The Tycoon's Mysterious Darling Wife
Chapter 418 - 420. Petty Young Master Fu

Chapter 418: 420. Petty Young Master Fu

Doug and Ya Xi left the hospital together, and it was not until they were almost at the hotel entrance that Ya Xi spoke softly, "Is he doing okay?"

"Why don’t you go in and ask him yourself if you want to know?"

"Doug, do you think I’m unfilial?"

Doug stopped in his tracks and looked at Ya Xi, "I’ve never thought that. I know you’re still struggling with your mother’s death. I brought you back this time, but whether you want to see him is your choice."

"Doug, I want to go back. When can we return to Xueli City?"

Seeing that Ya Xi truly did not want to see Yan Anbang, Doug sighed softly, "If you want, we can leave in a couple of days."

Ya Xi nodded and silently went back to her room.

On the third day, Ya Xi and Doug visited the old Zhao Family house. This house had been empty since Zhao Jiaqing’s death, and Yan Shengyu had not sold it. He would visit it occasionally when he returned to Nancheng, and would have the housekeeping company clean it, so the house was not dirty.

Ya Xi looked at the old furnishings and spoke softly, "This house was left to my mother by my grandfather. I was very young when my grandfather passed away, and I don’t remember what he looked like at all. My impression of him is all from what my mother told me. I heard my grandfather was very good to me and my brother, and there are still many of our childhood toys in the house."

"Do you want to take the toys back with you?"

Ya Xi shook her head, "No, I’m here for the photos. There are many photos of my mother here. I forgot to take them last time I was here. I told my brother I would take half of the photos here."

Ya Xi went straight to the second-floor study. The door wasn’t locked, and she pushed it open. The study was clean, with bookcases on both sides filled with various books. Her grandfather, though a soldier, was an avid reader, and many of the books had been left by him.

Ya Xi pulled open a desk drawer and took out the photo albums. A piece of paper fell out, and when Ya Xi picked it up, she saw it was an admission letter with her name on it.

"My mother said I didn’t take the college entrance examination because I had a fever. Why do I have an admission letter from B University?" Ya Xi murmured softly to herself.

Doug was originally waiting at the door, but his expression changed when he heard her, and he walked in, immediately noticing the item in Ya Xi’s hand.

Ya Xi looked up at Doug, her expression conflicted, "Doug, don’t you think it’s strange? My mother clearly said I didn’t take the college entrance exam, and that’s why they sent me abroad to study. But now there’s this admission letter from B University here. What’s going on?"

This was something Doug really couldn’t explain. He thought this admission letter had been destroyed a long time ago. He didn’t expect that Zhao Jiaqing had kept it, and now Ya Xi had seen it; this was a bit troublesome.

Uncertain of how to explain, Ya Xi directly called Yan Shengyu, who was also unaware that Zhao Jiaqing had kept the admission letter, and he was caught off guard for a moment.

"Brother, what exactly are you hiding from me?" Ya Xi asked.

Yan Shengyu paused for a moment, then chuckled, "Xiao Xi, you’re overthinking it. What could we possibly be hiding from you?"

"Then how do you explain this admission letter? When I woke up in the hospital, you all told me I missed the college entrance exam because I was sick. But now there’s this admission letter from B University. Could it be that this letter is fake, something you made up to placate me?"

Yan Shengyu was at a loss for words. The only way to explain the situation was to reveal the truth to Ya Xi, but that was something he absolutely could not disclose.

"Brother, I’m certain you’re hiding something from me. Can you please tell me the truth?" Ya Xi pleaded.

Yan Shengyu thought for a moment, then sighed, "Xiao Xi, it’s not that your brother doesn’t want to tell you, but I feel it’s simply unnecessary for you to know."

"Brother, I want to know now."

"If you want to know, brother can tell you. Actually, it’s not as complicated as you think. Simply put, you took the high school examination, but your physical condition was not good, and you fainted as soon as you walked out of the examination hall. You had a fever in the hospital and it kept recurring. Daddy and Mommy thought it was due to the domestic educational pressure being too much for you, fearing that you wouldn’t perform well in your exams and would be heartbroken if you failed to get into a Chinese university. After discussing, they decided to let you study abroad. Conveniently, when you woke up, it seemed like you had forgotten that you had taken the exams, so Mommy directly told you that you didn’t participate, allowing you to go abroad without worries. This acceptance letter arrived after you had already left for Xueli City, where you were preparing for your entrance exams. We decided to simply not tell you about it, pretending it never happened."

Ya Xi was half-convinced, "Is it really just that?"

Yan Shengyu affirmed, "That’s all there is to it. What else do you think happened?"

With that counter-question from Yan Shengyu, Ya Xi really was stumped. She didn’t know what she wanted to know, nor what she thought the truth was. But when she saw the acceptance letter, her heart went into turmoil, as if something uncontrollable had happened.

"Brother, it was just a fever. How could I forget something as important as taking the high school exams?" Ya Xi still felt something was off.

"What’s so strange about that? It’s not the first time you’ve forgotten things. As a child, everytime you got sick, you would forget some events. Do you remember?"

Ya Xi truly didn’t know about this, "Is it really like that? Do I have such a condition?"

"You do, but since what you forgot was never anything important, we didn’t pay much attention. Now, you’re already in school in Xueli City, and this acceptance letter from B University is no longer important to you. If you want to keep it, then keep it as a memento."

It seemed Ya Xi was persuaded by Yan Shengyu, "I understand, brother. I’ll take this acceptance letter with me. Brother, I’m going back with Doug tomorrow."

Seeing that Ya Xi believed him, Yan Shengyu secretly breathed a sigh of relief, "Alright, go back earlier if there’s nothing else."

The next day, Ya Xi and Doug returned to Xueli City. It was Yan Shengyu who personally saw the two off on the plane.

Ya Xi stared at the clouds outside the airplane, expressionless. Last night, she had a dream in which she saw a little girl crying in a corner, head down, hugging her knees. She couldn’t see the girl’s face but could hear the sobs, which deeply saddened her heart.

The dream lingered clear in her mind even upon waking and wouldn’t leave her thoughts. For some reason, just thinking about the scenes from the dream made her very afraid. And the words Yan Shengyu said—they always seemed off, but she couldn’t pinpoint exactly how.

"Ya Xi." Doug noticed she had been silent and gazing outside since boarding the plane and called her name. Ya Xi came back to her senses and met Doug’s concerned look, shaking her head, "I was just distracted thinking about something, it’s nothing."

"What were you thinking about? Can you share it with me?"

Ya Xi didn’t hide anything from Doug, sharing the nightmare she had. Doug laughed, "It’s just a nightmare. It’s normal for anyone to feel fear or sadness if they remember scenes from their dreams. Don’t overthink it. As for your brother, he wouldn’t lie to you, and there’s no need for him to."

Hearing this, Ya Xi thought it over seriously, "What you said does make sense. Maybe I am indeed overthinking."

"You definitely are overthinking it. You probably didn’t sleep well after the nightmare last night. Now’s a good time to rest a bit."

Ya Xi nodded, and Doug handed her an eye mask. After putting it on, she leaned on Doug’s shoulder to rest. Doug turned his head to look at Ya Xi’s peaceful profile, his eyes deep and somber.

He could feel that Ya Xi’s memory seemed to be slowly coming back. Many things were beginning to take a vague shape in her mind, like dreams. This was not the first time that Ya Xi had had nightmares, and perhaps they were not the actual scenes from the past, but these negative-emotion-laden nightmares were actually a true reflection of her inner self. The frequency of such situations was making Doug feel uneasy.

The deep hypnosis he had performed on Ya Xi, in theory, should not have been easily recalled, but now one thing after another was happening, and Ya Xi’s memory gate showed signs of opening. Once the sealed memories were reawakened, it could lead to Ya Xi’s total destruction.

Worry was deeply etched in Doug’s eyes.

**

Beijing, the Jiang Family.

These past few days, Mrs. Jiang had been feeling restless.

"I’m talking to you, what are you thinking about?" Mr. Jiang, noticing his wife’s distraction for possibly the umpteenth time these few days, was getting slightly annoyed. Whenever he asked, she never had anything to say.

Mrs. Jiang came back to reality, "Ah, what did you say?"

"I’m asking what’s on your mind. You don’t even respond when I speak to you."

"Nothing much, just wondering when we can hold our grandson," Mrs. Jiang casually gave an excuse to brush off Mr. Jiang’s concern.

"If you’re anxious, it won’t help. Didn’t Chenxi mention he had someone he liked last time? You should ask how they are getting along when you get the chance. If they’re a good match, we could arrange a meeting with our family," Mr. Jiang suggested, not particularly rushed about his son getting married. As a man, he felt that being a couple of years late didn’t really matter. Besides, their family was not in bad circumstances.

At the mention of this, Mrs. Jiang suddenly regretted broaching the topic. If her suspicions were true, no one in the family would be less able to accept it than Mr. Jiang.

"I know. I’ll ask him sometime."

Mr. Jiang did not pursue the topic further and started talking about university matters instead. Both were professors at the same university and, although not from the same department, had plenty of work discussions.

Mrs. Jiang happily went along with the change of topic, but her inner concerns were not assuaged.

The next day, Mrs. Jiang call Chenxi and invited her son out for lunch.

"Mom, what made you think of asking me out for lunch today?" Chenxi was somewhat surprised to see his mother, as he lived alone and only returned home for meals on the weekend.

"I just thought it’s been awhile since we last went out to eat together. We need to change things up once in a while."

Chenxi smiled and passed the menu to his mother, "Alright, you order whatever you like today. It’s my treat."

With a playful look, Mrs. Jiang replied, "Of course you’re treating, did you think I’d be paying when dining out with my son?" She took the menu without hesitation and ordered quite a few dishes, most of which were Chenxi’s favorites.

Midway through the meal, Mrs. Jiang casually remarked, "Han Yi and Xiao Xuan are married now, going to be fathers soon, and among the remaining people, you’re the oldest. What are your plans?"

Chenxi paused with his chopsticks in hand and placed a piece of fish onto his mother’s plate, "Mom, this kind of thing can’t be rushed. I’m just waiting for the right person."

At that, Mrs. Jiang looked up at her son, "Didn’t you say last time that you had someone you liked? How are you getting along with her?"

"I’m in the midst of courting."

"Which family’s daughter is so difficult to court? Tell me, and maybe I can give you some advice," Mrs. Jiang said with curiosity.

Chenxi smiled, "Mom, I can handle courting a girlfriend by myself. All you need to do is wait."

"So you don’t want my help? I’ll stay out of it, but you could at least satisfy my curiosity and tell me whose daughter it is," Mrs. Jiang tried to coax the information out of Chenxi.

Chenxi looked at his mother, feeling perplexed, "Mom, what’s gotten into you today? You weren’t so curious about this before."

Then I wouldn’t know that you might like Pei Yinong, Mrs. Jiang thought silently to herself.

"I just saw Hengyi’s child the other day and felt envious. You’re only a few years younger than Hengyi, but not even a shadow in sight. I worry that you’ll still be single when Hengyi’s son is old enough to buy soy sauce. You know, being single these days doesn’t make you some eligible bachelor; they call it being a ’single dog.’"

"Wow, Mom, even knowing about ’single dogs,’ that’s pretty trendy of you," Chenxi teased his mother.

"Don’t stray from my question. I’m being serious here. Which family’s daughter do you like? Give me some hope, will you? Or is there really no such person, and you just made it up so you wouldn’t have to go on blind dates?" Mrs. Jiang would rather it be the latter, as it would be better than her own conjecture.

"Mom, you’re really overthinking it. I do have someone I like, it’s just that she’s not willing to accept me now, and I don’t want to stress her out by telling you," Chenxi said.

This made Mrs. Jiang feel even more uneasy, "Then who is she exactly? Are you trying to drive your mother to her grave? Or are you in love with a married woman?"

Chenxi laughed, "Mom, stop teasing me. How could I possibly fall for a married woman? She’s still single, rest assured."

Seeing that Chenxi was unwilling to disclose the name, Mrs. Jiang’s unease grew, but she refrained from asking further, continuing with the meal. Then, nonchalantly, she asked, "Why haven’t you brought Haohao over to the house lately?"

Chenxi was momentarily stunned, then responded with a smile, "Mom, do you really like Haohao?"

"Of course, who wouldn’t like a child as well-behaved as Haohao? And I’ve never heard you mention his parents. You said he’s your friend’s child, which one is it? I might know them."

Chenxi was unaware that his mother had learned about Haohao being Pei Yinong’s son; her questions today, whether about his girlfriend or Haohao, inadvertently hinted to Chenxi that something was amiss.

"Mom, you asked me out to lunch today, is there something you want to tell me?"

Mrs. Jiang forced a smile, "I simply wanted to have a meal with you. What could possibly be wrong?" She didn’t want to burst the bubble; if things were as bad as she feared, it would be terrible.

Now Chenxi was certain his mother already knew, "Haohao is Pei Yinong’s son, and yes, he’s the same Pei Yinong you’re thinking of."

"So, Haohao’s mother is her," Shen Qinglan finally spoke up, "Why didn’t you tell me sooner?"

"Mom, I like Pei Yinong, and I’m pursuing her. I want her to be my wife," Jiang Chenxi said, deciding to lay it all out now that he had broached the subject.

"Clatter." Mrs. Jiang’s chopsticks fell onto the table. She reached to pick them up, but inadvertently knocked over a glass of water, spilling it all over the table.

Jiang Chenxi stood up, helped his mother clean everything up, then asked the waiter to bring a fresh set of dishes and chopsticks.

"Mom, I’m just telling you the truth. Is it really that horrifying?" Jiang Chenxi tried to lighten the tense atmosphere in the private room.

Mrs. Jiang’s face was resolute, "I don’t agree."

Jiang Chenxi had anticipated this reaction and was not surprised, "Just because Yinong has a child?"

"Chenxi, I don’t want to say anything harsh, but everyone in Beijing knows that Pei Yinong got pregnant before marriage and was left with a child whose father is unknown. Otherwise, why couldn’t she marry off with her good family background? Would any decent family willingly accept her?" his mother retorted.

"Mom, you have a prejudice against her. Yinong is actually a very good woman, and you’d understand if you spent some time with her." Jiang Chenxi tried to defend Pei Yinong. "Plus, Haohao is so well-behaved and sensible. Didn’t you just say you liked him a lot?"

"Is that the same thing?" Mrs. Jiang grew irritated, "I like the neighbor’s kid too, but that’s not my own child. I can like any child, but if you’re with Pei Yinong, that’s your child. How do you expect me to accept that?"

Jiang Chenxi softened his expression and looked steadily at his mother, "Mom, is that so hard to accept? I don’t think so. You’ve spent time with Haohao and have told me more than once how well-raised he is, and that his parents must be great people. From Haohao, you can gauge Yinong’s character. I’ve heard all the rumors in Beijing, but none of them are true. Yinong and I were university classmates, and I know about her situation."

"Then tell me what really happened," she demanded.

Jiang Chenxi appeared troubled, "Mom, that’s Yinong’s private matter, and I can’t discuss it with you. What I can tell you is, what you think of Yinong’s situation isn’t true. She’s a wonderful woman, the best I’ve ever met. I’ve liked her for many years."

"Chenxi, it’s not that I look down on single mothers, but a family like ours just can’t accept such a person." Their family was considered an educated and scholarly lineage, with very strict family values—especially his father, who was very conservative and stubborn. If he found out about this, there would surely be no room for discussion. She didn’t want to see her son and husband fall out over an outsider. She had decided to get the bottom of it first with her son today, but to her dismay, things had taken the worst possible turn.

"We’re a plain family; I don’t see what’s so special about us. If we really talk about family backgrounds, ours is not even comparable to the Pei Family. Mom, I always thought you were an enlightened and reasonable mother, but what you’re saying now doesn’t sound like you." Whether it was the Chu Family or the Pei Family, both were renowned in Beijing; honestly, the Jiang Family didn’t quite match up.

"Chenxi, you know the reasons yourself, and you know what I mean. Why insist on talking like this to me? Am I trying to harm you?"

"Mom, that’s not what I meant. I was too harsh with my words just now, please don’t take them to heart," Jiang Chenxi realized he had been wrong seeing his mother’s sadness.

Mrs. Jiang, of course, wouldn’t really get angry with her son. She sighed, "Chenxi, I’m only thinking of your best interest. Think about your father’s personality—even if I agreed, your father would never. We are from a traditional family. If you truly defy your parents to be with Pei Yinong, your father would disown you from the Jiang Family for life, not recognizing any children you might have with her. Is this what you want to see?"

Jiang Chenxi fell silent. It was precisely because he understood his father’s nature that he had planned to get his family to accept Haohao first before revealing the truth. Now, he realized he had been naive.

Jiang Chenxi gave a bitter smile, "Mom, actually, there’s no point in us talking about this here. Yinong doesn’t accept me at all. I’ve been rejected by her several times; it’s just me who kept persisting."

Mrs. Jiang was taken aback. Initially, when she found out her son liked Pei Yinong, she doubted the truthfulness of his words about being rejected, thinking perhaps he was making excuses for Pei Yinong. Could it actually be true?

"Mum, it’s true." As if sensing her confusion, Jiang Chenxi spoke directly, "Perhaps in your eyes I’m perfect, but she simply doesn’t fancy me."

At these words, Mrs. Jiang’s heart ached, "If she doesn’t like you, why can’t you give up? There are so many good girls in the world. Why insist on hanging yourself on one tree?"

Jiang Chenxi gave a bitter smile, "Mum, a heart given away is not so easily reclaimed. To me, no one else compares to her; I don’t care for anyone else."

"What’s so good about Pei Yinong?" Mrs. Jiang couldn’t understand.

"I don’t know, either. Some people, you can’t pinpoint what’s so good about them, but they’re simply irreplaceable."

"Son, I could persuade your dad for anyone else, but Yinong’s reputation is really too bad, and your dad cares so much about face. If you really end up with her, where would you put your father’s face? Do you want to infuriate your dad to death?"

Jiang Chenxi fell silent again; after a long while, he replied softly, "Mum, I hope you can help me with this. You’ll know Yinong’s good qualities once you’ve met her. As for my dad, since Yinong doesn’t want to accept me right now, let’s not tell Dad for the time being."

Mrs. Jiang naturally wouldn’t tell her husband just yet. Jiang Chenxi himself had said that it was currently Pei Yinong who was unwilling to accept him. If she still ended up without a result with her son, bringing it up would only cause unnecessary complications.

"Alright, I won’t tell your dad about this, but Chenxi, I must make my stance clear to you—I will not approve of your relationship with Pei Yinong."

"Okay, thanks Mum."

**

The Fu Family’s Shen Qinglan and Fu Hengyi were taking Anan to get vaccinated today.

It was unclear whether Anan knew that today involved a hospital visit, but the little one had been in low spirits since waking. Even during feeding, he was sluggish, taking only a few sips before refusing to eat more. Worried he would be hungry, Shen Qinglan insisted, resulting in him spitting everything out.

"Forget it, if he doesn’t want to eat, don’t force him. We can feed him later if he gets hungry," Fu Hengyi said, seeing the child furrow his brow and staunchly refuse his milk, unable to bear forcing him further.

"Then I’ll pump the milk into a bottle and feed him in the car later," Shen Qinglan suggested. Actually, when it came to vaccinating Anan, Shen Qinglan also found it troubling. She had never seen a child so averse to getting shots; during previous vaccinations, it had caused quite an uproar.

After preparing their son’s sustenance, Shen Qinglan hurriedly ate a few bites of breakfast before she and Fu Hengyi left the house. Old Sir Fu did not wish to join; he’d been there once before and the memory still unsettled him.

Shen Qinglan’s bag held several of Anan’s toys, all to console him after his injection.

Still not yet at the hospital, Anan seemed to forget his earlier dismay once they left the house, gradually brightening up and playing cheerfully in Shen Qinglan’s arms. When Shen Qinglan offered him the bottle, he even held it himself and drank obediently.

Upon reaching the hospital entrance and just getting out of the car, Anan’s mood turned sour, gripping Shen Qinglan’s clothing and fussing. Shen Qinglan knew he did not want to enter.

"Anan, be good. We’ll be out quickly after the vaccination, and then Mum will take you to the playground, okay?" Shen Qinglan coaxed her son.

But at three months old, Anan couldn’t comprehend his mother’s words—he just wanted to go home. Fu Hengyi took his son in his arms and strode directly into the hospital.

The doctor had been pre-arranged, so there was no need to queue. They went straight in upon arrival. As soon as they entered, Anan started to wail, waving his little arms, refusing to let anyone touch him.

Fu Hengyi held his son, while Shen Qinglan steadied the little boy’s arm and lifted his shirt up. "Doctor, please hurry," Shen Qinglan urged, her heart aching at the sound of her son’s heartrending cries.

The doctor swiftly swabbed the area with alcohol and quickly administered the vaccine.

"Ah!" Anan’s crying intensified as he writhed, and if it weren’t for Fu Hengyi’s strong and quick reflexes to hold him steady, the doctor’s injection might have gone awry.

After the shot, Anan continued to cry as if his heart was being torn apart, showing no signs of stopping, not even with Shen Qinglan’s attempts to soothe him.

Sweat formed on Anan’s forehead as he cried. Shen Qinglan took a tissue from her bag to wipe it off, but Anan swatted at her hand, hitting his mother’s hand. Shen Qinglan was taken aback, and Fu Hengyi’s expression turned a bit chilly. He glanced at his son, "You go wait for me in the car," he told Shen Qinglan.

Shen Qinglan looked at her inconsolable son, nodded, and left. Seeing his mother leave, Anan wept even more bitterly. Fu Hengyi held his son without trying to console him, just standing at a wind-sheltered spot in the hallway.

"Fu Chenxuan, you are a boy. You can’t always cry at the drop of a hat. You can cry if you want, but I won’t coddle you. We’ll go find Mommy after you’ve cried enough," Fu Hengyi said, speaking his mind to his son in a serious tone that wasn’t harsh.

Anan cried a little longer, gradually quieting down, hiccuping while he clung to his daddy’s neck and sobbed softly. Fu Hengyi stroked his back until he calmed down, took out a tissue, and dabbed away the sweat.

He paced back and forth on the spot, humming a tune softly. Shen Qinglan hadn’t gone far and was standing around the corner, quietly watching the scene of Fu Hengyi comforting their child, a slight smile curling her lips. Sometimes Fu Hengyi appeared tough with children, but in reality, he was tenderer than anyone else. Having just witnessed Anan throwing a tantrum and hitting his mother, it was clear Fu Hengyi intended to discipline his son but probably couldn’t bear to do it, seeing how pitifully the child cried.

After the sweat on Anan’s body subsided, Fu Hengyi finally walked out with him. Anan lay low-spirited on his dad’s shoulder.

Shen Qinglan reached out to hold her son, but Anan didn’t move, nor did he rush into her arms like before. Shen Qinglan smiled helplessly, thinking the little one was as vindictive as his father.

On the way back, Shen Qinglan was driving while Anan sat in his father’s lap, fiddling with a little duck toy, squeezing it now and then. During the red light stops, Shen Qinglan turned back and called her son, but Anan ignored her, focusing intently on his toy.

"Fu Hengyi, your son is just holding a grudge against me," Shen Qinglan teased, "Just like you, small-minded as the eye of a needle."

Fu Hengyi wore an innocent face, "You’re slandering me. I’ve never gotten angry with you."

Shen Qinglan smirked, "Oh? Really never?" She wondered who it was that had just gotten mad at her not too long ago, and she had to cajole him for half a day, even resorting to using her charms to appease him in the end.

Fu Hengyi nodded firmly, "Absolutely not."

"So you’re saying your son got his pettiness from me?"

He certainly wouldn’t answer that way. Fu Hengyi spoke calmly, "How could that be? The small-mindedness is just like mine. My wife is generous and proper."

Shen Qinglan couldn’t help but laugh at Fu Hengyi’s serious expression, "Just keep talking."

Fu Hengyi smiled. He looked down at his son, thinking that indeed, the child’s temper was becoming a bit too much. This wasn’t a good sign.

After returning home, Anan was still angry with his mother. Who could blame Shen Qinglan for having held his hand for the doctor to give the injection?

Old Sir Fu beamed at the sight of his great-grandson returning, but Anan did not give him the customary affectionate greeting, instead lying limp on his daddy’s shoulder.

Old Sir Fu knew that Anan would always be like this after his vaccinations, so he didn’t ask what was wrong and turned to Shen Qinglan, "What would you like for lunch?"

"Anything is fine, Grandpa. What did the doctor say when he came to check on you this morning?" Today a doctor had come by to give Old Sir Fu his routine check-up. Originally, Shen Qinglan had wanted Fu Hengyi to stay behind, but she alone truly couldn’t complete the task of taking Anan to get vaccinated. Old Sir Fu had then let both of them go together.

"There are no major issues," Old Sir Fu said with relief. "The doctor went back and forth about the same old problems. It’s normal for the body to be less reliable as one gets older." Old Sir Fu took it rather well; he had lived to the age of ninety, seen his great-grandson, and had nothing left to be dissatisfied about.

"Let’s set that aside for now, Qinglan. Your cousin just called, asking if you’d like to go to the amusement park with them this afternoon."

Shen Qinglan was slightly taken aback. Why hadn’t Pei Yinong called her phone directly? When she checked, she realized her phone had run out of battery and shut down. She glanced at her son, who was sulking, "I’ll give her a call back."

Shen Qinglan accepted Pei Yinong’s invitation, and it was a good day for it, being the weekend and Fu Hengyi’s last day off before he had to report to the Military Region tomorrow.

They agreed to meet at the entrance of the amusement park, and when Shen Qinglan and her group arrived, Pei Yinong and Haohao had already gotten there. Haohao was very happy to see Shen Qinglan, "Auntie!"

Shen Qinglan patted his soft hair, "Have you been waiting here with Mommy for a long time?"

"No, we just got here too," Haohao said, but his eyes were on Anan. "Auntie, little brother is so small, can he play with us?"

"Some rides we can go on together, but for some, it will just be Haohao by himself," Shen Qinglan said gently.

Anan just didn’t feel like acknowledging Shen Qinglan that day, and Pei Yinong curiously glanced at Anan, "What’s wrong with the child?"

Shen Qinglan explained the situation, and Pei Yinong tsked, "He’s not big, but he sure has quite a temper."

Shen Qinglan was also troubled by this stubborn trait of her son’s; she didn’t remember being someone with a bad temper when she was young. Her gaze fell on Fu Hengyi—could it be something inherited from his father? Maybe she should ask Old Sir Fu in private one of these days?

As if he could read his wife’s thoughts, Fu Hengyi had an innocent expression on his face.

Anan was too young for many rides, so today’s outing was purely to comfort him about the pain of getting a needle that morning. Upon seeing the carousel, Shen Qinglan carried her son and got on.

It was Anan’s first time on the carousel, and he was very curious, looking around with wide eyes. His mood finally seemed to improve, and as Shen Qinglan held him and the carousel started moving, Anan waved his little hands excitedly and made cooing noises.

When they got off, the little guy’s eyes were still fixed on the carousel, waving his hand, clearly wanting another turn.

"You go on the pirate ship with Haohao, and I’ll take Anan for another ride," Shen Qinglan told Fu Hengyi.

Fu Hengyi nodded and walked away with Haohao, while Pei Yinong was in charge of the bags and used her phone to take pictures of Shen Qinglan and Anan.

By the time Anan was content, half an hour had passed, and a little sun finally appeared on his drooping face. Shen Qinglan wiped the drool from the corner of his mouth, but Anan wrapped his arms around her neck and planted a big, wet kiss on her cheek.

Feeling the soft touch on her face, Shen Qinglan was slightly startled.