Come on, What Kind of CEO Chases His Roommate Back to the Country? - Chapter 27

The banquet hall fell silent in an instant. Pei Song saw his father’s face turn deathly pale.

What surprised him, however, was that besides panic, his father’s expression carried a sense of helplessness and resignation.

“Who are you?” Grandma Pei sat at the head seat, her gaze sharp.

“Who am I?” The woman sneered and pointed at Pei Song’s father. “I’m your son’s mistress, and this is your grandson! Old Madam, after all these years, it’s time to acknowledge him, don’t you think?”

Crash. The sharp sound of a teacup shattering echoed through the hall.

Pei Song turned his head and saw his mother’s face turn ashen. She swayed unsteadily, about to collapse. 

For years, every time she heard about his father’s affairs, she forced herself to act as if nothing was wrong. But this time, with so many people watching, she couldn’t hold on any longer.

“Mom!” He rushed over to support her.

Whispers spread through the venue.

“I’ve heard rumors that President Pei had someone outside for a long time…”

“This is going to be a spectacle now…”

“The Pei family’s reputation is completely ruined this time…”

“I heard the Pei Corporation’s finances are in trouble. That illegitimate child is probably here for money…”

Pei Song clenched his fists, his eyes filled with disappointment and fury as he looked at his father. Scanning the room, he saw the varied expressions on everyone’s faces. His uncle looked just as pale as his father. His gaze evasive, clearly, he had known about this all along.

“You brothers kept something this big a secret?” His aunt sneered, raising her voice deliberately.

“I wonder what else you’re hiding from us.”

Her older brother from her maiden family chimed in, “People used to say the Pei family was prestigious, but now… not so much.”

“Exactly,” her second brother added sarcastically. “I heard that woman worked in a nightclub. No wonder the company’s finances are in shambles, he must’ve spent a fortune on her.”

Pei Song’s mother trembled even more. He held onto her tightly, wishing he could silence these people.

“You!” His uncle tried to explain but was cut off.

“You still have the nerve to speak?” His aunt’s voice was sharp and piercing. “You knew all along, didn’t you? Pretending to be all noble. Disgusting!”

The discussions grew louder, becoming increasingly vicious. His aunt’s brothers could barely hide their glee, as if they had been waiting for this moment for years.

Pei Song looked at these so-called relatives, who usually acted all friendly, but now revealed their true faces. His heart grew cold. He tightened his grip on his mother’s hand, but he didn’t know how to comfort her.

“Enough!” Grandma Pei’s voice was ice-cold. “Escort the guests out. Family scandals shouldn’t be aired in public.”

Once the guests started leaving, Grandma Pei turned to the woman coldly. “What do you want?”

“I don’t want anything,” the woman said smugly. “I just want my child to be acknowledged. It’s been so many years, shouldn’t he be given his rightful place? After all, he’s the true bloodline of the Pei family.”

“The child is indeed innocent.” Grandma Pei sighed. “I understand your point. Here’s what we’ll do, I’ll arrange for you to stay at a hotel for now. Once things settle down, we’ll properly discuss the child’s status.”

Pei Song’s father stood by silently, his lips trembling as if he wanted to say something, but in the end, he simply lowered his head.

His uncle, who had been lurking in the corner, quickly seized the opportunity. “Yes, yes, now is not the right time. Let me arrange a driver to take you to the Shangri-La Hotel. I’ll cover the expenses.”

The woman hesitated for a moment. Seeing the surrounding expressions, she realized that today was not the right time to push further. She nodded. “Fine, I trust the Old Madam. But don’t try to fool me, or else…”

“Don’t worry, the Pei family won’t mistreat the child,” Grandma Pei said calmly. “Xiao Li, escort the lady out.”

Before leaving, the woman shot a meaningful glance at Pei Song’s father and uncle before finally taking the child and leaving.

Only after their figures disappeared from the doorway did the tense atmosphere in the banquet hall begin to ease slightly.

Pei’s uncle let out a sigh of relief and retreated back into his corner, looking as if a great weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

After Grandma Pei and the rest of the family left, Pei Song blocked his father, who was about to leave. “Dad, we need to talk.”

His father avoided his gaze but still stopped walking.

Pei Song turned to look at his mother, only to find her unexpectedly calm.

“Dad, you’ve really let me down.” Pei Song’s voice trembled. “All my life, I’ve looked up to you, thought you were the best father in the world. But now…” He choked up. “You’re nothing but a coward!”

“Mom,” Pei Song held his mother’s hand, his voice hoarse. “No matter what you decide, I’ll support you. If you want a divorce, I’ll support you. I’ll take care of you—we don’t need the Pei family, and we don’t need him!”

Pei’s father’s veins bulge in anger. He raised his hand to slap Pei Song, but his wrist was caught by Shi Yancheng. “Uncle Pei, let’s talk things out.”

“This is a family matter, stay out of it!” Pei’s father shouted.

“Dad! Don’t take your anger out on innocent people!” Pei Song stepped in front of Shi Yancheng. Then, he turned to his mother. “Mom, don’t be afraid. I’m here.”

His mother, however, simply stared at his father, her expression unreadable. Her reaction made Pei Song uneasy.

“Song Song,” she finally spoke, her voice hoarse. “Go back to your room first. Let me talk to your father alone.”

Seeing the plea in her eyes, Pei Song reluctantly backed down. How could she endure this? He shot his father a fierce glare before turning to head upstairs.

Shi Yancheng followed and said in a low voice, “Your mother’s reaction is strange. There might be more to this than meets the eye.”

Those words made Pei Song calm down a little.

Back in his room, Pei Song unexpectedly received a call from SNK’s HR department for a preliminary interview.

Forcing himself to focus, he scheduled the interview for the next morning. After hanging up, he immediately shared the good news with Shi Yancheng.

“Sort out the interview first,” Shi Yancheng advised. “Don’t let family matters affect your performance.”