Chapter 9

Pei Tiancheng had been abroad for half a month, and Pei Linmao was kept away by his mother-in-law’s illness for days on end. Pei Songxi knew this was her chance to send Yu Mian away.

She had Wei Yi search everywhere for information on Yu Mian’s family, but as before, the effort came up empty.

Everything about the girl was a blank sheet — every trace wiped clean.

Late that night, Wei Yi called, a faint weariness in her voice. “I’m sorry, President Pei… I failed the task you gave me.”

Pei Songxi was disappointed, though she had expected it. “Understood. Starting tomorrow, look for adoptive families. Middle income, ideally a teacher’s household, gentle temperament, upright character… and…”

She couldn’t go on, because Yu Mian had pushed open the door and heard her speaking.

“I have something now. I’ll call you back later.”

Pei Songxi set down the phone and walked to the doorway. “Mianmian. I’ve found people to adopt you. Is that all right?”

Yu Mian stared at her blankly, then nodded.

She said nothing. But she was good.

In the end, Pei Songxi chose a middle-school teacher’s family. Husband and wife were both teachers, mild and upright; they had one son and had always wanted a daughter.

She went to meet the couple once and talked with them.

The husband was gracious and refined, every word steeped in a scholar’s air. The wife was elegant and poised. “Rest assured. We’ve seen Yu Mian’s photo and we’re very fond of the little girl. Our son wants a little sister too. We’ll raise her well.”

Pei Songxi had already reviewed every piece of information on the family before coming, along with what their neighbors, relatives, and colleagues said of them. Meeting them now, her impression was acceptable — so she decided: this was the family.

The morning Yu Mian left, a fine drizzle drifted down from the sky.

Auntie Zhang, looking mournful, packed the clothes and shoes into her schoolbag. The big bag she’d arrived with was stuffed full; the later pale-blue one she clutched in her hands. She wore the Pink Bunny Coat, her little face buried in the collar, impossible to tell whether she was crying.

Pei Songxi stood by the window.

Wei Yi was already waiting downstairs, holding the car door open. She first placed the big schoolbag in the back seat, then reached out for the small one — and was gently refused.

Yu Mian hugged the little schoolbag tight to her chest, as if it were some treasure.

She walked out step by step, without looking back.

Pei Songxi let out a long breath.

This was only the beginning. Send Yu Mian away first, then settle the adoption paperwork; by the time her father returned, everything would be settled… He probably wouldn’t fall out with her completely over this.

The White Lexus started up and glided away like a fish, vanishing from sight in moments.

The little girl who used to trail after her secretly, tug at her sleeve, and giggle behind her hand — she was gone from her life now, just like that.

She couldn’t stay by her side forever.

Even if she could give her material comfort, she was not a warm-hearted, emotionally healthy adult. She was unfit to keep the child company, unfit to watch her grow up.

The moment of meeting was also the moment of parting.

…

Half a month later.

Pei Tiancheng came home, having just closed a major deal, in excellent spirits. He phoned his son. “Linmao, come home for dinner tonight. Bring Little Yuan too.”

Pei Linmao had been busy flying in experts from home and abroad for his mother-in-law, but after days of rescue efforts she hadn’t made it. He’d only just finished the funeral arrangements; by the time he got home it was dark, and he looked exhausted. “Father. You all eat. I’m going up to rest.”

Ding Mei was still at her family’s home and hadn’t returned, leaving the house somewhat desolate. Pei Zhiyuan clambered onto a chair with his little legs. “Grandpa, Auntie.”

Pei Tiancheng swept him up into his arms with a smile. “What’s this? Have they worn our Little Yuan out?”

Pei Zhiyuan pulled a long face and nodded. “Mama kept crying, and watching her cry, I couldn’t stop crying either.”

“There, there, no more crying. Grandpa bought you a present from abroad — it’s in your room. Go look in a bit, okay?”

“Wow! Yes! Thank you, Grandpa!”

Pei Zhiyuan’s spirits lifted. He scrambled down — then suddenly asked, “Huh? Where’s Yu Mian?”

Pei Tiancheng’s brow creased, a hint of severity in his eyes as he looked at Pei Songxi. “Why wasn’t the child called down for dinner?”

Pei Songxi set down her chopsticks, her expression indifferent. “I sent her away.”

“What?!” Pei Zhiyuan cried out first. “Auntie! She doesn’t even have a papa or mama — where did you send her?”

Pei Tiancheng’s temper began to kindle. “Auntie Zhang, take Zhiyuan upstairs.”

Pei Zhiyuan looked at Pei Songxi pleadingly. “Auntie…”

Pei Songxi stroked his chubby little hand. “Be good. Go on up.”

Once only father and daughter remained in the living room, Pei Tiancheng’s patience snapped. He slammed a hand on the table. “Pei Songxi! Have you no respect left?! What, I go abroad and you start scheming behind my back? What did that child ever do to you, that you can’t stand the sight of her?”

Pei Songxi lowered her eyes. “I don’t like children. Too noisy. Just like Mother used to.”

“You—”

Pei Tiancheng suddenly went silent, as if he’d brushed against a topic that could not be spoken of. He paced the living room several times before his emotions barely steadied. “Why bring up your mother… Fine. I know you can’t stand noise. But a child that small — throwing her out like that, aren’t you just sending her to her death?”

Pei Songxi wiped her hands slowly and methodically with a hot towel. “I had Wei Yi find a couple to adopt her.”

Pei Tiancheng’s expression eased slightly. “Well… that works. I’ll have Xu Zhong go over later and help you finalize the adoption papers.”

His daughter was cold by nature and disliked outsiders — he had always known that. Sending the child away was fine too… just an ordinary family; he’d have people watching her around the clock. However she hopped and skipped, she’d stay within his line of sight, unable to stir up any real trouble.

Arguing with her further would only ruin the household’s peace over an outsider.

Pei Songxi kept her cool, indifferent posture, rising and leaving the living room as if nothing in the world concerned her. “Mm. Understood.”

The autumn rain grew cold.

She handled her work as usual, read half a volume of history, then lay down in bed, falling asleep to the patter of rain.

Yet she kept waking in the small hours.

In a daze, she kept feeling that some little creature had slipped into her room carrying a glass of warm milk, insisting she take a sip. Because… because sweet things should be shared with the person you like…

A thunderclap outside the window.

Pei Songxi snapped awake. The Diptyque Candle she’d lit before bed was still burning, a small orange flame flickering in the darkness, carrying a faint milky scent — perhaps that was the taste of the milk in her dream.

She shuffled to the window in her slippers and checked the time.

Half past three in the morning.

Lately she always seemed to wake at this hour, and even the Sleeping Pills were useless.

She rubbed her brow lightly, made up her mind to text Wei Yi — then deleted it.

Tomorrow… she would go see for herself.