Chapter Forty-One: Slander

This was a maternity and baby boutique. One of their business partners’ wives had just given birth to a baby girl. Any other gift might seem trite—after all, those in high society had seen every kind of fine present imaginable. A thoughtful choice was more fitting than mere extravagance.

Pei Susu’s professional skill was beyond question; she was equally adept at selecting gifts. In no time, she’d picked out several items and handed them to Fu Zhichen to pay. Naturally, when it came to paying for his sister, Fu Zhichen was proactive and efficient, handing over his card with practiced ease. The sales assistant packaged the items and passed them over with a smile.

“These are your purchases—wishing you both a lifetime of happiness together.”

Fu Zhichen clearly relished this well-wishing, while Pei Susu, a little helpless, worried he might get too pleased by the compliment. She made a show of waving her hand, suggesting they buy even more from the store.

But they had no children themselves who could use such things.

She promptly pulled Fu Zhichen back. “Let’s look at other shops. Just these gifts feel a bit meager. The impression we leave on our partners is important.”

Fu Zhichen caught the subtext and smiled softly, lips pressed together. “Alright. We can come back to this store another time if there’s an opportunity.”

When he said this, his eyes seemed to flicker with hidden anticipation. The future was always uncertain, but faced with Fu Zhichen’s expectant gaze, Pei Susu found herself unable to respond coldly. She hesitated.

“Alright, if there’s a chance.”

At her words, Fu Zhichen’s eyes lit up instantly. Under his gaze, Pei Susu felt a rare shyness and quickly strode out of the shop.

A few steps away, as she considered what to buy from the next store, she suddenly noticed two pale, chubby little children standing timidly at the shop’s entrance, watching her.

They were exquisitely dressed twins—a boy and a girl. The little girl still had a teardrop clinging to her eyelash, half-fallen and pitifully adorable.

“What’s wrong, sweetheart?”

Before Fu Zhichen could react, Pei Susu had already patted his hand in reassurance and approached the children, crouching down to their level. The almond-white cheongsam she wore made her appear gentle and approachable, a far cry from the assertive businesswoman she was in the boardroom.

“Whose children are you? Have you lost your family?”

Pei Susu had already surveyed the area and noted that, aside from herself and Fu Zhichen, there were no other adults around.

They must have been separated.

She gently stroked the little girl’s hair, her touch so soft that her own heart melted. The girl clung to her skirt for comfort.

The boy nodded and spoke in a childish, faltering voice, “Auntie, can you help us find our nanny?”

Pei Susu considered for a moment, then nodded. “I’ll take you to the information desk. Your family must be looking for you.”

Such adorable children would be treasured in any household. If she ever had children of her own, she’d certainly cherish them.

Fu Zhichen came over and caught sight of Pei Susu’s gentle eyes, soft as brocade under the moonlight. He couldn’t help but recall the previous misunderstanding about Pei Susu being pregnant—a comic mix-up. Amused, he found himself imagining a future where he and Pei Susu might have children just as adorable as these two.

No, they would be even more adorable.

Pei Susu took a child in each hand and stood up, turning to Fu Zhichen. “There’s nothing urgent—we should go to the information desk first.”

Remembering the snacks she’d just bought in the maternity store, Pei Susu pulled out two packets to give to the children. But just as she was about to hand them over, a figure suddenly darted out and shoved Pei Susu aside, snatching the children away.

“Who are you people?”

Caught off guard, Pei Susu stumbled, but Fu Zhichen reacted quickly, steadying her and scanning her with anxious eyes.

“Are you alright?”

Pei Susu collected herself, a little shaken, but seeing the concern in Fu Zhichen’s gaze, she shook her head. “I’m fine.”

As the two exchanged looks, a middle-aged woman dragged the children behind her with one hand and pointed accusingly at Pei Susu with the other, aggressive and unrelenting.

“You two are child traffickers, trying to snatch someone else’s kids in broad daylight?”

Pei Susu was stunned. When she didn’t respond, the woman launched into a tirade. “Shameless! Even children aren’t safe from you. Scum like you should be wiped out!”

People nearby, drawn by the commotion, began to gather, pointing at Pei Susu and Fu Zhichen.

“They look so respectable—who’d have thought they were traffickers?”

“People can really surprise you!”

Snapping out of her shock, Pei Susu’s expression hardened. The woman before her had leapt to conclusions, branding her a kidnapper when all she’d done was try to help two lost, frightened children.

How had it come to this?

She was about to speak when Fu Zhichen gave a cold laugh, stepping protectively in front of her.

“When the children were crying just now, why didn’t you accuse anyone of kidnapping? It was my girlfriend who comforted them and made them feel safe. You just appeared out of nowhere—how do I know you’re not the kidnapper?”

Infuriated by Fu Zhichen’s words, the woman’s face flushed as she dragged the children forward. “Young master, tell them, am I your nanny? Weren’t these two trying to kidnap you? They’re the real criminals here! I’m calling the police and you’ll all be arrested!”

Worked up, the woman reached out to push Pei Susu again, but this time, Fu Zhichen was ready. He easily caught her wrist. The woman’s face twisted with rage as she struggled, but she was no match for Fu Zhichen’s strength. Her efforts were futile.

Tears welled in the little boy’s eyes—evidence enough of the woman’s roughness. Seeing his eyes fill with mist, Pei Susu stepped forward protectively, glaring at the woman.

“Is this how you care for children?”

Clearly, the woman was harsh with them; otherwise, the boy wouldn’t be so distraught.

“What business is it of yours? Their parents don’t care, so who are you to lecture me?”

The woman glared at Pei Susu, finally yanking her hand free and retreating with the children, no longer daring to lay a finger on her. She’d realized these two young people weren’t easy to bully—she’d picked the wrong targets.

By now, the crowd understood what had happened and realized they’d misjudged Pei Susu and Fu Zhichen. Their looks softened.

“Imagine, a nanny abusing children! Someone ought to call the police.”

“I thought they were traffickers, so I already called the police.”

Hearing this, the woman dared not linger, grabbing the children and fleeing in panic.

Her disheveled retreat was satisfying, yet Pei Susu remained uneasy.

Would those two children really be alright left in her care?