The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife-Chapter 512 - 515. Parent-Child Fun Fair

Fu Hengyi came home in the evening and heard from Shen Qinglan about how their son had been in a fight at the kindergarten. He raised an eyebrow in surprise, "Beat someone until their nose bled and they swelled up?" He didn’t quite believe it. Anan, with his small frame, beat up a chubby kid into resembling a pig’s head?

"Tomorrow, when you take him to school, you’ll see for yourself. Your son fights fiercely," Shen Qinglan said. She was still puzzled about how Anan managed to pin down the chubby kid and beat him. According to Teacher Xiao Xie’s description, the chubby kid didn’t stand a chance to fight back at all.

In terms of age, Anan was actually a year younger than his classmates; if you considered physique, Anan was definitely on the smaller side.

"If he had lost the fight, that would have been embarrassing." Both he and Shen Qinglan were trained fighters, and if their own son turned out to be a coward who lost fights, Fu Hengyi felt he would be depressed.

Hearing this, Shen Qinglan gave Fu Hengyi an eye-roll, "Fu Hengyi, you’re going to teach the boy bad habits." What kind of parenting was this—encouraging him to fight? Or did you think fighting is something to be proud of?

Fu Hengyi gave a slight smile, "Anan isn’t here, is he? I’m just talking to you." Of course, he would never say this in front of the child.

"But the kid has got something, saving a damsel in distress at such a young age." Hmm, much better than himself.

Shen Qinglan: ...Is that the point?

That evening, while Fu Hengyi bathed their son, he found a small bruise on Anan’s back and lightly pressed it, "Does it hurt?"

Anan frowned, "It hurts."

"I heard you fought with a friend in kindergarten today?" Fu Hengyi asked lightly, his tone very calm, but Anan tensed up; the person he admired most was Fu Hengyi, but also the one he feared the most.

"Daddy, I was wrong. I promise I won’t fight anymore," Anan held up his little hand, raising three pale fingers.

"You can defend yourself if bullied; a man shouldn’t be too timid," Fu Hengyi said lightly, "But it shouldn’t be you who starts the trouble."

"What does starting trouble mean?" Anan was a child eager to learn.

Fu Hengyi explained slowly, a boy shouldn’t grow up too weak.

"Daddy, I understand. You mean if someone hits me, I can hit them back, but if they don’t hit me, I shouldn’t hit them?"

"That’s about right," his interpretation wasn’t wrong.

Father and son came out of the bathroom; Fu Hengyi had a bottle of Red Flower Oil, the bruise on Anan’s back still needed to be rubbed out.

"Daddy, it hurts," Anan said frowning, his tone carrying a hint of crying.

"Endure it." Fu Hengyi’s face was expressionless, but he unconsciously lightened his touch.

That night, Fu Hengyi unexpectedly took Anan into their room to sleep. Shen Qinglan was surprised; since Anan learned to talk, this was the first time Fu Hengyi had voluntarily let Anan sleep with them.

When Anan fell asleep, Shen Qinglan came out of the bathroom after washing up and saw Fu Hengyi tucking in Anan, ensuring he wouldn’t catch cold. A smile flickered in Shen Qinglan’s eyes. Despite Fu Hengyi’s usual jealousy of his son, when it came down to it, he was the one who doted on the boy most.

"Feeling sympathetic?" Shen Qinglan asked with a smile.

Fu Hengyi shifted his gaze from his son, his expression indifferent, "What’s there to feel sympathetic about? He’s not a girl; why be so delicate?"

Shen Qinglan did not expose him. "Is Anan’s injury alright?" She had already smelled the scent of Red Flower Oil.

"It’s just a bruise, it’s nothing."

*********

The next morning, although Fu Hengyi said he did not mind, he still personally took his son to school. "Daddy, are you taking me to school today?" Anan asked Fu Hengyi during breakfast.

Fu Hengyi placed a peeled egg in Anan’s bowl. "Yes, eat up, I’ll take you to kindergarten after you finish."

"Daddy, I don’t like this." Anan preferred fried eggs and did not like boiled eggs.

"Eat the egg completely, children should not be picky eaters."

"Okay." Anan frowned but obediently ate his egg. If Shen Qinglan had been there today, he would definitely have bargained, even if it was just to eat one less bite.

As Fu Hengyi took his son to kindergarten, from a distance, Anan pointed at a plump woman at the door and said, "Daddy, that fat auntie bullied Mommy yesterday."

Last night during his bath, Fu Hengyi had asked Anan carefully about what had happened. Anan had a good memory and remembered every word the plump woman had said, including those about Shen Qinglan.

Hearing his son’s words, Fu Hengyi’s eyes turned slightly cold. The plump woman had already seen Anan and, seeing that the person bringing him was not Shen Qinglan but a man, she wondered if this man could be Anan’s father.

"Good morning, Teacher Xiao Xie." Anan greeted his class teacher with a cheerful smile.

Teacher Xiao Xie took Anan’s hand. "Good morning, Anan. Mr. Fu, are you the one bringing Anan today?" Teacher Xiao Xie rarely saw Fu Hengyi bringing Anan to school; usually, it was either Shen Qinglan or Chu Yunrong, and occasionally Shen Junyu. She knew he was a soldier, always at the military region.

Fu Hengyi nodded. "Teacher Xiao Xie, please take care of Anan." Noticing the woman was still sneaking glances at him, he added, "Anan has a bruise on his back, I hope you can take extra care of him."

Teacher Xiao Xie’s expression changed slightly, anxiously asking, "How did Anan get a bruise on his back? Did he fall or something?"

"He was beaten by someone in a fight yesterday," Fu Hengyi said, his gaze briefly shifting to observe the plump woman’s reaction; her face indeed changed.

Hearing this, Teacher Xiao Xie appeared somewhat embarrassed. "Mr. Fu, I’m truly sorry about yesterday. I failed in my responsibility as a teacher."

"It’s normal for children to have minor bumps and scrapes. Don’t worry about it, Teacher Xiao Xie. However, since Anan’s bruise still hasn’t healed, please keep an eye on him today and ensure he doesn’t play too roughly and hurt himself again."

"Of course, Mr. Fu. I’ll make sure to take good care of Anan, rest assured." Relieved that Fu Hengyi did not pursue the matter further, Teacher Xiao Xie sighed in relief—this job had been hard for her to find. If Fu Hengyi had insisted on holding her accountable, the principal would surely have dismissed her.

"Goodbye, Daddy." Anan waved to Fu Hengyi, who nodded. "Listen to your teacher at school. Mommy will pick you up tonight."

"Daddy, you’re not coming to pick me up tonight?" Anan looked somewhat disappointed, having thought his father would come to pick him up from school.

"I have some work tonight, Mommy will pick you up. I’ll take you to school tomorrow morning."

Hearing this, Anan immediately cheered up and waved to his father, then followed Teacher Xiao Xie inside. Seeing his son had entered, Fu Hengyi also turned to leave, but the plump woman blocked his way. "Mr. Fu..." she hesitantly began.

Fu Hengyi looked at the woman indifferently. "What is it?"

"Mr. Fu, I’m Xiao Pang’s mother, the child who fought with Anan yesterday. I’m here to apologize about yesterday’s incident."

She had been waiting at the entrance of the kindergarten early in the morning, just to apologize to Shen Qinglan. However, instead of Shen Qinglan, it was Fu Hengyi who appeared.

After Shen Qinglan left with Anan yesterday, she was summoned to the principal’s office and severely scolded. It was then that she realized that Shen Qinglan was indeed the granddaughter-in-law of the Fu Family that she had suspected, and Anan was the most cherished great-grandson of Old Sir Fu. And she had actually insulted Anan for lacking manners. Thinking of this, the fat woman couldn’t help but break out into a cold sweat. Especially after returning home at night, her husband, who never dared to speak loudly to her, actually argued with her and even declared that if they couldn’t obtain the forgiveness of the Fu Family, he would divorce her.

From the moment the fat woman knew Shen Qinglan’s identity, she regretted her actions. However, since she didn’t have Shen Qinglan’s contact information, she could only adopt this method of "waiting for the rabbit," worried that she might miss Shen Qinglan. Today, the fat woman had been waiting here even before the kindergarten had opened.

"Was it you who said yesterday that my son’s wife lacked manners?" Fu Hengyi’s eyes were slightly cold.

Upon hearing this, the woman’s body was drenched in cold sweat, "Mr. Fu, it was all a misunderstanding yesterday. I spoke without understanding the truth; it was I who lacked manners, I was blind to the truth. Please, sir, don’t take it to heart. I came here today specifically to apologize to Mrs. Fu, but unexpectedly, I met you."

The fat woman was nothing like the arrogant and domineering figure she was the day before; she only wished time could flow backward to give her another chance to rectify her mistake.

"This lady has indeed raised her son well, teaching him to flip up little girls’ skirts," Fu Hengyi said sarcastically. He seldom spoke to people in such a tone, but clearly, the insult to Shen Qinglan had put him in a very bad mood.

The fat woman dared not refute Fu Hengyi’s words, and only nodded continuously, "It was my fault for not teaching my son well. I have already severely disciplined him after going back. It’s all my fault; I just beg for Mr. Fu to forgive us this time."

Fu Hengyi looked at her coldly, and the woman, feeling his gaze, felt her calves trembling. Yet, she dared not make any movement and was forced to endure this intimidating scrutiny. Just when she felt she could no longer hold on, Fu Hengyi looked away and spoke indifferently, "Instead of thinking about these irrelevant things, you should spend more time on your own son."

Yesterday, the woman had said something similar about Shen Qinglan; today, Fu Hengyi returned those words to her unchanged. The woman, covered in cold sweat, kept nodding, "Yes, yes, Mr. Fu, I’m really sorry about yesterday."

Fu Hengyi did not care to argue with such a sycophantic and petty person. He walked past her and left. Only after he was far away did the fat woman dare to wipe the cold sweat from her forehead. This man was truly terrifying. Although Fu Hengyi did not utter a single harsh word, nor did he curse her, that gaze was more frightening than any words could be.

Fu Hengyi was back to attend a meeting and to report his work to senior officers, so after sending Anan to kindergarten, he left home.

In the evening, when Anan came back from school and did not see his daddy at home, he was a bit disappointed, "Mommy, when is Daddy coming back?"

Upon hearing this, Shen Qinglan casually asked, "What’s wrong?" Anan was not usually clingy to his father, except for the few months after he was born because Fu Hengyi had been the one to raise him, so he was particularly attached. But as he grew older, he completely stopped being clingy, and it was rare for him to even talk about his daddy.

However, today, all along the way home, he had asked several times, and continued asking after reaching home; it was a bit abnormal.

With his hands behind his back, Anan said, "I have something I want to tell Daddy. Is Daddy coming back today?"

Shen Qinglan nodded, "He will be, when it’s time for dinner, your daddy should be back." She was not aware when this father and son duo had started keeping secrets from her; before this, Anan would have discussed any matter with her.

But when it was time for dinner, Fu Hengyi still had not come home, and Anan nagged Shen Qinglan about Fu Hengyi’s whereabouts. Shen Qinglan had no choice but to send a message to Fu Hengyi.

"Your daddy said he will definitely come back before you sleep."

Anan’s eyes brightened, "Then I’ll wait for Daddy to come back before I sleep."

Anan did as he said, although he usually slept at 8 PM every night, he waited until 9:30 PM, still with his eyes open.

Seeing his little head nodding off bit by bit, Shen Qinglan felt a bit heartbroken, "Anan, go to sleep first."

Anan shook his head, "No, I want to wait for Daddy."

"Can you tell Daddy whatever it is tomorrow morning after you wake up?"

Anan continued to shake his head, "I want to tell Daddy today. Daddy said he would come back before I sleep."

Seeing his son stubbornly refuse to go to sleep, Shen Qinglan sent another message to Fu Hengyi, who said he was already on his way back and would arrive home soon.

"Anan, why don’t you go lie down in bed? Daddy is already on his way back and will be home soon."

"Really?" Anan instantly perked up.

"Yes, it’s true. When has Mommy ever lied to you? Daddy will be back soon. Can you wait for Daddy in bed, okay?" Anan nodded.

Knowing his son had been waiting for him for several hours, Fu Hengyi, upon arriving home and without even having time to eat, went straight to Anan’s room to see his son.

"Anan, why are you still not sleeping?"

"Daddy, I’ve been waiting for you, for a very long time. I’m almost asleep." Anan felt a bit aggrieved; Daddy had come back too late.

"It’s Daddy’s fault. I had something that held me up today; why were you waiting for Daddy?" Fu Hengyi asked gently, feeling a bit dizzy and headachy after a day’s meetings. The higher-ups had new plans for the work in the military, and they had met until very late.

"Daddy, I have something to tell you."

Fu Hengyi sat down by his son’s bed and spoke softly, "Okay, go ahead, I’m listening."

"Today, Xiao Pang apologized to me and brought me lots of snacks. I also shared the snacks Mommy gave me with him. The two of us are friends now, and we won’t fight anymore. Daddy, do you think I did the right thing?"

"You did the very right thing. Since Xiao Pang sincerely apologized, you can’t always hold onto the past; a true man should be generous."

"Hehe, that’s what I thought." Anan smiled.

Fu Hengyi slightly arched his eyebrows, "You waited for Daddy this long just to tell me this?"

Anan shook his head, "Not just that, Daddy, will you still be home the day after tomorrow?"

Fu Hengyi nodded, "I’ll be home."

"Today, Teacher Xiao Xie said there’s a parent-child funfair the day after tomorrow, that’s the name, yes, he said he wants Daddy and Mommy to come together. Can you go with Mommy and me?"

The day after tomorrow was Saturday, and Fu Hengyi didn’t have to return to the military, "Do you want Daddy and Mommy to go together with Pei Yinong?"

Anan emphatically nodded, "Other kids are having both their parents come."

This was the first parent-child funfair Anan would attend since starting school, and Fu Hengyi didn’t want to disappoint him; naturally, he wouldn’t refuse, "Alright, then Daddy and Mommy will go with you."

Anan’s face was filled with smiles. He jumped up from the bed and gave Fu Hengyi a kiss on the cheek, "Thank you, Daddy. Goodnight, Daddy!" Then he obediently lay down under his blanket and closed his eyes.

Fu Hengyi touched his son’s small face. The scrape on his face hadn’t healed yet, though it had scabbed over, "Sleep now, Daddy will wait until you fall asleep before leaving."

Anan’s eyes were tightly closed, yet the corners of his mouth were turned up high.

It was already late, and Anan fell asleep quickly, in less than five minutes. Fu Hengyi sat there, watching his son’s sleeping face for a good while. The more he watched, the more he realized that not only did Anan’s eyes resemble Shen Qinglan’s, but other features also faintly outlined Shen Qinglan. His eyes softened.

Before meeting Shen Qinglan, he had devoted all his enthusiasm to the military, never considering personal matters, and had never thought that one day he would have a bond of love with the woman he adored that brought forth a child, stepping up to be a father. Now, having Anan and watching this little fellow grow up each day, gradually showing traces of Shen Qinglan, his heart grew unexpectedly tender.

Saturday.

Today, Anan woke up exceptionally early. He got out of bed on his own and even dressed himself, though his clothes were all disheveled and the buttons were not properly fastened.

He ran to knock on his parents’ bedroom door, worried that Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi were oversleeping. Turns out Fu Hengyi and Shen Qinglan had just returned from outside, both dressed in sportswear, clearly having just finished running.

"Daddy, Mommy, it’s time to leave." Anan said as soon as he saw his parents.

Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi exchanged glances, and Shen Qinglan smiled slightly, "Anan, it’s only 7 a.m., the kindergarten hasn’t opened its doors yet."

She squatted down to tidy her son’s messy clothes and spoke gently, "Why don’t you go find Granny Zhao and let her help you get ready? Daddy and mommy will change clothes and come down to meet you."

"Okay, but you have to be quick, Daddy and Mommy," Anan said, somewhat impatiently.

Shen Qinglan nodded, "We’ll be quick."

After breakfast, Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi set off with their son, all three dressed in matching family outfits that Shen Qinglan had casually bought when she went shopping a few days ago. She hadn’t expected they’d use them so soon.

This family activity was held outdoors, at a farm in the suburbs. Rather than call it a family fun fair, it was more like an autumn outing organized by the class. Parents could bring their children to barbecue, fish, and pick fruits and vegetables at the farm, the activities were varied and colorful.

Lunch was meant to be cooked by parents with their children, rather than being catered, so parents brought various raw ingredients.

Each family had its own simple stove. Shen Qinglan stayed behind to handle the ingredients, while Fu Hengyi took Anan to pick fruits and vegetables from the farm, as they had brought mostly meat and needed fresh vegetables.

Shen Qinglan looked around and noticed that it was mostly mothers who were cooking, while fathers were either playing nearby or, like Fu Hengyi, had taken their children to the farm.

Shen Qinglan was slicing meat. Her knife skills were excellent; every strip was uniform in size and length and looked more like a piece of art. A young woman approached, smiling, "You must be Anan’s mom, right? Hello, I am Jingjing’s mother."

Shen Qinglan looked at the woman. Her demeanor was gentle, and the woman appeared serene and soft, much like a lady that had stepped right out of a water-ink painting of Jiangnan. Though not strikingly beautiful, she radiated a graceful aura. Shen Qinglan smiled slightly, "Hello."

Jingjing’s mother smiled, "Jingjing has told me about what happened at the kindergarten that day. We’ve been wanting to say thank you."

"There’s no need to be so polite; it’s just the friendship between children."

Jingjing’s mother didn’t elaborate further but instead was struck by the sight of Shen Qinglan’s chopping board, surprised, "Your knife skills are really good."

Shen Qinglan smiled slightly. Although speaking with Jingjing’s mother, her hands didn’t stop, and soon she was neatly finished slicing the meat and began to cut thin slices of fish that were translucent and delicate, making Jingjing’s mother marvel, "You look so skilled; you must be a great cook!"

Shen Qinglan felt a bit embarrassed hearing this, "I can’t actually cook; I can only do this."

Jingjing’s mother thought Shen Qinglan was just being modest, "Anan’s mom, seeing your knife skills, I can tell your cooking must be great."

Shen Qinglan sweat; her skills were limited to her knife work, and even Anan frowned upon the dishes she made. Last time, when they stayed in the Military Region and Fu Hengyi hadn’t returned, Anan got hungry so Shen Qinglan made him an egg pancake. Anan only took one bite before saying, "Mommy, let’s wait for Daddy to come back. I’m not hungry now."

Fu Hengyi and Anan returned quite soon, Anan carrying a small basket full of their gather.

"Mommy, Daddy and I are back." Anan’s voice could be heard from afar.

Jingjing’s mother turned to look, seeing Fu Hengyi arriving with Anan, "It’s true, good genes from the parents make beautiful babies." She had been chatting with Shen Qinglan for a while by now, and they had gotten to know each other better, so her words flowed more freely.

Shen Qinglan smiled, "Jingjing is also very pretty."

"It’s because her dad is good-looking; Jingjing doesn’t look like me." Jingjing’s mother admitted her own average looks, "I should start cooking too, I’ll head over now and come back after lunch."

"Okay."

Fu Hengyi and Anan came back fully loaded, and before they even got close, Anan couldn’t wait to share with Shen Qinglan about their haul.

"Mommy, Daddy and I picked a lot of things, lots and lots of yummy things."

Shen Qinglan turned at the sound and saw Anan struggling in front, dragging a basket on the ground rather than carrying it, while Fu Hengyi leisurely followed behind, not offering to help his son at all.

"Mommy, I picked some persimmons for you, they are really red and tasty."

Shen Qinglan was curious; there were even persimmon trees on this farm? But when Anan showed it to her, Shen Qinglan couldn’t help but laugh and cry—it turned out to be tomatoes.

"Anan, these are tomatoes, not persimmons."

Anan looked puzzled, "But they look just like the persimmons in the book."

Shen Qinglan: ...How do these two even resemble each other?

Shen Qinglan patiently explained the differences between tomatoes and persimmons to her son, while Fu Hengyi had already rolled up his sleeves and started cooking.

In the families present, it was usually the moms who did the cooking. A dad like Fu Hengyi cooking was rare. Some women looked at Shen Qinglan enviously; with a handsome husband who could cook, her luck was just too good.

Shen Qinglan noticed these glances but pretended not to see them.

Since Shen Qinglan had already prepared many of the ingredients, Fu Hengyi just had to stir fry them, so cooking was done quickly. After they had eaten, they leisurely headed to find Jingjing and her family, as Shen Qinglan and Jingjing’s mother had plans for the afternoon to spend together with both families.

In the afternoon, there was a small sports event that required participation from the kids and parents together, and it was no surprise that Shen Qinglan’s family won the championship. Anan, holding the small trophy, smiled happily. Then, he turned around and gave the trophy to Jingjing.

Watching this, Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi were amused, especially Fu Hengyi who whispered to Shen Qinglan, "It looks like we won’t have trouble finding a daughter-in-law in the future."

Shen Qinglan glanced at him speechlessly.

************

As the wedding day drew closer, Pei Yining actually found herself with less to do. Apart from work, there was almost nothing else; their new home was already decorated and the furniture was in place. All that was left, the details of the wedding, was being handled by Jiang Chenxi and others, so she was the most unoccupied person.

Haohao had gone back to his hometown with Duan Ling recently. Duan Ling’s parents missed Haohao a lot and even personally called Pei Yining, hoping she would let Haohao visit them. So, a few days ago, Duan Ling took Haohao back again.

Haohao was returning today with Duan Ling, so Pei Yining left the office early to pick up her son from the airport.

At the airport, Pei Yining didn’t expect to run into Gu Jiajia. She had known Gu Jiajia, but the last time Duan Ling brought Haohao back, Gu Jiajia was with him, and Haohao had mentioned her, so Pei Yining was familiar with her.

Gu Jiajia knew that Pei Yining was Haohao’s mother but had never made contact. Seeing her today, her gaze was a bit unkind, "So you are the one my brother-in-law likes?"

Pei Yining frowned; she didn’t like the tone Gu Jiajia used, so she ignored her. Seeing that Pei Yining disregarded her, Gu Jiajia got irritated, "Hey, what’s the matter with you? I’m talking to you. You could at least respond, showing some manners," just like her son, Haohao; every time he saw her, he wouldn’t even greet her.

Pei Yinong’s gaze was indifferent, "Is there something?"

Gu Jiajia’s expression stiffened; she actually didn’t have any business, but... her eyes shifted as she spoke, "I actually do have something to say to you. I know the person you once liked was my brother-in-law, and you two also have a child together, but I hope you won’t use the child to get close to my brother-in-law. He won’t fall for you again."

Hearing this, Pei Yinong wanted to laugh, and she indeed laughed, "Gu Jiajia, right? I think you might be misunderstanding something. I’m getting married soon, at the end of next month."

"I know you’re getting married soon, so I’m just giving you a reminder."

"Well, thanks for the reminder. But I think your words would be more appropriately directed to Duan Ling."

Gu Jiajia was momentarily stunned, "What do you mean by that?"

"Just as it sounds."

Gu Jiajia actually knew what Pei Yinong meant, and it was exactly because she knew that she became even more jealous, "Don’t think I don’t know what you’re thinking. You’re just trying to keep Jiang Chenxi and my brother-in-law dangling, relying solely on the fact that you and my brother-in-law have a child together. Let me tell you, my brother-in-law won’t like you. The person he loves is my sister, otherwise he wouldn’t have abandoned you initially, even disregarding the child in your womb. If he’s nice to your child now, it’s only because he doesn’t have another child yet. Once he has children with another woman, he certainly won’t care about the child you bore, and your son is just another bastard of my brother-in-law."

Pei Yinong’s face slowly turned grim as she fixed her gaze on Gu Jiajia, "I also hope he won’t disturb the life between me and my son. However, it seems this is not for you to decide." You can criticize me all you want, but not my son.

"Pei Yinong, I find you truly shameless, getting married to Jiang Chenxi while using your child to cling to my brother-in-law. What gives you the right?" Gu Jiajia snapped.

Gu Jiajia disliked Pei Yinong, and not just because Pei Yinong and Duan Ling had a child together. After all these years, Duan Ling still hadn’t gotten over her; he even forgot his own sister’s death anniversary, which was something Gu Jiajia found hard to accept. Gu Jiajia had become accustomed to the affection Duan Ling showed her sister and was prepared for her sister to forever remain in Duan Ling’s heart. She didn’t intend to compete with her sister, only wanted to stand by Duan Ling as his lifelong partner. But unexpectedly, like Cheng Yaojin appearing out of nowhere, it turned out that the person Duan Ling truly liked wasn’t her sister. Thinking of this, Gu Jiajia’s gaze towards Pei Yinong turned even more hostile.

Gu Jiajia liked Duan Ling. Pei Yinong could tell this from what she had just said and the way Gu Jiajia looked at her.

"Go fight for Duan Ling yourself if you like him, and stop blaming everything on others."

Gu Jiajia’s face shifted slightly, "Who said I like my brother-in-law? Don’t talk nonsense." Even though she didn’t think liking her brother-in-law was embarrassing, others might not see it that way.

"Whether you like him or not, you know it yourself. I’ll say this only once today. There used to be love between Duan Ling and me, but that’s all in the past. The man I love now is Jiang Chenxi, the man I am marrying is also Jiang Chenxi, there is nothing between Duan Ling and me."

"Then why do you let your son meet Duan Ling? If you really didn’t care about him, you shouldn’t have let their father and son meet." The more this happened, the more Duan Ling couldn’t stop thinking about Pei Yinong and failed to see her qualities.

"They are father and son, that’s an undeniable fact. Not liking Duan Ling is one thing, but I can’t deprive my son of the right to his father’s love. If you like Duan Ling, you should tell him directly, not say these needless things to me. Doing so, besides demonstrating a lack of manners on your part, solves nothing."

"Who are you saying lacks manners?"

"Whoever understands it knows it." Different from Gu Jiajia’s anger, Pei Yinong maintained her calm throughout.

"Pei Yinong, what’s so great about you? If it weren’t for having that illegitimate child out of wedlock, do you think my brother-in-law would give you a second glance?"

Upon hearing this, a hint of coldness flashed through Pei Yinong’s eyes, and her hand swiftly landed a harsh slap on Gu Jiajia’s face. Watching Gu Jiajia’s incredulous expression, Pei Yinong calmly withdrew her hand, "That slap was a lesson from your parents. Since you can’t speak nicely, then I’ll have to teach you how."

Gu Jiajia, stunned by Pei Yinong’s sudden action, stared incredulously, "You dare to hit me?"

Daring to insult her son, not just a slap, Pei Yinong wouldn’t hesitate to deliver another, "I’m teaching you, looking decent doesn’t mean you can’t speak decently." Pei Yinong remained composed.

"What did I say wrong? Isn’t that child born out of your premarital conception? Any woman with a bit of self-respect wouldn’t do such a thing. You’re just a cheap woman."

"Smack." Another slap landed on Gu Jiajia’s face, Pei Yinong’s eyes slightly narrowed as she coldly viewed Gu Jiajia. Noticing someone approaching from not far away, she spoke lightly, "That’s still better than some people harboring feelings for their own brother-in-law."

Gu Jiajia had been slapped twice, and was far from content. She raised her hand to strike back, but someone grabbed it, "Gu Jiajia, what are you doing?" A cold male voice rang in her ear. Gu Jiajia shuddered and looked up, "Sister, brother-in-law."

Haohao had already run to Pei Yinong’s side. Pei Yinong looked at Duan Ling, "Keep an eye on your woman, and don’t let her bite around here. If she dares to insult my son again, it won’t just be a matter of slaps." Saying this, she walked away with Haohao. Duan Ling couldn’t even manage to say a word to Pei Yilin, watching helplessly as she walked away.

"Brother-in-law, why are you defending her? She hit me?" Gu Jiajia protested.

Duan Ling looked at her coldly, "Yinong wouldn’t hit someone for no reason. What did you just say about Haohao?"

A guilty flicker passed through Gu Jiajia’s eyes, "Nothing, I didn’t say anything. Brother-in-law, it’s Pei Yinong who is stirring up trouble."

"Gu Jiajia, don’t make me ask a second time," Duan Ling’s face darkened.

Gu Jiajia, most fearful of Duan Ling’s stern face, bit her teeth and said, "I just wanted her to stop clinging to you. She’s about to marry another man, yet she still uses her child to get close to you, treating you as a backup, brother-in-law. I feel sorry for you."

"Yinong isn’t approaching me; I’m the one clinging to her. Gu Jiajia, today is the first and the last time. If I ever see you speak rudely to her again, don’t blame me, as your brother-in-law, for not reminiscing about your sister’s past."

Gu Jiajia looked at Duan Ling, her face stricken, "Brother-in-law, I was the one who got hit today, the one who was wronged. Yet, you’re siding with an outsider to discipline me! When my sister died, she asked you to take good care of me, but what did you do? All these years, you left me alone drifting in the country. Now that I’ve finally returned, not only do you not help, but you also scold me because of an outsider! Brother-in-law, how can you live up to my sister’s last wishes?"

"Don’t mention your sister to me. Gu Jiajia, I know what you’re thinking, but I can assure you definitively that I don’t like you, and I never will," Duan Ling knew that Gu Jiajia’s difficulties with Pei Yinong had nothing to do with his deceased sister, Gu Jiamin. 𝕗𝚛𝚎𝚎𝐰𝗲𝗯𝗻𝚘𝚟𝚎𝗹.𝕔𝐨𝕞

Gu Jiajia’s complexion gradually paled, "You know what I’m thinking?"

Although Duan Ling didn’t respond, he didn’t deny it either.

"Brother-in-law, you actually know that I like you, so why do you still treat me this way? In what ways do I not measure up to my sister, or even that Pei Yinong?" Gu Jiajia felt increasingly hurt.

Duan Ling turned to leave, but Gu Jiajia wouldn’t let him and blocked his way, "Brother-in-law, since we’ve brought it up today, let’s make everything clear. I like you, I want to marry you."

"Gu Jiajia, stop this nonsense. I’ve told you, I like Pei Yinong," Duan Ling frowned.

"But she’s getting married, there’s no chance for you two. Brother-in-law, I like you so much, can’t you be with me? I know you like children; I can give you many, many children." If it weren’t for Pei Yinong secretly having Duan Ling’s child, they would have no chance at all.

"Gu Jiajia, let’s act as if I hadn’t heard what you said today, and don’t mention it ever again."

"Duan Ling, why can you love my sister, love Pei Yinong, but not me? Tell me what’s wrong with me, and I’ll change."

Duan Ling looked at her resolutely, "There’s nothing wrong with you, but love is a matter between two people. I have no feelings for you. Plus, you’re Jiamin’s sister, and in my eyes, you’re my sister. It’s that simple."

"To hell with being your sister, I don’t want to be your sister, I want to be your wife," Gu Jiajia said tearfully.

"Jiajia, you will meet someone who truly loves you in the future, don’t waste your time on me," Duan Ling softened his tone seeing her cry.

"I won’t, I just like you and want to marry you. I didn’t say it before because I thought you still had feelings for my sister, but since you like Pei Yinong, and she’s marrying someone else now, why can’t we be together?"

"Must you be so willfully blind?"

"I won’t give up," Gu Jiajia said resolutely, determined to marry Duan Ling, even if Pei Yinong couldn’t stop her.