Chapter 60.2

There is one word that best describes Ruan Yufang – rude at first but respectful later. Combining this with what Ye Huihui said, Lu Nong realized at a glance that Ruan Yufang was frightened by Shen Yimei’s incident and thought she was the one behind it.

Lu Nong pondered, If you think I’m that kind of person, wouldn’t it be disappointing if I’m not?

So she gave Ruan Yufang a chilling smile and said to Ye Huihui, “Since you know I ruined Shen Yimei, why do you dare to provoke me? Aren’t you afraid I’ll bring you down with her?”

“Just wait, your misfortune is coming soon.”

With her red lips and white teeth, her eyes glinting, Lu Nong truly resembled a soul-snatching vixen at that moment. Not only Ruan Yufang, but even Ye Huihui was frightened by Lu Nong’s expression. She had never realized that a bad woman could be so formidable.

She stumbled backward and bumped into something hard, involuntarily exclaiming, “Ah!!”

“What the hell are you yelling about?” It was Pei Zheng, Zhang Kaiping, Shen Jiming, Jiang Yu and his group.

Pei Zheng took a step back, pushing Ye Huihui away in disgust. Fortunately, Huaihuai was sitting on his neck, and he set Huaihuai down, asking, “Little brother, are you scared?”

Huaihuai yawned, clearly tired from playing.

Pei Zheng felt relieved and looked around, giving Lu Nong a questioning glance: What’s going on?

Before Lu Nong could speak, Ye Huihui, seeing Pei Zheng like a savior, grabbed his hand and complained, “Pei Zheng, this vixen… wicked woman just admitted she ruined Auntie Shen. Don’t be so nice to her son. Who knows if she’ll raise her son to be a little troublemaker to harm you in the future?”

Ye Huihui was a person who could easily forget grievances. After being scolded to tears by Pei Zheng last time, she had gone home, reassured herself, and when she saw Pei Zheng again, she still dared to disregard his advice not to meddle in others’ business.

Pei Zheng was furious. His younger brother was his sensitive spot. Even if Ye Huihui insulted him, he wouldn’t get this angry. Shen Yimei was like a thorn in Pei Zheng’s heart. He had finally managed to feel a little better today and forget his troubles, but now an irrelevant, thoughtless person had come to remind him of them.

He placed Huaihuai into Zhang Kaiping’s arms, crossed his arms, and questioned, “Do you have something to say? Who are you that I need you to worry about me?”

Pei Zheng was extremely impatient. Not caring that Ruan Yufang, her biological mother, was still there, he turned to Ye Huihui and unleashed a torrent of words. “My stepmother has never harmed my biological mother. I can tell you right now that if I hear this rumor anywhere else, I won’t let you off.”

“Also, my stepmother is still my stepmother. She is my dad’s wife. Does your dad hold a higher position than mine, or does your Ye family look down on us Pei family? How dare you refer to her by her name? Calling her a vixen or a bad woman? Go ask your dad what respect for elders means and how you should address my stepmother.”

Ye Huihui was stunned, caught off guard by Pei Zheng’s scolding. When he reached the end of his tirade, she finally realized the gravity of the situation. Even if she were foolish, she knew that their family couldn’t afford to offend the Pei family. Yes, Lu Nong was Uncle Pei’s wife, and even Aunt Shen couldn’t compete with her. How could she dare to insult her to her face?

On top of that, after Lu Nong had intimidated her earlier, Ye Huihui completely shrank back, trembling. “I…I’m sorry. I won’t do it again.”

Pei Zheng then looked at Ruan Yufang. His words were directed at Ye Huihui but also meant for Ruan Yufang. He was practically accusing Ye Huihui of lacking upbringing, mocking Ruan Yufang for not being able to discipline her daughter in front of her.

Ruan Yufang’s face darkened, but she had just seen how powerful Lu Nong was, so she dared not offend Pei Zheng either. The frustration that had been pent up since Ye Yuesheng was here surged to the forefront of her mind. Unable to hold back anymore, she slapped Ye Huihui across the face. “You brainless thing! Get home now and don’t embarrass us here!”

“You hit me?!” Ye Huihui screamed, clutching her face, her voice even shriller than when Lu Nong had hit her. She glared at her mother with hatred, as if Ruan Yufang were her enemy. “I’m going to tell Dad!”

This infuriated Ruan Yufang. How did she end up with such a spoiled child?

Once her anger subsided, Ruan Yufang deeply regretted having overly indulged Ye Huihui. Earlier, Lu Nong had told her to wait for her misfortune. Now, Ruan Yufang felt that Ye Huihui was her “misfortune.” If she didn’t teach her to be more sensible, her daughter’s future would be ruined.

Ye Huihui ran away in tears. Ruan Yufang had no desire to linger with Lu Nong and the others. After a hasty farewell, she chased after Ye Huihui, knowing that mother and daughter would think twice before causing trouble again.

“How was that?” After Ruan Yufang and her daughter left, Pei Zheng lifted his chin proudly. “Did I help you vent your anger? You shouldn’t bully good people with your power, but occasionally putting little people in their place is acceptable.”

“I didn’t suffer any loss. She insulted me once, and I slapped her back. But you, young man, are impressive.” Indeed, it felt good to exert power, but Lu Nong had already slapped the mouthy Ye Huihui back, so she wasn’t as furious.

What mattered most was that Pei Zheng stood up for her today. Lu Nong viewed him in a new light and felt that her efforts to raise him hadn’t been in vain.

Pei Zheng, Zhang Kaiping, Shen Jiming, and Jiang Yu: “…” As expected of you. Did you really just slap her back for an insult?

No wonder Ye Huihui’s face was red. They had thought it was just from the cold, but it turned out to be from the slap.

“Not bad, young man!” Huaihuai seemed to understand, echoing his mother’s praise of his brother.

“You have no respect for your elders!” Pei Zheng feigned anger, lifting Huaihuai out of Zhang Kaiping’s arms before saying goodbye to his friends. “Let’s go our separate ways.”

Zhang Kaiping and the others had enjoyed the show and exchanged glances, bidding farewell to Lu Nong.

Once home, Huaihuai grew excited and began to circle around the snowman with Xiao Bai.

Seeing how much Huaihuai loved the snowman, Lu Nong feared he would catch a cold if he stayed outside too long. She quickly made five small snowmen to represent their family and placed them at the front door. Pei Zheng, while disdainfully calling it childish, brushed off the snow from the small snowman that represented himself.

Huaihuai was enamored with the snowmen made by his mother. He stood still, guarding the small snowman. He wanted to touch it but feared breaking it. However, he is too young and needs to eat and sleep, so he can only say goodbye to the snowman reluctantly.

After his afternoon nap, Huaihuai hurriedly ran over to the snowman with Xiao Bai, squatting down. The weather was cold, and the snowmen hadn’t melted at all. Huaihuai stayed there until Pei Ji’an came back in the evening and was reluctant to leave the snowman.

“What’s this?” In the evening, when Pei Ji’an pushed open the door, he saw the little boy in red, the little white dog, and five small snowmen lined up at the door.

Huaihuai looked up, his big eyes blinking cutely, and in a sweet voice he introduced, “Little snowman, this is Mama, this is Huaihuai, this is Grandma, this is Brother, and this is Uncle.”

Pei Ji’an squatted down and patted Huaihuai’s head. Each of the five snowmen was oddly shaped, yet surprisingly matched the family’s body proportions.

Such a creative idea made Pei Ji’an guess that it was Lu Nong’s handiwork.

“Did Mama make them?”

“Yeah, yeah.” Huaihuai nodded vigorously before adding, “But there’s no Xiao Bai.”

Pei Ji’an, taken aback, turned his head, thought for a moment, took off his black leather gloves, and stepped outside. Before long, he returned with a little snowman shaped like a dog, placing it beside the five small snowmen.

“It’s Xiao Bai!”

Huaihuai exclaimed joyfully, petting Xiao Bai’s fur and saying, “Look, this is you, a family, together.”

“Yes, the whole family is together.” Pei Ji’an squatted down with him to admire the six snowmen, speaking softly.

“Yeah!” Huaihuai’s eyes sparkled as he shifted closer to Pei Ji’an. After a few seconds, he moved even closer.

When Lu Nong walked over, she saw this heartwarming scene. Pei Ji’an and Huaihuai were facing away from her, both squatting at the door. From behind, it looked like they were almost glued together, with Huaihuai gazing up at the tall “uncle” in admiration.

“It’s time to eat. We’re having hot pot tonight.” A hot pot on a snowy day was perfect for warming the body.

The big and the small turned around at the same time, and Lu Nong gave a sweet smile in return.

At the dining table, Pei Zheng shared today’s events with Pei Ji’an, making it sound almost like a joke. The more Pei Ji’an listened, the more serious he became. Finally, he put down his chopsticks and said, “I’ll find some time to talk to Old Ye.”

Pei Zheng winked at Lu Nong: How about that? I’m pretty loyal, right?

Lu Nong: Well done.

Pei Ji’an glanced at Pei Zheng with an unreadable expression and said, “Let’s focus on our meal.”

Pei Zheng scoffed, thinking to himself that the “old flame” had now reached his son—did they think he was a fool? He completely ignored his father.

“It’s really delicious. Grandma Wu, can we have hot pot again tomorrow?” Pei Zheng looked at Aunt Wu with hope.

Aunt Wu replied, “Then you have to ask Nong Nong. She prepared all the ingredients. They taste better than the hot pot we had before.”

Pei Zheng turned to Lu Nong, who nodded, thinking that since he had spoken up for her today, she would treat him.

Pei Zheng cheered, and so did Huaihuai, while Aunt Wu smiled at the scene.

Pei Ji’an: “…”

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The author has something to say:

Pei Zheng: About me helping my stepmother get back at someone.

Lu Nong: Such a good boy.

Pei Ji’an: Please don’t bring me into your jealousy.

Off to the side, Xiao Zhou remarked: It’s surprising. Pei Zheng isn’t clueless anymore. He understands the signals now!