Chapter 6

“Big Brother Dali, come on, it’s been years since we last met, right? Luckily, we have some free time today—let’s catch up. Come on, let’s head to your place for a drink.”

Deng Lijun quickly slipped between the two of them, draping an arm around He Dali and dragging him along.

He Dali smiled and played along, but his eyes were glued to Zhao Yunsheng. He reached out, trying to grab her arm.

“Yunsheng, why don’t you come over for dinner too? Yuanbao must be hungry. I bought some flour—we can make dumplings later.”

Seeing he wasn’t giving up, Deng Lijun grabbed He Dali’s arm firmly, forcing him to retreat while keeping up the pretense.

“Big Brother Dali, what a coincidence! I also like dumplings. Let’s go first, and Comrade Zhao can join later.”

He Dali felt something was off but couldn’t quite put his finger on it. All he could do was watch helplessly as he was pulled away.

Suddenly, only Zhao Yunsheng and Pei Hechuan remained at the back gate.

Since he wasn’t planning to make things clear, Zhao Yunsheng decided to play dumb to the end.

She was about to casually leave when a cold laugh came from behind.

“Zhao Yunsheng… five years, and you don’t plan to catch up?”

Her breath caught. Her legs nearly gave out.

She bit her lip, about to deny it, and turned—only to crash straight into Pei Hechuan’s hard chest.

When had he gotten there? How had he walked without making a sound?

She instinctively stepped back, only to hit the doorframe. With nowhere to retreat, she had no choice but to face him.

“Comrade… I think you’ve got the wrong person. I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

Pei Hechuan’s gaze was as deep and cold as a dark pond, looking down at her, taking in every flicker of expression on her face.

“Don’t understand?”

Zhao Yunsheng nodded vigorously.

“Really? Do you want me to help you remember?”

The words came like teeth-gritted accusations, sending chills through her. She tried to move away, but his hand shot out and grabbed her wrist.

She turned her face, forcing herself not to look at him—but his scent filled her nose, wild and overwhelming.

Frozen in place, she had no choice but to hear him speak.

“Five years ago, my wife died.”

Wife…

Zhao Yunsheng felt her nose prick.

Even though she had been acting for those two years with Pei Hechuan, she was still human. Not completely heartless.

If it weren’t for worrying that she and her son would get entangled in the plot, she wouldn’t have been so cold, so unwilling to admit the truth.

“There was a fire… it burned everything she had to ashes. And now, five years later, I meet someone who looks exactly like her. Comrade Zhao… you say I’ve got the wrong person, but why is your name even the same as hers?”

The pressure on her wrist increased, and Zhao Yunsheng winced.

She bit her lip and met his reddened eyes, refusing to admit anything.

“The world’s full of coincidences. Just because we look alike doesn’t mean anything.”

Hearing her stubbornly deny it, Pei Hechuan circled her at the door, looming over her.

“Is that so? I remember my wife had a birthmark on her chest. Since you’re not her, show me to prove it.”

Zhao Yunsheng’s face changed. She quickly lifted her hand to cover her chest.

“Why? I warn you, don’t touch me! This is a lawful society, and you’re a soldier, you—”

“Not showing me means you have something to hide! Zhao Yunsheng… why won’t you admit it? Or are you too afraid to admit it? The fire five years ago… did you start it yourself? Huh?”

Pei Hechuan’s gaze pierced her, missing nothing. His strong hands gripped her slender shoulders, stepping ever closer.

“Why? Why did you lie to me? Do you know what these years have been like for me?”

Zhao Yunsheng didn’t know for sure, but judging by his reaction, she had some inkling. She felt guilty deep in her heart.

She couldn’t meet Pei Hechuan’s bloodshot eyes, staring helplessly at her toes instead.

The air seemed to freeze. Her throat ached, words failing her.

If the roles were reversed, anyone deceived like this would probably be even angrier than Pei Hechuan.

They faced off for a long moment, neither willing to speak.

Until Yuanbao toddled out, small legs waddling, squeaking:

“Mommy, I need to pee…”

He looked up and saw the scary uncle holding his mother at the door. His eyes went wide, and he scrambled forward, tiny fists flying at Pei Hechuan.

“Let go of Mommy! Let go! You’re a bad man, a bad man!”

The child immediately drew both their attentions. Pei Hechuan’s expression darkened. He took a deep breath, straightened, and slowly smoothed his sleeve.

Zhao Yunsheng was released and quietly exhaled in relief. Her eyes caught the dark glint in his gaze, and she hurried to scoop Yuanbao into her arms.

“Sweetheart, why are you out here? Didn’t Mommy tell you to wait in the yard?”

Yuanbao hugged her neck, glaring at Pei Hechuan.

“I’ll protect Mommy! I won’t let bad men bully her!”

Zhao Yunsheng patted his little bottom.

“Mommy’s fine…”

Seeing mother and son cling together like that, Pei Hechuan’s cold brows softened ever so slightly.

He looked at Zhao Yunsheng directly, threatening without compromise.

“Until you give me a reasonable explanation, Zhao Yunsheng… if you vanish again, I swear, you’ll never see your son for the rest of your life.”

Meeting her furious eyes, he felt some satisfaction. He reached out to touch Yuanbao’s small head, but even though the boy dodged, he remained expressionless.

“He’s my son too, isn’t he?”

Zhao Yunsheng wanted to deny it, but looking at the striking resemblance between father and son, any lie would be instantly obvious.

She shrank back, saying nothing further, not wanting to make things worse.

“Think what you want. I’m taking Yuanbao to the bathroom first.”

Escape was impossible now, so she might as well accept it.

Once the female lead appeared, Pei Hechuan would be swept away by the plot, hopelessly in love with her. He wouldn’t have time to worry about them.

She picked up Yuanbao and walked into the yard, now calm and composed.

After taking her son to the bathroom and putting the luggage back in order, her stomach growled from the day’s exertions. She was about to make something to eat when someone knocked at the door.

“Yunsheng, Yunsheng?”

It was He Dali.

Zhao Yunsheng had already made it clear—there was nothing possible between them.

But judging by his persistence today, he hadn’t given up. She didn’t mind being firm again.

She opened the door and met He Dali, beaming.

Seeing the large basin of dumplings in his hands, Zhao Yunsheng flat-out refused.

“Big Brother Dali, Yuanbao and I have already eaten. No need to bring them.”

He Dali didn’t seem upset. Instead, he worriedly asked:

“Yunsheng, is it because of my mom? Are you angry with her? I’ve told you, her thoughts don’t represent mine. I’ve always liked…”

“Yes, it’s your mom!”

If the opponent gave such a perfect excuse, why waste it?

Zhao Yunsheng cut him off decisively:

“Big Brother Dali, you’ve seen it yourself. Let alone my feelings toward you, just your mother’s attitude—she treats me like an enemy, spreads lies about me, insults Yuanbao. Just for these two reasons, we can’t be together.”

Perhaps because she was too blunt, He Dali immediately looked sad.

His tall frame at the door seemed small and lonely in that instant.

Zhao Yunsheng, remembering his care over the past two years, softened slightly. Her tone eased.

“Big Brother Dali, I truly appreciate your help over these past two years. When I first arrived, you helped me move, helped me get settled. I’m grateful… but…”

Halfway through, she felt a sudden chill on her neck.

Raising her eyes in suspicion, she saw Pei Hechuan standing next door, his expression dark.