The day after Guo Momo left, Zhi Xia received a letter at noon. Her roommate delivered it to her, along with 1000 yuan tucked inside.
Dear Xiaoshen,
By the time you receive this letter, I should have already left.
I'm truly sorry. I know I'm selfish, and it must be disgusting and annoying. I don't expect you to forgive me, but I hope you can take care of PingAn for me. I'm truly begging you...
...
When Zhi Xia finished reading the letter, she didn't know what to say. However, Guo Momo was right about one thing – she was indeed quite selfish.
Why didn't she talk to her face-to-face about taking care of PingAn? Was she afraid of rejection?
No, she was employing emotional blackmail.
Leaving behind this letter and 1000 yuan, not even giving her a chance to refuse.
If Zhi Xia ignored it, then from a moral standpoint, she would be at fault. If she took care of PingAn, it would align with Guo Momo's intentions.
Guo Momo was pitiful and helpless, and the child was also pitiful.
But does anyone else have the responsibility or obligation to take care of her child?
It's truly laughable.
However, one had to admit that Guo Momo was indeed shrewd.
If it wasn't for meeting Pei Jianguo, this foolish guy, she probably wouldn't have ended up living like this.
This 1000 yuan was not a small amount. Besides being able to emotionally blackmail her, she could use it to justify herself in the future when she returned from abroad and faced a mature PingAn. At least she could claim that she hadn't neglected PingAn and that she had entrusted someone to take care of him.
But Zhi Xia was truly disgusted by her behavior.
After returning home, Zhi Xia immediately called Pei Jing and asked him to contact Pei Yong to come back.
If she handed over this 1000 yuan to Pei Jianguo, it would probably be like feeding meat buns to a dog. The only person in the big house whom she could rely on and trust was Pei Yong.
Pei Jianguo had such a personality, and Wang Yue also played a significant role. If PingAn were left to her care, without Old Pei and others overseeing, who knows what kind of person he would become.
After hanging up the phone, Zhi Xia asked Grandfather, "Grandpa, I want to install a telephone in my place too. It would be more convenient for us to stay in touch. I just wonder if there are any requirements besides the cost?"
Zhi Xia had been thinking about this for a while, and it was the same with Hu Zhou and the others. They needed to keep in touch regularly, and each time they had to come over here, although the place wasn't far, it became inconvenient over time.
"The requirements aren't as strict as before, but I think it's a bit wasteful to install another telephone. It's also troublesome. Otherwise, let someone from the post office come over and install an extension in your place?" Grandfather jokingly said to her, "You use it more, so it's only fair that you pay a bit more for the phone bill in the future."
Grandmother couldn't help but laugh at his words. "You're so calculating. She's your own granddaughter, and you still care about the phone bill?"
Grandfather blushed, "I'm just joking with the child. But with you meddling, it sounds like it's real."
"I know Grandpa is joking," Zhi Xia agreed, "Grandpa, Grandma, then I'll go back first."
As soon as she left, the smile on the old lady's face disappeared instantly, replaced by a trace of worry. "I never realized before that this boy JianGuo couldn't handle things so well. It's not just about marrying a wife, he can't even live his own life properly. And now he's getting involved with ZhiXia. A few days ago, Pei JianGuo even inexplicably complained to ZhiXia. Guo Momo is even worse, leaving and leaving behind such a big trouble for ZhiXia."
That 1,000 yuan was not meant for ZhiXia, but to control her. It was overly shrewd, and they didn't stop to think about it. If you have difficulties, it's better to ask others nicely, and maybe they'll help you. Who would willingly help when they're forced to do so?
"Say a few less words. Fortunately, Pei Yong can still manage things. Now we just have to wait for him to come back," the old master thought. Thankfully, that old man died early. If he lived a few more years and saw the confused things his beloved grandson did, who knows how angry he would have been.
Sometimes, it's fortunate to have a clean break and die altogether.
Pei Yong came back in the middle of the night, brought back by Pei Jing in his car.
The few times he came back, he stayed on this side. There are more houses here, enough for him to stay.
But this time, as soon as he got out of the car, he headed straight to Pei JianGuo's side.
ZhiXia asked Pei Jing, "Why did you come back too?"
"There's nothing much going on these days, and I was planning to take a few days off anyway. Since Big Brother was worried about the family, I went to pick him up." Pei Jing's main concern was still about the 1,000 yuan matter, afraid that ZhiXia would feel unhappy.
To be precise, these matters originally had nothing to do with ZhiXia. It was because of his own reasons that they became involved and implicated her.
Deep down, Pei Jing felt a profound sense of guilt.
Holding ZhiXia's hand, it took a lot of effort to coax away a group of children who had come over.
The two of them walked into the house, and Pei Jing said, "ZhiXia, Pei JianGuo's matters will be handled by Big Brother from now on. I'm sorry for involving you again."
"There's no need to apologize. It's not your fault," ZhiXia smiled and said, "Since Big Brother is back, let me give you the 1,000 yuan. When you have time, please pass it on to Big Brother."
Pei Jing nodded in agreement, and ZhiXia went to get him some pajamas and asked him to take a bath first.
In Pei JianGuo's house, the weak cries of the child continued, and it was clear that his throat was already hoarse.
PingAn was lying on the floor in the living room, and Pei JianGuo walked back and forth in irritation, while Wang Yue was exhausted.
Pei Shuangshuang frowned as she looked at PingAn and complained, "Will he ever stop? He's been crying since yesterday, crying when he wakes up, crying when he's awake. I really can't stand it anymore. Mom, Brother, you take care of him yourselves. I'm going back home. If I don't rest soon, I won't have the energy to go to work."
"Then go back quickly. It's late, so be careful on the road."
After Guo Momo left, Wang Yue was initially excited. Although PingAn didn't meet her expectations, he was still her own grandson, and she didn't intend to ignore him.
But the prolonged crying made her exhausted. Neither her son nor daughter could help, and she was left to comfort him all by herself.
At this moment, she couldn't coax him anymore, so she let him lie on the ground and cry as he pleased.
"Ah... Mom... Mama..."
This was PingAn's first time speaking. On the second day after Guo Momo left, he finally called out for his mother.
Although his hoarse voice made his words sound jagged, it was still a good start.
Unfortunately, she didn't hear it.
Wang Yue, however, was filled with excitement. "Jianguo, did you hear PingAn talking?"
Pei Jianguo abruptly halted his pacing and walked briskly to PingAn's side, crouching down. "PingAn, can you speak now? Can you speak now?"
His emotions were visibly stirred, as he lifted the child in his arms, his face showing a mix of tears and smiles.
If their son could really speak, then he wouldn't be disabled anymore. That would be wonderful.
"PingAn, say it again. Say it again for Daddy to hear..." Pei Jianguo finally coaxed the child with a bit more patience.
