She Asks for a Divorce Again
Chapter 246: Farewell

Chapter 246: Chapter 246: Farewell

"What does President Pei mean?" Zhao Jin was uncertain of his intention.

"Get some people to watch outside the Pei Mansion, and let me know immediately if you see her." Pei Yansi spoke in a deep voice, "Keep her here for the New Year."

"Yes, President Pei."

After speaking, Zhao Jin took the lead and turned to leave.

Over the past month, he had been secretly helping Pei Yansi, watching Shen Heyu’s every move.

Knowing where Shen Heyu now lived, what occupation she had taken up, how her days were passing, and who her friends were, Pei Yansi was fully informed.

Unfortunately, Shen Heyu herself understood nothing.

She only believed that she had truly escaped that cage when, in reality, it was merely that the cage’s master had temporarily spared her.

When Shen Heyu arrived at the Pei Mansion, it was already three hours later.

As the New Year was approaching, the city had begun to flutter with falling snow. There was a thin layer of white snow on the road surface, so Shen Heyu parked her car at a distance, so as to not attract attention.

Then she pulled open the car door and got out.

She stealthily walked up to the outskirts of the Pei Mansion, wanting only to take a distant look at her daughter, who surely must have started her winter holiday by now.

Just as Shen Heyu arrived at the Pei Mansion and was still sneaking around, she saw Zhao Jin leading people out from inside.

She was startled, not expecting his timing to be so precise. She quickly backed away, looking for a place to hide.

The mansion was surrounded by countryside, and the Pei Mansion itself was a large villa nestled amidst the mountains and woods, with thickets all around, which were now wilted in this season, leaving only bare branches.

Shen Heyu quickly found a withered shrub and, without thinking, squatted down to hide herself.

Peering through the gaps in the branches, she observed Zhao Jin and the others’ actions, terrified that they would discover her.

They were all Pei Yansi’s men—if she were found, who knew if she would be taken back, and she had only just tasted a month of what she thought to be freedom.

Just as Shen Heyu’s thought crossed her mind, she saw Zhao Jin, leading the men, walking directly towards her.

She was scared out of her wits.

In her mind, she chanted silently, "Don’t see me, don’t see me," yet Zhao Jin went straight up to her, standing right in front of Shen Heyu and gently parted the shrubbery before her.

Hearing the noise, Shen Heyu looked up only to find that it wasn’t Zhao Jin that she saw.

She was stunned for a moment.

There stood Pei Yansi in front of her, dressed in a set of loose home clothes, a cream-colored sweater paired with black long pants and slippers. His casual posture was as if he had just stepped out from his home for a walk and happened to run into her.

Shen Heyu felt somewhat awkward under his gaze.

At the same time, she felt a bit frightened, her heart persistently speeding up, as she gazed at the man before her, unsure of what he might do.

"Mother of my daughter?" Pei Yansi’s lips curled up slightly as he called out softly.

"..." The address took Shen Heyu aback.

For a moment, she couldn’t think of what to say in response.

Seeing her silly, stupefied expression, Pei Yansi couldn’t help but deepen the smile on his face. He reached out and gently ruffled Shen Heyu’s hair, saying with a chuckle, "Since you’re here, why all the sneaking around? Didn’t I say? The doors here are always open for you. Come whenever you’d like."

At that moment, Shen Heyu was squatting down.

Pei Yansi stood tall, his body slightly bent as he affectionately approached Heyu.

To Shen Heyu, he looked like an owner indulging his little pet, a far cry from the ruthless image she had imagined. Almost involuntarily, she retorted, "Is it the kind where I can just leave whenever I want?"

"What do you think?" Pei Yansi asked with a half-smile.

He reached out, took Shen Heyu’s arm, and pulled her up from the thicket.

Several dry leaves and pieces of grass clung to Shen Heyu, making her look a bit disheveled, certainly comical, and fetching a sense of endearment.

"I think it’s probably the kind where I can leave whenever I want," Shen Heyu asserted, though her attempt was clearly counterproductive.

She had been worried that Pei Yansi might drag her back against her will, but seeing his gentle demeanor and lack of intention to force her to stay, her fear subsided. Not waiting for Pei Yansi’s response, she continued,

"I’m here to see my daughter."

"I know you’ve come to see Yuexue," Pei Yansi said solemnly as he gently brushed the twigs and leaves off Shen Heyu before adding, "She’s inside doing her winter holiday homework. It’s cold, so she doesn’t go out much. If you just look around from here, you won’t see her. Come on, let’s go back."

His tone was very gentle, as if negotiating with Shen Heyu. After speaking, his deep, dark eyes fixed on Shen Heyu, gazing intently into her eyes, as if trying to see right through her.

"Is my daughter doing okay?" Not presenting his usual indifference, Shen Heyu let down her guard considerably, and with her yearning to see Yuexue, she softened her stance.

"All is well," Pei Yansi said, taking her hand and leading her towards the Pei Mansion, saying, "Why don’t you go see for yourself whether everything’s alright?"

Shen Heyu had thought to struggle.

But then she remembered the reason for her visit—to see her daughter, whom she hadn’t yet seen. How could she just struggle and leave? She had to stay for the time being, at least until she had seen her daughter.

Following him, Shen Heyu had barely stepped into the Pei Mansion’s living room when she heard the pitter-patter of footsteps from above. The sound was cheerful, and instinctively, Shen Heyu believed they belonged to her daughter.

She looked up towards the source.

Indeed, she saw Yuexue bounding joyously down the stairs.

"Mommy!"

Yuexue rushed down, plunging into Shen Heyu’s embrace, snuggling lovingly, "You finally came back!"

Yearning filled Yuexue’s voice.

Hearing her daughter, Shen Heyu felt an overwhelming sense of longing, and her eyes promptly misted. She lowered her head to look at her daughter, caressing the little head, "Have you missed Mommy this past month?"

Her daughter nodded repeatedly. "Daddy said you were busy with work, on a business trip, but I waited, and you didn’t come back."

Yuexue’s voice wavered with a plaintive cry.

Shen Heyu felt her heart ache.

She wrapped her arms around her daughter. "Mommy has been thinking of you all the time."

Pei Yansi sat quietly to the side, watching the mother and daughter.

Or more precisely, his gaze lingered on Shen Heyu.

Although he had been well-informed about her whereabouts over the past month, he hadn’t seen her in person. Now, looking at her, she seemed a bit plumper.

A vague sinking feeling overtook Pei Yansi’s heart.

He vividly remembered, long ago, when Shen Heyu was by his side, she had gone for a medical check-up where the doctors commented on her malnourishment. Yet, after just a month away from him, she had put on weight?!