Guo Momo was going abroad, He figured that was why Pei Jianguo had come over.
"Come in and talk," Know Xia glanced at him and walked into the yard first.
Pei Jianguo followed after her.
In the living room, Know Xia poured a glass of water for herself out of courtesy, and also poured one for him, "What did you come to talk to me about?"
She sat across from him, wearing an apricot pleated dress, her brows and eyes curving with a smiling expression, appearing even more gentle and amiable.
"You already knew that Guo Momo was going abroad, right?" Pei Jianguo's tone was full of questioning.
He had only found out when he went to the school today. The matter had already been decided more than 10 days ago, yet Guo Momo had never mentioned it in front of him.
He even suspected that if he hadn't found out by chance, would she have just left without a word, leaving him to foolishly look for her like an idiot before finally learning that she had gone abroad, abandoning him.
"I didn't know she had made this decision either. I only learned about it from others after the school posted the openings," Know Xia didn't want to meddle in their marital affairs anymore. The bit of sympathy she had felt for Guo Momo had also completely disappeared with this turn of events.
Their relationship wasn't that close to begin with.
"What are you pretending for?" Pei Jianguo suddenly angrily stood up, looking at her with an expression like he wanted to devour her, "Auntie Know, I know I offended you before, and you look down on me too, but it's not like we have a deep hatred for each other, right? It was you who incited Guo Momo to go to university in the first place. Ever since she started university, she has become more and more confident, and looks down on me too. You two are always together, going to school, eating meals, everything is done together. And you're telling me you didn't know she was going abroad? Who are you trying to fool? Know Xia, what great enmity and resentment lies between us that you want to destroy my family? You've always doted on PingAn, what will he do with his mother gone?"
Know Xia looked at Pei Jianguo's angry expression and said, "Pei Jianguo, Guo Momo going to university wasn't incited by me, she had always had this idea and ability herself. Otherwise, do you think I have the power to make her listen to everything I say? Also, what you said about us always being together is pure nonsense. She is your wife, and as an elder, do you think I could chase her away whenever she comes over? Can we talk reasonably?"
Zhang's wife had already gone next door to call for reinforcements when Pei Jianguo started yelling at Know Xia.
Su Ying had gone to the shop after splitting up with Know Xia. The old master and madam came at just the right time.
"What's with all this clamoring? Don't you feel ashamed? If there's something to discuss, then sit down and talk nicely," the old master came in scolding.
Pei Jianguo had grown up in this neighborhood ever since he was little, and since the two families' masters had a good relationship, he was also considered to have been watched over by Master An as he grew up.
His original bravado instantly deflated when the old master came in.
"Sorry, Master An, I was too impulsive," Pei Jianguo also regained his senses.
The old master sat down in a nearby chair and advised, "Jianguo, I watched you grow up, although you're not my real grandson, but you know clearly how I feel about you. No matter what, no matter how things are, she is your elder. You can't yell at her like this even if you have come to me and I'll handle things for you. It would be embarrassing if others heard about this."
"I know I was wrong. I didn't control my emotions well, Master An. I won't disturb you any further, I'll take my leave," Pei Jianguo responded woodenly.
Perhaps he also realized clearly in his heart that this matter had nothing to do with Know Xia. He simply needed an outlet to vent the unpleasant feelings in his heart.
The news of Guo Momo leaving had hit him too hard, making it difficult for him to bear at the moment.
He also couldn't understand why, after all the efforts they had made to be together initially, something Pei Jianguo had decided firmly for the first time, bravely defying Wang Yue's control, they had been so happy then, agreeing that he would provide while she would take care of the household. But how did things become like this now?
He knew she resented him for forgiving Wang Yue and Pei Shuangshuang, but they were his mother and sister. PingAn was already like this, how could he resent them for life?
Besides, they also knew they were wrong now, and were doing their best to make amends to PingAn. It was Guo Momo who insisted on keeping PingAn from his grandmother and aunt, refusing to accept their apologies, yet she turned around and blamed him for putting all the pressure of raising their child on her.
But what else could he do?
He had to work during the day, it's not like he could bring the child along, right?
Wang Yue had advised him to divorce Guo Momo and find another wife who could give birth, to have a healthy son. But he didn't agree, did he?
Pei Jianguo walked alone on the street, unable to figure out these issues no matter how he tried.
Returning to the pitch black home, the scene made his heart ache.
They had fought again today, so she had taken PingAn to stay on campus instead of coming home.
He couldn't remember how long it had been since they sat down nicely to have a meal together and chat about their troubles.
He had clearly started to compromise, and learned to defer to her, insisting on picking her and PingAn up every day. But her attitude remained cold as always, even when they slept together it was purely perfunctory.
Sometimes, he could even clearly see the disgust revealed in her eyes.
She really didn't love him anymore, and wanted to escape from him, even abandoning the PingAn she loved most.
After a long, long time, Pei Jianguo finally had to accept this fact.
They had gotten a divorce certificate, because Wang Yue said she would be gone for years without returning, they couldn't let her son keep waiting.
Guo Momo was more than happy to agree, so she was very decisive.
Pei Jianguo had always cared about face, naturally he was unwilling to cling on stubbornly.
PingAn couldn't go abroad. Looking at the child he had desperately fought to birth and raise with his own hands for years, Guo Momo wept uncontrollably.
She would never be able to have children again, this was possibly the only child she would have in her life, so parting was naturally difficult.
But going abroad was also her only chance.
Life now was too hopeless. Sometimes when she brought PingAn home, passing by the riverside, she even thought that she only needed to stop and hold her child as she jumped in, and mother and son could both be free from misery.
Yet she still lacked the courage. As long as you're alive, who really wants to die?
She didn't want to continue tormenting each other with Pei Jianguo. She wanted to leave this place. She wanted to make something of herself. She wanted to make all those who looked down on her regret it.
She also thought, Wang Yue and her daughter should pay the price.
Why should they be able to live well and continue driving a wedge between her and her family after harming her and PingAn to this extent?
One day, she would return, and realize all these ideas in her heart one by one.
PingAn, wait for your mother to come back.
By then, the two of us will definitely have the best life. I will make it up to you then.
Endure for a while more. With so many people in the Pei family, they won't watch you suffer.
Just hold on for a few more years, everything will be better.
