The following days, Su Ding kept a close eye on the calendar, awaiting the results of the appraisal.
Jing Xiaoxi was brought over to play by the Jing family every few days. Su Xiaorui finally found a playmate she could talk to, her face blooming with joy every day.
Actually, it was Su Xiaorui talking alone.
One day, Jing Xiaoxi mysteriously arrived at Su Ding's house and went straight to the bedroom to have a secret chat with Xiaorui.
The two children declared that the adults were not allowed to listen.
Su Ding smiled and waved her hand, going to the kitchen to make them something to eat.
After so many days of getting along, she almost had the illusion that she had given birth to twins. Xiaoxi was as close to her as if she were his own mother.
In the bedroom, Jing Xiaoxi and Su Xiaorui sat facing each other.
Jing Xiaoxi put on a serious little face, "Xiaorui, I suspect you are my father's child."
Su Xiaorui blinked her eyes in confusion, "Brother, you said I am your father's child? No, Mom said my dad has already gone to heaven."
Jing Xiaoxi's expression froze, and he quickly shook his head, "No, no, you are my father's child, we are siblings."
Su Xiaorui covered her mouth and giggled, "Brother, don't tease me, I don't have a dad, only a mom."
Jing Xiaoxi stepped forward and held Xiaorui's shoulder, emphasizing seriously and earnestly, "Xiaorui, I have a photo to show you. You'll know after you see it."
Saying that, he took out a photo from his schoolbag.
The background of the photo was a bit yellowed, indicating it was old. Inside, there was a little boy staring sternly and coolly into the camera.
This was a photo of Jing Ye from when he was young, which Jing Xiaoxi had specifically found.
And the little face in the photo looked exactly like Su Xiaorui now!
Su Xiaorui held the photo and looked at it, then looked up at Jing Xiaoxi, "Whoa, you and your dad look alike, and you look alike to me too..."
Jing Xiaoxi nodded, "Don't you realize that you actually look more like Dad."
Su Xiaorui looked at him doubtfully, not understanding. They looked so similar, but why did they look alike?
Jing Xiaoxi frowned, thinking: Does Aunt Su Ding not let Dad see Xiaorui because she knows they have some connection?
If Aunt Su Ding was his mother, why wouldn't she acknowledge him?
The more he thought about it, the more suspicious he became. This matter had to be investigated.
He hadn't yearned for his mother's love so much before, but after meeting Aunt Su Ding, he developed a strong desire for a complete family.
As he was thinking, Su Ding knocked on the door, "Babies, come out and wash your hands for dinner~"
Jing Xiaoxi called out loudly, "Okay!"
He leaned into Xiaorui's ear and whispered, "Xiaorui, don't tell Aunt Su Ding about this photo."
Su Xiaorui nodded earnestly, "Mm-hmm."
After having dinner with the two little ones, Su Ding handed over the cleaning to the aunt and took them downstairs to stroll in a newly opened mall nearby.
When they reached the toy section, Su Xiaorui couldn't move, gazing longingly at the plush toys.
Su Ding chuckled, "We already have quite a few at home."
Su Xiaorui pouted aggrievedly, "I want that little duck."
Su Ding shook her head. Every time they went out, she had to buy small plush toys, and their home was almost overflowing.
Seeing this, Jing Xiaoxi was about to take off his small schoolbag to get his card.
Su Ding quickly stopped him, smiling and patting his head, "What are you doing, Xiaoxi?"
Jing Xiaoxi explained, "Sister wants..."
Su Xiaorui's eyes sparkled as she stared at Jing Xiaoxi, nodding furiously to signal: I want it, I want it!
Su Ding sighed, "We already have so many, we can't spoil her."
Jing Xiaoxi frowned. Seeing Xiaorui's disappointed and aggrieved eyes, he felt reluctant, but he also didn't want to disobey Aunt Su Ding.
Seeing that he didn't insist, Su Ding quickly led the two children away from the toy section.
She went to buy milk tea at the entrance of the milk tea shop and asked Xiaoxi to take Xiaorui to sit and rest at the seats outside the entrance.
Just as she finished paying, she saw Jing Ye's call coming through.
"Where are you?" a deep, magnetic voice came, making Su Ding's ears tingle.
"Mr. Jing, are you here to pick up Xiaoxi?"
"Mm."
"How long will it take you to get here?" Su Ding glanced at the time.
"At your doorstep. The aunt said you went out," Jing Ye said faintly.
"Ah?" Su Ding was stunned, "You, you're at my doorstep?"
"Yes, where are you? I'll pick you up." Jing Ye's tone was still cold and distant.
"Uh, no need, no need, we'll be right back."
Su Ding was a little flustered. This Mr. Jing had arrived without anyone knowing. Fortunately, he hadn't seen Xiaorui. Before the appraisal results were out, everything was still a risk.
Jing Ye's expression slightly darkened, and his tone turned cold, "Where are you?"
This was the third time he had asked, and he was becoming impatient. This woman...
Su Ding looked back at the seats by the entrance and found that the two children were nowhere to be seen. Her heart sank, and she began to panic.
Ignoring Jing Ye, she said hurriedly, "Xile Mall!"
With that, she hung up the phone.