Chapter 442: Chapter 442: The Solution
Yang PeiMin wasn’t truly fixated on the matter, thinking that the topic of remarrying could wait until after her death. But once dead, why should she care so much?
As long as it wasn’t because of Lu Hailing’s issue, then it was a relief.
But having Lu Hailing around as a constant instigator was really disgusting.
One couldn’t be vigilant against a thief for a thousand years.
She discussed with Shen Yiguang, “Is there any way to get rid of such a disgusting person?”
Even though the current minor tricks didn’t pose a threat to her, who knew about the future? She didn’t want a ticking time bomb by her side.
Shen Yiguang nodded, “That’s what I’m thinking too.”
Yang PeiMin, resting her chin in her hands, asked, “So what should we do? Ask Lu Haijun to take her away? That’s unlikely as his sister has found a rare job opportunity, and I doubt she would give it up or be persuaded otherwise. Sabotage her work? That also seems unfeasible. If I’m not wrong, she has Wen Qing covering her back, and ensuring one person’s position is still within the realm of possibility.”
Shen Yiguang patted her head, “Don’t worry your pretty head about it while you’re pregnant, I’ll think of something.”
But Yang PeiMin’s curiosity was piqued, “Then tell me if you think of a good solution.”
Shen Yiguang agreed, tucked her into the blankets, and then went to fetch warm water and other things. He prepared to make formula for Lele before bedtime.
The child now required one feed before sleep, another in the middle of the night, and one more at six in the morning, very punctual, and Shen Yiguang dared not be careless.
Yang PeiMin reminded him, “Lele is still outside.”
“Isn’t he sleeping in the bed?”
Yang PeiMin gave him a look, “What kind of father are you? Can he just calmly lie there by himself?”
As Lele grew bigger, his need for sleep each day decreased by several hours compared to before, but he was bursting with energy. As long as he was awake, he had to be held and played with; he would never just quietly lie in bed.
Shen Yiguang glanced inside the bed and realized what he thought was a toy was actually Lele’s small quilt.
“Alright, I’ll go out and bring him back.”
Chen Guizhi was in the living room holding Lele and watching TV. Lele wasn’t paying attention to the TV, but he liked listening to the lively sounds.
It was now past nine in the evening, and the little guy, having slept too much during the day, wasn’t sleepy. Chen Guizhi, out of options, just held him a bit longer. Seeing Shen Yiguang come out, she said, “What do you need?”
“Mom, it’s late, I’ve come out to take Lele back to sleep.”
Chen Guizhi suggested, “Why don’t you let Lele sleep with me tonight? Minmin is still pregnant, and she has to get up at night to mix his formula and change his diapers. It’s too distracting for her to get a good night’s rest.”
Shen Yiguang shook his head, “Mom, there’s also me.”
Yang PeiMin felt that her time with Lele was already short enough; she didn’t want to be apart from him even during the night. Despite being pregnant again, it didn’t change the fact that she was Lele’s mother.
Seeing her son’s insistence, Chen Guizhi felt helpless, “You’re just being stubborn. You still have to return to the army in the morning, and you’re already exhausted from the day, now you have to watch him at night too.”
“It’s fine, Mom, you’re getting on in years, and your sleep isn’t good either. As parents, it’s our duty to suffer through hardships.”
Chen Guizhi didn’t insist any further upon hearing this, her face and eyebrows showing a smiling expression, “Fine, but be alert. The child can’t go hungry.”
Shen Yiguang carried the child in, and Yang PeiMin sat up to take the baby. The little tyke turned his face towards her, cracked a smile, then reached up to grab at her head, catching a hold of her hair.
“Ouch, you little rascal!” The child had a strong grip; she could feel her scalp hurting in waves. Seeing Yang PeiMin shouting, he thought they were playing, and his laughter grew louder as Yang PeiMin tried to pry his fingers loose.
Shen Yiguang came over to help, and the two of them finally managed to loosen his grip in a frenzy of activity. Yang PeiMin quickly held him at a distance.
“No more, he’s about to rip off my scalp.”
Shen Yiguang took Lele and gently smacked his little hand, “Stinker, you hurt mommy.” He then looked at Yang PeiMin, “Let me apply some medicine for you.”
Yang PeiMin shook her head, “No need, it’ll be fine in a bit.”
But looking at her son, she suddenly felt a headache coming on, “This little guy still refuses to sleep, what should we do?”
Lele was still thrashing about in Shen Yiguang’s arms, reaching out to tug at his daddy’s shirt. After a couple of pulls, finding it unamusing, he then put his hand in his mouth and started tugging at the corner of his mouth.
“What’s he doing?” Yang PeiMin’s eyes widened. “He can play like that?”
“Oh my, I can already picture him growing up to be a mischievous kid!”
“Get his hand down quickly, don’t let him tear the corner of his mouth!”
Shen Yiguang: “…”
Then it was nearly ten o’clock by the time the tyke finally settled down to sleep. Yang PeiMin joined Shen Yiguang in a sigh, “Being a parent really isn’t easy.”
Shen Yiguang smiled.
While Yang PeiMin was still thinking about how to deal with Lu Hailing, the neighbors from the Qu Family and Lin Shuangmei were causing a stir again.
Ever since Yang Peiying found out that Lin Shuangmei wasn’t sincere towards her, they hadn’t been in touch. When Lin Shuangmei came looking for her, Yang Peiying would often say she was busy, or else she would just stay silent. Gradually, Lin Shuangmei seemed to realize something and stopped coming over.
One day, out of the blue, Lin Shuangmei showed up to see Yang Peiying again. Yang Peiying had just finished selling fast food and hadn’t entered the courtyard when Lin Shuangmei stopped her at the door.
“Yingzi, I need to talk to you.”
Yang Peiying was followed by Yang Peijun, her younger brother, who also knew a little about her situation. He glanced at Lin Shuangmei, “What’s the matter that can’t be said in front of others?”
Lin Shuangmei glanced at him and then at Yang Peiying who obviously wasn’t eager to move, passed the bag in her hand to Yang Peiying, “Yingzi, these are homemade pickled plums. I brought them specially for you to try. I remember you saying you love these sour and sweet things. You were busy recently, right? I’ve been busy with home stuff too, so I haven’t come to see you. We haven’t had a proper chat in a while. I’ve missed you. Take these to try out. It’s not much; don’t despise it.”
Lin Shuangmei’s eyes were filled with sincerity, and she seemed a bit cautious.
Yang Peiying glanced at Yang Peijun but didn’t reach out to take it.
Lin Shuangmei also looked at Yang Peijun, “Brother Yang, I don’t mean anything else. Yingzi and I have always been good friends who could chat about anything. It’s just that I’ve been busy and haven’t been around much.”
“Yingzi, just take it, I just remembered, I have things to do at home.” As soon as she finished speaking, she stuffed the bag into Yang Peiying’s arms and turned to run off.
Yang Peiying wanted to follow, but Yang Peijun held her back, “Forget about it. What’s in the bag?”
They went back into the courtyard and took out the contents of the bag. It did contain a small bag of pickled plums, but underneath them was a letter you wouldn’t have noticed without looking closely.
Yang Peijun picked it up to read.