After seeing off Pei Yujang and Yu Zhiwan, Pei Jinhai lay in bed, restless with thoughts, even after finishing her work and taking a shower.
Fan Zhaozhao, after ironing and hanging up their clothes for the next day, joined Pei Jinhai in bed. Although they had a housekeeper, Fan Zhaozhao preferred doing these small tasks herself, finding comfort in them since marrying Pei Jinhai. No matter how often she did these things, Pei Jinhai always appreciated them, never taking her efforts for granted.
Despite her troubled thoughts, Pei Jinhai noticed Fan Zhaozhao's considerate actions and thanked her softly.
Noticing something was off, Fan Zhaozhao asked gently, "What's on your mind? Are you okay?"
Pei Jinhai turned off the lights, plunging the room into darkness, with only the faint hum of the air conditioner breaking the silence. After a long pause, Pei Jinhai finally spoke, her voice heavy with emotion.
"Zhaozhao," Pei Jinhai began, her words slow and deliberate, as if each one was a burning coal on her tongue, "what if you found out that Wenxiu isn't really your daughter? What would you do?"
Fan Zhaozhao's eyes widened in disbelief. "Wenxiu isn't…?" She struggled to process the question. "Are you tired? What are you talking about?"
Jiang Wenxiu was undoubtedly her daughter, the child she had given birth to after enduring the pains of labor. How could she possibly not be her daughter? Fan Zhaozhao wondered if Pei Jinhai had lost her mind.
Fan Zhaozhao wasn't angry, just concerned that her partner might be mentally exhausted. Pei Jinhai had been working long hours, leaving little time for their relationship. But Fan Zhaozhao had her own career and didn't mind the changes.
Thinking Pei Jinhai might be overwhelmed by stress, Fan Zhaozhao tried to reassure her. "You need to take it easy. The company is running smoothly now; it won't fall apart without you. If you keep this up, I'll insist you take a vacation…"
"No, that's not it," Pei Jinhai interrupted. "I mean, what if one day you found out Wenxiu was actually replaced by someone from another world, and she no longer wanted to be your daughter? What would you do then?"
Pei Jinhai and Fan Zhaozhao's relationship thrived because they listened to each other, no matter how strange the conversation might be.
Fan Zhaozhao, still stunned, thought it over and said, "I suppose I'd be shocked and sad. But if that's her choice, I'd respect it. It would depend on how I get along with the new person. If she's replaced Wenxiu, and if she sees me as her mother, then maybe my purpose in life is to take care of this new girl. I've watched her grow up, and if she's gone and someone else is here to stay, maybe that's fate."
Fan Zhaozhao turned to Pei Jinhai in the darkness, asking, "What about you? What do you think?"
Pei Jinhai had harbored suspicions for a while. Although her daughter had once been rebellious and caused her heartache, Pei Jinhai had always loved her deeply. But as Wenxiu changed, becoming more mature, Pei Jinhai couldn't shake the feeling that something was off.
Initially, she thought Wenxiu's behavior change was just a sign of growing up, but the differences became too significant to ignore. Pei Yujang displayed abilities and knowledge far beyond what her daughter had ever shown.
Wenxiu had never been trained in these areas, and yet Pei Yujang was suddenly showing skills and maturity that couldn't be explained by normal development.
As Pei Jinhai worked late into the night, Pei Yujang would send messages of encouragement, sometimes even calling her to ease her worries. When Pei Jinhai was away in Xiangcheng, Pei Yujang frequently video-called her and even ordered food delivery to ensure she ate properly.
Pei Jinhai, who had developed stomach issues from working long hours, was touched when Pei Yujang called to remind her to eat. Although she found it strange, she couldn't help but feel moved by the care.
These experiences made Pei Jinhai think deeply, but it was a conversation with Yu Zhiwan that solidified her doubts.
That day, in the study, Yu Zhiwan had asked her bluntly, "If you found out that Pei Yujang wasn't really your daughter, could you just stop caring about her? Could you erase all the good things she's done for you, just because she isn't your biological daughter?"
Pei Jinhai spent days pondering this, realizing she couldn't do it. The thought pained her, but it also helped her reach a decision.
Pei Jinhai smiled at Fan Zhaozhao. "It's nothing, really. Just a passing thought. Let's go to sleep."
She decided to let things unfold naturally. Even if the truth was painful, life had to move forward.
As she lay in bed, Fan Zhaozhao hugged her from the other side of the blanket, offering silent comfort.
Pei Yujang, with her resilient body, was back to her lively self shortly after leaving the hospital. Yu Zhiwan, still upset, kept herself busy with her own work, ignoring Pei Yujang until Jiang Wenxiu requested their presence at her school.
Yu Zhiwan lived next door to Pei Yujang, so Pei Yujang called her, offering to give her a ride. But as soon as the call connected, she heard the AI navigation voice, and then Yu Zhiwan's voice came through the line.
"I'm heading to Xinghan High School now. I can find my way."
Pei Yujang felt a pang of disappointment. "You're already on your way?"
"Yeah."
"Why didn't you wait for me?"
"I have hands and feet, and I can drive myself. If all else fails, I've got the AI."
These days, who didn't have auto-pilot in their car? When it first hit the market, many drivers were angry, fearing it would disrupt their jobs or even lead to unemployment. But Yu Zhiwan's car was high-end, with top-tier AI driving safety features. Despite this, she still preferred to drive herself after recovering, enjoying the freedom of movement.
But Pei Yujang couldn't shake the feeling of unease.
As she got into her car, buckled up, and started the engine, she asked a question that was likely unnecessary, "Are you mad at me?"
Yu Zhiwan didn't hesitate, quickly replying, "Yes." She admitted she was angry, her tone light but clear. As the car navigated past a traffic jam and onto an elevated road with scenic views, Yu Zhiwan leaned back in her seat, letting the AI take over, and gazed out at the scenery.
"You left Jingjing's side, and later, when you went to rescue those people without considering the consequences, didn't you think about what could have happened?"
Pei Yujang had promised to be careful.
"I understand all that," Yu Zhiwan continued. "But I'm still mad."
Pei Yujang seemed oblivious to Yu Zhiwan's underlying frustration, and after chatting briefly about other topics, she ended the call to focus on driving.
Talking on the phone while driving was against the law, so Pei Yujang had used the auto-pilot mode earlier. Now that it was off, she preferred to drive herself.
Xinghan High School was a half-hour drive from home. When Pei Yujang arrived at the parking lot, she saw Yu Zhiwan's car already parked, and Yu Zhiwan was about to head into the school. It was the afternoon, with teachers in class and no breaks, so their cars stood out.
But Yu Zhiwan acted as if she didn't see Pei Yujang, turning away and walking ahead.
Pei Yujang trailed behind by twenty or thirty meters, tapping away on her phone as she walked.
Yu Zhiwan's phone buzzed with messages, but she ignored them, heading straight to the location Jiang Wenxiu had specified—the homeroom teacher's office. With no class scheduled, the teacher was free and waiting.
During Pei Yujang's two-day coma, Yu Zhiwan had grown closer to Jiang Wenxiu.
Though she wasn't naturally outgoing, Yu Zhiwan had a way of quickly becoming familiar with people, especially someone like Jiang Wenxiu, who, despite her troublemaking ways, wasn't inherently bad. A few well-placed words of kindness, and soon Jiang Wenxiu was trailing after her, calling her "sister" at every turn.
Now, Jiang Wenxiu seemed closer to Yu Zhiwan than to Pei Yujang, even confiding in her about a crush—something she had shared only after being mercilessly teased by Pei Yujang.
The teacher's office was on the sixth floor, accessible by elevator. Pei Yujang hesitated and didn't ride up with Yu Zhiwan.
When she arrived, the homeroom teacher was already chatting with Yu Zhiwan. Upon seeing Pei Yujang, the teacher asked, "Hello, and you are…?"
"I'm Jiang Wenxiu's sister," Pei Yujang replied politely.
The teacher blinked in surprise. "Jiang Wenxiu has two sisters?" She quickly understood, "Oh, I see now."
A few minutes later, Pei Yujang finally understood why Jiang Wenxiu had asked her to help.
Xinghan High School, originally a private school turned public, had a good reputation and many extracurricular activities. Fan Zhaozhao had pulled some strings to get Jiang Wenxiu in, and half the students were from well-off families, while the other half were admitted based on merit. The government wasn't too strict about this, as long as the school wasn't fully public, so it was fairly easy to get in with money.
With summer vacation over, the school was planning an autumn camp that would last three nights and four days. The theme of this camp was "warmth," emphasizing not only friendship among students but also family bonds, with some students being asked to bring their parents along.
Jiang Wenxiu had been selected for this.
Pei Yujang and Jiang Wenxiu didn't exactly embody the typical idea of family, having only met under unusual circumstances. On their first encounter, Pei Yujang had even thrown Jiang Wenxiu to the ground, an embarrassing memory that Jiang Wenxiu hadn't forgotten.
But compared to bringing Fan Zhaozhao, who would likely be overbearing, Jiang Wenxiu chose Pei Yujang and Yu Zhiwan instead. She had told the teacher that the two had recently married after a long courtship and were deeply in love, painting a picture of a happy couple. The teacher was taken aback but bought the story.
Considering Pei Yujang's recent heroics, the teacher agreed. She was young, in her thirties, and not too strict, understanding that some parents could be overly harsh.
The teacher explained that the camp was mostly about having fun and didn't involve any strenuous activities. High school students weren't toddlers, so there wasn't much to worry about, making it a relatively easy task.
Pei Yujang left the office feeling overwhelmed.
Yu Zhiwan wasn't thrilled about the idea either, but both women were committed to keeping their promises. Having assured Jiang Wenxiu they would help, they followed through, paying the necessary fees.
Schools often organized these events as a way to generate revenue, but with a child enrolled, it was impossible to outright refuse. There was no way around it.
As they left, the teacher escorted them downstairs. Pei Yujang and Yu Zhiwan walked side by side to the parking lot. On the way, Pei Yujang couldn't help but comment, "I'm glad I don't want kids."
Having children was too much trouble, not just the pain of childbirth but the years of effort required to raise them. School events like this one alone were exhausting. Parents had their own lives and responsibilities, and being a full-time parent seemed incredibly draining.
Pei Yujang thought about what it would be like if she and Yu Zhiwan had a baby. With their looks, their child would undoubtedly be beautiful and smart—a cute, soft little one. The thought was oddly tempting.
Modern technology made it possible for two female Betas to have a child through special methods. Beta and Omega couples could do the same, although it required a procedure similar to in vitro fertilization since Betas couldn't naturally impregnate Omegas.
Pei Yujang, being a woman herself, didn't believe Omegas should bear the burden of childbirth. She would never want Yu Zhiwan to go through that pain. The process was even more grueling than natural childbirth, and there was no need to endure it just for the sake of having a child.
As she was lost in thought, Yu Zhiwan shot her a sharp look and said, "Who said I want to have a child with you? Stop being so self-absorbed."
Pei Yujang pouted, "Aw, come on."
Before leaving, Pei Yujang ran into Zhao Manlin, who had just returned to the company from a leave of absence. She had taken time off to care for Chen Tingjia and only left after Chen had recovered somewhat.
Seeing Pei Yujang, Zhao Manlin approached with a much friendlier demeanor than before, smiling warmly. "I'm sorry I didn't respond to your messages earlier. I was on leave, and my phone was off. How about dinner tonight? Let's invite Zhiwan and Little Ji as well."
Pei Yujang had almost forgotten about Zhao Manlin not replying to her earlier messages. She patted Zhao Manlin on the shoulder understandingly, though she couldn't help but feel a bit bitter about Yu Zhiwan's recent behavior. Curiously, she asked, "Little Ji? Are we talking roasted or stewed?"
Zhao Manlin was momentarily speechless before she burst out laughing. "You'll see tonight. You'll know who Little Ji is when you meet her."
That evening, Pei Yujang finally learned that the "Little Ji" Zhao Manlin referred to wasn't a dish but rather Ji Lingxian, the boss of Ji Lingxian Company. Pei Yujang hadn't known Ji Lingxian's full name and was surprised that Zhao Manlin called her "Little Ji," a nickname usually reserved for close friends.
Ji Lingxian greeted Pei Yujang with a friendly smile, as if they were old pals meeting again.
The group had reserved a private room at the restaurant, sitting around a large round table. Pei Yujang sat on the left side, with Yu Zhiwan beside her. Ji Lingxian was on Yu Zhiwan's right, and Zhao Manlin sat next to Ji Lingxian.
The four women were all stunning, turning heads wherever they went. But despite the outward beauty, there was an undercurrent of tension at the table, mostly emanating from Pei Yujang.
Had she known that Zhao Manlin meant Ji Lingxian, she wouldn't have agreed to come tonight. Zhao Manlin, eager to celebrate, had ordered several bottles of wine, though she ensured that everyone drank responsibly, given the presence of auto-pilot in their cars.
"President Pei told me that once Tingjia is feeling better, she'll be welcomed back to the company. Her family's elderly were the first to be deceived, and she was forced to quit due to threats. She was taken to that place afterward. Her grandmother, who raised her, was in poor health but fortunately survived surgery. If anything had happened, I don't know how Tingjia would have coped."
Zhao Manlin had had a bit too much to drink, pouring herself more red wine before offering a toast to Pei Yujang. "Thank you, Yujang. I've had some unwarranted opinions about you in the past, and I apologize. I truly appreciate what you did."
Pei Yujang had heard countless "thank yous" recently, even receiving a banner from a grateful family with the words "Selfless Hero Pei, Your Life-Saving Grace Is Greater Than Heaven's." The banner was proudly displayed at the entrance of Yue Rong, making Pei Yujang cringe. It took a lot of effort to convince the family to take it down.
Zhao Manlin continued to talk about Chen Tingjia's situation. Hearing that Chen was recovering well, Pei Yujang felt genuinely happy for her and clinked glasses with Zhao Manlin.
The two of them had effectively buried the hatchet. Pei Yujang never imagined that she would one day sit and drink with Zhao Manlin, having a pleasant conversation. Zhao Manlin's face was flushed from the alcohol—likely because she had drunk too much and barely touched the food. Ji Lingxian, noticing this, gently patted Zhao Manlin on the shoulder. "Hey, slow down a bit."
Though they had all driven, by the end of the night, only two cars left the restaurant. Ji Lingxian, concerned for Zhao Manlin, decided to take her home first and then return to pick up her car later. Pei Yujang, not wanting to leave Yu Zhiwan alone, brought her into her car.
She bid Ji Lingxian a brief goodbye, not bothering with formalities. At the dinner table, Pei Yujang had openly declared her relationship with Yu Zhiwan, but Ji Lingxian had barely reacted, as if she hadn't heard. Pei Yujang still remembered that.
Inside the car, the two women sat in the back seat. Yu Zhiwan hadn't drunk much, but she was tipsy, clutching a large pillow and breathing softly. Pei Yujang could smell the faint scent of alcohol mixed with Omega pheromones in the air.
Yu Zhiwan wasn't in heat yet—it would be a while before that happened—but Omegas could usually control their pheromones. Having been with an Omega for some time, Pei Yujang knew the signs and deliberately moved closer while pretending to nap.
The ride was quiet, with no conversation, until the auto-pilot finally brought them to the underground garage. The garage was shared between their two homes, as Pei Yujang and Yu Zhiwan were next-door neighbors, and the space had been merged into one.
The scent of Omega pheromones grew stronger, blending with the lingering alcohol, creating a heady aroma like rich, red wine with a hint of roses.
Pei Yujang had actually fallen asleep while pretending to nap and was only woken up by the navigation system's announcement. Groggily, she realized that at some point, she had leaned on Yu Zhiwan's shoulder. When she opened her eyes, the first thing she saw was Yu Zhiwan's white collar, the fabric of her shirt accentuating the gentle rise and fall of her chest.
Pei Yujang appeared unaffected by the close proximity. Leaning in, she softly asked Yu Zhiwan, who seemed to be asleep, "Are you going to keep sleeping in the car, or should I head out?"
As she spoke, the scent of pheromones intensified. Pei Yujang glanced at the back of Yu Zhiwan's neck and noticed that her inhibitor patch had somehow been discreetly removed. Yu Zhiwan, feigning innocence, waited for what would come next.
Hearing the car door open, Yu Zhiwan finally spoke, her voice tinged with a sigh, "It's so hot."
Pei Yujang promptly turned on the air conditioning.
Just as Yu Zhiwan's eyelids fluttered, Pei Yujang suddenly flipped over and pinned her down, her teeth gently catching Yu Zhiwan's delicate earlobe. Warm breath brushed against her cheek as the car's interior quickly heated up.
With a sultry tone, Pei Yujang teased, "Didn't you want me to coax you? Well then, tell me, how would you like to play tonight?"