Song Shiyu had thought Pei Jin’an would hold a grudge against her for quite a while, and she had even been planning how to coax him.
But who knew, the moment Pei Qianhuai mentioned going out, Pei Jin’an’s eyes lit up.
All his complaints and anger vanished—he absolutely insisted on following him.
“Third Uncle! It was my fault! I shouldn’t have said those things. Take me with you, and I promise I’ll behave!”
“I’ll wait for you at home!”
Pei Jin’an didn’t care at all that Pei Qianhuai could be strict or even hit him. After all, being raised by someone himself, Pei Qianhuai’s heart softened a little. He patted Pei Jin’an on the head before walking out the door.
Song Shiyu watched Pei Qianhuai leave, preparing to return to her room to tidy up.
Then Pei Jin’an’s cold voice rang from the side.
“You’re feeling proud of yourself, aren’t you?”
Song Shiyu turned.
Pei Jin’an sneered. “Third Uncle never touches me, not even a finger, but now… he hits me because of a woman like you! You really are a fox spirit!”
Song Shiyu coughed lightly, ignored him, and tried to go inside.
Pei Jin’an ran a few steps forward, blocking her path with his arms.
“You’re not going anywhere! Today, you have to say it all clearly!”
Seeing there was no way around it, Song Shiyu crouched down to meet Pei Jin’an eye to eye.
“What do you want me to say?”
Pei Jin’an said bitterly, “When are you leaving the Pei household?”
“I warn you, you’re not welcome here!”
“I hate you the most!”
The boy’s words echoed continuously in the air.
Pei Jin’an sneered, “Third Uncle is deceived by you now, unaware of your true nature—but I won’t be fooled!”
Song Shiyu said, “Oh? So that’s how much you dislike me.”
Pei Jin’an stuck out his chin, cold and unwavering.
“Perfect! I don’t like you either.” Song Shiyu crossed her arms, her expression hardening. “Pei Jin’an, I don’t need your approval, nor do I need your affection!”
“You—” Pei Jin’an almost exploded with anger.
“And your Pei family is poor and miserable, with barely any food or money. You really think I’d want to stay here forever?”
Her eyes blinked once, her voice cool and detached.
“I’ll leave eventually—even if you don’t drive me out, I will go. This isn’t the Song household, and there’s no place here that can truly accommodate me. I won’t cling to it.”
“Rest assured, at most, half a year, I will definitely leave!”
In six months, she should be able to earn enough silver for herself.
With that silver, buying another house wouldn’t be difficult.
By then, she wouldn’t have to stay here, or live under someone else’s roof, or lose her freedom.
Besides…
This mountain village was sparsely populated, with households far apart—not like the busy county town.
For someone timid like her, it made more sense to live somewhere bustling.
“You…” This time, Pei Jin’an was dumbfounded.
He had been so sure of himself, but now he felt uneasy.
Could it be that this wicked woman really intended to leave?
“I don’t believe your lies! Would you abandon my Third Uncle? Stop lying!” Pei Jin’an’s face darkened. “I know you’re tricking me! Don’t think just because I’m a child, I’ll fall for it…”
The moment he finished speaking, Song Shiyu raised two fingers, her gaze unusually firm.
“I, Song Shiyu, swear here and now: half a year from today, I will be far away from the Pei family, never stepping foot in it again. If I break this vow, may heaven strike me with lightning!”
Pei Jin’an: “……”
He stared at Song Shiyu in shock.
Hearing her speak so decisively, he was completely stunned!
Could it be… she really meant it?
Pei Jin’an furrowed his brow. He should have been happy, but his face darkened with anger instead.
“Truly fickle and shameless! My Third Uncle has loved you deeply, and yet you willingly degrade yourself! How detestable!”
“Don’t regret it later!”
Having said that, Pei Jin’an wobbled slightly, barely steadying himself, before turning and leaving.
Song Shiyu: “……”
What was up with this kid?
She had sworn by his terms, yet he still wasn’t satisfied!
Everything she did seemed to be wrong.
“Second Miss Song…” Pei Jinxi came back from outside, having overheard everything between her brother and Song Shiyu. She quickly stepped in.
“Don’t listen to my brother. He doesn’t understand anything—he only talks nonsense. Those things don’t matter. As long as you and Third Uncle get along, that’s enough.”
Pei Jinxi, also a little girl, was a bit more mature than Pei Jin’an.
Probably from all the gossiping women in the village, and the sly tricks her friends played, she understood some things.
Pei Jinxi said, “Jin’an and I will go to the clan school this afternoon. We’ll come back on our own at night, so you don’t need to worry.”
“Don’t worry about the vow you just heard. I won’t tell Third Uncle; if he knew, he’d be upset.”
“You were great last night and this morning. Thank you for the meals—you’ll see, Jin’an will understand someday.”
Pei Jinxi, a delicate and lovely girl of nine, warmed Song Shiyu’s heart.
She was the first to show her genuine kindness since she woke up.
Before this, the original owner had bullied her severely.
Even treated her like a maid!
It was lucky the girl wasn’t vengeful. Truly kind and beautiful.
Song Shiyu stepped forward and patted Pei Jinxi’s head.
“I haven’t held anything against Jin’an. During my time at the Pei household, I promise you both will be treated well!”
Pei Jinxi shrank back, intending to dodge, but ultimately let Song Shiyu touch her hair.
Seeing this, Song Shiyu felt even more tenderly toward her.
…
By noon, Pei Qianhuai returned.
Song Shiyu had boiled nearly ten eggs, made several fried flatbreads, and prepared some shredded radish. She placed everything in a small basket.
Finally done, Pei Qianhuai and the Pei siblings were already waiting at the door.
Pei Jin’an still looked sour, but didn’t say much this time.
Together, they headed to the market.
They used the village donkey cart Pei Qianhuai had borrowed.
The donkey belonged to Old Li from the east side of the village. He was old, with weak legs, using the donkey to make a living.
Pei Qianhuai paid him, and the whole family could ride in the cart.
Pei Jin’an and Pei Jinxi normally went to the market only once every half month. Now, finally on the donkey cart, they eagerly looked around at everything in the western district—everything seemed so novel and exciting.
“Second Miss Song! Yo! So you actually know how to go out!”