Laughter from the backyard drifted to the front.
Shen Meixiu was applying a facial mask for skincare.
"So noisy!"
The servant beside her immediately reported, "It's Miss Ye playing ball with the children."
"Playing ball?" Shen Meixiu found it amusing.
Things about her were circulating online with vivid details, yet she could still relax and play with the children. She was truly formidable!
Shen Meixiu tugged at the mask on her face, closed her eyes, and tried not to make too many expressions.
Xingxing stood by the upstairs window, gazing with longing at the agilely running Xiaoran.
He had never played the kind of ball they were playing.
Sensing a gaze, Ye Ziyu glanced around. Seeing no one nearby, she looked up towards the second floor.
Xingxing?
A small figure was in the center of the window.
From a distance, Ye Ziyu couldn't discern his expression.
"Mommy, the ball's coming!"
Yuze threw the ball to Ye Ziyu, and Qianqian quickly reminded her.
Hastily withdrawing her gaze, Ye Ziyu caught the flying ball steadily.
"You guys play first, Mommy has something to do."
"Mommy, where are you going?"
Ye Ziyu looked up at the upstairs window and replied, "To get some water."
"Then come back quickly." The three children requested in unison.
Ye Ziyu nodded and left the backyard.
Seeing her go, Xingxing no longer stood by the window watching them play.
To go upstairs, one had to pass through the living room. Ye Ziyu saw Shen Meixiu half-reclining on the sofa with a mask on, pretending not to see her.
"Oh!" Shen Meixiu pulled off her mask and stood up from the sofa. "Ziyu, you're home!"
Didn't she already know if she was home or not?
Ye Ziyu turned around and replied cooperatively, "Yes."
"You know, my memory isn't what it used to be. I thought you'd be rushing out early after breakfast to deal with the online matters." Shen Meixiu remarked.
Online matters?
With just one photo, would she keep paying attention to it?
"When people lose interest, they naturally won't focus on it anymore. There's no need to keep thinking about it."
"You truly are broad-minded!"
For some reason, Ye Ziyu always felt Shen Meixiu's words had hidden meanings. Unable to figure it out, she decided not to dwell on it. She smiled and cut short the topic.
Ye Ziyu's smile left Shen Meixiu unsure of what else to say.
Both fell silent. Ye Ziyu took the opportunity to go upstairs.
She arrived at Xingxing's room door and knocked politely.
Hearing the knock, Xingxing's heart fluttered, but he didn't know how to face Ye Ziyu.
"Xingxing, may I come in?" Ye Ziyu asked.
She knew he was inside, and he couldn't have gone anywhere else in such a short time.
Xingxing hesitated, but his body moved uncontrollably to the door. Hearing Ye Ziyu's question, he opened it.
Ye Ziyu looked at him with a gentle expression. "Are you busy right now?"
Xingxing stood at the door, showing no reaction.
Ye Ziyu thought for a moment and explained, "We're playing ball downstairs. Would you like to join us?"
He wanted to play!
But with Di Mingjue in between them, he didn't know how to face his children.
If he got close to them, would his parents in heaven be angry?
With that thought, Xingxing resolutely refused, "I'm studying."
Studying?
But she had clearly seen him standing by the window watching them in the garden just now. Had she been mistaken?
Ye Ziyu's gaze drifted behind him and landed on the desk behind him. It was very neat, with no books on it.
Xingxing gripped the doorknob, making a move to close the door. "I need to study now."
Ye Ziyu watched the door close before her eyes.
Never mind, if he didn't like it, she couldn't force him.
Passing through the living room again, Shen Meixiu was not as easily letting her go this time.
She blocked Ye Ziyu's path, and Ye Ziyu looked at her, uncomprehending.
"Ziyu, I was thinking, perhaps you don't know what's been happening online?"