Pei Sheng glanced at her and said, “Of course big brother will speak for his wife’s matters. We shouldn’t gossip behind her back either, lest we set a bad example for the children.”
Jiang Su was unafraid of him. “I’m deliberately teaching my daughter this way. That saves her from being unable to tell people from ghosts like her father in the future.”
Because of the matter with his eldest daughter going to the countryside, Pei Sheng had completely lost face at home. Hearing this, he could only stroke his nose and didn’t dare touch on that sore spot again.
Pei Xiang laughed aloud and asked Jiang Su, “Mom, I just discovered earlier that Zhi Xia was sleeping in my bed and had put her quilt on top of mine. It smelled really nice. If I asked her what made it so fragrant, would others think I was coveting her things?”
She hadn’t thought of this point earlier. But now with the matter of her aunt-in-law, she instantly felt it wasn’t right. After all, she and Zhi Xia weren’t very familiar with each other yet.
Jiang Su was very satisfied that her daughter had this line of thinking. It showed that this child didn’t like taking advantage of others. “There’s nothing wrong with coveting another’s things. The main thing is that you can’t be stingy yourself. Reciprocal exchange between friends is called mutual benefit. As long as you grasp this degree, it’s fine.”
Later, Jiang Su sighed with some melancholy as she asked Pei Sheng, “Earlier I had been thinking of introducing Zhi Xia to my nephew on my mother’s side. If I had brought it up, would Dad and Uncle An think that I was also coveting their family’s wealth like my sister-in-law?”
Pei Sheng said, “Uncle An’s family has had a lot going on recently. Zhi Xia is also still young. If you brought it up now, they might not have the mindset for it at present. This matter can only follow its own course. Talk about it again after some time has passed and this storm blows over. If you sincerely like him, first test the waters with Auntie and listen to see if they have any intention before saying anything.”
Old Pei had come with them and was still telling the old master along the way to not take offense at his words.
With many mouths present at home, it really wasn’t a suitable place to talk.
Pei Jing followed behind them. The old master had called him over.
After entering the room and turning on the lights, they discussed matters in the living room. Zhi Xia couldn’t sit still and went back to her room.
Her body still felt somewhat weak and her head was faintly dizzy too. Her heartbeat was also clearly somewhat accelerated.
She constantly felt as if something was about to happen, leaving her heart flustered and upset.
She thought back to the dream from the afternoon when she had entered the system space and used five test strips all at once.
The waiting time was long. Just a few dozen seconds, yet Zhi Xia felt as if it had been a whole century.
Her eyes remained fixed tightly on them, watching as they went from one line to two lines. Her heart, which had originally been chaotic and uneasy, instantly calmed down.
She couldn’t explain her current emotions, nor did she know if their arrival would make her happy.
It was as if her brain had gone completely blank all of a sudden, unable to think anything through.
She calmly threw the test strips into the trash can. Taking a long breath, she discovered that the post-apocalyptic plane had sent over the scar removal ointment she wanted.
Clicking to receive it and take it out, she finally exited the system space.
The door was knocked and she hurriedly opened it to see the old madam standing outside.
“Why did you lock the door?”
“I was about to change clothes just now.” Zhi Xia gave an excuse in response. “Oh right, did you finish talking? Did Father Pei and Uncle Pei leave?”
“Not yet. They’re drinking tea in the living room. Granny was worried about you so came to see how you were doing. Are you still feeling unwell? Do you need to go to the hospital for a look?”
Zhi Xia said, “No need to go to the hospital. I was just too timid today and frightened. Now that you and Grandfather have returned, I'm naturally fine too.”
“That’s good as long as you’re alright. If you feel uncomfortable at all, hurry and call for me.” The old madam said worriedly, “Tomorrow your fourth brother will leave. I had been thinking of getting some things for him this afternoon, but in the end nothing was accomplished today.”
Seeing that Zhi Xia was fine, the old madam stopped worrying. But it left Zhi Xia full of worries.
Having an illegitimate child was definitely unrealistic in this era.
Yet she had already rejected him twice. How could she now open her mouth again to ask him to take responsibility?
What's more, the party at fault in this matter was her. This really was a vexing issue!
In the living room, the old master saw the old madam return and asked her, “How is Zhi Xia?”
“She said she’s fine. I told her to go to the hospital but she refused. She also doesn’t look uncomfortable anymore, just somewhat pale still.” The old madam said, “The child was frightened today, but she’s also alright now. You keep talking, I won’t interrupt.”
Pei Jing looked in the direction of Zhi Xia’s room. The room was in the back so he couldn’t actually see anything.
Yet coincidentally, Zhi Xia happened to come out holding a washbasin, her bright eyes staring straight at him unflinchingly.
In the instant their eyes met, Pei Jing knew she had something to say to him.
“I’m going to the restroom.” Pei Jing said as he stood up and walked outside.
By the sink, Zhi Xia didn’t know if Pei Jing had understood her meaning. She had pumped the well full of water but he still hadn’t reacted.
Pei Jing walked up to her, looking at her somewhat puzzled. “Did you have something to tell me?”
Only then did Zhi Xia stop what she was doing. Hesitating a bit, she nodded.
Pei Jing raised a brow, signaling for her to continue speaking.
But Zhi Xia was very hesitant. She simply asked him directly, “Um...do you still stand by what you said about marrying me?”
Pei Jing instantly grasped that something was off from her words. “Of course I stand by it. What’s...wrong?”
Upon hearing that he stood by it, Zhi Xia still felt relieved inside.
“I’m pregnant.” Zhi Xia looked up, her eyes fixed tightly on his expression.
It was like a bolt from the blue. Even someone mentally strong like Pei Jing was quite shocked for a long time before reacting.
He turned his head to glance inside the room. No one had noticed them. The two people who were supposed to be going to the restroom and washing up were currently talking in the yard.
Pei Jing looked at Zhi Xia again. “Are you feeling alright physically? Has it affected you at all?”
What he actually wanted to ask more was how Zhi Xia knew she was pregnant. But before the words left his mouth, he realized how stupid it would sound to ask that.
“No impact so far.” Zhi Xia was also keeping an eye on the movement in the living room. She said to Pei Jing, “Let’s go talk in the kitchen.”
The yard was also unsafe. No one knew if the three elders might suddenly come out.
After Zhi Xia spoke, she headed to the kitchen. Pei Jing followed along without objection.
After entering the unlit kitchen, it was even darker than outside. They couldn't make out each other's expressions.
Zhi Xia said, “I’m telling you this matter not to coerce you into anything. Our situation was an accident to begin with. If we really investigate culpability, the mistake lies with me. If it’s inconvenient for you, you don’t need to be responsible for me either. I can figure it out myself.”
Figure it out how? Get an abortion?
Other than that, Pei Jing really couldn’t think of any other solution she had.
A surge of anger suddenly welled up in his heart, but considering Zhi Xia’s circumstances, he forcibly suppressed it. “Zhi Xia, I said I would take responsibility. I currently have no partner or any other obligations. Don’t act rashly either. Getting an abortion is very dangerous and also greatly damages the body. It’s not something you can accomplish unnoticed either. Listen to me, let me handle this properly, okay?”
