PCMWF Chapter 187

Fang Qin glared at Cen Yuankai. Her bright lipstick made her look fierce.

Cen Yuankai cried, hitting her. “Mom, I want my mom! I don’t want you!”

“Shut up!” Fang Qin roared.

Never scolded by his stepmother, Cen Yuankai gaped, eyes blank, tears streaming. Cen Zheping got in the driver’s seat. Cen Yuankai crawled over, crying louder. His drama shelved, scandals everywhere, endorsements canceled. This was Cen Zheping’s worst year. His son’s issue exhausted him.

“Kai Kai, stop crying. Dad will buy you a toy, okay?” Cen Zheping suppressed his anger.

Cen Yuankai puffed out his face, pointing at Fang Qin. “Dad, make her leave.”

Cen Zheping said coldly, “Who taught you that? Fang Qin is your mom now. Don’t say that.”

“She’s not my mom.”

Fang Qin said nothing, looking at her toes, appearing obedient and wronged. He wanted to scold her for the office scene, but seeing her like this, he couldn’t. Fang Qin was good to Kai Kai. Kai Kai just couldn’t accept her. Cen Yuankai was too difficult. Cen Zheping dropped Fang Qin off at home, took him to pick up his toys, then to his grandparents. For days, Fang Qin didn’t see Cen Zheping. The master and young master were away. The servants ignored her, serving plain boiled food.

At the table, the haggard woman threw down her chopsticks. “You’re feeding me this?”

The servant said respectfully, “Madam, aren’t you dieting?” She glanced at her. “You do look a bit…”

Fang Qin touched her belly. “It’s just bloating. What do you know? A waste of money. The food is terrible!”

“Sorry, madam. Tastes differ. The master and young master like my cooking. The fridge has ingredients. If it doesn’t suit you, you can cook.”

The chef stood by, smiling. Fang Qin pushed the table and went to the kitchen. The servant and chef exchanged mocking looks. The fridge was full: meat, seafood, fresh produce. Fang Qin took out salmon, then didn’t know what to do. She couldn’t cook. When with Pei Ye, he cooked.

When Pei Ye’s career was starting, no money for a nanny. He cooked after work. Pei Ye was a great cook, Chinese and Western. Whatever she wanted, he made. The salmon was cold and slippery. The knife clattered to the floor. The servant and chef had cleaned the table. Her untouched food was in the trash.

“Madam, this knife is from the First Madam’s trip to F Country. Don’t break it.” The chef picked it up, examining it.

Fang Qin gritted her teeth. “What do you mean, First Madam? She divorced my husband. Stop calling her that!”

The chef held his chest. “Oh, my mistake. Sorry, madam. I’ve worked at the Cen house for ten years. Old habit.”

Fang Qin couldn’t ignore the mockery. She pointed at them. “I’ll fire you! Get out!”

The servant and chef smiled, nodding. “Madam, you can’t fire us.”

Their salaries were paid by the Cen family. Fang Qin’s head spun. She steadied herself on the table. The servant and chef went to do other things, ignoring her.

“Isn’t this a bit much?” a younger servant asked.

“What’s much? If not for her, why would the First Madam divorce the master?”

The servants, women themselves, hated the other woman.

“Didn’t the master divorce before being with her?”

“That’s the public story. If the media knew it was an affair, how would the Cen family stand in Beicheng?”

The young servant hissed. Rich families were complicated. Fang Qin didn’t cook. She ordered takeout. When it arrived, she photographed it for Cen Zheping, complaining about the servants. Portraying herself as bullied. Before, Cen Zheping would call to comfort her. Now, with his own problems, he had no energy.

Two days later, Cen Yuankai’s transfer was done. His grandparents sent people to move his things. Fang Qin tried to stop them, calling the elders. The call was hung up. Cen Zheping loved her, but loved his son more. Cen Yuankai cried for his dad. He moved in with his son. Fang Qin saw no one. The servants and chef followed Cen Yuankai. The villa was empty. Only a cleaning lady came daily. She stood in the living room, watching the door close, and finally crouched, covering her face, crying.
—

Shen Lin’s plan to take the two little ones to KFC fell through because it was Friday, and every Friday after school, Pei Qiqi went to the hospital to talk with Doctor Du. At the hospital, handing Qiqi to Doctor Du, Pei Yi sat on the bench outside, remembering something.

Hua Zhao was checking the Class 5 group chat when Pei Yi whispered, “I think I saw Qiqi’s mom today.”

Hua Zhao’s hand stopped. She frowned. “Where? Why didn’t you say earlier?”

Pei Yi wasn’t sure. Too many cars. He only saw a back.

“You saw her at the kindergarten gate?!” Hua Zhao stood, lowering her voice. “Did she know Qiqi is at Xingya?”

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