The Temptation of CEO's Pregnant Ex-Wife
Chapter 258: Thank You for Mr. Zhou’s Kindness

Chapter 258: Chapter 258: Thank You for Mr. Zhou’s Kindness

He Yuming snorted disdainfully and turned his face away, "I don’t talk to strangers."

He Lanzhi felt stung, "..."

Seo Zhenzhen said softly and sadly, "It’s all my fault, they would have been very good without me..."

She didn’t finish her sentence, but the unsaid words were very effective.

He Lanzhi frowned, her expression fierce and her tone intensified, "He Yuming, what do they have to do with you? Qiqi is your brother, come here, Daddy will take you and Qiqi to eat cake."

He spoke to the little child who was just over two years old in a commanding tone.

He Yuming turned his head and stared fiercely at Zhou Ruoki, "A bad kid who steals someone else’s daddy."

Little children don’t understand anything, but they instinctively feel that the dad that belongs to them loves another child, so they inherently dislike that child.

Zhou Ruoki’s shoulders trembled, and his voice was very small, "Uncle He, I want to get down."

His eyes were reddening, and he was about to cry.

And Seo Zhenzhen was already choking up, "It’s all mine and Qiqi’s fault."

He Lanzhi’s expression suddenly darkened, and after handing Zhou Ruoki to Seo Zhenzhen, she strode towards He Yuming, looking as if she was about to start hitting someone.

Cheng Yang spread his arms wide, "The bad uncle is coming, He Yuming run fast, I’ll protect you."

Cheng Zhiwei: "..."

She stepped forward in front of Cheng Yang, "He Lanzhi..."

"Get out of the way." He Lanzhi, who already disliked Cheng Zhiwei, pushed her rudely without any courtesy.

His push was strong, and Cheng Zhiwei stumbled backward.

But she didn’t fall to the ground as she might have expected; a man’s arm was across her waist, steadying her.

A familiar scent wafted over.

Cheng Zhiwei knew who it was, her expression unchanged, and after steadying herself, she stepped aside and calmly said, "Thank you."

There was not even the slightest fluctuation in her emotions, like she was simply nodding to a stranger she barely knew.

This indifference was more hurtful than hysteria or turning a blind eye.

Because it signified the absence of both love and hate.

Zhou Lin’s eyes roiled with emotion, knowing everything about Cheng Zhiwei over those three years, including her return to the country, he was aware. He hadn’t shown himself because he wanted to find a more appropriate opportunity to visit them.

But he hadn’t expected to encounter her on his first day back in the country.

And those two little ones as well.

Cheng Xing resembled her, quiet and well-behaved, while Cheng Yang was the exact opposite, lively in temperament.

They were his and her children.

Still, he couldn’t control his emotions, his eyes reddened, his arms trembling. He should have held them close and cherished them, but instead, he was afraid of frightening them.

Seo Zhenzhen saw this, unconsciously tightening her hold on Zhou Ruoki.

Their paths had crossed once again.

Seeing the wistful longing in Zhou Lin’s gaze, it was clear he had never let go of his feelings for Cheng Zhiwei.

He still loved her.

Her long nails dug into Zhou Ruoki’s thigh as she pinched hard.

Zhou Ruoki suddenly burst into tears.

Zhou Lin snapped back to reality, regaining much of his composure.

He Lanzhi had already walked over and took Zhou Ruoki into her arms, soothing him, "Is Qiqi hungry? Don’t cry."

Xu Tian scoffed.

He Lanzhi acted as if she hadn’t seen it, saying to Zhou Lin, "Today is Qiqi’s birthday, don’t waste time on irrelevant people."

Only then did Cheng Zhiwei realize it was Zhou Ruoki’s birthday, feeling a bit sorry for the child; what was supposed to be a wonderful birthday turned out like this.

She took the initiative to take Cheng Yang and Cheng Xing by the hand, "Let’s go back and eat cake."

She intentionally avoided them.

After all, it was that child’s birthday.

Xu Tian patted He Yuming’s hair, "Go have cake with your brother and sister."

The three children left hand in hand.

Cheng Zhiwei nodded to Zhou Lin, ready to follow.

Her wrist was forcefully grabbed by Zhou Lin’s large hand and then immediately released.

Zhou Lin stared at her graceful and fair cheeks, gently asking, "Will you join us for the child’s birthday celebration?"

Seo Zhenzhen almost jumped up, that was her son, not Cheng Zhiwei’s son. It was his birthday, and he was inviting Cheng Zhiwei to participate. His tone and demeanor were as if Cheng Zhiwei was the real mother.

But she did not dare to voice her opposition, could only bite her lip in displeasure.

He Lanzhi spoke up discontentedly, "Ah Lin, what are you doing? It’s Qiqi’s birthday, why invite irrelevant people?"

Zhou Lin’s dark eyes were indifferent, "This is my child."

Not an irrelevant person.

With one sentence, he left He Lanzhi speechless.

"Thank you for your kindness, Mr. Zhou, but we need to head home soon, so we won’t be joining. Happy birthday to Qiqi," Cheng Zhiwei said as she stepped back, politely declining Zhou Lin.

Then she returned to her seat.

Xu Tian curled her lips in disdain, "Zhou Lin, you should learn to be as open-minded as He Lanzhi, acting as if your own child doesn’t exist."

Zhou Lin took out a cigarette, a sign of his irritation. Three years ago, he had mostly quit, but in these last few years, the habit had grown stronger again.

Yet he did not light it in front of the children.

He approached Zhou Ruoki, extending his hand. Tears still glistened on her face as she threw herself into his arms, "Daddy."

Zhou Lin gently wiped away the tears from her face with the back of his hand. His tone wasn’t exactly affectionate, but there was a hint of generosity, "Would you like to invite them to your birthday?"

Zhou Ruoki of course wanted to; she really liked Cheng Xing, the sister who brought her chocolates.

She could read the adults’ expressions and knew her mother didn’t like them.

But her father did.

So she nodded sensibly, "Yes, Daddy."

Seo Zhenzhen reluctantly said, "Ah Lin, let’s go. We’ve been here too long; Uncle He and the aunts must be getting anxious."

She couldn’t take it anymore.

Zhou Ruoki had already gotten down from Zhou Lin and ran to Cheng Xing, "Sister, may I invite you to have birthday cake with me?"

Cheng Xing looked to Cheng Zhiwei, "Mom."

Her eyes, like black grapes, were clear and bright. Cheng Zhiwei could see that she wanted to go.

Cheng Xing had an inexplicable fondness for Zhou Ruoki.

"Xingxing, we should go home," Cheng Zhiwei said as she caressed her daughter’s tender cheek, softly and delicately reasoning with her. "Mom wants to go too, but your grandparents knew you were coming back and they came specially to see you. Do you want to make your grandparents wait for you?"

Cheng Xing shook her head. She sincerely said to Zhou Ruoki, "I have to go home."

She handed him the piece of chocolate she had and earnestly wished, "Happy Birthday."

Zhou Ruoki’s expression became downcast, and he ran towards Zhou Lin.

Zhou Lin wanted to speak, but Cheng Zhiwei had already taken her two children and left.

Xu Tian held He Yuming in her arms, lazily watching them, "A family of four should be happy."

Locked away for good.

Zhou Lin watched until their car drove away before he withdrew his gaze.

Zhou Ruoki felt sad inside, "Sorry, Daddy."

He hadn’t made Daddy happy.

Mommy said that he must make Daddy happy, so that Daddy would like him more.

Zhou Lin patted his hair, "Qiqi did great. Let’s go up."

Seo Zhenzhen smiled and deliberately asked, "Are you happy that Daddy is spending your birthday with you, Qiqi?"