Rebirth Counterattack with Space
Chapter 383 - 369: Leave No Trace

Chapter 383: Chapter 369: Leave No Trace

"What else can we hope for in a lifetime? Just to have someone by our side who understands the cold and the warmth, and then to see our children doing well. Junshan’s daughter is also my daughter. If the child doesn’t understand, can we really hold it against her?"

Liu Mei faced Jin Lirong with a bitter smile, but a cold light flickered in her downcast eyes—if she had known earlier that Ding Luoluo could catch Zhang Min’s eye, she would have pretended to be nicer to her, no matter what. She was too young back then, her methods not sharp enough; otherwise, it might be Tiantian who had married into the Pei Family today.

Thinking about her own daughter, Ding Tiantian, and how she now had someone with Pei Kun’s family background as a "brother-in-law," Liu Mei felt waves of bitterness wash over her. She was very clear that for Tiantian to marry into a family like the Pei Family and have a higher status than Ding Luoluo in marriage was nearly impossible.

Now she could only take a roundabout path, winning over the young one in her grasp first. In the future, she wouldn’t worry about resolving old grievances with Luoluo. When the time came, even if Luoluo was reluctant, for the sake of saving face, she would probably have to submit.

As long as it looked respectable on the surface, their family’s Tiantian could borrow the prestige of the Pei Family.

It was frustrating that her well-calculated plans previously had no chance to take effect, not even getting an opportunity to hold this little girl in her arms—fortunately, the new nanny hired by the Pei Family was easy to fool, otherwise...

"You really are... knowing full well it won’t warm you, yet..." Jin Lirong sighed, her face showing sympathy. Thankfully, their family didn’t have such a troublesome stepdaughter, because she definitely couldn’t abide warming her face against someone else’s cold backside.

"Give me the child."

Standing above Liu Mei, Ding Luoluo fought back the raging fury in her heart and bent over to take the child from her arms. Seeing the familiar figure, Pei Xin got excited all at once, reaching out with little noises.

"Ah, you, you’re back?"

Liu Mei was momentarily stunned to see Ding Luoluo.

"Where’s my nanny?"

Ding Luoluo didn’t bother with her question, not even showing a hint of anger, simply asking in a seemingly casual tone.

"Xiaochen? Oh, she... she had to use the bathroom unexpectedly. I happened to bump into her, so I’m just helping to hold the child for a bit. Please don’t blame her," Liu Mei explained anxiously, shrinking back as if frightened.

Inwardly, though, she was annoyed, wondering how this cursed girl found out so quickly; now, all her prior efforts might be wasted.

Thinking this, Liu Mei almost ground her teeth in vexation, but her face showed even more concern as she spoke with a tone that suggested she had her well-being in mind, "Luoluo, why did you finish work so early today? Although our families are of certain standing, constantly being late or leaving early isn’t a good look. Even if you don’t consider yourself, you should consider Pei Kun, and the Pei Family."

"Exactly, being late or leaving early isn’t a good habit. Tsk, young people these days, so many faults, so lazy," Jin Lirong chimed in, joining the fuss on the side.

"Auntie Liu, don’t you think that as a stepmother, not even bothering to ask a question and immediately accusing your stepdaughter, me, of being late or leaving early is rather malicious?"

Ding Luoluo glanced at Liu Mei and then at Jin Lirong, her eyes heavy with sarcasm. She couldn’t be bothered to say more, holding the child and turning to leave.

"Luoluo, you’re back early today? Did you run into Xiaochen outside?"

Zhang Min saw Ding Luoluo return with Pei Xin in her arms, a smile spreading across her face, only to immediately notice something off about Ding Luoluo’s expression—she seemed to be holding back anger, which made Zhang Min furrow her brows in concern. Luoluo wasn’t usually like this, especially when holding a child. It seemed like a serious situation, and she couldn’t help but worry, becoming anxious, "What happened? Who made you unhappy? Tell Grandma, and I’ll exact revenge for you."

"Grandma, shouldn’t you ask who’s at fault first? What if I was the one who did something wrong? Aren’t you afraid that I might misuse my power to deceive others and tarnish our family’s reputation?" Seeing Zhang Min’s heartfelt defense, Ding Luoluo suddenly let out a snort of laughter, and the frustration inside her dissipated significantly.

"Does Grandma not know you? You’re not that kind of child."

Zhang Min led Ding Luoluo to the sofa, patted her hand reassuringly, "If you ever do ’bully others by throwing your weight around,’ there must be a reason behind it. Anyway, it would never be your fault."

"Thank you, Grandma."

Tears suddenly fell from Ding Luoluo’s eyes. Embarrassed, she buried her face in Pei Xin’s soft little body, using his tiny clothes to wipe away the tears. Perhaps her movements tickled him, for Pei Xin burst into giggles.

"You, being an adult, come home and cry after being wronged. Look, Xinxin is laughing at you. From now on, you mustn’t do this—fight back right away if you’re unhappy. What are you afraid of? The entire Pei Family has got your back. Even if it’s about bullying others, don’t let yourself be bullied. How will you set a good example for Xinxin like this?"

Zhang Min’s tone carried a hint of frustration from being disappointed.

"Grandma, it’s precisely because I want to set a good example for Xinxin that I don’t want to lose my temper easily."

Caught out by Zhang Min, Ding Luoluo boldly wiped away her tears and clung to Zhang Min coquettishly, "And I’m not crying because someone bullied me outside; I was clearly moved to tears by you after getting back home."

"Alright, alright, Grandma misunderstood. Our Luoluo wasn’t bullied by someone. Are you feeling better now? Can you tell Grandma what happened?"

Zhang Min smiled then suddenly turned to look toward the door, "Strange, you’ve been back for so long, why is Xiaochen still outside? Where is she?"

"Who knows where she ran off to use the bathroom, leaving the child to that wonderful stepmother of mine. When I was coming back, I saw Liu Mei feeding Xinxin in the small park. I overheard her conversation; it seems like this has been going on for a while."

Ding Luoluo scoffed coldly and then looked at Zhang Min pleadingly, "Grandma, I don’t want her to stay and take care of Xinxin anymore. I’d rather stay home and take care of him myself than be duped again and again, foolish enough to be kept in the dark."

Just when Chen Qiuyu had first arrived at the house, Ding Luoluo had made it clear to her that she didn’t get along well with her stepmother and stepsister from her mother’s side, asking Chen Qiuyu to never hand the child over to them even if they happened to meet while out with the baby for a walk in the neighborhood.

Back then, Chen Qiuyu had agreed to her face, but now such an incident had occurred.

And considering these past days, whenever Pei Kun was home, Chen Qiuyu always found excuses to get close to him...

Ding Luoluo’s eyes dimmed. Even if Chen Qiuyu put on a good act, how could she, having been deeply hurt by Liu Mei’s façade of hypocrisy since childhood, fail to realize that Chen Qiuyu might be harboring ill intentions?