Chapter 6 Long Time No See
I thought after so long, meeting again would feel calm.
But my heart pounded hard in my chest.
I still remembered our parting. Pei Yuchuan had worn a cheap short-sleeved shirt, holding our newborn baby, burdened with exhaustion.
Now, he looked like the elegant, eye-catching heir from a Wealthy Family again.
I suppressed the surging emotions and looked down at Pei Xi beside me.
She still held my sleeve, stubbornly calling me Mommy.
She hadn't mistaken me. I was the one who hadn't recognized her.
Gu Yan whispered in my ear. "Xixi seems to really like you. She never calls anyone Mommy in front of my brother's fiancée."
I paused.
Pei Yuchuan was engaged?
Of course. After so many years, who would wait in the same place?
Gu Yan scooped up Pei Xi and waved at Pei Yuchuan.
"Bro, perfect timing. Come take Xixi."
"I was having my best friend on a blind date with Gu Xu, and she came over causing trouble."
"Oh right, this is my best friend, Wen You."
She introduced me to Pei Yuchuan and asked with a grin, "What do you think? Isn't my friend pretty?"
"Doesn't she match perfectly with Gu Xu?"
Gu Xu's face went pale. He trembled and tried to explain. "Bro, I didn't..."
But Gu Yan glared at him hard, and he shut up awkwardly.
Pei Yuchuan didn't answer her. He simply reached out and took Pei Xi into his arms with ease.
Pei Xi had been staring at me longingly. After he whispered something to her, she obediently wrapped her arms around his neck.
"Okay, Daddy. Let's go."
With that, he turned and left with the child.
He never looked at me again.
He probably didn't want others to know about our past.
But Gu Yan had no tact and called after him.
"Bro, you haven't answered me yet."
"You're making my best friend feel awkward."
Please stop talking.
This was what made it awkward for me.
Pei Yuchuan turned back at her words, his gaze fixed somewhere distant. After a pause, he said softly, "Yes, she's very pretty."
She always has been.
How could that be?
Back when I chased him, I dressed up carefully every day.
Later, during pregnancy, I couldn't wear makeup and suffered severe morning sickness. There was a time I looked so bad I couldn't stand myself.
After he spoke, Gu Yan finally sensed something unusual and looked at me confused.
"Wen You, do you know my brother?"
I hesitated, then chose a safer explanation.
"We were at the same university while studying abroad. Classmates, sort of."
Pei Yuchuan pressed his lips into a straight line at that. He gave me a deep look, then left with Pei Xi.
His appearance felt like a brief interruption. The tea party continued.
The blind date with Gu Xu didn't go well.
Clearly, he knew about my connection to Pei Yuchuan and kept his distance.
I had no extra thoughts and just sipped my drink quietly.
Gu Yan noticed and sighed helplessly. "Since neither of you is interested, forget it."
"Wen You, I'll look through the list again later and pick someone new for you."
"The room is ready. Stay here these next couple days. Treat it like a vacation."
Gu Yan's estate was surrounded by bamboo forests on all sides, with lakes, gardens, a pool, and a tea bar. It really was perfect for relaxing.
But thinking Pei Yuchuan was here, I shook my head.
"I'll stay at a hotel outside."
Gu Yan linked arms with me and whined. "My parents are abroad on business. My brother doesn't live here. Gu Xu suddenly has to go out of town for an exhibition. Just keep me company."
I caught the key part. "Your brother doesn't live here?"
"Yeah, he has his own place. He only brings Xixi back sometimes to play."
Since Pei Yuchuan wasn't staying, I relaxed and nodded.
We had plans to go shopping that evening. But right before leaving, she got a call.
Something about the company needing her to pick up a file.
Gu Yan had to leave first. Before going, she told me, "Wen You, I'll be back soon. Wander around the estate in the meantime."
I believed her.
The garden was filled with the scent of osmanthus. I decided to go take a look.
But before entering the small garden, I ran into a familiar figure.
Under the heavy cover of osmanthus flowers, he sat on the winding corridor, gazing at the crescent moon in the sky.
I paused, then turned to leave.
But it was too late.
He had seen me. His voice was as clear as ever.
"Wen You, long time no see."