Over time, such rumors reached the old man's ears. Although Old Master Pei didn't frequent the company, that didn't mean he wasn't keeping tabs on its affairs. After hearing these whispers, he immediately demanded that Pei Shaoze bring Su Banxia and the children back for a visit.
Pei Shaoze received the notice and knew it was unavoidable, so he simply brought Su Banxia and the two children along. After all, she would have to face this sooner or later—it was just happening earlier than expected.
On the way to the old mansion, Su Banxia was restless and anxious, with an indescribable feeling in her heart.
"Mommy, where are we going with Uncle Pei?"
Su Guoguo pressed her face against the car window, staring at the unfamiliar surroundings, and asked curiously.
"To Uncle Pei's home."
Su Banxia's reply was distracted.
Su Guoguo was confused: "Isn't Uncle Pei's home over there?"
"So dumb. That's just one of Uncle Pei's places. He definitely has others."
Su Hao couldn't stand it, a hint of coldness on his small face that mirrored someone else's.
"Uncle Pei must be pretty rich, having several homes."
Su Guoguo sounded a bit envious.
Hearing the children's innocent words, Pei Shaoze smiled: "If Guoguo likes them, Uncle can give them all to you."
At this, Su Guoguo's eyes lit up, then dimmed again as she shook her little head: "Mommy said, don't get things without working for them. Guoguo will earn her own in the future."
"You're really good at teaching the kids."
Pei Shaoze turned his head to glance at Su Banxia.
Su Banxia's face flushed slightly. Her children's maturity was her greatest joy.
The car drove smoothly along the road, and soon they arrived at the Pei family's old mansion.
Su Banxia held a child in each hand, nervously following behind Pei Shaoze.
This visit was different from before; her legs couldn't stop trembling.
Sensing the tense atmosphere, Su Guoguo also grew serious, staying close to Su Banxia.
Old Master Pei was sitting on the sofa brewing tea, and the fragrance of tea filled the living room as they entered.
"Dad."
Pei Shaoze greeted coldly.
"Uncle, Uncle."
Su Banxia was a bit nervous, then quickly said to the children: "Say hello to Grandpa."
Guoguo and Haohao were well-behaved, their words endearing.
When he first heard the rumors, Old Master Pei didn't believe them. But now, seeing these two children standing right before him, he couldn't help but feel a stir in his heart.
After all, whether in appearance or manner of speaking, the children were practically carved from the same mold as Pei Shaoze—especially the boy.
"How old are they?"
Clearly, he was asking about the children.
"Five."
Guoguo answered in her childish voice.
Old Master Pei nodded, then turned a burning gaze to Su Banxia: "If the children are this old, why didn't you bring them back to visit sooner?"
"I was afraid you wouldn't accept me or the children, and would think I was trying to use them to gain status."
Su Banxia said calmly.
"In your eyes, am I that unreasonable?"
Old Master Pei's expression was unreadable.
Su Banxia pressed her lips together and said nothing. She hadn't yet figured out the old man's temperament, and speaking rashly might step on a landmine.
"Banxia is a resilient child. She's not one to bow to power and wealth."
Pei Shaoze took her hand, and they stood shoulder to shoulder before Old Master Pei.
It had to be said, the two of them looked quite compatible standing together, like a perfect pair.
Old Master Pei sighed: "Last time, when the head of the Su family came to arrange the marriage and you turned her down, I thought you weren't satisfied with Miss Su. But not long after, you've brought back such big children."
"Because that Su family isn't the same Su family."
Pei Shaoze said frankly.
"Which Su family is this?"
Old Master Pei frowned slightly. He hadn't thought much of the previous Su family, but at least they had some reputation. Yet, looking across the entire Yanshi, which other Su family was notable?
"I'm an orphan. My parents died long ago."
Su Banxia spoke slowly.
Hearing this, Old Master Pei's expression shifted, and his attitude changed noticeably: "The Pei family isn't a charity case."
"Dad..."
"Uncle, I understand what you mean, and I've never intended to climb the social ladder. Otherwise, I wouldn't have kept the children from acknowledging their roots for five years. Not just you, even Mr. Pei only learned about these two children for the first time."
Su Banxia interrupted Pei Shaoze. She came from humble beginnings, but that didn't mean she lacked backbone.
Seeing her somber expression, Old Master Pei couldn't help but frown but ultimately said nothing.
"To be honest, I still have no intention of relying on the Pei family. I brought the children here for them to meet their father, purely to protect them. I don't want them to be pointed at and called fatherless wild children wherever they go at such a young age."
"Are you threatening me?"
Old Master Pei's tone was ambiguous. He didn't like Su Banxia, but that didn't mean he disliked the children.
After all, these two were still of Pei blood.
"I wouldn't dare."
Su Banxia smiled: "I'm just telling you, Uncle, that I've raised the children for five years on my own, and I can continue to raise them as they grow."
"Banxia is indeed a resilient and good mother. Six years ago, we broke up due to a misunderstanding, and I had no idea she was already pregnant at the time."
Pei Shaoze lied without batting an eye.
Six years ago, they hadn't even been in a relationship—it was just a misunderstanding that led to that night. What breakup was he talking about!
Of course, Su Banxia only muttered these thoughts to herself, not daring to say them aloud.
Old Master Pei looked at their intertwined hands, then stood up with his cane: "I'll acknowledge the children, but her? No way!"
With that, he went into the study without further explanation.
"Don't be afraid. I'm here."
Pei Shaoze whispered in her ear before following into the study.
In the vast living room, only the three of them remained.
Su Banxia let out a slow breath. Communicating with someone like Old Master Pei truly took courage.
"Mommy, is Uncle Pei really our dad?"
Su Guoguo looked up, asking with a puzzled expression.
"Guoguo, remember what Mommy says. Even if Uncle Pei isn't, you have to think he is for now."
Su Banxia crouched down and said seriously.
She couldn't be selfish and ruin her children's lives. She wasn't afraid of gossip, but her children were! They were still so young—how could she bear to see them hurt?
Though Guoguo couldn't fully understand Su Banxia's meaning, she nodded obediently.
Su Hao looked at them, then at the study, a hint of sharpness crossing his small face.
Inside the study, Pei Shaoze and Old Master Pei had a long negotiation. As for what was said, Su Banxia had no way of knowing.
All she saw was that when Pei Shaoze came out of the study, his face was grim—clearly, the discussion hadn't gone well.