Children Xiao Yu’s age usually already know how to speak, yet Xiao Yu had never spoken a word. Her personality was timid and overly cautious.
Pei Yanshen had taken her to the hospital for a checkup, but the doctors merely advised the family to provide more guidance and wait patiently.
Zhong Qing, knowing the storyline of the future, understood clearly that Pei Leyu’s condition was consistent with selective mutism and delayed language development.
However, given the limitations of current medical knowledge, treatment conditions, and professional systems, doctors had almost no experience in this area.
Knowing this, Zhong Qing could not simply let things be.
Pei Yanshen’s eyes glinted with sarcasm.
“Are you sure you can help Xiao Yu improve, and won’t make things worse?”
After all, Zhong Qing had been partly responsible for Xiao Yu ending up this way.
Zhong Qing remained calm.
“Perhaps I made many mistakes in the past, but since I came back, it’s to make up for Xiao Yu and Xiao An. You can’t deny they need a mother. If it weren’t for that, why would I have gone out of my way to return?”
Zhong Qing had never cared for this home, nor had she fulfilled the responsibilities of a mother to Xiao Yu and Xiao An. Pei Yanshen knew this very well.
He didn’t understand why she had suddenly changed, nor did he believe she truly cared for the children.
But Zhong Qing was right about one thing:
Xiao Yu and Xiao An still needed their mother.
At least, they still needed time to adjust.
After a long silence, Pei Yanshen spoke in a deep voice.
“For Xiao Yu and Xiao An’s sake, you’d better follow through.”
Zhong Qing didn’t respond.
Pei’s parents were still busy in the kitchen. Zhong Qing and Pei Yanshen were already at an impasse—after solving the issue with Xiao Yu and Xiao An, there was nothing more to say.
Zhong Qing stood to help in the kitchen.
Pei Yanshen noticed and interrupted.
“Do you know how to cook?”
Zhong Qing: “…”
She didn’t.
But that didn’t mean she couldn’t learn.
Pei Yanshen’s gaze landed coldly on her wrist.
“Instead of rushing to show off, you should first learn to take care of yourself. Don’t try to help and end up creating trouble.”
Zhong Qing understood.
“If you care, just say it directly—no need to beat around the bush.”
Pei Yanshen snorted and stood as well, heading toward Xiao Yu and Xiao An’s room.
“Do as you please.”
In the end, Zhong Qing couldn’t help in the kitchen.
Upon entering, Pei’s mother stopped her.
“You’re so delicate. This kind of work isn’t for you. The journey must have been tiring—rest properly and wait to try what your father and I cooked!”
Zhong Qing relented, and it gave her a chance to change clothes.
Opening the wardrobe, she saw it was full of her clothes.
Indeed, they were all the least presentable ones.
When she had “abandoned husband and children,” she hadn’t planned on returning and had no use for these things, so she hadn’t taken anything with her.
Xiao Yu and Xiao An, however, didn’t even have what she had looked down on. Compared with other children their age, they were undeniably poor.
Pei’s parents and Pei Yanshen dressed simply as well, rotating just a few worn-out pieces.
Though Pei Yanshen’s words could be harsh, he had never deprived her of money over the years.
Zhong Qing acknowledged this silently.
With a sigh, she was about to change clothes when the door suddenly swung open.
Before she could react, it was tightly closed again.
“Sorry,” Pei Yanshen’s voice came through the door. “Dinner’s ready.”
Hearing her respond, he left quickly.
Yet the brief glimpse of her pale skin lingered in his mind.
When Zhong Qing returned in fresh clothes, she saw Pei Yanshen sitting upright at the table.
He usually didn’t eat at home, preferring the airport cafeteria.
These past days, he had come home for Xiao Yu and Xiao An.
If Pei’s parents hadn’t insisted—saying Zhong Qing had just returned and should eat a meal—he would have gone straight back to the airport.
Even though he disliked Zhong Qing, he couldn’t oppose his parents outright.
Xiao Yu and Xiao An had already eaten and refused to come out of their room.
Thus, the dining table had only Pei’s parents and Pei Yanshen.
Zhong Qing sat naturally in the seat they had set aside for her. Pei Yanshen remained expressionless, keeping a safe distance.
She didn’t care. After the train ride, she was indeed hungry.
Just as she picked up her chopsticks, Pei’s mother noticed the wound on her wrist.
Of course, it was her right hand.
“What happened to your hand, Xiao Qing?” Pei’s mother exclaimed, then turned to Pei Yanshen. “She can’t manage with her hand. Help her!”
Pei Yanshen frowned. Zhong Qing obediently handed him her chopsticks.
He paused for a moment, then quietly helped her pick up the food—eyes never leaving the table.
Zhong Qing blinked, realizing something.
Leaning close to his ear, she whispered:
“The divorce report isn’t done yet. You’re still my husband for now, so I won’t hold it against you.”
A faint fragrance reached Pei Yanshen. He instinctively looked up at her, and the image of her pale skin flashed in his mind again. His ears reddened.
“You…”
But Zhong Qing had already withdrawn, calm and composed.
Pei’s parents looked on, puzzled at Pei Yanshen.
He felt caught and more frustrated.
After helping Zhong Qing finish her meal, he left immediately.
Pei’s parents were slightly dissatisfied, but Zhong Qing didn’t mind at all.
This only made them feel more concerned for her.
Pei’s mother led Zhong Qing to her room and handed her items from their trip.
“These are things we specially brought for you. The northwest wind is harsh—use the snow cream and pearl cream on your face.”
She then handed over an envelope so full it was slightly bulging.
“The northwest isn’t like Shanghai, but don’t treat yourself poorly. This is our way of showing care for you and Yanshen.”
Pei’s father was a senior engineer at a state-owned machine tools factory; Pei’s mother a middle school teacher. Their combined salary was significant.
The envelope contained at least several months’ worth of their combined wages.
Zhong Qing pushed it back.
“Mom, I appreciate it, but I can’t accept this money.”
She truly didn’t need it.
After marrying Pei Yanshen, she had never wished to live with her in-laws and had little contact with them.
She felt undeserving of this gift.
“Good child,” Pei’s mother said, patting her hand. “I know you and Yanshen had some problems. We came because of that. Keep this money, and if you need anything, speak up. We’re old; all we care about is our children’s happiness.”
Unable to refuse, Zhong Qing took the money.
Leaving Pei’s mother’s room, she walked to the children’s room and gently knocked.