Volume One, Chapter 17: Leaving the Pei Family—Dreaming of Entering the Entertainment Industry?

“Xiao Yu.”

Pei Jingmo called out to him.

Hearing the voice, Xiao Yu turned his head, his eyes red and still streaming with tears.

In the video call, Song Qingyin also heard Pei Jingmo’s voice.

She asked, “Jingmo, did you just get home?”

Pei Jingmo walked over and nodded at the screen, then asked Song Qingyin with concern, “Have you eaten?”

“Yes, I finished dinner.”

Only then did their attention shift fully to Xiao Yu.

“Xiao Yu, tell Daddy what happened.”

Pei Jingmo pulled out a tissue and gently wiped his tears. “Don’t cry. What did I tell you?”

“Daddy said crying won’t solve problems! Xiao Yu is a man; he can’t cry!”

“Good. Wipe your tears by yourself, then tell Daddy what just happened.”

“Okay!”

With Pei Jingmo’s comfort, Xiao Yu stopped crying.

Under their watchful eyes, he choked up and began, “I felt unwell after dinner tonight, so I called Mommy.”

“But by the time she came back, my stomach felt better, and I just wanted her to help me finish the craft project the teacher assigned.”

“But Mommy said I lied to her, scolded me, and got mad.”

Xiao Yu pouted again as he spoke, “I haven’t seen Mommy for several days, I just wanted her to stay and help me, but she got angry and didn’t want to help me finish it. In the end, she left me.”

“Daddy, do you think Mommy was too much? How could she just leave me!”

Looking at the yarn in his hands, Xiao Yu’s face crumpled as he muttered, “Now I can’t finish my homework...”

Pei Jingmo ruffled his hair.

“Xiao Yu, did you really lie today?”

At this, Xiao Yu suddenly looked up.

Shouldn't Daddy be on his side, against Mommy?

Why bring this up now?

“I... I...” Xiao Yu bit his lip.

Children cannot hide their emotions.

Seeing his expression, Pei Jingmo knew exactly what he was thinking.

“So you really lied tonight.” Pei Jingmo’s tone grew a bit serious.

But he wasn’t angry; his voice remained gentle as he asked, “Why did you do it?”

Realizing he couldn’t hide it, Xiao Yu fiddled with his fingers and whispered, “I just wanted Mommy to come back and help me with my homework...”

“What kind of homework?”

“It’s...” Xiao Yu hesitated and lowered his head, not daring to meet Pei Jingmo’s eyes, “It’s a hands-on craft project...”

Hearing this, Pei Jingmo finally understood.

“Do you now know where you went wrong?”

Xiao Yu looked up at him, slowly nodding under the man’s serious gaze.

“Yes... I should do it myself. I shouldn’t have called Mommy.”

“You were wrong.” Pei Jingmo said firmly, “You can call Mommy, but you can’t lie to her.”

Pei Jingmo spoiled Xiao Yu, but on matters of principle, he never indulged him.

Children can be willful and unruly, but their character must not be compromised.

That was why he didn’t want Shen Shuhe to have contact with Xiao Yu; such a scheming woman would surely lead him astray.

But he hadn’t expected her to leave Xiao Yu alone today—that was simply too much!

“Daddy, I was wrong...” Xiao Yu replied softly.

“All right, Jingmo, Xiao Yu is still so young; children need to be taught patiently.”

At this moment, Song Qingyin’s voice came through the phone, easing the tense atmosphere.

“Xiao Yu, if you ever have difficulties, just call me, and I’ll help you, okay?”

Xiao Yu looked up, moved, “Thank you, Mommy Yin.”

“You’re too kind to me, but I’m afraid you’ll be tired. You work every day and are already exhausted. I don’t want to trouble you,” Xiao Yu said.

Song Qingyin smiled at him, “It’s not tiring, as long as Xiao Yu is happy.”

“How about this? It’s not too late. I’ll come to you now and help you finish your homework.”

With that, Song Qingyin rose from her bed and headed to the wardrobe.

Xiao Yu was so touched he nearly cried on the spot.

Only Mommy Yin was good to him!

Hmph! If Mommy doesn’t want to acknowledge him, he won’t acknowledge her either! Anyway, he has Mommy Yin!

Watching her move, Pei Jingmo hesitated. “It’s too late; maybe you shouldn’t come over.”

“Do you know how to knit?” Song Qingyin’s voice came through.

Pei Jingmo was silent.

“That’s okay. I’m close to the mansion. Without traffic, I’ll be there in twenty minutes.” Song Qingyin picked up her phone and said to the two of them, “Xiao Yu, wait for me. I’m coming right away.”

“Okay!”

The call ended. Pei Jingmo looked at Xiao Yu. “No more lying. If you can’t solve something, call me.”

“Yes, Daddy,” Xiao Yu obediently replied.

Pei Jingmo’s expression softened, and he got up to wash and change clothes.

...

Fifteen minutes later, Song Qingyin arrived.

Aunt Li was used to these situations by now; after greeting her, she watched Song Qingyin go upstairs.

She looked worriedly at the stairs.

The madam just left, and Miss Song came; it seemed the Pei family was truly undergoing changes.

On the second floor.

Song Qingyin pushed open Xiao Yu’s room door.

“Mommy Yin is here!” Xiao Yu ran over and hugged her.

Song Qingyin smiled, “Come on, Mommy will help you with your craft.”

“Okay!”

They sat down together at the desk.

After a while, Pei Jingmo finished showering and came in wearing loungewear.

He sat quietly beside them.

An hour later, Song Qingyin helped Xiao Yu finish two small hair clips and a pair of gloves.

Xiao Yu personally placed the hair clips on Song Qingyin, and gave the gloves to Pei Jingmo.

Both thanked him warmly, and the three were happily united.

Xiao Yu nestled in their laps, smiling sweetly.

So happy.

After putting Xiao Yu to sleep, the two quietly left the room.

In the second-floor living room, Pei Jingmo poured a glass of water and placed it in front of Song Qingyin.

“Thank you.”

“It’s late. You should stay in the guest room tonight. Tomorrow, come with me to the company.”

Song Qingyin glanced at the time; it was nearly midnight.

She didn’t respond immediately but looked toward the bedroom, hesitating, “Would that be inconvenient?”

Pei Jingmo understood what she was thinking and said directly, “Besides Xiao Yu and me, there’s no one else.”

At this, Song Qingyin nodded, “Then I’ll trouble you.”

Pei Jingmo squeezed her wrist gently.

At that moment, Song Qingyin brought up something herself.

“Jingmo, there’s something I’ve thought about for a long time. I want to tell you.”

“What is it?”

“I think... I need to leave Pei Corporation.”

Pei Jingmo looked at her. “Hmm?”

Meeting his puzzled gaze, Song Qingyin quietly explained, “Do you remember Geng Fan?”

Pei Jingmo thought for a few seconds, “The friend we met at that banquet?”

“Yes.”

Two years ago, Pei Jingmo took her to a social event.

That night at the banquet, Geng Fan, the top entertainment agent, noticed Song Qingyin and was very impressed with her. She invited her to enter the entertainment industry.

At that time, Song Qingyin only wanted to stay by Pei Jingmo’s side and rejected her outright.

Unexpectedly, Geng Fan was persistent, pestering her for two months.

Song Qingyin still refused.

Eventually, Geng Fan settled for asking her to help out in a shoot once, promising no further contact after that.

Seeing her sincerity, Song Qingyin agreed to star as the female lead in a music video.

Unexpectedly, after the video was released, it was well received, and Geng Fan renewed her efforts to persuade her.

But Song Qingyin still refused.

“So... you want to enter the entertainment industry now?”