Chapter 44

Music brings joy.

This statement is undeniably true. As the song neared its conclusion, Lu Nong happily opened her eyes and found her entire family gathered in the sunroom. Pei Zheng, Aunt Wu, and Gu Xiaohuai were sitting on the sofa.

Pei Ji’an leaned against the doorframe, standing tall with his military jacket draped over his shoulders. His long legs were casually crossed as he listened to the music.

Lu Nong’s gaze was drawn to his long legs. Noticing her attention, Pei Ji’an turned to look at her. Their eyes met, and within his deep gaze, there seemed to be something that Lu Nong couldn’t quite comprehend.

“It sounds amazing! Nong Nong, your violin skills have improved even more,” Aunt Wu remarked, unaware of the unspoken tension between Lu Nong and her husband. She was the first to start clapping, encouraging everyone else to join in.

“Sounds amazing!” Huaihuai looked at Aunt Wu beside him. Having learned a new word, he nodded enthusiastically and repeated, “Sounds amazing.”

Pei Zheng stood up and walked over to Lu Nong. Curious, he reached out to touch the instrument in her hands. He thought to himself that his stepmother was quite extraordinary. She usually kept a low profile, but when you think she’s already impressive, she surprises you by saying, “I can do even better.”

No one could guess how much she had experienced or how much she knew. Regardless, Pei Zheng was thoroughly impressed.

He couldn’t help but wonder about Lu Nong’s background.

He had seen people play Western instruments in the concert hall. Those performers always exuded a certain spirit, being reserved yet elegant.

While Pei Zheng found the performance quite good, he believed that traditional Chinese instruments were just as remarkable. Chinese music was as valuable as Western music; however, Chinese culture was so intricate that music was only a part of it. The importance of music in China was far less than it was abroad.

Westerners viewed music as an art form, something elegant and a luxury for the wealthy. Therefore, they brought music into concert halls, and the musicians were also esteemed individuals. When Western music made its way to China, it carried with it those same attitudes.

In China, those who could appreciate and afford to learn Western instruments usually came from affluent families.

Pei Zheng guessed that Lu Nong’s family background was probably not bad either. However, she never mentioned her own family, indicating that there must be some hidden story. The old man must know it, but trying to pry information from him was purely wishful thinking. Pei Zheng rolled his eyes and decided to approach Aunt Wu for more information.

“Stepmother, you play so beautifully. Could you play another song?”

As soon as Pei Zheng finished speaking, they heard a voice from outside calling, “Sister-in-law, are you home?”

The sound of rain was nearly drowned out by the voice outside. The person seemed to be afraid that the Pei family hadn’t heard, so they shouted again, “I’m your neighbor from next door. Is Miss Lu at home?”

Lu Nong looked out from the door of the sunroom and saw a woman holding an umbrella standing in the yard, holding a large bowl and looking into the house to see if anyone was coming out. Probably because the umbrella blocked her view, she didn’t notice that the Pei family was all inside the open door of the sunrooom.

“That’s Aunt Huo from the Cui family next door,” Pei Zheng told Lu Nong as he waved his hand and called loudly to the middle-aged woman, “Aunt Huo, we’re right here!”

Huo Xiaoling heard Pei Zheng’s voice and quickly turned around. It was only then that she saw Pei Zheng and Lu Nong peeking at her from the entrance of the sunroom. Huo Xiaoling wanted to walk over, but she hesitated because getting there would require passing through the muddy vegetable and flower gardens.

Lu Nong noticed her dilemma and walked from the sunroom to the living room, greeting Huo Xiaoling at the front door. “Sister Huo, it’s pouring outside. Please come in quickly.”

Huo Xiaoling sighed with relief as she entered, folding her umbrella. She handed the large bowl in her hands to Lu Nong, saying, “Sister, these are the salted duck eggs and soybeans pickled by my sister-in-law. Everyone in our family loves them. Don’t think they are rustic. Please try them and let my sister-in-law know if they taste good. If you like them, she will come again to deliver some.”

“You’re too kind, Sister. Without your skill, I wouldn’t even be able to taste such delicacies. How could I ever think they are rustic?” Lu Nong took the bowl and handed it to Pei Ji’an, asking him to take it to the kitchen to clear the bowl.

Then she turned to Huo Xiaoling and said, “Please have a seat. I’ll get you a glass of water.”

Huo Xiaoling saw how naturally Pei Ji’an accepted the bowl from Lu Nong. She thought to herself that they hadn’t been wrong. Pei Ji’an was quite good to this little wife. She felt a bit shy and dared not make eye contact with Pei Ji’an, while Lu Nong seemed completely at ease directing him.

“I’m glad you like them. I should also thank you for the pastries you sent. Our child said they were delicious.”

After saying this, Huo Xiaoling smiled at Pei Ji’an. “Old Pei is home so early today? Your brother Cui is still in the army and hasn’t come back yet. I thought you were late for class selection again.”

Pei Ji’an replied, “I left early. Please sit, sister-in-law.” He walked into the kitchen while holding the bowl.

Aunt Wu, Pei Zheng, Huaihuai, and Xiao Bai came out of the sunroom one after another and greeted Huo Xiaoling one by one. Pei Zheng was holding Lu Nong’s violin in his hand.

It was only then that Huo Xiaoling realized, “When I came, I vaguely heard music playing. It was from your house. Did I interrupt your family time?”

Lu Nong placed a glass of water in front of Huo Xiaoling, saying, “Not at all. We just finished. You arrived at the perfect time.”

Huo Xiaoling nodded, a hint of envy in her eyes. She felt a mixture of emotions as she thought about her own blended family. The atmosphere in the Pei family was entirely different from her own. While the Pei family gathered together to play music and enjoy time, it was difficult for her family to even be together.

Her family used to be harmonious and happy, but ever since she and Old Cui started arguing every day, things changed. Did she do something wrong?

Huo Xiaoling felt a tightness in her chest, and as she reflected, her unwillingness grew. Their family might seem harmonious, but that harmony was built on her forbearance and sacrifice. Now, she no longer wanted to endure.

She let out a sigh, then focused her attention back on Xiao Gu Huai. She noticed that he had a nice nose and eyes, with well-defined features. He looked very good, fair and tender, like a little fairy, and she couldn’t help but find him adorable. “Is this your youngest son? What’s his name? He looks just like you, very handsome.”

Lu Nong replied, “His name is Gu Huai. Xiao Huai, come greet Auntie.”

Huaihuai, not shy at all, followed his mother’s words and called out in his baby voice, “Auntie~”

“Ah, what a good boy, so clever,” Huo Xiaoling said as she gently patted Xiao Gu Huai’s head. “Go play with your brother now. Auntie needs to talk to your mother.”

Pei Zheng had been listening quietly and, seeing Lu Nong nod, picked up Xiao Gu Huai. “Let’s go, brother will take you to learn how to write.”

Xiao Bai, the little dog, waddled behind Pei Zheng, struggling to climb the stairs. Seeing it was having a hard time, Aunt Wu picked up Xiao Bai and carried it upstairs.

With only Lu Nong and Huo Xiaoling left in the living room, Huo Xiaoling finally revealed the real reason for her visit to the Pei family. “Someone asked me to come and thank you.”

As soon as Lu Nong heard this, she immediately thought of Zhao Xin. Sure enough, Huo Xiaoling continued, “You saved Zhao Xin yesterday. She wanted to personally thank you and Pei Zheng, but unfortunately, she fell ill as soon as she got home. The doctor said she shouldn’t be exposed to the wind and can’t go out for a few days. So, she asked me to let you know that once she recovers, she would like to invite you both for a meal to express her gratitude.”

Lu Nong smiled and said, “There’s no need for thanks. It’s just what I should do. Is her health okay?”

With a sigh, Cui Xiaoling’s face showed a worried expression as she replied, “Ah, Zhao Xin has always had poor health. She is fragile, easily frightened, and cannot bear any strain or even a breeze. For many years, her health has been so bad that she hasn’t dared to have children, and as she gets older, it will be even less likely. Laixi is not sensible and has caused trouble at home, so he ran off to the northwest. Old Song is busy with work, leaving her all alone at home. It’s really pitiful.”

Lu Nong: “…”

Lu Nong looked at Huo Xiaoling calmly and found that she was really worried about Zhao Xin and was not pretending at all. From this point, it can be seen that Zhao Xin did not have any handle on Huo Xiaoling.

Moreover, from Huo Xiaoling’s words, it was clear that Zhao Xin was childless due to her poor health, which likely meant she would never have children. Huo Xiaoling sincerely believed that Zhao Xin treated Song Laixi well and that Song Laixi’s departure to the northwest was due to his own immaturity and misunderstanding.

This was quite impressive. One could imagine that a stepmother without children would naturally be seen as having no conflict of interest with her stepson. In fact, she might even try to win him over to ensure her own future security. How could she possibly want to harm her stepson?

Zhao Xin was indeed clever. She appeared sweet while hiding her bitterness, showing no cracks in her facade. It seemed that aside from Pei Zheng and a few others who understood that Song Laixi had been driven away by his stepmother, the adults were completely oblivious and even subtly blamed Song Laixi for being ungrateful.

Seeing that Lu Nong had no reaction after hearing so much, Huo Xiaoling felt puzzled and thought that this seemingly delicate young woman had quite a hard heart.

Unable to hold back, she said, “If you have time, you should go spend some time with her. We are both stepmothers, it’s not easy for either of us. We should help each other out. I wanted to introduce myself to you that day at Sister Zheng’s house, but you didn’t come. How about I arrange a time for everyone to gather?”

Lu Nong: “…”

“Sister Huo, we all live in the same compound, so there will be plenty of opportunities to meet. Besides, Sister Zheng often hosts tea gatherings; there’s no need to call everyone out just for that. It would be a waste of time, wouldn’t it?”

Lu Nong politely declined Huo Xiaoling’s suggestion, and she didn’t even mention visiting Zhao Xin.

Feeling unsatisfied, Huo Xiaoling thought it was frustrating that Lu Nong was so difficult to persuade, especially since she had come to speak on Zhao Xin’s behalf. Her expression darkened, and she thought, “Fine, since you have your own ideas, I won’t say more. I still have some work to do at home, so I’ll take my leave.”

As she stood up from the sofa to leave, Pei Ji’an came out of the kitchen with an empty bowl. Lu Nong took the bowl and handed it to Cui Xiaoling, saying, “Sister-in-law, take care.”

Huo Xiaoling thought to herself, ‘This young woman is really stubborn. Why won’t she listen?’

After Huo Xiaoling left, Lu Nong pursed her lips and said, “Did you hear that?”

Pei Ji’an squatted beside the sofa and helped Lu Nong tie her shoelaces. “Don’t worry. She’s just testing you. She’s hesitant to act too rashly. Just keep your attitude towards her neutral. If you become too friendly, she will grow suspicious.”

That made sense. It seemed Huo Xiaoling was merely a distraction. What Zhao Xin truly wanted to see was whether Lu Nong would visit her and how she would treat her. If Lu Nong started being friendly, Zhao Xin would certainly view it as unusual and would be on her guard.

Lu Nong nodded, lost in thought, and then noticed Pei Ji’an was still kneeling. After tying her shoelaces, Pei Ji’an suddenly frowned and reached out to touch the tip of her shoe, realizing it was wet from the rain. The dark color of the shoes made it difficult to notice in the dim light.

He took off Lu Nong’s shoes, gently squeezed her delicate foot, and helped her into some slippers.

“Can you play that piece again for me?” he asked, standing up and looking down at her. She lifted her gaze to meet his.

After a moment, the soft, pure melody of the “Serenade” filled the room, blending beautifully with the evening and the sound of the rain, creating a gentle ambiance.

Lu Nong remembered the English poem that Pei Ji’an had read before. She had thought his voice was perfectly suited to this piece, and today, it felt like a wonderful way to repay him for a delightful afternoon.

As the music reached its conclusion, the serene atmosphere was suddenly interrupted by the ringing of the phone.

Pei Ji’an answered the call. After a moment, his expression noticeably turned cold, reflecting the look he often wore when Lu Nong first met him.

“Alright, I understand. I will take Nong Nong with me,” he said before hanging up.

Curious, Lu Nong asked, “Where are you taking me?”

“To my parents’ house. They want us all to have dinner together for the Mid-Autumn Festival,” Pei Ji’an replied casually.