Chapter 418: Being a Good Wife and Mother Isn't Easy

dull headache. He closed his eyes, took a deep breath, and suddenly his left hand quickly pulled the needle off his right back. With both hands propping himself up on the bed, he tried to get up.The b...Although the small gathering wasn't exactly a bust, the atmosphere definitely took a turn for the worse afterward.

Because of the unwelcome guest Guan Lei, Qiao Baoer kept a sullen face. Lu Qinian tried his best to liven up the atmosphere, while Zhu Xiaowei tried hard to appear natural. But everyone had their own thoughts, after dinner, they each drank a cup of tea and went home.

And this time, the two elders of the Pei family seemed to suddenly understand that although their son Pei Haoran and Jun Zhimu had a good relationship, each had their own families and having another woman around inevitably affected them by gossip, especially the daughter-in-law from the Jun family...

Mrs. Pei and Zhu Xiaowei walked at the back, Mrs. Pei pulling her aside to whisper a few words in her ear.

"Xiao Zhu, our family and yours aren't close friends like the Lu family and yours. We're just acquainted because Hao Ran and Jun Zhi Mu have known each other since they were young and have had a chance to become closer. You should be more cautious when interacting with Qiao Bao Er in the future..."

Zhu Xiao Wei was originally thinking about Guan Lei's matter today, and now hearing her mother-in-law give such instructions, her expression became a little uncomfortable as she looked up. "Mom, actually Qiao Baoer..."

She guessed that Qiao Bao'er didn't want to cooperate with the atmosphere just now, which probably made the elders dislike her.

"I know you and Qiao Bao'er are good friends, but now you both have your own families. Especially since your positions are different, many issues are considered from different perspectives."

Pei's mother's voice was gentle as she instructed her, " Qiao Bao'er has a kind heart, and she even saved our little Yi. I am very grateful to her, and I know that Qiao Bao'er doesn't have bad intentions."

But she's always the granddaughter-in-law of the Jun family, and sometimes it's inevitable that there will be some disagreements when everyone gets together. If she says something impulsively, then the impact could be huge.

Mrs. Pei spoke rather indirectly.

From what I've just observed, Jun Zhimu's attitude towards Qiao Bao'er is to let her have her temper.

The Jun family doesn't need to fawn over or socialize with others, but outsiders are very careful when dealing with the Jun family. Especially since the Jun family is so protective of their own, and with someone like Qiao Baoer who is so forthright, it's bound to be the other party who suffers.

Zhu Xiaowei looked at her mother-in-law and nodded after a long moment, "I understand."

Before her husband passed away, Mrs. Pei had two sons. Now that the eldest son is gone, she can only rely on Pei Haoran to shoulder the burden of the family. Though it's not ideal to have Xiao Zhu distance herself from Qiao Bao'er, it's ultimately for the sake of the family.

“Our family isn’t as strict and formal as the Lu family. None of our relatives or ancestors accomplished anything major, but we live comfortably compared to most people. Your dad and I spent most of our lives teaching and researching at school. As Hao Ran's wife, you don’t have to worry about any pressure. We just need to make sure we don’t hold him back.”

Zhu Xiaowei felt a sudden sense of relief when Pei's mother acknowledged her as Pei Haoran's wife.

Although she legally married Pei Haoran, she always felt uneasy. Their whirlwind marriage made her feel like it wasn't truly hers. Every time she encountered Pei Haoran's ex-wife, she felt a sense of inferiority.

It seems like the Pei family still prefers their daughter-in-law to be a member of the Pei family. She felt a little more at ease now.

Pei's mother patted her shoulder, "Xiao Zhu, you walk a few steps faster and go downstairs to see off Qiao Baier and Lu Qinan." After all, today is Pei Yi Xiao's birthday dinner, so the ceremony should be done properly.

However, when Zhu Xiaowei was running quickly, she saw Pei Haoran's figure at the stairwell behind the elevator.

"Here are five million checks. Take them first, and if you need more…" Pei Haoran handed over the checks.

"Enough."

Actually, Zhu Xiaowei didn't intentionally eavesdrop. It was Pei Haoran talking to Guan Lei, and her feet felt rooted to the spot as she couldn't help but want to know what they were talking about.

Pei Haoran and Guan Lei have known each other and been married for many years. They also have a son together, and their relationship is very deep.

Zhu Xiaowei watched with her own eyes as Pei Haoran readily handed a check to Guan Lei, a full five million. This wasn't a small sum for the Pei family either.

Thinking of Pei Haoran working overtime and having a stomachache, she felt that Guan Lei, his ex-wife, was too greedy. Even after their divorce, she still came asking for money.

"I will pay back the five million." Unexpectedly, Guan Lei spoke up.

Not only Zhu Xiaowei, who was eavesdropping, but even Pei Haoran's expression was a little surprised.

Normally, Guan Lei gives off a rather sharp impression. Unexpectedly, after her divorce for some time, she has also learned to speak in a softer tone.

"You don't need to pay it back." Pei Haoran was very generous to his ex-wife.

After saying that, Pei Haoran turned around and was about to leave.

However, Guan Lei kept staring hard at his retreating figure, watching as he climbed the stairs step by step, seemingly agitated. Her right hand tightly clutched the check.

"Pei Haoran." I yelled after his retreating back.

Hearing Guan Lei call out his name so urgently, Pei Haoran turned around as always. He looked at her with the same calmness in his eyes, "What's wrong"

Guan Lei, facing him like this, couldn't contain her excitement and pressed, "Pei Haoran, tell me, are you very happy now"

She choked back sobs, her voice trembling with a rising pitch, "You finally divorced me. Do you feel like you can let go now You don't have to be responsible for me anymore..."

It was you who asked for a divorce.

Pei Haoran showed no emotion and simply replied to her with a flat tone before walking away.

Guan Lei stood alone against the wall, leaning on it, and cried uncontrollably.

Zhu Xiaowei hid in the corner, she stared in shock at Guan Lei, who was crying with her face stained with tears. She always thought Guan Lei was a domineering and arrogant woman, never expecting that she would cry so miserably.

Zhu Xiaowei suddenly felt a mix of emotions. This Guan Lei didn't seem like a bad person now. Listening to their strange conversation just now, it seemed that the original Guan Lei didn't want to leave him at all.

When Zhu Xiaowei took the elevator down to the lobby on the first floor, Qiao Bao'er and they had already driven home.

She also had to make a phone call out of courtesy, and casually told a lie.

"Actually, it's Pei Yi's birthday dinner today. Pei Haoran told me yesterday that he would invite Guan Lei because Guan Lei is Pei Yi's biological mother. Pei Haoran asked for my opinion, and I said it didn't matter to me. I forgot to tell you."

Zhu Xiaowei understood Qiao Baor'er's righteous temperament very well, and besides always clashing with Guan Lei, not erupting on the spot just now was already giving her face. So she decided to lie.

Jo Bao'er took her phone and listened to what she said, her face visibly improved.

"Did you already know Guan Lei was coming Why are you pretending to be so generous We were all having a nice meal, and Guan Lei is clearly trying to put you down."

Lu Qinan, in the same car as Qiao Baier, couldn't help but tease her, "They say the emperor is not in a hurry, but the eunuchs are. Why are you so anxious"

"Who's castrated, is Lu Qinan trying to become a eunuch"

"Qiao Ba'er, we are gentlemen. We use our mouths, not our hands. Ah, Zhi Mu, you should control your wife..."

Zhu Xiaowei listened to the commotion coming from the other end of the phone and couldn't help but smile. Everyone said that the Jun family and the Lu family had many rules, but compared to them, their life was much more casual.

" Qiao Bao'er, let me tell you something about someone else's misfortune to cheer you up. Guan Lei carried that white handbag which is last year's style. And although she wore heavy makeup today, her eyes looked noticeably tired and haggard. It seems like things haven't been going well for her lately..."

"How do you know that's last year's handbag"all nervously awaiting instructions from management.They thought the new boss would give them a hard time at today's morning meeting, but they didn't see him all morning.Then Qiao Bao'er and the other...