A Star Reborn: The Queen’s Return
chapter-478

One of them said, “This baby is really beautiful.”

Another one said, “Exactly. His eyes and mouth really resemble his mother’s.”

One said, “His eyes do resemble hers’, but I don’t think his mouth does.”

Another one said, “His mouth doesn’t resemble his father’s.”

One of them was quiet for a while before she said, “Don’t you think it’s strange. If you look closely, the baby seems not to have any feature that resembles his father.”

Another one was shocked and also looked closely at the baby. “What you said is really true. How strange! Do you think this child is…”

The other was so scared that she quickly interrupted her. “What are you saying? Boys usually resemble their mothers more. It’s very normal. Don’t spout nonsense. Walls have ears, so be careful. You don’t want Mister to hear about this. You will easily lose your job.”

The other was so scared that she did not dare to say anything more.

They changed the subject and started talking about something else.

Grandma was stunned as if a stroke of light flashed past. She suddenly understood why Pei Ziheng did not care about the baby. It was possible that the child was not even his!

This was too horrifying. What exactly happened that Xiao Ling would marry Pei Ziheng while being pregnant with someone else’s child? As for Pei Ziheng, how could he tolerate her and the child being near him?

Just as Grandma Ye was thinking about this, she suddenly heard footsteps behind her. They were slightly heavy like a man walking away. As the chauffeur could not enter the house, the only man in the house was Pei Ziheng. Grandma Ye guessed that Pei Ziheng must have heard the conversation between the two nannies.

Grandma Ye thought about it for a while and followed the footsteps.

On the terrace, there was a slight breeze, and the air had a cool aroma of plum blossoms.

Pei Ziheng lit a cigarette and seemed lonely.

Grandma Ye could not see, but smelling the smoke, she called out, “Mister, are you here?”

Pei Ziheng turned around. Without saying a thing, he immediately put out the cigarette. It was not because he was afraid that Grandma Ye would find out about his smoking habit, but rather because he grew up in a wealthy family and was well educated. Thus, he knew that putting out a cigarette in front of women was a form of basic courtesy.

However, Grandma Ye found out his position because of his slight movement.

Grandma Ye asked, “Mr. Pei, did you hear everything they said just now?”

Pei Ziheng only looked at her coldly.

Grandma Ye continued to speak to the air. “Mr. Pei, I know that you aren’t feeling good. Is it because what they said is true?”

When Pei Ziheng finally spoke, his voice was cold. “This is none of your business.”

Grandma Ye finally understood. It looked like the baby was really not his, and he probably knew about it a long time ago. Grandma Ye’s expression was rather sympathetic. “Mister, it has been hard for you to raise this child. I didn’t think that the truth was like this. No wonder you’re a little cold towards the mother and the child.”

Pei Ziheng fell silent again and looked at the blind old woman in front of him. He wondered if he should chase her away. However, Grandma Ye continued talking.

“Mister, I know that you must love Xiao Ling. Initially, when you were that cold, I thought that you didn’t love her. However, now that I know that the child isn’t yours, you must have really deep feelings for her to tolerate what she did. Your heart must be in great pain.”

Pei Ziheng’s expression slightly softened. He did not expect that Grandma Ye would tell him this.

Throughout his entire life, no one dared to talk to him like that, and no one ever understood or sympathized with his pain. Everyone only looked up to him, worshipped him, or hated him, but no one knew about the darkness behind the glamour which he faced all alone. Even Xiao Ling did not know.

However, this blind old woman in front of him spoke to him lovingly.

He was not used to her warmness.

He replied in a hoarse voice. “It’s not that hard. It’s just another child in the family. It’s not like I can’t afford to raise him.”

The grief Grandma Ye’s face intensified as she said, “Mister, when you found out about this, you must have been extremely sad. This is life. It concerns Xiao Ling’s life and also yours. Mister, although I don’t know why Xiao Ling gave birth to this child, I can see that she is working very hard to live her life with you. She has already accepted her fate, so you should also accept yours. Since you have allowed this child to stay in this house, if you can’t accept him, are at loggerheads with yourself and unhappy, what is it all for?”

Pei Ziheng snorted. “Happiness? Letting him live is my bottom line. Do you think I should treat another man’s child with a smile?”

However, Grandma Ye said, “You can’t say that, Mister. You and Xiao Ling have concealed the true identity of the child from everyone, right? Since the birth of this child, you and Xiao Ling have been taking care of him. When he grows up, he will only recognize you as his father. He will become your child.”

“That’s ridiculous.” Pei Ziheng said coldly.

How could Li Lei’s child become his?

Grandma Ye knew that an arrogant man like him was usually stubborn. She hesitated for a while before rephrasing what she said. “Thinking about it, if Xiao Ling gives birth to your real son in the future, he will become this baby’s brother. Brothers can take care of each other. If anything happens in the future, they can support each other. Mister, you’re someone in charge of big businesses and know the value of having someone whom you can trust. Why don’t you give your future son a brother like that? If you treat him well today, he will treat his brother well in the future.”

Pei Ziheng was quiet for a long time before saying, “I don’t want to hear this.”

Grandma Ye sighed and knew that she could only advise him this much. Thus, she turned around and walked away. After a few steps, she turned around again. “If there’s a quarrel between brothers in the future, Xiao Ling will be sad.”

Pei Ziheng wanted to smoke again.

He ignored Grandma Ye, turned around, and went downstairs from another end of the balcony.

In the small garden, Xia Ling was holding the baby and sunbathing. The rash on the child had mostly subsided. Under the sunshine, his skin was soft and clear. The baby’s smile was bright, pure, and innocent.

Pei Ziheng looked at them from afar.

Unconsciously, Xia Ling looked up and saw Pei Ziheng. Her initial smile when humoring the baby suddenly stiffened, and she alertly held the baby closer in her arms.

The two of them looked at each other for a long time in the garden.

Then, the child in her arms started crying again.

Only then did Xia Ling realize that she was holding her child too tightly and quickly relaxed her grip. She carefully and gentled consoled him again. The baby continued to cry. A nanny walked over, took the child from Xia Ling’s arms, and said to the child, “Be good, don’t cry. Come and play with auntie.”