"Uncle Hu will take us home, come with us!" Xiao Ran extended his hand to Xing Xing in a friendly manner.
To show their sincere invitation, Qian Qian and Yu Ze unbuckled their seatbelts and waited by the car.
Xing Xing showed no reaction, his thoughtful gaze fixed on Xiao Ran's hand.
"Don't be shy!" Xiao Ran grabbed Xing Xing's hand and pulled him towards the car.
His eyes locked onto the hand holding his, Xing Xing looked up at the back of Xiao Ran's head.
This was the first time he felt such strong friendship!
Xing Xing's outwardly cold demeanor had repelled insincere people, but these children, no matter how distant he acted, approached him with warm hearts.
If Di Mingjue hadn't existed, they might have become inseparable friends!
"Uncle Hu, he's coming home with us. Call the house and tell them not to send anyone else to pick us up," Xiao Ran instructed Old Hu.
Now that they were by the car and seemed to be going home together, Old Hu nodded repeatedly, pulling out his phone to call the Ye residence.
"Alright, you can come home with us now without any worries," Xiao Ran released Xing Xing's hand and moved aside, allowing him to get into the car first.
Xing Xing glanced at the smiling Qian Qian, then bent down and stepped into the car in one fluid motion.
Old Hu started the engine, and the car merged onto the main road.
The woman who had been observing them got out of her car, removed her sunglasses, and revealed her true face.
Jiang Feifei turned her head towards the school gate, her gaze falling upon the plaque by the entrance.
[Siji City First Experimental Primary School!]
Putting her sunglasses back on, she bent down and returned to her car.
On the way back, Qian Qian stealthily observed Xing Xing.
"I have candy," Qian Qian took out a beautifully wrapped piece of candy from her pocket. "For you."
The candy was given to her by Ye Ziyu when they left, as a reward.
Xing Xing knew where the candy came from; he had watched the scene unfold from behind.
"I don't eat candy."
"It's not sweet; my mommy made it herself."
Qian Qian extended the hand holding the candy forward, strongly recommending it.
They liked to eat candy, but candies from outside were full of artificial sweeteners. Ye Ziyu didn't want to restrict their preference but was worried about the negative health effects of consuming too much artificially sweetened candy, so she made it herself.
Qian Qian liked Xing Xing, which was why she wanted to give him her best.
Xing Xing looked at the candy wrapper, which shimmered under the external light. Upon learning it was handmade by Ye Ziyu, he truly desired it.
His thoughts likely showed in his gaze, as Qian Qian took his hand and gently placed the candy into it. "You'll love it once you try it; it tastes a hundred times better than the ones sold in stores."
Qian Qian's eyes shone with pride as she spoke, and Xing Xing was infected by her enthusiasm. Staring intently at the candy, he couldn't help but clench his fist, holding the candy tightly.
Even before tasting it, he could already sense its sweetness.
"If you like it, I'll ask Mommy to make more for you," Yu Ze added from beside him.
With their repeated generous sharing, Xing Xing's longing for Ye Ziyu grew.
His inner thoughts were like a villain lurking in the shadows; he wished Ye Ziyu could be his mother.
Noticing Xing Xing's lack of response, Xiao Ran spoke up, "Don't stare at him so much; you're making him embarrassed."
"Brother Xing Xing, don't be shy. We're family, so please don't be polite with us." Qian Qian winked playfully, then became obedient under Xiao Ran's encouraging gaze.
Old Hu, who was driving, glanced at the rearview mirror, a smile of contentment gracing his lips.
Since being assigned to drive the three children, Old Hu had also noticed Xing Xing, who had been adopted by the Ye family.