Chapter 8

Lost in thought, Yuanbao had already sneaked in, his neck wrapped in a little scarf, dressed like a chubby little mascot.

He waddled into the room and made a big bow, his round eyes sparkling with excitement, clearly feeling proud of himself.

“Hello, Grandpa Qin! Hello, Grandma Qin! Wow, Grandma Qin made so much delicious food—it smells amazing!”

He wriggled his little nose and looked around with his big round eyes.

When his gaze landed on Pei Hechuan across the room, the little guy thought he must be mistaken. He frowned, unhappy, and ran to Qin Feng to complain.

“Grandma Qin, why is this bad man in your house? He bullies Mom! I don’t like him! Let’s chase him out!”

“Ah?”

Qin Feng hadn’t even fully processed it when Yuanbao boldly lunged forward and kicked at Pei Hechuan’s leg.

“You’re a bad man! I don’t like you! I don’t want to see you!”

Then, with a small huff, he looked at Qin Feng and muttered,

“Grandma Qin, you’re on the bad man’s side too. I don’t like you either!”

Qin Feng felt wronged and broke out in a sweat as she glanced at the solemn Pei Hechuan.

After all, he was the regiment commander, a high-ranking officer.

Yuanbao was just a child speaking innocently; surely Pei Hechuan wouldn’t take it to heart.

“Oh, little ancestor, what are you saying? This is the first time Commander Pei has visited. You must have mistaken him for someone else.”

Qin Feng quickly covered the little one’s mouth and scooped him up, ready to take him out.

She worried that if Pei Hechuan got angry, he might actually scold the boy.

After all, Zhao Yunsheng was a widow with a child—she wasn’t a match for him.

“Commander Pei, please don’t get upset. This little one usually has a sweet mouth. I’m sure he just mistook you for someone else.”

“Old Deng, don’t just stand there—serve Commander Pei some food. I’ll take Yuanbao back first.”

Pei Hechuan stifled a laugh.

This little brat, so young but already so feisty, actually tried to chase him away?

He shifted into a more imposing stance, took off his coat, rolled up his sleeves to reveal strong arms, and nodded at Qin Feng.

“Auntie, it’s okay. Bring the child over—I’ll hold him.”

“…”

Qin Feng was speechless.

Okay… sure it’s okay?

But somehow it felt like if she handed Yuanbao over, this little ancestor might end up getting a spanking.

Yet, when she met Pei Hechuan’s commanding gaze, even as an elder, she felt powerless to resist and could only nod stiffly.

“Alright. Commander Pei, be gentle—he’s a small child, his bones are soft.”

She carried Yuanbao forward, but just as she was about to hand him over, Zhao Yunsheng stepped in.

“No need. I’ll handle my son myself.”

Pei Hechuan’s hand came up empty, watching as Yuanbao was cradled in Zhao Yunsheng’s arms.

Mother and son glared at him in perfect unison, their expressions strikingly similar.

Pei Hechuan was momentarily stunned, frozen in place. His previously empty heart was now completely full.

In the past, when they were together, he had dreamed of having children with her. But when Zhao Yunsheng “died,” that dream shattered.

For five long years, he had hoped, prayed—he wanted nothing more than for Zhao Yunsheng to survive.

Now that she had truly returned, he could only step closer and ask why.

Perhaps the reason no longer mattered; what mattered was that she was still here.

Withdrawing his hand, Pei Hechuan didn’t get angry. Instead, a low smile tugged at his lips.

“Why so nervous, Comrade Zhao? Yuanbao is also mine…”

Seeing Zhao Yunsheng’s tense face, he didn’t finish his sentence and instead shifted his tone.

“I’m a grown-up—am I really going to argue with a child?”

“I want to hold Yuanbao.”

After all, he was her son. They’d reunited, yet he hadn’t held him once.

The little guy, hearing this, turned toward Zhao Yunsheng, glaring at Pei Hechuan.

“No! I don’t want the bad man to hold me! Mom, let’s go…”

Deng Xiaotong, who had followed in, caught this perfectly. She took off her gloves, rubbed her hands, and stepped forward to hold Yuanbao.

“Go? Where are you going? There’s no bad man at Auntie’s house!”

At that moment, she finally noticed a distinguished guest standing in the room.

The guest wore a military uniform, handsome and imposing, with a natural aura of nobility.

Deng Xiaotong, having never met such a high-quality man, blushed immediately and quickly composed herself, clearing her throat and shyly asking,

“Mom? We have a guest at home? Why didn’t anyone tell me beforehand?”

Feeling embarrassed and out of place, Qin Feng smiled.

“This is your brother’s superior. He came to visit—don’t just stand there, help serve some food.”

Deng Xiaotong nodded and politely asked,

“What should I call him?”

Deng Lijun interjected, “Just call him Brother Pei.”

Deng Xiaotong responded with an “Oh,” set Yuanbao down, and went to help with the dishes.

Seeing them working in an orderly fashion, Zhao Yunsheng considered sneaking away—but Deng Xiaotong pressed her onto the sofa, right next to Pei Hechuan.

Just as Pei Hechuan intended, he lifted his gaze and gave her a meaningful look.

Noticing the silent exchanges between them, Deng Xiaotong suddenly asked,

“Brother Pei, do you know Yunsheng?”

Qin Feng, seated, glared at her daughter.

“Can’t you call him Brother Pei properly? Why do you have to make it casual?”

Before Pei Hechuan could speak, Deng Xiaotong pouted and muttered,

“We’re family—there’s no need to be so formal.”

Deng Lijun pulled over a chair and sat down.

“Your sister’s right. We’re not in the military—call him Brother Pei to be closer.”

Deng Xiaotong smiled proudly and quickly poured drinks for Zhao Yunsheng and Yuanbao.

“Here, Yuanbao, have some soda. Even if you want to leave, you have to eat first, okay?”

Yuanbao wiggled his short legs and glared at Pei Hechuan, hugging his little hands to his chest. In his baby voice he said,

“Fine, I won’t chase you away for Auntie’s sake—but I still don’t want to see you later.”

Seeing him speak to Pei Hechuan like this, everyone’s attention immediately shifted to Zhao Yunsheng.

She smiled awkwardly, secretly pinching her son’s little bottom.

“Yuanbao, you can’t be rude to guests.”

He huffed, “But he bullied you!”

“Hmm?”

This immediately ignited the Deng family’s gossip.

“Commander Pei, so you knew Yunsheng before?”

Pei Hechuan squinted at the silent Zhao Yunsheng, nodded, and raised his cup to sip thoughtfully.

“Yes, we’ve known each other for many years.”

Deng Xiaotong’s eyes lit up. “Many years? So you knew each other before Yunsheng came to Shanghai?”

Pei Hechuan gritted his teeth. “Of course.”

Deng Xiaotong excitedly poked Zhao Yunsheng. “Yunsheng, why didn’t you ever say you had an acquaintance here?”

Zhao Yunsheng chuckled wryly. If she’d known earlier, could she even have come?

Deng Lijun explained in time, “Commander Pei was stationed in Bincheng until recently, only now transferred from the coast. Comrade Zhao had no way of knowing.”

If he hadn’t spoken, fine—but now Zhao Yunsheng remembered being caught today, and that Deng Lijun was involved too.

With a raised brow, she smiled at Deng Xiaotong and teased, “I only just found out that Deng is your brother too?”

“Oh, he’s been in the military all this time and rarely comes home, so I never mentioned it.”

Zhao Yunsheng raised an eyebrow. “Really? Speaking of which, I even had a funny coincidence with Brother Deng today. Aunt Li introduced me to a blind date—guess who it was?”

Deng Xiaotong’s mind worked fast and she quickly roped Deng Lijun into her playful trap.

“Could it be my brother?”