Chapter 48.1

“Don’t forget our two sons are still upstairs,” Lu Nong reminded Pei Ji’an softly.

Pei Ji’an: “…” I’m not old enough to forget about my child.

He led Lu Nong upstairs, and as soon as they reached the second floor, they heard the sound of a radio playing from one of the rooms. Upon listening closely, they realized it was an opera. Lu Nong didn’t quite understand the lyrics, but she caught a part that sang:

“Originally, the vibrant colors bloom everywhere, yet all of this is left to crumbling walls. What a beautiful day it is, who in this courtyard can appreciate such joy…”

Pei Ji’an paused, listening intently for a moment. “It’s Mr. Mei’s ‘Dream of a Garden.’”

“Sounds great! Let our youngest son appreciate some artistic influences. Our Xiao Zheng is really doing well,” Lu Nong praised Pei Zheng while secretly thinking about how they should listen to the radio when they got home. It was easy to forget that this era was filled with talented artists, and they could connect with the works of great masters at close range.

Pei Ji’an glanced down at her, then raised his hand to knock on Pei Zheng’s door. Immediately, a chaotic clamor came from inside, and it took a long time before Pei Zheng finally opened the door.

Lu Nong looked at him suspiciously. “What took you so long? Where’s your brother?”

Pei Zheng scratched his head, avoiding Lu Nong and Pei Ji’an’s gaze as he looked up at the ceiling and down at the floor.

Just then, a little figure came running up and wrapped his arms around Lu Nong. “Mama… Brother is so pretty!”

Lu Nong focused her eyes and immediately froze in shock. There stood Gu Xiaohuai in a little floral dress, sporting two sky-high ponytails. His cheeks were painted with bright rouge, and his forehead sported a large red dot, resembling a lively little monkey.

“…” What a talent.

Lu Nong said slowly, “Brothers are for playing with. Isn’t it fun?”

“It’s okay… bah, no, of course not. Don’t misunderstand me! It was Gu Xiaohuai who drooled over the picture of Sister Xiao Su, and I just dressed him up. Look how happy he is!” Pei Zheng desperately defended himself, nearly getting trapped by his cunning stepmother.

Lu Nong ignored him and looked at Pei Ji’an with a complex expression. “Did you see this coming?”

Pei Ji’an let out a light “huh.” When Pei Zheng heard his father’s magnetic voice, he quickly picked up Gu Xiaohai and said, “I’ll take him to get cleaned up right now.”

“Let’s go home first,” Pei Ji’an interrupted Pei Zheng’s actions.

“Huh? Aren’t we eating?” Pei Zheng asked, confused, glancing at his father, who was making faces at Lu Nong.

Pei Ji’an took the child in his arms and changed him into his own clothes. “Stop talking nonsense and let’s go.”

After they went downstairs, Pei Ji’an greeted his sister-in-law, “Sister-in-law, we’re leaving now.”

“Oh, okay. Take your time on the way. Let’s schedule a time to reunite soon. Your brother will be very happy to know you’re married now,” she replied.

Feng Xiaoyuan genuinely felt happy for Pei Ji’an. When she married into the Pei family, aside from her husband, only Pei Ji’an offered her help, and she remembered it clearly.

Feng Xiaoyuan and her husband, Pei Jingxing, fell in love freely. She was originally a child bride from a landlord family. When the landlord’s son died young, Feng Xiaoyuan became a servant in their household, often suffering beatings. Unable to endure the humiliation, she ran away when the family was distracted.

Not long after her escape, the entire country was liberated, and landlords were overthrown. Women like Feng Xiaoyuan were given the opportunity to receive an education. She was eager to learn and absorb knowledge like a sponge. At a literacy event organized by the army for the common people, she met her husband.

Pei Jingxing was a wonderful man, as his name suggested, embodying the virtues of a gentleman. He was upright and honorable.

He never looked down on Feng Xiaoyuan for her background or her lack of education. Instead, he patiently taught anyone eager to learn, treating everyone with care and respect.

Feng Xiaoyuan went to his classes the most but never dared to ask Pei Jingxing for help privately, unlike others. She only took careful notes of everything he taught, writing it down in her notebook and memorizing it.

One day, as she struggled with a complicated character, a hand took her pen and began to write the character step by step.

“Do you understand?” he asked.

Just as ancient poetry had its significance in a single character, her relationship with her husband blossomed over their shared learning.

Later, they fell in love and got married. Despite his family’s objections, Pei Jingxing married her, knowing his parents disliked her. He moved her completely out of their home.

Reflecting on the past, Feng Xiaoyuan felt both sweet and emotional. If Pei Ji’an’s indifference represented a disconnect that came from seeing through people’s hearts, then the indifference shown by others in the Pei family towards her stemmed from the selfishness inherent in human nature.

Father Pei and Mother Pei arranged for Pei Jingxing to marry someone of similar status, naturally looking down on Feng Xiaoyuan’s lowly background. Pei Mingxia felt she was unworthy of her older brother. With Mother Pei’s tacit approval, she made things difficult for Feng Xiaoyuan at every turn.

Just as they had tried to control the indifferent and unruly Pei Ji’an by arranging for him to be with Shen Yimei, Feng Xiaoyuan believed that Father and Mother Pei initially intended to control her husband, Pei Jingxing. Her marriage to him represented his escape from their control, which made them panic and take out their anger on her.

Feng Xiaoyuan thought mockingly that if it weren’t for her obligation to honor her deceased husband, she would have left this family long ago. Who would want to come back every year and endure being treated like a servant by the Pei family?

After leaving the Pei family, Pei Zheng followed his father and asked, “Dad, aren’t we eating at Grandma and Grandpa’s house? My mom is gone…”

Lu Nong pondered that when she first arrived at the Pei family, Pei Zheng was quite perceptive and clever. He always knew what to say and what not to say in front of his father. How could he have changed so much in just a few days?

Was it because there is too little homework or too little running?

At first, the little one sat quietly in his formidable stepfather’s arms, too timid to make a sound. After a while, feeling safe, he stretched out his little arms to hug his stepfather’s neck and imitated his brother, saying, “Ba, no…gurgle, go?”

Pei Ji’an was taken aback and steadied him. “Hmm.”

Although Lu Nong was moved by this tender father-son moment, she couldn’t bear to look at Gu Xiaohai’s little monkey-like face. She turned her head away. It was too much to bear.

Seeing that no one was paying attention to him, Pei Zheng chimed in, “It’s rare to have a holiday. Staying home is so boring. Let’s go pick up Grandma Wu and take her out to play. I’ve been wanting to go for a long time…”

He looked blissful and carefree, completely unaware of the situation.

Pei Ji’an turned to Lu Nong. “Do you want to go?”

As soon as she heard they could go out to play, Lu Nong’s eyes brightened, and she quickly nodded, “Sure, sure!”

Pei Ji’an was charmed by her eager expression, and the tension on his face finally relaxed into a smile as he covered her eyes with one hand.

When they got home, Aunt Wu rushed out to check when she heard the sound of the car in the yard. “Why are you back so soon? Didn’t you say you’d stay for dinner?”

Lu Nong wrapped her arms around Aunt Wu, excitedly looking inside while saying, “The situation has changed, Godmother. Let’s hurry up and pack. We’re going on an impromptu trip!”

Aunt Wu: “…” ??

Pei Zheng also excitedly approached Aunt Wu from the other side. “Go north. Grandma Wu, bring some thick clothes.”

Pei Ji’an walked slowly behind, holding the little one.

Back in the room, Lu Nong had too many things she wanted to bring. Since the north was dry, she needed at least three types of skincare products: snow flower cream for hydration, sunscreen, and repair cream. She also needed shampoo, toiletries, pretty clothes, warm clothes, underwear, shoes, hats, and umbrellas. Snacks for the road and common medicines…

She gathered all the items, but they piled up everywhere. Lu Nong stuffed them haphazardly into her suitcase until it was bursting, leaving many items behind.

If Aunt Wu were here, she would surely scold her, saying, “What a beautiful girl, but how messy!”

At this moment, with Aunt Wu absent, Pei Ji’an looked at her with an expression that was no less critical.

Lu Nong awkwardly smiled. Who doesn’t have a few little flaws?

She was already so beautiful. If she were perfect in every way, would that leave anyone else a chance to live?

Pei Ji’an calmly rolled up his sleeves and took Lu Nong’s place, opening the suitcase to neatly organize everything inside.

When he reached the intimate garments, Lu Nong didn’t blush, but she felt that someone from the conservative 1960s should have. She secretly glanced at Pei Ji’an, who seemed even more composed than her.

Tch, he’s definitely an old pervert.

Lu Nong pouted and put on Pei Ji’an’s large sunglasses, covering half her face.

By the time they carried the suitcase downstairs, Pei Zheng was already waiting impatiently, checking his watch now and then.