A Marriage in Name Only? My Stepbrother Won't Let Me Go

Mei Wanying didn’t want Pei Yan to come to the old manor, but Ling couldn’t be away from her. She had to nurse once every two hours.

The little one was at a clingy age.

She would cry if she couldn’t see her mother, not just when it was time to feed.

Whenever she had to go out on an errand, Mei Wanying made sure to return as quickly as possible.

Now that she was a mother, she finally understood how difficult it was to raise a child.

Even with so many people to help her, she could never truly relax.

Mei Wanying felt that even when Ling was grown, she would never be able to completely let go.

No wonder her mother used to say that once you have a child, you must be prepared to worry about them for the rest of your life.

Since she couldn’t meet him at a teahouse, she had no choice but to invite Pei Yan to the manor.

Mei Wanying gently pinched her daughter’s little cheek and warned her, "When you see that man in a little while, you’re not to smile at him."

Ling was just an infant, how could she possibly understand? She just stared unblinkingly at her mother with wide, innocent eyes.

Her daughter’s expression made Mei Wanying laugh.

"You’re usually so clever. Why are you acting like a little ditz right now?"

Ding Xiang let out a snort of laughter but didn’t dare say that Ling took after Pei Yan.

Whenever Pei Yan saw her lady, he had that very same dazed look on his face.

He might have a wooden expression, but his eyes were always fixed on her lady.

Wherever her lady moved, his gaze would follow.

Ding Xiang had been recalling many things recently and realized Pei Yan had had this habit for a very long time.

On his birthday one year, her lady had cooked him longevity noodles. He’d complained about them, but in reality, he’d eaten every last bite.

And the entire time he was eating, his eyes never left her.

But he was so harsh-tongued, insisting on scolding her and telling her not to wander around in his study.

He even accused her of trying to steal his secrets.

But all his secrets were at the military barracks. He only ever returned to the manor after his official duties were done, so where would she even go to steal them?

There were countless similar incidents.

It was only now that Ding Xiang had an epiphany: Pei Yan had been in love with her lady all along.

It was because he was in love that he subconsciously watched her.

And it was because he was in love that he paid attention to her every move.

Unfortunately, Pei Yan’s words were too vicious, and he’d hurt her lady.

Now, her lady had his child but was still unwilling to go back to him. Pei Yan was finally getting what he deserved.

Mei Wanying was sitting in the flower hall, playing with her baby, when a maidservant came to announce, "Miss, His Highness has arrived."

That strange feeling washed over her again.

Ding Xiang felt it too, whispering, "Miss, since when did he become so polite?"

Given Pei Yan’s usual way of doing things, he came and went as he pleased. When had he ever needed to be announced?

Ding Xiang glanced out the window. ’Pigs must be flying!’

Mei Wanying cleared her throat. "Show him in."

Then she sent Ding Xiang outside to keep watch.

What she had to discuss concerned the Useless Crown Prince and couldn’t be overheard.

Pei Yan didn’t know why Mei Wanying had sought him out. He’d already promised her he would no longer target Gu Xun.

He ran through recent events in his mind, confirming that he hadn’t done anything to wrong Mei Wanying.

’Is Ah Yin going to try to send me back to the capital again?’

Pei Yan’s thoughts ran wild, but he finally told himself to just see her first and figure it out from there.

’If Ah Yin says something to stab me in the heart again, I’ll just let it go in one ear and out the other.’

’I’ll only listen to what I want to hear.’

Pei Yan decided to be a complete rogue about it.

’Unless Ah Yin and I get back together, I will not leave!’

As he was led into the flower hall, the moment his foot crossed the threshold, Pei Yan heard Ling’s laughter.

Mei Wanying was holding their daughter, her head lowered to nuzzle Ling’s cheek.

Every time she did, Ling would giggle. 𝚏𝕣𝐞𝗲𝐰𝕖𝐛𝐧𝕠𝕧𝚎𝚕.𝐜𝚘𝗺

Mei Wanying laughed too, her beautiful almond-shaped eyes curving into crescent moons that held a crystalline shimmer.

Pei Yan watched Mei Wanying, completely captivated.

He couldn’t remember the last time he had seen Ah Yin laugh with such abandon.

In their past life, during those final days, Ah Yin’s eyes had been cold and desolate, without a single spark of life.

And in this life, she never seemed very happy when she was with him, either.

Pei Yan’s heart clenched, and a dense, sharp ache spread through his chest.

Every beautiful moment in his life had been a gift from Mei Wanying.

And all he had given her in return was pain.

Every time he thought back on it, he was overwhelmed with shame.

His hands, clasped behind his back, tightened into fists. Pei Yan exerted all his self-control to keep his composure.

Mei Wanying caught a glimpse of a tall figure in her peripheral vision, and the smile on her face vanished.

Ling frowned, her big eyes filled with confusion, as if to ask why Mama had stopped playing with her.

Hearing footsteps, she turned her head to look.

The little one excitedly waved her tiny arms and legs, looking thrilled to see Pei Yan.

A sour feeling grew in Mei Wanying’s heart.

She suddenly understood Ding Xiang’s worries.

If this went on, Ling would only grow more and more attached to Pei Yan.

Would she still be able to drive Pei Yan away then?

Facing Mei Wanying’s wary gaze, Pei Yan felt his stomach churn, but he walked to her side nonetheless.

He stroked his daughter’s little cheek. "Lingling, Daddy’s here."

Ling recognized Pei Yan and grinned happily, revealing her bare gums.

Pei Yan’s heart melted.

’Our child... she’s the spitting image of Ah Yin.’

’Ah Yin was just like this when she was little, always giving me the most adorable smile whenever she saw me.’

Pei Yan didn’t immediately reach for his daughter. Instead, he remained leaning over, teasing the baby.

He was so close to Ah Yin, close enough to see her eyelashes, dark as a raven’s feathers.

He could even see the fine texture of her porcelain-white skin.

Her scent was a mix of a faint, sweet perfume and a trace of milk.

Pei Yan’s chest tightened. If he just cast aside his reason, he could pull both Ah Yin and Ling into his arms.

’This is my wife. This is my daughter.’

’I should be able to hold them.’

But Pei Yan wanted Mei Wanying to see that he had changed, which meant he couldn’t force her anymore.

He could only suppress the impulse to pull her into his arms.

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Mei Wanying hold her breath and lean back, clearly recoiling from his proximity.

A shadow passed over Pei Yan’s eyes, and he lifted their daughter from her arms.

He then sat down in a nearby chair.

With his overwhelming male presence gone, Mei Wanying could finally breathe again.

’He must have done that on purpose.’

Noticing her glare, the corners of Pei Yan’s mouth lifted, and the ache in his heart was soothed, bit by bit.

’Good. Ah Yin still cares about me.’

’No one else gets this kind of treatment from her!’

Copying Mei Wanying, Pei Yan lowered his head to nuzzle his daughter’s little cheek.

The laughter he expected never came. The baby’s little face scrunched up, and she opened her mouth and began to wail.

Pei Yan was at a loss. He instinctively looked to Mei Wanying. "Ah Yin, what’s wrong with her?"

Mei Wanying’s gaze fell on the man’s chin.

Perhaps because of his martial arts training, his stubble seemed to grow back faster than other men’s.

Without batting an eye, she said, "Ling doesn’t like you."

As she spoke, she moved to take her daughter back.

Pei Yan wouldn’t let go, holding their daughter tightly.

’If Ling isn’t here, Ah Yin will just kick me out as soon as we’re done talking.’

’I don’t want to leave.’

’I want to stay with Ah Yin a little longer.’

’My daughter has to stay!’

Pei Yan didn’t miss the look Mei Wanying had given him and rubbed his chin.

He had shaved that morning, but it already felt prickly.

’No wonder the little one is crying.’

The proud man lowered his head to apologize to the infant. "How about you take a needle and poke Daddy, hmm?"