78: What freedom does she still dream of? Maybe in her next life.
Shang Zhi only learned about Lu Xingqi's baby birth the next day. When she arrived at the hospital, she sighed softly, "We clearly agreed that you would call me here so I could see my goddaughter being born."
Lu Xingqi and Pei Wang's child is a daughter. They knew this a long time ago, and they named her Mingzhu, Pei Mingzhu, meaning "precious pearl in the palm of their hand."
"I don't want to disturb your sleep. Besides, you can't help much even if you come." Lu Xingqi's face was still pale from giving birth for a long time last night, but overall it went relatively smoothly. She just hadn't recovered yet. Pei Wang had been with her all night and his heart was pounding. His eyes were still red.
“Mingzhu, our little Mingzhu.” Shang Zhi looked at the wrinkled baby’s sleeping face in the crib and felt a surge of emotion. Time is truly amazing; Xingxing actually gave birth to a person. She was somewhat dazed and didn’t know how all of this had happened.
Time really does age us.
She gave the ruby she had prepared to Lu Xingqi.
"It's a loose stone. Let's set it when the pearl is a bit bigger. If I have a child in the future, I'd like a chubby, well-behaved daughter. Why don't you give this to me and you have another one?"
Lu Xingqi rolled her eyes at Shang Zhi.
"Mingzhu, grow up quickly! When you grow up, come to the company with your godmother and we'll work together to make it bigger and stronger! Let's create new glories!" Shang Zhi teased Mingzhu with a toy. Mingzhu laughed, and the adults in the room laughed too. The sunlight shone on them, creating a very warm atmosphere.
At night, with Pei Yanxiu holding her captive, Shang Zhi suddenly sat up in bed as the evening breeze blew by. She stared at him intently and said, "I need to make this clear to you: if we have any children in the future, they will have to take my surname, Shang." This was something Shang Zhi had thought about long ago. She either wouldn't have children, or if she did, the children would have to take her surname.
Pei Yanxiu was taken aback for a moment, then smiled and put his arm around Shang Zhi's waist: "You mean, you want to have my child?"
Shang Zhi's face immediately turned bright red.
I'm talking to you about something serious, don't interrupt!
"I promise you, it's just the surname Shang, no problem, as long as it's not the same as the neighbor's surname." Shang Zhi was a little amused and exasperated, not expecting Pei Yanxiu to have such a unique way of thinking.
"Won't Dad be unhappy? After all, feudalism and ignorance are your family traditions. Even you are so feudal, so Dad must care more about these things."
Pei Yanxiu said calmly, "As long as it's my child, it doesn't matter what surname he takes. Don't worry about his father. He has plenty of things that make him unhappy, one more won't make a difference. At worst, he'll scold me for being unfilial, it doesn't matter, he'll get used to it eventually. Besides, how am I feudal? I'm the most reasonable person, okay? I'm not like him."
"If you're not feudal, then hit me!" Shang Zhi protested, frowning.
“That’s not hitting, that’s education. You need to educate me before I hit you. I’m doing this to help you improve. You should be grateful, you know?” Pei Yanxiu said in a serious tone, leaving everyone speechless.
Good, good, good, this old man is really getting more and more insane.
-
Perhaps because Shang Zhi has been attracting too much attention recently, gossip tabloids have dug up some old news about her and Lu Ke, saying that Lu Ke went to the United States for love and that Shang Zhi and Lu Ke had a secret underground relationship.
Several photos taken from unclear angles have added a layer of mystery to the matter.
Some nosy reporters went to Pei Yanxiu demanding an explanation, but were immediately escorted out by security. The report was still broadcast, and on television, Pei Yanxiu appeared with a sullen, intimidating expression as he faced the reporters. Pei Yanxiu had already thoroughly investigated Shang Zhi and Lu Ke; there was nothing between them. He was simply annoyed that these idle media outlets were spreading rumors and trying to sow discord between the couple.
"It's just in time you got back. The fish is really fresh today!" When Pei Yanxiu got home that evening, Shang Zhi casually sat on his lap, observing his mood as she worried that he was too angry about the reports and wanted to ask him something but didn't know how to start.
"Understood." Pei Yanxiu's expression was indifferent. He was a little tired. He had spent the whole day trying to take down those unfounded reports, but unfortunately, the results were not good.
The thought of people talking about his wife and other men made him furious. Shang Zhi didn't understand his thoughts and thought he was angry just because of her.
"There's nothing between us, really, it's not like what they say, we've never been in a relationship." Shang Zhi leaned softly on his shoulder, her guilty eyes making Pei Yanxiu almost unable to resist. His hands moved up her body from her ankles, his throat parched. Of course he knew she had nothing, every inch of her belonged to him, what freedom did she still dream of? In the next life.
She could pray that she wouldn't meet him in her next life, but if she did, he would still lock her up, even tighter.
Shang Zhi's phone rang; it was Lu Ke calling. She tried to get off him, but he held her and gestured for her to answer the call right there, insisting that he listen too. Helpless, Shang Zhi had no choice but to answer the phone in front of him.
"XiXi, I'm sorry for the trouble I caused you. I've already spoken with several media outlets, and they will delete the relevant content."
"Xixi, did that old pervert give you any trouble?" Pei Yanxiu sneered silently upon hearing Lu Ke's words. He pressed down on Shang Zhi's thigh, causing her to let out a whimper. Lu Ke on the phone also noticed the abnormality.
"Xixi, are you alright? Are you feeling unwell?"
"No, no, I'm fine."
Pei Yanxiu's expression remained cold even after hanging up the phone. Shang Zhi smiled sweetly and hugged his neck, saying, "It's all in the past, so don't be so petty. Besides, I didn't do anything."
"Is that so? What else do you want to do?" His sharp gaze swept over her, and Shang Zhi felt inexplicably guilty.
"Want some fish? It'll get cold if you don't eat it. Let's eat first, okay?" She tried to run away, but he gently hooked her hand and pulled her back into his arms. The moment she met his eyes, Shang Zhi felt that she could hardly bear his anger.
"It's better to eat you." Shang Zhi felt that this man was too vengeful. It was just a few reports, and he had pinned her down on the bed and tortured her until she was almost exhausted.
Her pleas for mercy were useless; he held her arm down, telling her to be obedient, his words carrying a strong warning.
Shang Zhi had nowhere to seek justice, so she could only give in to his every whim until only the two of them were left breathing heavily in the room.
The fish was already cold.
Feeling that things couldn't continue like this, Shang Zhi took a notebook afterwards and wanted to re-establish three rules with Pei Yanxiu, asking him to interfere less with her to prevent such a thing from happening again. Just like they agreed before their marriage, he couldn't control her spending or her other affairs. She wanted him to write this down on paper and sign it.
"If you're itching for a beating, just tell me. No need for all this trouble," Pei Yanxiu said casually, glancing at the things she handed him.
His large hand caressed her lips, and his gaze towards her was filled with endless longing and an insatiable desire for control.
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