Chapter 3

Zhao Yunsheng’s gaze was firm. “Yes, it’s not him. Comrade, you must have mistaken me for someone else.”

Her chest heaved violently, and her small, palm-sized face bore a complicated expression, far removed from the gentle, demure woman in his memories.

Pei Hechuan’s throat tightened. Swallowing back his tears, he lowered his eyes and said calmly,

“Sorry.”

Whether he believed her or not, Zhao Yunsheng secretly exhaled in relief upon hearing those two words. She didn’t dare linger.

“It’s fine. I have something to do. I’ll be going now. Goodbye.”

Hurriedly, she scooped up her son and made a quick escape.

Fate really had a strange sense of irony—how could they meet again after being separated by thousands of miles?

Wasn’t Pei Hechuan supposed to be in the north? Why on earth was he in the south?

Had he already met the heroine?

Why did it feel like he was still hung up on her, his first love who had supposedly died long ago?

She didn’t want to interfere and become a pawn. Zhao Yunsheng had to leave immediately, taking Yuanbao to pack up and get out.

Transportation in this era wasn’t convenient; she prayed they wouldn’t cross paths again.

Watching mother and son leave, Pei Hechuan’s gaze was cold and sharp, his hands clenched so tightly at his sides that the joints cracked.

He wouldn’t be mistaken.

After two years together, he had memorized every detail of Zhao Yunsheng. How could he possibly be wrong?

Why wouldn’t she acknowledge him?

And why was she alive again?

And that child…

Everything—everything—was a mystery.

Even though he was overjoyed at the reunion, seeing Zhao Yunsheng avoid him like she was avoiding a viper tore his heart to pieces.

He drew in a breath, cleared the dark haze from his eyes, and asked, brushing off his coat,

“Was she your blind date today?”

Deng Lijun, who was watching mother and son leave, was startled by the sudden question and instinctively saluted.

“Yes!”

Glancing at Pei Hechuan, Deng Lijun found him unusually calm and untraceable, and it made him even more confused.

What exactly was the commander thinking?

He peeked and asked cautiously, “Commander, are you sure you’ve made a mistake?”

Pei Hechuan didn’t respond. His dark gaze shot over, making Deng Lijun shrink back.

“What’s the story with this woman? Tell me everything.”

Saying that, he strode to the roadside, opened the car door, and got in.

Deng Lijun hurried after him, signaling the stunned soldier to follow. The jeep drove off, and he began explaining.

“I don’t know the full details either. From what Aunt Li said, Comrade Zhao’s husband died early. She raised her son alone, and two years ago came to work at the meat factory as a milk delivery worker.”

“She supposedly has no family, but her financial situation must be good. They don’t have to worry about food or clothing, and mother and son live a leisurely life.”

Pei Hechuan’s face darkened, and he sneered coldly.

“Her husband died?”

Deng Lijun froze, like a quail, afraid to make a sound.

Pei Hechuan felt the photo in his pocket and looked into the distance. Then he gave an order.

“Follow them from afar. Don’t let them notice us.”

“Yes, sir.”

Deng Lijun nodded repeatedly, his mind buzzing with questions.

What was the relationship between these two?

Judging by the commander’s unusual reaction, could they have had a past?

And that little one Zhao Yunsheng had… could he be the commander’s child?

Thinking this, Deng Lijun broke out in a cold sweat, silently patting himself on the back for not getting involved.

Luckily, Comrade Zhao hadn’t taken a liking to him. If this had turned into a real relationship and the commander found out on the wedding day, would he even have survived?

“How did you get in touch with her?”

Pei Hechuan asked sharply. Deng Lijun hurriedly clarified, nearly tripping over his words.

“My parents work at the meat factory. They’re getting older and worried about me. When they heard I was back under your command, they immediately arranged a matchmaker to set up a blind date for me.”

Pei Hechuan immediately honed in on the key point. “Your family lives nearby?”

Deng Lijun nodded vigorously, volunteering the information.

“Commander, shall I ask the matchmaker for details?”

Pei Hechuan’s gaze hardened. He said nothing.

Deng Lijun dared not delay, quickly having the soldier park the car while he went to gather information.

Meanwhile, Zhao Yunsheng pedaled furiously on her bicycle, Yuanbao on the back, taking seven twists and turns to lose them. She sped home as if possessed, the tires nearly smoking.

The little boy on the back was dizzy and holding tightly to her clothes, calling out.

“Mom, slow down! I see so many stars!”

Zhao Yunsheng slowed just a little and looked back apologetically.

“Sorry, baby. Mommy’s just a bit anxious.”

Yuanbao was smart. He immediately asked,

“Mom, do you know that uncle? Is he your friend?”

Zhao Yunsheng didn’t dare admit it. After all, Yuanbao had been asking for years why he didn’t have a father. If he found out Pei Hechuan was his real dad, what chaos would ensue?

“No, remember what Mommy said? He mistook me for someone else.”

Yuanbao went “oh,” thinking the strange uncle was just a minor event today. Then he pointed to the milk bottles in the bike basket.

“Mom, aren’t you delivering these milk bottles?”

Zhao Yunsheng didn’t even look. “Not anymore. They’re for Yuanbao.”

They rushed into their residential compound. Zhao Yunsheng didn’t even lock the bicycle, carrying her son with one hand and the two milk bottles from the basket, and immediately started packing.

They had lived here for two years and barely bought anything. Most of it came from her space. Now that they were leaving, she just had to take what she’d gotten used to.

Grabbing a small bag, she held Yuanbao’s hand and headed out, probably never to return.

“Yunsheng! Yunsheng, where are you going?”

The mother-and-son pair hadn’t even reached the door before they ran into Liu Yuetao, who had returned from grocery shopping.

Her face was full of curiosity, eyes gleaming with gossip.

Zhao Yunsheng ignored her, giving a perfunctory reply.

“Just going out for a bit.”

Liu Yuetao gasped and tried to stop her.

“It’s getting dark. Where are you going? Come here, Auntie wants to ask you something.”

“Aunt Liu, I don’t have time now. We can talk tomorrow.”

Zhao Yunsheng was nearly frantic. Every wasted second increased the chance of being caught.

She pushed Liu Yuetao aside and hurried to leave, but suddenly her arm was grabbed and held like iron, impossible to break free.

“Yunsheng, it’s already after work. What’s the rush? Auntie’s asking—did you attend the social event organized by the meat factory today? How was it? Did you find anyone you liked?”

Zhao Yunsheng was caught off guard. Pain shot through her arm, turning her face pale.

She yanked her arm away, glaring.

She knew Liu Yuetao’s intentions perfectly. It wasn’t complicated.

Because her son, He Dali, had been taking care of them, and Liu Yuetao was worried that Zhao Yunsheng would get in the way of him marrying soon, she assumed Zhao Yunsheng was sabotaging things.

Eager to secure a future daughter-in-law and grandchildren, Liu Yuetao, too polite to say it outright, had to push the matchmaker to marry her off quickly.

Emperor doesn’t worry, but the eunuch does. Seeing Zhao Yunsheng refuse to play along, Liu Yuetao’s expression turned sour. She pursed her lips and spoke mockingly:

“Oh Yunsheng, I’m not saying this to be mean, but you’re a twice-married woman with a kid, not that young either. If there’s anyone who won’t mind, you should marry him quickly. Find a decent man to live with, that’s good enough.”

“I’ve heard the matchmaker introduced several men to you, but you didn’t pick a single one. If you keep this up, you might end up an old maid. Even a beggar’s family wouldn’t want you then.”