Extreme Pampering
Chapter 176: Not Popular with Kids.

Chapter 176: Chapter 176: Not Popular with Kids.

Despite Shen Zhiyi’s careful attention to staying warm, she caught a cold while recording the second episode of the variety show. She initially thought about hiding it from Pei Yu, but since they video called every night, her hoarse voice and occasional coughs made it impossible to hide.

Pei Yu’s face turned cold immediately, his eyebrows furrowed, looking somewhat fierce, "Have you been to the hospital?"

He felt very upset, thinking that indeed he should not have allowed Shen Zhiyi to go out to work. She had been well taken care of at Huating, yet the moment she stepped out, she fell ill.

"I did," Shen Zhiyi showed him the medicine she got from the hospital, "It’s just a minor issue, some medicine will do."

She said this without much confidence; Shen Zhiyi knew her body well. She easily caught colds in the winter, and though they were minor issues, they often lingered.

Pei Yu didn’t speak, uncertain whether to believe her or not.

Seeing his expression, Shen Zhiyi quickly said, "You don’t need to come, I’ll be back after I finish this episode, very soon."

There was no need for him to make such a bothersome trip.

"Besides, your coming wouldn’t help," she said softly, "It’s just a cold; I don’t need you to take care of me."

She persuaded him for a long while and finally managed to dissuade Pei Yu from coming over.

The next evening after finishing the recording and about to catch a flight back, Shen Zhiyi’s throat was so hoarse that she could hardly speak. This was an old problem; she tended to lose her voice whenever she caught a cold.

Xiaodong handed her some water. "Secretary Qin said Brother-in-law is at the Qin Family."

Qin Fang’s adopted son was having his birthday today. He had invited people he knew, officially acknowledging this son into the Qin family. Mr. Qin didn’t agree with this, and Qin Fang had organized it without his knowledge, specifically inviting Pei Yu to prevent Mr. Qin from making a scene in public.

Shen Zhiyi nodded, feeling drowsy from the medication.

Her flight was originally scheduled for the next morning, but she felt very uncomfortable due to her illness, far from the easiness she had claimed. Moreover, Shen Zhiyi gradually realized that actually, having Pei Yu by her side was quite helpful; she missed him a lot.

So, she simply decided to go back under cover of night.

When the plane landed, it was not too late yet. Shen Zhiyi originally wanted to go straight to Huating, but she was also curious to meet Qin Fang’s son. She heard that in a few days the child would be sent abroad for care according to Mr. Qin’s wishes, and she might not have another chance to see him.

She asked the driver to change course.

The weather was cold, and the banquet was held in the hall, inviting not too many people. When Shen Zhiyi arrived, Qin Fang was trying to hand his cherished son over to Pei Yu.

"Hold him for a bit, let my son bask in your brilliance, so he grows up to be as smart as you."

Fu Songzhi mocked from the side, "Be careful he picks up Pei Ge’s more troublesome traits, and ends up more demanding than him."

Upon hearing this, Qin Fang shivered and hesitated, "That cannot be... "

The plump child pouted in his arms, blowing a bubble with his saliva.

Pei Yu, expressionless, said, "Keep the child a bit further from me."

The banquet was mostly attended by young people, and the atmosphere was relaxed and buzzed. Shen Zhiyi was warmly dressed and very casual. After taking off her coat, she wore a woolen long dress, which stood out starkly compared to others’ formal gowns, especially since she was also wearing a face mask due to her cold.

However, Shen Zhiyi didn’t mind other people’s stares, she walked toward Qin Fang, who was still holding the child and persuading Pei Yu, without noticing her approach.

It was rather the child who twisted his head and kept staring at her.

Shen Zhiyi silently chuckled and poked the child’s cheek. The child seemed stunned for a moment and then blew a saliva bubble as a greeting.

There was a bit too much saliva, making Qin Fang’s neck slightly wet; he cursed softly, "The little brat is spitting on me again."

He turned and saw Shen Zhiyi, jumped in surprise, "Why are you here?"

Shen Zhiyi’s voice was hoarse, difficult to speak, so she just smiled at him.

His voice then drew Pei Yu’s attention. Seeing Shen Zhiyi, he also paused, then reached out his hand to her.

Shen Zhiyi placed her hand on his, letting him lead her and embrace her in his arms. Even in public, he didn’t shy away from showing affection, "Did you change your ticket? Why didn’t you tell me?"

Her face mask was removed by Pei Yu, revealing a slightly pale face due to illness.

Shen Zhiyi spoke, her voice so hoarse it was almost inaudible, "I missed you."

Pei Yu immediately furrowed his brows, "Why is your voice so hoarse?"

Knowing he would react this way, Shen Zhiyi pressed her lips together and said no more, only giving him an innocent smile.

Qin Fang also heard her voice, "Are you sick? It’s been quite cold recently, a lot of people have colds."

He had someone bring Shen Zhiyi a bowl of pear soup and then pushed the child towards her, "He really likes you. Whenever I show him your photo, he stops crying immediately."

The child gazed over with innocent eyes, and Shen Zhiyi helplessly moved back.

She had a cold, what if she passed it on to the child?

Pei Yu glanced at Qin Fang, "Take him away."

Qin Fang: "..."

Why was he so indifferent to his precious son?

He huffed, handing the child over to Fu Songzhi to hold and picked up a cup of wine himself.

"If you don’t hold him now, you won’t be able to later. This child is going to be sent to Switzerland by my father."

His father was still hoping he would marry some distinguished young lady, naturally, an illegitimate child could not be kept at home.

Qin Fang said with great envy, "When will my father be like Uncle Pei and move into a nursing home."

He really had had enough of being Mr. Xiaoqin.

Such rebellious words made Shen Zhiyi laugh lightly. She put her mask back on, took the child from Fu Songzhi’s arms, gently swayed him, and the child immediately grinned.

Pei Yu was not interested in the child, but since she was holding him, he looked over a few more times.

Thinking he wanted to hold the child, Shen Zhiyi passed the child towards him with a silent gesture.

"..."

Not wanting her to think he disliked children, Pei Yu extended his hands to take the child, albeit stiffly.

No sooner had he held the child for two seconds than the child’s loud cries filled the hall.

Qin Fang leaned on Fu Songzhi and laughed loudly, "I told you Brother Pei doesn’t appeal to children, hahaha—"

Seeing this scene, many people had the same thought; children, not yet aware of beauty or ugliness and not understanding the concept of face, are only close to those with gentle appearances and demeanors.

Pei Yu frowned, looking down coldly at the child as the crying from his arms grew louder.

Shen Zhiyi had no choice but to take the child back and after soothing him for a while, he stopped crying.

She looked at Pei Yu, hooked his fingertips, and silently comforted him.

Actually, it wasn’t that Pei Yu didn’t appeal to children; Duan Jiaze, for instance, liked him at first sight. It might just be that Qin Fang’s son didn’t get along with him, or perhaps the child was too young, not liking someone with a distant appearance.

Pei Yu showed no emotion.

He certainly wasn’t heartbroken, after all, it wasn’t his son.

And, just as Shen Zhiyi thought, with Duan Jiaze as a positive example, Pei Yu felt sure it wasn’t his fault.