“What did you do?”
Pei Ge was slightly surprised. She did not know that he had already done something. Unbeknown to her, he had already kicked out all those people who had dared ‘bully’ her using their positions.
While she had an inkling of what he wanted to do when they reached the police station, she did not know that he would be this swift to take action.
“I haven’t thought of how to face auntie when we reach home later.”
She revealed a look of worry. She could not relax no matter how calm the man beside her was. If she had to choose between this and being interrogated at the police station, she would choose the latter. At least, she did not have to go back to face this man’s mother.
“I said that I am here, so don’t worry about such stuff. Have I ever disappointed you?” He lay his large palm on her small one. The warmth from his hand did not give her much security, though as her heart still felt jittery.
“But I—”
“You don’t need to mind such things.” He put an arm around her and pulled her head to rest against his firm shoulder. Tightly holding his hand, she finally felt quite grounded.
The moment the black Rolls-Royce drove past the entrance of the Ji family’s villa, Madam Ji quickly ran out. Seeing her alight, she quickly pulled her hands to one side and spoke softly. “There’s someone spreading rumors outside recently. Pei Ge, don’t feel sad when you hear them, alright?”
Confusion bred in her heart. Should the older woman be dragging her for a prenatal checkup? Why was she reassuring her, instead?
“Auntie, I—”
“Alright. Don’t say anything more. Hurry and go in for dinner. I won’t ask anything again.” The older woman seemed to have changed into an entirely different person. She did not mention bringing her for a prenatal checkup, nor did she mention the child in her womb. It was as though nothing had happened.
Madam Ji wanted to pull her into the house, but her son stopped her. “Mom, go in first.”
“Fine. Then, quickly come in; Everyone is waiting for you inside.” She glanced at her after speaking to her son. “Pei Ge, you should hurry in, too. The wind out here is chilly.”
“Mhm. Okay, auntie.” She nodded. The apology in her eyes was apparent to the older woman, but the latter merely sighed and did not say anything more.
“Come in earlier for dinner. We are all waiting for you two.” The man’s mother walked in after saying that.
“Why? Are you still worried?” Ji Ziming gently pulled his woman into his embrace and squeezed her, jolting the latter out of her shock.
She cried out in pain. “Why did you use so much strength? That hurt!”
“If I don’t make you feel some pain now, you may still be thinking about how my mom will punish you later.” He chuckled before gently poking the top of the woman’s nose. With a doting look, he said, “Then, if my mom doesn’t punish you and treats you well instead, how are you going to show your gratitude to me?”
“I don’t believe it.” She shook her head. The timidity in her eyes made his heart ache. “You fool, how can I possibly lie to you?”
“You lie to me frequently. This isn’t the first time and I’m about used to it now.”
“Then, believe me this time; go ahead and see for yourself.” His lips curled upward. His gaze on her was tinged with warmth and slight heartache.
“I don’t care anymore. Let’s go in.” She clenched her jaw and walked into the house, leaving the man on the same spot as he watched her go.
Unbeknown to them, Qu Jingwan was standing upstairs, watching their every move. Despite being separated from them by the window and being unable to hear their conversation, she could still see the love and doting on the man’s face. Her thin fingers clenched together. She did not understand where she was lacking with regard to Pei Ge.
Why was the man’s mother not angry when she learned about this woman’s fake pregnancy? Why did the man always protect her like this? Why was it that her only use in this family was to take care of the children like a nanny?
She pursed her red lips. Her equally red nails dug into the flesh of her palms, leaving behind nail marks.
I’ve never failed in getting what I wanted before, and this time will be the same. She turned around and gracefully walked down the stairs. She was her most graceful self until she reached the dining table.
Ran Ran, who was swinging her legs while seated in the chair, did not notice her arrival and accidentally tripped her. Her yellow, short skirt was hooked by the table corner and with a swish, its split extended all the way to her waist, and her pink underwear was exposed at once.
“Aahh!” She screamed in shock and quickly grabbed a thin blanket from the sofa to wrap around her waist. However, that scene was already witnessed by the people around the table.
Madam Ji spoke first. “Jingwan, you… why don’t you go up and change first before coming down? We’ll wait for you to start the meal.”
With an aggrieved and embarrassed look, her cheeks burned. However, from the corner of her eyes, she spotted the man peeling a prawn for Pei Ge meticulously with gentle movements. Her eyes stung. She did not know if Ji Ziming would ever treat her this lovingly and protectively to the point of meticulously peeling a prawn for her.
She nodded and hugged the thin blanket as she ran upstairs. She changed into a beige, country-style dress before returning to the table.
The girl waited until she sat down next to her before pouting her small lips and speaking in a wronged voice. “Auntie Jingwan, I didn’t do it on purpose. Can you not be angry at me?”
Her forehead relaxed a little. Although her cheeks were still slightly red, she had already regained her etiquette and pose. “I’m angry with you. Was our precious girl frightened earlier? I was too nervous that I forgot to reassure you.”
She pretended to be relaxed as she rubbed the girl’s smooth and soft hair. However, there were clear nail marks on her index finger, and her gentle smile made the latter find her scarier, instead.
“Mommy.” The girl turned to look at her mother. This call made Pei Ge immediately come over to carry her to her side. She then smiled at Qu Jingwan. “As long as you’re not angry, our baby girl won’t be frightened. Ran Ran, am I right?”
“Yes, mommy. I didn’t trip auntie on purpose. It’s great that she’s not angry. She’s really a nice person. Then, mommy, can I still eat the prawn daddy peeled?”
