Without waiting for Song Shiyu to react, Pei Qianhuai immediately turned and went to the kitchen to start preparing.
Song Shiyu: “?”
Why did Pei Qianhuai look so… strange all of a sudden?
Her body wasn’t tired, though a fine layer of sweat had formed.
It was clear now—this body’s original owner was strong. She didn’t have to worry much about danger for the time being.
First, a hot bath. Tomorrow morning, she would thoroughly tidy up the house inside and out.
With her strength, even if her brains weren’t that sharp, she didn’t need to worry about struggling with chores or heavy work.
Song Shiyu’s mood improved, but the Pei family of three had more complicated feelings.
Pei Jinxi, with all seriousness, grabbed Pei Jin’an’s hand and said earnestly:
“Do you see now? You should understand what Uncle goes through! Stop blaming him on purpose. He’s only ever thinking of us.”
She couldn’t help sighing as she continued:
“Song Erxiao has that kind of strength. If she really got angry, I don’t think any of us could stand against her!”
“I advise you to speak to her nicely from now on. Don’t pick fights. Seeing her like this today… you have no idea how worried I am! Fortunately, you didn’t go too far before, or your life might have been over!”
Pei Jin’an: “…That’s not so dramatic!”
He said it aloud, but deep down he felt uneasy.
Song Shiyu’s display of strength was shocking. He’d never seen a woman with such power.
If she ever turned on him… she could really kill him, and there would be nothing he could do.
“You’re exaggerating! We still have Uncle!”
Pei Jinxi shook her head at the tone in Pei Jin’an’s voice.
“Do you really still count on Uncle? I think even he might be barely holding himself together.”
Pei Jin’an’s face changed.
He gritted his teeth, furious:
“I refuse to believe that some outsider could dominate the Pei family single-handedly!”
After her bath, Song Shiyu began organizing and arranging her room.
She had spent a fair amount on shopping this time.
She had calculated her finances—no steady work yet, temporarily staying at the Pei house.
But Pei Qianhuai would soon be focused on his studies and civil examinations. Once he threw himself into work, someone had to handle the household chores.
She thought it through: she could take over all the farm work.
Before, she hadn’t wanted to tire herself out—but now, with a body stronger than most men, all the heavy labor was easy.
Chopping firewood? No problem. Fieldwork? No problem.
Sure, it would be hard—but hardships build strength.
As she thought about her plan for the coming days, she tidied up her room.
She’d be staying for a while, so it had to be comfortable.
The original owner hadn’t tidied up for days, and without a maid, many clothes weren’t even washed.
Today, she washed some, organized others, and set them aside.
Pei Qianhuai’s room was simple—one bed, one table, one chair. Some basic items for a girl had been added, though the taste was, naturally, masculine.
Plus, Pei Qianhuai didn’t truly care for Song Shiyu; even if he liked her looks, it wasn’t genuine affection.
Song Shiyu pulled out scissors, fabric, needles, threads, and new clothes from her basket.
She laid out the new fabric, tracing her old clothes and sketching small patterns on the paper she’d bought.
Halfway through, Pei Qianhuai knocked on the door.
“The meal’s ready.”
“Oh, okay.”
Song Shiyu glanced outside and guessed her clothes were dry.
Just as she prepared to collect them, Pei Qianhuai walked in, holding her freshly dried clothes.
“Your clothes are dry.”
“Oh, thanks for helping.”
Pei Qianhuai: “An’an is still a child. If he made any mistakes, I apologize to you on his behalf.”
Song Shiyu’s cheerful mood dimmed slightly, though a faint smile remained as she looked at his handsome face:
“That’s not necessary.”
Pei Qianhuai’s eyes darkened slightly.
“Are you upset?”
Song Shiyu shook her head: “No. I’m just very aware of my position in your house.”
Pei Qianhuai: “Position?”
Song Shiyu smiled faintly, though it didn’t reach her eyes:
“Yes. For example, when I was arguing with Pei Jin’an these past few days, you let him act out in front of me without a word.
And now, you immediately apologize for him. Your protective attitude is very clear.”
Pei Qianhuai: “…”
He hadn’t realized when Song Erxiao had learned to speak so pointedly, leaving little room for face.
He fell silent, thinking how to explain, but Song Shiyu had already walked out, speaking casually as she went:
“It’s nothing.
I’m not a Pei by birth, nor am I interested in becoming part of your family.
I’m just temporarily staying here. I’ll help with chores and other things, but rest assured, Pei Sanlang, I won’t freeload or cause you trouble.”
Pei Qianhuai: “…”
He furrowed his brow, eyes following her nimble figure, realizing for the first time that she was much smarter than he had imagined.
He hadn’t properly educated Pei Jin’an regarding Song Erxiao’s status. In fact, he had deliberately allowed Pei Jin’an to bully her.
He liked Song Shiyu’s looks, and he was grateful for her saving his life.
He had even intended to marry her.
But… as Mr. Yu had said, Song Erxiao had revealed many flaws during her stay.
The idealized version in his mind was gone.
He had hoped to test her ability to become his wife, using household crises and challenges.
But now…
Pei Qianhuai noticed an undeniable truth.
He had firmly decided to marry Song Shiyu and had tried to “improve” her.
But Song Shiyu… had no interest in marrying him.
And that was the real problem.