323— Dog Fight, Then Dog Food

Qiao Mingran hugged her back at first, then pulled back in shock when she heard the last word.

Thinking she heard wrongly, she asked, trembling slightly, "Wh-what did you just call me?"

Pei Yueran looked at her and said softly, "Mother."

It would be a lie to say she missed the warmth of a mother — Zhou Qiaohui never for once made her feel lonely or unloved— but she just wanted to make this woman, who looked nothing like her yet reminded her of herself, happy.

The tears Qiao Mingran was holding back flowed out in rivulets as she hugged her tightly and wept, "Thank you. Thank you so much Tingyue. Thank you."

Now that she had heard her elder daughter call her "Mother," she felt like all the pain and guilt she had carried for thirty-four years had suddenly evaporated. All her wishes had been fulfilled.

It was like she had finally been forgiven and liberated.

Infected by her emotions, Pei Yueran's eyes reddened as well. Both of them passed the time hugging each other until someone knocked on the door.

It was Li Chuanmo. He didn't go in, just wanted to let them know everyone was waiting for them downstairs.

Both of them quickly adjusted their emotions before Pei Yueran responded, "We're coming."

When they opened the door, Li Chuanmo took in their reddened eyes and noticed that something was different between them, but he said nothing, only taking his wife's hand and walking her downstairs.

The late breakfast was lavish, but the atmosphere was not very lively. Gao Tingxiu had gone back to the filming site, and Gao Zhipeng had gone to the company. The others were not the type to make small talk during mealtimes.

Zhou Qiaohui had been exceptionally quiet since she saw Han Leifeng at the hospital.

Qiao Mingran just spent the time looking at Pei Yueran with a smile on her face. Everyone noticed her joy and knew something had changed in the short time they spent upstairs together.

Gao Tinghua said, "After breakfast, I'll send you to the airport. Auntie Zhou's flight has already been booked. Should I book yours too?"

"No need," Both of them responded. Pei Yueran added, "I was thinking we should go with Mom to City A."

"No way." Li Chuanmo said. "You need to rest." The only reason he wanted them to fly back in the first place was that he knew she was the most comfortable at home. Besides, she really looked tired enough to drop.

"That's true Baobei, you need to rest more," Zhou Qiaohui spoke in favor of Li Chuanmo.

"But I want to go with you Mom. Besides, I need to visit Qianhua as well," Pei Yueran explained, looking at Li Chuanmo.

"No." Li Chuanmo refused to give in.

"It's not up to you." Pei Yueran said, slightly annoyed. Why couldn't she go?

"Then I'm not going with you." Li Chuanmo's cold look was on display for all to see, making the atmosphere even weirder.

"Suit yourself. I'm going and that's it." Pei Yueran said with a frown.

The others at the table: "...."

What was going on today? Instead of dog food, they got treated to a dog fight?

Since coercion wasn't working, Li Chuanmo switched tactics, holding her hand and looking into her eyes, "Ran, you plan to leave me at home alone? It's your health I'm worried about."

Everyone else: "...."

Chairman Li, just how many faces do you have???!

Pei Yueran softened, but didn't forget that they had an audience, so she broke the love-filled gaze and said, "I know Chuan, but I just thought it would be a good idea to kill two birds with a stone."

"There's no need for that. Once you fully recover, we'll go spend a weekend in City A with Mother and the others."

"Won't that be wasting money?" Pei Yueran put up a token struggle.

"You're free to waste my money anytime. It's your money anyway. Even I belong to you, talk more about the money." Li Chuanmo said emphatically.

Their audience: "...."

They knew it! They were still coming to the aspect of the dog food, the fight earlier was just fake!

Touched, Pei Yueran stared into his eyes, at a loss on what to say.

A timely cough from Gao Tinghua broke the subtle atmosphere, making Pei Yueran blush. He said with a bemused smile, "That's settled then."

Pei Yueran nodded, eyes on her food, while Li Chuanmo showed no reaction whatsoever. Before the others could blink, he had gone back to his cold, indifferent mien.

When the time came to part, Qiao Mingran's eyes reddened. She repeatedly reminded them to keep in touch and call her regularly, to which Pei Yueran agreed.

She also held Zhou Qiaohui's hands and thanked her everything. She had mixed feelings towards the woman that enjoyed the unreserved love of her daughter for so many years, but she was very grateful to her at the same time.

It was due to her love that her daughter grew up so well.

It was while they were comfortably seated in the first class cabin that Pei Yueran remembered to ask, "How about Charlie? Has he said anything yet?"

"Yes. The men are currently with him."

"Will they be turned over to the police?"

"I let Charlie handle it." Li Chuanmo said mildly. There was no need to tell her that they would be tortured within an inch of their lives before being bundled to Country F where they would be handed over to the authorities.

Pei Yueran nodded thoughtfully, "I hope this will be the last we would hear of that organization."

Li Chuanmo didn't share her sentiments, but he nodded all the same so that she could be at ease, "But it's definitely the last time I would agree to let you put yourself in danger like you did yesterday."

Pei Yueran smiled at him, "But it worked, didn't it? You agreed with me because you knew it was the best method. Better to lure them out than to be taken unawares."

Li Chuanmo knew she was right, but it was one thing to agree logically and another to see it play out in action. He would never forget how she looked, standing in the middle of the road tied up, blindfolded and at the mercy of anyone that happened to pass by.

He said, "I just can't bear to see you suffer like that again. My heart was in my throat until I saw you were safe. Nothing is worth you getting hurt."

Pei Yueran said gently, "I understand, but this was really the best idea, don't you see? Besides, my injuries are all superficial."

Li Chuanmo directed a look towards her bandaged wrists. Pei Yueran grimaced before saying, "I'll be as good as new in a week."