The sentry left behind at the gate stood inside the guard post, clicking his tongue in amazement.
They were the first to get the juiciest gossip!
The apartment assigned to Pei Yanshen was a unit flat—considered one of the best types in the family compound, located further inside.
After walking for a while, the familiar small building finally came into view.
But Zhong Qing truly hadn’t expected to run into Pei Yanshen so quickly.
He was standing downstairs in front of their building. Zhao Xiulan stood before him, tugging at his arm while saying something.
Zhong Qing caught a snippet—and was so angry she laughed.
Without hesitation, she stepped forward, hooked her arm through Pei Yanshen’s, and stood beside him.
“嫂子 Zhao,” she said lightly, “I only went back home for a few days to visit family. Isn’t it a bit much to be squeezing in introductions like this?”
Pei Yanshen’s body stiffened. He frowned, glancing at her in shock and confusion—
Then immediately pulled his arm away.
Zhao Xiulan, startled, looked embarrassed.
She had heard that after Zhong Qing threw a tantrum, she had abandoned the children and run off. Everyone was saying Zhong Qing wouldn’t come back, and that Pei Yanshen and Zhong Qing were definitely heading for divorce.
That was why she had hurried to introduce her relative’s daughter to him.
After all, even if Zhong Qing had a bad reputation, Pei Yanshen was well-respected throughout the compound.
But she had only just begun making arrangements—how had Zhong Qing suddenly returned?
Still, judging from Pei Yanshen’s reaction, the divorce seemed inevitable. Just a matter of time.
Zhao Xiulan nearly couldn’t suppress her rising smile and was about to continue persuading—
But Pei Yanshen looked at her sternly.
“嫂子 Zhao, please don’t bring this up again.”
Even if Zhong Qing hadn’t appeared, he would have refused.
Zhao Xiulan’s smile froze. “My fault, my fault.”
Right. Even if Captain Pei and Zhong Qing didn’t get along, he wouldn’t accept another woman in front of his current wife.
She had indeed been too impatient.
Making an excuse about having something to do, Zhao Xiulan left.
Pei Yanshen didn’t even glance at Zhong Qing before walking straight inside.
Zhong Qing pursed her lips awkwardly, not surprised by his attitude, and silently followed him in.
Inside the house.
Pei’s father and mother were coaxing Pei Leyu and Pei Le’an to eat.
The children were sensible. Even though they didn’t say it out loud, their mother’s departure had affected them.
Pei’s parents were helpless about it. No matter how attentive they were, they could never replace a mother.
Fortunately, Pei Yanshen would come home during his lunch break to spend time with Xiao Yu and Xiao An, which eased the children’s anxiety somewhat.
When they heard the door open—
Both children instinctively looked over.
Seeing their father, the two little ones immediately jumped off their small chairs and rushed into his arms.
Pei Yanshen bent down, his strong arms steadily catching them.
“Did you listen to Grandpa and Grandma today? Did you eat properly?”
Pei Le’an answered, but his eyes couldn’t help glancing behind Pei Yanshen.
Even though he knew… Mom wouldn’t come back…
Wait.
That was—
Mom?!
Pei Le’an froze.
Until the familiar voice truly reached his ears.
“Xiao Yu, Xiao An… Mommy’s back.”
Pei Leyu instantly poked her head out from Pei Yanshen’s arms—but the moment she met Zhong Qing’s gaze, she shrank back in fear.
As if she weren’t seeing her mother—but a monster.
Pei Le’an immediately stepped in front of his sister and shouted at Zhong Qing:
“Didn’t you already abandon us? Why did you come back?!”
Seeing the atmosphere turn tense, Pei’s parents hurried to smooth things over. They ushered Xiao Yu and Xiao An back to their room to play, then turned to Zhong Qing with delighted surprise.
“Xiao Qing, you’re back! We’ll add a few more dishes. You must be tired from the trip?”
Suppressing the bitterness in her heart, Zhong Qing replied gently,
“Dad, Mom. No need to go through the trouble. I’ll eat whatever there is—I’m not picky.”
That natural “Dad” and “Mom” left Pei’s parents stunned.
Zhong Qing had never called them that before.
They had always assumed that as a city girl married off to this remote place, she had grievances in her heart. So they never forced her.
Pei’s mother’s eyes immediately reddened. She warmly took Zhong Qing’s hand.
“Ah! It’s no trouble at all. Your father and I brought your favorite dishes this time—”
Pei Yanshen frowned and coldly interrupted:
“Zhong Qing, what trick are you playing now?”
The smiles on Pei’s parents’ faces froze. Pei’s mother glared at him reproachfully.
They had never supported the idea of divorce. Now that Zhong Qing had returned, it meant there was still room for reconciliation. Naturally, they hoped for that.
But this time, before they could mediate, Zhong Qing lifted her gaze to meet Pei Yanshen’s.
“I’m calling them Dad and Mom. And they’re happy to hear it. What does that have to do with you?”
Pei Yanshen was momentarily speechless.
Pei’s mother chimed in, “She’s right. She’s calling your father and me. Why are you butting in?”
Pei’s father added bluntly, “If you don’t know how to speak, then don’t.”
With that, they pulled Zhong Qing aside to chat warmly, completely ignoring Pei Yanshen.
After Pei’s parents went into the kitchen to prepare more dishes, the warmth in the living room dropped instantly to freezing.
Pei Yanshen sneered.
“You don’t need to go this far just to get a divorce. I’ll submit the report in a few days.”
Zhong Qing was not someone who quietly endured.
Hearing that, she said coldly, “Dad and Mom like me. I just talked with them a bit. What exactly did I do? Even if you don’t like me, there’s no need to twist my actions like that.”
Pei Yanshen frowned deeply. He wanted to argue—but couldn’t.
After all, it had indeed been his parents who pulled Zhong Qing aside.
Seeing him silent, Zhong Qing continued,
“Divorce is fine. But I have conditions.”
Pei Yanshen let out a self-mocking chuckle.
Of course.
For a brief moment earlier, he had actually thought she had changed.
But now it seemed—she was exactly the same as before.
Weary, he rubbed his brow.
“You want money? How much?”
“No.” Zhong Qing shook her head. “My condition is this: until Xiao Yu’s condition improves, I want to stay here. Xiao Yu and Xiao An are still young. They need their mother.”
At the mention of Xiao Yu and Xiao An, the hardness in Pei Yanshen’s expression softened, replaced by a trace of worry.
The reason he hadn’t yet submitted the divorce report was largely because of the children.
Especially Xiao Yu.
She was different from other children.