The idea of parents opposing their children's relationships simply didn't exist here.
For some reason, Mrs. Pei took an instant liking to Yu Miaohua and adored her. Though she didn't hand her a blank check, she showered her with gifts instead.
Jade bracelets, diamond tiaras… The lavish presents left Yu Miaohua utterly bewildered.
After seeing where Yu Miaohua lived, Mrs. Pei tearfully declared she’d been suffering and promptly bought the entire building for her, even drafting a deed of unconditional gift transfer.
Mrs. Pei said, "That child Shechi is truly something. He should’ve brought you home to meet us long ago, yet he kept you a secret. Was he afraid we’d steal you away from him?"
Yu Miaohua had never realized she had such a natural charm with elders.
Steal her from him? That seemed excessive. To the Pei family, she was an outsider.
No matter how much they liked her, surely they wouldn’t prioritize her over Pei Shechi… right?
Yu Miaohua stood stiffly as Old Madam Pei draped a ruby necklace around her neck.
Old Madam Pei smiled warmly. "See? These gems were meant for you. They suit you perfectly."
Yu Miaohua vaguely recalled this very necklace fetching a staggering 120 million at an auction last year. And now it was hanging around her neck?
The necklace was just the beginning. Old Madam Pei went on to gift her gold bars, properties, and more.
"Ever since meeting you, my backaches have vanished, my legs don’t hurt anymore, and I can even eat half a bowl of rice now. Here, pick any building in this neighborhood you like—I’ll transfer it to your name."
"I had a nightmare last night, chased by ghosts, and you descended like a goddess to save me. Take these shops as a token of my gratitude."
"I heard your next novel will have an international setting. You should travel for inspiration—let Shechi accompany you. This castle is yours; it might spark some ideas."
"I’m saving all my finest treasures for you. If Shechi ever dares to mistreat you, I’ll disown him as my grandson."
The blatant favoritism from Mrs. Pei and Old Madam Pei was impossible to ignore.
Yu Miaohua wanted to ask—what had she done to deserve this?
Maybe she’d been Old Madam Pei’s beloved granddaughter in a past life.
Her residence shifted from X City to the capital, where the Pei matriarchs took her out daily, their greatest joy being to spoil her with endless shopping. If not for the spacious penthouse and its walk-in closet, her clothes and bags would’ve overflowed.
By the time Yu Miaohua noticed, her dates with her boyfriend had dwindled significantly.
Pei Shechi hugged her, gritting his teeth. "This is exactly why I didn’t want them to know."
He’d seen this coming.
Yu Miaohua blinked. "I didn’t expect them to like me this much either."
"Of course they do. You’re wonderful—it’s only natural."
Her cheeks warmed. She suspected the Pei family saw her through rose-tinted glasses, praising her relentlessly no matter what she did, to the point of embarrassment.
One day, she tallied up the assets under her name and nearly fainted.
Good heavens—without realizing it, she’d become insanely wealthy.
Grinning, she patted Pei Shechi’s back and declared, "I’m a rich woman now. I can afford to keep you."
A deep chuckle rumbled in Pei Shechi’s chest, the vibration making her heart race.
His voice was low. "Then I’ll rely on you."
Heh, no problem at all!
……
Having grown so attached to Yu Miaohua, the Pei family eagerly announced Pei Shechi’s relationship, even setting the engagement date for February 20th.
News that Pei Shechi’s fiancée was an unknown, ordinary woman quickly spread through elite circles.
That day, Old Madam Pei introduced Yu Miaohua to countless high-society figures. She’d expected to feel nervous, but when the moment arrived, she adapted surprisingly well.
She knew many disliked her, but she relished their forced smiles and feigned admiration.
After the engagement ceremony and endless socializing, Yu Miaohua retreated to a lounge to rest.
Midway, the door opened, and in walked a beautiful young woman.
The girl glared at her. "With that face and name, no wonder Pei Shechi chose you. You’re just a pitiful stand-in."
"A stand-in?" Yu Miaohua frowned.
The girl’s smile turned venomous. "You don’t know? Pei Shechi is obsessed with the Goddess. For years, he’s bought every unearthed statue of her at sky-high prices."
"He’s rejected all women for her sake. Once you age and no longer resemble the Goddess, I’ll watch as the Pei family throws you out."
Yu Miaohua’s head spun as if struck by a club.
But pride prevailed. She retorted reflexively, "Even if they kick me out, I’ll still have the assets he, his mother, and grandmother gave me—totaling billions. You don’t have that, do you?"
The girl turned red with fury.
Though she’d won the exchange, Yu Miaohua felt no joy.
She remembered meeting Pei Shechi at the Goddess’s tomb—his gaze had been unbearably tender.
Was she really just a replacement?
Her heart ached, but the moment she recalled her fortune…
The tears dried up.
Besides, Pei Shechi’s cooking was divine. The thought of losing those meals made her hesitate to break up.
She’d wait until she found a better chef.
……
Later, Yu Miaohua learned the girl was Second Miss Lin. Her older sister had pursued Pei Shechi unsuccessfully before marrying Third Young Master Su—a union rumored to be unhappy. Perhaps out of resentment, Second Miss Lin vented her frustrations on Yu Miaohua.
When her words failed to stir trouble, and news broke of the Pei family planning a lavish birthday celebration for Yu Miaohua, Second Miss Lin confronted her again.
"You’ll stoop so low for wealth? Have you no pride, clinging to him as a stand-in?"
Yu Miaohua had only one reply.
"But it’s billions."
If she posted online, asking whether she should accept a family’s offer of millions to be a stand-in, the comments would undoubtedly say, "Let me do it! Hesitating for even a second is an insult to money."
Second Miss Lin spat, "Shameless!"
"Who’s a stand-in?"
Pei Shechi’s voice cut in from behind.
Yu Miaohua saw Second Miss Lin pale with fear.
She turned to find Pei Shechi watching her, his calm expression masking a storm.
Yu Miaohua blinked. "She said you’re only with me because I resemble the Goddess."
For a moment, Pei Shechi’s face was unreadable, leaving her at a loss.
Silence settled between them.
As for Second Miss Lin, she had long since fled in fright.
"You heard what was said—aren’t you angry?"
After what felt like an eternity, Pei Shechi finally spoke.
Yu Miaohua blinked. "Do you want me to be angry?"
Pei Shechi left.
Yu Miaohua was bewildered: Had she actually managed to anger him into running away?
So what was he even mad about?
Confusing! A man’s heart is as unfathomable as the ocean!
Pei Shechi’s anger kept him away for three whole days—the longest they’d gone without seeing each other since they started dating.
Maybe this time, they really were going to break up?
It wasn’t like she wasn’t upset at all. The only comfort for her wounded heart was staring at her bank account a few more times.
She wondered if she should just take the hint and disappear.
On the fourth night, as Yu Miaohua was halfway through her sleep, she suddenly felt a familiar presence envelop her.
"You misunderstood that I was using you as a substitute, yet you weren’t angry at all. You really don’t like me. I’ve been upset for days, and you didn’t even try to comfort me."
Yu Miaohua nearly laughed in frustration. "I didn’t even blame you for treating me as a stand-in, and now you’re the one getting mad first?"
Well, to be precise, she wasn’t exactly a substitute—more like a consolation. After all, the Divine Maiden wasn’t Pei Shechi’s ex.
"There was never a substitute. From the beginning to the end, there’s only been you. I only like you."
As he spoke, his breath brushed against her neck, the warmth making her head spin, her thoughts growing hazy.
"Between me and the Divine Maiden, who do you prefer?"
"You."
Yu Miaohua responded by biting his shoulder—hard.
She didn’t know whether Pei Shechi was telling the truth, but for now, she’d take it at face value.
"If I hadn’t come back today, were you going to break up with me?"
"...No, you’re overthinking it." Yu Miaohua would never admit that the thought had crossed her mind.
"Don’t even dream of it."
Pei Shechi held her tighter. She was a treasure he’d fought hard to claim—he wouldn’t let go so easily.
Yu Miaohua was like a cloud—seemingly drifting wherever the wind took her, yet always ready to slip through his fingers.
It had been like this in their past life, and it was the same now.
She loved him, but that didn’t stop her from walking away without hesitation.
At least this cloud had always been his—and his alone.
So after two days of sulking, Pei Shechi managed to console himself and came back on his own, terrified that if he delayed even a moment longer, he’d be kicked out for good.
...
The next morning, Yu Miaohua woke up and stared blankly at the empty space before her, her mind flooded with memories.
Ahhh! Damn it!
Turns out, the Divine Maiden she’d once mocked as the epitome of a Mary Sue… was actually her past self?
And she hadn’t just transmigrated recently—she’d arrived in this era long ago, only for her memories of the Great Qi Dynasty to be sealed until now.
As for Pei Shechi—he was Pei Chiyan. Her mother and grandmother clearly remembered their past lives too, which was why they doted on her so much.
So what was all that drama these past few days? Just some playful teasing?
