Volume One, Chapter 81: The Other Woman

After bidding farewell to her colleagues, Song Qingyu returned home with Pei Jingmo.

“What do you plan to do about Zhu Yanyan?” she asked.

Song Qingyu could see that Zhu Yanyan’s obsession with seeing Pei Jingmo ran deep. If Zhu Yanyan were just an insignificant person, it wouldn’t matter. But she happened to be Zhu Chunfeng’s younger sister. If anything happened to her, Pei Jingmo would carry the guilt in his heart.

Pei Jingmo disliked having his affairs trouble Song Qingyu. He gently patted her shoulder. “If she wants to continue her studies, I’ll support her. If she keeps going down the wrong path, all I can do is apologize at Chunfeng’s grave.”

Song Qingyu sighed. “I don’t think she necessarily likes you. Perhaps, since her family no longer cares about her, she sees you as her only family. But since you married me, she can't accept it.”

If Zhu Yanyan loved Pei Jingmo so deeply, things wouldn’t have been this calm lately.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle it,” Pei Jingmo reassured her.

Song Qingyu nodded. After all, it was Pei Jingmo’s matter, and it wouldn’t be right for her to interfere too much.

Ever since her colleagues met Song Qingyu’s husband, they’d become cautious around her. Previously, they’d believed the ring on her finger was a twenty-million-dollar auction piece, but how could a construction worker afford such an expensive ring? It was probably just a replica. Out of consideration for Song Qingyu’s dignity, no one brought it up again.

Although Pei Jingmo was handsome, tall, and strong, with so many wealthy heirs courting Song Qingyu—and her ex-boyfriend being Chu Xingzhi, the president of the Chu Group—everyone felt it was a shame that she married a construction worker. Especially Jie Changhe, who’d been listless for days, feeling as if the pairing he’d shipped had suddenly fallen apart—a crushing disappointment.

Suddenly, Jie Changhe, who had been slumped in his chair, sprang to his feet.

Wait a minute!

It was indeed President Gu who had insisted he secure ‘Interpreters’. Everyone in game development knew the project was risky. As the new head of Tianqi Group, President Gu would be torn apart by shareholders if anything went wrong with such a venture.

Could it be—President Gu’s true beloved was Qingyu?

Perhaps, knowing she was already married, he couldn’t bring himself to wreck her marriage out of love for her. So he could only grieve privately while doing so much for her behind the scenes.

Yes! That must be it!

He’d thought their secret marriage was a sweet, hidden romance, but all the while President Gu’s heart must have been shattered.

Through the glass, Song Qingyu watched Jie Changhe alternate between excitement, helplessness, and heartbreak in the office. Frowning, she asked Lu Yuan, who was beside her, “Has Manager Jie been having trouble lately?”

Lu Yuan didn’t even glance up from his computer. “He’s never been normal.”

Song Qingyu was speechless.

That evening, Song Qingyu received a call from Song Yanfeng.

“Xiaoyu, I won’t make things difficult for you anymore. Since you’ve married that Pei Jingmo, isn’t it time to bring him home for a meal so we can get to know him?”

Song Qingyu let out a cold laugh. “Didn’t you already say you don’t recognize me as your daughter anymore? Then there’s no need for me to bring him home.”

“That was all said in anger. How could I not be upset when my wonderful daughter marries a penniless laborer?”

Song Qingyu’s face was expressionless.

He continued, “I’ve thought it over these days. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters to me as your father.”

After being hurt so deeply, Song Qingyu no longer believed him. Just as she was about to refuse, Song Yanfeng spoke again. “Actually, when your mother passed away, she left you something besides that villa.”

Song Qingyu’s heart leapt. “What is it?”

“It’s something your grandmother gave your mother—a family heirloom of the Songs. Your mother and I had agreed to pass it on to you when you grew up and married. But now—” Song Yanfeng sighed sorrowfully. “Your mother is gone, you’re married, so it’s my duty to hand it over.”

Song Qingyu was silent for a long while. “Alright. I’ll come back this Saturday.”

“Good, good. I’ll be waiting for you at home.”

After hanging up, she pondered for a while before telling Pei Jingmo, “Would you… come with me to the Song family this Saturday?”

Pei Jingmo handed her the day’s vitamins. “Of course. From now on, you don’t have to ask me about things like this. Just decide, and I’ll follow you.”

Song Qingyu smiled and nodded. “Alright.”

With Pei Jingmo so obedient, she wondered if other husbands were as well-behaved.

On Saturday morning, Song Qingyu took Pei Jingmo to the supermarket first. Even if Song Yanfeng was a scoundrel, it was Pei Jingmo’s first visit, and the proper etiquette couldn’t be neglected.

After wandering the aisles, Pei Jingmo suggested buying wine or cigarettes, but Song Qingyu pointed her slender finger at the gift section. “Two boxes of that.”

Pei Jingmo looked at her and smiled indulgently.

At the Song residence, Song Yanfeng told the housekeeper to prepare plenty of Song Qingyu’s favorite dishes.

Song Xinrui was displeased. “Dad, Song Qingyu’s so disloyal. She only pretends to help us. Why bother inviting her home?”

“What do you know? She’s managed to make a name for herself at Tianqi Group, got ‘Interpreters’ launched despite Chu Xingzhi’s suppression, and made it a huge success. There must be someone behind her.”

Thinking of how Song Qingyu had acted ambiguously with Gu Yuandong last time, Song Xinrui sidled up to Song Yanfeng. “Dad, do you think her backer is Gu Yuandong?”

“Most likely.”

“But she’s already married! How bold of her, making the prince a secret lover?”

“Pfft—do you really think Gu Yuandong would play second fiddle to anyone?”

“But with his capabilities, he must know she’s married. Why would he still want her?”

Suddenly, Song Xinrui’s eyes widened in exaggerated shock.

“What is it?” Song Yanfeng asked.

“At the banquet, I heard Fu Linhan has a thing for married women. What if it isn’t Fu Linhan at all, but the prince himself?”

That would explain his favoritism toward Song Qingyu. Otherwise, why would the prince, with his busy schedule, agree to meet them just because she was Xie Qingya’s daughter?

The more she thought about it, the more plausible it seemed.

Ha—so Song Qingyu, who appeared so aloof and otherworldly, was actually playing such a dangerous game behind the scenes. She wasn’t afraid of getting burned.

Hearing footsteps, Song Yanfeng quickly said, “Xiaoyu’s here. Watch what you say.”

“Hmph…” Song Xinrui snorted disdainfully. Let her come—what’s the big deal?

“Where’s your mother? Why isn’t she down yet?”

“She’s coming…”

Seeing Liu Yue’e dressed up so flamboyantly, Song Xinrui couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “It’s her daughter bringing her son-in-law home, not yours. Why are you all dolled up?”

“You don’t get it,” Liu Yue’e replied. “The prettier I look, the prouder your father will be. The more refined we appear, the more downtrodden they’ll seem. It’s our way of putting Song Qingyu in her place.”

Enlightened, Song Xinrui exclaimed, “Why didn’t you tell me earlier? I should have dressed up too.”

Liu Yue’e put an arm around her daughter’s shoulder. “My Xinrui is naturally beautiful—no need for embellishments to outshine everyone.”

“Hmph, that’s true!”

When Song Qingyu entered with a man, Song Yanfeng immediately went to greet them. Seeing the gifts in their hands, he began, “You didn’t have to bring—”

Then he caught sight of the boxes, the words “Brain Platinum” gleaming on them, and his mouth twitched.

“Dad, Brain Platinum is a health supplement for youthful vitality. May you grow younger each year,” Song Qingyu said.

At her signal, Pei Jingmo set the gifts on the table. “Hello, Father-in-law.”

He was wearing a coat Song Qingyu had recently bought online for him. With his build, he looked like a model.

Song Xinrui, having seen him before, snorted. It was true—clothes make the man. To save face, Song Qingyu was willing to spend thousands on his wardrobe.

It was Song Yanfeng and Liu Yue’e’s first time meeting Pei Jingmo.

Song Yanfeng looked up at him. This man was tall and strong—one punch could probably kill someone.

When Liu Yue’e laid eyes on Pei Jingmo, she felt as if her chest had been struck. She immediately adopted the posture of a shy young lady.