Seeing this, Fang Shiqing didn't say anything more. The two casually chatted about their college days, both lamenting how time had flown.
Meanwhile, on the way back with the two children, Pei Shaoze faced a relentless barrage of questions from them.
"Did you bully Mom, is that why she's in the hospital?"
Su Guoguo's little face was tense as she asked sternly.
She really liked this handsome, wealthy uncle in front of her, but she wouldn't budge on matters of principle!
Pei Shaoze's hand on the steering wheel paused. "Who told you that?"
"Godmother told me Mom collapsed at work. Did you make her work overtime again?"
Su Guoguo looked like she was ready to interrogate him.
Her fierce, clawing demeanor was a perfect replica of Su Banxia when she got worked up.
Pei Shaoze's face flushed with embarrassment. He couldn't refute the child's words, since she was speaking the truth. This time, Su Banxia's collapse and hospitalization were indeed tied to him.
Seeing his expression, Su Guoguo's face immediately fell. "Uncle Pei, you broke your word again. You said you'd give Mom enough time to be with us, but we haven't spent time with her in ages."
"Guoguo, you kids don't understand company matters."
Pei Shaoze said with a faint smile.
All the aloofness he showed to outsiders melted away when faced with an adorable little girl.
Su Guoguo wasn't buying it. "You made me and my brother act to keep Mom here, but you didn't keep your promise."
Hearing this, Pei Shaoze cleared his throat and said slowly, "This time was a misunderstanding. I didn't think it through, but I promise you, uncle, that this kind of mistake won't happen again."
"Hmph."
Su Guoguo turned her face away in a huff, clearly not believing him.
Once or twice might be forgivable, but how many times had it been now?
Pei Shaoze knew his credibility with the two kids had hit rock bottom. He felt utterly helpless—never thought that he, a man of tough measures, would end up being outdone by a child.
The car drove smoothly along the road. Su Hao remained silent the whole time, his aloof demeanor making Pei Shaoze steal a few extra glances.
These two kids of Su Banxia were so different—one lively and sweet, the other cool and handsome.
"I really don't know how your mom managed to raise you two."
Pei Shaoze said with hidden meaning.
Honestly, he genuinely liked these kids from the bottom of his heart and wanted to treat them as his own.
Su Guoguo ignored him. The little one pressed her face against the window, gazing at the countless lights of the city outside, a hint of emotion flickering across her face.
Though they were still young, they craved family bonds. Growing up without a father's company had already left a void in their hearts, and now even their mom was rarely by their side.
"Brother."
Su Guoguo's face crumpled as she turned to look at Su Hao beside her.
Su Hao's expression was calm. The aura emanating from his small frame was no less imposing than an adult's.
When they got home, the two kids got out of the car. Su Guoguo went to her bedroom, while Su Hao stood in the living room, facing Pei Shaoze.
The tall and the small locked eyes, neither backing down.
A faint smile tugged at Pei Shaoze's lips. He felt a genuine admiration for this child—to have such unwavering resolve at such a young age was no small feat.
He seemed to see a bit of himself in the boy.
"What's up, Haohao?"
"You promised us you'd take good care of Mom."
Su Hao cut straight to the point.
He hadn't spoken in the car because he didn't want to upset Guoguo again.
"I'll reflect on what happened this time."
Pei Shaoze said with a sincere smile to the child.
"Do you really like Mom?"
Su Hao's gaze was sharp, as if trying to see right through him.
They had lived as a trio of mother and children all along, and as the only man in the family, he had to fulfill his duty to protect these two women.
"Why do you ask that?"
Pei Shaoze looked at him with interest.
Su Hao said calmly, "Back in France, I knew Uncle Lin liked Mom too, but he never let her get hurt. He even did everything he could to help her."
Hearing this, Pei Shaoze's expression shifted subtly. He knew exactly who Su Hao meant by "Uncle Lin."
"So, Haohao, do you like Uncle Lin more, or me?"
Pei Shaoze asked softly.
"Uncle Pei, given how you treat Mom now, do you think I should like you?"
Su Hao countered instead of answering, his sharp tone leaving Pei Shaoze momentarily speechless.
It seemed that lately, he had been a bit harsh on Su Banxia. Things that were trivial in themselves had become major faults in his eyes.
"If you really like Mom, don't let her get hurt or sad anymore. Back in France, our life was simple, but we were happy."
Su Hao said, each word deliberate.
With Lin Tongze, Su Banxia hadn't fallen for him, but she had been happy and content.
These words hit Pei Shaoze's ears like a needle, stabbing into the softest part of his heart.
As the saying goes, no comparison, no harm. He was now completely outshone by Lin Tongze, wasn't he?
"Don't worry, I'll make sure your mom becomes a carefree little woman too."
Pei Shaoze crouched down and made a promise.
"I want to see real results, not empty promises."
With that, Su Hao turned around without hesitation, leaving Pei Shaoze with a carefree back view.
Watching the boy, Pei Shaoze couldn't help but click his tongue, a smile spreading across his face.
After tucking the two kids into bed, Pei Shaoze drove to the hospital. Fang Shiqing had already left, leaving only Su Banxia in the ward.
"Why are you here?"
Su Banxia was startled and quickly sat up.
"Are you feeling uncomfortable anywhere?"
Pei Shaoze sat by her bed, asking attentively.
Su Banxia's heart sank. She looked at him warily—such a gentle tone wasn't his style.
"I'm... much better."
"Rest well. I've handed over the company matters to Zhang Shanshan for now, so don't worry."
Pei Shaoze tucked her blanket in.
Sensing the familiar scent emanating from him, Su Banxia froze, her lips trembling as she struggled to find words.
Had this man taken the wrong medicine today?
"Still not asleep? Are you waiting for me to put you to sleep?"
Pei Shaoze's lips curled into a smile.
Catching his implication, Su Banxia immediately shut her eyes.