Scum A with a Sweet Black Lotus O – Chapter 124

Sudden Wealth · Pei Xuezhi

All sorts of scenarios leaped through Fu Chaoyun’s mind—

Like that Madam Feng didn’t have long to live and needed an organ transplant to survive, and now, having suddenly discovered the existence of her biological daughter, Pei Xuezhi, it was as if she had grasped at the last straw!

            

All that talk of deep affection, repentance, offering her entire fortune as compensation…

If one of them was destined to die and the other to live, once that person recovered, wouldn’t it end up being that she got her life back without having to pay anything at all?

A bargain!

            

Fu Chaoyun had seen plenty of these clichéd tear-jerker​¹ plots; now it was just a small matter of replacing the “female lead” with the “biological mom.”

The Special Assistant​² took in every change in Fu Chaoyun’s expression. Even with his professional composure, he couldn’t help but feel his lips twitch.

“Miss Fu, your imagination seems a bit too vivid.”

            

Fu Chaoyun: “……”

Wasn’t it?

“It’s not as Miss Fu says—” the assistant said, then turned his gaze to Pei Xuezhi, speaking earnestly.

            

“Miss Pei doesn’t need to do anything.”

Pei Xuezhi’s eyes lowered slightly, but she pulled down Fu Chaoyun beside her, who was ready to bristle​³ at any moment. A light sweep of her eyes, and the usually cool and distant person suddenly exuded an indescribable aura of deterrence.

“Continue.”

            

Since things had come to this, it was better to clarify everything.

“It’s very regrettable.”

“My employer, Madam Feng’s, health is indeed very poor. Just as Miss Fu mentioned, I’m afraid she doesn’t have much time left. Madam Feng is also aware of her physical condition and isn’t forcing anything.”

            

“I mentioned earlier that Madam Feng only learned of Miss Pei’s existence ten days ago. More accurately, it was also ten days ago that she learned that Miss Pei’s other mother was still alive, and had even returned to the country.”

Pei Xuezhi looked up and repeated for the second time, “Continue.”

Assistant: “……”

            

Neither of the two listeners before him seemed particularly qualified, but he had been paid for this, and the task assigned by his employer had to be completed.

So even if this was a one-man show, he had to keep performing.

Next, Fu Chaoyun heard an old-fashioned love story.

            

More than twenty years ago, a young Madam Feng fell in love with Pei Xuezhi’s Omega mother, Madam Pei.

At that time, both were students at prestigious universities. They didn’t have much money, but they rented a small cabin near the school and felt very happy just living together.

Initially, to temper Madam Feng, her family only paid her tuition fees. Madam Feng had to work part-time to earn her living expenses. The two supported each other through the most difficult times. When their identities were exposed, they faced opposition from both families.

            

The Feng family looked down on Madam Pei, who was an ordinary person. Madam Pei’s family, on the other hand, was a scholarly family​⁴, quite strict in their children’s upbringing; the words “noble and unsullied”​⁵ were etched into their bones, so there was no reason for them to cling to someone who looked down on them.

Both families reached an agreement to break up the couple​⁶. However, young love is passionate; the more opposition they faced, the more persistent they became.

In their struggle to hold on, during a susceptibility period, the two completely crossed the line, and then it happened again and again—

            

The ostracism from both families also escalated to an extreme. In one attempt after another to separate them, the methods became increasingly severe, until the young couple was nearly suffocated.

Finally, in a major accident, Madam Pei “passed away” unexpectedly, and Madam Feng’s heart turned to ashes.

Not only did she give up her so-called family inheritance rights, but her health also deteriorated day by day. Later, her family arranged a marriage partner for her, someone supposedly of equal social standing​⁷, but Madam Feng refused time and again, remaining single and alone to this day.

            

Speaking of this, the Special Assistant’s tone was somewhat wistful, “I never expected…”

“Never expected that Madam Pei would actually still be alive after accidentally falling into the river back then,” Fu Chaoyun completed his unfinished sentence. “And even traveled across the ocean back to the country, and gave birth to their child.”

The danger in these few words was evident. Just imagining it, Fu Chaoyun couldn’t help but grip Pei Xuezhi’s hand tightly.

            

During that most difficult period, those two women crossed the line time and again, but in doing so, they also conceived Pei Xuezhi.

Having experienced so many hardships, Madam Pei still resolutely gave birth to Pei Xuezhi. It was unknown whether this was a cause for celebration or something that made one’s heart ache…

Compared to these two, Pei Xuezhi’s expression always seemed much calmer, making people wonder what she had truly been through all these years.

            

“How did you determine that I am that lady’s child?” Pei Xuezhi asked the assistant.

“My employer, Madam Feng, saw your photograph,” the assistant said. “You bear a strong resemblance to your mother—Madam Pei.”

“Just like that?”

            

This Madam Feng, whom she had never met, possessed immense wealth​⁸. To hand over all her assets to her based solely on this seemed a bit too rash.

“Ten days is enough time to do many things, isn’t it?” Fu Chaoyun also said. “Like getting some of Zhizhi’s hair or saliva for a DNA test or something…”

“Please don’t say that.”

            

The assistant interrupted, his expression uncharacteristically tinged with seriousness. “My employer has great respect for Miss Pei. We would never do such a thing unless Miss Pei personally agreed.”

Meeting their gazes.

“Alright, it indeed wasn’t just based on a face. After learning of Miss Pei’s existence, Madam Feng then investigated Miss Pei’s life history—”

            

“These are all written in past records, it doesn’t count as an infringement. Seeing the name Miss Pei wrote in the mother’s contact information column… and then connecting it with Miss Pei’s date of birth, it was easy to deduce that Miss Pei is also Madam Feng’s child.”

“Madam Feng sought out Miss Pei simply to compensate her.”

The assistant’s last sentence was delivered with particular earnestness and solemnity.

            

Of course, all of this.

…………couldn’t move Fu Chaoyun at all.

Strictly speaking, today’s events were all Pei Xuezhi’s family matters. Fu Chaoyun wasn’t even a family member, merely accompanying her as a girlfriend, so naturally, she had no right to nag or complain.

            

Perhaps, even as a family member, she couldn’t.

Now, she was just by Pei Xuezhi’s side, waiting for her to make a decision.

Pei Xuezhi’s desire for material things was very low, and she seemed somewhat detached emotionally. It was unknown how much of these moving words she had taken in. After a moment.

            

Pei Xuezhi: “Let’s do a DNA test after all.”

If she wanted to obtain those things, it was better to do it legitimately.

In this regard, she could cooperate.

            

“Does she,” she paused, “does that Madam Feng have any other requests?”

“If possible, she hopes to meet you,” the assistant said immediately. “Via video call.”

The assistant had specifically chosen to meet them at night, so it would be morning on the other side of the ocean.

            

This part must have been planned long ago, but Pei Xuezhi didn’t show any anger at being schemed against.

“Alright.”

Perhaps it was a case of being softened by a gift​⁹.

            

Last night, Fu Chaoyun had even joked about meeting the parents. She had been a little nervous before coming. When she entered the room and found the other person wasn’t there, she had breathed a slight sigh of relief. Now, so unexpectedly, after so many twists and turns​¹⁰, they still had to meet in the end…

Even the most carefree person would feel uncomfortable, okay~!

While she was still feeling conflicted, Pei Xuezhi turned to look at her. Bathed in the light, the Omega’s eyes were dark and bright, brimming with affection.

            

Her fingertips brushed over, gently tugging at Fu Chaoyun’s cuff. Autumn was deepening, the temperature growing cooler. Compared to when they first met, both were wearing thicker clothes. Pei Xuezhi’s fingertips slipped under Fu Chaoyun’s sleeve, touching her skin.

Pei Xuezhi’s body temperature was slightly cool, while the Alpha’s was fiery and warm. Startled by the sudden coolness, Fu Chaoyun instinctively grasped back, warming the other with her own body, only to hear a whisper by her ear.

“Jiejie, I’m scared~”

            

Thus, the moment the video call connected, Fu Chaoyun’s face also appeared on the screen.

On the other side was a noble and graceful face, well-maintained, but due to being bedridden for a long time, she looked a third thinner, even her features somewhat diminished.

Yet, in her brows, eyes, and even the shape of her lips, one could still find traces of resemblance to Pei Xuezhi.

            

Blood ties, truly a wondrous thing…

Although there were various expensive medical devices around, the background on the other side didn’t seem to be a hospital, but rather a home.

Being wealthy to this extent, it was quite normal to have medical staff on call.

            

And perhaps due to her severe illness, or perhaps because the twenty-year gap couldn’t be filled, Madam Feng wasn’t overly emotional upon seeing Pei Xuezhi.

Instead, she looked dazed.

Gazing at Pei Xuezhi’s brows and eyes, very intently yet vaguely, as if looking at another person through her.

            

“Qingheng​¹¹…” Madam Feng murmured from the other side.

“Hello, I am Pei Xuezhi.”

This statement instantly brought Madam Feng back to her senses.

            

“I mean,” she tried to recover, “…you look a lot like Qingheng.”

Compared to Madam Feng, Pei Xuezhi’s expression was perhaps even colder. There was no joy of reunion, nor did she care about being mistaken for someone else.

After all, this suddenly appearing Alpha mother, Madam Feng, was not someone important to her.

            

After being interrupted, Madam Feng finally noticed the person beside Pei Xuezhi. She nodded slightly, surprisingly adopting a somewhat amiable demeanor, even more intimate than when she had faced Pei Xuezhi just moments before.

“Hello, you must be Miss Fu. Then I’ll take the liberty​¹² and call you Ah Yun?”

Also.

            

Since they had investigated Pei Xuezhi, how could they not simultaneously investigate her social circle?

Perhaps Fu Chaoyun’s life history was also lying on the other party’s desk.

Seeing the other party turn her gaze to Fu Chaoyun, Pei Xuezhi’s emotions surprisingly tensed up a bit.

            

Fu Chaoyun herself wasn’t surprised by this, and there was also an element of being pushed into a situation​¹³. She had been a little flustered before, but now that they had met and things had settled, what was there to be timid about?

At this moment, she was surprisingly calm. Sensing the other party showing goodwill towards her, she also nodded and said obediently.

“That’s fine,” Fu Chaoyun found a term of address, “Auntie Feng.”

            

Realizing that Madam Feng might be trying to win over Pei Xuezhi through her, Fu Chaoyun adopted a perfectly measured attitude—polite but not overly familiar.

In short, whether to acknowledge her or how to interact in the future… these were all for Zhizhi to decide.

She couldn’t overstep, much less hold her back​¹⁴.

            

She was no breakthrough point!

However, just this attitude was enough to satisfy Madam Feng. Because the moment she sensed herself showing goodwill towards this young Alpha, Pei Xuezhi also softened slightly.

For Madam Feng to have expanded her business to such an extent, she was naturally no longer the love-struck fool of her youth, or rather, not purely a love-struck fool.

            

Understanding that Fu Chaoyun’s presence could be key to easing the relationship between her and Pei Xuezhi, there was no need to avoid her for what they were about to discuss.

Previously, Pei Xuezhi’s life history had been investigated and presented to her. Only after meeting her today did Madam Feng truly understand this daughter’s personality.

This daughter, whom she hadn’t met or even known existed for twenty years, despite being an Omega, was not a warm and affectionate person. Rather than discussing kinship, it was better to get straight to the point.

            

Coincidentally, she wasn’t a particularly sentimental person either.

Facing Pei Xuezhi, Madam Feng dropped her amiable demeanor and stated plainly, “ (an English assistant’s name)​¹⁵ should have told you everything earlier…”

“I know.”

            

On this side of the camera, Pei Xuezhi also had a cool and indifferent expression. In a way, these two were indeed mother and daughter.

“I agree to everything he mentioned, but to be on the safe side, let’s do a DNA test first.”

Madam Feng: “Alright.”

            

Then.

The conversation between these two suddenly stalled​¹⁶.

???

            

Fu Chaoyun looked at this one, then at that one. Is there really nothing more between you two? Then what was the point of this meeting?!!

She unconsciously nudged Pei Xuezhi’s fingers discreetly. Pei Xuezhi grasped her hand, her face still perfectly serious, unaware that their little actions were all seen by Madam Feng on the other side.

The originally dignified Madam Feng suddenly smiled, a nostalgic look in her eyes. Seeing Pei Xuezhi’s face again, she was momentarily lost in thought, then quickly composed herself.

            

She cleared her throat, also recapturing the attention of the two little chicks​¹⁷ over here. “Frankly speaking—”

Meeting Pei Xuezhi’s dark eyes, Madam Feng continued, “Although my bloodline continues in you, we have been absent from each other’s lives for too long. Meeting so suddenly, this might sound harsh, but there isn’t much mother-daughter affection between us.”

!

            

Fu Chaoyun was shocked!

So blunt?

“I know,” Pei Xuezhi said.

            

She was still holding Fu Chaoyun’s hand. Unlike her cool and indifferent expression, that hand was very gentle, not suddenly tightening its grip, proving that her heart was as calm as her demeanor at this moment.

And, unshakeable.

“I can understand,” Pei Xuezhi said again. “Because I feel the same way.”

            

Both were extremely rational people, even though one was an Alpha and the other an Omega.

At this moment, their posture and expressions were surprisingly similar.

These few words brought a look of approval to Madam Feng’s eyes. “I am leaving everything I own to you because you are Qingheng’s child. This is my compensation to her.”

            

Pei Xuezhi paused for a moment. “If all of this is for my mother, I cannot accept it.”

In Pei Xuezhi’s memory, her mother’s image was already very vague.

She did not covet money, nor was she excessively aloof and arrogant.

            

This newly appeared Madam Feng was incredibly wealthy. If she gave it all to Pei Xuezhi, it wouldn’t just save her twenty years of struggle; it could support her descendants for several generations of extravagance.

Most importantly, Fu Chaoyun needed it right now; it would benefit Fu Chaoyun.

So she chose to accept it.

            

But if it was under the name of her deceased mother, whether as compensation or forgiveness… even as her only daughter left in this world, she had no right to accept it on her behalf.

The dead will never speak again, so this enormous fortune could only be left there.

A pity?

            

But she sought a clear conscience.

Madam Feng, however, smiled. “Take it. This is my compensation to you as a mother who failed. You don’t need to do anything. As for Qingheng’s attitude… when I go over to the other side, I will tell her myself.”

As she spoke, she coughed a few times, her complexion already looking very poor.

            

Pei Xuezhi’s lips pressed together slightly.

“Just consider it as having two mothers simultaneously. They are unrelated to each other, yet both are your mothers.”

“As for what conflicts exist between them, how to handle them… as a child, you don’t need to handle it.”

            

In the end, with Madam Feng’s repeated emphasis, Pei Xuezhi finally accepted this enormous fortune.

—She needed it.

Having given away her assets, Madam Feng seemed to let out a huge sigh of relief, her whole person much more relaxed.

            

She didn’t ask Pei Xuezhi to call her mother. Instead, she started chatting with her, asking Pei Xuezhi to talk about her experiences over the years.

Of course, the most important thing was to talk about Pei Xuezhi’s other mother—Pei Qingheng’s various matters.

Information from investigations is always different from what the person involved experienced; hearing it from her sounded more profound.

            

Pei Xuezhi could only dig out bits and pieces from her already fading memories to tell her. Her narrative tone could only be described as flat, not at all like a storyteller, but even so, Madam Feng listened with great interest​¹⁸.

She would also show more changes in expression according to the changes in the plot.

“She is very outstanding, I know. No matter the environment, she can live well…”

            

Though she said this, an undeniable sense of loss and sadness flickered across Madam Feng’s face and in her eyes.

It then transformed into tense anticipation.

“Then… did she ever mention me to you?”

            

Pei Xuezhi was silent for a moment, then still answered truthfully, “No.”

Honest and cruel.

“I know, I know…” Madam Feng was smiling. “If she had ever mentioned me, how could you have acted so unfamiliar when I had someone contact you… You’re so smart, you would never forget after hearing it just once or twice, I know…”

            

Pei Xuezhi watched the other’s somewhat “deranged” state closely. Fortunately, she had Fu Chaoyun by her side.

After all, she was an adult with rich life experience. Madam Feng quickly composed herself, but the fatigue and dejection on her face were even heavier, due to her severe illness, and even more so, a sickness of the heart​¹⁹.

“Sorry, I’ve made a fool of myself.”

            

“These past few years, my mental state has been getting worse, and my mind too. I’ve gradually forgotten some things from the past, but how could I forget? I clearly experienced them before, everything was so profound…”

She forgot too?

Pei Xuezhi noted this.

            

She had long since cut ties with her family, yet now the two people who had the most contact with Pei Qingheng, their memories were also gradually beginning to fade.

It was a bit too coincidental.

Just as Pei Xuezhi was thinking, she heard Fu Chaoyun suddenly speak from the side, “Auntie Feng, please take care of your health.”

            

A sudden silence fell around them.

In the camera, and outside it, Madam Feng and Pei Xuezhi both looked at her simultaneously. Madam Feng suddenly smiled.

“I do indeed need to take good care of my body.”

            

“By the way, when are you two getting married?”

Fu Chaoyun: “—Cough cough cough!”

Wasn’t this topic changing a bit too quickly? How did the fire get turned on her​²⁰!

            

Fu Chaoyun subconsciously looked at Pei Xuezhi, only to see Pei Xuezhi’s pair of deep black eyes looking at her. It seemed that at this moment, she too was waiting for an answer.

Spoken from Fu Chaoyun’s lips.

“Zhizhi is still young.”

            

“Not young at all,” Madam Feng said flawlessly​²¹. “She’s already a senior in university, about to graduate, completely free. She’s already 21 years old​²², reached the legal marriage age in the country, she can get married.”

Pei Xuezhi hooked her palm, this time cooperating with Madam Feng, and chimed in, “Indeed.”

Madam Feng: “She has also met your parents, and you have now met me. I have no objections from my side, anytime is fine, the sooner the better.”

            

Pei Xuezhi also looked at her.

As if to say: Me too.

Fu Chaoyun also knew that Madam Feng and Pei Xuezhi had only just acknowledged each other. They still addressed each other as “you” and “I,” truly lacking much mother-daughter affection.

            

Now that Madam Feng was urging marriage, it was more about fulfilling an old obsession of her own, and another point was that her health couldn’t wait.

But even so, just Madam Feng alone was hard to deal with, and more importantly, the person concerned was right beside her, looking at her.

Compared to Madam Feng, Pei Xuezhi’s gaze was even harder for her to resist.

            

Fu Chaoyun also gathered her thoughts and said seriously, “I will consider it carefully.”

Madam Feng: “…Hmm?”

“It should always be proposal, engagement, then marriage, step by step. Otherwise, wouldn’t it be too informal?”

            

Pei Xuezhi’s eyes shone brightly. Madam Feng seemed to think of her own past, and her eyes dimmed for a moment.

But Pei Xuezhi had already spoken.

“I agree.”

            

Seeing her newly acknowledged daughter with eyes only for the other person, Madam Feng, having lived for decades and being a shrewd person​²³, could more or less guess that the other party’s agreement was likely for this one’s convenience.

You can’t rush things​²⁴. For now, Madam Feng could only offer her respect and blessings. “I hope your relationship path will be smooth sailing—”

She had just started speaking when Pei Xuezhi interrupted her, “She is very good.”

            

Madam Feng paused.

On the other side of the screen, although Pei Xuezhi was talking to her, her gaze was always fixed on the Alpha beside her.

Suddenly being so direct in front of a parent, even the usually bold Alpha was a bit startled. Not overly shy, just stunned for a moment, before Pei Xuezhi smoothed her long hair with her hand.

            

The Omega’s eyes softened in an instant, full of adoration, lingering… transforming into silken threads, twining around the other person, never to be separated for eternity.

It was Yue Lao’s red string​²⁵.

Turning her head, her gaze met Madam Feng’s again, and she repeated, emphatically.

            

“Fu Chaoyun, she is very good.”

Being stared at by her, Madam Feng smiled in an instant. “She’s the person you chose, as long as you’re satisfied. I’m not that kind of unenlightened parent; I won’t interfere in my children’s relationships.”

“Thank you.”

            

This time, Pei Xuezhi’s reply was exceptionally earnest, even more so than when Madam Feng had offered her the family fortune.

After talking for a while longer, Madam Feng, still ill, gradually ran out of energy. It was time for her daily check-up and medication. Coincidentally, Fu Chaoyun also received a call and stepped out.

Whether it was an illusion or not, the moment the Alpha left, the atmosphere between the two remaining on either end of the video call became visibly stiff.

            

“The Alpha you chose is very good,” Madam Feng said.

Some things were not good to say in front of the other person, but now that she had left, it didn’t matter.

“She is Fu Chaoyun,” Pei Xuezhi corrected the other’s phrasing.

            

Not some other random Alpha. She chose her, simply because she was her Fu Chaoyun.

—Only hers.

“Understood,” Madam Feng smiled. In the final moment before hanging up the video call, she heard Pei Xuezhi say again.

            

“Ten days ago.”

“?”

“Ten days ago, how did you suddenly find out about my existence? Or rather—” Pei Xuezhi’s eyes gradually deepened, revealing a solemn seriousness.

            

“Who told you?”

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The author has something to say:

Daily updates have resumed. The content is increasing even though it’s wrapping up. I’ll try to write a bit more each day and finish the main text before National Day​²⁶ _(:з”∠)_

            

Good night, good night~

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