CHAPTER 401: CHAPTER 401: DEADBEAT DAD

As soon as Liu Xu finished speaking, Tang Peizhong’s ears turned red.

"Xuxu, it was indeed my fault before, but now I’ve realized, I can live without Jing Ci, but I can’t live without you."

Liu Xu was stunned for a moment; this was the only affectionate sentence Tang Peizhong had said since they got married.

However, after all these events, how could Liu Xu still hold Tang Peizhong in her heart?

"Tang Peizhong, is it because Jing Ci broke your heart, and then you wanted to return to the family, isn’t it?"

Before Tang Peizhong could answer, Liu Xu smiled.

"Right, if Jing Ci hadn’t taken you back to the Tazi Camp, perhaps by now, you and Jing Ci would have become a loving couple, and you wouldn’t even think of your wife and children on the Deserted Mountain."

Tang Peizhong opened his mouth, wanting to refute, but what Liu Xu said was the truth.

Tang Zan’s face was equally unpleasant; he could not forgive Tang Peizhong.

As for Pei Shu’er, she had no more feelings for Tang Peizhong, so she held no expectations. In fact, she mostly felt disappointed in Tang Peizhong.

Clearly, Liu Xu was not waiting for Tang Peizhong’s response. She still looked frail, with a slender figure, but her back was straight, and her voluminous sleeves made her appear like a proud butterfly.

Her gaze turned to Pei Shu’er, and the ice and snow in her eyes melted instantly, revealing affection.

"Shu’er, come over here, don’t stand with the little man."

Shen Wanqing, who had been standing nearby, finally dared to speak.

"Yes, Shu’er, you haven’t visited in so long. Don’t you miss your mother?"

The words carried a hint of coyness.

Pei Shu’er smiled as she looked at the two of them.

"Of course I miss you. Let’s talk as we walk."

Pei Shu’er first chatted with the two ladies, making them laugh heartily, before she started to discuss their plans.

"We’ve come to the Deserted Mountain this time to take some goods to Su County. Mother, have everyone load ten thousand bars of soap and a thousand bars of beauty soap onto the carriage."

While everyone was loading the carriage, Shen Wanqing pulled Pei Shu’er aside.

"Shu’er, your brother has written several times, urging me to go back."

Pei Shu’er nodded, "Should I arrange someone to escort you back? There are too many refugees now, and I’m worried about your safety."

Just as Shen Wanqing was about to speak, she noticed that the curtain of a luxurious carriage was lifted from inside, revealing two people snuggled together.

A handsome and elegant gentleman was embracing a charming woman right in front of Pei Shu’er.

Who else could it be but her handsome father, Pei Yu?

"Everything is settled at the border, and we’re going back. As for your mother, she’s coming with us," Pei Yu said coldly.

Even when facing Pei Shu’er, his eyes showed no concern at all, treating her as if she were a stranger.

If her original self were here, she might feel sad, but she would have to put on an indifferent front.

But Pei Shu’er felt nothing; since he didn’t care about her, she wouldn’t care about this unworthy father.

The beauty in Pei Yu’s arms also leaned against him, her gaze inadvertently sweeping over Pei Shu’er, revealing a hint of hostility.

"That’s right, the Capital is still the best. Master, let’s go back quickly."

Pei Yu held the beauty tighter, but Pei Shu’er found this beauty quite familiar.

After a while, she finally recognized someone from the similar features of the woman.

"Liu Dahong?"

She turned out to be Doctor Liu’s niece!

Liu Dahong was startled at first, then showed a shy and annoyed expression.

"Miss, you must be mistaken. I’m called Xing Ruo, and the master said he came here for me."

After saying this, Liu Dahong lowered her head, looking a bit bashful.

Pei Shu’er was impressed; her handsome father had never been ordinary in gathering women from all over, and now he had even reached the border.

Though, after washing off the grime, Liu Dahong did have some beauty, albeit far less than her mother.

But what was the point of her mother’s beauty if he eventually grew tired of it?

Pei Shu’er was a bit frustrated, but a smile lingered on her lips.

"It’s quite admirable of Father, eating a gourmet feast for so long, and yet finding wild vegetables tasty."

She looked at Shen Wanqing, fearing to see any trace of sadness on her face.

After all, her mother once deeply loved her father.

Unexpectedly, her mother didn’t show any unusual signs.

Her eyes didn’t deliberately avoid the two; when she looked at them, her eyes were calm.

It seemed her mother had already become accustomed to such a husband.

And had no more feelings.

Shen Wanqing smiled at Shu’er.

"Shu’er, I appreciate your goodwill. All good things come to an end. Now that your life’s major event is settled, the burden on my heart is also lifted."

Pei Shu’er nodded, "Mother, please wait a moment."

She returned to her room, took out a variety of medicines from her space, including ones for common and critical diseases.

And the universal antidote, which could counteract most poisons.

Then, Pei Shu’er brought out some skincare products for Shen Wanqing; enough to last her several years.

When Pei Shu’er handed over the large and small packages to Shen Wanqing, she also explained how to use them.

Though the effects had not been tested, Shen Wanqing was touched by her daughter’s thoughtfulness. These packages, essentially, were filled with her daughter’s filial devotion.

Meanwhile, Liu Dahong pretended to be stern, urging.

"Shen Wanqing, are you done? If you’re not in a hurry, we’ll head to the Capital first."

Pei Yu didn’t speak but appeared to agree.

Pei Shu’er suddenly felt like hitting her shameless father.

After all, Shen Wanqing had borne several children for Pei Yu, yet she was worth less than a woman he had just met and knew nothing about.

Pei Shu’er smiled at Shen Wanqing, "Mother, how about I arrange another carriage for you, and more people for your escort?"

After all, who knows what inappropriate things those two might do in the carriage; it would be uncomfortable for her mother to witness.

Liu Dahong was quite pleased, but Pei Yu frowned.

"No need, we’ll ride in the same carriage."

With that, he carried Liu Dahong into the carriage horizontally.

Pei Shu’er thought Shen Wanqing was going to have a hard time along this journey, so she handed her some embroidery tools.

"Mother, if you feel bored, why not do some embroidery?"

Shen Wanqing nodded and immediately started embroidering once on the carriage.

Throwing aside all the flirting around her.

Pei Yu kept glancing at Shen Wanqing, seeing her unmoved as if the embroidery in front of her held more allure than he did, causing him a surge of irritation.

He raised his hand to snatch Shen Wanqing’s embroidery away.

"Stop embroidering, it’s dazzling my eyes."