Chapter 57: Lower Back and Leg Pain
Lu Shangyan didn't know where to put his hands. Originally, his hands were on Pei Yumin's waist, but as Pei Yumin moved, his hands could no longer hold Pei Yumin's waist and kept sliding down. Especially when Pei Yumin's waist moved, if his hands were to press on his waist again, it would be as if he was telling him to press harder.
Lu Shangyan felt his face burning just thinking about it. After slipping down again, he didn't want to lift it up. He hesitated for a long time before finally grabbing a corner of the pillow and holding it tightly.
He gently closed his eyes, but occasionally he would uncontrollably half-close them. When he saw Pei Yumin's eyes, which were full of aggression and a smile, he felt shy and wanted to close his eyes again.
Pei Yumin seemed to know exactly where to make him open his eyes and mouth, so to prevent himself from showing that expression, he simply lifted the pillow and covered half of his face.
Pei Yumin chuckled softly, placed his fingers on either side of his face, slowly leaned down, opened his mouth, and gently bit his fingers.
Lu Shangyan felt as if he had been electrocuted. His hand trembled, and the pillow fell down again. Pei Yumin put his finger in his mouth and slowly moved his other hand to his neck, gently rubbing his Adam's apple with his thumb.
Lu Shangyan was both afraid and expectant. After a while, Pei Yumin spat out his fingers, grabbed his hand, and placed it on his own neck: "If you feel uncomfortable, you can pinch me here."
Lu Shangyan pulled his hand back and said vaguely, "You'll get hurt if you do that."
“No.” Pei Yumin shook his head, then lowered his head to kiss his earlobe: “If you did this to me, I would love it.”
As soon as he finished speaking, Lu Shangyan's fingers twitched a few times, then fully opened, gripping his neck tightly, and he said in a breathy voice that he could barely bear it, "Then you'll regret it."
......
When Lu Shangyan woke up, he still had a leather ring in his hand. The ring was connected to a chain, and the other end of the chain was a collar fastened around Pei Yumin's neck.
Black leather choker.
There is a ring of red marks left from being tightened below.
Lu Shangyan bit his tongue lightly, forcing himself to come back to his senses and stop thinking about what happened last night.
He didn't know where Pei Yumin got this thing from, and he actually put it around his neck. Last night, when he was chained up, Pei Yumin's frenzied behavior really resembled a mad dog that he couldn't tame.
Lu Shangyan felt aches and pains in his waist and legs just thinking about it. He sighed deeply and patted Pei Yumin's face with the leather ring in his hand: "Time to get up."
Pei Yumin stopped pretending to be asleep, opened her eyes, exchanged a kiss with him, and asked, "Did you sleep well last night?"
Lu Shangyan dared not stretch his body, only thinking to himself that he could not let Pei Yumin hold it in for so long again.
Pei Yumin put his arm around his waist and massaged it intermittently to relieve the soreness: "Master, why don't you praise me?"
Lu Shangyan's ears turned red, and he responded softly, "It's alright."
Pei Yumin added, "Actually, you could be a little gentler next time; I would like it even more that way."
Lu Shangyan opened his mouth, but after a long pause, he managed to utter, "Your tastes are very strange."
Pei Yumin recalled the fleeting excitement on Lu Shangyan's face when Lu Shangyan slapped him on the chest last night, and he said confidently, "You will definitely like it too."
She needs to be a perceptive and good mother.
When Lu Shangyan went downstairs, he felt soreness in his waist and legs, and his stomach was bloated. He had to drag his stomach and press it intermittently to feel a little better.
He had only gone halfway down the stairs when he turned around and said, "I think I need to go to the restroom again."
Pei Yumin was both amused and exasperated: "Darling, you've already been there three times since you sat up in bed. This is just your imagination."
Lu Shangyan frowned and remained silent.
Pei Yumin added, "It must be that my size is too big, which gave you some kind of illusion."
Lu Shangyan: ......
He didn't want to talk to Pei Yumin anymore, but when he turned his head, he saw Yuan Qingyu leaning on the railing downstairs, secretly watching them and laughing. He immediately lowered his voice and warned Pei Yumin: "Don't talk nonsense."
Pei Yumin poked his stomach and then his butt: "You've fed me so well, I just want to savor the memory now, I don't want to talk anymore."
Lu Shangyan gave him another warning look, because he felt that Pei Yumin was definitely not the kind of person who would keep his promise at this time.
Yuan Qingyu had stewed a pot of very nourishing soup, and as soon as Lu Shangyan sat down on the sofa, Yuan Qingyu brought it over with a tray.
Lu Shangyan wanted to go to the dining table, but Yuan Qingyu, seeing that he had difficulty walking today, immediately said, "No need, it's the same wherever you eat."
Lu Shangyan stopped refusing. As he lowered his head to drink the soup, he dared not look at Yuan Qingyu's expression again.
From that day on, Yuan Qingyu made different kinds of soup and meals for Lu Shangyan every day.
As a result, when it snowed in December, he gained a lot of weight and had to be extra careful when walking on the street, for fear of accidentally falling.
Pei Yumin wanted him to ask for leave from school and stay until the baby was born in February before returning to school.
Lu Shangyan was unwilling, but Pei Yumin talked to him a few times and he gave up the idea. He just took even better care of him than before. Every day when he went downstairs to the door to catch his car, Pei Yumin wanted to carry him there himself. It was only because Lu Shangyan felt embarrassed to be carried like that in front of so many nannies that he changed to half-carrying and half-supporting him. After taking him to school, Pei Yumin would personally escort him to his classroom.
He arranged for a bodyguard for Lu Shangyan at the school, who sat next to Lu Shangyan as an exchange student and helped him handle anything.
This was the biggest concession Pei Yumin could make, so Lu Shangyan did not refuse.
Xia Li had to endure Lu Shangyan's naked gaze to get close enough to talk to him.
Xia Li asked him, "What does President Pei mean by this? Are you that possessive? Are you so afraid that someone will steal you away from you at school?"
Jian Guo snorted coldly. He was sitting in the front row, leaning back in his chair and turning his head to declare with great certainty: "He must be feeling guilty, thinking he's not good enough for Lu Shangyan, which is why he's so scared. Otherwise, why would a good person keep an eye on his wife?"
"I also suspect he has paranoia! Speaking of which, Lu Shangyan, why don't you take her to get her brain checked?"
Lu Shangyan knew the reason, but he couldn't say it outright. In the end, he could only make up a lie to explain: "No, it's because I've been having some health issues lately. He was worried that I would have problems if no one took care of me at school, so he sent someone to protect me."
Xia Li immediately became anxious: "What happened? Why didn't you tell us? Did you go to the hospital for a checkup? What did the doctor say?"
Lu Shangyan didn't know how to answer several questions in a row, but once a lie was told, he had to cover it up.
His mind raced, and he could only say, "It's nothing, it's a minor issue. I've already had it checked out. I can have a minor surgery at the hospital after the exams in February."
Jian Guo exclaimed anxiously, "What kind of illness is it? It's so serious! They actually need to have surgery!"
Lu Shangyan was stunned. He licked his dry lips and forced himself to continue, "There's a little thing growing in my belly, but it's nothing serious. It's benign and will be removed soon."
At this point, Jian Guo and Xia Li both breathed a sigh of relief.
Xia Li said, "You should have told us sooner. You were sick and kept it from us for so long. If you need any help in the future, just let us know. Don't think it's a bother."
"You are now a priority for us! If you feel even the slightest discomfort, you must tell us, and we will take you to the hospital immediately."
Jian Guo also said, "I told you that you've gained a lot of weight recently, and your belly looks bigger. I thought it was because it's winter and you're wearing thicker clothes. Turns out you have something growing in your belly."
He was very thoughtful. Before Xia Li even cried, he was the one who shed tears first: "Don't worry, it's not convenient for Xia Li to take care of you personally. I won't go back during the winter vacation. I'll stay at the hospital with you."
I can't accompany you on that.
Lu Shangyan quickly said, "No need, he will help me find a caregiver. My 'illness' will be cured after you come back from winter break."
Jian Guo and Xia Li were still worried that day, so they saw Lu Shangyan off to his car and asked Pei Yumin about the situation. Only after confirming that he was really alright did they feel at ease.
Pei Yumin had already received Lu Shangyan's message. On the way here, he rehearsed how to respond to Xia Li and Jian Guo several times. In the end, he chose a skillful way of acting that was sad but hopeful, to make sure that Lu Shangyan's illness was just a minor one that could be cured with a small surgery. It was not a big problem at all and there was a good chance of recovery. However, he was also Lu Shangyan's lover, so even if it was just a small surgery, he would be sad with fear.
Even after everyone had gone far away, he was still acting. Lu Shangyan couldn't stand it anymore and patted him hard on the shoulder: "Stop acting, that's enough."
Pei Yumin laughed out loud, leaned down, unzipped his coat, and pressed his face against his belly: "Tuntun, did you hear what your father Lu said? He said you are a good little thing, so you have to be a good person. You have to be good from now on. When it's time for you to be born, you must come out obediently and not make your father Lu suffer too much."
Lu Shangyan pursed his lips: "He doesn't understand."
Pei Yumin insisted, "He understands. Uncle Wu even suggested I talk to him more a few days ago. Besides, if he really couldn't understand, why would anyone do prenatal education?"
Lu Shangyan said, "But the fairy tales you tell are too unoriginal. Tun Tun doesn't really want to listen to them. You should buy some new storybooks."
Pei Yumin received new instructions, and after sending him home, he immediately drove off again.
As soon as Lu Shangyan entered his home and stood in the entryway changing his shoes, he heard noises coming from the living room.
Yuan Qingyu's voice was calm, but it sounded like she wasn't very happy.
The woman opposite me kept smiling and talking nonstop: "I've been busy performing abroad all year, my concert schedule is so full that I haven't been able to find the time to come back for Xiao Pei's wedding."
Yuan Qingyu said in a flat tone: "Yu Min hasn't had a wedding yet."
The woman's smile froze for a moment, but she quickly found another opening: "I understand why we don't have a wedding. After all, she's a son's daughter-in-law, and it wouldn't look good if she went out in public."
"That makes sense. Why would Xiao Pei want to find a man to be her wife? What will happen to this huge family business in the future? She can't just adopt a child. But sister, let me remind you, even if it's an adopted child, you might not be able to raise them well from a young age. I don't think it's appropriate to let an outsider inherit the company."
Yuan Qingyu knew there was something more to her words, so she took a sip of tea but didn't press the matter further.
The woman waited a while, and seeing that she still didn't speak, she continued on her own: "In my opinion, you should find a relative's child, find a reliable one to raise."
Yuan Qingyu narrowed her eyes, just about to say no, when the woman quickly interrupted her: "I have a son and a daughter in my life. Both my son and daughter are very successful. My eldest daughter got married very early and now has a happy family. Her husband treats her well. Now she has two sons, both of whom are very smart. Because of these two sons, her husband listens to her very much and always thinks of our family when there are good things. My eldest daughter has done a lot for our family."
"My youngest son is getting married soon. His bride is the second daughter of President Qi, the same President Qi you've been working with. Don't underestimate our family just because we're not as well off as the Qi family. That girl is really into my youngest son and is determined to marry him."
"You have no idea, in order to force her father to agree, she even got pregnant before marriage. Now she has registered her marriage with my son while heavily pregnant. Fortunately, it is winter, so you can't tell that she is pregnant by wearing a warm wedding dress."
Yuan Qingyu couldn't stand it anymore. Her slander of a girl's sincerity made Yuan Qingyu very uncomfortable. Moreover, that was her daughter. She didn't want to help her career, didn't want to support her in her husband's family, and even thought that her daughter's greatest contribution to the family was simply giving birth to two sons to help them exchange resources.
Although arranged marriages are common in this circle, this blatant objectification of one's daughter and the denigration of one's daughter-in-law is truly shocking.
This is clearly not something a normal person could say!
Yuan Qingyu slammed down her teacup, her voice filled with anger: "This is your family matter, it's none of my business and I don't want to hear about it."
The woman's expression turned awkward, but she quickly raised her chin and said arrogantly, "Sister, I'm saying all this for your own good. Look how successful my son and daughter are, making me a grandmother and maternal grandmother. Don't you really want to hold your grandchildren?"
"If I were you, I would kick that vixen out, then force Xiao Pei to marry a girl. After that girl gets pregnant and has a child, if Xiao Pei still can't get rid of his liking for men, he can go out and find someone else. Anyway, your family is so rich, there are plenty of people willing to be with him."
Yuan Qingyu's palms itched, and he really wanted to slap her face to relieve the itch: "I don't think your life is that happy, and I don't think there's anything wrong with having a male daughter-in-law. At least Shang Yan's values are very upright, unlike yours."
The woman gritted her teeth: "I'm doing this for your own good. What will happen to your family's reputation if word gets out? How can a man carry on your family line!"
After saying that, he breathed a sigh of relief, then remembered the important purpose of his visit today: "Well, in the end, it's just a matter of carrying on the family line. It's about ensuring that the Pei family's company and this huge family will have someone to inherit it."
“My daughter has two sons. One will inherit the Qi family business, and the other can help you. As for my son, I will definitely ask my daughter-in-law to have more children. Whichever one is smart and clever will help Xiao Pei.”
Lu Shangyan's legs went numb from hearing all this at the door, and he had a completely bad impression of this so-called aunt! Moreover, he heard every word Yuan Qingyu said very clearly. Yuan Qingyu truly approved of him, was willing to let him and Pei Yumin be together, and sincerely hoped that they could live a good life.
Thinking of this, he quickly changed into slippers, pretending he hadn't heard anything. When he walked in and saw Yuan Qingyu, he was stunned for a moment: "Mom, what are you doing here? Didn't you say you were going to the taekwondo gym today?"
Yuan Qingyu pointed to the woman next to her, still angry, and didn't have time to introduce her.
Lu Shangyan didn't need her introduction at all. Seeing the woman smiling and greeting him, he immediately said, "Mom, didn't I say a couple of days ago that I didn't need another nanny to take care of me for the time being? Why did you find another nanny?"
"School is about to start winter break, and even if she comes, she won't be able to take care of me for more than a few days. It's not worth spending this extra money."
Yuan Qingyu was stunned. She glanced at Lu Shangyan's expression, and Lu Shangyan winked at her. She immediately understood and stood there obediently without explaining or saying a word, acting as if it was none of her business.
The woman's face turned black with anger. Just as she was about to speak, Lu Shangyan deliberately mimicked her arrogant tone and said, "Also, if you really want to hire a nanny, you shouldn't hire one who's so old."
“I’m usually at school and not at home. When she doesn’t have to take care of me, she’ll definitely help you with chores or other tasks. She’s married to someone more than ten years older than you, someone who can’t even walk properly, let alone do any work.”
Yuan Qingyu couldn't help but burst out laughing: "Shangshang, she's not a nanny, she's your aunt. She's been playing the piano abroad this year, so you haven't met her yet."
Lu Shangyan feigned surprise: "So it's my aunt. I'm so sorry, you look much older than my mother, so I didn't dare to think that way."
Yuan Qingwan stared wide-eyed. She could tell from Lu Shangyan's awkward acting that he was faking it, but in this situation, she couldn't expose him directly and could only swallow her anger.
But she had been holding a grudge since she was a child. When Yuan Qingyu went to learn Taekwondo and won various awards, she went to learn piano. She would tell everyone that Yuan Qingyu was not a girl at all and that no one would like her in the future. She believed that only by learning something as elegant as piano could she marry into a good family.
Later, when Yuan Qingyu was proposed to by Pei Yicheng, she didn't like Pei Yicheng either. In order to marry someone better than Yuan Qingyu, she immediately agreed to the pursuit of a rich second-generation. She was afraid that if she waited any longer, the rich second-generation would fall in love with someone else. So, after dating for less than a month, she hurriedly got married and didn't have time to carefully investigate her husband's family.
Unexpectedly, after getting married, she discovered that her husband, despite his seemingly successful life, was actually on the verge of bankruptcy.
However, Yuan Qingyu accidentally married Yuan Yicheng, a good man from a wealthy family with a thriving career.
After marriage, Yuan Qingyu continued to live a carefree life, but in order to help her husband fill the company's financial hole, she took on commercial performances everywhere. It wasn't until the last two years, when her son grew up, that life became much easier.
She could never find an opportunity to mock Yuan Qingyu. This time, she heard that Yuan Qingyu had a son-in-law, and thought she could finally mock her. Then she would give her grandson to Yuan Qingyu, and Yuan Qingyu would be grateful to her because the Pei family would finally have someone to inherit the family business.
Unexpectedly, Yuan Qingyu didn't take her words to heart at all. Despite saying so much, she not only failed to ridicule Yuan Qingyu, but was also ridiculed by her son-in-law!
Yuan Qingwan was so angry that her hands were trembling, but she still managed a polite smile: "Sister, your daughter-in-law is indeed not as presentable as my daughter-in-law."
Yuan Qingyu said, "This is my family matter, so it's none of your business."
"As for your suggestion, I think I would not approve of either your daughter or son, or their sons and daughters. Not only me, but also my son and Shang Yan would not approve of them."
Yuan Qingwan's face was full of anger: "Aren't you going a bit too far with what you're saying? I'm doing this for your own good! Do you want the Pei family to be wiped out?"
Lu Shangyan walked to Yuan Qingyu's side: "Mom, why don't you call Auntie's driver and ask her to come and pick her up? I feel that Auntie needs treatment right now."
Yuan Qingyu immediately nodded: "I think so too. Shang Yan is a medical student, so he should be able to tell. Xiao Wan, you really need to get your brain checked. Otherwise, why are you always meddling in other people's family affairs?"
"Besides, our family is not short of heirs. Not to mention my side, Yicheng has several brothers and sisters. Their sons and daughters are all capable and independent, unlike your son who has to pay for his university education."
“They have been exposed to elite education since they were young. When these children come to our home, we don’t need to teach them anything; they can do very well.”
Lu Shangyan also said, "Yes, with such a clear example in front of Auntie, why does she still think her own child is outstanding? Is she hallucinating or has hysteria?"
Yuan Qingwan couldn't hold back any longer and grabbed a teacup from the table, smashing it on the ground: "Why are you two ganging up on me and slandering me!"
Lu Shangyan narrowed his eyes. When he stood there, he was much taller than her, and he exuded a strong sense of oppression: "It was Auntie who slandered me first."
Yuan Qingwan gritted her teeth and said hatefully, "You two will regret treating me like this! Recently, the Qi family has been looking to change partners. Do you think they will choose us, their in-laws, or you two?"
Yuan Qingyu said nonchalantly, "Don't take yourself too seriously."
Yuan Qingwan picked up her bag from the sofa: "Then don't come begging me later!"
Lu Shangyan stepped aside, and she stormed out. Halfway there, Pei Yumin came in, carrying more than thirty storybooks. Upon seeing Yuan Qingwan, he immediately said, "Auntie, you left so soon? Did you know the family was going bankrupt? Is that why you're urging me to find a solution?"
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Author's Note: Pei Yumin: My online name wasn't chosen for nothing [shrug]
Lu Shangyan: What a coincidence, mine is also [milk tea]
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