Big beauty Pei slightly pressed his lips. President Lu had completely forgotten about that night at the manor. If he remembered, would he still be this self-righteous?
This time, Pei Rong wouldn’t be foolish enough to verify the truth of Lu Qin’s words. He found it amusing that President Lu could earnestly say he couldn’t get it up, making him curious about what Lu Qin planned to do next.
Knowing that Lu Qin was baiting him, Pei Rong found it infuriating, but still got hooked.
Pei Rong said, “It’s my short-sightedness. So, how should I repay this 7.5 million? Directly transfer it to your account?”
Lu Qin: “Do you have that much cash?”
Pei Rong smiled: “Even if I have to borrow some from a friend, I must repay it for Dundun.”
Lu Qin frowned: “Is this friend surnamed Jiang?”
Pei Rong: “Hm? It seems Dundun told you quite a lot.”
Lu Qin was overwhelmed with jealousy, barely maintaining a calm facade: “No borrowing allowed!”
“Let’s do the math. How much have you spent on Dundun in the past three years? We’ll split it in half.”
The expenses practically reflected how they lived their life. Lu Qin’s calculations served to both deepen understanding and provide money for his wife.
Pei Rong thought for a moment: “Not much. I dressed your son in street market clothes and fed him instant noodles.”
Dundun was healthy, not picky about food or clothes. The largest expense so far had been buying a cat—with President Lu’s watch.
Lu Qin: “...” Pei Rong comfirming that their son’s clothes were street market goods, and that he was fed instant noodles made Mr. Lu’s feelings complex. Although he felt sorry for his son, he couldn’t interfere with how Pei Rong chose to raise him.
Wasn’t he raised just as well as others?
Pei Rong’s refusal to share the accounts made Lu Qin slightly displeased. He reached out to grab Pei Rong’s hand on his knee, wanting to see if his hand had become rough. Just the thought of it pained Lu Qin’s heart.
Pei Rong quickly put his hand in his pocket, looking at him warily. Why does he get touchy so soon?
Lu Qin, like a capitalist discussing salary issues, said business-like: “I acknowledge the value of your labor. You’ve taken care of Dundun more than I have for the past three years, so this part should be converted into cash based on your average annual salary before you took leave. This is according to labor law. Considering you’ve raised Dundun well, let me see if you have calluses on your palm. If you do, it counts as an injury, and we’ll double the compensation.”
Pei Rong opened his mouth, realizing that before his maternity leave, Lu Qin was his boss. This calculation made sense.
Based on his average salary, President Lu was indeed generous.
Pei Rong’s fingers, hidden in his pocket, clenched a bit. He lifted his soulful eyes and said, “I have calluses. They’re ugly. No need to look.”
President Lu maintained a stern expression. “How can I verify without looking?”
How much work does a salted fish have to do to develop calluses? How did a stunning superstar, who was showered with affection, learn to raise a child on his own day by day?
Lu Qin had too many details he wanted to ask, especially about the pregnancy and birth, but he noticed that Pei Rong avoided the topic of pregnancy, so he didn’t dare to bring it up. He could only probe with tangential questions.
He also wanted to touch Pei Rong’s belly. It was flat now, just like before. Did Pei Dundun, such a big baby, cause any trouble when he was in the belly?
Yes, Pei Rong had severe morning sickness from the beginning.
Lu Qin regretted not acting sooner. When Pei Rong vomited on his collar for the first time, he should have taken him to the hospital immediately.
Pei Rong smiled and said, “Because it’s not considered a work injury. I got these calluses from using the sewing machine. I don’t need this coefficient.”
“Using the sewing machine...” Lu Qin’s breath hitched, “Did you really go to prison?”
He had wanted to ask for a long time but didn’t dare, partly fearing it would hurt Pei Rong and partly fearing he might be wrong and make a fool of himself.
It turned out to be true!
Pei Rong’s eyelashes trembled, and his expression turned downcast.
Inwardly, he scoffed. Both the big one and the little one were imagining he had been in prison.
Pei Dundun found his experience at the police station fun, so Pei Rong didn’t mind it. But what’s your excuse, President Lu?
Lu Qin asked, “Why?”
He didn’t understand. Pei Rong certainly had no financial problems, and his lifestyle was leisurely. How could he have the energy to commit a crime?
Pei Rong, looking like he didn’t want to elaborate, said, “It was an accident. I accidentally got involved in a street brawl.”
Lu Qin asked, “If it was an accident, why didn’t you hire a better lawyer? Even if you don’t have connections in the legal world... didn’t you think of asking me for help?”
Pei Rong replied, “I did.”
He did think about asking him to help Pei Dundun.
Just when Lu Qin was about to forgive him, he heard something infuriating.
“But it wasn’t a long time, and it was too much trouble.”
Lu Qin was furious, “Do you think prison life is great because of the regular schedule and three meals a day—”
Pei Rong said, “Hmm.”
Your son thinks so. If the police station provided instant noodles, he would go there every day to act cute.
He looked at Lu Qin’s expression, which was filled with anger, just like his own reaction when he first learned that Pei Ge had gone to jail. It felt as though half of the speechlessness he experienced at that time was shared by Lu Qin, and the weather seemed much clearer.
Lu Qin: “You’re pregnant and still went to jail!”
Pei Rong: “When I’m about to give birth, I’ll be released on medical parole. Then I won’t have to go back.”
Lu Qin pressed his forehead forcefully. If it weren’t for the fact that he hadn’t yet won over this beautiful person and was determined to proceed slowly, this indifferent and reckless attitude would have made him admit defeat long ago.
Why hasn’t he succeeded yet?
Lu Qin was extremely frustrated.
Lu Qin, speechless: “You were using a sewing machine. Do you have the strength in your legs? They’re... swollen.”
Pei Rong: “It’s still manageable.”
Lu Qin hesitated for a moment and said, “Before you left, I didn’t know you were pregnant. That time... did your calf hurt?”
He felt guilty. He had simply thought Pei Rong had gained weight and behaved despicably.
The composed and graceful beauty blushed quietly behind his ears. He cleared his throat and said, “It was fine.”
If it had been unbearable, he would have kicked Lu Qin out of bed long ago.
The atmosphere suddenly became a bit romantic. Lu Qin awkwardly said, “Where are you staying? I’ll drive you.”
Pei Rong: “No need. Dundun and Auntie are still in the amusement park. Go pick them up.”
Lu Qin immediately found himself in a dilemma. “Don’t you want to see your son?”
Pei Rong: “I’ve already seen him.”
Lu Qin: “...”
Pei Rong raised an eyebrow: “Sending a message to the bodyguard? Is it still those two guys who were tailing me at the hotel back then?”
Lu Qin indeed wanted to call a bodyguard to follow Pei Rong, but he was caught in the act and refused to admit it: “Nothing like that. Do you think this is three years ago?”
He put away his phone, swiftly opened the car door, and got out, leaving with an air of indifference. In reality, he immediately called the bodyguard as soon as he turned the corner.
The bodyguard dutifully followed Pei Rong. Seeing him park his car in front of a convenience store, the bodyguard parked nearby as well, only to find that Pei Rong was already gone.
“President Lu, Mr. Pei left the car keys in the convenience store and took off.”
Lu Qin, exasperated: “What about the contact number for moving the car?”
Bodyguard: “I did, but Mr. Pei might have changed the numbers before he got off.”
Lu Qin was about to instruct his secretary to check the car owner when the bodyguard said, “There was a note left on the driver’s seat with a phone number. It says you can contact them about matters concerning Dundun’s custody.”
Lu Qin stood still, deep in thought. Just a phone number, yet he felt immense joy from recovering something lost.
Shameful.
But... with the phone number, can the address be far behind?
***
Pei Dundun tugged at his father’s pants and said, “Daddy, are we going home?”
This was the first time Lu Qin saw a child willingly asking to go home from an amusement park. His mood, disturbed by the troublesome beauty, slightly improved as he picked Dundun up. “Yes, we’re going home.”
Pei Dundun wrinkled his nose and said with certainty, “It smells like my daddy.”
Lu Qin, without changing his expression, replied, “Mm, I’m going to find your daddy and tell him you’ve been very well-behaved.”
He wasn’t the least bit guilty, as if he wasn’t the one who had opened a bottle with little Dundun and complained to Pei Rong.
Pei Dundun, unaware of adult deceptions, hugged Lu Qin’s neck with gratitude. “Daddy, you’re so good.”
He had behaved very well!
Pei Dundun thought he deserved a small reward. Standing by the BMW, he pushed the car door with his hand, signaling he didn’t want to get in. “Daddy, Dundun wants to ride the little electric scooter.”
Lu Qin: “...”
It was known that the little electric scooter didn’t come with a driver, and Mr. Lu had never touched one in his life.
Pei Dundun hugged his long legs and looked up. “Can we? I can buy Daddy an electric scooter.”
With just one call, Uncle Jiang would buy one online and have it delivered to their home the next day!
Lu Qin: “Why do you want to ride that?”
“Dundun can feel the wind in front!”
Seeing his son’s round, expectant eyes, Lu Qin couldn’t bring himself to refuse. Moreover, he had just taught Dundun that “everything should be asked of Daddy first.” If he couldn’t meet this small request, what would become of his image?
It’s not like he’s being asked to fly a plane; it’s just two wheels.
Lu Qin had tried everything before.
He squatted down and said, “Daddy has something more fun than a little electric scooter.”
He took Pei Dundun to a motorcycle dealership and let Pei Dundun pick out his favorite, saying, “You can sit in the front.”
There were many cool motorcycles, and Pei Dundun chose a civilian version of the motorcycle typically used by armed police for escorts.
With a sleek silver-gray body, a windscreen in the front, and storage boxes on both sides of the rear seat, Lu Qin was familiar with it as he occasionally needed such a bike for escorts.
Lu Qin: “How about we look at another one? This one costs over a million yuan and is more suitable for Dundun.”
Pei Dundun: “This one looks the best!”
Lu Qin: “Alright.”
He had a child seat installed in front and bought a suitable safety helmet for Pei Dundun.
The next day, President Lu rode the motorcycle to work with his child, escorted by a Rolls-Royce in front and an SUV behind, completely reversing the usual function.
Wearing a suit while riding a motorcycle was obviously inappropriate. It was President Lu’s first time coming to work in “unconventional” attire. When the bike came to a stop, it felt like the building’s windows were filled with people watching.
He stabilized the bike with his foot, lifted Pei Dundun off the seat, and took off his helmet. The wild, aggressive aura he exuded was softened by his tenderness toward the child, creating an incredibly handsome image.
Pei Dundun’s clothes were designed with crash protection, making him look like an astronaut. The little sesame-sized boy bounced around: “Daddy, let’s ride the motorcycle tomorrow too, and the day after tomorrow!”
Lu Qin: “The day after tomorrow is not possible.”
Pei Dundun blinked: “Will it rain the day after tomorrow?”
His dad had always stored the electric scooter in the warehouse whenever he mentioned rain.
Lu Qin explained seriously: “Because Daddy doesn’t have enough points left on his driver’s license.”
The streets around Lu’s building strictly prohibited motorcycles, deducting three points and fining 200 yuan each time.
Commuting to and from work would cost six points, so it could only be used for a maximum of two days.
Receiving live photos from the security guard, the beauty Pei’s heart trembled slightly.
Three years ago, he led him on horseback, and now he’s racing with his child on a motorcycle. President Lu’s tactics have always been... effective.
For the first time, the beauty Pei reported two 419 stock codes to President Lu, and that was at the horse ranch.
