Pei Shijin looked at her daughter’s watery big eyes, her mind racing. “Auntie Zonghui has been having nightmares lately and needs Mama to accompany her. Otherwise, could Little Mingzhu come stay with Mama?”
“Ah, then what about Mommy?” Lu Mingzhu was deeply tempted. She was just a little kid who wanted her mama, after all.
Pei Shijin turned to Lu Yixue, her dark eyes sparkling with rare liveliness. “The house is small and can’t fit your mommy, and besides, your mommy likes living alone.”
Lu Yixue: …
She smiled. “That’s fine. You two haven’t seen each other in a few days, so Mingzhu can sleep with her mama tonight.”
Pei Shijin suspiciously eyed Lu Yixue from the corner of her eye. What trick is this woman trying to pull?
But since Lu Yixue didn’t make any further fuss to claim something for herself, Pei Shijin happily accepted the opportunity to take her daughter home for the night.
Soon, their number was called, and Pei Shijin led the two to pick up their food.
The basin-sized bowl stood out like a crane among chickens amid all the small bowls, impossible to miss.
Pei Shijin couldn’t help but chuckle at the huge serving of spicy hot pot. She’d thought it would be split into two or three bowls, but the shop had prepared such a massive one.
It might also be for a big family wanting to share, Pei Shijin reasoned, and she couldn’t help glancing at Lu Yixue with a smile once more.
Lu Yixue smiled indulgently.
The smile made Pei Shijin feel utterly uncomfortable all over, and she hurriedly carried her portion and Little Mingzhu’s back to the table.
The bowl was a bit heavy for a child, and the soup was still hot, so Pei Shijin didn’t dare let Little Mingzhu carry it herself.
Little Mingzhu stuck close to Pei Shijin’s leg, tilting her little head back and sniffing eagerly with her nose. “It smells so good~”
Her adorable, greedy kitten expression made Pei Shijin temporarily forget Lu Yixue’s earlier smile.
She felt envious and yearning when it wasn’t directed at her, but once it was, it felt unfamiliar and awkward all over.
Later, when Pei Shijin was alone, she pondered for a long time and barely came up with a reason: that smile and gaze were just like the ones they gave Little Mingzhu—like she was treating her like a child.
“Do you need small bowls?” Lu Yixue returned to the table with the large bowl, not sitting down but proactively asking.
She noticed that other tables’ patrons had taken small bowls to portion out the food, which helped it cool faster and reduced the chance of splashing hot soup.
“Yes, and spoons too.” Pei Shijin paused before voicing her needs.
“Chopsticks, Mama forgot to say chopsticks~” Little Mingzhu eagerly raised her hand to add.
Pei Shijin pinched the little one’s cheek. “Our Little Mingzhu is the smart one.”
“Hee hee.” The little one proudly put her hands on her hips. I’m so awesome~
“Got it.” Lu Yixue nodded and turned toward the disinfection cabinet.
Pei Shijin watched Lu Yixue’s back and felt she seemed a bit unfamiliar.
The Eldest Young Lady in this humble spicy hot pot shop, proactively fetching bowls and chopsticks for them—if someone had told her in the past that Lu Yixue would do something like this, Pei Shijin would have immediately checked her pulse to see if she’d lost her mind.
Pei Shijin watched as Lu Yixue bent down at the disinfection cabinet, inspecting it closely as if searching for a button, but finding none.
After all, the cabinets at the Eldest Young Lady’s home were all one-touch or even automatic sensor-activated.
Her lips curved into a smile, and she patted Little Mingzhu. “Go remind your mommy—she can just pull open the cabinet door.”
Little Mingzhu trotted over with quick steps to relay the message. Lu Yixue turned her head, her eyes still holding that smile.
Her lips moved, but Pei Shijin didn’t catch the sound—maybe a thank you?
With preparations complete before the meal, Pei Shijin portioned some into a small bowl for Little Mingzhu. “Dig in.”
She didn’t look at Lu Yixue, burying her head in her own slow chewing, only occasionally checking on Little Mingzhu.
After watching for a bit, Lu Yixue realized she wouldn’t get any eye contact from Pei Shijin, so she started eating too.
The first piece she picked was beef, its odd texture making her brows furrow slightly.
Is this really beef?
After trying a second piece, Lu Yixue decisively gave up and sought other meats.
But the texture and taste of all the meats were indescribably off. Thinking of their price, Lu Yixue let it go and focused on the vegetables.
The vegetables had no vegetable flavor at all, her mouth dominated by numbing spiciness. Without looking, Lu Yixue couldn’t even tell what she was eating.
She watched Pei Shijin and Mingzhu eating with relish, wondering if her sense of taste was just off for this flavor.
“Mingzhu, can Mommy try a piece of broccoli from your bowl?” Lu Yixue looked at Little Mingzhu’s bowl; the orange-red soup looked bright and warm—probably tasty.
“Sure, sure! Mingzhu will pick it for you.” Little Mingzhu felt a surge of mission to safely deliver the broccoli to Mommy’s bowl!
Lu Yixue thanked her. “Thank you.”
Moments later, the broccoli in her mouth struck again. Is this what tomato flavor is supposed to taste like?
Lu Yixue wondered if years of steak and coffee had warped her taste buds.
She ate in silence until she was about seventy percent full, then set down her chopsticks.
Pei Shijin looked up to see Lu Yixue sucking on sour plum juice from the dinosaur cup, her lips glossy red and plump.
Glancing lower, about a quarter of the large bowl’s contents were gone.
“All done?” Pei Shijin asked.
Lu Yixue nodded.
“Go to the counter and buy a takeout box—one yuan each.” Pei Shijin reminded her.
“Mm.” Lu Yixue glanced at Pei Shijin’s bowl—it was scraped clean, with even some soup drunk.
Little Mingzhu’s bowl only had scraps left too, no need to pack.
“What about Ms. Song’s dinner?” Lu Yixue asked.
Pei Shijin hadn’t expected her to remember. “I’ve handled it—ordered takeout online for her.”
Lu Yixue nodded and stood to buy the takeout boxes at the counter.
Pei Shijin watched as Lu Yixue packed two pieces of meat into the boxes and couldn’t help smiling.
These little shops had cheap prices, so the meat quality was naturally poor. A single steak Lu Yixue usually ate cost more than everything in the shop.
Pei Shijin was a bit curious how she’d deal with them.
Carrying things to the night market would be inconvenient, especially the palace lantern which could easily get crushed, so Pei Shijin suggested dropping everything off at home first.
Little Mingzhu had empty hands and an empty bag, her water cup drained too—nothing to drop off.
Lu Yixue had three takeout boxes, though, so she did need to head home.
She was exceptionally understanding today. “Mingzhu, go with your mama. We’ll meet at the flower bed between our buildings.”
Lu Mingzhu hugged her mama’s leg. “Okay~”
Who knew how long they could stay here? She had to seize every chance to stick close to Mama~
Pei Shijin once again suspected this woman had been swapped out. Lu Yixue had always been considerate—as long as she noticed a need, she’d fulfill it.
The key was, unless you danced in her face, she rarely noticed needs proactively.
But today, so many little details—the sour plum juice, the utility pole, the bowls and chopsticks, Song Zonghui’s dinner, and her longing for Little Mingzhu… Lu Yixue had spotted them all on her own.
It was as if she’d focused all her energy on them, her sharp observation skills working at full capacity.
Pei Shijin felt deeply uneasy. At this rate, she couldn’t resist her growing greed.
Even if Lu Yixue was acting out of pity, sympathy, or charity, it was all directed at her—who could resist sinking into such exclusive gentleness?
It was like arsenic coated in honey—sweet even as you swallowed it.
Pei Shijin could only remind herself they weren’t suitable. Loving her meant protecting her, content as long as she was healthy and happy.
“Mama, what’s wrong? You seem unhappy.” In the elevator, Little Mingzhu suddenly tugged Pei Shijin’s hand and asked.
The little one’s upturned eyes held only genuine concern.
Pei Shijin smiled. “Mama’s not unhappy, just thinking about things.”
“What is Mama thinking about?” Little Mingzhu asked curiously.
“Mama has to prepare for an experience-sharing talk soon, and I’m a bit scared of speaking on stage.” Pei Shijin shared one of her recent worries.
Little Mingzhu patted Pei Shijin’s hand. “Mama needs to practice more. Teacher says as long as—as long as you master the knowledge, you won’t be scared~”
“Haha, okay, Mama will work hard.” With such a sweet little cotton candy by her side, Pei Shijin’s heart melted soft, leaving no room for worry.
Back at the rental, Song Zonghui lounged on the sofa, munching small bites of spicy hot pot while watching a variety show. The air was thick with spicy aroma.
Little Mingzhu sneezed as soon as she entered. “So… so spicy.”
Song Zonghui was sweating and sniffling from the spice too. “That’s the point—spicy is the thrill.”
Pei Shijin squeezed Little Mingzhu’s hand. “Don’t copy her; it’s not good for your health.”
“Okay, Mingzhu will focus on wellness.” Little Mingzhu eyed Song Zonghui’s hot pot and swallowed, making Song Zonghui grin.
Kids really were the cutest creatures on earth.
“I’m taking Little Mingzhu to the night market, and we’ll stay here tonight. Air out the place after you eat.” Pei Shijin placed the palace lantern in the bedroom and grabbed two bottles of juice from the fridge.
Little Mingzhu opened her little backpack. “Mama, Mama, put it in my bag. Mingzhu will carry it.”
“So capable—our Little Mingzhu is amazing!” Pei Shijin lavished praise, making Little Mingzhu beam with pride.
Kids should help out adults more~
After heading downstairs, they hadn’t gone far when they spotted Lu Yixue by the flower bed, gazing at the sunset.
She’d changed clothes, swapping the soiled suit for a white T-shirt and black pants—exactly matching Pei Shijin’s colors.
Even the T-shirts had a small embroidered flower over the heart, one blue and one red. At a glance, they looked like a couple’s outfit.
Sunset light bathed Lu Yixue, making her seem so soft, as if all her sharp edges had been smoothed away.
This was the first time Pei Shijin had seen Lu Yixue change out of her semi-permanent suit in a non-essential setting. What did it mean?
Pei Shijin couldn’t guess and didn’t want to.
Without the power to dictate Lu Yixue’s actions, she could only quietly accept.
Anyway, she enjoyed it sometimes.
Pei Shijin led Little Mingzhu over. Lu Yixue turned only when they approached, revealing a beautiful smile. “Where’s the night market? How do we get there?”
“Walking takes twenty minutes; there’s a bus right outside the complex—five minutes.” Pei Shijin said.
Lu Yixue stared into her eyes. “How do you want to go?”
“Walk—it’ll help digest, and the night market has lots of snacks.” Pei Shijin replied, though the Eldest Young Lady probably wouldn’t like those snacks.
Lu Yixue had no objections. “Let’s walk.”
She quite liked strolling as a family of three, though a car would be more convenient.
On her day off, she’d ask Pei Shijin to go car shopping—Lu Yixue was pleased to have found another date excuse.
