Just Blame Me For Being Blind in the Beginning Chapter 53
(The legendary closet)
With a devout heart, Pei Ying followed Mrs Song to her 'secret closet.â
Though sheâd called it a closet, it was bigger than the apartment that Pei Ying once rented. There was a large mirror in the room, but most of the space was used to store clothesâclothes of all colors, styles, and sizes, as well as shoes, bags, and accessories.
Everything was organized neatly, by color and style, and even by clothes for children, girls, and women.
It wouldnât be undue to call it a girlâs paradise.
Pei Yingâs mind went blank as she looked around. She hadnât expected Mrs Song to be a collector. But why were there even childrenâs clothing??
It didnât take long for Mrs Song to address her questions. âHave you heard Nanchuan mention it? Iâve always wanted a daughter, but then I had three sons. Boys arenât nearly as cute as girls. Girls can dress up like dolls, and they can take all sorts of pretty photos. Ah, just the thought makes me so happy.â
Pei Ying, ââŠ.â
Mmh, every girl likes playing dress up. When theyâre younger, they play with Barbie dolls, and when they get older⊠Well, she still played dress up games on her phone⊠Orz.
But, dressing up real people as a game was a bitâŠ
Mrs Song continued, âBefore I had my first son, I bought a lot of girlâs dresses. I was so much looking forward to him being born, to play with me, but he ended up being a boy.â
âŠMmh, that must have been very sad.
âBut the clothes I bought were so cute. It would be too much of a waste not to wear them, so I still dressed him up in them.â
Pei Ying, ââŠ??!!â What?
âDo you want to see the photos?â Mrs Song asked Pei Ying excitedly.
ââŠSure!â Even in such a difficult situation, Pei Ying still maintained her smile.
She must leave a good impression!
Having gotten an answer from Pei Ying, Mrs Song went over to her dresser and pulled out a photo album. âLook. Didnât he look just like a girl when he was younger?â
âŠPei Yingâs brows twitched. Dressed up to that extent, of course he looked like a girl.
âYes, very cute~â Contrary to the conflict she felt inside, Pei Ying had a bright smile on her face, as if she were truly a kindred spirit to Mrs Song.
Mrs Song continued down memory lane, âThen, before my second son was born, I bought more girlâs clothes. Unfortunately, my second child was a son too.â
Pei Ying, ââŠ.â
Wait, had Brother Two been unable to escape her scheming as well?
Indeed. Mrs Song flipped to the next page in her album. â Lao Er was a bit naughtier. He was never still, so photographing him was always so tiring. Thankfully, I got pregnant again.â
Pei Ying, ââŠâŠ..â
There was no need to tell her who the third child was. Her heart ached briefly for him.
Mrs Song said, âAt the time, I thought that, after having two sons, I couldnât possible have another. So, I didnât hold back with buying girlâs clothes. But thenâŠâ Mrs Songâs eyes dimmed. âAfter Nanchuan was born, I really wanted to switch him with the baby girl beside him in the nursery.â
Pei Ying, ââŠ.â
âFortunately, Nanchuan was the prettiest of them all. He even had a beauty mark, and it was so delicate. So, I stopped taking photos of Lao Er . Nanchuan was the prettiest when dressed up.â
âŠHer heart ached again.
But Pei Ying was soon captivated by the doll-like child in the photos. âOh my, itâs so cute! Is this really Chuan Chuan?â
âYes. I liked it so much that I just wanted to raise him as a girl. Only, his father wouldnât allow it. As he grew up, he wouldnât let me take photos of him anymore either, so I had to store away all these clothesâŠâ At this point, Mrs Songâs eyes lit up again. âBut then I realized that when they all get married and bring their pretty wives home, I can take photos of them.â
Pei Ying, ââŠ.â
Wait. That didnât mean what she thought it meant, did it?
âLook, I took these ones of Sister-in-law. Isnât she pretty?â Mrs Song turned the page in the album to reveal a photo of Sister-in-law. âSister-in-law looks very gentle and she looks good in a qipao . This kind of long dress is also very elegant. But now sheâs pregnant, so she canât take photos with me anymore.â
Pei Ying was taken aback. âSister-in-law is pregnant?â
âMmh. Sheâs two months along. We donât know yet, but I hope she can have a daughter.â
Pei Ying, ââŠ.â
Mrs Song was especially⊠attached to this.
âMs Pei, you have such a nice figure. I wonder if you have any interest in trying on a few outfits?â Mrs Song looked at Pei Ying, her expression particularly sincere.
ââŠSure!â Pei Ying replied with interest.
Mrs Song happily started picking out clothes for Pei Ying. Pei Ying changed into a sweet, princess dress. Then, she changed into some sexy outfits. Finally, she even tried on a lolita dress set, before the pleasant afternoon finally came to an end.
After changing back into her own clothes, Pei Ying earnestly recommended the mobile dress up game she played to Mrs Song.
And, Mrs Song gifted Pei Ying with a photo of a young Song Nanchuan in girlâs clothing, as a keepsake.
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Song Nanchuan and his father were currently sitting in the living room. When he saw Pei Ying and his mother return downstairs, he walked over and whispered to Pei Ying, âWhat did my mom ask you to do?â
Pei Ying responded, âPlay dress up.â
Song Nanchuan, ââŠ.â
He pulled Pei Ying out to the terrace, his expression dark. âDid she take you to her closet?â
âYeah. There were a lot of clothes inside. And I saw photos of you guys as kids.â
Song Nanchuan, ââŠ.â
Where was there a mother who sold her sons in this manner? KekeâŠ
âAuntie said that when you were born, she was really tempted to switch you with the baby girl beside you in the nursery.â
ââŠ.â Song Nanchuan was silent for a moment. No wonder heâd always felt that he wasnât really her son. With a sigh, he said, âSorry for not giving you a warning ahead of time. Sister-in-law wasnât taken into the closet until after she got married⊠This is part of the dark, secret history of the Song family. Youâd better not let anyone know about it.â
ââŠOkay.â Pei Ying really wanted to laugh, but she simply nodded. âActually, I donât think itâs so bad. I used to be a model after all. Change clothes, take photos. Itâs just like that.â
Although Mrs Songâs interest was a bit unusual, her collection was very considerable. There were quite a few outfits from famous designers, and it was really enough to satisfy a womanâs vanity.
âOh yeah. In order to thank me, Auntie gave m a photo of you.â Pei Ying pulled the photo out of her bag and waved it in front of Song Nanchuan. âIâd have never thought that you were so cute when you were younger, Nanchuan meimei .â (t/n: meimei means âlittle sister,â but is often added onto little girlsâ / a younger girlâs name)
Song Nanchuan, ââŠ.â
He extended his hand to snatch away the photo, but fortunately, Pei Ying responded quickly and moved away in time. âWhat are you trying to do? Deprive me of my reward?â
âWhy would you keep a photo like that?â
Song Nanchuan continued trying to grab the photo, when his mother passed by. She looked at them and said, âTime to eat. You can continue your fun later in your room.â
Pei Ying and Song Nanchuan, ââŠ.â
The guests for dinner had decreased. Elder Brother, Sister-in-law, and Brother Two were all not present. Mrs Song looked at Pei Ying with a smile and asked, âMs Pei, do you think youâll want a son or a daughter?â
âDaughter,â she responded without a second thought.
Mrs Song nodded in agreement. âGirls are so much cuter than boys. And daughters are a motherâs cotton jacket.â (t/n: âcotton jacket,â meaning they are warm and treat their parents well)
âRight.â Pei Ying said with a smile.
Mrs Song asked Song Nanchuan, âWhat about you, Nanchuan? Do you want a son or a daughter?â
Song Nanchuan replied, âAs long as Pei Yingâs the mother, Iâll like them regardless.â
His words left Pei Ying rather embarrassed. Mr Song, whoâd been drinking his soup, suddenly put down his spoon. He called to the kitchen staff, âThis soup is too sweet. Please bring me another.â
Pei Ying, ââŠ.â
After dinner, Song Nanchuan and Pei Ying finally had time to spend alone. Song Nanchuan held Pei Yingâs hand, and the two went for a moonlit stroll in the courtyard.
âYour performance wasnât bad today. My mom seems to like you a lot, so I guess you passed.â
âMmh. But your dad doesnât seem to like me very much.â
âThatâs just how my father is. Donât worry. As long as my mother likes you, thereâs nothing he can do.â The fact that her secret closet still existed to this day was evidence to that.
âOkayâŠâ Pei Ying nodded.
Song Nanchuan stopped and then kissed her on the forehead. âWe should rest earlier today. Weâll head out to the beach tomorrow.â
Pei Ying agreed, and then a manâs voice suddenly sounded from the bushes. âTsk tsk. Canât you be a bit more aware when youâre out in public? Itâs almost sickening how sweet you are.â
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Song Nanchuan frowned and pulled Pei Ying to the side. Indeed, sitting in the courtyard barbecuing⊠was Brother Two.
âYouâre barbecuing here?â Song Nanchuan really didnât understand how his brotherâs mind worked sometimes.
Brother Two raised his eyebrows and tilted his head to the side. âItâs not the first time. Having some beer and grilling some meat under the moon. You canât always live so extravagantly.â
ââŠYou must not have been hit enough by Dad.â
Brother Two waved him off. âDo you two want to join me? I bought a lot of meat, and I wonât be able to finish it all.â
As Pei Ying looked at the platter of various meats, her mouth started watering. Though sheâd eaten her meals on time that day, she hadnât eaten nearly as much as usual. Her stomach⊠felt a bit empty.
Song Nanchuan saw her eyeing the food, and he knew that she wasnât full yet. After considering it, he said, âIâll grill. What do you want to eat?â
âBeef, chicken wings, and scallops. Thanks!â
At the side, Brother Two couldnât help laughing. âLooks like our meals donât exactly match your tastes.â
Song Nanchuan glared at him. Then he rolled up his sleeves and started grilling some meat.
Brother Two added a rack of ribs as well. He said to Song Nanchuan, âThanks. Might as well grill it together.â
Song Nanchuan, ââŠ.â
Pei Ying walked over and said, âWhy donât I grill then?â
âThatâs okay. Stand back, otherwise the smell will stick to you.â
âOhâŠâ Looks like Chuan Chuan wanted her to maintain the rich miss character to the end.
She stood at a distance and watched Song Nanchuan. Brother Two brought over a chair for her, and then they sat and started chatting.
Song Nanchuan couldnât help throwing some corn kernels at his brother. âCanât you come help me?â
Brother Two, âIâll help eat later.â
Song Nanchuan, ââŠ.â
For Ying Yingâs sake, he would bear it.
After he turned the food, the housekeeper came out. The housekeeper had already seen many things, so this barbecue session in the courtyard didnât faze them. Turning to Song Nanchuan, they said, âYoungest Master, your father is in the study. He said he has some business to discuss with you.â
Song Nanchuan nodded and handed the grilling duties back over to Brother Two. âCome over and grill.â
âYeah, yeah, alright.â Brother Two stood up and walked over to the grill. Song Nanchuan took care of his clothes and then said to Pei Ying, âJust let him grill. Donât do anything. If my parents find out, just tell them that he dragged us over to eat.â
âOhâŠâ
Brother Two harrumphed disdainfully. After Song Nanchuan left with the housekeeper, he took the finished meat off the grill and brought it all to Pei Ying.
âThank you.â Pei Ying accepted the food and took a bite. With surprise, she said, âHow can it be so good?â
Brother Two smugly said, âI often grill here at night. After absorbing all the moonâs essence, of course the food will taste good.â
Pei Ying guffawed as Brother Two handed her a can of beer. âWant a drink?â