The happy laughter of children spilled from the living room, and Ye Shaoting, who had been about to step out, paused.
Through the glass window, he saw Ye Ziyu washing dishes in the kitchen, while Di Mingjue stood behind her, holding their child and making her laugh.
If Wen Qian hadn't committed suicide because of his words, they could have been as happy as this.
How could a man who had committed heinous crimes deserve happiness?
Ye Shaoting, shrouded in darkness, pulled out his phone. The screen illuminated his cold side.
"Big Brother?" Ye Ziyu's peripheral vision caught sight of him outside the window. Hearing the familiar voice, she moved closer to the window.
Di Mingjue, with his advantage in height, saw more clearly than Ye Ziyu.
"You wipe this clean, and I'll go tell him about Xingxing," Ye Ziyu said, wiping the water from her hands with a towel and leaving the kitchen like a gust of wind.
The moment she turned, Ye Ziyu vanished from Di Mingjue's sight. He shook his head helplessly. Why did she become so flustered whenever it came to the children?
Qianqian looked up at Di Mingjue's helpless expression, her soft little finger pointing at his downturned face. "Daddy, why are you sighing and shaking your head?"
"Don't you feel sad that Mommy cares about others?" Di Mingjue asked earnestly.
Qianqian pondered for a moment, then replied with sincere honesty, "I'm not sad. Mommy is worried about Brother Xingxing. He's sick and needs care."
Di Mingjue felt ashamed. He wasn't even as understanding as a child.
Di Mingjue smiled helplessly and bent down to place Qianqian on the ground. "Go play with your brothers. Daddy needs to tidy this up."
"Okay." Qianqian turned and left with a flourish.
"My ungrateful little one!" Di Mingjue muttered under his breath, wiping the water by the sink with a rag.
Ye Ziyu arrived in the courtyard. Seeing Ye Shaoting talking on the phone with his back to her, she sensibly stood still and waited.
"Ziyu, you were looking for me?" Ye Shaoting turned to face Ye Ziyu after ending the call.
The call had actually ended long ago; he had intentionally made Ye Ziyu wait a little longer.
Ye Ziyu walked forward and replied, "Big Brother, where did you go today?"
"There was a project at the company that needed discussion. What's wrong?" Ye Shaoting asked.
"Xingxing is sick," Ye Ziyu said.
"Sick?"
"He might have caught a cold from the rain last night. But his fever has already subsided, and he just drank a bowl of congee. He should be asleep now."
Ye Shaoting nodded. He looked at Ye Ziyu, who was still standing in front of him and not leaving. "Is there anything else?"
During the time she waited for him to finish his call, Ye Ziyu had been thinking. Some things were indeed not suitable for her to say, but thinking of how young Xingxing was, she mustered up the courage.
"Do you require Xingxing to train every day? It rained heavily yesterday, and he insisted on completing his training in the rain. He's so young; training can be done in moderation. Is it necessary to train every single day?"
As Ye Ziyu spoke, Ye Shaoting gazed at her with a half-smile.
Indeed, mother and son shared a connection. He caught a fever after getting wet, and she was worried. Unfortunately, she had chosen the wrong man.
"I thank you for your concern, Aunt Ziyu, on Xingxing's behalf. However, Ziyu, you might not know. The training is something Xingxing requested himself, and he also arranged his own training schedule. I have never demanded it."
"You didn't demand it?"
Ye Ziyu was even more perplexed.
He was so young, an age meant for enjoyment. Why would he demand such rigorous training for himself every day? Moreover, he had the perseverance to stick to it regardless of whether the weather was windy or rainy.
Ye Shaoting took a step forward and patted Ye Ziyu's shoulder. "Don't worry. He has great plans for himself. He manages his training time well and will be fine."