"Let's go. We should head back."
Pei Shaoze looked at her gently and said.
Su Banxia nodded and stayed close by his side as they got into the car and hurried back.
Throughout the ride, Pei Shaoze's expression was dark and intimidating. Su Banxia remained silent, quietly accompanying the two children.
Guoguo's lively eyes darted around, clearly unable to comprehend everything that had happened today. She didn't understand why they had gotten up early and dressed up meticulously, only to exchange a few simple words and leave.
Haohao, on the other hand, sat calmly in the back seat. He understood the shift in circumstances but chose not to say much.
After this experience, Su Banxia deeply realized that her and her children's fate might have been altered.
Su Sinian quickly learned about this and was immediately consumed by rage. Staring at Zhang Shanshan before her, she scolded, "Didn't you say that spreading rumors about the children would make her back off? But now, not only has it failed, it's actually brought them closer together!"
"There's still a chance for a turnaround. We need to look on the bright side."
Zhang Shanshan said calmly.
She had anticipated that Pei Shaoze would dispel the rumors for Su Banxia, but she hadn't expected him to protect her in this way.
"A turnaround? You mean the so-called turnaround where Su Banxia successfully marries into the Pei family and becomes the young mistress?"
Su Sinian was furious. She felt she must have been out of her mind to have teamed up with this woman in the first place!
"Miss Su, I understand your desire to get rid of Su Banxia. I feel the same way, don't I? But you need to realize that haste makes waste. Calm down and face this seriously—that's what we should do."
Zhang Shanshan spoke slowly, unaffected by Su Banxia's words.
Su Sinian gritted her teeth. "Then tell me, what should we do!"
"That depends on you, Miss Su. Whatever Su Banxia fears most, that's what you should give her."
Zhang Shanshan's words carried a hidden meaning.
With that hint, Su Sinian suddenly understood. Since Old Master Pei already knew about the children, then some people should know too!
After returning from the Pei family's old mansion, Su Banxia's life went on as usual, but she couldn't shake the feeling that something was different.
The nanny and butler at home looked at her with a strange glint in their eyes.
She wasn't sure if she was being overly sensitive, but it felt odd.
A call from Su Jin only heightened her unease. Staring at the two big characters flashing on her phone screen, she hesitated for a long time before swiping to answer.
"Hello?"
Su Banxia tried to make her voice sound as gentle as possible.
"I heard you took your two children to the Pei family to acknowledge kinship?"
Su Jin's tone was unreadable.
Su Banxia paused briefly, then forced a light laugh. "It was just a favor between friends."
"A favor for you, or for him?"
Su Jin asked.
"Mr. Su, I..."
"Banxia."
Su Jin cut her off. "I raised you with my own hands. I know your temperament well. Are you sure you won't give me an explanation about the children?"
Hearing this, Su Banxia bit her lower lip. "The children are indeed Pei Shaoze's."
"Nonsense!"
Su Jin said coldly. "At a time like this, you're still lying to me. What kind of man is Pei Shaoze? Would he let his own children drift outside for so many years? Tell me, are these children Lin Tongze's?"
"This has nothing to do with him!"
Su Banxia was taken aback. She hadn't expected Su Jin to threaten her so subtly for the sake of the Su family's interests.
Making her admit the children were Lin Tongze's was nothing more than a way to cut off any hope she had with Pei Shaoze!
Was her existence really a nightmare to everyone in the Su family?
"You and Lin Tongze have known each other since childhood and spent six years together in France. By the timeline, the children are most likely his. Banxia, since I raised you, I naturally want you to be happy. I'll smooth things over with Lin Tongze."
Su Jin didn't care about Su Banxia's feelings at all. His only concern was profit.
He was well aware of Lin Tongze's feelings for Su Banxia. That was precisely why he had let her get close to Lin Tongze back then.
Regardless of who the children's father was, Su Jin believed Lin Tongze would accept Su Banxia. Then, using leverage, he could make Pei Shaoze marry Su Sinian.
That way, whether it was Lin Tongze or Pei Shaoze, Su Jin would benefit from both sides.
That was his plan, his conviction.
Su Banxia had no idea about his intentions. She only thought Su Jin was saying this out of love for Su Sinian.
For a moment, she was overwhelmed with mixed emotions. She had never shown Su Jin any less care than Su Sinian, so why was the return so meager?
"If you truly want me to be happy, you shouldn't be making things difficult for me."
This was the first time Su Banxia had talked back to him.
Su Jin's face darkened. "Don't think that just because you have children, Old Master Pei will let you into the family. Your status in the Pei family is not something that can see the light of day!"
"I've never had such thoughts, and I won't let Lin Tongze take the blame. He has been kind to me, and I won't use him. Mr. Su, let's talk another day. I have things to do."
With that, Su Banxia hung up the phone. She didn't dare continue the conversation, afraid she might lose control.
The days were growing shorter. It was only six o'clock, but the sky outside was already dark.
The nanny brought the two children back. Guoguo and Haohao looked at the figure curled up on the sofa and exchanged glances.
"Brother, Mom seems a little unhappy."
Guoguo tugged at Su Hao's sleeve and said softly.
Su Hao glanced at the figure, furrowing his brows. His stern expression made Su Guoguo immediately fall silent.
Ever since they returned from the old mansion, Mom's mood had seemed off—she had become increasingly quiet.
"Let's cook a meal for Mom."
Su Hao sighed and suggested.
"Will that make her happy?"
Su Guoguo asked calmly.
Su Hao nodded. "Maybe."
No sooner had he spoken than Guoguo dashed into the kitchen.
The two little ones fumbled around in the kitchen, eventually managing to prepare a meal.
Su Banxia looked at her children's efforts and the corners of her mouth lifted slightly. Her children always understood her. Back in France, whenever she was upset, they were her ray of sunshine.
"Mom, you need to be happy. You still have Guoguo and brother. We'll always be with you."
Su Guoguo was delighted to see Su Banxia smile and lifted her little face to speak earnestly.
"I will. As long as I have you, Mom is more than content."
Su Banxia gave a faint, gentle smile.