ready to watch a show…