She had worked overtime all night again.
In the morning, Chi Wei was woken by the boisterous noise of children.
Rubbing her temples, she came downstairs to see her son and the nanny’s daughter arguing over a toy.
Her husband, Yan Jingheng, was in the middle trying to mediate. With an inadvertent wave of his hand, he bumped into their son, Yan Zhilang. The boy stumbled back two steps and fell, his forehead striking the corner of the table. Blood began to seep from the wound.
The nanny’s daughter was crying, and Yan Jingheng, seemingly oblivious to his son’s condition, remained bent over, coaxing the girl.
“Zhilang!” Chi Wei’s groggy mind snapped into focus. She hurried down the stairs to check on Yan Zhilang and ordered the servants to call for the driver.
Qiao Mingfei also heard the commotion and immediately rushed over, pointing at Qiao Shiyue. “What’s wrong with you? Didn’t I tell you to play nicely with the young master? Why is he hurt?
We only get to live here because the Madam is kind-hearted. How can you be so thoughtless? What if you offend her and she kicks you out?”
Terrified, Qiao Shiyue began to cry even louder.
Qiao Mingfei showed no mercy, raising her hand as if to strike the child.
Yan Jingheng had been about to check on Zhilang, but seeing this, he hesitated. “Weiwei, you take Zhilang to the hospital first. I’ll try to talk some sense into Sister Fei.”
Without waiting for Chi Wei’s answer, he turned back to speak with Qiao Mingfei.
As Chi Wei carried Zhilang to the car, a strange pang of bitterness welled up in her heart for some reason.
Qiao Mingfei had arrived at Jiahe Jingting a month ago.
She was ten years older than Yan Jingheng and had been both his nanny and playmate when he was a child. Supposedly, her husband had died the previous month, leaving her with a daughter and nowhere to go. That was why Yan Jingheng had brought her to Jiahe Jingting to give her a job.
Chi Wei had initially disagreed with her bringing the daughter along. However, Yan Jingheng had argued that Zhilang was often lonely without a playmate and that since Qiao Shiyue was around the same age, it would be convenient for Qiao Mingfei to look after both of them together.
Furthermore, Chi Wei’s company had taken on a major project recently, and she truly hadn’t been able to find the time to accompany Zhilang. Seeing that Qiao Shiyue appeared well-behaved and adorable, she had eventually relented.
Who would have thought that since moving into the villa, the girl would be in constant conflict with Zhilang?
This wasn’t the first time an argument had broken out.
But it seemed that every single time, Yan Jingheng would, intentionally or not, side with Qiao Shiyue.
The examination results came back quickly: a mild concussion, requiring overnight observation.
Yan Jingheng arrived half an hour later. He brought the soup dumplings Zhilang liked, as well as a water bottle and a thick coat for Chi Wei.
Looking at the soundly sleeping Zhilang, he first asked about the boy’s condition with concern before saying, “Weiwei, it’s my fault. Things happened so fast today that I didn’t notice Zhilang for a moment, which led to…
You didn’t get enough rest yesterday. Go sleep in the lounge for a bit; I’ll stay here.”
His tone was as gentle as ever, and the concern on his face was unmistakable. Yan Jingheng had always been this way toward her.
They had been married for nearly five years, and throughout that time, he had consistently protected and cared for her. He was considered a model husband in their social circle.
Except for…
“How is Shiyue?” Chi Wei asked perfunctorily.
Yan Jingheng replied, “Sister Fei was furious and insisted on hitting the child, but I stopped her.
Actually, you can’t really blame Yueyue for this. Scrapes and bumps are inevitable between children. Zhilang is a boy; it’s normal for him to get knocked around a bit.
Weiwei, what do you think?”
“I’ve noticed that Zhilang doesn’t seem to like playing with Yueyue. Jingheng, I know Sister Fei took great care of you and you want to repay her.
How about this: we’ll provide the money to buy Sister Fei an apartment…”
“Weiwei, what do you mean by that? Are you trying to kick Sister Fei out?
Her husband only passed away recently. It’s hard enough for a woman to raise a child alone, and besides, hasn’t she already disciplined Yueyue?
Let’s just let this matter go,” Yan Jingheng said.
He poured a cup of hot water and handed it to Chi Wei, clearly signaling his intent to end the conversation.
Chi Wei lowered her eyes and said nothing more.
Over the years, Yan Jingheng had hardly ever let her suffer any grievance, yet it was only regarding Qiao Mingfei that he repeatedly urged her to yield.
Perhaps sensing that Chi Wei’s mood was off, Yan Jingheng added, “Weiwei, you know Sister Fei played a huge role in raising me. Back then, my parents were abroad, and the servants at home ignored me. Only Sister Fei…
Sister Fei feels quite guilty about this as well. She wanted to come see Zhilang, but I didn’t let her.”
“I understand.” Chi Wei didn’t press the matter further, but a lump of resentment remained in her heart.
Yan Jingheng did not stay at the hospital that night.
Once Zhilang woke up, Yan Jingheng stayed to chat with him for a bit before leaving.
He had officially taken over the company this year.
It was his busiest time, and Chi Wei could understand that.
The next day, the doctor performed another check-up on Zhilang. Aside from the gauze wrapped around the abrasion on his head, he was fine.
Chi Wei handled the discharge paperwork. As soon as they returned home, Qiao Mingfei came out leading Qiao Shiyue. She pressed down on Qiao Shiyue’s head. “Kneel and apologize to the young master. Beg the Madam not to kick you out.”
Qiao Shiyue had clearly been crying for a long time; her eyes were red and swollen. She moved to kneel as instructed, but Chi Wei reached out to steady her. “Sister Fei, what are you doing?”
Qiao Mingfei said, “The Madam was kind enough to agree to Jingheng bringing us in, a widow and her child. My daughter did something wrong; this is only right.”
Even though she had come to Jiahe Jingting as a nanny, she never called Yan Jingheng ‘Sir.’ Instead, she called him by his name with familiarity, a title Yan Jingheng himself had permitted.
Chi Wei had initially objected, feeling it was too intimate.
But Yan Jingheng had said, “I grew up with Sister Fei.”
“Sister Fei has called me that for all these years.”
“Weiwei, don’t be so sensitive.”
Later, Chi Wei stopped bringing it up, though she still felt a pang of bitterness every time she heard it.
“There’s no need. She didn’t do it on purpose,” Chi Wei said, her tone a bit stiff.
Qiao Mingfei stood there with her head bowed, looking very ill at ease. “As long as the Madam doesn’t kick us out.
In the future, if Yueyue does anything improper, you can beat her however you like.”
She placed herself in an extremely lowly position, yet those words made Chi Wei feel uncomfortable—as if she were some wicked woman who enjoyed taking her anger out on children.
“You don’t have to be like this. Yesterday’s matter…”
The sound of a car engine roared. Before long, Yan Jingheng’s figure appeared in the foyer. He looked at the group standing by the door. “Sister Fei, what’s going on?”
“I’m having Yueyue apologize to the Madam. Jingheng, you go on inside,” Qiao Mingfei said.
“Why are you still apologizing? Didn’t we say yesterday it was an accident? Zhilang’s fall had nothing to do with Yueyue. Alright, go and get some rest. Don’t take such a small matter to heart.” As Yan Jingheng spoke, his gaze lingered on Chi Wei for a moment. “Weiwei, you promised me you wouldn’t blame Sister Fei.”
Chi Wei watched as Yan Jingheng habitually walked to Qiao Mingfei’s side. Facing her like this, his positioning made her feel like an outsider. Her voice grew uncontrollably colder. “I’m not blaming her. Zhilang wants to eat sweet and sour spare ribs; I’m going to make some for him.”
“Then make some cola chicken wings while you’re at it. Yueyue likes those,” Yan Jingheng said.