The door opened quickly.
Pei Leyu thought it was Pei Yanshen and eagerly peeked out—but met Zhong Qing’s gaze instead.
The door was yanked back abruptly, yet it didn’t close completely, leaving a small gap as if out of caution.
Pei Leyu hid behind the gap, her wide eyes timid and wary.
Zhong Qing crouched down and softened her voice.
“Can Mommy come in? I specially brought some snacks for you and your brother.”
To convince Pei Leyu, she even showed the treats she had taken from her space in advance, proving she wasn’t lying.
Pei Leyu clutched the doorknob, eyes wide with surprise and nervousness.
Previously, whenever Zhong Qing scolded them, her brother would always lead her to their room and lock the door.
Zhong Qing couldn’t get in, and would bang on the door, yelling at them.
When had she ever spoken to her so gently? And brought snacks for both of them?
Seeing that Pei Leyu didn’t react immediately, Zhong Qing remained patient, simply waiting.
She held out a piece of chocolate through the door gap.
“Want to try? It’s sweet,” Zhong Qing said with a smile.
The rich scent of chocolate filled Pei Leyu’s nose. Instinctively, she licked her lips.
She wanted to eat it, but didn’t dare.
Good things like this were usually reserved for Mommy.
Could it be that Mommy really wanted her to have it?
Zhong Qing nudged it a little closer. Fearful that Zhong Qing might get angry, Pei Leyu finally took the chocolate carefully.
Under Zhong Qing’s watchful eyes, she bit off a small piece.
The chocolate’s sweetness spread across her mouth, and her eyes lit up. Yet she quickly wrapped up the rest.
Eating too much might upset Mommy—she wanted to save some for her brother.
Zhong Qing could see what Pei Leyu was thinking and felt even more heartache.
“You don’t need to save it, Xiao Yu. Mommy has plenty for both you and your brother. Can Mommy come in now?”
Pei Leyu hesitated, then peeked at Zhong Qing.
Seeing Zhong Qing truly wasn’t angry, but wore a gentle, encouraging smile, Pei Leyu finally stepped back and opened the door.
Pei Ley An lay on the bed, facing away from the door.
Pei Leyu wanted to tell Zhong Qing something, but couldn’t speak yet. She anxiously pointed at Pei Ley An and pressed her hands together at the side of her face.
Zhong Qing understood, tiptoeing over. Sure enough, he was asleep—probably tired from crying, his eyes still puffy.
Zhong Qing sighed softly, gently placing the snacks on the bedside table. She turned to Pei Leyu, who still looked nervous.
“Brother’s asleep, we won’t disturb him.”
Then she reached out her hand toward Pei Leyu.
Startled, Pei Leyu stepped back, hastily shoving the half-melted chocolate into Zhong Qing’s hand. Both their hands became sticky.
Panicked, Pei Leyu fumbled to wipe it off.
Zhong Qing quickly held her hand gently.
“It’s okay, Mommy will help you clean up.”
She carefully cleaned the chocolate from both their hands.
She could feel Pei Leyu’s eyes glued to her. But every time she looked up, the little head quickly dropped again.
After washing up, Zhong Qing crouched to Pei Leyu’s level.
The child was pitifully thin, her big eyes dull and lifeless.
“Xiao Yu,” Zhong Qing whispered, “do you want to be like Mommy—dressed nicely every day, happy every day?”
“…Like Mommy?”
Pei Leyu looked up, dazed, seeing Zhong Qing’s warm, encouraging smile. She finally nodded.
After notifying Pei’s parents, Zhong Qing carried Pei Leyu to the supply store.
Along the way, many curious glances followed them.
Zhong Qing didn’t care.
Upon entering the store, she went straight to the clothing section.
Being a regular, the clerk greeted her enthusiastically.
“Miss Zhong, you’re just in time! We just got new stock, and a few pieces perfectly match your style—you’ll love them!”
The clerk glanced curiously at Zhong Qing and the child in her arms.
Everyone in the compound had heard about Zhong Qing abandoning her husband and kids.
Now she not only returned but was out shopping with her child?
The clerk thought: the sun must have risen in the west!
Zhong Qing shook her head.
“This time, I’m not buying for myself. Do you have clothes for children her age—girls and boys?”
Though puzzled, selling was still business.
The clerk quickly led her to the children’s section.
“Here you go. You can pick whatever you like. I can help bring them down for you to try.”
Zhong Qing glanced around, but didn’t decide immediately. She looked down at Pei Leyu in her arms.
“Xiao Yu, do you see anything you like?”
On the way, Zhong Qing had noticed: Pei Leyu had been shrinking into her arms, afraid of being seen.
Seeing the timid little girl, Zhong Qing felt a pang of heartache.
Even when asked for her opinion, Pei Leyu only shook her head, resisting.
Zhong Qing said to the clerk: “You can go attend to other customers—we’ll browse ourselves.”
Once the clerk left, Zhong Qing whispered gently.
“Now it’s just Mommy and Xiao Yu. If you still feel uncomfortable, shake your head, and we’ll go home.”
The fact that Pei Leyu had agreed to go out already surprised Zhong Qing.
She knew these things couldn’t be rushed.
With only the two of them there, Pei Leyu’s resistance eased slightly, though she still clutched Zhong Qing’s clothes.
Mommy’s embrace was so warm. She could still smell Mommy’s scent.
Sensing Pei Leyu’s state, Zhong Qing guided her patiently.
“If you want to help pick out clothes for yourself and your brother, nod once. Mommy will help you, okay?”
Pei Leyu hesitated, then nodded slightly.
But not for the clothes.
She simply wanted to stay a bit longer in her mother’s arms.
Nearby, idle clerks whispered among themselves.
“It’s so rare. Zhong Qing has come many times, but this is the first time I’ve seen her bring her own child out!”
“She may have been irresponsible before, but no matter what, she’s a mother. See how she talks to the child—it’s just like they belong together.”
“Even a tiger doesn’t eat its cub!”
Since Pei Leyu still couldn’t speak and was introverted, picking out clothes wasn’t easy.
Zhong Qing held her and asked about each piece.
Anything Pei Leyu lingered on, Zhong Qing had the clerk bring it down to try.
Just as Xiao Lin fetched the sixth outfit, a sharp, piercing voice cut through.