For several days in a row, Jiang Shuyi had remained completely silent.

Shen Nanchu grew increasingly curious about Jiang Shuyi’s unusual behavior.

She simply couldn’t believe that Jiang Shuyi would do nothing after being cut off by her.

There had to be something big brewing!

Sure enough, after Pei Zhengnian’s condition improved, Jiang Shuyi finally made a move.

One day, Shen Nanchu was sitting in the hospital room, keeping Pei Zhengnian company.

Pei’s mother had gone to the hospital cafeteria to prepare nourishing soup for both Pei Zhengnian and Shen Nanchu.

Ever since Pei Zhengnian had come out of danger, Pei’s mother finally felt relieved, and the smile on her face grew more frequent.

By noon, almost past mealtime, Pei’s mother hurried back, her expression tinged with uncertainty and suspicion.

Both Shen Nanchu and Pei Zhengnian noticed.

“Mom, what’s wrong?” Pei Zhengnian asked.

But Pei’s mother didn’t respond, lost deep in her own thoughts.

It wasn’t until Pei Zhengnian called her several times that she snapped back to reality.

Clearly, she was troubled.

Shen Nanchu looked at Pei’s mother with concern.

“Mom, did something happen?”

Pei’s mother glanced at Shen Nanchu, then at Pei Zhengnian, and after a moment of hesitation, she finally bit the bullet and shared what had just happened.

“I… I just saw someone who looked exactly like the eldest son.”

“Not just looked like him—the voice was the same, too.”

Shen Nanchu and Pei Zhengnian both felt a chill run down their spines.

They knew that Pei Zhengwei wasn’t dead.

The news hadn’t been made public, and now Pei’s mother had found out. This was a serious problem.

After all, Pei Zhengwei was far from being a good person.

If Pei’s mother learned everything Pei Zhengwei had done to Pei Zhengnian…

Neither Pei Zhengnian nor Shen Nanchu dared to imagine the consequences.

On top of that, Shen Nanchu, who was originally Pei Zhengnian’s sister-in-law, had now married him…

“Mom, maybe you’ve been too tired lately, and that’s why you’re seeing things?” Shen Nanchu said, not wanting to dwell on it.

If the news that Pei Zhengwei was still alive could be suppressed, they would keep it under wraps for now.

If it couldn’t be kept secret any longer, they would deal with it then.

Pei Zhengnian also didn’t want his mother to know that Pei Zhengwei was still alive.

“Yes, Mom. Maybe you haven’t been resting well lately,” Pei Zhengnian added.

Pei’s mother also began to doubt herself, thinking that maybe she just lacked energy.

After all, how could someone who was dead come back to life?

“Maybe.”

Seeing that Pei’s mother no longer insisted on the matter, the heavy weight in Shen Nanchu and Pei Zhengnian’s hearts finally lifted.

But Pei Zhengwei was already at the hospital. If he intended to have a chance encounter with Pei’s mother, no one could stop him.

Pei Zhengnian felt conflicted.

Shen Nanchu, however, had an idea.

“Mom, let’s go tidy up the house later.”

“What house?” both Pei Zhengnian and Pei’s mother asked at the same time.

“The one at No. 206, East Third Alley, behind the Cultural Troupe!” Shen Nanchu blinked her beautiful eyes.

“Zhengnian, you’re almost ready to be discharged. You can’t just stay in the hospital forever.”

“My belly might pop any time now.”

“Why don’t we just stay in the capital to have the baby, then go back afterward?”

Shen Nanchu’s words made Pei Zhengnian and Pei’s mother both pause and think.

It was true.

Her due date was already here.

The baby could come any day.

Staying in the capital to give birth and recover was indeed a good idea.

“All right, I’ll go and tidy up the house in a bit.”

“And we should get some more things too.”

Pei’s Mother immediately started making plans.

“Mom, you just focus on cleaning up that room these days! No need to come over here.”

Shen Nanchu’s suggestion was wholeheartedly agreed upon by Pei Zhengnian.

“No way, I have to cook for you all.”

Pei’s Mother was not willing to skip coming over.

“Mom, you cook at home and let Xiong Lei help deliver the meals.”

“The baby is about to be born; we need to prepare as much as possible in advance.”

Shen Nanchu’s words made Pei’s Mother hesitate for a moment before she agreed.

After all, things on Pei Zhengnian’s side were mostly settled; he just needed rest. Besides, with Xiong Lei and Sun Xuelin around, she could feel much more at ease.

Shen Nanchu’s side needed to be more tightly managed—there were indeed a lot of preparations to make before the baby arrived.

“After we eat, let’s go over there directly!”

“Perfect timing to get everything organized.”

Pei’s Mother’s words received strong support from Pei Zhengnian.

“Xiong Lei, you’ll accompany your sister-in-law and the others over later.”

“No problem, Commander.”

Xiong Lei had been cooped up in the hospital for so long he was starting to feel restless.

He was naturally very happy to get out for a walk.

……

At No. 206, East Third Alley behind the Performing Arts Troupe.

This was the residence the Pei family had arranged for Shen Nanchu before.

It was very close to Shen Nanchu’s workplace at the troupe and in a decent location.

It was a standalone little courtyard.

Square and neat, with only three rooms.

Two bedrooms and a small kitchen.

It was only with the help of the system that Shen Nanchu found the key hidden in a corner of the system’s space.

Because no one had lived there for a long time, the house had a bit of a stale smell.

As soon as Pei’s Mother entered, she started cleaning right away.

Shen ​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​​‌‌‌​​‌​‌‌​​​‌​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​‌‌​​​‌‌​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​‌‌​​‌‌​​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​​‌​​​​‌‌​​‌​​​‌‌​‌‌‌​​‌‌‌​​​​​‌‌​​​‌​​‌‌​​‌​‍Nanchu, with her belly quite prominent now, wanted to help but was stopped by Pei’s Mother.

Fortunately, the courtyard wasn’t too big, and with just Pei’s Mother and Xiong Lei, they quickly finished tidying up.

After all, before Pei Zhengnian handed over the key to Shen Nanchu, he had already gone to clean the place once.

Now, it was just covered in a layer of dust.

Once cleaned, Pei’s Mother wanted to make a quick trip to the black market.

They still didn’t have bedding for sleeping at night.

She had left in a hurry and hadn’t brought any ration tickets.

Shen Nanchu directly took out some tickets from the system’s space.

A colorful handful.

After thinking for a moment, she also pulled out a thick stack of banknotes.

“Mom, let’s just go to the department store.”

“I have both tickets and money—more than enough.”

Shen Nanchu’s words were no empty boast.

Her system space was stocked with plenty of supplies.

Back in Wangjian Village, she hadn’t had many chances to buy things.

And now, the stock just kept growing.

Pei’s Mother looked at Shen Nanchu, her eyes filled with complicated emotions.

But now wasn’t the time to be sentimental.

She’d make it up to the baby later.

Xiong Lei stood beside them, wide-eyed in amazement.

“Sis-in-law, I didn’t expect your bag to look so small but hold so much!”

Shen Nanchu smiled awkwardly.

“That’s all I packed.”

With money and tickets in hand, the three of them set off confidently toward the department store.

Luckily, the department store was not far from their current place—a ten-minute walk.

When Pei Zhengnian bought this house for Shen Nanchu, he had fully considered all her circumstances.

Her work and preferences.

Convenient for commuting to work, and also convenient for shopping at the department store.

It must be said, Pei Zhengnian is truly a thoughtful and thorough person.

…

The department store in the capital was very familiar territory for both Pei’s Mother and Shen Nanchu.

As soon as they entered, the three of them headed straight for their destination.

They bought ready-made quilts and blankets without hesitation.

As for the baby’s clothes, Pei’s Mother had come well-prepared, bringing plenty along from before.

Now they just needed to pick up a few more items—some baby bottles and formula would be about right.

The rest were just daily necessities.

Just as Shen Nanchu and Pei’s Mother were selecting baby clothes, a few familiar voices rang out.

“Hey, look who it is!”

“Isn’t that the former star of the arts troupe?”

“Why is she dressed like such a country bumpkin now?”

…

Source: Webnovel.com, updated by NovelKeep