Transmigrated as a vicious stepmother, I raised a child who became a heartthrob.

Okay. See you another day.

Jiang Zhuhua wasn't stupid; he could naturally tell that Pei Hui was making cryptic remarks.

She was simply happy to indulge him. And she wouldn't develop any prejudice against Ji Anrui because of these words.

Children lack a sense of security, so just give them what they need.

Pei Hui was finally satisfied. As he left with his mother, he secretly turned his back and made faces at the two of them.

Ji Anrui's eyes widened in an instant, and he broke free from Zhang Wuling's hand.

"Him! He! He! Making a face?"

Although he was simple-minded and slow to react, how could Ji Anrui not know that the other person was doing it on purpose when he saw that funny face?

"You read that right. This child is at the age where he's very attached to his mother, and you look like you're trying to be his stepfather. You're being overly enthusiastic."

Zhang Wuling said.

Adults wouldn't think that way, but children are different. In a child's eyes, Ji Anrui might be pursuing his mother.

Unfortunately, Ji Anrui didn't realize this.

"Stop thinking about it, let's go eat. If you really want to get to know this Mr. Jiang, I'll recommend him to you when I have time."

……

The mother and son followed the staff through a series of corridors and pushed open a wooden door.

Unlike lunchtime, this time it was just the two of them, so the private room they booked wasn't as large. However, this private room still retained its antique charm.

"Your order will be ready soon. Would you like to order anything else?"

The waiter handed over the menu with both hands, bowed slightly, and asked softly.

"Hold on."

Jiang Zhuhua had already eaten dinner, but he mainly wanted to bring Pei back to try it.

When the menu reached Pei Hui, he glanced at it, then at his mother, feeling a little guilty for making that funny face earlier.

He turned his head and stared intently at the menu, pretending nothing had happened.

Jiang Zhuhua sent a message to Zhang Wuling, and the two exchanged contact information because of their collaboration.

Please apologize to your friend for me; I didn't teach him well. Could you please give me his contact information?

The previous situation made it inconvenient to scold the child, but in front of so many people, it was natural to want to save face for my child. Although I spoke in a polite and gentle manner, it wasn't impolite.

Jiang Zhuhua still needed to show his attitude, after all, they still needed to cooperate.

Ji Anrui is easygoing, but she can't ignore Zhang Wuling's feelings.

The child is still young. It's okay.

Zhang Wuling politely gave Jiang Zhuhua Ji Anrui's contact information.

Ji Anrui watched the two of them chat until he saw the friend request, then decisively left Zhang Wuling.

Jiang Zhuhua put down his phone; the dishes he had ordered in advance were already being served. They were all small portions, mainly for tasting.

"Mom, why is a piece of tofu served?"

Pei Hui looked at the small plate of tofu in front of him, which was drizzled with something sweet, but didn't touch it.

"Almond tofu is a dessert made with sweet almonds, milk, sugar, and the like."

Jiang Zhuhua has worked in the catering industry, including high-end restaurants. Occasionally, he would learn a dish or two from a chef.

When I saw this dish at lunchtime today, it reminded me of it. Kids should like its light and sweet flavor.

Pei Hui picked up a spoon, scooped up a mouthful, and brought it to Jiang Zhuhua's lips: "The first bite is for Mom."

Pei Hui had a sweet smile on her lips.

Jiang Zhuhua only took a small sip.

"Eat up. I've already eaten; I mainly brought you here to eat."

It's hard to say what people say about tea, and Jiang Zhuhua couldn't be sure whether Pei Hui did it intentionally or unintentionally.

Even young children may not know what they did wrong.

"Pei Hui, what do you think of those two uncles we met today?"

Jiang Zhuhua only asked this question after he finished eating. Since they were all around the same age, it wasn't appropriate for the child to call them "brother."

"Oh? Me? As long as Mom likes it."

Almost instinctively, Pei Hui concealed his true thoughts and kept uttering sweet words.

"I want to hear the truth."

His words and actions contradicted each other; Jiang Zhuhua could tell he wasn't being honest. If a tree grows crooked, it can be pruned; he's still young, he can correct himself gradually.

"I do not know."

Jiang Zhuhua's expression was too serious, and Pei Hui timidly put down the spoon in his hand. After thinking for a while, he answered honestly.

"Mom, did I say something wrong? The other uncle seemed really serious."

Pei Hui was just feeling unhappy at the time, so he said it casually.

He made faces because he was angry with them. After all, they were the ones who tried to steal his mother away from him.

"Pei Hui".

Jiang Zhuhua's tone became even more serious and cold.

Pei Hui's last glimmer of hope vanished with the stern rebuke.

"Mom, don't be angry. I was wrong, I shouldn't have lied."

A small hand reached out, trying to grab Jiang Zhuhua's sleeve, but Jiang Zhuhua simply shook it off gently.

Pei Hui looked at his empty palms, then at his stern-faced mother. Did his mother not like him either? Where could he find a suitable, ideal mother?

And who would love him?

With just a slight blink, tears streamed down her face; her vision blurred, and before she knew it, they were already falling. Because her head was bowed, the tears landed directly on the ground.

Drop by drop, it was raining in my eyes, making the ground sticky and wet.

“I hate them. They’re trying to take my mom away from me. You took me away and gave me the love I imagined. I’ve only had it for a short time, and now someone wants to take you away from me.”

Pei Hui sobbed and cried, unable to wipe away his tears.

He didn't know what he had done wrong. He just hated those people, but he didn't fight, didn't lay a hand on them, and didn't swear. Yet those people still wanted to take his mother away from him.

"I'm trying my best to be a good boy. Please don't hate me."

Pei Hui cried so hard he was gasping for breath, and even hiccuped slightly.

Jiang Zhuhua's expression involuntarily changed. Is this how children see things?

"Mom doesn't hate you."

With his slender hand holding the small hand, Jiang Zhuhua took out a napkin and carefully wiped away his tears.

“You deliberately deceived me twice. This is wrong, Pei Hui. I want to know what you’re thinking.”

Jiang Zhuhua wouldn't soften because of tears, and Pei Hui couldn't close his heart with lies. Jiang Zhuhua was afraid, afraid of raising this son badly.

In the original work, he was so sensitive and lacked love, yet he was also so crazy for love.

If he is not taught properly, then he will go down this path.

What was Pei Hui's fate?

Lying in the mud, watching the male and female protagonists' figures gradually disappear into the distance, he only asked one question: "Didn't you ever love me even a little bit?"

Like moths drawn to a flame, they plunge themselves into a fiery pit for a meager bit of love, struggling painfully and anxiously.

"I don't like them. I like you, and I only like you."

Pei Hui cried her eyes out and, with Jiang Zhuhua's help, threw herself into Jiang Zhuhua's arms.

"I was afraid you'd think I was annoying... so I... made faces at them. I even said some nasty things."