Volume One, Chapter Two: Deception—She Watches the Warmth of the Three

Inside an upscale restaurant.

Shen Shuhe sat at a distance, her gaze fixed on the table by the window.

For some reason, she had still come in.

She watched with her own eyes as Pei Jingmo served dishes and poured wine for Song Qingyin, wiped her mouth.

Whenever it came to anything concerning Song Qingyin, he was almost hands-on in every detail.

The restaurant was elegant and quiet, so Shen Shuhe easily caught the clear, youthful voice of Xiao Yu.

“Daddy, you’re so busy serving Mommy Qingyin that you forgot your dear son!”

Xiao Yu’s voice was crisp and innocent; though he said this, there was no hint of anger. Opposite him, a man and a woman covered their mouths, laughing softly.

At that moment, Pei Jingmo and Song Qingyin picked up their chopsticks simultaneously.

Two pieces of meat landed at once on Xiao Yu’s plate.

“Thank you, Daddy! Thank you, Mommy Qingyin!” Xiao Yu beamed happily.

Song Qingyin stroked his head gently. “Today, Xiao Yu is the birthday star. Wherever you want to go later, your daddy and I will accompany you.”

“Wow! Yay!” Xiao Yu clapped and cheered.

Nearby, a young couple whispered softly.

“Look at that man—clearly a successful businessman, taking time out to accompany his wife and child,” the woman said with envy. “Such a good husband. And the whole family is so good-looking!”

“I’m with you, aren’t I?”

“Hmph, how many times have I reminded you about this dinner?”

The man fell silent.

Listening to their conversation, Shen Shuhe felt dizzy and her vision blurred.

Today, she had heard the phrase “family” many times, but sadly, none of it included her.

She had traveled thousands of miles, endured two weeks of hard work, all just to make it back in time to celebrate her son’s birthday.

She thought Xiao Yu would be happy.

She also thought Pei Jingmo might soften toward her a little.

But it turned out to be a one-woman show.

At this moment, by the floor-to-ceiling window, the birthday table.

Xiao Yu wore a birthday hat, and Pei Jingmo and Song Qingyin sang the birthday song for him.

“I wish to always be with Daddy and Mommy Qingyin! I will grow up strong and become a son you can be proud of!”

Pei Jingmo’s warm palm rested on Xiao Yu’s head. “Keep it up.”

Song Qingyin spoke softly, “Your daddy and I will always be by your side.”

The three of them smiled brightly.

Suddenly, Xiao Yu’s phone rang inside his bag.

He took it out, and upon seeing the caller ID, a flicker of panic crossed his face.

Oh no, he had forgotten his mother.

She wouldn’t still be waiting at home, would she?

“Hello, Mom…”

Hearing Xiao Yu’s voice, Pei Jingmo and Song Qingyin both turned toward him.

Pei Jingmo’s smile vanished, replaced by irritation and impatience.

Xiao Yu held the phone carefully, hesitating, “Mom, is there something wrong...?”

“The cake is here. Which restaurant are you and your dad at?”

Xiao Yu frowned. “Mom, um... Daddy and I haven’t arrived at the restaurant yet!”

He couldn’t think of any excuse.

“It’s the weekend; we’re stuck in traffic!”

“Which restaurant will you go to? Tell me the location. I’ll come over now.”

Shen Shuhe’s calm voice came through the phone, leaving Xiao Yu even more flustered, unsure how to respond.

He quickly covered the phone, eyes wide, looking at his father for help.

Pei Jingmo saw this and knew exactly what was going on. He frowned, expressionless as he took the phone. “What’s the matter?”

Shen Shuhe said, “I’ve picked up the cake. Where are you? I’ll come find you now.”

“No need.” Pei Jingmo interrupted coldly, bluntly saying, “Shen Shuhe, don’t call if you have nothing important. It’s annoying.”

Then he ended the call abruptly.

Just hearing her voice and recalling her face sparked uncontrollable irritation in Pei Jingmo.

He thought moving her to Jiugang would keep her away, but she was still a lingering shadow.

Xiao Yu took back his small phone, biting his lip. “Dad, Mom’s looking for us. How are we going to explain this when we go back?”

Pei Jingmo ruffled his hair and said in a low voice, “Leave it to me.”

At this, the gloom vanished from Xiao Yu’s face; his dark eyes shone bright and clear. “Great! Mommy Qingyin, now we can play happily!”

Song Qingyin patted his shoulder in response, then looked at Pei Jingmo. After hesitating for a moment, she said, “Jingmo, Shen Shuhe is still Xiao Yu’s biological mother. Maybe we should let her come over...”

“Qingyin,” Pei Jingmo’s face remained dark as he stared at her, unmoved. His tone grew colder. “If it weren’t for Shen Shuhe, you would be Mrs. Pei.”

“So there’s no need to pity her. She doesn’t deserve it!”

Every time Shen Shuhe’s name came up in front of Pei Jingmo, he grew angry. That was why Song Qingyin rarely brought up the subject.

Today was only because it was Xiao Yu’s birthday.

But seeing Jingmo’s attitude, Song Qingyin could only hold his arm and pat it, agreeing silently.

Sensing the tense atmosphere, Xiao Yu’s big round eyes darted around. He began sharing amusing stories from school to capture Pei Jingmo and Song Qingyin’s attention.

Soon, the warmth and harmony returned.

Not far behind, Shen Shuhe observed everything with a heavy heart.

She exhaled deeply and closed her eyes.

At this moment, she felt like a clown hiding in the shadows, spying on their intimate family scene.

In this family, she was the one who didn’t belong.

A bitter smile tugged at the corners of Shen Shuhe’s lips.

Just then, a waiter approached. “Miss, sorry to disturb you. I noticed the injury on your arm. Do you need any assistance?”

Shen Shuhe looked down at the scrape on her arm; the blood had already dried.

She shook her head. “Thank you, no need.”

With that, she stood up.

Seeing the exquisite cake left on the table, decorated with cute cartoon characters from a popular recent game, the waiter hurriedly said, “Miss, your cake...”

“Throw it away,” Shen Shuhe replied without looking back and left.

...

On a bustling street, Shen Shuhe aimlessly drove her car.

Suddenly, she noticed a playground at the end of the road.

Outside, a family of three passed by: a father and mother holding their daughter’s hands, laughing as they entered the amusement park.

Shen Shuhe stopped the car and bought a ticket to enter.

She sat on a carousel, alone amidst the noisy crowd.

Next to her, a child asked his mother innocently, “Mommy, aren’t carousels usually played with parents? Why is this lady here by herself?”

The mother smiled and replied, “Because this lady doesn’t have any children, so she came alone. Look, Daddy bought you cotton candy!”

The child looked over and cheered happily.

Shen Shuhe withdrew her gaze, the curve of her lips cold and bitter.

After getting off the carousel, she walked along a path with her hands in her pockets.

Turning a corner, she saw two figures walking along a fork in the road.

She stopped, her eyes fixed on a tall silhouette not far away.

It was the person she had longed for almost every day at Jiugang.

Beside him was a slender woman, holding his arm.

Unexpectedly, they ran into each other here again.

Logic told Shen Shuhe that the earlier call had been self-humiliation; now she should turn and leave without hesitation.

Yet, reflecting on Xiao Yu’s joyful expression, she hesitated for a moment before taking a step to follow.

The amusement park was crowded; Shen Shuhe kept a moderate distance, close enough to hear their voices.

Song Qingyin said, “Jingmo, Xiao Yu said he wants to ride bumper cars. They’re just ahead. Let’s go.”

“Alright. Hold on tight to me, don’t let anyone bump into you.”

“Okay~”

The woman moved closer to the man’s side.

At that moment, the boy in the man’s arms shouted, “Daddy! Mommy Qingyin! Let’s rush to the bumper cars!”

The three laughed and chatted, walking over.

Shen Shuhe gripped her bag strap tightly, her fingertips whitening, then relaxed her hold and quietly followed.

At the bumper car waiting area.

After confirming the safety instructions with the staff, Pei Jingmo returned. “All set.”

Song Qingyin gently touched Xiao Yu’s cheek. “Let’s go, little birthday star. Time for bumper cars.”

“Yay!”

The three got into a car.

Pei Jingmo took the wheel and drove into the crowd, while Song Qingyin held Xiao Yu.

They looked like an ordinary, warm family having a wonderful time.

For as long as Pei Jingmo and Song Qingyin played with Xiao Yu, Shen Shuhe watched.

They were carefree and joyous, while she stood in the crowd, observing their smiling faces all afternoon.

By the end, she was nearly numb, no longer feeling what pain was.

At dusk, the three left the park.

Not far away, Shen Shuhe’s arm hung down, her expression blank as she watched Pei Jingmo chivalrously help Song Qingyin into the car.

After a moment, without a trace of attachment, she turned away.