Chapter 65.2

In her view, a woman who didn’t bear a son for her husband would lose her status in the family, especially in a second marriage like Lu Nong’s. They already had a grown son, and if they didn’t have another son, wouldn’t everything belong to the eldest son?

Huo Xiaoling spoke from her own experience. Since she had suffered in this way herself, she couldn’t help but want to remind Lu Nong.

This wasn’t to say that Pei Zheng was bad. Based on his behavior since Lu Nong became pregnant, he showed more care than her two ungrateful step-sons, who were a hundred times better.

However, Pei Zheng still had his biological mother. Blood is thicker than water. No matter how outrageous Shen Yimei was, she would always be Pei Zheng’s real mother. Once Shen Yimei grew old and Pei Zheng matured with his own family, he would inevitably respect his biological mother and neglect Lu Nong, his stepmother.

To be on the safe side, it’s better to have a son. In this regard, Huo Xiaoling sincerely cared for Lu Nong.

She thought Lu Nong, being smart, should have considered this issue, but seeing the joy on Lu Nong’s face made it clear that she genuinely wanted a little girl.

“Don’t you want to have a son?” Huo Xiaoling tentatively asked Lu Nong.

Lu Nong corrected her, “Sister, I already have a son. This time, I want to have a daughter, just like you said, to complete the family.”

“Pei Ji’an also likes daughters.”

Huo Xiaoling looked at Lu Nong with a complicated expression, unsure if Lu Nong was genuinely naive or just pretending. Even if she got along well with Pei Zheng, she should still have some cunning.

Pei Ji’an had Pei Zheng as his eldest son, and Pei Zheng was not useless. He had entered Peking University at a young age, with a promising future ahead. As a man, he certainly didn’t care whether Lu Nong had a son or a daughter.

“Still, you need to have another son,” Huo Xiaoling subtly hinted at Lu Nong. “I know you and Pei Zheng are close, but he isn’t your biological son. Right now, he’s obedient, but will he always be? To put it bluntly, once Pei Zheng grows up and has his own ideas, a little provocation from his biological mother could change his attitude towards you.”

“It’s more secure to give Old Pei a son. That way, at least half of the Pei family’s assets will remain with you.”

Just like her two ungrateful step-sons, they both changed their attitudes after Zhao Xin reminded and tested them once. When there was a benefit, they sweetly called her “Mom,” but when there wasn’t, they turned their backs and said she was harsh on them. The public often misunderstood stepmothers, which tarnished her reputation.

Lu Nong was speechless, feeling that listening to Huo Xiaoling’s stream of negative emotions was a waste of time.

Why should sons and daughters be treated like tools, picked and chosen?

Pei Zheng was not her biological son, but she had never expected him to see her as his real mother. If Pei Zheng showed filial piety, it would be towards Pei Ji’an, and if he didn’t, it would still be towards Pei Ji’an.

She simply didn’t care about Pei Zheng’s attitude toward her.

Moreover, did Lu Nong not have her biological son? Why would she need someone else’s son to show her filial piety?

Even with her biological son, Lu Nong had never viewed him as a means of support in her old age. She had money and a house. She didn’t need her children to take care of her, nor would she pressure them to achieve great things.

She herself wanted to be a carefree person. Why should she expect her children to strive if she didn’t?

The only reason they should strive is to take responsibility for their own lives. Lu Nong’s greatest hope for her children was that they could grow up safely and live happily.

That said, people ultimately live in the present, not in malicious speculation about the future. She only knew that Pei Zheng was doing well now, and regardless of what the future held, she couldn’t betray a sincere heart.

Huo Xiaoling’s comments were too shallow and inappropriate. They were either thoughtless or deliberately provocative. According to Lu Nong’s judgment, this woman was definitely thoughtless.

Lu Nong was certain she and Huo Xiaoling were not on the same page. She didn’t care to spare her feelings or argue with someone like her. After all, she was leaving and wouldn’t be back for a while, so she wasn’t afraid of offending anyone. “Sister Huo, do you know why Xiao Ming lived to be ninety-nine?”

Huo Xiaoling, puzzled, instinctively asked, “Why?”

“Because Xiao Ming never meddled in others’ affairs. I appreciate your concern for me, but I really don’t need it. You should focus on your own matters.”

The saying might be old, but it was effective.

If people could always remember the phrases “What’s it to me?” and “What’s it to you?” ninety-nine percent of their worries would be resolved.

“You! Lu Nong, don’t be ungrateful. I’m trying to help you, and you call me nosy…”

Huo Xiaoling stood up, her face pale. “If it weren’t for Zhao Xin asking me to check on you, do you think I would want to come?”

Lu Nong: “…” She felt that this sentence sounded familiar. She seemed to have said the same thing last time.

It’s Zhao Xin again, she’s haunting us.

After Huo Xiaoling left, Aunt Wu came out of the kitchen with a bowl of bird’s nest soup and handed it to Lu Nong. Having overheard the conversation, she frowned and lightly scolded, “That Huo Xiaoling is so careless with her words. She knows you are pregnant, but she keeps mentioning that you are pregnant with a girl. She also tries to sow discord between you and Pei Zheng. I think you should just not let her in from now on.”

After a pause, she carefully observed Lu Nong’s expression and comforted her, “Daughters are wonderful. A daughter is a mother’s little cotton-padded jacket.”

Lu Nong sighed, “Godmother, there’s no need to comfort me. Can’t you see that I really like girls?”

“Oh, now that you mention it, I can finally relax,” Aunt Wu said, carefully studying Lu Nong’s expression. Seeing that she looked relaxed and genuine, Aunt Wu finally breathed a sigh of relief. She had been holding in her worries for days.

While Aunt Wu wanted Lu Nong to have a healthy baby boy, after noticing that Lu Nong was likely having a girl, she began to worry that Lu Nong might expect a son and not like having a daughter.

That evening, Lu Nong sat in front of her vanity, cradling her belly and admiring her reflection, feeling delighted at the thought that her little girl would indeed be her “little cotton-padded jacket.”

Suddenly, an idea struck her, and she glanced at Pei Ji’an, who was sitting in a bamboo chair. She got up, plopped down on his lap, and playfully asked, “Tell me, do you really like daughters?”

During her pregnancy, Lu Nong not only became more pampered, but her temper also worsened.

Pei Ji’an adjusted his hold on Lu Nong, securing her firmly. He was surprised by her question. From his observations, Lu Nong had seemed indifferent about whether he liked boys or girls. His preferences appeared unimportant.

So why was she suddenly concerned? Did someone say something to her?

“I like girls,” Pei Ji’an replied earnestly.

Lu Nong wasn’t satisfied and pressed on, “Do you think girls should just obediently find a good man to marry?”

Pei Ji’an pondered. His subconscious held a similar belief, perhaps because he had never considered it deeply. He began to reflect on his thoughts.

“Our daughter can live however she wants,” Pei Ji’an replied after some thought.

Lu Nong couldn’t say she was completely satisfied with this answer. She couldn’t find a counterpoint, so she reluctantly nodded. “Dad, remember what you said. In the future, we should teach our daughter not to be influenced by external circumstances.”

“Okay, I will remember,” Pei Ji’an chuckled but still made a serious promise.

He lifted her and placed her on the bed, but as soon as he set her down, Lu Nong exclaimed in surprise. She noticed a wet patch on her chest and was confused about how it got there.

Pei Ji’an reacted first. He coughed a few times and said, “I’ll get you a new nightgown.”

Lu Nong was stunned. She… she leaked milk? At just five months? Was that even normal?

More milk spilled out, and Lu Nong felt utterly embarrassed. All thoughts of worrying about her daughter’s education flew out of her mind.

“Change clothes and wipe it with the one you took off,” Pei Ji’an suggested, handing her a clean outfit. Lu Nong awkwardly took it and, as instructed, wiped the area with the used shirt.

The atmosphere turned slightly intimate. Lu Nong slowly put on the loose nightgown, and suddenly her desires surged. Since becoming pregnant, her estrogen levels had skyrocketed, increasing her cravings. It used to be Pei Ji’an initiating things, but lately, she was the one taking the lead.

At first, Pei Ji’an was startled and worried about hurting the baby. Despite Lu Nong’s numerous temptations, he firmly resisted, much to her frustration, and she eventually sent him to sleep in the study.

The next day, Pei Ji’an asked someone and when he came back he solemnly told Lu Nong that they could not have sex for the first three months and could only have sex after three months.

Lu Nong: “…” She was very curious about who Pei Ji’an was asking this question to.

Sure enough, it wasn’t until the fourth month that Pei Ji’an began to touch her again. Throughout, he was attentive to her reactions, worried about causing her any discomfort.

As the air grew thick with tension, Lu Nong gazed up at Pei Ji’an and tugged at his sleeve. This had become their recent unspoken gesture; whenever she wanted something but felt shy, she would silently stare at him.

Pei Ji’an understood her cue. He gently caressed Lu Nong’s fair cheek and leaned down to kiss her soft lips, lost in the moment.

With her growing belly, Pei Ji’an held her carefully, cradling her with tender movements.

After they were done, Lu Nong lay back on the bed, not wanting to move. Pei Ji’an brought a basin of water to help her clean up, carefully helped her into a fresh nightgown, and then gently pulled her into his embrace, holding her close.