The Flower Of The High Mountain Is Pregnant With The Son Of The Sand Sculpture Ceo Chapter 37
byChapter 37 My Husband Will Protect You
Pei Yumin looked at him. Lu Shangyan’s eyes were wet, his lips were tightly pressed, and they were trembling with a subtlety that was hard for Pei Yumin to detect. After a while, the corners of his mouth drooped even more.
So Pei Yumin shifted his gaze, simply leaning his shoulder closer. This time, Lu Shangyan dared to rest his head on his shoulder and cry, though he was still very restrained, only letting out a few sobs when he truly couldn’t hold it in anymore.
He didn’t cry for too long before he started speaking again, haltingly: “They bought that house for me. Because I was about to start primary school, and they wanted to send me to school in the city.”
Pei Yumin finally raised his hand and wrapped it around his shoulder: “This isn’t your fault. It’s the fault of that drunk bastard.”
He finally understood why Lu Shangyan insisted on going to university and maintaining top grades, despite living such a difficult life.
Lu Shangyan lifted his head: “But my aunt and uncle all said it was because of me.”
Pei Yumin shook his head, telling him firmly once more: “It’s not your fault.”
“Do you still remember the name of that drunk man? How much compensation did he pay, how many years did he serve in prison, and is he out now?”
An unprecedented look of irritation appeared on Lu Shangyan’s face. He bit his lower lip, and after a long time, shook his head: “I don’t know. No one would tell me.”
“My aunt and uncle handled everything back then. I didn’t even get to see my parents’ bodies. Later, I went to the police station to ask, but I was too young then, and they didn’t say anything, only that everything had been handled.”
“Now that I’m older, fewer and fewer people know about it, and I have no way to start investigating. After I went to university, I was exhausted every day. Part-time jobs took up too much of my time. I simply didn’t have the time to stop and ask, or to investigate.”
“I also didn’t dare to stop. I was afraid that if I didn’t complete my studies, my parents wouldn’t rest easy after they passed away. They would blame me in the other world, and I don’t want to make them unhappy.”
He began to doubt Lu Shangyan’s so-called aunts and uncles. Their own younger brother and sister-in-law had died, yet instead of pursuing the culprit, they shifted all the blame onto a child.
Pei Yumin said softly: “Your parents absolutely wouldn’t want to see you like this. You’re about to become a father yourself. Your feelings for your child must be the same as theirs were for you.”
Lu Shangyan had never shown such vulnerability in front of an outsider, but he couldn’t stop the tears: “No one has ever told me it wasn’t my fault. The neighbors around here also said that they died because of me. If it weren’t for me, they wouldn’t have bought the house, wouldn’t have gone out on a rainy day, and wouldn’t have passed away.”
Pei Yumin turned around and hugged him tightly: “This is not your fault, believe me. Those bastards back then must have taken advantage of your young age and concealed something from you. But don’t worry, I will definitely help you find out the truth.”
This matter had always been a hurdle in Lu Shangyan’s heart, taking root in his childhood and growing for nearly twenty years.
Pei Yumin didn’t believe he had the ability to completely pull out this long-spreading poisonous thorn with just a few words of comfort. Even if he stayed by Lu Shangyan’s side for another twenty years, telling him every time that it wasn’t his fault, he felt it wouldn’t work. His comfort was only a temporary relief.
He felt the best way to resolve all of this was to let Lu Shangyan experience it and witness the truth firsthand.
If the leeches clinging to Lu Shangyan truly had nothing to do with his parents’ death… he took a deep breath. He still needed to make these people apologize to Lu Shangyan and return everything they owed him.
For the rest of the time, Lu Shangyan didn’t say another word. Perhaps after his mood stabilized, he felt embarrassed about losing control and crying. His ears and face remained flushed.
The two of them spent the entire morning slowly clearing only the grass in the yard, leaving the collapsed grape trellis untouched.
Pei Yumin sat on the steps, feeling dizzy just looking at the remaining work.
Lu Shangyan rummaged through his bag and handed him a bottle of water: “I’ll go wipe down the bed in the bedroom. You can lie down for a bit if you’re tired.”
Pei Yumin grabbed his wrist: “No need. I’m starving right now. I want to go back and eat.”
He pulled Lu Shangyan toward him with increasing force until his entire face was pressed against Lu Shangyan’s stomach.
So soft, so fragrant, so kissable.
He rubbed his face, switching from his left cheek to his right, and finally, when he spoke, his entire face was buried: “Are you trying to starve my husband? Making me work without feeding me.”
“Don’t talk nonsense! What husband? There’s no husband!” Lu Shangyan looked around in panic, only seeing a few birds perched on the courtyard wall, tilting their heads to watch them.
Pei Yumin repeated: “What husband did you say?” He pointed to his own face, smiling deliberately brightly and sweetly: “I am your husband.”
Lu Shangyan felt his whole body heat up. He pushed Pei Yumin’s hands away, trying to retreat: “It tickles, stop talking.”
But he could never stop Pei Yumin, who loved to take advantage with his words: “I have no strength right now. Carry me up.”
Lu Shangyan pushed him again: “I can’t carry you. Get up quickly.”
“You can carry me.” Pei Yumin was trying to find a way to distract Lu Shangyan and pull him away from the sadness of the morning: “When you were suffering from morning sickness before, you could still jump from the fifth floor while carrying a child, break through a window, and pin your enemy to the ground. After beating them up, you could still run very fast. You’re so amazing, how could you not be able to carry me?”
Lu Shangyan’s chin lifted slightly, then he suddenly realized something was wrong: “When did you find out?”
He thought he had kept it a secret very well, and Pei Yumin had believed him when he said he had a scratch. That night, Pei Yumin even made two plates of chicken feet for him to nourish his hands.
Pei Yumin also realized he had gotten carried away and accidentally exposed the secret, but who was he? He ruthlessly sold out his good brother: “Tang Suichen told me.”
“He was dating a young boy from your school at the time. The news that you jumped off a building just to beat someone up spread everywhere. That boy told him, and since he knew we were living together, he told me too.”
He was still lying on Lu Shangyan’s stomach, and every time he spoke, he exhaled warm air. In July, the midday heat was already stifling, and with Pei Yumin pressed against him like this, Lu Shangyan felt like he was surrounded by fire.
He pushed Pei Yumin’s shoulder, announcing seriously: “I’m going to be angry.”
Pei Yumin completely ignored the topic: “When do you think the baby will kick me?”
Lu Shangyan glanced behind him again: “I don’t know when he’ll kick you.” He turned back to Pei Yumin, gritting his teeth: “But I want to kick you right now!”
Pei Yumin immediately let go. Seeing Lu Shangyan return to his usual unapproachable demeanor, he felt relieved.
He looked at him with puppy eyes, drawing out a long, pitiful whine: “I really am hungry.”
The next second, Lu Shangyan pulled out a cup of instant noodles: “Eat this.”
Going back and forth to eat would waste time and money.
Pei Yumin knew what he was thinking. He took the noodles without any complaint: “But there’s not even a pot here. How do we boil water?”
Lu Shangyan handed him a sausage: “We can borrow some from next door.”
Pei Yumin had never heard of borrowing boiling water before. He looked confused but his eyes were full of curiosity.
Ten minutes later, the two of them were squatting together in the shade of the courtyard, holding steaming instant noodles.
Lu Shangyan decided he still needed to clean up a bed later. The sun was too strong at noon to work, so they could take the opportunity to rest, and then clear out the grape trellis in the afternoon.
Some villagers still cooked using firewood, and he could leave the debris outside the yard. Someone would pick it up to burn in a few days.
His plan was well-laid, but before he could finish his noodles, his second aunt’s call came in. He initially wanted to pretend he didn’t hear it and ignore it, but the other side immediately sent a text message: [You went back to the old house?!]
Lu Shangyan couldn’t pretend anymore and called back. A sharp scolding voice came through the phone: “Lu Shangyan, what is the meaning of this!”
“You came back for summer vacation, and the first thing you do isn’t come see us elders, but you run back to that broken house without even saying hello! I heard you’re even cleaning the yard? What do you mean? Do you want the house back? Do you think you’re grown up now, don’t need the care of us elders, and want to strike out on your own, is that it!”
Her voice grew louder and louder, forcing Lu Shangyan to pull the phone away several times. His good mood was visibly dissipating, and his eyelids drooped again.
Pei Yumin glanced at him, then quickly leaned in, pressing his face against Lu Shangyan’s: “Let me listen too.”
The voice on the phone continued, and Lu Shangyan had no time to deal with him.
“I wondered why you stopped sending money. When I called to ask for it, you kept making excuses. Turns out you planned this long ago! Thinking your wings are hard now, you can live alone, and you want to kick all of us away, is that it!”
“Lu Shangyan, let me tell you, don’t harbor those crooked thoughts! Don’t forget, that old house was originally allocated to me! It’s mine now, and it has nothing to do with you! Get out of my house right now, and continue to send money every month and obey, just like before, or I won’t let you off!”
Lu Shangyan’s lips moved. Since making up his mind recently, he had rehearsed this moment many times in his head, thinking of various replies. But when it was time to speak, he couldn’t recall a single sentence or utter a single word.
Pei Yumin’s eyes narrowed. Seeing his expression change, he immediately snatched the phone: “For so many years, can’t you have some shame? How much have you taken from him, and what have you given him?”
“I’m telling you right now, we’re moving in and we’re not leaving! This house belongs to Lu Shangyan. It’s the legacy his parents left him! And all the money you’ve taken from him over the years, you have to spit it all back out!”
“If you want to continue clinging to him and sucking his blood, I’m telling you, that is absolutely impossible!”
Lu Shangyan was used to being submissive in front of her, and he had no friends or relatives to stand up for him. The sudden appearance of Pei Yumin left her momentarily defenseless.
But unlike Lu Shangyan, she was used to being aggressive. Even if momentarily flustered, she quickly snapped back: “The house is mine, it’s under my name! If you dare not follow my instructions, I will sell the house immediately!”
If the house was sold, even if bought back, some of the memories associated with it would be altered.
Lu Shangyan’s breathing became ragged. He looked nervously at Pei Yumin. He knew he couldn’t back down anymore, but he truly didn’t know what to do.
Pei Yumin held his hand: “We won’t give you the money. What are you going to do about it? Go ahead and call the police!”
The woman on the other end ignored Pei Yumin’s words, shouting into the phone: “I’ve called all your uncles and aunts to my house today, Lu Shangyan. You better hurry up and get over here!”
With that, she angrily hung up the phone. The noodles in Lu Shangyan’s hand had gone cold, and he couldn’t eat any more.
He didn’t dare look Pei Yumin in the eye: “I think I still need to go. I want to make things clear face-to-face.”
Pei Yumin didn’t speak. Lu Shangyan asked in a low voice: “Do you also think I’m spineless for acting this way?”
Pei Yumin looked at him in astonishment, then suddenly stood up, looked up at the sky at a forty-five-degree angle, spread his arms, and exclaimed passionately: “No! Daring to face true pain and setbacks, Lu Shangyan! You are the bravest person!”
After speaking, he clenched his fist and placed it on his chest, turning to look down at him: “Brave Lu Shangyan, please grant me the opportunity to go back with you.”
Lu Shangyan was so shocked his mouth hung open. He looked at him confusedly: “Are you having heatstroke?”
–
The work originally scheduled for the afternoon was completely undone.
Lu Shangyan and Pei Yumin headed back. The village was a bit far from where they could catch a taxi. The only vehicle they had was Lu Shangyan’s childhood walker, so they had to walk for twenty minutes before hailing a cab.
Pei Yumin was panting as soon as he got into the car, but Lu Shangyan’s expression remained calm, as if he was long used to such exertion. Pei Yumin couldn’t imagine it; he was already struggling after just a few days, yet little Lu Shangyan had lived this life for nearly twenty years.
Lu Shangyan pulled out a tissue and handed it to him, saying: “If I had known we were going back so early, I wouldn’t have eaten the instant noodles.”
Pei Yumin agreed: “You didn’t eat much anyway. Let’s go back to the hotel, take a shower, and then go out to eat.”
Just as Lu Shangyan was about to say he couldn’t eat, Pei Yumin preempted him: “We won’t go until evening. You need to eat more, or you won’t have the strength to ‘communicate’ with them tonight.”
Pei Yumin closed his eyes after speaking, giving Lu Shangyan no chance to refuse.
He deliberately dragged the time until evening, leaving six hours.
After returning to the hotel, while Lu Shangyan was showering, he went outside and called Dai Qin. After briefly explaining Lu Shangyan’s family situation, he instructed him to find the current whereabouts of the drunk motorcyclist from back then.
Dai Qin sighed: “President Pei, why don’t I just resign now? It’s been over a decade. This is like searching for a needle in a haystack.”
Pei Yumin: “One million after the job is done.”
Dai Qin quickly said: “I’ll investigate with Qi Min.”
Pei Yumin agreed readily: “Give him one million too, as long as you can find the information.”
Qi Min, who was eavesdropping nearby, instantly widened his eyes and repeatedly gave Dai Qin a thumbs-up.
Dai Qin raised an eyebrow at him and said: “Then I’ll leave now. I’ll also go find Madam Yuan and ask her to send a few more bodyguards with me, to fully ensure your safety and the safety of the Boss’s wife.”
Hearing this, Pei Yumin couldn’t stop smiling: “You guys figured out he’s my boyfriend?”
Dai Qin replied honestly: “It’s hard not to notice.” Then he quickly added: “After all, you two have great husband-and-husband chemistry.”
Qi Min stayed at the company to handle subsequent affairs and find connections to investigate the leads.
Dai Qin left with his people for the small county town. Even if the Pei family had immense power, it didn’t extend to that small county. They had to wait for Qi Min to first clear channels in Z City, working their way down to the county.
As Dai Qin left, he said: “You owe me for earning this million. Once it’s paid, you have to buy me that bracelet I’ve been eyeing.”
Qi Min knew Dai Qin mostly wanted him to do the work and was the one who would ultimately benefit the most, but he still agreed readily, nodding with a smile.
Afterward, Pei Yumin messaged Tang Suichen. He felt Tang Suichen had a sharper tongue, and since Tang Suichen owned many bars and hotels, his network was wider, and his methods were darker. With him around, even if Lu Shangyan’s leech relatives tried to cause trouble, Tang Suichen would climb up first and kick them all down one by one.
Sometimes, dealing with shameless people required unconventional means. So, he called Tang Suichen, and it took a long time for the call to connect.
He heard Tang Suichen shout from a distance: “Wife, bring the phone over. I still don’t really want to get up.”
Pei Yumin assumed he had found a new boyfriend, but then a familiar voice replied: “Okay.”
It was Song Yuxin! Tang Suichen called him wife! And he didn’t deny it!
When did those two get together?!
Pei Yumin’s mind reeled, but he quickly pulled his thoughts back. Lu Shangyan was more important right now.
He asked Tang Suichen to come over with Dai Qin, and Dai Qin would explain the details on the way.
Tang Suichen wasn’t buying it: “I just got back from my honeymoon with my wife. I’ve been working hard for days, and I’m very tired. I need proper rest, understand?”
He was deliberately showing off, waiting for Pei Yumin to ask what was going on, but Pei Yumin completely ignored the bait: “Oh, if you don’t come, the next time Jian Guo bothers me and Shang Shang’s date, I’ll send him to you.”
Tang Suichen sat up with a dark expression: “Got it.”
Lu Shangyan finished his shower and dried his hair before Pei Yumin came back in from outside: “I called a few people over, just in case things get messy.”
“Normally, I’d trust your fighting ability, but now, after all…” He trailed off: “Don’t worry, you know who’s coming. It’s Tang Suichen.”
He had another reason for calling Tang Suichen. If Lu Shangyan truly didn’t want so many people knowing his family affairs, he could do as he did this morning and shift the blame onto Tang Suichen, saying these people had nothing to do with him and were brought by Tang Suichen on his own initiative.
All he wanted was to ensure Lu Shangyan’s safety.
Unexpectedly, Lu Shangyan said: “If I had known you called him, I wouldn’t have asked Xiao Fu to come.”
Pei Yumin frowned: “Xiao Fu?”
“That’s Zhao Jian,” Lu Shangyan explained: “The one who took off his wig at the school gate.”
Pei Yumin remembered. The scene had been quite eye-catching. But: “When did your relationship get so good?”
Lu Shangyan gripped his phone, feeling inexplicably guilty: “It’s a secret.”
Pei Yumin didn’t press further. He had been worried that Lu Shangyan wouldn’t want others to know, so since Lu Shangyan was actively seeking help, he felt relieved.
–
The two ate dinner with trepidation, and then felt inexplicably excited back at the hotel.
They were only going to see a few aunts and uncles, yet it felt like they were heading into battle.
Lu Shangyan was too nervous to even take a nap.
He was afraid of missing Zhao Jian’s message and failing to meet him.
However, they underestimated the distance. The small county town wasn’t connected by highway, and even if they took the highway, they couldn’t arrive in six hours.
Especially since the aunts and uncles were afraid of further complications, they kept calling Lu Shangyan, urging him to hurry.
He couldn’t put them off. The calls came in rotation, and his phone was practically exploding.
Finally, they had no choice but to leave early.
They arrived at the location, and before they even entered the door, two cups full of hot water were thrown out. Lu Shangyan’s face was splashed with hot water, just below his eyes. Fortunately, it wasn’t serious, only slightly red.
Pei Yumin immediately became furious and walked in first with a dark expression.
The aunts and uncles were used to being arrogant and looking down on people, but with Pei Yumin standing there, radiating an intimidating aura, they momentarily forgot to speak.
Finally, the second aunt, relying on the fact that she occupied the old house, stepped forward: “Where’s the money?”
Lu Shangyan lowered his head, opened his backpack, and placed three envelopes on the coffee table, slightly thicker than fifteen hundred.
As soon as he set them down, the aunts immediately snatched them up and tore them open. Seeing that it was indeed money, they rolled their eyes at him and started counting: “Wouldn’t it have been better if you were this obedient earlier? You had to make us go through all this trouble.”
The second aunt finished counting: “This extra five hundred is your apology money, right? At least you have some conscience.”
“But I still need to tell you, don’t even think about that old house. I didn’t get a single cent when your parents sold the house in the city, so I was already at a disadvantage! That house is my compensation!”
As she spoke, she shot a glare at the two women beside her.
Lu Shangyan hung his head, not daring to look at them: “I might not be able to give you money anymore, because I have a very serious illness that requires a lot of money to treat.”
The eldest aunt slammed the table: “Who are you trying to fool! If you were seriously ill, would you be standing here talking to us? I think you’re getting older and starting to grow cunning!”
The second aunt echoed: “Exactly. As long as you’re not dead, you must transfer the money to us on time. Otherwise, if I don’t receive the money, I’ll sell that old house for cash!”
Lu Shangyan wanted to say something more, but Pei Yumin couldn’t listen anymore. He mustered all his strength and kicked over the coffee table in front of him.
Glass shattered everywhere, and the electric kettle full of hot water spilled, steaming. The people jumped up from the sofa in fright, pointing at his nose and cursing: “Who do you think you are, coming into our house and causing trouble! Be careful, I’ll call the police and have you arrested!”
Pei Yumin narrowed his eyes, his gaze sweeping over their ugly faces: “Your involvement in Lu Shangyan’s parents’ death, it’s actually related to you, isn’t it?”