Chapter 98: Yin Deviation

Zhou Zhi opened the car door for Pei Du.

The servant at the gate said the old lady was currently in the garden admiring flowers and basking in the sun.

As they walked from the entrance hall through the corridor to the garden, the passing servants all greeted Pei Du with lowered eyes and said in unison, "Sir."

Seeing Pei Du appear at the main residence, they showed not the slightest surprise; rather, it was as if they were used to it.

Clearly, not long ago, the Pei Du that Pei Muyin had heard about from the servants was still someone who hadn't returned to the main residence in over ten years.

"How, how did you suddenly come over? You didn't even tell me?"

Ms. Song turned around, saw Pei Du, and her whole body froze, her expression becoming unnatural for a moment.

Of course she was startled.

Because every time Pei Du previously came to the main residence, he would call ahead to ask Ms. Song whether Muyin was there, deliberately choosing a time when his daughter was absent before coming over.

Zhou Zhi, standing beside him, answered without changing his expression: "Director Pei has been busy with the Cen Shi Acquisition Case, so busy his head is spinning; after finishing, he rushed back, and in the hurry he forgot."

Upon hearing that, Ms. Song complained: "Then don't forget again, okay? If you run into that child Muyin, sigh, that child has grown this big and still hasn't let go of her inner knot; she still doesn't want to see you, otherwise it would be awfully awkward."

Pei Du stared at Ms. Song, his voice showing no emotion: "No, Muyin is studying in An Shi."

Today is not the weekend.

Hearing him say that, Ms. Song sighed again: "You say you are too, why did you agree to her transferring schools? An Shi is so far from Jing Shi, she's all alone there; I've worried so much I haven't slept well for several nights, afraid she won't take care of herself."

"The child is in her rebellious phase, her thoughts are all over the place; as her father, are you also being this irrational?"

In saying that, Ms. Song tried to imply that Muyin was being immature, yet she heard Pei Du's low, calm voice: "Whatever Muyin wants to do, whatever she wants to obtain, I am willing to fulfill it for her."

"……"

Ms. Song choked, a flash of exasperation flitting unseen in her eyes, as if resentful that over these years father and daughter have never met, never had a chance to cultivate feelings, yet Pei Du's concern for Pei Muyin has not diminished with time but increased.

If permitted, it could reach the point of indulgent spoiling.

Pei Du practically wished to lay everything in the world before his daughter.

After composing her expression, Ms. Song asked: "What brings you back this time?"

It's no wonder Ms. Song asks; this son seems born lacking warm emotional perception, and though she is his mother, after the car accident and amnesia Pei Du has never even called her "Mom."

Although valuable tonics and holiday gifts are occasionally sent to the main residence, aside from that, Pei Du is basically not close to her.

It's as if she were merely a tool person capable of "taking care of" his daughter.

If it weren't for Pei Muyin being at the main residence, Pei Du would probably never come over at all.

"A stuffed toy."

Only see the man's right hand hanging at his side, knuckles distinct, two fingers hooked onto a transparent square gift box tied with a cute bow; inside is a brown plush toy bear.

This is the daughter's favorite stuffed toy, without equal.

From childhood onward, she has shown no interest in any other toys, always loving to hug only the stuffed bear; later, when she grew a bit older and it became inconvenient to take out, it turned into something she clutches while sleeping at night.

When Pei Du opened his eyes in the hospital bed after the car accident, he saw that the bear in his daughter's arms had slowly become worn and torn.

Patched and sewn repeatedly, it was almost becoming a rag.

However, the brand label on that bear had been cut off; Pei Du searched every mall to no avail for an identical one, finally finding it at a small stall in a street-side clearance sale.

He had people trace the source and learned that the maker of this stuffed bear was a particularly niche brand factory; poor factory performance led to order backlog, forcing the factory to lay off workers and announce closure.

In other words, it's highly likely this stuffed bear will no longer be available for purchase.

Pei Du bought that one from the stall.

Yet less than half a month later, the factory producing the stuffed bear received a huge investment, was revived, and has now become a widely known big brand, having hired several international celebrities as endorsers.

…

Ms. Song waved her hand, had the servant take the gift box containing the stuffed bear from Pei Du's hand, then said as usual: "Just like before, don't tell Muyin it's from you; give it to her in my name."

"No." Pei Du said: "I want to tell her it's from me."

"What?" Ms. Song blinked, then quickly advised: "You know as well as I do that if Muyin knew it was from you, she'd surely throw it away just like before—you've sent her snacks and clothes before, and she's never kept any of them; why bother? Well-intentioned as it is, it'll just upset the child."

Pei Du, however, remained unmoved, repeating: "Just tell her it's from me."

"……"

Ms. Song felt something odd; previously, whenever she said Muyin didn't like something, Pei Du would readily backtrack without principle, but today—why is he so insistent?

She couldn't help but lift her gaze to study Pei Du; his cold demeanor showed no difference, just as usual.

Perhaps she overthought it; Pei Du probably still hasn't given up on wanting to ease relations with his daughter, but with her around, everything would still fail.

Thinking this, Ms. Song lightly raised her eyebrows and relaxed.

Just as she was about to withdraw her gaze, she suddenly caught sight of a faint pinkish… slap mark on the man's pallid side profile.

The size—clearly a woman's hand!

Ms. Song was so astonished she almost thought she was seeing things; unable to believe it, she blurted out:

"Pei Du, you have a woman?!"

As the words left her mouth, her expression even lit up with joy, as if she were delighted and approving of "Pei Du having a woman."

However, the next second, the man lifted his eyelids, his jet-black pupils clearly exposed in the morning sunlight, icy cold to the point of seeming to spread a chill, making Ms. Song's spine go numb and she fell silent instantly.

Although she is unwilling to admit it, she still has to acknowledge that she fears this son.

Especially, that gaze.

Every time she sees that gaze, it pulls Ms. Song's memory back to that scene—

Still the youthful Pei Du, his eyes dull and lifeless, his hand gripping her throat; as long as he loosened his grip, she would fall from the third floor.

An outright madman.

…

Clearly it was summer, yet Ms. Song only felt a sudden chill all over, and she laughed nervously, saying nothing more.

Zhou Zhi followed behind Pei Du as they left the main residence.

The car drove away from the gate, but didn't go far, stopping at a hidden spot near the Pei Family's vicinity.

The man in the back seat lowered his lashes, half his side face sunk in shadow, silent.

Time passed minute by minute, second by second.

A moment later, the driver ran back, still holding the gift box Pei Du had just given out, and reported:

"Pei Director, after we left, the old madam had someone throw the things into the outside trash can—"