Chapter 68: Facts Proving She Had a Place in Her Heart

Walking out of the dungeon and breathing in the fresh air, Lu Yixue’s symptoms gradually eased.

Only then did she have the energy to ask Pei Shijin, “How did you end up here?”

“Guan Yueying and You Yi brought me. They were playing with Little Mingzhu in the Children’s Playground in the backyard,” Pei Shijin said.

Lu Yixue: ?

What on earth were those two up to every day? How had they shown up here?

“Let’s go join them.” Lu Yixue tried to stand, but she suddenly realized she was still in Pei Shijin’s arms.

Pei Shijin’s left hand casually patted Lu Yixue’s butt. “Don’t squirm, or you’ll fall.”

With a whoosh, Lu Yixue’s face turned red. It had been over twenty years since anyone had spanked her there.

Her palm felt the full, soft curve, elastic and warm even through the fabric. Pei Shijin zoned out for a moment—she hadn’t had intimate contact with Lu Yixue in a long time.

“I’m fine now. Have you groped enough? Can you put me down?” Lu Yixue tried to keep her voice steady, but the slight tremble and the flush on her cheeks betrayed her inner turmoil.

She craved Pei Shijin’s touch, her caresses, and even deeper collisions.

But clearly, Pei Shijin wouldn’t indulge her. Better to seize the initiative and make Pei Shijin the shy one before she reacted.

“Sorry.” The instinctive action left Pei Shijin extremely embarrassed. Her hand had enjoyed it, but now the person had to walk away.

She quickly set Lu Yixue down, feeling like the black-clad bodyguards nearby with their sunglasses were smirking mockingly.

Pei Shijin glanced around hastily. The bodyguards’ mouths didn’t seem to be upturned, but she couldn’t be sure. She didn’t dare look longer—getting caught would only make it more mortifying.

Lu Yixue’s gaze landed on Pei Shijin’s ear, like a delicate pink seashell, translucent and glistening. The plump, round earlobe glowed red under the sunset, silently radiating temptation.

Her mouth went dry, fingers curling to restrain her impulse. If she took that red pearl between her lips and savored it, would she taste the salty sea breeze to dispel the lingering minty pheromone on her body?

The thought shot through her spine like electricity, making the air around them thick and suffocating.

Pei Shijin keenly caught that almost tangible gaze, scorching enough to make her heart tremble. Yet she didn’t dare meet Lu Yixue’s eyes.

She feared she’d lose control and wrap Lu Yixue up airtight in her own pheromones.

No Alpha could tolerate the scent of another on their beloved Omega.

“Let’s go. Little Mingzhu is still waiting.” Pei Shijin clenched her fists, her forceful restraint making her voice husky.

“Alright.” Lu Yixue reluctantly withdrew her gaze. If no one else were around, she might have really kissed her.

The two walked silently toward the backyard. This was one of the You Family Manors, vast in area.

The mountain breeze carried away the blush from their cheeks, and their heartbeats gradually steadied.

Lu Yixue finally spoke up. “Have you had dinner?”

“I came halfway through eating it.” Pei Shijin tucked back a strand of hair lifted by the breeze, subtly glancing at Lu Yixue.

This kind of casual chat was rare between them.

So everyday…

“Are you hungry?” Pei Shijin asked after a pause.

“Not really. I don’t feel hungry right now.” Luckily, she hadn’t eaten before coming, or she probably would’ve thrown up earlier. Lu Yixue didn’t want Pei Shijin to see her in a wretched state.

Though Pei Shijin had seen all her messes before. Incredibly, she suddenly cared about her image.

“Then, want a few bites?” Pei Shijin wore a sun-protective ice-silk jacket with two modest pockets stuffed with two mille-feuille pastries, a tea egg, and two egg tarts.

“Hm?” Lu Yixue made a puzzled sound. When Pei Shijin pulled out two insulated bags from her jacket pockets, she was utterly shocked.

“Little Mingzhu wanted these. It’s our dinner.” Pei Shijin had said she came halfway through dinner, which could mean she’d brought some for herself to continue eating.

Lu Yixue thought of that too. “It doesn’t look like much. If I eat it, won’t you go hungry?”

Their eyes met. Pei Shijin seemed to see a test in Lu Yixue’s gaze. She pursed her lips. “I brought it for you.”

“Thanks.” Lu Yixue was delighted. She knew Pei Shijin had her in her heart.

But knowing it in her heart and having even a small fact prove it were two different kinds of joy.

So on the way to the backyard, Lu Yixue walked and ate at the same time.

She wanted to chat more, but with her mouth full, she couldn’t speak clearly. Fine, eat first.

After about fifteen minutes, they finally spotted the Children’s Playground Pei Shijin had mentioned.

Lu Yixue had been here once, long ago, when You Yi and You Ling were little—their mother had built it for them.

The You Family hadn’t had new young ones in years, yet the facilities were still there, well-maintained, and even expanded.

Little Mingzhu was whooping as she slid down the slide. Guan Yueying sat behind her, arms outstretched, yelling like a kid. So childish, Lu Yixue thought.

“Mommy! Mama!” Little Mingzhu spotted them first and waved enthusiastically.

Lu Yixue waved back. They waited at the slide’s exit.

Pei Shijin was quick and strong. As Little Mingzhu neared the end, she scooped her off mid-slide. The excited girl let out purring roars. “Mama is so awesome!”

Leaving Guan Yueying to slide down alone. Even with the padding, it didn’t hurt, but alone, she looked a bit silly.

“Hey, hey, hey, stealing kids now?” Guan Yueying grumbled, hands on hips.

Lu Yixue shot her a sideways glance. “Thanks.”

Guan Yueying: ?

Oh, was this resentment for bringing Pei Shijin over?

Tch, clueless woman when it came to strategy. How could she face her wife and rival alone in a tryst like this!

Whether Lu Yixue remembered or not, Guan Yueying did—there had been a child betrothal between their families, and Bai Mingsong had liked Lu Yixue a lot.

She wasn’t close with Bai Mingsong. When Bai Mingsong first returned to the country, she’d tried prying about Lu Yixue, but after Guan Yueying brushed her off, they hadn’t contacted again.

No gratitude was one thing, but glaring? Guan Yueying glared fiercely back at Lu Yixue.

Lu Yixue happened to turn away, missing it, but Pei Shijin saw clearly.

Guan Yueying quickly looked away, whistling at the sky to play it off.

Pei Shijin didn’t dwell on it. “Sorry, I didn’t think it through. Thanks for playing with Little Mingzhu.”

“No problem. We’re all playing together—what’s ‘accompanying’?” Pei Shijin’s politeness made Guan Yueying a bit sheepish. “You guys done with whatever?”

She wasn’t clear on the details, just that today while playing in the Manor with You Yi, a bunch of people had flooded in, some captured.

She’d recognized Bai Mingsong among them, saw Lu Yixue arrive, asked around a bit, and immediately fetched Pei Shijin.

“Not quite. A little mishap.” Lu Yixue gave a brief answer, but clammed up when Guan Yueying pressed.

“Half-talking, choking on food!” Guan Yueying cursed bitterly.

Cough cough. Lu Yixue, about to bite into a mille-feuille, was speechless. “Watch your mouth in front of the kid!”

Looking down, Little Mingzhu’s eyes sparkled. “Mommy, Mingzhu’s grown up now.”

Hinting she wanted to hear too. She might not understand, but human gossip instinct didn’t fade with age.

Guan Yueying guiltily looked away. She’d forgotten the child was there.

“Wanna play more?” Pei Shijin changed the subject. “Slide with Mommy like last time, okay?”

“Yay, yay!” Slides were way more fun than stuff she didn’t get.

“Now can you spill?” Guan Yueying eyed the egg tart in Lu Yixue’s hand wistfully. She was hungry too—what to eat later?

“Curb your curiosity. Don’t you know what it did to the cat?” Lu Yixue glanced askance.

Guan Yueying rolled her eyes. “I’m not a cat. Look, if you wanna catch her, don’t hide seeing her rival from her.”

“What rival? I didn’t hide it from Pei Shijin—she just didn’t come catch them with me.” Lu Yixue briefly recapped for Guan Yueying. “Bai Mingsong wanted to harm Pei Shijin. We caught it in time, but she escaped the first grab, leading to this capture.”

“That doesn’t add up,” Guan Yueying said suspiciously. “When did Bai Mingsong get so capable? And five people captured—she’s got no power or money. Who’d die for her?”

“That’s not for you to be curious about.” Lu Yixue shut it down.

“Tch.” Guan Yueying poked Lu Yixue’s shoulder indignantly. “I’m ‘sweetie’ when you need me, but ‘don’t be curious’ when you don’t. How are you so scummy?”

Lu Yixue: …

“Tell me. Three cobblers make a Zhuge Liang. I’m not the smartest, but I’ve seen it all.” Guan Yueying thumped her chest proudly. “I’ve read tons, witnessed thousands of schemes.”

“If you don’t tell me, I’ll investigate myself and cause disaster.”

Lu Yixue fell silent, then spoke after a long moment. “Remember when I was kidnapped?”

“Uh… yeah.” Guan Yueying swallowed. “Not related to that, is it?”

“These five are from that organization.” Lu Yixue showed her the USB drive briefly before pocketing it. “Lu Lingjiang won’t let me near the other four. Have You Yi arrange a chance—I need to see them.”

Guan Yueying’s eyes widened, feeling duped. “So you’re in the ‘don’t be curious’ club too.”

She took a deep breath and schemed for Lu Yixue’s pursuit. “You tell Pei Shijin?”

Lu Yixue: “No, too dangerous.”

“Tch, perfect pity play wasted. Sell some misery, make her ache for you!” Guan Yueying recalled helping Lu Yixue play pitiful at the therapist last time and winced. “Plus, Bai Mingsong hates her—she’s already involved. Hiding it risks trouble.”

Lu Yixue frowned. “Let me think.”

If telling, it’d be from the start.

After Little Mingzhu and Pei Shijin came down, the little one tugged Lu Yixue to slide together. Lu Yixue experienced it again.

Sliding fast in the breeze, she saw Pei Shijin looking up from below and couldn’t help smiling.

All worries seemed to scatter with the wind.

The three adults and one child played a bit longer before moving indoors.

Once Little Mingzhu fell asleep, Pei Shijin said she wanted to see Bai Mingsong. “I can go alone.”

“I’ll go with you. You can enter alone; I’ll wait outside,” Lu Yixue said.

“Go ahead then. I’m off to game.” Guan Yueying winked at Lu Yixue—don’t hesitate, execute the pity plan fully.

Clear winds, bright moon, twinkling stars. Lu Yixue and Pei Shijin walked side by side.

“What do you want to tell me?” Pei Shijin asked.

“I’m hesitating.” Lu Yixue hadn’t expected Pei Shijin to notice, let alone ask outright. She decided on honesty.

Compared to before, when Pei Shijin would’ve played mute around her, she’d grown a lot.

“Alright, hesitate away.” Though she said that, Pei Shijin wasn’t truly pleased.

Being kept in the dark, for any reason, wasn’t pleasant.